Gen2 asked this question on 4/28/2000:
I have been taking Serzone since October. I was taking 400mg, but now I am down to 300mg. When I was taking 400, I was having weird vision problems. I take it at night and for the first 30 minutes after I would wake up, I would see "trails" from movement of my own or my boyfriend. Its kinda like watching a cartoon of a character that moves really fast and it leaves post-impression type images behind it. It also would make me feel weak and nauseated. So I started taking 300 at night at 100 in the morning. The symptons still continued. If I forget to take it at night, when I wake up in the morning, I am nauseated and sometimes actually get sick. I told my Dr., but he was not familar with those symptons from Serzone. He suggested I continue at 400mg, but that I could go to 300 if needed. Now at 300mg, I am back to battling less severe bouts of depression, and still having problems if I forget to take it at night. I am a small person, about 5'4" and 115lbs if that has anything to do with it. Has anyone else heard or experienced this? I am reluctant to change meds because I don't want to go through the withdrawal. Just taking this 8 or 9 hours late makes me physically sick. I am also afraid of my depression coming back to the point it was when I started on the Serzone. I couldn't make it to work somedays and I was very scared. I would greatly appreaciate any advice. Thank you in advance for your time!
pain1 gave this response on 4/28/2000:
Hi I have never taken Serzone but I do suffer from chronic depression and take Prozac, among other drugs for pain and to aid sleep. I also now take medication for rapid onset osteoarthritis.
It seems to me that the Serzon is not right for you. There are plenty of other drugs available for depression and I feel it is time you asked your doctor about them. It is mad to take a pill for one thing only to suffer something else.
The reaction you speak of is not one I have heard of, nor read about, while on any antidepressive drugs but it sounds pretty frightening to me.
If you are in need of such a high dose then there must be a case for a review. Are you getting any counciling? Have you ever had any other drug? Is your doctor keeping a constant check on your problems? All should be automatic but often doctors take depression as a case of "all in the mind" and precribe a drug and then leave you to it. The drug is just part of the treatment needed for depression. Have you been sent to see anyone at the hospital for assessment? Lots of questions here but one plain fact......"THE SIDE EFFECTS YOU ARE GETTING ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE" I have very few and even though I would go through some form of withdrawl I have never been so dependant that I am sick if I forget the drug. In fact if you are able to forget to take it how much is it helping? If I forget my drugs I very soon know because the pain and misery kicks right back in again.
I would urge that you go back to your doctor and talk through other possible drugs and seek an appointment with a specialist who can help see you through a really helpful program, not just give out the drugs.
I wish you sucess and speed in your search for help. My last bit of advice would be...."BE PERSISTANT" Do not allow the doctor to send you away without talking through every possible route.
Good luck
Dave (UK)
The average rating for this answer is 4.9.
Gen2 rated this answer a 5.
Thanks Dave! I am going to talk to my Dr. about this. I have only recently accepted my depression, and I am not aware of all of my options at this point.