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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by contemplative1 on February 28, 2004, at 14:11:58
I have Hep C (under control) and my Psych put me on Serzone and said as long as I do liver panels every few months amd I am ok that I can keep taking it. Anyone have any suggestions/experience?
Any Sexual side effects reported by anyone here?
Any other thoughts or comments on this drug would be greatly appreciated.
Posted by HappyGirl on February 28, 2004, at 14:50:12
In reply to Serzone Questions/Liver and sex, posted by contemplative1 on February 28, 2004, at 14:11:58
Hi:
Serzone is a VERY unique anti-dep., and there is NO sexual side-effect to worry about. However, your concern over Liver is very understandable, because there is 'Big-issue on Serzone' for causing Liver damage among very tiniest percentage of Serzone Takers. For that reason, European countries, including a country next to us, Canada, there is NO longer Serzone available. However, if you are under your pdoc.'s permission/supervision including liver-panel test, I believe that there is NO need for you to worry.
In my knowledge, Serzone has two good effective properties...., one for depression and the other for anxiety, both of which shouldn't be in serious state, however. I'd say, ... in mid-range, between serious and mild form. On the otherhand, the SSRIs are quite potent AD, but works very well for major form of depression and other mental disorders. Also, as addendum to the above, Serzone is 'sleep-well' property(something related to Anxiety, ... in my guess) then if you'd take one of three dosages before going to the bed, you'd feel very refreshing feelings next morning.Lastly, there is also 'appetite suppresant' effect if you take more than 300-400 mg. Serzone. Since the cost of Serzone is quite 'high,' you could choose a generic form, "Nefadozone" that is almost a half the price of Serzone. Ask to write this form if you are 'cost conscious.'
H.G.
Posted by bookgurl99 on February 28, 2004, at 20:19:13
In reply to Serzone Questions/Liver and sex, posted by contemplative1 on February 28, 2004, at 14:11:58
hmm . . i was on serzone for years and loved it, but my tolerance for other things my liver needed to process was much reduced -- even simple things like coffee. i also had flash panic attacks on it that i've never had since i stopped taking it.
honestly, there are so many other good meds out that with the hep c concern, i wouldn't take Serzone anymore. my old pdoc told me that repeatedly testing for liver enzymes didn't serve any purpose, as the liver failure problems develop quite rapidly and can probably not be predicted by panels.
i didn't have any sexual side effects on serzone. i did feel sleepy alot, and drank a lot of coffee and took naps to sort of compensate. i also had a sort of facial edema while on it, but it wasn't very noticeable.
honestly, i think it is important to feel good about what you're injesting every day. if you're gonna feel anxious every time you put that Serzone in your mouth, psychological factors alone would be a reason to try something else.
good luck. :D
Posted by contemplative1 on February 28, 2004, at 20:28:48
In reply to Re: Serzone Questions/Liver and sex, posted by bookgurl99 on February 28, 2004, at 20:19:13
Thank you both. You give me some needed perspective on this drug.
I have tried EVERY SSRI and they seem to be my drugs of choice however the sexual sides and the emotional numbness have made me search for alternatives.
I have tried Lamictal, Neurontin, Remeron and none of them address my seratonin needs.
Serzone will hopefully increase my Seratonin retention as promised and it already appears to help with my sleep problems which are not severe, but I could use a little boost to get a good night of sleep (I have sleep apnea which does not help either).
Without an SSRI I want to murder every driver on the road and my wife is the object of my impatience and constant irritability and she does nothing to garner this unlucky position.
I take VERY good care of my liver, don't drink, don't take any drugs, don't drink coffee, I take all kinds of liver friendly supplements. My worst vice is excessive amounts of chocolate.
I am going to talk to my liver specialist and see what he says.
Any more advice would be welcome.
> hmm . . i was on serzone for years and loved it, but my tolerance for other things my liver needed to process was much reduced -- even simple things like coffee. i also had flash panic attacks on it that i've never had since i stopped taking it.
>
> honestly, there are so many other good meds out that with the hep c concern, i wouldn't take Serzone anymore. my old pdoc told me that repeatedly testing for liver enzymes didn't serve any purpose, as the liver failure problems develop quite rapidly and can probably not be predicted by panels.
>
> i didn't have any sexual side effects on serzone. i did feel sleepy alot, and drank a lot of coffee and took naps to sort of compensate. i also had a sort of facial edema while on it, but it wasn't very noticeable.
>
> honestly, i think it is important to feel good about what you're injesting every day. if you're gonna feel anxious every time you put that Serzone in your mouth, psychological factors alone would be a reason to try something else.
>
> good luck. :D
>
>
Posted by Sad Panda on February 29, 2004, at 3:48:17
In reply to Re: Serzone Questions/Liver and sex, posted by contemplative1 on February 28, 2004, at 20:28:48
Serzones main effect comes via 5-HT2A blockade, this comes for free with all the TCA's, most of the AP's, Remeron & even Prozac does it a little. Serzone is no great loss.
> I have tried EVERY SSRI and they seem to be my drugs of choice however the sexual sides and the emotional numbness have made me search for alternatives.
>
> I have tried Lamictal, Neurontin, Remeron and none of them address my seratonin needs.
>
Have you tried SSRI + Remeron? SSRI + Secondary TCA maybe good too.Cheers,
Panda.
Posted by contemplative1 on February 29, 2004, at 11:11:57
In reply to Re: Serzone Questions/Liver and sex » contemplative1, posted by Sad Panda on February 29, 2004, at 3:48:17
I have tried Paxil with Lithium to Augment, Prozac with Lamictal to control the hypomania, Remeron which put to sleep for 3 days.
My greatest fear at the moment with Serzone is with my Hep C, that it will advance the deterioration of my liver. I have read so many conflicting reports. 4 out 650,000 died from liver failure due to Serzone and this is not a high number, but many others suffered damage.
Other than this I love Serzone so far...
> Serzones main effect comes via 5-HT2A blockade, this comes for free with all the TCA's, most of the AP's, Remeron & even Prozac does it a little. Serzone is no great loss.
>
> > I have tried EVERY SSRI and they seem to be my drugs of choice however the sexual sides and the emotional numbness have made me search for alternatives.
> >
> > I have tried Lamictal, Neurontin, Remeron and none of them address my seratonin needs.
> >
> Have you tried SSRI + Remeron? SSRI + Secondary TCA maybe good too.
>
> Cheers,
> Panda.
>
>
Posted by Sad Panda on February 29, 2004, at 13:12:36
In reply to Re: Serzone Questions/Liver and sex, posted by contemplative1 on February 29, 2004, at 11:11:57
> I have tried Paxil with Lithium to Augment, Prozac with Lamictal to control the hypomania, Remeron which put to sleep for 3 days.
>
> My greatest fear at the moment with Serzone is with my Hep C, that it will advance the deterioration of my liver. I have read so many conflicting reports. 4 out 650,000 died from liver failure due to Serzone and this is not a high number, but many others suffered damage.
>
> Other than this I love Serzone so far...
>
>
> > Serzones main effect comes via 5-HT2A blockade, this comes for free with all the TCA's, most of the AP's, Remeron & even Prozac does it a little. Serzone is no great loss.
> >
> > > I have tried EVERY SSRI and they seem to be my drugs of choice however the sexual sides and the emotional numbness have made me search for alternatives.
> > >
> > > I have tried Lamictal, Neurontin, Remeron and none of them address my seratonin needs.
> > >
> > Have you tried SSRI + Remeron? SSRI + Secondary TCA maybe good too.
> >
> > Cheers,
> > Panda.
> >
> >
>
>Liver problems from Serzone wouldn't worry me, you have more chance of priapism requiring surgical intervention. :)
Lower doses of Remeron don't sedate me for as long as a higher dose. YMMV.
Cheers,
Panda.
Posted by HappyGirl on February 29, 2004, at 14:22:00
In reply to Re: Serzone Questions/Liver and sex, posted by contemplative1 on February 29, 2004, at 11:11:57
Hi contemplative1 :
Your worry and concern over Serzone is VERY understandable as reading your post, above.In my suggestion, you could call the maker, Bristol-Myers Squibb directly regarding Serzone:
Here is Tele. #:
1-800-321-1335
H.G.
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