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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by bookgurl99 on July 8, 2003, at 23:24:47
I'm starting to consider asking my pdoc for Effexor.
This is because I took Serzone succesfully for 2 years, before needing to get off of it. I had relatively good experiences with it, and did not have the severe migraines or concentration problems that I have now.
Has anyone tried both? Are they genuinely similar? AND -- did effexor cause any weight gain or other negative side effects? I cannot gain more weight.
thanks for your 2 cents, all.
Posted by noa on July 9, 2003, at 8:31:04
In reply to effexor vs. serzone? good experiences w/effexor?, posted by bookgurl99 on July 8, 2003, at 23:24:47
No--they are very different. I take both. For me, Effexor is very activating, while Serzone is very sedating. I take them together partly for that reason. They are totally unrelated chemically and work differently in the brain and body. I do not recommend starting Effexor for anything other than *severe* depression *and* if no other med options seem right.
Don't get me wrong--Effexor saved my life. It works for me. But it comes with side effects and I don't think it should be a first choice for most people.
Why did you need to get off of Serzone?
Posted by bookgurl99 on July 9, 2003, at 21:51:03
In reply to Re: effexor vs. serzone? good experiences w/effexor?, posted by noa on July 9, 2003, at 8:31:04
>
> Why did you need to get off of Serzone?I tried to get off Serzone due to an increase in anxiety and side effects a little over a year ago. Serzone was a great med for me; when it worked, it was the best med I've ever had. I felt 'normal.' I also felt very mentally activated and able to concentrate, despite the sleepiness that came with it.
I tried to re-start it recently, but -- alas -- had a mild seizure-like moment in bed. It wasn't the rolling-on-the-floor type seizure, but -- you know the kind of jerks you get falling asleep? it was like that, only with my head plugged into a socket and all muscles losing their tone briefly. As Serzone is known for reducing seizure threshold, my pdoc and I agreed I should stop it. Alas.
I've considered Effexor because it, too, is supposed to be good for migraines and concentration. Plus, I thought that both Serzone and Effexor worked on serotonin as well as noripenephrine. Am I wrong?
Posted by bookgurl99 on July 14, 2003, at 20:43:39
In reply to Re: effexor vs. serzone? good experiences w/effexor?, posted by noa on July 9, 2003, at 8:31:04
> I do not recommend starting Effexor for anything other than *severe* depression *and* if no other med options seem right.
>
> Don't get me wrong--Effexor saved my life. It works for me. But it comes with side effects and I don't think it should be a first choice for most people.
>Noa,
What kind of side effects did you see on the Effexor? My consideration of it is due to the fact that on Serzone I had no serious migraines, as I now do, and that they have both been shown to be effective for migraine prevention.
Thx,
books
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