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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 397 to 421 of 8406. Go back in thread:
Posted by LLL on September 17, 2002, at 10:31:53
In reply to Re: weight neutral my arse.... » Christina, posted by johnj on September 17, 2002, at 10:28:11
Posted by pharmrep on September 17, 2002, at 11:44:09
In reply to My experience with Lexapro...so far , posted by seafari on September 17, 2002, at 8:04:16
> This is my first post on this board; I had looked at it a couple of weeks ago when researching Lexapro. To give you some background, I'm a woman in my thirties, & have been taking Klonopin (.5 twice daily) for about 3 years for GAD. I did a really slow taper off off it which was completed by the end of March. Towards the end of June, I became very worried about obtaining new health insurance as my old one was ending July 1. I started experiencing 27-7 stomach pain. An upper endo showed esophagitis & diffuse gastritis. I am on Nexium, and have had no problem with it. By then, though, my anxiety was non-stop. I lost 15 lbs in 3 weeks-- a total of 20 shortly thereafter. My doc put me back on Klonopin .5 3x daily. I had other medical tests done because I am still symptomatic for some other things. I felt the anxiety was pulling me down and finally realized around the first of September that I was becoming depressed as well.
>
> So...my doc gave me a sample box of Celexa which gave me instant dry mouth. When I saw the high evidence for nausea, I asked to skip this as I already had enough problems with nausea & lack of appetite.
>
> He had just gotten samples from the pharm rep the day Lexapro was released. He gave me 7 weeks worth, as well as 50 mg of Trazadone for sleep) Now, granted I am taking 2 drugs starting at the same time, but outside of the sedative effect at bedtime & constipation/painful bowel movements, I think most of the rest is probably Lexapro. I take Lex around late afternoon or dinnertime, and the Trazodone around 9 pm.
>
> 1) Inability to have an orgasm (libido not changed)
>
> 2)Nausea increased at times
>
> 3)**Slight** tremor of hands
>
> 4) Spaced out feeling, esp 12-5 pm
>
> 5) Painful bowel movements
>
> 6) abdominal pain
>
> 7) visual disturbances--periodic & almost like my glasses need a slightly stronger prescription.
>
> 8) Just in the last couple of days, I've developed mild dry mouth.
>
> I see my doc today & will see what he says about it .** remember...this is still a new drug in your system...it takes a little time to adjust...hang in there...(did i read you right?...the rep gave you samples...dont take from reps (illegal)...just DR's)
Posted by pharmrep on September 17, 2002, at 11:48:37
In reply to weight neutral my arse.... » pharmrep, posted by Christina on September 17, 2002, at 10:16:14
> I gained more than 30 lbs on Celexa, and that's pretty average from what I've read.
>
> If Lexapro touts the same "weight neutral" hogwash, I'm staying far away!**** no need to get nasty...I said everyone is different...the majority of patients on celexa didnt have a significant change of weight (4% of patients changed up or down 7% of total body weight) That's good compared to others and considered "neutral". sorry if you didnt see that...you just happen to be in that 4%. As for Lexapro...it might be the same for you..or it might be different.
Posted by LLL on September 17, 2002, at 12:07:52
In reply to Re: weight neutral » Christina, posted by pharmrep on September 17, 2002, at 11:48:37
There was nothing "nasty" in her posting, however your judgement of her comment as such was.
Posted by Lee M on September 17, 2002, at 12:26:11
In reply to Re: weight change » fishgirl, posted by pharmrep on September 16, 2002, at 20:49:06
I started Lexapro one week ago and I have not seen a change in my weight or appetite. I take 10mg and I do find myself being extremely tired throughout the day - no energy. But, at night I wake up several times and find it hard to fall back to sleep. My hands also shake ever so slightly at times. I know it hasn't been very long, but so far I'm not sure how I like it. I can't stand being so tired. If it does cause weight gain, I'd probably go off just for that reason as I am trying to lose weight which is one of the reasons for my depression.
Posted by sjb on September 17, 2002, at 13:11:16
In reply to Re: LEXAPRO/lobotomy » sjb, posted by johnj on September 17, 2002, at 9:18:55
I'm taking 10mg per day. I'm not on anything else and have six year history of over 25 different meds including most of the SSRIs, MAOI's, tricyclics, mood stabilizers and anti-psychotics. I can't remember all the specific ones, combinations and dosages.
Posted by NikkiT2 on September 17, 2002, at 14:13:18
In reply to Re: Please Be Civil - poster's police, posted by sjb on September 17, 2002, at 8:15:04
Yes, Dr Bob has given Mark H some administrative duties.. mainly handing out pbc's when needed.
Nikki
Posted by reifiedbeans on September 17, 2002, at 14:35:58
In reply to Re: weight neutral » pharmrep, posted by LLL on September 17, 2002, at 12:07:52
> There was nothing "nasty" in her posting, however your judgement of her comment as such was.
Her comment, calling Pharmrep's careful statement "hogwash", was nasty, as was LLL's response to Pharmrep (above).
Why would Mark H ask me to be civil for calling
Hawkeye an idiot when his advice was to "stay away" from Lexapro "unless you are a eunuch"?Such statements--that only "eunuchs" should take Lexapro or that the statistically valid claims of weight-neutrality are "hogwash" and "my arse"--are at best unconstructive and at worst rather nasty and misleading lies.
So, in an attempt to clear up some confusion, if I call the purveyors of such crap idiots or if Pharmrep describes the vitriol as "nasty", in what sense can that be seen as a breach of civility? The lines of politeness had already been crossed.
Last time I checked, calling somebody an idiot was not a crime, in part because it is clearly an expression of opinion. Making deliberately false and malicious statements, however, is a crime called slander. Both Hawkeye and Christina are guilty of it. Yet those who oppose their bullshit are given civility warnings?
Rather ironic when you consider that the root meaning of "civil" is law-abiding, that those opposing the slanderers are branded uncivil...
Posted by reifiedbeans on September 17, 2002, at 14:48:31
In reply to Re: LEXAPRO --,,, johnj's question fishgirl, posted by reifiedbeans on September 17, 2002, at 14:35:58
Posted by Mark H. on September 17, 2002, at 15:09:04
In reply to oops! above message about PBC, Mark H, LLL, Pharm (nm), posted by reifiedbeans on September 17, 2002, at 14:48:31
Reify,
I was responding to a specific complaint about your calling someone an idiot, and letting you know what's acceptable and what's not. Please read the FAQ on civility, and if you believe other people are violating the guidelines, then you're welcome to bring the matter to Dr. Bob's attention on the PB Admin board as well.
Thanks,
Mark H.
Posted by johnj on September 17, 2002, at 16:47:13
In reply to Re: weight change, posted by Lee M on September 17, 2002, at 12:26:11
Have you ever been on Celexa? Maybe your dose is too high if 10 mg is equal to 40 mg. What time of day do you take Lexapro? Thank you
johnj
Posted by hawkeye on September 17, 2002, at 18:19:27
In reply to Re: LEXAPRO --,,, johnj's question fishgirl, posted by reifiedbeans on September 17, 2002, at 14:35:58
Have you always been a jerk??? You may need more than Lexapro to cure your problem.
Posted by babs on September 17, 2002, at 18:22:36
In reply to Re: weight change » Lee M, posted by johnj on September 17, 2002, at 16:47:13
I just switched Thursday. I was om 60 mg of celexa and switched to 5 mg of lexapro. Today I went up to 10 mg of lexapro (and I'm assuming I'll end up at 15 if it's equal to 60 mg celexa) but I feel really sick. i have no appetite (I'm making myself eat), I'm achey, tired and basically I feel like I have the flu. I assume it's celexa withdrawal (although I thought the switch was supposed to be esay) since I'm on less. has anyone else felt this way?
Posted by Dr. Bob on September 17, 2002, at 19:03:27
In reply to Re: LEXAPRO --,,, johnj's question fishgirl, posted by reifiedbeans on September 17, 2002, at 14:35:58
> Last time I checked, calling somebody an idiot was not a crime, in part because it is clearly an expression of opinion. Making deliberately false and malicious statements, however, is a crime called slander. Both Hawkeye and Christina are guilty of it. Yet those who oppose their bullshit are given civility warnings?
Nobody's going to try to put you in jail, but this site is for support and education. Different opinions are fine, and in fact encouraged, but your freedom of speech is limited here. Please don't post anything that could lead others to feel accused or put down or use language that could offend others:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#civil
Mark H. already asked you once to be civil, so now I'm going to block you from posting for a week.
Bob
PS: Follow-ups regarding posting policies, and complaints about posts, should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration; otherwise, they may be deleted.
To submit anonymous feedback on this administrative decision:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/psycho-babble-open/surveys?id=978866To discuss this feedback experiment:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20020725/msgs/7456.html
Posted by Dr. Bob on September 17, 2002, at 19:26:07
In reply to reified beans, posted by hawkeye on September 17, 2002, at 18:19:27
> > If Lexapro touts the same "weight neutral" hogwash, I'm staying far away!
>
> **** no need to get nasty...
>
> pharmrep> There was nothing "nasty" in her posting, however your judgement of her comment as such was.
>
> LLL> Have you always been a jerk???
>
> hawkeyePlease be sensitive to the feelings of others, even if they hurt yours, and don't post anything that could lead them to feel accused or put down, thanks.
Bob
PS: To submit anonymous feedback on this administrative decision:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/psycho-babble-open/surveys?id=978871To discuss this feedback experiment:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20020725/msgs/7456.html
Posted by jane d on September 17, 2002, at 21:40:09
In reply to Re: LEXAPRO, posted by Mystia on September 15, 2002, at 12:03:34
> I just started taking Lexapro on 9-13-02, after stopping Paxil on my own about a month ago. I suffer from severe migraines and I have had them every time after taking the Lexapro (I usually only have 1-2 migraines/week). Anyone had similar problems? Also does anyone know anything you shouldn't take (esp. herbs) while taking Lexapro?
Mystia,
I'm afraid I don't have any specific information for you but if it were me I would stop the Lexapro now. If you don't want to do that at least call your doctor. It's true, as another poster stated, that Paxil can have long lasting withdrawal effects but it seems unlikely that those effects would start a month later, just coincidentally after you started another drug, and that it would occur every time you took that new drug. It's far more likely that you are reacting to the Lexapro. The fact that a side effect is not reported in the initial trials does not mean it won't occur.Jane
Posted by Alice Anne on September 17, 2002, at 23:47:43
In reply to I'm having trouble, posted by babs on September 17, 2002, at 18:22:36
I've tried every SSRI known to mankind. Two days on Lexapro and I feel like someone poured battery acid in my head. I started with 5mgs, felt so bad I skipped the next day and then tried again last night with 2.5. The side effects were some of the worst ever--grinding muscle tension, headache and queasiness. Needless to say I'm quite chemically sensitive, but this is ridiculous. I'm very disappointed and discouraged. This was "the one" I was finally supposed to be able to get up to a therapeutic dosage.
Posted by pharmrep on September 18, 2002, at 2:02:47
In reply to I'm having trouble, posted by babs on September 17, 2002, at 18:22:36
> I just switched Thursday. I was om 60 mg of celexa and switched to 5 mg of lexapro. Today I went up to 10 mg of lexapro (and I'm assuming I'll end up at 15 if it's equal to 60 mg celexa) but I feel really sick. i have no appetite (I'm making myself eat), I'm achey, tired and basically I feel like I have the flu. I assume it's celexa withdrawal (although I thought the switch was supposed to be esay) since I'm on less. has anyone else felt this way?
** are there any other meds? The switch shouldnt matter...and dont switch to 15mg...stay at 10mg...dont assume 15=60...10mg may still do the job...hang in there
Posted by pharmrep on September 18, 2002, at 2:12:05
In reply to Re: I'm having trouble, posted by Alice Anne on September 17, 2002, at 23:47:43
> I've tried every SSRI known to mankind. Two days on Lexapro and I feel like someone poured battery acid in my head. I started with 5mgs, felt so bad I skipped the next day and then tried again last night with 2.5. The side effects were some of the worst ever--grinding muscle tension, headache and queasiness. Needless to say I'm quite chemically sensitive, but this is ridiculous. I'm very disappointed and discouraged. This was "the one" I was finally supposed to be able to get up to a therapeutic dosage.
** can you tell more about the "chemical sensitivity?" you said you had tried other ad's...at what doses? (did you just stop one and start lexapro..perhaps you are having discontinuation syndrome from the old antidepressant). did you have the same s/e before...did they lessen with time? will you be able to hang in there to give it a fair chance, or is it too rough for you? (good luck)_
Posted by Lee M on September 18, 2002, at 6:32:39
In reply to Re: weight change » Lee M, posted by johnj on September 17, 2002, at 16:47:13
> Have you ever been on Celexa? Maybe your dose is too high if 10 mg is equal to 40 mg. What time of day do you take Lexapro? Thank you
>
> johnjHi johnj-I've never been on Celexa. I was on Prozac for a few years several years ago. I have tried Paxil with no success and now I'm trying Lexapro - the insomnia and fatigue are what's really killing me. I started off taking it in the evening, but I just switched to taking in the morning to see if it would have an effect on my sleeping pattern, but considering I only got about 4 hours of sleep last (normally I need at least 8), time of day doesn't seem to be a factor. It's only been a little over a week and I'll give a couple more to see how I feel.
Posted by babs on September 18, 2002, at 9:28:07
In reply to Re: having trouble » babs, posted by pharmrep on September 18, 2002, at 2:02:47
>
> ** are there any other meds? The switch shouldnt matter...and dont switch to 15mg...stay at 10mg...dont assume 15=60...10mg may still do the job...hang in thereI'm on 150 mg of Wellbutrin and 1 mg of risperdal (never had a problem with either of them while on 60 mg of celexa as well). Just feel like I have the flu. Mentally I feel fine- not depressed or anxious. I felt this flu like when I switched from imipramine to prozac a number of years ago. What do you mean the switch shouldn't matter?
Posted by Alice Anne on September 18, 2002, at 13:07:08
In reply to Re: having trouble » Alice Anne, posted by pharmrep on September 18, 2002, at 2:12:05
I was off all other antidepressant meds when I started this round. At one point I tolerated Paxil decently, but it lost its effect. I think I was up to 60mgs. When I tried it again this year I couldn't even get to 20mgs without terrible night sweats, teeth grinding, physical weakness and mental spaciness. Prozac and Zoloft gave me terrible GI distress (I have ulcerative colitis) and were never very effective. Celexa made me feel tired, strange and uncomfortable, but I didn't stay with it very long. However the physical wallop wasn't nearly as bad as it was with the Lexapro!! My depression finally started to lift after a harrowing adjustment to Nortriptyline, but at 75mgs. my resting pulse was 130bpm. so I discntinued it. I would like not to give up on Lexapro, but I wonder if these symptoms would really abate, as they were so strong. I was really counting on this one, as I thought the whole point was that it was created to produce less side effects. Thank you for your concern.
Posted by Mystia on September 18, 2002, at 20:43:55
In reply to Re: having trouble, posted by Alice Anne on September 18, 2002, at 13:07:08
This is my 6th day on Lexapro, and I have been feeling better and better. The first 3-4 days were SO bad, but then the s/e started going away. I don't have the migraines as often, the "vacuum-head effect" is wearing off, and the nausea is starting to get better. I am still not hungry at all anymore. I sometimes go hours without eating and the only reason I realize it is because my blood pressure drops! That's ok for me though because I am overweight and need to lose weight anyway.
The advice I would give to new Lexapro users: stick with it! Yes, the first few days are awful, but it gets better. Today was the first time in a LONG time that I actually had fun, laughed (NOT a fake laugh!). I am glad I stuck with Lexapro. So far, everything's getting better and better!Myst
Posted by pharmrep on September 18, 2002, at 21:48:46
In reply to Re: having trouble, posted by babs on September 18, 2002, at 9:28:07
>
> >
> > ** are there any other meds? The switch shouldnt matter...and dont switch to 15mg...stay at 10mg...dont assume 15=60...10mg may still do the job...hang in there
>
> I'm on 150 mg of Wellbutrin and 1 mg of risperdal (never had a problem with either of them while on 60 mg of celexa as well). Just feel like I have the flu. Mentally I feel fine- not depressed or anxious. I felt this flu like when I switched from imipramine to prozac a number of years ago. What do you mean the switch shouldn't matter?** sorry if not clear...I meant that switching from celexa to Lexapro should be fine (no wash out period needed)...there are studies that show switching from prozac (long half life) to Celexa without a washout worked well, and The DR's I've seen have been saying they see the same with the patients they've switched from various AD's to Lexapro. Glad to hear it's working..im not sure the "flu" symptom is from the Lexapro, but if it is I'm sure it will pass with a little time. Good luck and keep us posted
Posted by pharmrep on September 18, 2002, at 21:55:58
In reply to Re: having trouble, posted by Alice Anne on September 18, 2002, at 13:07:08
> I was off all other antidepressant meds when I started this round. At one point I tolerated Paxil decently, but it lost its effect. I think I was up to 60mgs. When I tried it again this year I couldn't even get to 20mgs without terrible night sweats, teeth grinding, physical weakness and mental spaciness. Prozac and Zoloft gave me terrible GI distress (I have ulcerative colitis) and were never very effective. Celexa made me feel tired, strange and uncomfortable, but I didn't stay with it very long. However the physical wallop wasn't nearly as bad as it was with the Lexapro!! My depression finally started to lift after a harrowing adjustment to Nortriptyline, but at 75mgs. my resting pulse was 130bpm. so I discntinued it. I would like not to give up on Lexapro, but I wonder if these symptoms would really abate, as they were so strong. I was really counting on this one, as I thought the whole point was that it was created to produce less side effects. Thank you for your concern.
** describe "physical wallop"...I know that Celexa's r-citalopram contributed to the "tiredness" you described, but the s-citalopram (lexapro) is not supposed to have somnolence. It sounds like you have tried "new" meds before...have you had initial "toughness" while in early weeks before? Can you give it more time, or is it too much? Good luck and keep us posted
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