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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by hog80ci on September 25, 2003, at 21:14:59
In reply to Don't know what to do , posted by txngrrl on September 24, 2003, at 18:58:08
I had to throw in my two cents worth. I just checked my calendar to find out how long I've been on Lexapro. It's been about 6 weeks and the positive effects have begun. They were so subtle I barely noticed them. Seems like I just started to feel better, less depressed and anxious.
I'm sorry your friend won't support your decision to take meds. I think some folks are a little frightened by the idea of soemone they know being on psych meds. Yes, there are side effects to all of them and unfortunately, it's a little hard to tell which ones you will experience. Most of them seem to be temporary. You will have to decide if they are worth it to you or not.
My experience with Lex involved pretty significant nausea for about two weeks. I also felt like I was on some kind of low grade speed. Both of those have passed now. I do still clench my jaw and need to be concious of that. There are some sexual side effects that seem to center around delayed ejaculation but it doesn't happen all of the time. Lex is taking the edge off of my depresion and I am glad about that.
I hope you will get the support you need. If not at home, then come to this site and vent away. We've all been there.
Take care
Jim
Posted by theo on September 25, 2003, at 22:43:24
In reply to Re: Don't know what to do , posted by hog80ci on September 25, 2003, at 21:14:59
When I tried Lex several months ago when it was the hot new SSRI, the doc just said start with 10mg, with this one you just start at that dose and no major side effects. Well after 6-8 weeks, I had to drop out because of continued nausea, stiff neck and tiredness. My pdoc talked me into tryin it again and start with just 2.5mg for 5 days then 5mg for ten days and if I feel the need, go to 10mg. Just made the jump to 5mg and still no nausea or tiredness, just a little agitation but nothing like before. Seems like Forest would label Lex's sample packs with new info stating dosage options, I bet there would be a lot lower drop out rate. There's actually info showing Lex to have a higher percent responders at 5mg and 20mg than 10mg for anxiety at 4 weeks and even 12 weeks. Kinda strange??
Posted by blkvettes on September 26, 2003, at 1:19:17
In reply to Starting Lex with low dose VS 10mg much better!, posted by theo on September 25, 2003, at 22:43:24
> When I tried Lex several months ago when it was the hot new SSRI, the doc just said start with 10mg, with this one you just start at that dose and no major side effects. Well after 6-8 weeks, I had to drop out because of continued nausea, stiff neck and tiredness. My pdoc talked me into tryin it again and start with just 2.5mg for 5 days then 5mg for ten days and if I feel the need, go to 10mg. Just made the jump to 5mg and still no nausea or tiredness, just a little agitation but nothing like before. Seems like Forest would label Lex's sample packs with new info stating dosage options, I bet there would be a lot lower drop out rate. There's actually info showing Lex to have a higher percent responders at 5mg and 20mg than 10mg for anxiety at 4 weeks and even 12 weeks. Kinda strange??
If shrinks were better trained and had some common sense they would start everyone off on a low dose and very slowly move it up. This problem exists on every board I go to!!!!! TAKE CARE!!!
WAYNE
Posted by blkvettes on September 26, 2003, at 1:23:55
In reply to Re: Lexapro Withdrawal Dizziness, posted by MickiBear on September 25, 2003, at 13:05:35
> I have been off Lexapro for about a week now and I am dying with the dizziness. Can anyone out there tell me how long it took before that stopped?
Quit cold turkey huh, not really a good idea. This could last a few days, maybe a week, maybe a month, its hard to tell!!!!! TAKE CARE!!!!!!!
Posted by blkvettes on September 26, 2003, at 1:37:20
In reply to Anyone have weight gain???, posted by Tracie on September 25, 2003, at 16:52:02
> Ok, here's the deal. I just went to my dr a couple of days ago because I have been on Celexa for a year now. I have gained 20 POUNDS within the last 7 months alone!!!! She said she was going to switch me to Lexapro so I would hopefully stop gaining weight and have less of an appetite. I haven't started it yet, but from what I've read from all of you is that I can expect withdraw symptoms and dehydration. Also, I read on Lexapro's website that it is and MAOI. Is this true? If so, I don't want to take it. I'd rather just try and ween myself off of the celexa and deal with my anxiety and panic. Or, do you guys think it would be best to do that anyway and then go to the Lexapro?? All of your advice would be appreciated! Thank you in advance! ~Tracie
Celexa and lexapro are both ssri's, lexapro is the new version of celexa. There is no guarantee you will lose weight. We are so different, this is all trial and error. My advice is if the celexa is working to join a gym and exercize like crazy. Watch what you eat and drink. Water, drink lots of water!!!!!! I have seen people get their disorders under control. Switch meds and their disorders come back and they are unable to get them under control again. Think carefully before you switch!!!!!!!! TAKE CARE!!!!!!
WAYNE
Posted by Shelly480 on September 26, 2003, at 4:10:51
In reply to Re: Don't know what to do, posted by blkvettes on September 25, 2003, at 3:50:25
Manic depressive. Yes they are kind of the same I think in a way. Except My Highs are very low and My Lows are extreme. I go from homicidial to suicidal. Mostly in the suicidal state.
They had me on well burtrin and Depakote while back and the well burtrin Made me extremly Angery. That when I stop taking Meds. Cause I rather be suicidal then Homicidal. I really hope that this Lex and lithium work. No angery feelings after day 3 so far so good.
Shelly480
Posted by Peter on September 26, 2003, at 6:51:42
In reply to re: Day 19 » Peter , posted by lil' jimi on September 25, 2003, at 12:19:16
Ok. Today is day 21.
Now, I don't want to jinx myself by saying this, but I think I'm beginning to feel the therapeutic effects; I feel like a cloud has been lifted (except I still wake up feeling foggy and hungover), many of my SE's have abated, I'm more energetic, etc.
Because I've been so depressed the last few weeks, I've been pretty socially avoidant and I've been isolating a lot. This is a rut that I get into often when I'm very symptomatic. And even though I think I might be beginning to feel better, I still get those feelings of anticipatory anxiety when faced with going out or meeting people. So the hard part now is pushing myself a bit to get out of my isolation so that I could see if the lex is helping my social anxiety. It's very tough for me to do. But, I guess I'll just take things one step at a time; the fact that my depression alone seems to be lifting is enough to celebrate about! I just hope I don't fall right back into depression again; this happened to me at the beginning of week 2 - I thought I was beginning to feel better, but it didn't stick - I ended up feeling awful again by the end of the same day. That's why I'm always afraid to admit to myself and others that I think I'm feeling better, because it might just be another 'deceiving improvement.' But enough of that. I've gotta stay positive, solidify in my mind that the damn med is beginning to work instead of second-guessing, and begin to look forward to the lex continuing to help with other areas of my illness, like social anxiety, etc. Let's hope this is really the beginning of getting better!
thanks,
Peter
Posted by MandyJane on September 26, 2003, at 7:33:35
In reply to re: Lexapro stop working??? » MandyJane, posted by lil' jimi on September 25, 2003, at 13:56:38
Thanks lil'jimi for the encouragement. I really appreciate it. I've upped my dose to 20mg. I don't know if I can up it any more than that. I have a call in to my dr. Its kind of strange to talk about all of this stuff with strangers. I can see that you guys are a big support to oneanother.
Yeah, I'm not expecting the financial issues to go away either. Unfortunately. I've felt more feelings of rejection from friends, jealousy, and insecurity than I used to. I don't know if they are related to the depression or are new things in friendships that I need to work through.
Posted by vandy on September 26, 2003, at 8:18:43
In reply to Starting Lex with low dose VS 10mg much better!, posted by theo on September 25, 2003, at 22:43:24
I think the side effects are well documented in the physician's information but the dossage is so patient specific that your suggestion might have unintended consequences. In my case, I started out with 20 mg. My only side effect was being tired and that disappeared. But even at 20 mg. it took a respectable period before I received benefits. Had I started out with a lower dose I would probably have quit for a different reason...lack of positive results. I shudder to think of that. I say prayers for Forest Labs and Lex. What should be happening is good counselling. Maybe they should give Dr. Bob's URL to all internet-enabled patients.
Posted by Esmarelda on September 26, 2003, at 9:27:03
In reply to cel vs lex weight, posted by Diva Blue on September 25, 2003, at 13:05:04
I am not near as hungry when taking Lexapro. I have lost about 5 pounds in 3 or so months since beginning Lexapro. Good luck!
Posted by Esmarelda on September 26, 2003, at 9:30:27
In reply to feeling a bit better?!, posted by Peter on September 26, 2003, at 6:51:42
YEAH PETER!!!! Glad you are feeling better. There will still be some low days, but hang in there! Congrats!
Posted by Peter on September 26, 2003, at 9:37:01
In reply to Peter, -gonna keep holding on, but need support, posted by McPac on September 24, 2003, at 18:35:09
> I've started Lexapro recently just like you and YES, I have definitely been very cold while on it! Hopefully that will get better soon. And these friggin Lexapro "jitters", geez, this stuff seems to cause anxiety and jitters in most folks...can't wait for that crap to wear off...what do they put in this stuff anyway?! Take care dude...I do say stick with it for awhile though, it should adjust eventually!
>>Hey McPac:
Just curious: Are you still feeling really cold on lex? I started today on a good note, feeling like my depression was lifting and my SE's were decreased. But Man! I've never been so freezing in my life. And the weather isn't cold! I'm wearing 3 layers and every slight breeze that hits me sends me shivering. What's up with that??
Posted by Esmarelda on September 26, 2003, at 9:40:45
In reply to Still Freezing! » McPac, posted by Peter on September 26, 2003, at 9:37:01
That's odd. At first, I sweat like a stuck pig on the stuff - haha! Just goes to show you it affects everyone different!
Posted by ginger C on September 26, 2003, at 9:46:31
In reply to Re: Lexapro stop working???, posted by MandyJane on September 25, 2003, at 12:54:30
My doctor put me on Lexapro about a year ago in conjunction with welbutrin and the combination has worked really well for me. I am a bipolar I
and we previously had a lot of trouble getting anti depressants to work.
Posted by MickiBear on September 26, 2003, at 9:49:04
In reply to Re: Lexapro Withdrawal Dizziness, posted by blkvettes on September 26, 2003, at 1:23:55
I actually weaned myself off. I was originally taken 10mg a day, then went to 5, then went to 5 every other day. Then I went off completely.
So no one out there has gone off and made it through the withdrawal?
Posted by jjalruby on September 26, 2003, at 11:53:51
In reply to Re: Lexapro Withdrawal Dizziness, posted by blkvettes on September 26, 2003, at 1:23:55
I also just quit cold turkey. I guess it wasn't that great of an idea cause I am really hurting with all the dizziness also. I had been on it for just about 5 months and have gained 20 lbs. The weight gain was so fast and ridiculous...i had to stop. Does anyone know how long the dizziness does last for???
Posted by Diva Blue on September 26, 2003, at 14:44:07
In reply to Re: Lexapro Withdrawal Dizziness » blkvettes, posted by jjalruby on September 26, 2003, at 11:53:51
Hello all...
Hoping that Lex is going to work. Feel better today than I have in a while. SEs seem to be subsiding, although I am still cold...is it freezing in here??....
anxious to see if appetite returns or if I will continue to have the blessing of it being reduced.
Posted by Peter on September 26, 2003, at 15:52:38
In reply to update, posted by Diva Blue on September 26, 2003, at 14:44:07
> Hello all...
>
> Hoping that Lex is going to work. Feel better today than I have in a while. SEs seem to be subsiding, although I am still cold...is it freezing in here??....>>I am on day 21, and I'm absolutely freezing with 3 shirts on! Other people are walking around in shorts! What is this?! How long have you been taking lex?
Posted by blkvettes on September 26, 2003, at 18:56:09
In reply to Re: Don't know what to do, posted by Shelly480 on September 26, 2003, at 4:10:51
> Manic depressive. Yes they are kind of the same I think in a way. Except My Highs are very low and My Lows are extreme. I go from homicidial to suicidal. Mostly in the suicidal state.
>
> They had me on well burtrin and Depakote while back and the well burtrin Made me extremly Angery. That when I stop taking Meds. Cause I rather be suicidal then Homicidal. I really hope that this Lex and lithium work. No angery feelings after day 3 so far so good.
>
> Shelly480Hi, I know the lithium is a wonder drug for some. Glad your doing ok so far. Im interested to see how your meds work together. TAKE CARE!!!!!
WAYNE
Posted by Diva Blue on September 26, 2003, at 19:55:13
In reply to Re: update » Diva Blue, posted by Peter on September 26, 2003, at 15:52:38
> > Hello all...
> >
> > Hoping that Lex is going to work. Feel better today than I have in a while. SEs seem to be subsiding, although I am still cold...is it freezing in here??....
>
> >>I am on day 21, and I'm absolutely freezing with 3 shirts on! Other people are walking around in shorts! What is this?! How long have you been taking lex?
>HI....actually, this is only day 4. This is the first day that I have felt human since I started. The first 3 days I thought I had the flu, with a headache, and body aches, and just feeling yucky. Today is better. Thank Goodness.
what other ADs have you taken? Are you on anything else now?
hope you stay warm!
diva
Posted by lil' jimi on September 26, 2003, at 20:30:59
In reply to re: Lexapro stop working???, posted by MandyJane on September 26, 2003, at 7:33:35
hi MandyJane,
> Thanks lil'jimi for the encouragement. I really appreciate it. >
you're most welcome ... ... that's what we're here for ...
> I've upped my dose to 20mg. I don't know if I can up it any more than that. >
others have been up to 30mg and beyond ... ... "you're mileage may vary "
> I have a call in to my dr. Its kind of strange to talk about all of this stuff with strangers. I can see that you guys are a big support to oneanother. >
odd, isn't it ? ... ... it can be much easier to confide anonymously with strangers, than to tell our most trusted friend ... sometimes ...
... it was weird ... once when our female folk were comparing their sexual response and lex's effeect on them there ... ... i wouldn't often (ever?) hear that sort of thing, but we shared (i had anorgasmia as one of my lex SEs ... went away in a week), and it was cool ... a little weird, but it's wonderful here most of the time ...> Yeah, I'm not expecting the financial issues to go away either. Unfortunately. I've felt more feelings of rejection from friends, jealousy, and insecurity than I used to. I don't know if they are related to the depression or are new things in friendships that I need to work through. >
friends can be a tough issue ... ... they can come with their own issues ... your psych issues could be triggers for their insecurities .... they could be posers faking friendship and bail out when they see they won't get anything ... ... some may be loving sensitive supporters who get overamped by their concerns for you ... ... and because we are havng emotional issues, we may be misintrepreting / misunderstanding / miscommunicating ... to where we think things are worse than they really are ... ... depression and anxiety can do that ...
... support of loved ones has been essential to my recovery ... ... you need some too ...
... good luck with your pals ...
... post when it can help you feel better
take care,
~ jim
Posted by lil' jimi on September 27, 2003, at 3:58:24
In reply to Re: Starting Lex with low dose VS 10mg much better!, posted by vandy on September 26, 2003, at 8:18:43
hi Vandy,
> I think the side effects are well documented in the physician's information but the dossage is so patient specific that your suggestion might have unintended consequences. In my case, I started out with 20 mg. My only side effect was being tired and that disappeared. But even at 20 mg. it took a respectable period before I received benefits. Had I started out with a lower dose I would probably have quit for a different reason...lack of positive results. I shudder to think of that. I say prayers for Forest Labs and Lex. What should be happening is good counselling. Maybe they should give Dr. Bob's URL to all internet-enabled patients. >
point very well taken ...
i agree with you completely ...
we have seen here so many people in distress from not titrating up slowly enough ... that we tend to err (with our advice) on the side of caution ... thus we may overcompensate ...... indeed, the one thing we have learned here is that all bets are off in the face of individual variation ... ... there are no single set of rules that apply to everyone ...
so, to titrate or not to titrate becomes another one of those judgment calls ...
although i would suggest
that it appears to me
that
... folks with anxiety disorders need to titrate up ("start low and go slow") much more than those with depression-only ...
... ... my reading of the thread implies folks sensitive to anxieties can have much lower endurance for lexapro's adaptaion SEs ... if only because they can induce and/or exacerbate anxiety symptoms ...... you sound like it's working for you ... presuming you're okay, i am glad for you ... especially with the great fortune to have found a med that is working for you ... ...
... and for me too
thanks for your post ... i liked your message very much ... really good input there ... ... much appreciated ...
Take Care !
~ jim
Posted by lil' jimi on September 27, 2003, at 4:04:35
In reply to re: to titrate OR not to titrate » vandy, posted by lil' jimi on September 27, 2003, at 3:58:24
of course, it is only titrating up which is at issue ...
.... we presume that titrating Down would be mandatory ... ... as it is with all ssris
Posted by Peter on September 27, 2003, at 6:25:14
In reply to Re: update, posted by Diva Blue on September 26, 2003, at 19:55:13
> > > Hello all...
> > >
> > > Hoping that Lex is going to work. Feel better today than I have in a while. SEs seem to be subsiding, although I am still cold...is it freezing in here??....
> >
> > >>I am on day 21, and I'm absolutely freezing with 3 shirts on! Other people are walking around in shorts! What is this?! How long have you been taking lex?
> >
>
> HI....actually, this is only day 4. This is the first day that I have felt human since I started. The first 3 days I thought I had the flu, with a headache, and body aches, and just feeling yucky. Today is better. Thank Goodness.
> what other ADs have you taken? Are you on anything else now?
> hope you stay warm!>>>Hi Diva:
I've taken every other SSRI and a bunch of meds from other classes (AC mood-stabilizers, stimulants, benzos, etc.). I am now taking klonopin and adderall in addition to lex. My pdoc said that my wierd SE's could be the lex in and of itself, or it could be a synergy between the adderall and the lex. The only way to find out and be able to accurately assess the efficacy of lexapro for me is to taper down the adderall. So this I shall proceed to do!
Hey-you stay warm too!! (o:
Peter
Posted by vandy on September 27, 2003, at 8:58:51
In reply to re: to titrate Up or not to titrate Up, posted by lil' jimi on September 27, 2003, at 4:04:35
> of course, it is only titrating up which is at issue ...
> .... we presume that titrating Down would be mandatory ... ... as it is with all ssrisTitrate, how I luv ya - how I luv ya
My dear sweet titrate
I'd give the world to see
SSRI's that never give SE's to me
Oh Titrate, Titrate
My dear sweet titrate
Unhappy face - I'll see you no more
Cuz that's what Lexapro is for!
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