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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by t0xxx on June 11, 2004, at 20:55:45
I went to fill my serzone script yesterday (I always leave it until the last minute - been on it about 7 yrs) and was told that it had been discontinued. The pharmacists I usually see didn't warn me of this imminent happening, nor did my doctor. I knew stuff had been happening over liver failure + stuff in the US, but hadn't kept up to date. So, had missed a couple of doses already, had none in supply. Went to the doc who gave me some effexor. I'm freaked out, don't want to take it - haven't had any meds at all yet - I guess it's been a bit over 48 hours now - I'm thinking of just going off the meds altogether (I have some Xanax for anxiety) - cold turkey - I was down to 200m/day. What am I in for? I don't want to freak myself out too much and not do it, but I'd like to know if there are any documented effects or well supported knowledge about stopping Serzone cold turkey. Thanks
t0xxx
Posted by HappyGirl on June 11, 2004, at 22:32:28
In reply to Serzone discontinuation in Aus = me cold turkey, posted by t0xxx on June 11, 2004, at 20:55:45
Hi:
It's horrible to read your post regarding sudden discontinuation of Serzone in your country, Aus. Here, in USA, ... luckily there is a generic form of Serzone, called 'Nefadozone' is available. This generic is exactly as same as the brand one, Serzone in regard to 'efficacy/effectiveness,' plus 'less' financial burden, ... about a half the price of Serzone. Thus, it's quite saving money, since most of psycho. meds. are very expensive.In regard to 'withdrawal symptoms,' ... unfortunately I have NO any positive idea to offer since I had NO evident 'ill-effect' when my pdoc. adviced me to reduce Serzone dosage upon rxed Wellbutrin SR. Although, I'm still in crave for Serzone, ... possibly I may need to search for other 'replacement' sooner or later since there is NO concrete future on Nefadozone, here in USA.
Effexor is one of SSRIs, which I never able to tolerate. For me, there is/are other good anti-deps. except Serzone. Have you ever tried Wellbutrin SR? Certainly, WB alone is NOT advisable, but you can take WB sr with conjuction with anxiety med., such as Kolonopin and any other reputable anti-anxiety med. Because, WB sr alone produces some 'annoying' problem such as insomnia, agitation, irritability and the like.
In my suggestion, you may need to talk to your pdoc. regarding your current situation without Serzone.
H.G.
Posted by Sad Panda on June 11, 2004, at 23:41:07
In reply to Serzone discontinuation in Aus = me cold turkey, posted by t0xxx on June 11, 2004, at 20:55:45
Serzone's main effect is as a 5-HT2A blocker, possible replacements would be Avanza, Sinequan or Typtanol as they are all equipotent 5-HT2A blockers that we can get here in Australia. If your main problem is anxiety, I would not take Effexor as it will likely make it worse. Effexor is great for major depression, not so great for anxiety & a bugger to withdrawl from.
Cheers,
Panda.
Posted by t0xxx on June 12, 2004, at 2:16:33
In reply to Re: Serzone discontinuation in Aus = me cold turkey » t0xxx, posted by Sad Panda on June 11, 2004, at 23:41:07
tx both for responses. good 2 know about effexor, given my propensity for high anxiety and severe panic...
It's been about 56 hrs now. I seem to be OK. I really wish for a drug free life, and maybe now is the time...I'm not about to put another drug I don't know in my system in a hurry - the thought of that throws me into instant panic, and maybe I do wish I could just grab a serzone and go on w/ my life and not think about it, but this is what has happenned, so I'm just gonna go for the ride, see how it all pans out. There seems 2 be very little documented research about withdrawal from serzone, I have read anecdotal stuff, so have read the gamut from horror stories to mild reactions. Any other advice appreciated.ta
t0xxx
Posted by Sad Panda on June 12, 2004, at 2:38:01
In reply to Re: Serzone discontinuation in Aus = me cold turke, posted by t0xxx on June 12, 2004, at 2:16:33
> tx both for responses. good 2 know about effexor, given my propensity for high anxiety and severe panic...
> It's been about 56 hrs now. I seem to be OK. I really wish for a drug free life, and maybe now is the time...I'm not about to put another drug I don't know in my system in a hurry - the thought of that throws me into instant panic, and maybe I do wish I could just grab a serzone and go on w/ my life and not think about it, but this is what has happenned, so I'm just gonna go for the ride, see how it all pans out. There seems 2 be very little documented research about withdrawal from serzone, I have read anecdotal stuff, so have read the gamut from horror stories to mild reactions. Any other advice appreciated.
>
> ta
>
> t0xxx
>
>I'd say you will be just fine after 56 hours. :) Now is a good of a time as any to go drug free, I would try & resist the urge to use Benzos as a pain killer for anxiety.
Cheers,
Panda.
Posted by t0xxx on June 12, 2004, at 6:26:18
In reply to Re: Serzone discontinuation in Aus = me cold turke, posted by Sad Panda on June 12, 2004, at 2:38:01
tx again - that was a nice post, and made me feel not so scared.
t0xxx
Posted by Tony C. on June 12, 2004, at 9:49:49
In reply to Re: Serzone discontinuation in Aus = me cold turke, posted by t0xxx on June 12, 2004, at 6:26:18
Hi, I wish you well I am going low and slow, I am sick of this MEDICINE ruining my life, it helped me, but people aren't going to let it help me longterm. I love it, it is good but I will get backbone, and WILL get off of it low and slow, so far shaving about 5 mg daily for last almost 2 weeks, I feel pretty good, I will take it up more for 2 more weeks, and then more for 2 more weeks. I want my sex life back, at this point I will NOT give into junking myself up on EFFEXOR as 1 doctor recommended which I hear = NO SEXOR or ZOLOFT which = POLE SOFT - I Had a bad episode in my life 7/8 years ago tradgedy's, finacial etc. things are better now, the one guy is right pills are good but BACKBONE is required and a will, and at this point I am exhausted from all this Serzone/Nefazodone Bull Crap. I am tired of being a slave to this drug, I am held hostage buy it, lawyers, BMS pulling the plug on it etc, and have been since Black Box in Dec. 2001 - Withdraw is a NIGHTMARE for me at least, but this slow filing VERY SMALL INCREMENTS seems to be working, I am an individual 7 year veteran that needs to be weaned off of this very slow. about 75% to 85% of Doctors are totally ignorant to the fact that these meds cause EXTREME discomfort in most, but not all when reduced quickly or stopped. YOUR 100% right there is no good literature out there for Serzone withdrawal. As I reflect, I believe it is a good Medicine no doubt, but I think I want it on the market more, cause I am scared to death of the Kick AS* withdrawal this produces in me if I go to big in increments. I must face the fact nobody gives a shi* about me and my depression, I am on my own if they Yank this so I will try to wean down and hopefully off. Best of Luck mate !!!
Tony C.
Posted by t0xxx on June 12, 2004, at 15:19:05
In reply to Re: Serzone discontinuation in Aus = me cold turke, posted by Tony C. on June 12, 2004, at 9:49:49
Thought I'd check in and let you all know, just for the record, how the cold turkey process is going! I'm unsure how many hours now (calculating...) - and I have been taking a little bit of xanax (yesterday 1mg all up over the whole day - I don't feel too bad about that...) to take of the edge.
It's interesting having something taken away from you that had become a routine part of life, something I had learned to live with for better or worse!
I'm trying not to presuppose my responses, or be too dramatic about it, in order to be a blank slate so that I can trust what I feel.
My partner is a bit freaked out about it (seen my panic attacks, lived w/ my agoraphobia - not pretty! hehe) but I'm trying to normalise the situation, everything is the same, there's nothing going on here...
So, the last time I took a pill was about 72 hours ago, if my calculations are correct. Last night's sleep wasn't very deep - quite a bit of up and down, and strangeness, wierd dreams, feeling quite awake all night - early morning waking with high anxiety/verging on panic as I woke at about 5.30. Took .5 mg of xanax, feel calmer, and promise myself to keep a lid on the xanax - just 1 mg /day if poss and not beat myself up about it - I'll deal with the xanax later after I'm over the serzone trip. Dizziness/increased tinnitus are other effects, but I'm used 2 those, and can deal.
Hope it's sunny so I can go outdoors - need to normalise the outdoors so agraphobia doesn't get me.
Anyway, thought a diary of my journey through this might be useful for others. Mostly I'm trying not to be scared and just do it (not like nike, but nevertheless, do it!)
tx all
t0xxx
Posted by Tony C. on June 12, 2004, at 18:52:27
In reply to Re: Serzone discontinuation in Aus = me cold turke, posted by t0xxx on June 12, 2004, at 15:19:05
Dude, how many years did you take SERZONE and what was your DoSAGE Please let me know ASAP
Best of Luck
Your Friend TONY C.
Posted by t0xxx on June 12, 2004, at 21:53:33
In reply to Re: Serzone discontinuation in Aus = me cold turke, posted by Tony C. on June 12, 2004, at 18:52:27
I've been on it for 7 years, along w/ Xanax daily (down to 1mg/day max) - starting @ 2oo mg 2 x day down to 100mg 2 x day just before cold turkey.
Just keeping on moving today. It's not too bad. I'm keeping it together. Nights are scarier 4 me.
t0xxx
This is the end of the thread.
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