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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by micheke on July 27, 2003, at 13:36:26
In reply to Sun sensitivity, posted by theump on July 27, 2003, at 10:52:55
Theump:
I recently got a really bad sunburn. I do not usually burn easy. Not sure if it was the lexapro or the zyrtec that I am taking for allergies but I am still peeling 3 weeks later. It never occured to me that Lexapro might be the culprit, I'll have to do some research on that.
-Micheke
Posted by bookgurl99 on July 27, 2003, at 13:50:30
In reply to Re: Lexapro Withdrawal Dizziness, posted by arrianna on July 27, 2003, at 12:27:26
Arianna --
I just wanted to point out that some people have mild or virtually no withdrawal effects. For example, after coming off of Zoloft after a year, my one effect was feeling dizzy for about 3 days and unusually thirsty for about 2 weeks.
You have to weight the risks of eventually _maybe_ being uncomfortable during withdrawal with the risks of not living your life to the fullest due to anxiety. If your anxiety is severe and life-impairing, then I would say it is probably worth the small chance that you will have a tough withdrawal phase.
I had a really lousy withdrawal from Serzone, with panic attacks and twitchiness that lasted for a couple of weeks. Yet because this was _temporary_, I still think taking it when I did was good because it helped me to move on with my life when I was fearful. This experience has not deterred me from taking Lexapro to stop my frequent migraines.
I wouldn't let one person's bad experience convince you to stop. Just take the knowledge and weight it with what you know to be best for yourself at this point.
Posted by Lorishen on July 27, 2003, at 14:17:27
In reply to Re: Anyone had heart attack symptoms on lexapro??, posted by BLKVETTES on July 26, 2003, at 15:53:31
Hi Wayne,
Yes, they gave me the first EKG as soon as I got there and it was normal. It was a nightmare, blood trests, heart monitor, blood pressure every 15 min. and I was on a nitro-glycerine drip all night to keep my heart regulated. I didn't take the lexapro today as I feel it had to have been what brought this on. I have had panic and anxiety attacks before but never like this or as long. I think the scariest part was the burning feeling throughout my chest and then my heart rate would go up.
Thanks for responding.Lorrie
>
> Hi Lorrie, I know this was very scary for you!!! I have had all the heart tests done also because of panic attacks which I thought were heart related. What were you given lexapro for? Was it depression, anxiety or panic. If this is the first time that this has happened then I will explain this way. Sometimes when a person starts meds a particular med can cause a panic attack. Sometimes they can can cause some heart related issue if thats indeed what happened. But thats very rare!!! Your heart rate being up is normal during a panic or anxiety attack. Did you have that pain when they were doing an EKG and other tests. If the tests were normal while still have the discomfort it sounds like panic or anxiety. There have been others that have had a panic attack when first starting a med. Cant recall if they kept taking the med and if this went away. Thats about all I can tell you!!! I would get with your doc and discuss your med!!! GOOD LUCK!!!
> WAYNE
>
>
Posted by trucker on July 27, 2003, at 15:00:35
In reply to Sun sensitivity, posted by theump on July 27, 2003, at 10:52:55
> I have been on Lexapro for about 5 weeks now I think. I recently was out in the sun for about 3 hours and found that I had a terrible sunburn. The sunburn is still around after one week, usually this only takes a couple days to turn to tan. The area is peeling but still red. I was wondering if anyone else has experienced oversensitivity to sun while on Lex.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////
YES! VERY MUCH SO! YOUR DOCTOR SHOULD HAVE WARNED YOU OF THIS EFFECT. YOU CAN GET SECOND DEGREE AND SO ON BURNS VERY RAPIDLY ON THIS STUFF AS WITH ZOLOFT... BE CARFUL AND WHERE HEAVY SUN BLOCK!!!!
Posted by lil' jimi on July 27, 2003, at 17:37:03
In reply to Re: Sun sensitivity » theump, posted by micheke on July 27, 2003, at 13:36:26
When I went in to see my GP for a physical, I was just being a good sport by telling her that my wife said she thought I was depressed ... doc debated about whether she wanted me to start at 20 or 10 mg, and decided on 10 mg ... ...
... .. .. and who could pay attention anyway ? ... ... I was getting a fast heart scan (came out fine) ... ... blood work ... stool specimens ... ... my 2nd colonoscopy ... ....
.. ( all came out fine ... ... no occult blood , no polyps) ...the Point being? .... ... I was distracted ... I didn't take notes ... ... okay
two weeks later (and about six lifetimes of SEs) I go back to check in with my GP ... so I ask her about this wooziness, depersonalization, panic attacks, sleep distrubances, dreams, anorgasmia ...
... she says, "I told there could be side-effects ... "
well, right, but ...
" .... .... and I told they would go away, right?"
well, yeah ... but ...
" ... and they went away, didn't they?"
uh, yeah ... pretty much ... I guess so ...
(end of that story ... back later!)
I have been on lex 4 1/2 months ... on 10mg the last 3 1/2 ... ... last weekend we went to Corpus Christi and Saturday afternoon spent 4 hours at the beach, in the sun the whole time ... ... no sunblock on me ... none ...
(and now back to his story!)
... ... so, I THINK I remember my GP May have warned me to use a sunscreen ... it's all very vague ...now I am by no means what folks would call 'fair', but ....
... despite having not really been in the sun in years ... and not smart enough to take even modest precautions ... remember, Photons Are Carcinogenic ... ... I did not get a sunburn at all ... (!) ... ... and only a little tanned, really, considering the amout of exposure ... ...
And that's my story ... .... with all of my details, hey Wayne? HA!
Everybody
TAKE CARE!!!!!
~ jimp.s. Why do I Not Care about withdrawals
Posted by micheke on July 27, 2003, at 20:39:35
In reply to Re: Lexapro Withdrawal Dizziness » Micheke, posted by kayenna on July 26, 2003, at 22:53:18
Kayenna:
You are definitely NOT NUTS! Until I found this site my doctor & pharmacist told me that I should not be experiencing ANY withdrawal since I was only on 10mg. Boy do they not have a clue! Thank god I found this - I've gotten more help on this site than any of the doctors. I had all the same things you are experiencing, as well as, trouble seeing properly when I tried to go cold turkey. If it gets too much for you go to 2.5mg first. I'll be on 2.5 for another week before I try to go to 0 again. If that doesn't work then I'll cut the 2.5 in half (and so on). Keep me updated on your progress :)
-Micheke
Posted by BLKVETTES on July 27, 2003, at 21:00:22
In reply to re: Sun sensitivity, posted by lil' jimi on July 27, 2003, at 17:37:03
> When I went in to see my GP for a physical, I was just being a good sport by telling her that my wife said she thought I was depressed ... doc debated about whether she wanted me to start at 20 or 10 mg, and decided on 10 mg ... ...
> ... .. .. and who could pay attention anyway ? ... ... I was getting a fast heart scan (came out fine) ... ... blood work ... stool specimens ... ... my 2nd colonoscopy ... ....
> .. ( all came out fine ... ... no occult blood , no polyps) ...
>
> the Point being? .... ... I was distracted ... I didn't take notes ... ... okay
>
> two weeks later (and about six lifetimes of SEs) I go back to check in with my GP ... so I ask her about this wooziness, depersonalization, panic attacks, sleep distrubances, dreams, anorgasmia ...
>
> ... she says, "I told there could be side-effects ... "
>
> well, right, but ...
>
> " .... .... and I told they would go away, right?"
>
> well, yeah ... but ...
>
> " ... and they went away, didn't they?"
>
> uh, yeah ... pretty much ... I guess so ...
>
> (end of that story ... back later!)
>
> I have been on lex 4 1/2 months ... on 10mg the last 3 1/2 ... ... last weekend we went to Corpus Christi and Saturday afternoon spent 4 hours at the beach, in the sun the whole time ... ... no sunblock on me ... none ...
>
> (and now back to his story!)
> ... ... so, I THINK I remember my GP May have warned me to use a sunscreen ... it's all very vague ...
>
> now I am by no means what folks would call 'fair', but ....
>
> ... despite having not really been in the sun in years ... and not smart enough to take even modest precautions ... remember, Photons Are Carcinogenic ... ... I did not get a sunburn at all ... (!) ... ... and only a little tanned, really, considering the amout of exposure ... ...
>
> And that's my story ... .... with all of my details, hey Wayne? HA!
>
> Everybody
> TAKE CARE!!!!!
> ~ jim
>
> p.s. Why do I Not Care about withdrawals
>
>
GOOD POST JIM!!!!!
WAYNE
Posted by micheke on July 27, 2003, at 21:01:32
In reply to Re: Lexapro Withdrawal Dizziness, posted by arrianna on July 27, 2003, at 12:27:26
Arrianna:
Please don't get too scared. If the lex is working for you then you must weight out the benefits vs. the risks. I have spent the last 6 years trying to get past the severe anxiety/panic attacks I was going through. I was on Xanax for about 6 years and went to an amazing group therapy that helped me so much. I had pretty much "conquered" the anxiety but I went through a devastating break up and just didn't think I could get past it on my own. I found myself living alone and went on the lexapro to help me get through it. I had fought my doctor and therapist for years about going on an antidepressant/anxiety drug besides xanax. I finally gave in because I just needed some help. I have to tell you that the lexapro worked wonderfully. There were some mild side effects but I thought I felt the benefits of the lexapro within the first couple of weeks. It took the edge off the pain and just helped me to feel that it wasn't the end of the world. With the help of the lexapro I went into deep therapy for some childhood issues and after about a month I was a different person. I am much happier now and because of the change I made in myself my fiance and I reconciled and are planning a wedding. My point is that, while the withdrawal sucks big time, I do not regret my decision to take it (so far). I believe that the effects of the lexapro is the reason why I don't feel I need it anymore. I do sometimes get mad because my doc mentioned nothing about withdrawal effects and I believe I should've been informed so that I could make my own decision but the truth is that I think the doctors aren't as informed as we'd like them to be. It's sad but reinforces that we need to take control over our own health. Only you can decide what is best for yourself. You know how bad the anxiety was before. If it was really bad and this helps then maybe the chance of withdrawal is worth it. Have you tried any other anxiety drugs and are you doing any kind of therapy to deal with the anxiety when you do get it? Xanax worked well enough for me for the anxiety and you can take it only when you need it if you want. I also had very little effects compared to lexapro when I stopped taking it. I am glad to have found this website and all the great people on it. It really helps me with this withdrawal. At least I know I'm not alone.
Keep my updated on your progress.
-Micheke
Posted by theump on July 27, 2003, at 21:05:11
In reply to Re: Sun sensitivity » theump, posted by trucker on July 27, 2003, at 15:00:35
> /////////////////////////////////////////////////
> YES! VERY MUCH SO! YOUR DOCTOR SHOULD HAVE WARNED YOU OF THIS EFFECT. YOU CAN GET SECOND DEGREE AND SO ON BURNS VERY RAPIDLY ON THIS STUFF AS WITH ZOLOFT... BE CARFUL AND WHERE HEAVY SUN BLOCK!!!!I would say I definitely have close to 2nd degree burns on my chest. Good thing I didn't make that dermatology appointment for anytime in the next few weeks, I would get yelled at! My GP didn't say anything about sun exposure. I can tell I'm going to continue to peel as my skin is still very shiny and smooth.
I'm glad I'm not the only one with the reaction, but I wish I would've known.
Thanks for the replies!
Posted by carla on July 27, 2003, at 21:46:39
In reply to Re: switching paxil to lex, posted by carla on July 25, 2003, at 20:50:30
anyone get headaches after going on lexapro.. if so , is it a side effect that will fade away.. you can email me direct at cvest601@aol.com
Posted by Donia on July 27, 2003, at 22:52:15
In reply to Sun sensitivity, posted by theump on July 27, 2003, at 10:52:55
Hello, I am checking my password
Posted by Donia on July 27, 2003, at 22:54:45
In reply to Sun sensitivity, posted by theump on July 27, 2003, at 10:52:55
Hello, I am a redhead with blue eyes and have not noticed any sensitivity to the sun. I did start the lex in the winter, but have been in the sun alot this summer with baseball games and also a vacation to Florida. I have to wear sunscreen to slowly build up a tan, but now dont burn hardly at all. I do tan better than most redheads but was worried the med may make me more sensitive.
Posted by trucker on July 27, 2003, at 23:51:19
In reply to Re: Sun sensitivity, posted by Donia on July 27, 2003, at 22:52:15
JIM I BET YOU ARE A GOOD EGG. THE PERSONALITY YOU PORTREY HERE IS A GOOD ONE. I GOT TO ASK HOW OLD ARE YOU? HOW LONG MARRIED? I HAVE BEEN HAVING TROBLE WITH POSTING, NOT SURE WHY. HEY HAVE YOU EVER LISTENED TO DR LAURA AND ,OR RUSH LIMBAUGH. THEY ARE EXCELENT LISTENING.
I LOST MY WAY TO OTHER BOARD.
TAKE CARE
TRUCKER
Posted by oldhand on July 27, 2003, at 23:53:47
In reply to Re: Sun sensitivity, posted by Donia on July 27, 2003, at 22:54:45
> Hello, I am a redhead with blue eyes and have not noticed any sensitivity to the sun. I did start the lex in the winter, but have been in the sun alot this summer with baseball games and also a vacation to Florida. I have to wear sunscreen to slowly build up a tan, but now dont burn hardly at all. I do tan better than most redheads but was worried the med may make me more sensitive.
Hi all-
I tan fairly easily without burning so as I go in to the sun I use an SPF8. I have not burnt so far this summer except for a real itchy place on my back that didn't get covered by oil.
I'm on 20mg of Lex and since I am somewhat med sensitive and had been on abundant other AD's before the Lex, guess I just expected some side effects. And I remind myself that this is less than a year on the market, with some (from what I have read) short clinical trials. I also read the package inserts but sometines think this makes me imagine effects that aren't there. All in all, I guess I want to say that I am human again after feeling sub-human for a long time and if I have to put up with a few inconveniences (sweats and dizziness for me) I am more than willing!!
And I don't think even the docs know what all to expect from this med, yet.
Wishing us all peace and joyful hearts and laughter.
Posted by lil' jimi on July 28, 2003, at 9:24:11
In reply to DEAREST JIM » Donia, posted by trucker on July 27, 2003, at 23:51:19
hey Trucker!
> JIM I BET YOU ARE A GOOD EGG. THE PERSONALITY YOU PORTREY HERE IS A GOOD ONE. I GOT TO ASK HOW OLD ARE YOU? HOW LONG MARRIED? I HAVE BEEN HAVING TROBLE WITH POSTING, NOT SURE WHY. HEY HAVE YOU EVER LISTENED TO DR LAURA AND, OR RUSH LIMBAUGH. THEY ARE EXCELENT LISTENING.
>
> I LOST MY WAY TO OTHER BOARD.
>
> TAKE CARE
> TRUCKER
hi,
... 1st, How to Get Back to ...any pBabble board:
1) click on the link for whichever board you currently on at the top of whichever page you are on ...
2) Then, at the top of the that board page, look for the link for the pBabble board (ie, pBabble Faith) you want to go to ... click it ...
3) ... and there you are ... (i hope!).. ... ... we have been happily married since August of 1986 and blessed with our one-and-only in November 1998 ... ... one can never be grateful enough ...
... i was born in February of 1951, or so they tell me ... i'm 52 ... so far ...
i'm afraid my neurotransmitters might be too weak for Rush or Laura ....
.... and what do you find excellent listening there?
(we are going to have to go to Social for this discussion, if we want to continue it, because we are fixing to get re-directed there ... because this has gotten less medication oriented .... ... this is not a bad thing ... it happens)... in the meantime, I thank you for your compliments ...THANKS!
i would hope i would be as "EGGs-cellent" as you're a-betting i am ! ... (HA!) ...
... and be warned: my portrayal of my personality may not be all it's "CRACKED" up to be !
HA!... remember to drive real careful-like and to ...
TAKE CARE!!!
~ jimP.S. hi to Donia, thanks for your sunshine posts and for letting us use your post to post these posts ... (?) ... sorta ...
... hope we haven't confused you too much!
THANKS! ~ j
Posted by dan22 on July 28, 2003, at 9:30:56
In reply to Lexapro still isn't different - pharmrep, posted by dr. dave on August 20, 2002, at 5:48:24
Hi all.
I tried just about any drug there is I think. Celexa worked best for me in mood terms. I felt a lot better on it. However I stopped it because of sexual side effects and decreased libido. I then tried zoloft and it didn't help + I still had sexual side effects.
Then my doctor mentioned lexapro, and I thought, maybe it's like celexa only with less side effects. I started taking it about 2 months ago (10mg) and my conclusions are:
- lexapro is DIFFERENT than celexa
- lexapro has less side effects and no sexual side effects at all it seems.
- My mood was better with celexa, but somehow I prefer lexapro because I feel more 'myself' than with celexa. It feels milder.If sexual side effects are your main concern, try lexapro. If not, try celexa first, it's the most helpful of all SSRI's (again, at least for me)
Posted by Bela on July 28, 2003, at 10:05:00
In reply to Re: Lexapro still isn't different - pharmrep, posted by dan22 on July 28, 2003, at 9:30:56
I have a question for Lexapro users and those that who have experienced the poop-out syndrome with other SSRIs. Over the years of experiencing the SSRI merry-go-round, the main depression symptom I experience when they all quit working, was diurnal variation (DV). DV involves no motivation in the morning, dragging the butt out of bed, etc., with improvement as the day progresses. At present, the Lexapro is working for me and basically eliminated the DV, but I am not optimistic about it working forever. For any of you that have experienced DV, do you have suggestions for psychotherapeutic coping mechanisms? Do any of you know what happens during the night to cause the cycle to repeat itself the next day?
Bela
Posted by trucker on July 28, 2003, at 10:57:27
In reply to re: Back at ya! » trucker, posted by lil' jimi on July 28, 2003, at 9:24:11
JIM
> > I LOST MY WAY TO OTHER BOARD.
> >
> > TAKE CARE
> > TRUCKER
>
///////////////////////////////////////////////// I FIND THEM GOOD LISTENING WHEN DRIVING. I GET SOME ANSWERS TO LIFES QUESTIONS. SHE DR LAURA IS A PSYE DR. I DON'T CALL IN HOWEVER IF YA GET THE RIGHT EPISODE SHE HAS YOUR ANSWER FROM SPEAKING TO OTHERS.SOME DAYS ARE BETTER THAN OTHERS.
I'LL BE LEAVING TONIGHT AT 6PM HEADING FOR MINNASOTA.
TAKE CARE ALL
TRUCKER
Posted by JaneB on July 28, 2003, at 11:25:39
In reply to Lexapro and dirurnal variation, posted by Bela on July 28, 2003, at 10:05:00
> I have a question for Lexapro users and those that who have experienced the poop-out syndrome with other SSRIs. Over the years of experiencing the SSRI merry-go-round, the main depression symptom I experience when they all quit working, was diurnal variation (DV). DV involves no motivation in the morning, dragging the butt out of bed, etc., with improvement as the day progresses. At present, the Lexapro is working for me and basically eliminated the DV, but I am not optimistic about it working forever. For any of you that have experienced DV, do you have suggestions for psychotherapeutic coping mechanisms? Do any of you know what happens during the night to cause the cycle to repeat itself the next day?
> Bela
>
Where did you find this term? Do you know what causes 4 am headaches? Every day. They go away without meds sometimes. Is this a symptom of a mood disorder?
JaneB
Posted by Bela on July 28, 2003, at 12:04:57
In reply to Re: Lexapro and dirurnal variation, posted by JaneB on July 28, 2003, at 11:25:39
JaneB,
The term diurnal variation typically refers to some kind of 24 hour cycle or periodicity. I have run across it in the psychiatric literature in reference to daily mood cycles, and my own psychiatrist also mentioned used the term. I am not sure about the headaches, but that is not a problem for me.
> > I have a question for Lexapro users and those that who have experienced the poop-out syndrome with other SSRIs. Over the years of experiencing the SSRI merry-go-round, the main depression symptom I experience when they all quit working, was diurnal variation (DV). DV involves no motivation in the morning, dragging the butt out of bed, etc., with improvement as the day progresses. At present, the Lexapro is working for me and basically eliminated the DV, but I am not optimistic about it working forever. For any of you that have experienced DV, do you have suggestions for psychotherapeutic coping mechanisms? Do any of you know what happens during the night to cause the cycle to repeat itself the next day?
> > Bela
> >
> Where did you find this term? Do you know what causes 4 am headaches? Every day. They go away without meds sometimes. Is this a symptom of a mood disorder?
> JaneB
>
Posted by Capri on July 28, 2003, at 13:12:37
In reply to re: Sun sensitivity, posted by lil' jimi on July 27, 2003, at 17:37:03
Posted by Peter S. on July 28, 2003, at 13:30:49
In reply to Re: Lexapro and dirurnal variation » JaneB, posted by Bela on July 28, 2003, at 12:04:57
I've been on Lexapro for about 7 weeks with not a lot of benefit. I increased to 20 mg last week and noticed a slight increase in mood, but now it seems to be dissipating. I'm wondering if others have gone beyond 20mg and whether this has worked.My pdoc has talked about examples of people not responding fully to Prozac until they got up to 80mg. Maybe Lex has the same effect- I've seen research that indicates that there isn't a whole lot of difference between 10 and 20mg, but it's such a new drug and there are so many individual differences about how people respond to meds.
Thanks for any responses!
Peter
Posted by JaneB on July 28, 2003, at 13:38:34
In reply to Re: Lexapro and dirurnal variation » JaneB, posted by Bela on July 28, 2003, at 12:04:57
> > > I have a question for Lexapro users and those that who have experienced the poop-out syndrome with other SSRIs. Over the years of experiencing the SSRI merry-go-round, the main depression symptom I experience when they all quit working, was diurnal variation (DV). DV involves no motivation in the morning, dragging the butt out of bed, etc., with improvement as the day progresses. At present, the Lexapro is working for me and basically eliminated the DV, but I am not optimistic about it working forever. For any of you that have experienced DV, do you have suggestions for psychotherapeutic coping mechanisms? Do any of you know what happens during the night to cause the cycle to repeat itself the next day?
> > > BelaBela
Do you dread going to bed because the good feelings you experience by nightfall will be gone when you wake up only to return when it is about time to go back to bed. And no method of changing time of med dosing works.
I don't have answers for you but it I anxiously await the "experts" answers (if there are any.)I also tried Lex and side effects outweighed the benefits. I now only take clonazepam without any antidepressant. I have less DV without any AD. But I have only been off Ad's since March. Time will tell.
JaneB
PS Lexapro made me want to drag my butt back into bed by early afternoon! If I got out of the house I was fine. But stay home and couldn't resist the nap. Possibly because Lex seemed to activate me during sleep at night too much.
Posted by arrianna on July 28, 2003, at 14:09:51
In reply to re: Back at ya!, posted by trucker on July 28, 2003, at 10:57:27
Hey Trucker-
This isn't "med" related, so I hope I don't get in trouble. But, I just saw that you were leaving for Minnesota tonight, and I'm from Minnesota: Twin Cities area. Where are you from? Anyways, it's a great day to be in Minnesota today: a beautiful, sunny, and warm summer day here! Enjoy your trip! Arrianna
Posted by Bela on July 28, 2003, at 14:33:11
In reply to Re: Lexapro and dirurnal variation » Bela, posted by JaneB on July 28, 2003, at 13:38:34
JaneB,
My experience fits very closely to yours. When DV is a problem, I dread going to bed because of what I know I will feel like in the morning. Also, if I stay around the house, the bed is like a huge magnet sucking me in. No motivation.You made one comment which REALLY interests me. I never experiencing diurnal variation until I started taking ADs. Before ADs, I used to absolutely love the mornings. I would be interested in knowing how you took yourself off them; the few times I have tried it have resulted in horrible relapses.
Bela
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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