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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Tony C. on May 29, 2004, at 15:49:39
I may as well accept it, I am screwed. Dr. W. and Lawyers will get there way SO rather than go quickly down in a short time getting off of this drug, and going into a tailspin - and given how I felt like I was dying with a 25% reduction after 5 days a few years ago till I resumed regular dose I opt for this way. I did my homework, and found Doctors that know coming off is BRUTAL for people, I mapped out a mathmatical plan to wean me off, but it will take about 1 year and a half. My plan is simple, a 5 % reduction every 2 weeks. I can only do that, I just watched a video on CBS internet news report, and saw Dr. W. from Public Citizens trashing it, saying it needs to be banned, and the Generic. I prefer to stay on it for life if I have to, but I am afraid it won't be an option in the very near future - so I better act now to start reducing as slowly and as comfortably as I can. I am going to tell my Doc this, and I hope he listens. I still urge anyone to tell the FDA or whoever that this should still be available for us to make our own choice. BUT just in case, I got a life to live and responsibilities, I will come down as long, as little and as slow as I deem COMFORTABLE for me. Anyone elese ever lose their taste when they tried to reduce it, that is first thing to go. With a positive outlook, I hope I can achieve this, I do not want to be tanked up on another Anti- Depressant, cause they didn't work before. Please contact whoever and fight for your rights, with a legitimate concern and peacefully as I will still do, but I am afraid Dr. W is going to win his way, cause the bottom line is $$$ and Generic companies will NOT want to be liable. Please keep me informed of anything positive regarding NEFAZODONE.
Thank you for your support and follow ups I need them, we need them.
Tony C.
Posted by traveler on May 29, 2004, at 18:25:34
In reply to I GOT A PLAN FOR SERZONE/NEFAZODONE WEANING, posted by Tony C. on May 29, 2004, at 15:49:39
I am confused and maybe I need to change doctors. But, I was told that there is absolutely no withdrawal symptoms associated with stopping serzone if you taper. But I guess if you have to taper, then there must be something to that...I thought it was just your body needing to readjust. I am just about to go off of serzone, and my doctor told me if I taper 50 mg/week I shouldn't notice anything. What were your symptoms?
thanks for any guidance
Posted by Tony C. on May 29, 2004, at 19:30:31
In reply to Re: I GOT A PLAN FOR SERZONE/NEFAZODONE WEANING, posted by traveler on May 29, 2004, at 18:25:34
That is my ONLY knock against Serzone thus far after 7 years. 3 Years ago my former Doc said ok its been 4 years, cut it down 50mg for a week, then again the 2nd week. Now I want to say, I have heard some say they got off fine rather quickly, and one friend I had named Steve said NEVER quit Cold Turkey, or it will disable you, he claimed it did him like a stroke or something. Well this is EXACT sequence that transpired for me. After knocking off 50 mg first day I felt fine, 2nd day I got headache and my taste was altered, I could not taste anything right. 3rd day I felt achy like the flu, but much worse, vivid dreams and less sleep. 4th day I felt like a Zombie, meaning like I was detached from reality, best way to describe it is like an entity trapped in my head. 5th day my left leg was numb like it was not attached to my body a very odd and hard sensation to explain, and just plain flat staring into space, but not depression, and my pupils felt as tho they were twitching and my vision was jumpy - it scared me to death, I did some research on the PC and saw what I was experiencing was DISCONTINUATION SYNDROME from tapering to fast for me 50mg after 4 years was to fast. I saw where resuming regular dose returns you to normal rapidly, so I did that and I returened to normal within 2 days of resuming regular dose. I now shudder to think how I would be now after 7 years. I tried shaving miniscule amounts before, and didn't feel quite as bad as the 50mg reduction, HOWEVER my taste goes after 1 or 2 days, and mild aches, some more vivid dreaming, but not as bad as the 50mg reduction .... SO I am thinking slow and low is the best, some Doctors are totally aware of this problem with these medicines, and the good ones reccommend now higher that a 5% reduction every week or two even if it takes you over 1 year to get off of it, that is my choice, cause they seem hell bent on getting it off the market, and as I said bottom line is $$$, so I think I better prepare for this Journey, and talk my Doctor into it. If the FDA would clarify once and for all that it still be on the market after further review, and a Generic company like TEVA the one who makes my nefazodone announced they will NOT stop making it, I would stay on this as long as possible. I have been on generic now 9 days, even tho it is claimed to be the same strngth I feel it was off by 5 or 10% possibly up to 20 as my doc told me they can be 10 to 20% weaker or stronger and still called equivalent. Anyhow mine I feel was lower, cause I had some taste disturbances.... transient tho, the one night about 4 days into the generic my kneee hurt for no reason for about 2 minutes, so bad I almost vomited, then I laid down and started shivering like you do with a fever it lasted about 20 minutes and went away, some fleeting joint aches also. I have had some stomach ache, mild which could be the different inactive ingredients, binders fillers etc. I am getting used to, I feel better each day, so I must be getting accustomed to the Generic strength which I feel is a little weaker, but still effective. So yes it is better than not having it in my opinion and I really hope it is available for us that choose to stay on it. Best of luck, you tell your Doctor how you feel, hopefully you will be a lucky one that has mild, or no withdrawal sypmtoms. Please keep me posted, I want to hear how your doing.
Sincerely - Tony C.
Posted by traveler on May 29, 2004, at 22:07:15
In reply to Re: I GOT A PLAN FOR SERZONE/NEFAZODONE WEANING, posted by Tony C. on May 29, 2004, at 19:30:31
Oh my god - I just had something like an epiphany! I am sorry to sound naive - but five days after I had tapered my serzone, and it had been at least four days since taking an ativan (which I had been taking on three day on, four day off intervals for about six months)I felt like I had the worst 24 hour flu ever. Vomiting, nausea, my joints hurt, even my skin hurt (just like the flu with no fever) WAS THAT WITHDRAWAL???? and if so, will it come back?
thanks for insight into this
Posted by HappyGirl on May 30, 2004, at 0:06:56
In reply to Re: I GOT A PLAN FOR SERZONE/NEFAZODONE WEANING, posted by traveler on May 29, 2004, at 22:07:15
Hi:
In my recollection, ... I NEVER experienced any 'withdrawal symptom.' Upon rxed Wellbutrin SR for my poor concentration, motivation and energy stemmed from 'depression,' my pdoc. instructed me gradual reduction of Serzone, which I did. Except some uncomfortable feelings, I never experienced any 'withdrawal symptoms.' However, the anxiety brought by depression started to hamper my daily activites. While on Serzone, I was perfectly OK without any signs of Anxiety. Then, I immediately went back to Serzone.
Probably, .... everyone reacts differently when tapering off this med., Serzone/Nefadozone. In that respect, I feel I'm quite lucky. Then, I can say, at least, ... in case I need to taper off Nefadozne, I am pretty confidence NOT to get sick for that. However, my system still needs Nefadozone as recalling my past experience with WB sr. When my pdoc. attempted me on WBsr obly, I became depressive combined with some anxious/panicy feelings.
For me, WB sr and Serzone/Nefadozone combo. is most effective AD combo. For that reason, I can not afford to lose Nefadozne.
H.G.
Posted by Tony C. on May 30, 2004, at 8:04:06
In reply to Never got 'withdrawal symptom,' ... but need med., posted by HappyGirl on May 30, 2004, at 0:06:56
Happy Girl I need Nefazodone in my system also, but unless we start voicing our concerns to the FDA strongly, I feel it will NOT be around much longer. All I wanted was evidence that the withdrawal would turn around, but for me it didn't it got worse as each day went by. I will just have to trust in being optomistic and the good Lord. I do not want TANKED UP on Effexor as one Doc suggested to me, I want to be able to have some sexual feelings for my spouse as I am only in my early 30's which Serzone allows me. Maybe traveler will feel a little achy or not at all, everyone is different, keep us informed. And than you all for your posts, I need this support board, ESPECIALLY with this Nefazodone situation.
Your Serzone/Nefazodone friend and Advocate
Tony C.
Posted by HappyGirl on May 30, 2004, at 9:51:14
In reply to Re: Never got 'withdrawal symptom,' ... but need med., posted by Tony C. on May 30, 2004, at 8:04:06
Hi Tony C.:
I too *need* this med., Nefadozone VERY BADLY. In the past, I tried several SSRIs, however all of them NEVER worked on me. Rather, S.E.s from SSRIs were so severe, such as 'heart-racing,' 'suicidal thoughts' and etc., then my pdoc. rxed Serzone. Without Serzone/Nefadozone, my depression combined with Anxiety, I never be able to hold any productive activities. Then, I am as serious as anyone here who has been on Serzone for number of years on legitimate reasons.
I am CERTAINLY a good advocate and fighter on this issue, Nefadozone.
H.G.
This is the end of the thread.
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