Posted by Iden on July 26, 2000, at 11:26:45
In reply to Re: serzone, manic, posted by jzp on July 26, 2000, at 3:56:10
> It's so helpful when a thread appears here that has direct bearing on my own experience.
*I was hoping some others would jump in. Surely Yona and I aren't the only ones starting Serzone, and more particularly after an SSRI (Paxil for her, Prozac for me).
> I've also been working my way up to dose on Serzone over the past couple weeks. I have been increasing it 50mg every four or five days, with an ultimate goal of 300mg.
*Such dose increases would have been way too hard for me to tolerate. Starting at 25 mg once a day even hit me pretty hard. People are different. My doctor said that the usual adult dose is 300 to 600 mg per day and that I could approach the dose increases at my own pace. Some references say 200 to 600 mg per day. I have been at 100 mg 2x / day for a week and will stay here a while longer.
> I just started 250mg today, and am feeling pretty good. No major side effects, which is wonderful,
*It is indeed!! I had quite a bit of dizziness, wooziness, and grogginess for the first few weeks -- diminishing with time -- but still there some. I continue to have a somewhat dull pressure feeling in my head -- not real bad but there. You are getting off easy. Good for you.
>since SSRI's and Wellbutrin have given me constant horrible stomachaches.
*Zoloft caused me terrible abdominal cramps at about the time it was kicking in!!
>However, I'm also a little concerned that I'm starting to feel TOO good. Although I'm bipolar,
*I would think one with confirmed bipolar illness should be careful and increase slowly -- especially now that you are feeling a bit too good.
> I have been in a pretty severe depression for about 18 months, so it could just be that "normal" is just so alien to me after such a long depression.
*I understand. I am not all that sure what normal is either.
> My pdoc is planning on starting me on a stabilizer once I have stabilized on the Serzone, just in case, though.
*Sounds like he is aware of a possible hypomanic / manic upswing. You have to remain alert to manic symptoms too. For you, the questions are: Is it normality returning? Is it a temporary upswing like I had that resolved on its own? Is it a symptom of real mania / hypomania that may not resolve on its own?
> Still, it feels like I'm finally starting to see things in color,
*That makes sense to me. During periods when I have felt better over the years, I see things I wouldn't otherwise notice, colors seem brighter and more pleasing, and music (certain types) draws me in emotionally rather than seeming like an annoyance -- simply a series of notes and sounds.
> after 18 months of looking at the world through an icky gray haze. It's still kind of precarious,
*I understand. I never have the expectation that it will last. That way I am kind of braced for the downturn if and when it happens -- and, for me, it usually does. While I was on Prozac, it did keep me from periods of deeper depression but I usually didn't feel all that good. I hope this time Serzone does the trick.
> but I'm definitely feeling better. To be honest, it's kind of scary, just because it's been so long.
*Yes.
> Speaking of long, this post is much longer than I intended.
*That is a good sign -- well, unless it went for pages and pages without making sense. You are making sense. The last couple of days, I have felt a bit better too, thus my ability to respond in this detail and with some -- yes -- interest and enthusiasm.
> It's very reassuring to see that other people are going through a lot of the same thing that I am.
*I agree. I hope more jump in who are in the first few months of Serzone.
> Oh, and on the caffeine issue: I've never been able to handle much caffeine. Even one cup of coffee
makes me jittery and sleepless. Frustrating because lack of energy and sleepiness are the two major
features of my depressions; it would be nice if caffeine actually helped.*I know. I could use some caffeine with Prozac but clearly not with Serzone.
>Thanks for plowing through this long post.
-Jannette
I enjoyed it.
Iden
poster:Iden
thread:41187
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000717/msgs/41442.html