Posted by Okpolosi on May 21, 2003, at 19:10:59
In reply to Re: 6 weeks on Lexapro - Bess and KKAT » Okpolosi, posted by leeran on May 21, 2003, at 15:15:24
> Okpolosi - - -
>
> I think this is the second post of yours (the one you just wrote) that I have saved in the "Notes" section of Outlook for back-up/future reference.
>
> I had doctors telling me for years that I was too young to be in peri-menopause. Two years ago, a new gynecologist finally tested my hormone levels and gave me the news that I was well into menopause (well, true "menopause" is after you've gone one year without menstruation, which I have yet to do - i.e. it's usually a three-month cycle which means I never know if I've hit the last one or not . . . once it was six months).
>
> Oh yeah, I'm 44.
>
Leeran - I have not been tested and thought maybe I should be, but my DR seemed so sure....Have even thought about buying my own tests (available on internet for around $60)....> I can't believe the extreme exhaustion I feel this week (which would be the beginning part of week 5).
>
I work in a large retail store, lots of physical exertion.....I REALLY had to take it easy, I got winded right away, lightheaded, felt like I "stood up too fast", got the shakes, could NOT produce at my normal level well into week 8. Glad to say this SE too has passed away.> Okpolosi, did you write this post? I'm going to copy and paste it here. If so - this is the one other post I've copied and pasted (saved) regarding Lexapro.
>
> You are a SAINT in my book. I'm so glad to hear that Lexapro has had such a positive impact on your life. I'm not looking for miracles per se, just some degree of normalcy that can help me feel more motivated/alive and able to keep a schedule (all this and I'm also on 40 mg. of Adderall!).Leeran - NO Saint here...just "returning the favor"....helping out as I have been helped...
> By the way, the "hairbrush rage" sounds very peri-menopausal to me. I think natural hormones (prescribed) have helped me with some of the irritiation issues - or maybe it's just a phase of this darned "change" I've already gone through . . . who knows. To be perfectly honest, I don't think I have the energy anymore to get to enraged about much of anything.
>
Leeran - I thought the "hairbrush" incident and many others of a similar and recent nature were part of my peri-menopausal problem, that's what initially prompted me to go to the DR. I thought I was having a lot of the other symptoms attributed to the "change", but I suppose many of those symptoms could also be attributed to just getting old???> Weird thing is (don't know if this is from Lexapro, Adderall, Wellbutrin or what) - my blood pressure was 102/60 at the doctor's office the other day. It has never been that low. I was shocked, considering the Adderall. So, I'm wondering if Lexapro hasn't calmed me down a bit? Again - who knows.
LEERAN - My blood pressure and pulse have always been low, but I think they are even lower now....due to Lexapro more than likely.
>> Here's that post of yours (I think it was yours). If it was yours, I had to laugh when I re-read it and saw the reference to Chex mix. I used to be certifiably addicted to that stuff!
>
LEERAN - yes this was one of my posts.> Headaches -
> First 2 weeks really bad, then went away.
> (I have had this)
>
> Diahrea - Bad at first, gone by week 4.
> (I have had constipation AND diarrhea, the Metamucil in capsule form does seem to help with that strange, constant "bearing down" sensation which had to be attributed to the Lexapro)
>
> Nausea - 1 to 2 hours after taking, gone by week 3.
> (I have not had this . . . crossing my fingers that I don't)
>
> Zombie - bad at first, feeling gradually lessened, gone by week 4.
> (I had that feeling the first go-round - on 10 mg.)
>
> Bubblehead - prominent first 2 weeks, gone by week 3.
> (That's a good description . . . I think I felt that, too)
>
> FLU-like symptoms - all during week 2, gone at end of week 2.
> (I don't think I've had that - although today I feel "flu-ish" in the sense that I feel so exhausted).
>
Leeran - In another post I mentioned that a lot of people at work were out sick w/flu at the same time. Flu symptoms are listed as SE's and I still am not sure if I had real flu or Lex flu.> Sleepy all day - gone by week 6, also changed time of taking Lex from morning to afternoon around week 5.
> (I had this the first time when I stayed on just one week. I've had it this time as well, but not every week. I wish I had kept track - smart idea to do so!)
>
> Lethargy - started around week 3, gone by week 6. This one is a little tricky, you think you feel lethargy but once you get up and move it evaporates.
> (YES, so true!)
>
> Depression - REALLY BAD at week 4, just suffered through it with encouragement from people here.
> (I guess that's what I'm feeling? Hopeless? Like this isn't working? Not as "good" as I did a few weeks ago and frustrated by that fact).
>
LEERAN - IT WAS PRETTY BAD, I had days in a row that I hid in the stockroom or fitting rooms to avoid dealing w/anyone (customers or fellow workers)....if anyone knew I probably would have been fired!! I just couldn't deal w/anyone and felt like there was no hope of ever getting better. But things did get better, slowly...> Anxiety - had several attacks weeks 3,4.
> (Yep)
>
> Rash - had an itchy rash all over my back - week 1 and 2.
> (little blisters on my hand)
>
> Dizziness - 1 to 4 hours after taking, gone by week 3.
> (I take mine at night so if I'm feeling this, I'm feeling it in la-la land, and I don't mean the area where I live).
>
> Appetite - very poor first few weeks. Lost 6 pounds which I have not gained back. I find I eat less now than I used to, and feel full.
> (Same here, weigh less than I have in years - but I'm also on Adderall . . . but the Lexapro seems to have even dulled the appetite even more - GOOD THING!!!).
>
Leeran - it's 10 lbs. now, still have less of an appetite, but still want to eat BAD stuff.> Carb craving - Chex Mix - I WANT SOME NOW!!! also Cheerios and BREAD!!!
> (Wouldn't eat Cheerios if paid, and burnt out on Chex mix, especially after - years ago - when my husband said I sounded like a cow grazing in the field when I ate the stuff - but BREAD - yes! TOAST! Sourdough toast . . . an entire loaf in a week).
>
LEERAN - MY FAVORITE!!!! SOURDOUGH TOAST W/LOTS OF BUTTER (the REAL stuff, not margrn or any other subst.)>
> Jaw clenching - Made my teeth hurt by week 2. Still have a little of this now, but seems to be getting less and less.
> (My "clenching" was in the chest - and it was very nerve-wracking, thought I was having a heart attack).
>
Leeran - still have some of this but can tell myself to stop when I do notice.> Blurred vision - noticed around week 2, improved gradually.
> (This is quite interesting . . . I hadn't read your post for quite some time, but just this week, I can see the computer screen without glasses again!!! I was actually looking in to bi-focal contacts last week - and probably need them, but I do feel like I'm seeing much better now that you mention it - or mentioned it weeks ago when you posted this).
>
> OKPOLOSI, again . . . your posts have been another light at the end of the tunnel (as have so many others).
>
> THANKS!!!!!!!!!!
>
> p.s. I added my comments thinking that perhaps someone else would eventually be able to relate to all this when they "find" this site doing a search on Lexapro, as I did (and probably as so many others have done as well).Leeran - It's great to know I have made a difference....I know lots of us are not looking for praise or acknowledgement, but it is still nice to hear it (or read it). And I too found this site doing a search on side effects, so I'm sure others will follow in our footsteps.
And to everyone else out there...THANK YOU for all your support and encouragement, keep up the good thoughts, and we'll all try to "Swim" together (as opposed to SINKING!!!!!)
poster:Okpolosi
thread:227708
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030520/msgs/228177.html