Guest guest Posted August 27, 1998 Report Share Posted August 27, 1998 Brain Fog this morning. I can't remember if I responded to this question or if I thought I should. I used to be on Elavil with too many side effects including the weight gain. I've switched to Serzone and no longer have the craving for food, nor most of the other side effects. I'm actually losing weight again. Ask your doctor about switching to Serzone or another antidepressant with pain management effects but without the craving for food side effect. Ray ---------------------------------------------------- Reach me by ICQ. My ICQ# is 14278868 or, * Page me online through my Personal Communication Center: http://wwp.mirabilis.com/14278868 (go there and try it!) or, * Send me E-mail Express directly to my computer screen 14278868@... For downloading ICQ at http://www.icq.com/ Ray in Virginia Re: Digest Number 107 > > >> > >>I hate the Elavil. I am still trying to lose weight from the baby and the >>elavil >>makes it hard. My doctor gets really mad at me because I take the elavil >when I >>need >>it instead of daily as he wants me too > >Hello Aricka... > >Have you asked your doctor for an alternative to the Elavil?? I had the >same problems when I was on it and we switched to imipramine which helped me >sleep but didn't have the same side effects as the Elavil. I stopped the >imipraimine two years ago when diagnosed with FMS and started trazadone. >Works better than the imipramine! There are many medications out there so >ask the Dr.! > >Also, your message reminded me that I too am new to this list and I just >jumped in and started replying to messages without an introduction!! I'll >keep it as short as possible. I'm 41 years old and have chronic pain. I >ruptured a disc, L4-5, 9 years ago next week and two months later had to >have surgery because I was in horrible pain and losing the use of my left >leg and foot, I couldn't move my toes at all and dragged my foot. I had a >partial laminectomy done. I also have a disc that is in fragments at L5-S1 >that causes me some pain in my right leg. I have regained most of the use of >my left leg back but still drag it at times. I have Arachnoiditis cuz of the >scar tissue from the surgery. I have neurogenic bladder & kidney disorders >(the nerve damage has messed with things and I often have problems with >retention...which can lead to NASTY kidney infections). I have degenerative >arthritis affecting my left foot, knees, neck and right shoulder. I have >FMS, diagnosed two years ago. I have a herniated disc at C6-7 which they >found last January. And to add to all that, I now have tendonitis in my >right shoulder and forearm. I'm married to a WONDERFUL man, , and we >have four cats (pictures of them all in my web photo gallery). I dote on my >nieces and nephews and we try to travel as much as is possible for me. >We're both Amateur Radio operators and enjoy that a LOT. I've been fussing >with computers as a hobby for over 15 years and I've been online for over 13 >years. The folks I've met online since the injury and surgery have been a >real lifesaver at times! > >Thanks for listening and I have to say I'm awfully glad I found this list! > >CULater, >Ruthie >=========================== >Ruthie Cunliffe K2ZQ >ruthie@... >http://www.cunliffegroup.com/ruthie/ >experimental web cam: http://www.cunliffegroup.com/ruthie/spy/ > ** A BALANCED DIET IS A COOKIE IN EACH HAND ** > > > >----------------------------------------------------------------------- - > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 27, 1998 Report Share Posted August 27, 1998 Hi Ray, I tried Serzone last Winter/early Spring and although it didn't help me with pain it DID help with an overall feeling of not being so down. My Mom passed away on Jan. 2 and then in January I had my SSDI review come up, more problems with my neck, MRI, EMG, and visits with a new neurologist, plus anemia coming back with a vengence. Needless to say I was really getting overwhelmed and my bag of tools for dealing with stress and depression was being taxed sorely....so my Dr. suggested the Serzone. Started with a tiny dose and worked our way up SLOWLY. I stopped taking it because it was driving me nuts with a cycle like this: I'd take a dose, about an hour and a half later I'd get the jitters....then that would subside in about two hours and then two hours later I'd come CRASHING down.... then time for another dose and the cycle would start again. My Dr. seemed to think this was a rather odd experience but I chose to stop the medicine, with her guidance, because of it. It sure sounds like this medicine is working well for you and I'm wondering if you have any sort of side effect like this??? I know that Serzone is supposed to be just about side-effect free...not like the SSRI drugs (Serzone isn't exactly a SSRI)..and that's why the Dr. wanted me to try it instead of anything else. I did get some dry mouth but that's not a big deal for me, it wasn't TOO bad. Your report of how it's helping you makes me wonder if perhaps my up and down cycle was more from the anemia I was dealing with than the Serzone! CULater, Ruthie =========================== Ruthie Cunliffe K2ZQ ruthie@... http://www.cunliffegroup.com/ruthie/ experimental web cam: http://www.cunliffegroup.com/ruthie/spy/ ** A BALANCED DIET IS A COOKIE IN EACH HAND ** > > >Brain Fog this morning. I can't remember if I responded to this >question or if I thought I should. I used to be on Elavil with too >many side effects including the weight gain. I've switched to Serzone >and no longer have the craving for food, nor most of the other side >effects. I'm actually losing weight again. Ask your doctor about >switching to Serzone or another antidepressant with pain management >effects but without the craving for food side effect. >Ray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 27, 1998 Report Share Posted August 27, 1998 Ruthie, Yes, I have similar side-effects with the Serzone. When I first started taking it and anytime I have increase dosage upwards I got a " high " within 30 minutes. That phenomena wore off within two days each time. But I can tell when it is time for another dose of Serzone by the increase in irritability and pain. I experience lots of anger at the pain which is very frustrating. Who do you yell at when it is your own body that is giving you fits? The Serzone seems to control those feelings most of the time. I am steadily increasing dosage upwards. Just started 200 mg. BID. I'm trying to find correct level without overdosing by going up 50 mg every two to three weeks. I do have dry mouth with the Serzone, but not the constant hunger I had with the Elavil (amitryptyline). Nor does it seem to make me sleepy during the day, though it definitely helps me achieve deep sleep for several hours longer than before. As to other side effects: Yes it does have side effects very similar to others antidepressants, just not as frequent or severe, at least for me. Hope this helps. Ray Ruthie wrote: I stopped taking it (Elavil) because it was >driving me nuts with a cycle like this: I'd take a dose, about an hour and >a half later I'd get the jitters....then that would subside in about two >hours and then two hours later I'd come CRASHING down.... then time for >another dose and the cycle would start again. My Dr. seemed to think this >was a rather odd experience but I chose to stop the medicine, with her >guidance, because of it. It sure sounds like this medicine is working well >for you and I'm wondering if you have any sort of side effect like this??? >I know that Serzone is supposed to be just about side-effect free...not like >the SSRI drugs (Serzone isn't exactly a SSRI)..and that's why the Dr. wanted >me to try it instead of anything else. I did get some dry mouth but that's >not a big deal for me, it wasn't TOO bad. Your report of how it's helping >you makes me wonder if perhaps my up and down cycle was more from the anemia >I was dealing with than the Serzone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 27, 1998 Report Share Posted August 27, 1998 Hi Ray, Thanks so much for your reply. When I was taking the Serzone I started out with 50mg in the morning and each week would increase it by 50mg, alternating between morning and evening, and got up to 150mg twice a day. One thing I found out quickly that, unlike your experience, I could not take the Serzone in the evening because it kept me awake...hyper! I moved the 'evening' dose around and finally found that 4pm worked for me. I never felt zombie-ish like I did when we tried Zoloft a few years ago to help with pain management, nor did the Serzone affect my interest and ability for sexual intimacy like the Zoloft did. As for the anger... I went through a real nasty period of that some years ago...it was really part of a grieving process I went through after the injury and surgery and reinjury. What finally helped me was when I began a stress reduction course and daily regime. That led into working with meditation and getting to a place where I could work through the anger and get down to acceptance. Acceptance of the pain and all the limitations I have was what really a turning point for me. Now, I'm working on acceptance of the fact that I need narcotic pain killers on a daily, permanent basis. Thankfully I have a fantastic doctor! Thanks again! CULater, Ruthie =========================== Ruthie Cunliffe K2ZQ ruthie@... http://www.cunliffegroup.com/ruthie/ experimental web cam: http://www.cunliffegroup.com/ruthie/spy/ ** A BALANCED DIET IS A COOKIE IN EACH HAND ** Re: Elavil & Weight > > >Ruthie, >Yes, I have similar side-effects with the Serzone. When I first started >taking it and anytime I have increase dosage upwards I got a " high " >within 30 minutes. That phenomena wore off within two days each time. >But I can tell when it is time for another dose of Serzone by the >increase in irritability and pain. I experience lots of anger at the >pain which is very frustrating. Who do you yell at when it is your own >body that is giving you fits? The Serzone seems to control those >feelings most of the time. I am steadily increasing dosage upwards. >Just started 200 mg. BID. I'm trying to find correct level without >overdosing by going up 50 mg every two to three weeks. I do have dry >mouth with the Serzone, but not the constant hunger I had with the >Elavil (amitryptyline). Nor does it seem to make me sleepy during the >day, though it definitely helps me achieve deep sleep for several hours >longer than before. > >As to other side effects: Yes it does have side effects very similar to >others antidepressants, just not as frequent or severe, at least for me. > >Hope this helps. >Ray > > >Ruthie wrote: I stopped taking it (Elavil) because it was >>driving me nuts with a cycle like this: I'd take a dose, about an hour >and >>a half later I'd get the jitters....then that would subside in about >two >>hours and then two hours later I'd come CRASHING down.... then time for >>another dose and the cycle would start again. My Dr. seemed to think >this >>was a rather odd experience but I chose to stop the medicine, with her >>guidance, because of it. It sure sounds like this medicine is working >well >>for you and I'm wondering if you have any sort of side effect like >this??? >>I know that Serzone is supposed to be just about side-effect free...not >like >>the SSRI drugs (Serzone isn't exactly a SSRI)..and that's why the Dr. >wanted >>me to try it instead of anything else. I did get some dry mouth but >that's >>not a big deal for me, it wasn't TOO bad. Your report of how it's >helping >>you makes me wonder if perhaps my up and down cycle was more from the >anemia >>I was dealing with than the Serzone! > > > >------------------------------------------------------------------------ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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