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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by pallas on November 28, 2002, at 22:17:00
In reply to Light sensitivity, posted by new user2 on November 26, 2002, at 11:33:22
> Just wondering if anyone experienced sensitivity to bright lights during the first week of taking lexapro. Any info would be helpful.
>
> Thank you!Greetings. I did not experience light sensitivity because I spent most of that first week drowsy and/or asleep. Also I live in Oregon where we're a little devoid of sunlight this time of year. I did, however, have moments of total alertness and clarity. I could suddenly see better than ever, and I noticed things in my own neighborhood that had not caught my eye before. Keep us posted on whether your sensitivity continues. Best wishes to you.
Posted by pallas on November 28, 2002, at 22:28:23
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by bluestem on November 27, 2002, at 10:21:53
> My doctor added Lexapro to my "cocktail" mix and I cannot tolerate it. I started out with the 10mg tab. My memory was impaired (couldn't recognize my friends' name when said to me) and I could sit and daydream for hours. The worst part on top of it all was the nausea. I self-prescribed myself down to 5mg. The fog cleared; but the nausea turned my stomach inside out. Then I self-prescirbed down to 1/4 of a tablet. I'm still okay; but the nausea is still really bad. I called my psychiatrist and let him know what I was doing. At that time he said he wanted me back up to 5 mg. There isn't any way..I have been seeing my psychiatrist every 3 weeks and fortunately I see him next week. I just can't handle the nausea.
---
I'm curious, how did you cut down your prescription? Did you actually cut up your tablets? I've heard this can have an adverse affect on some of the medications that are supposed to be time-released. I know you can buy 5 mg tabs. Just curious here.
I figure you've tried taking them with and without food... Well, keep us posted as to what your pdoc recommends.
Wishing you well - P
Posted by byanfifty6 on November 29, 2002, at 8:21:36
In reply to Re: Taking pill in morning iomasters » pharmrep, posted by Phyl on November 27, 2002, at 8:57:19
> Thanks for your replies. I have never taken any oher meds other than something to help me sleep at night. I have found that if I take Lex first thing in the morning, I can barely stay awake at 6 p.m. If I take it closer to 10:00 a.m. I can make it to 9:00 and sleep pretty well (for me). But if I take it at 4 o 5:00, then I need the Lorazepam. So, for me, late morning seems to do the trick and that will be my routine.
> Thanks again.
> EVERYONE, HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING!++ Brandnew Poster! I am starting week three and agree with above post. Late am seems to be the best compromise. First time diag for depression but probably depressed for decades. Lex has been amazing towards my self-esteem and attitude!
Posted by bluestem on November 29, 2002, at 9:05:17
In reply to Re: early s/e » bluestem, posted by pharmrep on November 27, 2002, at 10:30:39
> > My doctor added Lexapro to my "cocktail" mix and I cannot tolerate it. I started out with the 10mg tab. My memory was impaired (couldn't recognize my friends' name when said to me) and I could sit and daydream for hours. The worst part on top of it all was the nausea. I self-prescribed myself down to 5mg. The fog cleared; but the nausea turned my stomach inside out. Then I self-prescirbed down to 1/4 of a tablet. I'm still okay; but the nausea is still really bad. I called my psychiatrist and let him know what I was doing. At that time he said he wanted me back up to 5 mg. There isn't any way..I have been seeing my psychiatrist every 3 weeks and fortunately I see him next week. I just can't handle the nausea.
>
> ** what is the rest of the cocktail...the nausea in the 1st wk or so isnt uncommon, but it usually goes away in the 2nd wk or so...it is possible the other meds or the "switch" may be the culprit...cutting down less than the 5mg often prolongs the s/e....stick with it, it will get betterI take Seroquel 25mg and 0.25mg of Xanax at bedtime and Wellbutrin 100mg, Lexapro 2.5 in the morning. Yesterday (Thanksgiving) I didn't have any nausea. That was a plus. Thank you for your input. I don't feel so much "out on a limb" by myself.
Posted by Ward on November 29, 2002, at 12:07:46
In reply to Re: Question for Pharmrep regarding Lexapro Anxiety » Ward, posted by ayuda on November 19, 2002, at 22:08:56
Ayuda - we haven't seen a post from you in a while, I was wondering if the trazodone is helping you get to sleep any better. How are you doing?
Posted by neptune on November 29, 2002, at 16:58:43
In reply to Ayuda - Is the Trazodone working out?, posted by Ward on November 29, 2002, at 12:07:46
I have been Lexapro for 19 days. I just came off of effexor. Had been on it for about a year at 175mgs.
I have no energy, don't care about tomorrow, and the nausea is something I fight everyday. I don't know what to do, and very tired of fighting to find medication. It seems hopeless, and I have tried most evertyhing in the past 12 years. Am I doomed to be one that slips through the crack and cannot find medication. I hate to go back to effexor or tofranil.
Thanks,
Neptune
Posted by dragonfly on November 29, 2002, at 20:56:22
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
Today is 2 weeks I have taken Lexapro. I have to admit I do feel better than I did to begin with. I go to sleep easier and only wake up once at night, which I feel I might not do if my bladder would co-operate. I don't wake up in the morning more tired than when I went to bed. My biggest problem now is dryness during sex! which was easily solved. I don't clench my teeth as much now. I have had to increase my water intake because I noticed I wasn't going to the bathroom as much as I should. I do feel dehydrated sometimes. The metalic taste is either gone or I have just gotten use to it. I really wish I had sought help alot sooner. I feel like I have started coming out of a fog.
Posted by dragonfly on November 29, 2002, at 21:02:14
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by dragonfly on November 29, 2002, at 20:56:22
well I have no idea why it posted so many copies of my message!!
Posted by byanfifty6 on November 29, 2002, at 22:01:05
In reply to ??????, posted by dragonfly on November 29, 2002, at 21:02:14
> well I have no idea why it posted so many copies of my message!!
must be foggy! Glad to see your improvement, every day seems to get more "normal".
Posted by Kairos on November 30, 2002, at 0:15:35
In reply to Re: Nausea, and no zip after 19 days. Why?, posted by neptune on November 29, 2002, at 16:58:43
Neptune -
Hey - we're here - I'm on Lexapro - somewhat dif. symptomology tho - and a relatively new user - No nausea - increased appetite, sleeplessness - vortex of dizziness - shakinghands - headache - etc.
It has to be exhausting (I'm commiserating here - I'm exhausted fighting the symptoms myself at times) to have to fight stuff all the time.
I can't believe you're one of the few that won't find a combo to work - keep trying.
In Commradeship!
Kairos > I have been Lexapro for 19 days. I just came off of effexor. Had been on it for about a year at 175mgs.
>
> I have no energy, don't care about tomorrow, and the nausea is something I fight everyday. I don't know what to do, and very tired of fighting to find medication. It seems hopeless, and I have tried most evertyhing in the past 12 years. Am I doomed to be one that slips through the crack and cannot find medication. I hate to go back to effexor or tofranil.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Neptune
Posted by vagen on November 30, 2002, at 1:32:12
In reply to To whoever is on 400 mgs of Wellbutrin, posted by bridgette on November 27, 2002, at 18:39:50
I am not on 400mg, but do take 75mg twice a day. My doc said make every dose at least 6 hours apart.
That seems to work well for me.
Posted by oldhand on November 30, 2002, at 4:17:06
In reply to Re: Nausea, and no zip after 19 days. Why? » neptune, posted by Kairos on November 30, 2002, at 0:15:35
I am on day 18 with Lexapro. I can't believe how much better the depression seems! I actually caught myself having and keeping a positive attitude!!! I still don't sleep well, it's 4:30 am as we speak. The teeth clenching seems to have improved. I have very little appetite but since I gained around fifty pounds on a combo of Celexa and Remeron, I don't mind. Have lost eleven of it since summer and do eat but just not constantly anymore. Don't have alot of zip either but that seems to be improving too.
I anticipate needing this board and the support it brings as a week from Saturday I move in with my parents. (I am 53.........arrrrgh!!). I expect it will be difficult for all concerned but they are in their mid 80's so I hope to be some help to them in return for a place to stay. When I said I caught myself keeping a positive attitude, it was in the face of a scathing email from my mother regarding the situation. (The aliens abducted my real mother about 12 years ago and left this mean-spirited old woman in her place, he he ). But she didn't rock my world with her meaness as she has in the past and I believe that the Lexapro has contributed significantly to my feelings of peace in the situation.
So, keep up the good fight Neptune! If the Lexapro isn't the one there are others out there and combos of them. Sending you wishes for a good result.
Posted by bridgette on November 30, 2002, at 9:18:10
In reply to Re: To whoever is on 400 mgs of Wellbutrin, posted by vagen on November 30, 2002, at 1:32:12
Is 75 mg of Wellbutrin a day enouh or will your Dr incresae it w/time. I take 150 mg (Wellbutrin sr)per day and the Dr said I could increase it to 300 mg per day but w/all my reading on the internet I'm afraid of seizures. I read everythung I can and although it sounds rare 1 in 1,000---I'm a worrier. Do you think I'm overreacting??? I do think it has helped the Lexapro immensely.
> I am not on 400mg, but do take 75mg twice a day. My doc said make every dose at least 6 hours apart.
> That seems to work well for me.
>
Posted by vagen on November 30, 2002, at 9:41:25
In reply to TOoVegan, posted by bridgette on November 30, 2002, at 9:18:10
It ends up being 150 ( 75 2 times a day) it seems to be working. I have energy and when I was on Prozac alone......I was so tired all the time. Maybe not tired, lethargic.
I don't want to go any higher than that.
I am a worrier too!
Posted by ayuda on December 1, 2002, at 20:27:31
In reply to Ayuda - Is the Trazodone working out?, posted by Ward on November 29, 2002, at 12:07:46
> Ayuda - we haven't seen a post from you in a while, I was wondering if the trazodone is helping you get to sleep any better. How are you doing?
Thanks for asking -- and yes, I am getting sleep with the Trazodone. It acts much more like a real "sleeping pill" than the Ativan did. The first time I took it I felt drugged in the morning. My mom said that her patients appear drunk when they are on it -- that's kind of how I felt. But I am tolerating it better now. I don't know if this is normal, but at about 7 a.m. (no matter when I take the Trazodone), I wake up ready to start my day. It's strange for me, because I don't need to wake up at that time any day except Tuesdays. So I go back to sleep!
I hope that my doctor allows me to keep on it -- since it's an AD and not a benzo, I hope she does. I'm also doing better on my ADs, though I am still tapering off of Effexor, not completely on the Lexapro alone. I'm only having problems with my concentration, which was a problem with Celexa and Zoloft.
Posted by ayuda on December 1, 2002, at 22:10:27
In reply to Re: Nausea, and no zip after 19 days. Why? » Kairos, posted by oldhand on November 30, 2002, at 4:17:06
> I am on day 18 with Lexapro. I can't believe how much better the depression seems! I actually caught myself having and keeping a positive attitude!!! I still don't sleep well, it's 4:30 am as we speak. The teeth clenching seems to have improved. I have very little appetite but since I gained around fifty pounds on a combo of Celexa and Remeron, I don't mind. Have lost eleven of it since summer and do eat but just not constantly anymore. Don't have alot of zip either but that seems to be improving too.
> I anticipate needing this board and the support it brings as a week from Saturday I move in with my parents. (I am 53.........arrrrgh!!). I expect it will be difficult for all concerned but they are in their mid 80's so I hope to be some help to them in return for a place to stay. When I said I caught myself keeping a positive attitude, it was in the face of a scathing email from my mother regarding the situation. (The aliens abducted my real mother about 12 years ago and left this mean-spirited old woman in her place, he he ). But she didn't rock my world with her meaness as she has in the past and I believe that the Lexapro has contributed significantly to my feelings of peace in the situation.
> So, keep up the good fight Neptune! If the Lexapro isn't the one there are others out there and combos of them. Sending you wishes for a good result.
>I feel for you, going to stay with your parents (especially with the brief description of the situation you gave) AND suffering from depression at the same time.
I have a suggestion: if the Lexapro, or anything else you may be taking, doesn't help your reactions, ask your doctor about Neurontin. It's an anti-epileptic (and you'll only find info on it as such), but many anti-epileptic drugs are also used as mood stabilizers. It's a good short-term (and by that I mean months, not days) solution if you REALLY need to get along with people and suffer from depression (you take it along with the AD). I took it with Celexa a couple of years ago, and NOTHING anyone said set me off. And I am very high strung. It does not make you feel drugged or like a robot -- at least, it didn't do that to me. It just kept me in a pleasant, even mood. I was a state employee and had a stereotypical unreasonable government-type as a supervisor (after having the best supervisor in the world at the same place), and this medication made me able to do my job, put up with her capricious, unstable commandeering, without harming myself or others, for 5 months until I found a new job. I wish my current doc would let me go on it!
Also, for sleeping, Ward suggested to me -- and my doc was all for it -- taking Trazodone, which is another AD that really induces sleep. The first time I took it, I felt drugged (see my post to Ward dated 12/1), so sometimes I take a 1/2 of the 50mg pill but now I am taking the whole pill. And I wake up around 7 a.m. -- a little groggy, but having slept through the night.
Good luck with that situation, and keep us posted on how the Lex is working.
Posted by pharmrep on December 2, 2002, at 3:08:02
In reply to Re: Nausea, and no zip after 19 days. Why?, posted by neptune on November 29, 2002, at 16:58:43
> I have been Lexapro for 19 days. I just came off of effexor. Had been on it for about a year at 175mgs.
> I have no energy, don't care about tomorrow, and the nausea is something I fight everyday. I don't know what to do, and very tired of fighting to find medication. It seems hopeless, and I have tried most evertyhing in the past 12 years. Am I doomed to be one that slips through the crack and cannot find medication. I hate to go back to effexor or tofranil.
> Thanks, Neptune**** The Effexor could be your issue...like Paxil, Effexor tends to mess with your mind and body...long after you have stopped taking it...did you stop cold turkey (thanksgiving joke) or did you titrate down slowly? I have heard of your symptoms from this before...and possibly lasting several weeks...dont go back to effexor, try to ride it out...once your body is ready, then lexapro will do its job..(10 mg right?) good luck
Posted by dr. dave on December 2, 2002, at 3:27:22
In reply to Re: Nausea, and no zip after 19 days. Why? » neptune, posted by pharmrep on December 2, 2002, at 3:08:02
> > I have been Lexapro for 19 days. I just came off of effexor. Had been on it for about a year at 175mgs.
> > I have no energy, don't care about tomorrow, and the nausea is something I fight everyday. I don't know what to do, and very tired of fighting to find medication. It seems hopeless, and I have tried most evertyhing in the past 12 years. Am I doomed to be one that slips through the crack and cannot find medication. I hate to go back to effexor or tofranil.
> > Thanks, Neptune
>
> **** The Effexor could be your issue...like Paxil, Effexor tends to mess with your mind and body...long after you have stopped taking it...did you stop cold turkey (thanksgiving joke) or did you titrate down slowly? I have heard of your symptoms from this before...and possibly lasting several weeks...dont go back to effexor, try to ride it out...once your body is ready, then lexapro will do its job..(10 mg right?) good luck==================================================================
I think it's worth adding that, while there is a good chance Lexapro will help, it is not a complete certainty as pharmrep seems to be implying. I think that's a little misleading. I'm sorry if you feel upset about that pharmrep, but I feel it's important.
If you've only been on Lexapro 19 days it is too early to tell whether it will help. Maybe give it four to six weeks if you can. It is all too easy to lose hope, but if this leads to your medication swapping about too frequently it stops anything having a chance to work.
Posted by pharmrep on December 2, 2002, at 9:16:38
In reply to Re: Nausea, and no zip after 19 days. Why? » pharmrep, posted by dr. dave on December 2, 2002, at 3:27:22
> > **** The Effexor could be your issue...like Paxil, Effexor tends to mess with your mind and body...long after you have stopped taking it...did you stop cold turkey (thanksgiving joke) or did you titrate down slowly? I have heard of your symptoms from this before...and possibly lasting several weeks...dont go back to effexor, try to ride it out...once your body is ready, then lexapro will do its job..(10 mg right?) good luck
>
> ==================================================================
>
> I think it's worth adding that, while there is a good chance Lexapro will help, it is not a complete certainty as pharmrep seems to be implying. I think that's a little misleading. I'm sorry if you feel upset about that pharmrep, but I feel it's important.
>
> If you've only been on Lexapro 19 days it is too early to tell whether it will help. Maybe give it four to six weeks if you can. It is all too easy to lose hope, but if this leads to your medication swapping about too frequently it stops anything having a chance to work.****** yes...i should be upset...because the phrase "complete certainty" sounds pretty absolute...I believe the terms "could".."tends to"..and "possibly"..generally refer to a lack of certainty which is how I properly used them....let's just stick with the 4-6 wks, hopefully by then the effexor s/e will be gone.
Posted by new user2 on December 2, 2002, at 9:41:14
In reply to Re: Lexapro side-effects, posted by JLM on October 4, 2002, at 7:10:35
I have been on lexapro (10mg)for 13 days today. I have managed to wait out the headaches, and nausea, but I have been experienceing a lump-like feeling in my lower throat (5 days)- is this from the anxiety s/e? I am actually taking lexapro for anxiety, but never had the lump feeling before taking this med. Also, I have hand tremors, especially at night (even keeps my spouse awake), is this normal or should these s/e have subsided by now? Any information would be helpful.
Thank you!
Posted by oldhand on December 2, 2002, at 10:23:55
In reply to to Oldhand: life with parents and depression, posted by ayuda on December 1, 2002, at 22:10:27
Thanks for the info Ayuda. I will remember Neurontin. I am taking 100mg of Trazodone at night. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. If I manage to take the Lex early morning then the Trazodone seems to work better, like maybe the Lexapro has "worn off" a little.
I appreciate your words of encouragement about the parental situation. I feel better equipped to deal with it that I would have at an earlier time. And I am glad to have this forum.
Posted by Geezer on December 2, 2002, at 11:34:34
In reply to Re: complete certainty?/see bottom » dr. dave, posted by pharmrep on December 2, 2002, at 9:16:38
> > > **** The Effexor could be your issue...like Paxil, Effexor tends to mess with your mind and body...long after you have stopped taking it...did you stop cold turkey (thanksgiving joke) or did you titrate down slowly? I have heard of your symptoms from this before...and possibly lasting several weeks...dont go back to effexor, try to ride it out...once your body is ready, then lexapro will do its job..(10 mg right?) good luck
> >
> > ==================================================================
> >
> > I think it's worth adding that, while there is a good chance Lexapro will help, it is not a complete certainty as pharmrep seems to be implying. I think that's a little misleading. I'm sorry if you feel upset about that pharmrep, but I feel it's important.
> >
> > If you've only been on Lexapro 19 days it is too early to tell whether it will help. Maybe give it four to six weeks if you can. It is all too easy to lose hope, but if this leads to your medication swapping about too frequently it stops anything having a chance to work.
>
> ****** yes...i should be upset...because the phrase "complete certainty" sounds pretty absolute...I believe the terms "could".."tends to"..and "possibly"..generally refer to a lack of certainty which is how I properly used them....let's just stick with the 4-6 wks, hopefully by then the effexor s/e will be gone.
>And "maybe" if she had tried Prozac instead of Lexapro she wouldn't have the problem at all....just a guess.
Geezer
Posted by Alan on December 2, 2002, at 13:01:38
In reply to Re: complete certainty?/see bottom » dr. dave, posted by pharmrep on December 2, 2002, at 9:16:38
> > > **** The Effexor could be your issue...like Paxil, Effexor tends to mess with your mind and body...long after you have stopped taking it...did you stop cold turkey (thanksgiving joke) or did you titrate down slowly? I have heard of your symptoms from this before...and possibly lasting several weeks...dont go back to effexor, try to ride it out...once your body is ready, then lexapro will do its job..(10 mg right?) good luck
> >
> > ==================================================================
> >
> > I think it's worth adding that, while there is a good chance Lexapro will help, it is not a complete certainty as pharmrep seems to be implying. I think that's a little misleading. I'm sorry if you feel upset about that pharmrep, but I feel it's important.
> >
> > If you've only been on Lexapro 19 days it is too early to tell whether it will help. Maybe give it four to six weeks if you can. It is all too easy to lose hope, but if this leads to your medication swapping about too frequently it stops anything having a chance to work.
>
> ****** yes...i should be upset...because the phrase "complete certainty" sounds pretty absolute...I believe the terms "could".."tends to"..and "possibly"..generally refer to a lack of certainty which is how I properly used them....let's just stick with the 4-6 wks, hopefully by then the effexor s/e will be gone.
>
==============================================Of additional note is that while overlapping AD's can confuse the issue, it is worth noting that MANY (and mostly) AD's have been reported worldwide as having received the top # of complaints about withdrawal effects, even though the two mentioned are near the top of the list of "messing with your mind" (see following link about World Health Organisation report on these difficulties).
Taking into account that:
1)Statistics don't apply to individual cases
and
2)That differences in INDIVIDUALS' reactions to antidepressants are so big that it is difficult to state meaningful generalizations about the difference between one anti-depressant and another,
the problem is NOT exlusive to Paxil and Effexor as some may perceive the implication.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/Archive/Article/0,4273,4201752,00.html
Alan
PS. Knowing that anxiety is an effect of withdrawal from Effexor and similarly an effect of start up with Lexapro, how is it responsible for any doctor to overlap the two - or at least prescribe some sort of bzd for the duration of these effects? I find this practice far from compassionate...
The tag line of one of PB's members is, "It's "side effects" to the doctor but more accurately major effects to the patient." George Carlin
Posted by Ritch on December 2, 2002, at 22:15:31
In reply to Lump in Throat, posted by new user2 on December 2, 2002, at 9:41:14
> I have been on lexapro (10mg)for 13 days today. I have managed to wait out the headaches, and nausea, but I have been experienceing a lump-like feeling in my lower throat (5 days)- is this from the anxiety s/e? I am actually taking lexapro for anxiety, but never had the lump feeling before taking this med. Also, I have hand tremors, especially at night (even keeps my spouse awake), is this normal or should these s/e have subsided by now? Any information would be helpful.
> Thank you!
Hi, I got that problem (lump in throat-tight throat) with Prozac and Celexa and it was dose related (it also never seemed to diminish unlike nausea and headache sfx). You might try adding a little Valium (2.0mg-5.0mg/day) or Buspar (5-15mg/day) or even some Vistaril to the Lexapro to see if it will diminish or disappear. Celexa caused some mild tremor with me as well. These meds might help with that as well. good luck.
Posted by bluedog on December 2, 2002, at 22:58:33
In reply to Re: Lump in Throat » new user2, posted by Ritch on December 2, 2002, at 22:15:31
Every ssri I have been on gives me this lump in the throat.
What I would like to know is whether this lump is dystonia ( expressed in my body as laryngeal spasm) or whether it is more likely to be some sort of allergic reaction?
thanks
bluedog
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