Re: Seratonin + cea (Who here has taken Serzone?)

[Guest guest]

Let me forewarn you that Serzone has been given a black box warning for

possible deaths and liver problems...i wouldn't go that route, most doctors

aren't even prescribing anymore. (I'm not a doc, I'm a pharmaceutical rep

for one of the anti-depressant meds - Celexa)

Otherwise good luck,

Tracey

Seratonin + cea (Who here has taken Serzone?)

> On June 11th I am probably going to start taking an

> antidepressant (probably Effexor). I read a couple of extremely

> interesting articles about the possible role of Serotonin on

> cea, but as a layperson much of it was over my head. (Which

> is too bad, it was really neat stuff) Anyway according to one of

> the articles, it seems like Serzone (by blocking 5-HT_2a) would

> be the perfect choice for a possible cea treatment. But I've

> never heard of it being used this way. The use of Effexor to

> treat cea based on these articles seems to make less sense,

> but this is the treatment that has been recommended by people on

> here, and was mentioned in the study Matija posted the other day

> about EM. So I'm not quite sure which one to try (and i'm sure

> my psych will have no idea how either of 'em impacts cea)

> Has anyone on this board taken Serzone for any reason? I'd love

> to hear positive reports about how it helped someone's cea,

> but I'd be even more curious to here if there's anyone out there

> who took Serzone and did NOT see an improvement in their cea

> flushing.

>

> (I'm only depressed because of my cea, Im not interested in

> taking an antidepressant that doesn't deal with the cea

> aspect - not because I think there's anything wrong with

> antidepressants but because no drug is going to make me feel more

> comfortable about the painful flushing I get every day... it'd

> just be another possible trigger)

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Let me forewarn you that Serzone has been given a black box warning for

possible deaths and liver problems...i wouldn't go that route, most doctors

aren't even prescribing anymore. (I'm not a doc, I'm a pharmaceutical rep

for one of the anti-depressant meds - Celexa)

Otherwise good luck,

Tracey

Seratonin + cea (Who here has taken Serzone?)

> On June 11th I am probably going to start taking an

> antidepressant (probably Effexor). I read a couple of extremely

> interesting articles about the possible role of Serotonin on

> cea, but as a layperson much of it was over my head. (Which

> is too bad, it was really neat stuff) Anyway according to one of

> the articles, it seems like Serzone (by blocking 5-HT_2a) would

> be the perfect choice for a possible cea treatment. But I've

> never heard of it being used this way. The use of Effexor to

> treat cea based on these articles seems to make less sense,

> but this is the treatment that has been recommended by people on

> here, and was mentioned in the study Matija posted the other day

> about EM. So I'm not quite sure which one to try (and i'm sure

> my psych will have no idea how either of 'em impacts cea)

> Has anyone on this board taken Serzone for any reason? I'd love

> to hear positive reports about how it helped someone's cea,

> but I'd be even more curious to here if there's anyone out there

> who took Serzone and did NOT see an improvement in their cea

> flushing.

>

> (I'm only depressed because of my cea, Im not interested in

> taking an antidepressant that doesn't deal with the cea

> aspect - not because I think there's anything wrong with

> antidepressants but because no drug is going to make me feel more

> comfortable about the painful flushing I get every day... it'd

> just be another possible trigger)

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Let me forewarn you that Serzone has been given a black box warning for

possible deaths and liver problems...i wouldn't go that route, most doctors

aren't even prescribing anymore. (I'm not a doc, I'm a pharmaceutical rep

for one of the anti-depressant meds - Celexa)

Otherwise good luck,

Tracey

Seratonin + cea (Who here has taken Serzone?)

> On June 11th I am probably going to start taking an

> antidepressant (probably Effexor). I read a couple of extremely

> interesting articles about the possible role of Serotonin on

> cea, but as a layperson much of it was over my head. (Which

> is too bad, it was really neat stuff) Anyway according to one of

> the articles, it seems like Serzone (by blocking 5-HT_2a) would

> be the perfect choice for a possible cea treatment. But I've

> never heard of it being used this way. The use of Effexor to

> treat cea based on these articles seems to make less sense,

> but this is the treatment that has been recommended by people on

> here, and was mentioned in the study Matija posted the other day

> about EM. So I'm not quite sure which one to try (and i'm sure

> my psych will have no idea how either of 'em impacts cea)

> Has anyone on this board taken Serzone for any reason? I'd love

> to hear positive reports about how it helped someone's cea,

> but I'd be even more curious to here if there's anyone out there

> who took Serzone and did NOT see an improvement in their cea

> flushing.

>

> (I'm only depressed because of my cea, Im not interested in

> taking an antidepressant that doesn't deal with the cea

> aspect - not because I think there's anything wrong with

> antidepressants but because no drug is going to make me feel more

> comfortable about the painful flushing I get every day... it'd

> just be another possible trigger)

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

The best way to learn about a drug is to talk to a good drug rep from

their competition. Tracey, have you heard anything about SSRIs

like Celexa being used for inflammatory or flushing skin conditions?

My reference says that Celexa is manufactured by Forest (what other

drugs does Forest manufacture?) Are there any new anti-inflammatories

or neurogenic pain medications coming down its turnpike, or anything

you've heard from other drug companies?

Adam, best of luck with your new medication. Depression, anxiety,

compulsive/obsessiveness, all are a silent bear. I so strongly

recommend selecting a medication based solely on its ability to

successfully treat your psychic disorder, without any regard

whatsoever to your skin disorder. I know you can't see it now, but

have faith that successful lifting of a depression makes all of

life's problems, including rosacea, easier to deal with -- even if

it's the " cause " of the depression. No need to answer, publicly or

privately (you know I discourage that), just know that my good

thoughts are with you.

Marjorie

Marjorie Lazoff, MD

> Let me forewarn you that Serzone has been given a black box warning

for

> possible deaths and liver problems...i wouldn't go that route, most

doctors

> aren't even prescribing anymore. (I'm not a doc, I'm a

pharmaceutical rep

> for one of the anti-depressant meds - Celexa)

> Otherwise good luck,

> Tracey

> Seratonin + cea (Who here has taken Serzone?)

>

>

> > On June 11th I am probably going to start taking an

> > antidepressant (probably Effexor). I read a couple of extremely

> > interesting articles about the possible role of Serotonin on

> > cea, but as a layperson much of it was over my head. (Which

> > is too bad, it was really neat stuff) Anyway according to one of

> > the articles, it seems like Serzone (by blocking 5-HT_2a) would

> > be the perfect choice for a possible cea treatment. But I've

> > never heard of it being used this way. The use of Effexor to

> > treat cea based on these articles seems to make less sense,

> > but this is the treatment that has been recommended by people on

> > here, and was mentioned in the study Matija posted the other day

> > about EM. So I'm not quite sure which one to try (and i'm sure

> > my psych will have no idea how either of 'em impacts cea)

> > Has anyone on this board taken Serzone for any reason? I'd love

> > to hear positive reports about how it helped someone's cea,

> > but I'd be even more curious to here if there's anyone out there

> > who took Serzone and did NOT see an improvement in their cea

> > flushing.

> >

> > (I'm only depressed because of my cea, Im not interested in

> > taking an antidepressant that doesn't deal with the cea

> > aspect - not because I think there's anything wrong with

> > antidepressants but because no drug is going to make me feel more

> > comfortable about the painful flushing I get every day... it'd

> > just be another possible trigger)

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

In regards to Dr. Lazoff's question of celexa and other SSRI's....according

to package inserts as I remember, there aren't specific claims of reduction

in flushing skin conditions. For the most part, the ssri's work

specifically on serotonin levels for those who have a chemical imbalance.

Whether some people have flushing due to anxiety issues I can see where the

reduction of anxiety would ultimately lead to reduction in symptoms.

I have had two of my doctors that I call on tell me they have used Effexor

to treat Menopausal Hot Flashes successfully. Although just as a side

note - Effexor is technically a SNRI (Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake

Inhibitor). I have been told you need to use doses of over 150mg to

actually benefit from the norepinephrine benefits...in addition there is a

warning in their package insert that states Effexor is associated with

sustained increases in blood pressure w/some patients ( I believe

dose-related) and it is recommended to have regular blood pressure

monitoring.

Every individual reacts differently to meds, as we all have experienced, so

sometimes I guess we really need to try things out until we find what will

help. For anyone who is taking an SSRI for depression or anxiety, please

understand that by no means should you feel " singled out " . After being in

this industry it amazes me how many family docs and internists treat

depressed or anxious patients (in addition to the obvious psychiatrist). I

have been told that it is such a common state for them to see MULTIPLE

times, EVERY day. Millions of people are being treated and reaching a

desired outcome!

Sorry so long,

Tracey

P.S. I forgot to answer your other question...Forest does have a great

pipeline of drugs. Currently we have Celexa, Tiazac (calcium channel

blocker), Aerobid (asthma) and the newest Benicar (hypertension ARB being

copromoted with Sankyo Pharma) Down the road...the ones I can think of at

this moment are an Alzheimer's, alcoholism, -2 inhibitor and another type

of calcium channel blocker.

Seratonin + cea (Who here has taken Serzone?)

> >

> >

> > > On June 11th I am probably going to start taking an

> > > antidepressant (probably Effexor). I read a couple of extremely

> > > interesting articles about the possible role of Serotonin on

> > > cea, but as a layperson much of it was over my head. (Which

> > > is too bad, it was really neat stuff) Anyway according to one of

> > > the articles, it seems like Serzone (by blocking 5-HT_2a) would

> > > be the perfect choice for a possible cea treatment. But I've

> > > never heard of it being used this way. The use of Effexor to

> > > treat cea based on these articles seems to make less sense,

> > > but this is the treatment that has been recommended by people on

> > > here, and was mentioned in the study Matija posted the other day

> > > about EM. So I'm not quite sure which one to try (and i'm sure

> > > my psych will have no idea how either of 'em impacts cea)

> > > Has anyone on this board taken Serzone for any reason? I'd love

> > > to hear positive reports about how it helped someone's cea,

> > > but I'd be even more curious to here if there's anyone out there

> > > who took Serzone and did NOT see an improvement in their cea

> > > flushing.

> > >

> > > (I'm only depressed because of my cea, Im not interested in

> > > taking an antidepressant that doesn't deal with the cea

> > > aspect - not because I think there's anything wrong with

> > > antidepressants but because no drug is going to make me feel more

> > > comfortable about the painful flushing I get every day... it'd

> > > just be another possible trigger)

> > >

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

Hi Adam,

I have been taking Serzone for about 8 months,

gradually worked up to 500 mg/day. We tried some

others and they didn't help the anxiety/depression.

It took almost 5 months to get the dosage right

(between getting off Paxil and on Serzone), but it

works so much better for me. With Paxil I felt really

" slowed " down and not enough better. One day after

we'd changed I realized - hey - I can think more

clearly. My doctors are aware of the potential liver

problems, but it worked so well for me that we are

doing more frequent bloodwork (plus I see the

psychiatrist and primary care every month anyway).

However, I do personally think that it has increased

my flushing problems. I take a lot of meds so

sometimes it's hard to tell, but the mental aspect

seemed more important. I am trying some other rosacea

skin products, and have another appt. with a derm -- I

keep asking questions. My increased flushing may also

be related to more hormone/menopause symptomss.

Hope your medication trial goes well.

Gale

> > > Seratonin + cea (Who here

> has taken Serzone?)

> > >

> > > > On June 11th I am probably going to start

> taking an

> > > > antidepressant (probably Effexor). I read a

> couple of extremely

> > > > interesting articles about the possible role

> of Serotonin on

> > > > cea, but as a layperson much of it was

> over my head. (Which

> > > > is too bad, it was really neat stuff) Anyway

> according to one of

> > > > the articles, it seems like Serzone (by

> blocking 5-HT_2a) would

> > > > be the perfect choice for a possible cea

> treatment. But I've

> > > > never heard of it being used this way. The

> use of Effexor to

> > > > treat cea based on these articles seems to

> make less sense,

> > > > but this is the treatment that has been

> recommended by people on

> > > > here, and was mentioned in the study Matija

> posted the other day

> > > > about EM. So I'm not quite sure which one to

> try (and i'm sure

> > > > my psych will have no idea how either of 'em

> impacts cea)

> > > > Has anyone on this board taken Serzone for any

> reason? I'd love

> > > > to hear positive reports about how it helped

> someone's cea,

> > > > but I'd be even more curious to here if

> there's anyone out there

> > > > who took Serzone and did NOT see an

> improvement in their cea

> > > > flushing.

> > > >

> > > > (I'm only depressed because of my cea, Im

> not interested in

> > > > taking an antidepressant that doesn't deal

> with the cea

> > > > aspect - not because I think there's anything

> wrong with

> > > > antidepressants but because no drug is going

> to make me feel more

> > > > comfortable about the painful flushing I get

> every day... it'd

> > > > just be another possible trigger)

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hi Adam,

I have been taking Serzone for about 8 months,

gradually worked up to 500 mg/day. We tried some

others and they didn't help the anxiety/depression.

It took almost 5 months to get the dosage right

(between getting off Paxil and on Serzone), but it

works so much better for me. With Paxil I felt really

" slowed " down and not enough better. One day after

we'd changed I realized - hey - I can think more

clearly. My doctors are aware of the potential liver

problems, but it worked so well for me that we are

doing more frequent bloodwork (plus I see the

psychiatrist and primary care every month anyway).

However, I do personally think that it has increased

my flushing problems. I take a lot of meds so

sometimes it's hard to tell, but the mental aspect

seemed more important. I am trying some other rosacea

skin products, and have another appt. with a derm -- I

keep asking questions. My increased flushing may also

be related to more hormone/menopause symptomss.

Hope your medication trial goes well.

Gale

> > > Seratonin + cea (Who here

> has taken Serzone?)

> > >

> > > > On June 11th I am probably going to start

> taking an

> > > > antidepressant (probably Effexor). I read a

> couple of extremely

> > > > interesting articles about the possible role

> of Serotonin on

> > > > cea, but as a layperson much of it was

> over my head. (Which

> > > > is too bad, it was really neat stuff) Anyway

> according to one of

> > > > the articles, it seems like Serzone (by

> blocking 5-HT_2a) would

> > > > be the perfect choice for a possible cea

> treatment. But I've

> > > > never heard of it being used this way. The

> use of Effexor to

> > > > treat cea based on these articles seems to

> make less sense,

> > > > but this is the treatment that has been

> recommended by people on

> > > > here, and was mentioned in the study Matija

> posted the other day

> > > > about EM. So I'm not quite sure which one to

> try (and i'm sure

> > > > my psych will have no idea how either of 'em

> impacts cea)

> > > > Has anyone on this board taken Serzone for any

> reason? I'd love

> > > > to hear positive reports about how it helped

> someone's cea,

> > > > but I'd be even more curious to here if

> there's anyone out there

> > > > who took Serzone and did NOT see an

> improvement in their cea

> > > > flushing.

> > > >

> > > > (I'm only depressed because of my cea, Im

> not interested in

> > > > taking an antidepressant that doesn't deal

> with the cea

> > > > aspect - not because I think there's anything

> wrong with

> > > > antidepressants but because no drug is going

> to make me feel more

> > > > comfortable about the painful flushing I get

> every day... it'd

> > > > just be another possible trigger)

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hi Adam,

I have been taking Serzone for about 8 months,

gradually worked up to 500 mg/day. We tried some

others and they didn't help the anxiety/depression.

It took almost 5 months to get the dosage right

(between getting off Paxil and on Serzone), but it

works so much better for me. With Paxil I felt really

" slowed " down and not enough better. One day after

we'd changed I realized - hey - I can think more

clearly. My doctors are aware of the potential liver

problems, but it worked so well for me that we are

doing more frequent bloodwork (plus I see the

psychiatrist and primary care every month anyway).

However, I do personally think that it has increased

my flushing problems. I take a lot of meds so

sometimes it's hard to tell, but the mental aspect

seemed more important. I am trying some other rosacea

skin products, and have another appt. with a derm -- I

keep asking questions. My increased flushing may also

be related to more hormone/menopause symptomss.

Hope your medication trial goes well.

Gale

> > > Seratonin + cea (Who here

> has taken Serzone?)

> > >

> > > > On June 11th I am probably going to start

> taking an

> > > > antidepressant (probably Effexor). I read a

> couple of extremely

> > > > interesting articles about the possible role

> of Serotonin on

> > > > cea, but as a layperson much of it was

> over my head. (Which

> > > > is too bad, it was really neat stuff) Anyway

> according to one of

> > > > the articles, it seems like Serzone (by

> blocking 5-HT_2a) would

> > > > be the perfect choice for a possible cea

> treatment. But I've

> > > > never heard of it being used this way. The

> use of Effexor to

> > > > treat cea based on these articles seems to

> make less sense,

> > > > but this is the treatment that has been

> recommended by people on

> > > > here, and was mentioned in the study Matija

> posted the other day

> > > > about EM. So I'm not quite sure which one to

> try (and i'm sure

> > > > my psych will have no idea how either of 'em

> impacts cea)

> > > > Has anyone on this board taken Serzone for any

> reason? I'd love

> > > > to hear positive reports about how it helped

> someone's cea,

> > > > but I'd be even more curious to here if

> there's anyone out there

> > > > who took Serzone and did NOT see an

> improvement in their cea

> > > > flushing.

> > > >

> > > > (I'm only depressed because of my cea, Im

> not interested in

> > > > taking an antidepressant that doesn't deal

> with the cea

> > > > aspect - not because I think there's anything

> wrong with

> > > > antidepressants but because no drug is going

> to make me feel more

> > > > comfortable about the painful flushing I get

> every day... it'd

> > > > just be another possible trigger)

__________________________________________________