Posted by orbital on July 4, 2011, at 12:54:19
In reply to Re: countering lexapro side-effects, posted by g_g_g_unit on July 4, 2011, at 7:31:50
> > Most of the side effects you mentioned should resolve, particularly the poor sleep.
>
> Sorry, I really don't mean to sound pedantic, but you speculate that most of the side-effects should resolve, and yet claim that Lexapro is known for 'slowing' and, what's more, that you suffered from enduring anhedonia while on it. Again, I'm not trying to be accusatory at all, but out of the side-effects I listed that just leaves sleep (and dissociation, I guess, though I imagine that's linked to the sleep/anhedonia). I'm just trying to keep my expectations realistic before I moan to my psychiatrist next week..You're right, I meant to say "some of the side effects..". I had poor sleep which resolved within 2 weeks.
I should clarify that, by "slowing, I meant to say that Lex killed my anxiety very effectively, so "mellowing" might be more accurate. didn't mean "dulling" as in cognitively dulling, though I was in a fog initially (maybe this is what you mean by disassociation?) but it lifted quite soon.
> >
> > However, Lex does have a generally "slowing" effect.
> >
> > The main issue I had with Lexapro was a bad case of anhedonia which crept up on me slowly, after a while I was feeling so mellow that I couldn't be bothered to do anything, and I didn't care.
>
> Yeah, that's how I feel, though depressingly it's only been a week. Anhedonia/cognitive slowing is such a core part of my condition that I can't afford anymore. But I do need to try and tame my OCD.Maybe you'll feel more motivated once the startup side effects clear up? Just an idea. That was the case for me anyway, Lex gave me two very good runs once I adjusted to it. The anhedonia struck after approx. 9 months each time.
>
> >
> > I tried the Lex + agomelatine combination, it did nothing for me.
>
> Hmm, pity.
>
> >
> > In my case, at one point the best add-on turned out to be Provigil.
> >
> > I really wish I had tried lowering the dose to see if the anhedonia/numbing resolved, instead of increasing it. I was on 20mg and went up to 30 - the anhedonia only got worse. Lex is so clean powerful and selective, I think that 5mg (or even 2.5mg) might clear up this side effect while maintaining the drug's efficacy - something to keep in mind.
> >
>
> Yeah, I've heard of 2.5/5mg helping. 30mg is huge! Do you mind me asking what you're taking now?
>Only stayed on 30mg for 10 days, then dropped it altogether.
I'm on Paxil now + a few add-ons to counter side-effects. Quite satisfied because it's working well without numbing me out.
hth
poster:orbital
thread:990055
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20110630/msgs/990178.html