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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 3797 to 3821 of 8406. Go back in thread:
Posted by Doug in PA on August 2, 2003, at 14:19:43
In reply to Re: Changing to Lexapro from Paxil--How to switc, posted by pollymk on August 2, 2003, at 4:42:06
I made the switch in one day. I had a terrible time. The Lex did not seem to cut in for a month or more while the withdrawl symptomes from the paxil were terrible. Every day my depression seemed to get worse. I wish that I had not listened to the doctor and just tapered off Paxil while taking lex. But keep in mind that the reason that there are so many posts on this site is because everybody reacts (at least a little) differently to the same Rx. Even two months on the Lex I feel like that old Paul Simon song..."Still crazy after all these years."
Doug in PA> Thanks for the posts.
>
> I think I will change from Paxil to Lexpro. When people have changed can you stop the Paxil one day and start the Lexpro the next? Has anyone got the speedy feeling from the Lexpro? I have tired to stop the Paxil before without taking another drug and had withdrawal anxiety that was horrible.
Posted by mph-speedy on August 2, 2003, at 15:54:07
In reply to re: Lexapro sexual side effects, posted by guyndenver on August 2, 2003, at 12:47:19
From one menapausal female's perspective, lex has helped libido and although delays orgasm, enhances the whole experience. I was suffering from a kind of physical pain from being touched. It's hard to explain. Sex is more mellow now. Crazy? Maybe, but before the lex I was just wound too tight. Also, have never had a problem having orgasms, and am not at all uptight about sex.
Posted by lil' jimi on August 3, 2003, at 0:33:51
In reply to re: Lexapro sexual side effects, posted by guyndenver on August 2, 2003, at 12:47:19
hi guyndenver,
you're welcome ... ... anytime.
... ... (see below)> Thanks, Jim. I appreciate your input on this.
>
> Even though I have been treated for "depression" numerous times over the years, this last bout was with anxiety. I had an attack so severe that I could no longer eat. Everything I tried to swallow got stuck in my throat. After numerous procedures to try to "fix" the problem, my doc suggested that it might be anxiety and put me on Remeron Soltabs. Didn't work, so we tried liquid Prozac with limited results. Well, to make a long story short, I went for over 5 months living on mashed potatoes, yogurt, milkshakes, etc. I lost 30 lbs (not that I couldn't stand to loose 30 lbs, but not the way to do it). After I started eating again and stopped the Prozac, they put me on Paxil CR, 12.5mg to just keep me on an even keel. I had been on regular Paxil in the past and hated it. Paxil CR seemed to be better in all aspects except the sexual effects.
>
> I was in to see my doc two weeks ago and we discussed this all. She said it was up to me what I wanted to do. She told that since I have such an issue with insomnia as well, that she would really like to up my Paxil CR to 25mg and I told her I didn't want to do that because of the sexual side effects. That's when she mentioned Lexapro, or she said I could go off the Paxil for a while and see where I am. So, that was what I opted for. I have been totally off Paxil now for nearly a week (a week Monday) and ALL sexual side effects are gone. What a joy! I am still dealing with the dizzy spells, nausea and all that other crap that happens during withdrawls, but at least now I can have normal sex.
>
> I think I will see how this goes. If there is any sign of my anxiety issues resurfacing, I will have to do something - maybe Lexapro. We will see. I would like to hear more about your experience on Lex, but will respect the others on the site.
>
> > hi guyndenver,
> >
> > and my thanks for covering for us there, theump .. ... .. sorry i'm so late ...
> >
> > guy, i certainly understand your feelings ... frustration can have few sharper definitions ... past posters have shared the misery of the folly of viagra for anorgasmia, the inability to have orgasms ... ... to have endured this as long as you have is infuriating and hardly seems a relief for depression ... all of which you have stated very well.
> >
> > there have been a number of posts about sexual side effects (hardly "side" effects) on this lexapro thread ... many have been prompted by inquiries by me ... .. ... there would seem to me to be a consensus that lex has less sexual SEs than paxil or effexor ... which i would say is damning lex with faint praise due to paxil's and effexor's notorious reputations for sexual dysfunction of many types, notably decreased libido ... the posts to this thread have mentioned almost no lexapro related loss of libido (of those that have mentioned this, almost all were using other meds as well) and there have been no mentions of erectile dysfunction.
> >
> > and all of this information is from my distillation of reading the entire lex thread which extends back more than a year ... not exactly science, especially with my memory for a data base! ... ...
> > ... ... nevertheless, there are consistencies which would suggest some validity to these observations ...
> >
> > my wife was on paxil maybe 15 years ago now and we have regretted it everyday since ... we still struggle to recover her libido, but the greater tragedy was not knowing or ever being told about paxil side effects until very recently ...
> >
> > i have been on lexapro since march ... ... i had some intense SEs the first few days, but by 2 weeks they all went away ... ...
> > ... ... one of my side effects was anorgasmia ... ... frankly it was frightening, but _within_ that first week i went from a total inability to have an orgasm or ejaculate, despite full libido and erectile function ... ... back to orgasmic function.
> > ... ... in total, this lasted less than a week ... ...
> >
> > actually, i have had to restrain myself posting about sexual function here because i am among a (small?) number of lex users who have had beneficial sexual experience since taking lex ... ... on a message board about meds for anxiety and depression, it isn't really considerate to be celebrating sexual benefits from the drugs you're taking too loudly ... ...
> > ... ... since my anorgasmia went away my orgasms have changed for the better, but i am only giving details if requested, out of respect for the folks suffering who don't need to hear this.
> >
> > ... ... so guyndenver, that's my story ... ... after all the studies are done and all the posts posted, there will remain a wide range of possibilities of how lexapro could effect your anorgasmia .... and all of the probabilities won't mean a thing compared to your own, unique, risky experience of trying lexapro for yourself ...
> > ... ... stories i tell don't matter compared to direct experience
> >
> > i have not taken any other ADs ... but i believe the SSRIs are different from each other, even celexa from lexapro by a great deal, i would say, and that each ssri effects the user differently, but individual variation of the users overwhelms any value from the statistics from studies ... stats can kind of guide you before you take, say, an ssri, but you're on your own after you do take an ssri ...
> >
> > ... ... except we have this forum here (Thanks, Dr. Bob!) to share our experiences, offer information, and to support each other ... ... i am indebted to the people who have posted here ... i have benefitted greatly. ... my thanks to every one.
> >
> > i wish you the best and i would hope you would keep posting here whether you take any meds or not ... ... it would be great to hear how you are doing ...
> >
> > ...and as my pal Wayne has taught me, we sign out with, his classic ...
> > TAKE CARE !!!
> > ~ jim
> >
> > p.s. your paxil SEs have endured so long since you quit paxil, i'd wonder if lexapro Could overcome such an established condition ... what does your doc say about your persistent anorgamia?
> > ~ j
> >
> > > Thanks for your input. But, I think I will wait until Lex has been out for a bit longer. I read an interesting article I found on webmd about SSRI's and sexual side effects in general. It states that overall, in men, SSRI's create some sort of sexual side effect, whether it be E.D. or "delayed orgasm" in around 10% of those taking them. But, they are now finding that that 10% number isn't even close to the actual number of those effected. They blame the false findings in the clinical trials and post trials to the fact that most men are uncomfortable discussing these problems with their docs. This is not a direct quote, but the jist of the article. So, if on average, SSRI's in general show 10%, and Lexapro (according to their own documentation) shows 9%, I aint gonna hold my breath.
> > >
> > > My doc tried the viagra route with me and thus the other issue. I can now go for 4 hours straight and no orgasm. Might sound great to some, but, trust me, it is pure hell! If any company out there actually ever is successfull in figuring this one out, I hope I know someone on the inside because I will mortgage my home to buy their stock! It will out sell all other SSRI's out there.
> > >my reply:
.... .... i had gotten a mistaken impression that you'd been quit from paxil longer .... .... making the transition has hardly ever been reported as easy
... ... i'd have to say, especially for our anxiety sufferers ... many times the initial start up lex SEs include making our anxiety symptoms worse ... some folks have been medicated for 2 weeks with anti-anxiety med before beginning lexapro ...
i thought this post by Larry Hoover would be valuable info for all of our anxiety disorder folks ... (Lar is another of our valuable resources here at pBab, along with JB (jrbecker) and Ron Hill):http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030728/msgs/247337.html
and this is a great link , which my brother-in-lexapro, Wayne has offered here more than once :
http://panicdisorder.about.com/features/blmed1.htmthe shortest version of the rest of my story ... (because you asked) is that my orgasms have improved, dramatically, since i have recovered from my initial lex-induced anorgasmia ... dramatically ...
... long version ... i didn't need any improvement(s) in my sexual function and certainly didn't expect any ... ... my wife's experience with paxil made me leery when my doctor said there might be some sexual side effects ... ... i feared the threat to libido the most, of course, from my wife's experience... ....
..
... so going from no orgasmic, erectile, libido dysfunction before lexapro, ... by the second day, orgasm became impossible ... surprisingly i was not alarmed as much as amazed by such total orgasm dysfunction, while having complete libido drive and erectile function ... it quickly became apparent to me that there was an impenetrable biochemical barrier between me and orgasm ... it struck me as bizarre that libido, erectile and orgasm functions were so distinct and separable ... ...
... about this time, among my other SEs (sweating spells, depersonalization, fatigue, panic attack(s), vivid dreams, some deal with my appetite), i had this new challenge to urinating ... it took a focused deliberate approach to do what was an autonomic response before, but i also noticed this tingling sensation at the end of my penis ... a not-quite-numbness ... that i also noticed some at the tips of my fingers and toes and my nose ... and this seemed more salient when i would have an anorgasmic episode
... ... while it lasted, one is in unrelieved auto-foreplay ... ...
... ... five days later i recovered ...
... however, lexapro had brought me a hyperawareness of many aspects of my experience: my feelings; my appetite; my sleep; my perceptions, sharpness of vision, vividness of color; acuteness of sound, especially music, taste of food ... ... this included a fuller perception of my anorgasmia and a heighten awareness as it went away ... ... by the seventh day after beginning lexapro i had recovered more than my former full orgasmic response ... .. .... build up is more dramatic ...
... anticipation, more intense, more confidence inspiring, more enjoyable ... ...
... and orgasm has become much more intense, longer in duration, multifaceted, more deeply satisfying ... ... this is a situation which went from just sensational before to stunningly spectacular now ... ...... ... then all my other SEs went away
... my first day of lex i took 10 mg
... second day i decreased to 5 mg, where i stayed for a month, then i went back to 10 mg ... .. ... my anorgasmia returned for anther 5 days ... then faded back into the new specatular state i have described ... ... i continue to take 10 mg a day ... ...i would only hope lexapro could help you as much as it has benefited me .. ... .. or even half as much ... ... but we all know that there can be no guarantees ...
good luck to you ... do keep on touch .. ... we are grateful for everyone's posts ... ... please let us have your updates here ... i'd like to know how you're doing ... ... and ...
TAKE CARE !!!
~ jim
Posted by lil' jimi on August 4, 2003, at 11:14:48
In reply to Re: Changing to Lexapro from Paxil--How to switc » bookgurl99, posted by Capri on August 2, 2003, at 8:05:59
hi Capri,
how many days of lexapro are we?
what's our dosage now?
how's the anxiety?
other SEs?How you doing?
did you see the link i posted from Larry Hoover about the nutritional supplements for anxiety?
are we planning on taking any magnesium or niacinamide ... yet?did you know that i worry about you out there?
hang in there ... let me hear from you and
TAKE CARE !!!
~ jim
Posted by Rich B on August 4, 2003, at 13:59:11
In reply to Re: Lexapro Withdrawal Dizziness, posted by FRND4LF on July 31, 2003, at 22:22:46
Hi Micheke and all, I am on day 3 of being totally off Lexapro. Today is better than yesterday. Yesterday was bad. I was dizzy, very tired, and depressed. Today I am dizzy but I am not that tired and I am not depressed at all. The dizziness today is not as bad as it was the other two times I stopped taking it so it appears that the weaning process of wilddling down a pill to almost nothing may have helped.
This is my plan for the rest of the week if I do have problems. At work, I plan on keeping my head buried in my monitor and keep away the dizziness and to keep myself occupied. For the evening hours, I am not going to worry about getting anything done or accomplishing anything. I rented a bunch of movies so I will watch movies and eat lots of comfort foods. I think if I baby myself like I am sick, I will get through it much easier than if I try to go about my normal life, only to be dizzy, depressed and extremely tired. Once I adopted that philosophy last night I felt much better. So far so good. Maybe I’ll get lucky and it will be all downhill from today on out. I’ll keep you posted.
Rich
P.S. Micheke, how are you making out?
Posted by Capri on August 4, 2003, at 17:58:49
In reply to re: lil' jimi wants to know! » Capri, posted by lil' jimi on August 4, 2003, at 11:14:48
Hi Jim,
I have a lot to tell you..No more Lexapro.
I felt it was helping with my anxiety. My brain felt fried and I couldn't remember what I did 2 minutes ago. I had no motivation and was tired. I was only taking 5mg. When I increased it I had bad dizziness and fogginess.
I think these AD's just aren't good for me. This doc wants to try me on Depakote. I don't know much about it and not sure I want to try it.
I'm going to think about it for a little bit and then see what I'll do next. Might just take Klonopin for awhile and see how I feel.
How are you?
Thanks for asking about me. I really appreciate you taking the time to care.
Capri
Posted by micheke on August 4, 2003, at 18:09:27
In reply to Re: Lexapro Withdrawal Dizziness, posted by Rich B on August 4, 2003, at 13:59:11
Hey Rich:
Great to hear that you are off for 3 days and counting. I am not as lucky...yet. I am stuck on 2.5mg. I have been depressed and a bit anxious about trying to cut down further. I am considering contacting my Dr. to see if there's anything I can do to help this along. Maybe if there's anything mild I can take temporarily to ease the withdrawal. I tried Xanax but it didn't help much. I think that I just don't want to deal with the dizziness one more time and I'm so busy right now I don't have much time to baby myself. Sometimes I wonder if just staying on the lexapro is easier. Not something I want to do though. I'll probably wait a couple of days and then start the process of cutting the pill down further. Keep me updated on your progress...your success is my hope.-Micheke
Posted by lil' jimi on August 4, 2003, at 18:32:48
In reply to re: lil' jimi wants to know! » lil' jimi, posted by Capri on August 4, 2003, at 17:58:49
hi Capri!
> I have a lot to tell you..No more Lexapro.
Wow and a half!
>
> I felt it was helping with my anxiety. My brain felt fried and I couldn't remember what I did 2 minutes ago. I had no motivation and was tired. I was only taking 5mg. When I increased it I had bad dizziness and fogginess.
>sounds like you made the right choice ... i have always been concerned about lex wtih your anxiety ...
> I think these AD's just aren't good for me. This doc wants to try me on Depakote. I don't know much about it and not sure I want to try it.
>
> I'm going to think about it for a little bit and then see what I'll do next. Might just take Klonopin for awhile and see how I feel.might want to try checing out posts about Depakote ... ... and maybe do searches in the web too ... could even try posting a new thread asking for Depakote advice .... maybe?
>
> How are you?not bad at all .... thanks for asking!
>
> Thanks for asking about me. I really appreciate you taking the time to care.easily done ... my pleasure ... good to read you ...
best to you! ... .... thanks for posting back to me! .... .... and let me know how no lexapro is going!
take good care!!
~ jim
Posted by Capri on August 4, 2003, at 21:47:17
In reply to re: lil' jimi wants to know! » Capri, posted by lil' jimi on August 4, 2003, at 11:14:48
Hey Jim,
Where is that post on the nutritional suppl? I take a multi vitamin but not sure that is enough. Do you know anything about Tyrosine???
Thanks!!
Capri
Posted by Bela on August 5, 2003, at 15:00:18
In reply to Re: Lexapro Withdrawal Dizziness » Rich B, posted by micheke on August 4, 2003, at 18:09:27
Since there has been considerable discussion about withdrawal problems with Lexapro, I am curious as to whether anyone has read either Joseph Glenmullen's book, "Prozac Backlash" or any of Peter Breggin's several books about the negatives of anti-depressants, including "The Antidepressant Fact Book" and "Your Drug May Be Your Problem" among others. If you have read any of these, I would appreciate your thoughts on their usefulness if one is trying to get off ADs and back to a normal sex life, etc.
Bela
Posted by theump on August 5, 2003, at 20:06:14
In reply to Re: Lexapro Withdrawal Dizziness, posted by Bela on August 5, 2003, at 15:00:18
I started Lex about 2 months ago, taking 10mg per day. I have had no major side effects, actually nothing but the usual week long sexual effects and some teeth clenching. I've felt very, very lucky!
However, I saw my doctor today and he wants me to up my dose to 20mg. I know I've read a lot of posts about this, but I'm going to ask again. Should I go up the full 10mg to start or should I go up to 15 and if so, for how long? And then after that time go to 20mg? I'm afraid to mess with the dose because I'm afraid of the side effects so many of you have been experiencing. But, at the same time, "the light" hasn't come on yet.
Thank you for the advice!
Posted by billy-b on August 5, 2003, at 20:56:53
In reply to re: lexapro's sexual and anxiety side effects » guyndenver, posted by lil' jimi on August 3, 2003, at 0:33:51
> hi guyndenver,
>
> you're welcome ... ... anytime.
> ... ... (see below)
>
> > Thanks, Jim. I appreciate your input on this.
> >
> > Even though I have been treated for "depression" numerous times over the years, this last bout was with anxiety. I had an attack so severe that I could no longer eat. Everything I tried to swallow got stuck in my throat. After numerous procedures to try to "fix" the problem, my doc suggested that it might be anxiety and put me on Remeron Soltabs. Didn't work, so we tried liquid Prozac with limited results. Well, to make a long story short, I went for over 5 months living on mashed potatoes, yogurt, milkshakes, etc. I lost 30 lbs (not that I couldn't stand to loose 30 lbs, but not the way to do it). After I started eating again and stopped the Prozac, they put me on Paxil CR, 12.5mg to just keep me on an even keel. I had been on regular Paxil in the past and hated it. Paxil CR seemed to be better in all aspects except the sexual effects.
> >
> > I was in to see my doc two weeks ago and we discussed this all. She said it was up to me what I wanted to do. She told that since I have such an issue with insomnia as well, that she would really like to up my Paxil CR to 25mg and I told her I didn't want to do that because of the sexual side effects. That's when she mentioned Lexapro, or she said I could go off the Paxil for a while and see where I am. So, that was what I opted for. I have been totally off Paxil now for nearly a week (a week Monday) and ALL sexual side effects are gone. What a joy! I am still dealing with the dizzy spells, nausea and all that other crap that happens during withdrawls, but at least now I can have normal sex.
> >
> > I think I will see how this goes. If there is any sign of my anxiety issues resurfacing, I will have to do something - maybe Lexapro. We will see. I would like to hear more about your experience on Lex, but will respect the others on the site.
> >
> > > hi guyndenver,
> > >
> > > and my thanks for covering for us there, theump .. ... .. sorry i'm so late ...
> > >
> > > guy, i certainly understand your feelings ... frustration can have few sharper definitions ... past posters have shared the misery of the folly of viagra for anorgasmia, the inability to have orgasms ... ... to have endured this as long as you have is infuriating and hardly seems a relief for depression ... all of which you have stated very well.
> > >
> > > there have been a number of posts about sexual side effects (hardly "side" effects) on this lexapro thread ... many have been prompted by inquiries by me ... .. ... there would seem to me to be a consensus that lex has less sexual SEs than paxil or effexor ... which i would say is damning lex with faint praise due to paxil's and effexor's notorious reputations for sexual dysfunction of many types, notably decreased libido ... the posts to this thread have mentioned almost no lexapro related loss of libido (of those that have mentioned this, almost all were using other meds as well) and there have been no mentions of erectile dysfunction.
> > >
> > > and all of this information is from my distillation of reading the entire lex thread which extends back more than a year ... not exactly science, especially with my memory for a data base! ... ...
> > > ... ... nevertheless, there are consistencies which would suggest some validity to these observations ...
> > >
> > > my wife was on paxil maybe 15 years ago now and we have regretted it everyday since ... we still struggle to recover her libido, but the greater tragedy was not knowing or ever being told about paxil side effects until very recently ...
> > >
> > > i have been on lexapro since march ... ... i had some intense SEs the first few days, but by 2 weeks they all went away ... ...
> > > ... ... one of my side effects was anorgasmia ... ... frankly it was frightening, but _within_ that first week i went from a total inability to have an orgasm or ejaculate, despite full libido and erectile function ... ... back to orgasmic function.
> > > ... ... in total, this lasted less than a week ... ...
> > >
> > > actually, i have had to restrain myself posting about sexual function here because i am among a (small?) number of lex users who have had beneficial sexual experience since taking lex ... ... on a message board about meds for anxiety and depression, it isn't really considerate to be celebrating sexual benefits from the drugs you're taking too loudly ... ...
> > > ... ... since my anorgasmia went away my orgasms have changed for the better, but i am only giving details if requested, out of respect for the folks suffering who don't need to hear this.
> > >
> > > ... ... so guyndenver, that's my story ... ... after all the studies are done and all the posts posted, there will remain a wide range of possibilities of how lexapro could effect your anorgasmia .... and all of the probabilities won't mean a thing compared to your own, unique, risky experience of trying lexapro for yourself ...
> > > ... ... stories i tell don't matter compared to direct experience
> > >
> > > i have not taken any other ADs ... but i believe the SSRIs are different from each other, even celexa from lexapro by a great deal, i would say, and that each ssri effects the user differently, but individual variation of the users overwhelms any value from the statistics from studies ... stats can kind of guide you before you take, say, an ssri, but you're on your own after you do take an ssri ...
> > >
> > > ... ... except we have this forum here (Thanks, Dr. Bob!) to share our experiences, offer information, and to support each other ... ... i am indebted to the people who have posted here ... i have benefitted greatly. ... my thanks to every one.
> > >
> > > i wish you the best and i would hope you would keep posting here whether you take any meds or not ... ... it would be great to hear how you are doing ...
> > >
> > > ...and as my pal Wayne has taught me, we sign out with, his classic ...
> > > TAKE CARE !!!
> > > ~ jim
> > >
> > > p.s. your paxil SEs have endured so long since you quit paxil, i'd wonder if lexapro Could overcome such an established condition ... what does your doc say about your persistent anorgamia?
> > > ~ j
> > >
> > > > Thanks for your input. But, I think I will wait until Lex has been out for a bit longer. I read an interesting article I found on webmd about SSRI's and sexual side effects in general. It states that overall, in men, SSRI's create some sort of sexual side effect, whether it be E.D. or "delayed orgasm" in around 10% of those taking them. But, they are now finding that that 10% number isn't even close to the actual number of those effected. They blame the false findings in the clinical trials and post trials to the fact that most men are uncomfortable discussing these problems with their docs. This is not a direct quote, but the jist of the article. So, if on average, SSRI's in general show 10%, and Lexapro (according to their own documentation) shows 9%, I aint gonna hold my breath.
> > > >
> > > > My doc tried the viagra route with me and thus the other issue. I can now go for 4 hours straight and no orgasm. Might sound great to some, but, trust me, it is pure hell! If any company out there actually ever is successfull in figuring this one out, I hope I know someone on the inside because I will mortgage my home to buy their stock! It will out sell all other SSRI's out there.
> > > >
>
> my reply:
> .... .... i had gotten a mistaken impression that you'd been quit from paxil longer .... .... making the transition has hardly ever been reported as easy
> ... ... i'd have to say, especially for our anxiety sufferers ... many times the initial start up lex SEs include making our anxiety symptoms worse ... some folks have been medicated for 2 weeks with anti-anxiety med before beginning lexapro ...
>
> i thought this post by Larry Hoover would be valuable info for all of our anxiety disorder folks ... (Lar is another of our valuable resources here at pBab, along with JB (jrbecker) and Ron Hill):
>
> http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030728/msgs/247337.html
>
> and this is a great link , which my brother-in-lexapro, Wayne has offered here more than once :
> http://panicdisorder.about.com/features/blmed1.htm
>
> the shortest version of the rest of my story ... (because you asked) is that my orgasms have improved, dramatically, since i have recovered from my initial lex-induced anorgasmia ... dramatically ...
>
> ... long version ... i didn't need any improvement(s) in my sexual function and certainly didn't expect any ... ... my wife's experience with paxil made me leery when my doctor said there might be some sexual side effects ... ... i feared the threat to libido the most, of course, from my wife's experience... ....
> ..
> ... so going from no orgasmic, erectile, libido dysfunction before lexapro, ... by the second day, orgasm became impossible ... surprisingly i was not alarmed as much as amazed by such total orgasm dysfunction, while having complete libido drive and erectile function ... it quickly became apparent to me that there was an impenetrable biochemical barrier between me and orgasm ... it struck me as bizarre that libido, erectile and orgasm functions were so distinct and separable ... ...
> ... about this time, among my other SEs (sweating spells, depersonalization, fatigue, panic attack(s), vivid dreams, some deal with my appetite), i had this new challenge to urinating ... it took a focused deliberate approach to do what was an autonomic response before, but i also noticed this tingling sensation at the end of my penis ... a not-quite-numbness ... that i also noticed some at the tips of my fingers and toes and my nose ... and this seemed more salient when i would have an anorgasmic episode
> ... ... while it lasted, one is in unrelieved auto-foreplay ... ...
> ... ... five days later i recovered ...
> ... however, lexapro had brought me a hyperawareness of many aspects of my experience: my feelings; my appetite; my sleep; my perceptions, sharpness of vision, vividness of color; acuteness of sound, especially music, taste of food ... ... this included a fuller perception of my anorgasmia and a heighten awareness as it went away ... ... by the seventh day after beginning lexapro i had recovered more than my former full orgasmic response ... .. .
>
> ... build up is more dramatic ...
> ... anticipation, more intense, more confidence inspiring, more enjoyable ... ...
> ... and orgasm has become much more intense, longer in duration, multifaceted, more deeply satisfying ... ... this is a situation which went from just sensational before to stunningly spectacular now ... ...
>
> ... ... then all my other SEs went away
>
> ... my first day of lex i took 10 mg
> ... second day i decreased to 5 mg, where i stayed for a month, then i went back to 10 mg ... .. ... my anorgasmia returned for anther 5 days ... then faded back into the new specatular state i have described ... ... i continue to take 10 mg a day ... ...
>
> i would only hope lexapro could help you as much as it has benefited me .. ... .. or even half as much ... ... but we all know that there can be no guarantees ...
>
> good luck to you ... do keep on touch .. ... we are grateful for everyone's posts ... ... please let us have your updates here ... i'd like to know how you're doing ... ... and ...
>
> TAKE CARE !!!
>
> ~ jimHi-This is my first posting and I am very gratefull that this forum is available as I have never taken AD's Before. About 5 weeks ago I started on wellbutrin and began to experience sexual se's right away. The last two of those 5 week's I began taking lexapro as well. From what I have read I dont need to describe the feelings one gets after being chemically castrated. Aorgasmia, as it has been called here, is one of the single most wierd things that has ever happend to my body. Yes I will give it some more time for my system to adapt but I'm doubtfull. So, for what it's worth,thats what's happening to this male who does not have a problem discussing sexual se's especially with any so-called researcher's from a drug co. Thank's I vented. Now I have to decide if the trade-off is worth it. I feel so much better now but at what expense?
Take Care billy
Posted by Liss523 on August 5, 2003, at 21:39:13
In reply to Re: Changing to Lexapro from Paxil--How to switc, posted by tm on August 2, 2003, at 9:24:46
>I'm in the process of switching from Paxil to Lexapro also. I just stopped Paxil and then went straight to Lexapro...but I had horrible withdrawal effects, so after 3 days of Lexapro, I'm back on Paxil. Another poster told me to take Lexapro (10) and then also take the Paxil at the same time, but taper down the Paxil over a few weeks. I think that's the best idea...my doctor didn't think I would feel any withdrawal since they're both SSRI's, but I sure as hell did!!!
>
> > Thanks for the posts.
> >
> > I think I will change from Paxil to Lexpro. When people have changed can you stop the Paxil one day and start the Lexpro the next? Has anyone got the speedy feeling from the Lexpro? I have tired to stop the Paxil before without taking another drug and had withdrawal anxiety that was horrible.
>
>
Posted by Peter S. on August 5, 2003, at 22:02:08
In reply to And Up I Go!, posted by theump on August 5, 2003, at 20:06:14
Hi ump,
We're in the same situation. I have been on Lex for 2 months. I increased to 15 and then 20mg last week and definitely noticed an effect. I increased to 25mg and last night I feel even better today. I plan to go up to 30mg. I've heard of people being on 40mg. It is just a matter of going slow. My side effects have faded pretty much completely.
I'll post about how things are going. Best of luck!
Peter
> I started Lex about 2 months ago, taking 10mg per day. I have had no major side effects, actually nothing but the usual week long sexual effects and some teeth clenching. I've felt very, very lucky!
>
> However, I saw my doctor today and he wants me to up my dose to 20mg. I know I've read a lot of posts about this, but I'm going to ask again. Should I go up the full 10mg to start or should I go up to 15 and if so, for how long? And then after that time go to 20mg? I'm afraid to mess with the dose because I'm afraid of the side effects so many of you have been experiencing. But, at the same time, "the light" hasn't come on yet.
>
> Thank you for the advice!
Posted by lil' jimi on August 5, 2003, at 23:48:37
In reply to re: lil' jimi wants to know! » lil' jimi, posted by Capri on August 4, 2003, at 17:58:49
> Hi Jim,
>
> I have a lot to tell you..No more Lexapro.
>
> I felt it was helping with my anxiety. My brain felt fried and I couldn't remember what I did 2 minutes ago. I had no motivation and was tired. I was only taking 5mg. When I increased it I had bad dizziness and fogginess.
>
> I think these AD's just aren't good for me. This doc wants to try me on Depakote. I don't know much about it and not sure I want to try it.
>
> I'm going to think about it for a little bit and then see what I'll do next. Might just take Klonopin for awhile and see how I feel.
>
> How are you?
>
> Thanks for asking about me. I really appreciate you taking the time to care.
> Caprihi Capri,
this is Larry Hoover’s august 1st post in response to joebob’s post about A.M. anxiety
(see http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030728/msgs/247337.html):The first thing I'd consider is magnesium. Stress depletes magnesium. Chronic stress virtually guarantees magnesium deficiency. Use any mag supplement you want, but not magnesium oxide. Start low dose (200 mg), as it can cause diarrhea. Take 20 minutes before bedtime.
Also, niacinamide. It has natural anxiolytic effects, acting at the same receptor complex as does valium. 500 mg, up to four times a day.
General calming might come with soya lecithin granules. One tablespoon a day.
Phosphatidylserine (somewhat more expensive) might also help.
Make sure you're getting your B-vitamins. Get a high potency B-complex, and take it every day.
Lar
i thank Lar, although he wouldn’t know i’m reposting him ... my apologies for presuming on his indulgence
when i was re-reading Lar’s and joebob’s messages i recalled that it was joebob who was prescribed Depakote for 2 weeks before beginning(and in preparation for) Lexapro ... ... which seems unusual for being more insightful and anticipatory of Lexapro’s effects than we are used to ... at least to me, anyway ... ... you might want to do a search for joebob’s posts about this and maybe post to him inquiring about Depakote ?
how are you doing?
getting enough water?take care
~ jim
Posted by lil' jimi on August 6, 2003, at 0:26:47
In reply to re: lexapro's sexual and anxiety side effects, posted by billy-b on August 5, 2003, at 20:56:53
hi billy,
you wrote:
> Hi-This is my first posting and I am very gratefull that this forum is available as I have never taken AD's Before. About 5 weeks ago I started on wellbutrin and began to experience sexual se's right away. The last two of those 5 week's I began taking lexapro as well. From what I have read I dont need to describe the feelings one gets after being chemically castrated. Aorgasmia, as it has been called here, is one of the single most wierd things that has ever happend to my body. Yes I will give it some more time for my system to adapt but I'm doubtfull. So, for what it's worth,thats what's happening to this male who does not have a problem discussing sexual se's especially with any so-called researcher's from a drug co. Thank's I vented. Now I have to decide if the trade-off is worth it. I feel so much better now but at what expense?
> Take Care billyi had the impression that wellbutrin got prescribed because it has good profile for sexual SEs ... ... which must reveal how little i know about wellbutrin ...
... i'd never taken any AD before lexapro ... ... can only go by what i read on the board here ... pretty common combination: lex w/ well ... ... sounds like your doc has tried to get your neurotranmitters stable on welbutrin first, before introducing the lexapro ...
... joebob was on depakote for 2 weeks before starting lex ... ...anorgasmia any longer than i had it is rough, and a depressing trade-off for depression (!) ... ... from what i've read posted, i know that viagra is NOT beneficial for anorgasmia ... more like torture, they say ....
hang in there ... keep us posted .... like to know how you're doing ...
take care,
~ jimp.s. And Welcome to the pBabble message board(s) !
Great to have you join our merry band of posters and postees ... appreciate your contribution(s) and glad to have you post with us ...... ... i was about to freak out with SEs when i found this resource .... .... i have benefited immeasureable from this board and these posts ... ... i try to give back a little for how much these people have helped me ...
~ j
Posted by lil' jimi on August 6, 2003, at 0:44:22
In reply to Re: And Up I Go! » theump, posted by Peter S. on August 5, 2003, at 22:02:08
hi Peter and theump (or should i call you "ump", theump ?)
i will be wanting to read your posts ... ... i'm in a similiar situation ... ... i'm considering bumping up ....
.... but nothing on the order you're planning, Peter ! ... it's exciting to hear it considered ... ...
... .... makes me a piker, going from 10mg to maybe 15mg ! ... ... and a chicken, because i'd likely try to increase only 1 mg per week ... .... take five weeks to get there ? ... i'm not in a big hurry ... ...thanks for your posts! ... keep 'em coming!
TAKE CARE !!
~ jim> Hi ump,
>
> We're in the same situation. I have been on Lex for 2 months. I increased to 15 and then 20mg last week and definitely noticed an effect. I increased to 25mg and last night I feel even better today. I plan to go up to 30mg. I've heard of people being on 40mg. It is just a matter of going slow. My side effects have faded pretty much completely.
>
> I'll post about how things are going. Best of luck!
>
> Peter
>
> > I started Lex about 2 months ago, taking 10mg per day. I have had no major side effects, actually nothing but the usual week long sexual effects and some teeth clenching. I've felt very, very lucky!
> >
> > However, I saw my doctor today and he wants me to up my dose to 20mg. I know I've read a lot of posts about this, but I'm going to ask again. Should I go up the full 10mg to start or should I go up to 15 and if so, for how long? And then after that time go to 20mg? I'm afraid to mess with the dose because I'm afraid of the side effects so many of you have been experiencing. But, at the same time, "the light" hasn't come on yet.
> >
> > Thank you for the advice!
>
>
Posted by guyndenver on August 6, 2003, at 0:47:55
In reply to re: lexapro's sexual and anxiety side effects » billy-b, posted by lil' jimi on August 6, 2003, at 0:26:47
hi jim (and billy), its me again.
I guess that furthers my point about the studies and the so called results for sexual side effects. Guy, I have tried them all - effexor, wellbutrin, paxil, prosac, remeron, celexa and this list goes on. They all showed se's in me - and it's not like I didn't give them a fair shot. Wellbutrin was, perhaps, one of the worst for me. I not only experienced the so called anorgasmia but if and when I did finally reach orgasm, it was like passing razor blades it was so painful. I am very happy for those out there that are in the minority and do not experience se's (and, in spite of what the drug manufacturers say, I do believe you are in the minority). Perhaps someday there will be an answer for the rest of us!
I did find something else interesting in my browsing - don't remember the site I read it on, but apparently some docs are suggesting "drug holidays" so that if you know you are going to have sex on Saturday, stop taking the drug long enough to be able to have sex and then start back up. Sheesh! Can you imagine? So you go through withdrawls for three or four days to have sex and go through all the startup crap again? What are these docs thinking? Obviously these docs have never taken ssri's themselves!
> hi billy,
>
> you wrote:
> > Hi-This is my first posting and I am very gratefull that this forum is available as I have never taken AD's Before. About 5 weeks ago I started on wellbutrin and began to experience sexual se's right away. The last two of those 5 week's I began taking lexapro as well. From what I have read I dont need to describe the feelings one gets after being chemically castrated. Aorgasmia, as it has been called here, is one of the single most wierd things that has ever happend to my body. Yes I will give it some more time for my system to adapt but I'm doubtfull. So, for what it's worth,thats what's happening to this male who does not have a problem discussing sexual se's especially with any so-called researcher's from a drug co. Thank's I vented. Now I have to decide if the trade-off is worth it. I feel so much better now but at what expense?
> > Take Care billy
>
> i had the impression that wellbutrin got prescribed because it has good profile for sexual SEs ... ... which must reveal how little i know about wellbutrin ...
>
> ... i'd never taken any AD before lexapro ... ... can only go by what i read on the board here ... pretty common combination: lex w/ well ... ... sounds like your doc has tried to get your neurotranmitters stable on welbutrin first, before introducing the lexapro ...
> ... joebob was on depakote for 2 weeks before starting lex ... ...
>
> anorgasmia any longer than i had it is rough, and a depressing trade-off for depression (!) ... ... from what i've read posted, i know that viagra is NOT beneficial for anorgasmia ... more like torture, they say ....
>
> hang in there ... keep us posted .... like to know how you're doing ...
>
> take care,
> ~ jim
>
> p.s. And Welcome to the pBabble message board(s) !
> Great to have you join our merry band of posters and postees ... appreciate your contribution(s) and glad to have you post with us ...
>
> ... ... i was about to freak out with SEs when i found this resource .... .... i have benefited immeasureable from this board and these posts ... ... i try to give back a little for how much these people have helped me ...
> ~ j
Posted by joebob on August 6, 2003, at 12:31:21
In reply to re: And Up I Go!, posted by lil' jimi on August 6, 2003, at 0:44:22
did the side effects last, before you could up your dose?
did they go away at lower doses or only when you upped your dose?
thanks
Posted by lil' jimi on August 6, 2003, at 14:53:02
In reply to did you titrate up your lex dose, how long, posted by joebob on August 6, 2003, at 12:31:21
hi joebob,
you wrote:
> did the side effects last, before you could up your dose?
>
> did they go away at lower doses or only when you upped your dose?
>
> thanks
... ... and you're welcome ...
... sorry ... i have come up with more than one way to interpret your question ... ...... the simplest way, is to guess that you believe i have more experience changing my lexapro dosage than i have ...
... ... for instance, that plan to bump up 1 mg per week remains hypothetical ... even, bumping up at all remains very hypothetical in my world ...... i've only done lexapro and only for 5 months ... ... i've only changed my dosage 3 times and that's counting when i started ...
(note: i have very limited experience compared to many others on these boards!)
... ... i have read a considerable amount of the posts about lexapro ... ... most of what i post comes from that, not direct experiencemy dose changes versus side-effect:
1)
started march 6 at 10 mg:
change: 0 mg to 10 mg = +10 mg
SEs : oh, Yes!2)
march 7; decreased dose to 5 mg:
change: 10 mg to 5 mg = -5mg
SEs : still ...3)
april 9: 5 mg to 10 mg = +5 mg
re-creation of my starting SEs, but less intensein beginning and in april, the SEs faded to zero by week 3, although they were nearly gone by week 2 .... compared to week 1 , everything else seemed like a cake-walk ...
will report if and when i titrate up ...
... good luck
~ jimp.s. let me know if i missed your meaning there ...
Posted by collegekid on August 6, 2003, at 19:24:58
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
Hello all-
I'm a 21 year old college student about to enter her senior year. I've been dealing with depression on and off since I was 10 years old- just didn't know how to put a label on it. Today is my third day on Lexapro. I've been reading previous posts from the past and they have helped tremendously in dealing with side effects. However, my doctor also wants me to take fish oil, 1000 mg 4x a day. Has anyone had any experience with this? Is it worth it to take these fish oil pills 4x a day? And thanks to all for all the benefits I've taken from this board.
Posted by joebob on August 6, 2003, at 19:39:19
In reply to quick question, posted by collegekid on August 6, 2003, at 19:24:58
i use kirunal
but understand that you can now get omega brite again........i have not tried itthe most important thing as i understand it is the ratio of epa to dha, to avoid competition for absorption
see: dr. david horrobin on the web and
fincastle, who makes kirunal
and omega britegood luck
joebob
Posted by Kacy on August 6, 2003, at 20:08:01
In reply to quick question, posted by collegekid on August 6, 2003, at 19:24:58
Collegekid: I recommend you start lower. I could feel my heart beating too hard when I went up to three, instead of two, fish oil capsules. They were the same concentration as many of the others. Others here are taking a lot more, so it wasn't that much. I think I would have needed four or five pills to get the amount people are recommending.
Just two gave me an energy boost, though. It was fairly immediate after the third or fourth day of taking them mid-afternoon with some protein.
I've never seen anyone post this before: they caused me a lot of acne. I quit and started two more times to be sure, because I wanted to take the fish oil after all I've read. The third time it only took two days before I broke out like a teenager. I took it two more days and regretted that. I am predisposed to that and fight it all the time, but the fish oil was bad for my skin. So far it looks the same for flax oil. I'll start again soon to find out. I got some CLA to try in the meantime. (That's another oil.)
Posted by kayenna on August 6, 2003, at 20:11:02
In reply to quick question, posted by collegekid on August 6, 2003, at 19:24:58
Hello College Girl- I think it works (fish oil, that is). I have taken about the amount px'd by your doc for a year now. I was slightly cyclothemic (with some times of slight manic symptoms) and the fish oil levels me...and a good way! So good luck to you...if you trust him, you might give it a try. Besides, I haven't found any data to suggest that there's a down side.
Kay
Hello all-
> I'm a 21 year old college student about to enter her senior year. I've been dealing with depression on and off since I was 10 years old- just didn't know how to put a label on it. Today is my third day on Lexapro. I've been reading previous posts from the past and they have helped tremendously in dealing with side effects. However, my doctor also wants me to take fish oil, 1000 mg 4x a day. Has anyone had any experience with this? Is it worth it to take these fish oil pills 4x a day? And thanks to all for all the benefits I've taken from this board.
Posted by billy-b on August 6, 2003, at 22:34:56
In reply to re: lexapro's sexual and anxiety side effects » billy-b, posted by lil' jimi on August 6, 2003, at 0:26:47
Thank's for the welcome. I have something for you here that is really pretty funny or sort of scary. I work as a home builder and I live pretty far north where it rarely reaches 80 degrees. It's pretty physical work but nothing serious. Now Ive read some posts here that wellb. can make you sweat. Yep. Just a wee bit.
I start work at 7am by 9:00 I honest to God look like I fell in a lake. My pant's and shirt are soaked and actually dripping. My hair is plasterd to my head with steady drips off of my nose, chin and ears. The funny part (I guess) is the look on the other guys faces while they stand there watching me squirt sweat. I think I read that its an adrenaline thing but geez I dont even feel hot. Yet another very wierd thing this stuff is doing to my body. Get dizzy to. Bad deal for my kinda work. Im going to stick this out awhile but I dont see me using this much longer. Wait and see I guess. Thanks again. Peace Billy
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