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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 maxinquaye on March 26, 2002, at 9:40:45
My first post to this board.
I suffer from social anxiety disorder and from mild general anxiety. I am taking Paxil and it has worked well for me. However...
I visited my doctor yesterday because I am concerned about some of the effects of Paxil. I've been taking it for almost a year now and I am on 20mg per day. Since I started taking Paxil I've gained almost 60 pounds. About a year ago I was 137 pounds (a little underweight...I'm male, 27 years old at the time and about 5'9"). Yesterday at the doctor's office I weighed in at 196 pounds. In recent months I've been very lethargic and get very, very tired. I've also had some of the sexual side effects (no erection problems but delayed ejaculation).
Along with sending me for some blood work to check out my thyroid (family history of thyroid problems but mine checked out fine a year ago) my doctor has changed my meds from Paxil to Serzone.
My doctor believes Serzone may help with the weight gain problem and the sexual side effects but didn't think it would help that much with the tiredness.
So...has anyone with a similar reaction to Paxil made the switch to Serzone? How did it work out?
Thanks in advance for any information you guys can provide.
M.
Posted by Bill L on March 26, 2002, at 12:39:42
In reply to Changing from Paxil to Serzone, posted by maxinquaye on March 26, 2002, at 9:40:45
I think that continuing the Paxil and adding Wellbutrin would be another option to combat the tiredness and weight gain. Maybe you could ask your doc about that combination if the Serzone does not work out.
Posted by hosanna on March 26, 2002, at 17:23:47
In reply to Changing from Paxil to Serzone, posted by maxinquaye on March 26, 2002, at 9:40:45
I made the switch about three years ago and it worked great. Two things: first, I think you'll find zero sexual side effects with Serzone. Second, the first 4-8 weeks you may encounter some drowsiness with Serzone. Stick with it and my best guess is that the drowsiness will pass and you'll feel more energetic as time passes.
Just remember, doctors prescribe ADs on an empirical basis. You can never be sure what you'll experience until you've tried the med for yourself. Also, I must respectfully disagree with the the follow up post re: combining the Paxil with Wellbutrin. IMO the less meds you have to take the better off you'll be. Best Wishes.
Posted by Cmatt on March 27, 2002, at 22:25:53
In reply to Changing from Paxil to Serzone, posted by maxinquaye on March 26, 2002, at 9:40:45
What is your doctor's opinion about starting you on Serzone in light of the new warning that was placed on Serzone?
Cmatt
Posted by maxinquaye on March 30, 2002, at 13:57:18
In reply to Re: Changing from Paxil to Serzone, posted by Cmatt on March 27, 2002, at 22:25:53
Hi guys!
Thanks for your responses. I've been sick for a couple of days (more about that later) so I didn't get chance to respond. Here are some responses to all of you:
Bill - Thanks for the advice but I'd really prefer to stay on one kind of med. I agree with hosanna...the less meds the better.
hosanna - I can only hope that my experience with Serzone is as successful as yours. It's great to hear from a real patient who basically confirmed what my doctor hoped Serzone would do for me.
Cmatt - Well, I guess I am very ill informed. What's the new warning about? Please let me know. I have a follow up appointment with my doctor in a couple of weeks so I can discuss it with her then.
As I said earlier, I have been sick for the past couple of days and I believe (although it might just be coincidence) that it may have been caused by switching to Serzone. My doctor warned my that I might experience some side effects when I started taking it and, a few hours after my first dose, I started to develop a terrible headache. On Wednesday night, I was lying in bed with a pounding headache and trying to stay as still as possible as I thought if I moved I would throw up (and I didn't want to do that as I'd only just taken my second dose of the day). It reminded me of my initial reaction to Paxil.
Anyone else experience these or any other side effects when first taking Serzone? Maybe it was just a coincidence or maybe I'd just convinced myself that I'd feel like crap because my doctor said I might and because I did when I started taking Paxil. Anyway...
Later,
m
Posted by beardedlady on March 30, 2002, at 14:27:48
In reply to Re: Changing from Paxil to Serzone, posted by maxinquaye on March 30, 2002, at 13:57:18
Yes, I had a terrible headache the first day I took it. I started taking it in the evenings from that day on, and I was never bothered by many side effects. I think dry mouth was significant, but it went away. Serzone is wonderful. They have recently discovered it is responsible for far more liver failures than originally suspected. Make sure your doc keeps a tab on your liver with regular blood tests.
beardy : )>
Posted by maxinquaye on April 5, 2002, at 11:50:30
In reply to Re: Changing from Paxil to Serzone » maxinquaye, posted by beardedlady on March 30, 2002, at 14:27:48
Thanks beardedlady. I felt unbelievably crappy for a couple of days but now, just over a week into taking Serzone, I feel fine. I still get occasional headaches but they are diminishing.
Too early to tell if it'll make any difference to my weight but I'm noticing that tiredness is not so much of an issue as it was with Paxil.
My doctor sent me for some blood work including a liver function test. It checked out fine but I will insist on regular checks to make sure everything is OK. She will be sending me for more blood work in about six months - to check on my high cholesterol and sugar levels :( - do you think six months is an appropriate time to re-check my liver function? Or should I get my liver checked again before then? (Probably a question for my doctor but I thought you may have already discussed this issue with your doctor.)
Thanks,
max
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