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Consumer Review: Serzone Doesn't Work As Well As Paxil In Helping My Depression.
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I became depressed (yet again) when I began grad school two years ago. I broke my ankle the week before school began, and that seemed to be the final straw for me. The psychiatrist at the school mental health center prescribed Paxil, and 10 mg was enough to lift the depression. I found that I needed to take it at bedtime or I would be too sedated to concentrate at school. I found that there were sexual side effects--no orgasm. And it did not ease my anxiety completely. I was happy though, and could not become angry, even though my depression usually caused irritability. I loved that part of it. I was feeling anxious at night and usually took 1 mg of Atavan to aid sleeping.
At the end of school, with my psychiatrist's blessing, I slowly weaned off of the Paxil. I then weaned off the Atavan. It took me all summer. By September, my depression/anxiety was as bad as ever. I tried Sam-e for some weeks, since my sister had success with it. It did not work at all for me. Perhaps at a higher dosage it might have. I took 800mg a day.
I then called my psychiatrist to see what he knew about Sam-e and he did not know anything about it. I then called my former therapist's husband, a psychiatrist. He had been to some seminars about Sam-e. So, I made an appointment with him. During our visit, he said that he did not recommend Sam-e. He recommended Serzone, since it would address the issue of depression with anxiety, without the side effect of anorgasmia. He said that it would also allow better sleep.
I have been on Serzone for 2 months. I slowly increased my dosage to 200mg. I felt some relief from the debilitating depression as well as a lessening of my anxiety. But I was still feeling some depression--a gray cloud over things. And my irritability was still in place. Sleep was better--most of the time. I called to check in with him and complained that I was not feeling as good as I had on Paxil and he recommended increasing my dosage to 400mg, which he said is the average dosage. I am now at 400mg for about 2 weeks. I am not as happy as I was on Paxil...I still have a low-grade depression. Anxiety is not gone but also not pronounced and I am sleeping better. I feel confused about whether to continue the Serzone. I would like to feel happier. Is this always such a confusing business? I think back to the time on Paxil with fondness.
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Response #1
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I have been on anti-depressants for over nine months now. I started off on a different medication, but after increasing my dosage and having no changes (except those in my sex drive), my doctor switched me to Serzone. I have been doing much better with this medication. I have been taking 200mg twice a day for about four months and things have gotten so much better. However, everyone is different and I still have some side effects. I get tired early in the evenings, and when I wake up in the mornings I feel as though I need the medicine to start my day.
The really strange thing is that my sex drive is still not back to normal. My doctor said that, plus my other symptoms, could be a sign that my dosage is not strong enough. I am starting tomorrow with a stronger dosage and have a good feeling that it will help. My suggestion is not to give up before the Serzone really hits you full force. It can take up to 8 weeks to start showing its full capacity. It has helped me get my life back after almost loosing my job, my fiance, and my family. Just hang in there.
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