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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by CraigF on August 24, 2000, at 20:48:29
I've been ramping up on on Celexa while very slowly lessening my Serzone. I've wanted to come off Serzone and I thought switching to Celexa would be a great way to do it (plus I needed something more effective.)
I'm now at 30 mg of Celexa (in my fourth week of dosing) and have been enjoying the benefits. I've also reduced my Serzone from 450 mg to 375 mg over the past couple of weeks.
I noticed earlier this week my anxiety was increasing and today I was very anxious and jumpy, ruminating, etc. Last night I had dropped to 300 mg of Serzone.
Could it be the earlier improvements were from both the Serzone and Celexa? I assumed Celexa covers more receptors and would trump any drop in the Serzone. Or is the Celexa pooping out because I'm not at 40 mg.
I have friends still taking Celexa 20 mg. and they've been on it for months. It's time to take my meds and I don't know what I should take!
Another interest point for those who want to read on...Before I started taking Serzone I was getting tremors and was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). I noticed after a month or two on Serzone that both had disappeared and haven't bothered me since before Xmas. It could be coincidence, but know that I'm dropping down on the Serzone, they've both returned (I attribute the tremors to Celexa, but if IBS is nerve-related, why doesn't the Celexa handle it?
I'd love to hear some thoughts,
Thanks,Craig
Posted by adniL on August 25, 2000, at 1:20:11
In reply to Poop out after 4 weeks? Celexa v. Serzone, posted by CraigF on August 24, 2000, at 20:48:29
I had a similar experience when I was switching from Paxil to Serzone. Both together seemed to be better than either one alone.
Posted by SLS on August 25, 2000, at 7:50:35
In reply to Poop out after 4 weeks? Celexa v. Serzone, posted by CraigF on August 24, 2000, at 20:48:29
> I've been ramping up on on Celexa while very slowly lessening my Serzone. I've wanted to come off Serzone and I thought switching to Celexa would be a great way to do it (plus I needed something more effective.)
>
> I'm now at 30 mg of Celexa (in my fourth week of dosing) and have been enjoying the benefits. I've also reduced my Serzone from 450 mg to 375 mg over the past couple of weeks.
>
> I noticed earlier this week my anxiety was increasing and today I was very anxious and jumpy, ruminating, etc. Last night I had dropped to 300 mg of Serzone.
>
> Could it be the earlier improvements were from both the Serzone and Celexa? I assumed Celexa covers more receptors and would trump any drop in the Serzone. Or is the Celexa pooping out because I'm not at 40 mg.
>
> I have friends still taking Celexa 20 mg. and they've been on it for months. It's time to take my meds and I don't know what I should take!
>
> Another interest point for those who want to read on...Before I started taking Serzone I was getting tremors and was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). I noticed after a month or two on Serzone that both had disappeared and haven't bothered me since before Xmas. It could be coincidence, but know that I'm dropping down on the Serzone, they've both returned (I attribute the tremors to Celexa, but if IBS is nerve-related, why doesn't the Celexa handle it?
>
> I'd love to hear some thoughts,
> Thanks,
>
> Craig
Dear Craig,Different is different.
Obviously, you are experiencing a return of symptomology of the illness(s) you suffer from that had previously been adequately treated with Serzone. I guess you'll have to reevaluate your reasons for discontinuing it. You are not experiencing "poop-out". You are suffering a relapse for having discontinued Serzone.
A major difference between Celexa and Serzone is that Serzone blocks a serotonin receptor, 5-HT2. Celexa does not. However there is another drug that does, Remeron (mirtazapine).
Good luck.
- Scott
Posted by CraigF on August 25, 2000, at 12:20:11
In reply to Re: Poop out after 4 weeks? Celexa v. Serzone, posted by SLS on August 25, 2000, at 7:50:35
Thanks,
What's weird is that the addition benefits from the Celexa (elevated mood, relief from social anxiety and self-flagelation)that have since tapered off, were not really well treated by Serzone in the first place.
I'm surprised, however, to find out that Serzone hits a seratonin receptor that an SSRI doesn't. I knew I'd lose the neurepinepherin (sp?) effects.
Doc told me to ramp up to 40 mg of Celexa after a week of 30 mgs, but I'd like to stay at the lowest effective dose, but is 30mgs effective?
Posted by SLS on August 26, 2000, at 17:27:19
In reply to Re: Poop out after 4 weeks? Cam?CarrolAnn?, posted by CraigF on August 25, 2000, at 12:20:11
Dear Craig,I apologize. I misunderstood your post. I didn't realize that Celexa had produced the type of improvements you were looking for.
SSRIs (like Celexa) are often combined with Serzone. Perhaps you will receive maximum benefit from taking both together.
Two things might be going on:
1. You are experiencing a return of depression and IBS due to the dosage reduction of Serzone. Both tremors and IBS can be associated with depressive illness. Serzone may be treating aspects of your illness(s) that Celexa does not.
2. You are experiencing some sort of withdrawal symptoms from reducing the Serzone that are not associated with a relapse into depression. I am not very familiar with the nature and frequency with which this happens. Check out this thread:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990401/msgs/1614.html
I think that if I were in your position, I would return to the dosage of Serzone that provided you with relief from the tremors and IBS while continue taking Celexa. It just seems like common sense to me. It is difficult at this time to know whether you would need to take more than 30mg of Celexa when it is combined the Serzone. You should discuss this with your doctor.Good luck.
- Scott
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