![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 2492 to 2516 of 8406. Go back in thread:
Posted by Hollygirl on March 29, 2003, at 21:25:22
In reply to Re lexapro and hunger...., posted by lostsailor on March 29, 2003, at 20:31:43
> I am just getting ready to go back from a "bad trip"on paxil cr and will prob switch to either lexapro or effexor-xr again, but --not really re wieght, as I did not really gain any last time, but do others feel starving all the time on lexapro??????? ~tony
Yes! I was hungry all the time on Lexapro...and very, very tired. I have sinced switched to Effexor XR. Good luck
Posted by Donia on March 29, 2003, at 21:49:45
In reply to Re: Re lexapro and hunger.... » lostsailor, posted by Hollygirl on March 29, 2003, at 21:25:22
I have been on lexapro 10mgs for 2 and a half months and have lost weight. I do not seem to eat as much as before.
Posted by college_student on March 30, 2003, at 2:37:44
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by baracuda on March 27, 2003, at 19:44:10
Hi, question: What dose of Lexapro are you on? I had the drugged effect on Paxil and am hoping that I don't experience that on 10mg of lexapro. Thanks
Posted by Okpolosi on March 30, 2003, at 7:06:43
In reply to Re lexapro and hunger...., posted by lostsailor on March 29, 2003, at 20:31:43
I have found I am less hungry on Lex, and have lost 6 pounds.
Posted by susan b. anthony on March 30, 2003, at 8:01:55
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by susan b. anthony on March 29, 2003, at 13:41:57
Well, seems like a small little club here and no one wants to talk to me, so i sign off.
Posted by blkvettes on March 30, 2003, at 10:18:31
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by college_student on March 30, 2003, at 2:37:44
> Hi, question: What dose of Lexapro are you on? I had the drugged effect on Paxil and am hoping that I don't experience that on 10mg of lexapro. Thanks
Hi, I had the zombie effect at 10 mg and am at 7.5mg and doing great. Play with the times that you take it and dosage if need be if you experience that drugged feeling. You can always move back up on the dosage. I hope it works for you. TAKE CARE
Posted by blkvettes on March 30, 2003, at 10:22:17
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by susan b. anthony on March 30, 2003, at 8:01:55
PLEASE COME BACK AND TRY AGAIN!!!!!!!
Posted by KRM123 on March 30, 2003, at 10:35:17
In reply to Re lexapro and hunger...., posted by lostsailor on March 29, 2003, at 20:31:43
Hi I am on week 2 of Lex but I'm going to start weening myself off cause I can't stand the tiredness. I am constantly eating and it is hard for me to get that full feeling. My anxiety is a lot worse too and I eat when I'm stress and worried. I am about to try Effexor...how did that work for you and why did you get off it?? I've tried Zoloft and Prozac before and they made me gain weight instantly. I swear the drugs mess up my metabolic rate. I am praying that the Effexor won't do the same thing- I will not tolerate the weight gain.
Posted by KRM123 on March 30, 2003, at 10:36:38
In reply to Re: Re lexapro and hunger.... » lostsailor, posted by Hollygirl on March 29, 2003, at 21:25:22
How has the Effexor been working for you?? I am also quitting Lexapro because of the tiredness.
Posted by oldhand on March 30, 2003, at 11:25:43
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by susan b. anthony on March 30, 2003, at 8:01:55
> Well, seems like a small little club here and no one wants to talk to me, so i sign off.
Hi Susan B,
You must forgive me, sometimes I do not get to this board as often as I want to, and some days I just don't feel like responding, though I think maybe I could contribute.
I have been on ten mg. of Lexapro since mid-November. I found I have lost weight. I had gained 50 pounds over the course of my different meds so losing weight is a good thing. I was also drinking alot of beer which I have stopped too. It is not that I don't get hungry, it is that I can control it better now. I think that has to do with the reduction of my depression, not eating all the time for comfort. Before the Lexapro I was on a combination of Celexa and Remeron. I could not go to bed at night without taking a meal with me.
The issues of weight gain and loss have been discussed quite a bit on this board and you might want to read some of the earlier posts to compare information.
I reread the research info on Lexapro last night and it was my impression that it was neutral, neither gain nor loss but folks here have all had different experiences.
Wishing you health.
Posted by oldhand on March 30, 2003, at 11:32:02
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl » susan b. anthony, posted by oldhand on March 30, 2003, at 11:25:43
> > Well, seems like a small little club here and no one wants to talk to me, so i sign off.
>
> Hi Susan B,
> You must forgive me, sometimes I do not get to this board as often as I want to, and some days I just don't feel like responding, though I think maybe I could contribute.
> I have been on ten mg. of Lexapro since mid-November. I found I have lost weight. I had gained 50 pounds over the course of my different meds so losing weight is a good thing. I was also drinking alot of beer which I have stopped too. It is not that I don't get hungry, it is that I can control it better now. I think that has to do with the reduction of my depression, not eating all the time for comfort. Before the Lexapro I was on a combination of Celexa and Remeron. I could not go to bed at night without taking a meal with me.
> The issues of weight gain and loss have been discussed quite a bit on this board and you might want to read some of the earlier posts to compare information.
> I reread the research info on Lexapro last night and it was my impression that it was neutral, neither gain nor loss but folks here have all had different experiences.
> Wishing you health.
Guess I was mixed up in addressing my post, but I hope it will be read by whoever asked the question and I hope SusanB. will stay with us.
Posted by blkvettes on March 30, 2003, at 11:56:17
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by oldhand on March 30, 2003, at 11:32:02
Hello, you people that give up after a short time on a med must understand it takes time. If you are tired drop the dosage this worked for me. You do not have to take 10mg to get results. Everyone is different, I have seen people get results on just 5mg. I have been up to 10 down to 5 and am at 7.5 with good results. I read posts on all kinds of boards where people give up in the first week and move to something else. Most side effects go away in time. As for weight in some people their metabolism slows down with these meds. I guess you have to watch what you eat and exercise. On this board alone I have read posts where people have gone through some terrible side effects and they go away with time and say they are doing great. I am not defending lexapro but all meds that people take. It takes time, if a person quits because of allergic reaction or some severe side effect as I did with paxil and zoloft that is one thing. Some people give up over a headache, upset stomach, they are tired etc. These are minor side effects where a simple dosage change would do the trick. Some people take one med and start a new one and blame all their side effects on the new med when they are withdrawling from the old med. A lot of shrinks try to start you out on the full dose. You do not have to take a full dose to get results. If you go lower you can always go back up when your body is ready. No matter what med you take give it a fair chance!!!!!!!! I could have easily gave up on lexapro but people on this board and other boards convinced me to give it time!!!!!! GOOD LUCK TO ALL!!!!! TAKE CARE!!!!!!!!
Posted by IfOnly on March 30, 2003, at 12:17:47
In reply to BEING TIRED!!!!!!!!!!!!, posted by blkvettes on March 30, 2003, at 11:56:17
You are exactly right!!! The doctors should be telling this to people. There is no automatic cure.
Posted by okpolosi on March 30, 2003, at 13:14:33
In reply to Re: BEING TIRED!!!!!!!!!!!!, posted by IfOnly on March 30, 2003, at 12:17:47
I just have to put in my 2 cents!!!
Week 9 10mg Lex.
In the first few weeks I had almost EVERY side effect associated w/Lex...debilitating Migraine-like headaches, nausea, dizziness, diahrea, extreme lethargy, feeling like a zombie, binge eating, anxiety, depression, clenching....I could go on and on!!!
The second week was by far the worst, called in sick for work the whole week and stayed in bed or on the couch sick as a dog.
By the 4th week I was starting to seriously doubt I would get any help or results...had several deep depressions.
I stuck with it though, mostly because of the many posts I read here encouraging me to give the meds a chance to work. And I am happy to say THEY ARE WORKING!!!
Have not had another deep depression in several weeks. Have not had a terrible fight w/husband (used to occur at least once a week, if not more). People at work have commented I don't seem so "manic" or "crazed" as one person put it.
The meds have brought back my "sense of balance", no more extremes of bad emotions, everything seems more "even" if that makes sense?
So, please do NOT give up so easily...the meds DO need some time to work for some people!!!
Posted by Hollygirl on March 30, 2003, at 13:35:39
In reply to Re: Re lexapro and hunger....Hollygirl, posted by KRM123 on March 30, 2003, at 10:36:38
> How has the Effexor been working for you?? I am also quitting Lexapro because of the tiredness.
I have only been on the Effexor for 3 days so it is hard to say. I definitely have energy, though...in fact, I don't sleep. One bad thing is that I am nauseated and have been throwing up. I assume that is just the initial side effect and will go away in time. Good luck
Posted by Chacha on March 30, 2003, at 13:56:26
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by oldhand on March 30, 2003, at 11:32:02
I have just started taking lexapro for about 3 days now. I have spent alot of time sleeping during the day, and I have also starting experiencing diahrea, which is not normal for me.
Will these things go away? or do I need to reduce my 10 mg to 5 mg? I called my pharmacy and they suggested that but if this goes away in a few days I would rather not.
Posted by leeran on March 30, 2003, at 14:05:34
In reply to BEING TIRED!!!!!!!!!!!!, posted by blkvettes on March 30, 2003, at 11:56:17
What an excellent message! Blkvettes, I wanted to tell you that, after reading one of your recent posts on Friday, I went back and did a search and followed your complete progress on Lexapro and even told my husband about your metamorphosis thus far on this medication.
Your most recent post (below) is full of such excellent, well-thought out advice and it's DEFINITELY something I needed to read this morning (I am on day 6 w/ Lexapro).
Like many people, one of my biggest fears is that I will gain back weight that I have lost (50 pounds gained in eight years - a combination of ADs, stress, early menopause and laziness/tiredness). I've lost 24 - 25 pounds of that 50 and am afraid of gaining it back and becoming MORE depressed because of the weight gain (such a vicious circle).
I'm curious - are you splitting a 10 mg. to get to 7.5 - or are there smaller dose pills available? I'm thinking I read that 10 mg. was the lowest dosage available in actual pill form.
I am also on 40 mg. per day of Adderall - so I feel like that will help with any weight gain and I've actually lost a few pounds this week taking the Lexapro (but I know that can be short-lived).
I do feel an even more drastic reduction in appetite with the Lexapro layered on top of the Adderall so we'll see what happens . . . I spent a few OCD hours last night combing the internet for posts about "Lexapro and weight gain" and it truly seems to be a mixed bag. It's amazing how completely different all of us are wired when it comes to metabolism and mood.
Magnesium seems to offer dramatic improvement for some people (according to posts I read on this board last night). I've taken it before then run out or didn't take it religiously but I do think it has helped in the past - so I plan on getting some of the Magnesium Glycine today.
Thank you SO much for your posts. You are so open and have been so kind to continue to post as you have improved. Your progress has been a true inspiration!
_---------
> Hello, you people that give up after a short time on a med must understand it takes time. If you are tired drop the dosage this worked for me. You do not have to take 10mg to get results. Everyone is different, I have seen people get results on just 5mg. I have been up to 10 down to 5 and am at 7.5 with good results. I read posts on all kinds of boards where people give up in the first week and move to something else. Most side effects go away in time. As for weight in some people their metabolism slows down with these meds. I guess you have to watch what you eat and exercise. On this board alone I have read posts where people have gone through some terrible side effects and they go away with time and say they are doing great. I am not defending lexapro but all meds that people take. It takes time, if a person quits because of allergic reaction or some severe side effect as I did with paxil and zoloft that is one thing. Some people give up over a headache, upset stomach, they are tired etc. These are minor side effects where a simple dosage change would do the trick. Some people take one med and start a new one and blame all their side effects on the new med when they are withdrawling from the old med. A lot of shrinks try to start you out on the full dose. You do not have to take a full dose to get results. If you go lower you can always go back up when your body is ready. No matter what med you take give it a fair chance!!!!!!!! I could have easily gave up on lexapro but people on this board and other boards convinced me to give it time!!!!!! GOOD LUCK TO ALL!!!!! TAKE CARE!!!!!!!!
Posted by blkvettes on March 30, 2003, at 14:30:29
In reply to Re: BEING TIRED!!!!!!!!!!!! » blkvettes, posted by leeran on March 30, 2003, at 14:05:34
Hi there, they do make a 5mg but I have 10,s. I split them up, if you look at the pill on one side there is a line to cut in half. My shrink has always said you can be creative. You dont even have to take a whole dose at one time. You could take some in the morning, then afternoon and then the evening. I have seen where some people did not get results for 8 weeks on the lex. There is another good post that someone just put up. In fact that person helped me at a low time on the lex. I get frustrated so easily. GOOD LUCK AND TAKE CARE!!!!!
Posted by Donia on March 30, 2003, at 14:34:51
In reply to BEING TIRED!!!!!!!!!!!!, posted by blkvettes on March 30, 2003, at 11:56:17
I agree that taking these meds for only two weeks is not enough time to tell if they are going to work. The first 2 weeks to a month is nothing but side effects. They usually do go away. I took zoloft and it has way worse side effects for me than lexapro has. I went back to the doc after two weeks and told him I was quitting the zoloft and he talked me into staying on it and it did help alot, but it took a few months. Also with the lexapro the first few weeks were side effects only which sometimes makes you feel worse, but it has been two and a half months and the only side effect that has lasted is being tired and sleeping too much, which I have anyway when I am depressed. I have been sticking it out and this week I was able to get up and wasnt so tired, so maybe the tired side effect is going away. It is a trade off. Feel bad or worse for a month or so and then get relief finally. As bad as I was feeling before I took lexapro, the side effects were worth feeling better. Stick with you guys!! If it does not work, try something else but give it time.
Posted by blkvettes on March 30, 2003, at 14:35:54
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Chacha on March 30, 2003, at 13:56:26
> I have just started taking lexapro for about 3 days now. I have spent alot of time sleeping during the day, and I have also starting experiencing diahrea, which is not normal for me.
> Will these things go away? or do I need to reduce my 10 mg to 5 mg? I called my pharmacy and they suggested that but if this goes away in a few days I would rather not.Hi there, they may go away with time. Please read a couple of the latest posts that have been put up by me and okpolosi. This may help you and good luck. Hang in there!!!!!
Posted by college_student on March 30, 2003, at 15:17:59
In reply to Re: Chacha, posted by blkvettes on March 30, 2003, at 14:35:54
Thanks for the support. This is a great source to learn about what people go through.
I am so far having success on lexapro. It has only been two weeks. I have been tired, but less tired then on paxil. I also think that the adderal that my doc has me on also helps with that. With paxil I could not get out of bed in the morning. I would sleep 10-18 hours a day. Now I only sleep like 9 hours. It is much better. I have had some anxiety spells maybe 2x per week, but overall I feel more balanced. I am hoping that with time the anxiety will go away.
I also realize that things in the world do make me upset, and I can't expect that taking an anti depressant will take away all of the natural anxiety that comes with life. It is the excessive and obsessive anxiety that I hope to combat.
We are humans, with hormones and emotions and some amount of fluctuation in the way we feel is normal. Just some thoughts.
Posted by KRM123 on March 30, 2003, at 16:09:28
In reply to BEING TIRED!!!!!!!!!!!!, posted by blkvettes on March 30, 2003, at 11:56:17
Thanks for your post blkvettes. I've decided to get off Lexapro because of the tiredness, but while weening off I will drop down to 5mg for this week and see if I feel better. Maybe that will alter my decision and not give up. Take care.
Posted by KRM123 on March 30, 2003, at 16:12:17
In reply to Re: Re lexapro and hunger....Hollygirl » KRM123, posted by Hollygirl on March 30, 2003, at 13:35:39
Well I hope you feel better Hollygirl. Throwing up is not fun! Did you start on the lowest dose? I was going to jump right into Effexor but I think I'll take my time to ween off Lexapro first. Take care and keep me updated on how you're doing.
Posted by blkvettes on March 30, 2003, at 16:29:19
In reply to Re: Chacha, posted by college_student on March 30, 2003, at 15:17:59
> Thanks for the support. This is a great source to learn about what people go through.
>
> I am so far having success on lexapro. It has only been two weeks. I have been tired, but less tired then on paxil. I also think that the adderal that my doc has me on also helps with that. With paxil I could not get out of bed in the morning. I would sleep 10-18 hours a day. Now I only sleep like 9 hours. It is much better. I have had some anxiety spells maybe 2x per week, but overall I feel more balanced. I am hoping that with time the anxiety will go away.
>
> I also realize that things in the world do make me upset, and I can't expect that taking an anti depressant will take away all of the natural anxiety that comes with life. It is the excessive and obsessive anxiety that I hope to combat.
> We are humans, with hormones and emotions and some amount of fluctuation in the way we feel is normal. Just some thoughts.
>GOOD LUCK TO YOU AND TAKE CARE!!!!!!
Posted by blkvettes on March 30, 2003, at 16:31:47
In reply to Re: BEING TIRED!!!!!!!!!!!!blkvettes , posted by KRM123 on March 30, 2003, at 16:09:28
> Thanks for your post blkvettes. I've decided to get off Lexapro because of the tiredness, but while weening off I will drop down to 5mg for this week and see if I feel better. Maybe that will alter my decision and not give up. Take care.
No matter what you do I hope you find whats best for you. TAKE CARE!!!!!
Go forward in thread:
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.