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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Kairos on November 16, 2002, at 3:44:25
In reply to My experience with Lexapro...so far , posted by seafari on September 17, 2002, at 8:04:16
>Hello!
I just started Lexapro - last week - I'd like to make sure to hear how you're doing with this SSRI - I don't much trust any of these drugs - but something has to give for me soon. Thanks for posting and feel free to e-mail!
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 .
Posted by Kairos on November 16, 2002, at 4:04:38
In reply to Re: My experience with Lexapro...so far » seafari, posted by Kairos on November 16, 2002, at 3:44:25
>*groan* NOW I realize WHY I'm AWAKE at 4 ayem.
Nite Folks And THANKS for the 411 & Support!
Kairos
>Hello!
>
> I just started Lexapro - last week - I'd like to make sure to hear how you're doing with this SSRI - I don't much trust any of these drugs - but something has to give for me soon. Thanks for posting and feel free to e-mail!
>
> 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 .
>
>
Posted by bridgette on November 16, 2002, at 9:59:59
In reply to Re: Lexapro with Wellbutrin/Stims, posted by hok on November 15, 2002, at 13:59:55
I like the Wellbutrin w/the Lexapro---it gives me more zip (energy). i am still not more focused but the Wellbutrin was only added 10 days ago so I'm trying to be patient. I have had constipation w/the addition of WellbutrinSR and that better subside soon. I'm on 150 mg a day. Do you think that's enough???
>
Posted by bridgette on November 16, 2002, at 15:42:24
In reply to Re: My experience with Lexapro...so far » seafari, posted by Kairos on November 16, 2002, at 3:44:25
I am most interested in what your Dr says about the constipation problem plus the sexual problems. Let us know. Has the Lexapro lifted your mood yet?? By the way, I am on Lexapro 10 mg (6-7 weeks now) and Wellbutrin sr 150 mg per day (10 days).
Posted by oldhand on November 16, 2002, at 16:17:11
In reply to Re: My experience with Lexapro...so far » seafari, posted by Kairos on November 16, 2002, at 3:44:25
Wow, finally found the place to post. Have been on Lexapro for five days, weaning from Effexor which gave me panic/anxiety like I have never experienced. Before my short try of Effexor I was taking Celexa, and Remeron at night to help sleep. Seems to have pooped-out on me as have most things I have tried, Zoloft, Prozac, Welbutrin, Paxil, Serzone, etc., etc.
Getting off heroin was easier than getting off the Effexor. This is my first day on the Lexapro alone and I have high hopes since I seem to have run the gamut of the SSRI's and was despairing. Though I have not slept well during this time I look forward to tonight and getting seven or eight hours of sleep instead of three. Have Trazadone to help and hope it will do so now that the Effexor is out of the picture. One good side of this whole experience is that I don't feel like eating and have begun to lose some of the 40 pounds gained on the Celexa-Remeron combination. Also don't feel like drinking alcohol which has to be good.
As far as sex goes, with no husband or lover I will cross that bridge when/if I come to it.
Sure am glad to have this place to read and contribute. Will look forward to hearing more as we all get more time under our belts with this new med.
Posted by cst on November 16, 2002, at 16:49:39
In reply to Re: My experience with Lexapro...so far » Kairos, posted by oldhand on November 16, 2002, at 16:17:11
I take Zyprexa for schizophrenia, which I am decreasing because the combination of Celexa (40-50mg)and Lexapro (2.5mg) allows me to sleep and relieves my panic attacks. I recently changed my insurance coverage and can't afford the zyprexa anymore. I await the results of this experiment, and hopefully won't end up hospitalized. I love the anti-depressant combo because it solved my sleep disorder. -cst
Posted by Kairos on November 17, 2002, at 2:37:58
In reply to Responding to Kairos, posted by bridgette on November 16, 2002, at 15:42:24
Hi Bridgette!
Thanks for answering to my post! I'm not the one with constipation and sexual problems - yet - and I hope that neither of those occur! The post I was answering to may be who you need to ask. I've just been on it for a week - and haven't noticed a noticable mood lift as yet.
How long was it before you noticed a mood lift??
Kairos
> I am most interested in what your Dr says about the constipation problem plus the sexual problems. Let us know. Has the Lexapro lifted your mood yet?? By the way, I am on Lexapro 10 mg (6-7 weeks now) and Wellbutrin sr 150 mg per day (10 days).
Posted by bridgette on November 17, 2002, at 12:20:02
In reply to Re: Responding to Kairos, posted by Kairos on November 17, 2002, at 2:37:58
Hi Kairos---I'm glad you're not the one w/the constipation and the sexual problems! As far as how long it took for the Lexapro to work, quite honestly I wasen't getting the reaction I wanted so I asked my Dr for something to augment it and he prescribed Wellbutrin sr and that seems to have helped alot. I am not as easily aggravated about everything and everybody---I am calmer, for sure. I can handle things better. I feel like it's the Wellbutrin addition, but I don't think you ever know for sure when you take two, and maybe it's the combination of 2. I probably should have waited longer to add a second one but I am very impatient about everything. Do you (or anyone) know how I can find the similar postings for Wellbutrin. I cannot find it.
Posted by dragonfly on November 17, 2002, at 20:54:44
In reply to Re: Responding to Kairos, posted by bridgette on November 17, 2002, at 12:20:02
Hi, I have been on lexapro for 3 days now. I haven't noticed any changes in my depression. I have noticed colors seem brighter (like someone has put a brighter light bulb in a lamp) and food has a stronger taste.Like things being too salty or too sweet. Has anyone else noticed this? Or am I being my weird self again? This is the first time I have been treated for depression.
Posted by ayuda on November 17, 2002, at 21:18:44
In reply to Re: My experience with Lexapro...so far » Kairos, posted by oldhand on November 16, 2002, at 16:17:11
Kairos --
Did you gain any weight on the Effexor? I gained about 30 pounds in the 6 months I was on it, and only about 10 each with zoloft and celexa during about the same amount of time. I am praying that the massive weight gain slows down with the Lexapro. I really need to get the weight back off, but still have no energy or desire to work-out (and I was a work-out nut until I started on ADs two years ago). I am beginning to think that taking ADs will never get me back into the gym.I have a question about your statement about the sex drive, too. Mine had been overly active from my teens until my early-30s, and then poof!, it has been completely gone, even on the ADs. Especially on the ADs. Like you, I don't much care because there is no man in my life, and to tell the truth, I don't particularly want one because then I'd have to worry about the lack of sex drive (which brings me back to the weight gain -- doesn't bother me that I've lost the hour-glass figure, since I don't want anyone to be attracted to me anyhow). Anyway, I think there's a point here, but I've lost it. Maybe I just wanted to say that I know how you feel about that.
Based on what you wrote, I was thinking: do you ever feel like you're never going to feel good again, at least not for a long run? I keep wondering why my doctor is even trying all these drugs on me, if I'm just going to be changing ADs every 6 months for the rest of my life. Maybe the depression was better.
Anyhow, maybe it's just starting the Lexapro and getting off the Effexor that makes me say that. Did you have stomach problems with the Effexor? I've developed an ulcer from it.
Peace,
Ayuda> Wow, finally found the place to post. Have been on Lexapro for five days, weaning from Effexor which gave me panic/anxiety like I have never experienced. Before my short try of Effexor I was taking Celexa, and Remeron at night to help sleep. Seems to have pooped-out on me as have most things I have tried, Zoloft, Prozac, Welbutrin, Paxil, Serzone, etc., etc.
>
> Getting off heroin was easier than getting off the Effexor. This is my first day on the Lexapro alone and I have high hopes since I seem to have run the gamut of the SSRI's and was despairing. Though I have not slept well during this time I look forward to tonight and getting seven or eight hours of sleep instead of three. Have Trazadone to help and hope it will do so now that the Effexor is out of the picture. One good side of this whole experience is that I don't feel like eating and have begun to lose some of the 40 pounds gained on the Celexa-Remeron combination. Also don't feel like drinking alcohol which has to be good.
> As far as sex goes, with no husband or lover I will cross that bridge when/if I come to it.
> Sure am glad to have this place to read and contribute. Will look forward to hearing more as we all get more time under our belts with this new med.
Posted by ayuda on November 17, 2002, at 22:29:34
In reply to Re: My experience with Lexapro...so far, posted by ayuda on November 17, 2002, at 21:18:44
Sorry -- that last message should have been directed at oldhand. First I almost responded to the wrong message, now this.
Anyone else suffering from mental confusion?
Posted by oldhand on November 18, 2002, at 4:37:40
In reply to whoops, posted by ayuda on November 17, 2002, at 22:29:34
> Sorry -- that last message should have been directed at oldhand. First I almost responded to the wrong message, now this.
>
> Anyone else suffering from mental confusion?
ayuda:
Hi, as far as gaining weight on the Effexor I was not on it but for about two-three weeks and was nauseated the whole time. Drank alot of warm Coke and ice water and did not eat much so began to lose some.
My sex drive died before the anti-depressants I think. I was in a long term relationship in which the sex was just not satisfactory (for me) and as Germaine Greer says, "You can live without sex but BAD sex will make you crazy".(He He) That has been my motto for some time now.
Even with all the stops and starts of medication I have not really given up hope to feel better, though I do feel despair and wonder if I will ever feel like I used to feel. I have lost everything to this illness and will lose my house within the next few weeks, twenty years of employment and I end up on a disability retirement. But I am glad to have it and have the medical care to go with it, otherwise I picture myself a bag-lady on the street. I have the best friends in the world supporting me and praying for me and on the bad days I think of them to keep me going. I encourage you to do the same, try whatever is necessary and if that doesn't work, try something else and please keep me (us) "posted" (another silly joke).
Posted by cst on November 18, 2002, at 14:10:14
In reply to Re: Question for Pharmrep regarding Lexapro Anxiety, posted by ANXIETY ANN on October 8, 2002, at 13:28:48
re: question for pharmrep concerning somnolence. I take zyprexa for schizophrenia which i believed was caused by chronic insomnia. i recently tried celexa (50mg) and was pleased by the sleepiness it caused. The celexa didn't address the panic attacks, and gave me low libido, however, so my doc suggested lexapro. The lexapro cured the panic attacks and renewed my sexual interests, but i'm back to insomnia. To me, the insomnia is worse, so i lowered my dosage of lexapro to 2.5mg from 10mg. How low can i go on lexapro? i become very irritable when i am tired, and i can't fall asleep, even when exhausted. The celexa is the only medication which has worked for this. cst.
Posted by ayuda on November 19, 2002, at 15:00:31
In reply to Re: Question for Pharmrep regarding Lexapro Anxiety, posted by cst on November 18, 2002, at 14:10:14
> re: question for pharmrep concerning somnolence. I take zyprexa for schizophrenia which i believed was caused by chronic insomnia. i recently tried celexa (50mg) and was pleased by the sleepiness it caused. The celexa didn't address the panic attacks, and gave me low libido, however, so my doc suggested lexapro. The lexapro cured the panic attacks and renewed my sexual interests, but i'm back to insomnia. To me, the insomnia is worse, so i lowered my dosage of lexapro to 2.5mg from 10mg. How low can i go on lexapro? i become very irritable when i am tired, and i can't fall asleep, even when exhausted. The celexa is the only medication which has worked for this. cst.
I would also like info on Lexapro and insomnia. My shrink wants to get me off the Ativan, but even with it, I am having a lot of trouble getting and staying asleep. She (my doctor) isn't convinced that my insomnia is because of the ADs, and thinks that I am dependent on the Ativan. I would love nothing more than to get a good night's sleep on my own -- but if she takes me off the Ativan, I think I'll have to go to another doctor who will prescribe it, because my doctor isn't the one up all night and exhausted all day. I am a PhD student, I don't have time to waste on the mental confusion and exhaustion from the AD -- there's enough of that just connected to going to school!
Posted by Ward on November 19, 2002, at 15:25:01
In reply to Re: Question for Pharmrep regarding Lexapro Anxiety, posted by ayuda on November 19, 2002, at 15:00:31
My doctor prescribed Trazodone to help me sleep and it really has worked for me. I usually take 50 mg. about 2 hours before bedtime, if I'm really anxious I'll take 100 mg. Before I started taking Trazodone I was waking up every 1 to 1 1/2 hours in the night and dreaming vivid dreams in between. You might ask your doctor if he thinks Trazodone might work for you.
> > re: question for pharmrep concerning somnolence. I take zyprexa for schizophrenia which i believed was caused by chronic insomnia. i recently tried celexa (50mg) and was pleased by the sleepiness it caused. The celexa didn't address the panic attacks, and gave me low libido, however, so my doc suggested lexapro. The lexapro cured the panic attacks and renewed my sexual interests, but i'm back to insomnia. To me, the insomnia is worse, so i lowered my dosage of lexapro to 2.5mg from 10mg. How low can i go on lexapro? i become very irritable when i am tired, and i can't fall asleep, even when exhausted. The celexa is the only medication which has worked for this. cst.
>
> I would also like info on Lexapro and insomnia. My shrink wants to get me off the Ativan, but even with it, I am having a lot of trouble getting and staying asleep. She (my doctor) isn't convinced that my insomnia is because of the ADs, and thinks that I am dependent on the Ativan. I would love nothing more than to get a good night's sleep on my own -- but if she takes me off the Ativan, I think I'll have to go to another doctor who will prescribe it, because my doctor isn't the one up all night and exhausted all day. I am a PhD student, I don't have time to waste on the mental confusion and exhaustion from the AD -- there's enough of that just connected to going to school!
>
Posted by suevl on November 19, 2002, at 16:28:01
Has anyone found a good way to cut 10mg Lexapro in half? My pill-splitter makes them crumble. I'm one of those extremely drug-sensitive folks who can't tolerate full 10mg. of Lexapro -- could take only 5mg Celexa. And why can't Forest Labs do a decent job of scoring these pills, the way they do their Celexa? Or will I have to have them specially compounded? Any help, please!!
Posted by melinda on November 19, 2002, at 18:04:36
In reply to How to cut Lexapro?, posted by suevl on November 19, 2002, at 16:28:01
a knife works
-melinda
Posted by carpetbeetle on November 19, 2002, at 18:38:33
In reply to Re: Lexapro and flushing, posted by ANXIETY ANN on October 10, 2002, at 21:08:47
Have been on 10mg Lexapro for about 7 weeks. First three weeks withdrawing from Effexor were brutal. Blood pressure skyrocketed, etc., etc. That crap is poison. Now that I'm on Lexapro only have tons of energy, greatly increased libido, sleep all night, and feel great. Depression under control and I feel human again. Interested in doing things, not just sitting in a corner and smiling. From this persons point of view, I recommend it highly. Or, at least until they come up with something better.
Posted by Jaycee on November 19, 2002, at 18:50:32
In reply to Re: Lexapro and flushing, posted by carpetbeetle on November 19, 2002, at 18:38:33
This is my eighth week of lexapro after a couple weeks of hell from paxil withdrawal, I feel great. I too am sleeping better and have more energy. Less sexual side effects, depression and anxiety are better. It seemed like it took a while to work, but it was worth the wait.
Posted by kara lynne on November 19, 2002, at 19:55:21
In reply to Re: How to cut Lexapro?, posted by melinda on November 19, 2002, at 18:04:36
Posted by suevl on November 19, 2002, at 20:50:10
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
Has anyone had any success in cutting Lezapro pills in half? My pill splitter makes them crumble, and I'm one of those drug sensitive people who can't take more than 5mg. I was on 5mg Celeza, but at least those were nicely scored. Any suggestions?
Posted by Ritch on November 19, 2002, at 21:51:30
In reply to Cutting Lexapro pills?, posted by suevl on November 19, 2002, at 20:50:10
> Has anyone had any success in cutting Lezapro pills in half? My pill splitter makes them crumble, and I'm one of those drug sensitive people who can't take more than 5mg. I was on 5mg Celeza, but at least those were nicely scored. Any suggestions?
I always have used bare carpet razorblades or utility blades (box cutter blades) to snap pills into (by eyeballing them on a wooden butcher block). You have to watch your fingers a lot more closely! However, I have found them far superior to the cheapo pill splitters that are generally available. I haven't had experience trying to chop Lexapro pills, but Celexa pills were fairly easy to divide 10mg (half of 20mg tabs) into halves (of roughly 5mg). You could also use a pill crusher (those work fairly well, however), and make your own liquid. You will have to ask your pdoc about how to go about doing that. In my case I had to use small amounts of vodka (ethanol solvent) since citalopram isn't sparingly water soluble.
Posted by ayuda on November 19, 2002, at 22:00:34
In reply to Cutting Lexapro pills?, posted by suevl on November 19, 2002, at 20:50:10
> Has anyone had any success in cutting Lezapro pills in half? My pill splitter makes them crumble, and I'm one of those drug sensitive people who can't take more than 5mg. I was on 5mg Celeza, but at least those were nicely scored. Any suggestions?
Try taking them to the pharmacist and asking them to split the pills. I would think that pharmacists would have something better than the pill-splitters we can get on the market. At least it wouldn't hurt to ask.
Posted by ayuda on November 19, 2002, at 22:08:56
In reply to Re: Question for Pharmrep regarding Lexapro Anxiety » ayuda, posted by Ward on November 19, 2002, at 15:25:01
Ward -- thanks for that info. I've never heard of Trazadone, so I have a question: is it something that is considered to be habit-forming? I ask because that it the issue my doctor has with Ativan, and I don't want to bring up a drug that she's going to argue about.
From the recent posts, I am hoping to have as much success on Lexapro as some of the rest of you all.
> My doctor prescribed Trazodone to help me sleep and it really has worked for me. I usually take 50 mg. about 2 hours before bedtime, if I'm really anxious I'll take 100 mg. Before I started taking Trazodone I was waking up every 1 to 1 1/2 hours in the night and dreaming vivid dreams in between. You might ask your doctor if he thinks Trazodone might work for you.
>
> > > re: question for pharmrep concerning somnolence. I take zyprexa for schizophrenia which i believed was caused by chronic insomnia. i recently tried celexa (50mg) and was pleased by the sleepiness it caused. The celexa didn't address the panic attacks, and gave me low libido, however, so my doc suggested lexapro. The lexapro cured the panic attacks and renewed my sexual interests, but i'm back to insomnia. To me, the insomnia is worse, so i lowered my dosage of lexapro to 2.5mg from 10mg. How low can i go on lexapro? i become very irritable when i am tired, and i can't fall asleep, even when exhausted. The celexa is the only medication which has worked for this. cst.
> >
> > I would also like info on Lexapro and insomnia. My shrink wants to get me off the Ativan, but even with it, I am having a lot of trouble getting and staying asleep. She (my doctor) isn't convinced that my insomnia is because of the ADs, and thinks that I am dependent on the Ativan. I would love nothing more than to get a good night's sleep on my own -- but if she takes me off the Ativan, I think I'll have to go to another doctor who will prescribe it, because my doctor isn't the one up all night and exhausted all day. I am a PhD student, I don't have time to waste on the mental confusion and exhaustion from the AD -- there's enough of that just connected to going to school!
> >
>
>
Posted by Mr.Scott on November 20, 2002, at 1:30:00
In reply to Re: Question for Pharmrep regarding Lexapro Anxiety » Ward, posted by ayuda on November 19, 2002, at 22:08:56
Just an interesting note...My doctor said his rep is giving him free pill cutters with the stuff because it's hard to cut and my doc is giving them out to his patients.
So Pharmrep... if your around I'd suggest you have your marketing team donate some of their funds to pill cutters. Even if they must have the Forest or Lexapro logo on it, it will be a good cause and marketing all in one! Not to mention a much needed excuse to see your high prescribers.
Scott
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