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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by want info on March 29, 2004, at 13:51:03
In reply to Re: here we go on 20mg..., posted by KathrynLex on March 28, 2004, at 22:13:30
thanks k. i feel ok today. a bit jittery but not as disoriented as i've been feeling previously. i'm just praying this will work! i'm still taking tiny bits of xanax too. i dont know how long i should expect to wait to see results from the 20mg...emily
Posted by want info on March 29, 2004, at 13:52:45
In reply to Re: here we go on 20mg... » wantinfo, posted by trucker on March 28, 2004, at 12:40:16
hey trucker...you think it'll take 3 months to take effect? i was on 10 for about 6 weeks, 15 for 2, and now 20 for a few days. i was on paxil before this for 8 years! i feel like ive been waiting forever...:( emily
Posted by Magdalena on March 29, 2004, at 16:42:18
In reply to Re: here we go on 20mg... » trucker, posted by want info on March 29, 2004, at 13:52:45
hey em? you said you were on paxil for 8 years? how long did it take till you felt better and at what dose?
Magdalena
Posted by want info on March 29, 2004, at 16:46:59
In reply to Re: here we go on 20mg... » want info, posted by Magdalena on March 29, 2004, at 16:42:18
hey mag. i had major anxiety problems and was put on clonozepam first. i was then put on 20 mg paxil...didn't wean up or anything. it didn't take long for me to feel better, but to be honest it was a long time ago and i don't remember week-to-week. i'm so sorry! i'd say less than a month though...but i was also only 18 at the time (some think these ssri's take longer to take effect in older ppl) i know paxil gets a bad rap from some people but it was a miracle for me. i often think about going back to it, to be honest.
when my anxiety reappeared a few months ago, the doc's first idea was to go to 30mg paxil...and that caused MASSIVE anxiety. so i didn't do well going up. but 20 worked great.
hope it helped...emily
Posted by Magdalena on March 29, 2004, at 16:50:27
In reply to Re: here we go on 20mg... » Magdalena, posted by want info on March 29, 2004, at 16:46:59
yes it did, thanks emily.
:) so you are on lexapro now?
Posted by want info on March 29, 2004, at 16:57:28
In reply to Re: here we go on 20mg... » want info, posted by Magdalena on March 29, 2004, at 16:50:27
yep i am on lex now. the paxil just wasnt working as well anymore i dont think. my bro is on celexa and the doc thought i might respond well to lexapro since they're similar and my bro and i probably have similar brain chmistry. i weaned off paxil (less paxil, paxil & lex, just lex)...started on 10mg lex, then 15, just started 20...em
Posted by Magdalena on March 29, 2004, at 17:26:10
In reply to Re: here we go on 20mg... » Magdalena, posted by want info on March 29, 2004, at 16:57:28
how has the anxiety been since switching over? is it a noticable difference?
Magdalena
Posted by trucker on March 29, 2004, at 18:16:47
In reply to Re: Hey, Trucker . . . » trucker, posted by jlynne on March 29, 2004, at 13:25:45
i am alone accept for my pooches. they are my children now... my little boy (michael gordon) would have been 5 this year. i general do well with this but i tried to lower my dose of lex and i am also sick and the three don't go well at all. i just got back from the doc and she put me on z-pak and i am going to have to go back in two weeks for a fasting blood sugar and colesterol test. more things here than appartent she thinks. she also said (since she is a new doc to me, first visit) that my child lost could well be cysts on the ovaries which will cause ya still births and miscarrages and make it hard to get pregnant in the first place.
trucker////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
> I wish I knew what to say . . . I'm sorry you are in pain. Do you have anyone around to lean on? How old would your little boy be now?
>
> Do you know how to get to the Psycho-Social board? I have a feeling Dr. Bob is going to re-direct these messages soon (he wants to keep this board for medicine-type posts only). I will post a message on Psycho-Social for you, and we can start a new thread over there, okay?
>
> I am at work, so I may not get back to you till this evening.
>
> ...jlynne
Posted by trucker on March 29, 2004, at 18:20:34
In reply to Re: here we go on 20mg... » trucker, posted by want info on March 29, 2004, at 13:52:45
three months to get past the side effects. then you'll be in heaven....
trucker/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
> hey trucker...you think it'll take 3 months to take effect? i was on 10 for about 6 weeks, 15 for 2, and now 20 for a few days. i was on paxil before this for 8 years! i feel like ive been waiting forever...:( emily
Posted by wantinfo on March 29, 2004, at 18:42:09
In reply to Re: here we go on 20mg... » want info, posted by Magdalena on March 29, 2004, at 17:26:10
hey mag. i've not yet adjusted to the lex and am having some pretty bad anxiety...everyone says it will pass!!
Posted by sueds on March 29, 2004, at 21:36:51
In reply to Re: here we go on 20mg... » want info, posted by trucker on March 29, 2004, at 18:20:34
I don't mean to intrude, but I have no one else to discuss this with. I take Lexapro, Wellbutrin, and Gabitril and I'm doing better. But it's been so long since I"ve felt like "me" and I just try to get through each day. How do you guys make it??????
Sueds
Posted by mystic on March 29, 2004, at 21:42:59
In reply to Re: here we go on 20mg..., posted by sueds on March 29, 2004, at 21:36:51
Welcome Sueds...you are in the right place there are soooo many special people in here that you can talk about anything with..so welcome...how long have you been on the meds???...do you think that they make you feel better??..Do you always feel like you have to try to get through the day???...I have been on Lexapro 10mgs for 7 weeks and I still have my ups and downs..might increase but not sure yet....Let us know how we can help you...Take care...Mystic
Posted by trucker on March 29, 2004, at 21:47:01
In reply to Re: here we go on 20mg..., posted by sueds on March 29, 2004, at 21:36:51
one day at a time. i only take lex. i often wonder if all the drugs together are as easy to balance as one. whose to say what is enough of the one then add to the other and decrease the other. i have never heard of gabitril.
hang in there....
trucker///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
> I don't mean to intrude, but I have no one else to discuss this with. I take Lexapro, Wellbutrin, and Gabitril and I'm doing better. But it's been so long since I"ve felt like "me" and I just try to get through each day. How do you guys make it??????
> Sueds
Posted by sueds on March 29, 2004, at 21:56:16
In reply to RE: Sueds, posted by mystic on March 29, 2004, at 21:42:59
I guess you all are the only ones who know what a relief it is to have someone understand. You are a blessing to me already. I've been on meds for about 6 years. Diagnosed with ptsd and depressions. Lovely combination. I take 30 mgs of Lexapro, 300 mgs. of Wellbutrin and 30 mgs of Gabritil. Somehow I am functioning. I think I've taken every med on the market solo and in combos. This is the best so far, but I still am treading water.
Posted by calmlikeabomb on March 29, 2004, at 22:22:20
In reply to Re: here we go on 20mg... » sueds, posted by trucker on March 29, 2004, at 21:47:01
hey sueds, i'm with you on the new thing. i found this on google looking for something to address lexapro + vertigo.
my experience with SSRIs is limited to paxil, effexor and lexapro. i'm currently coming off 10mg lexapro, and am now not taking it after tapering off. (manic episodes in summer are heightened with SSRIs, so i will take it seasonally, in fall and winter, or least that's the plan. uncharted territory there. lamictal as a mood stablizer might help absent SSRI).
i'm suffering vertigo, and it's a nuisance. i'd love ANY advice or experience about the vertigo thing, particularly how long it lasts as a result of withdrawal.
my experience with lexapro by itself is decent. i came off paxil and that was extremely unpleasant. the vertigo was relentless and i had a terrible burning sensation on my left forearm (i scratched it so much i bled through my work shirt). and (yikes) suicidal thoughts.
so, coming off lexapro appears to not be as difficult as that. it's been 5 days of none of it, and, curiously, the vertigo is just setting in hardcore.
as for another aspect of this thread, weight gain is an issue with me. i'm used to being a lean 6'0" 170. i'm at about 200 now. if i diet hard i can only get down to 188. serious pain in the rear end. i'm hoping that will change. i'd also like to know if one's metabolism speeds up considerably after coming off, and perhaps how long will it take?
hope that helps some ... any help in return is appreciated.
peace+
p.s. if anyone is doing a seasonal thing, i would LOVE to hear about it ...
Posted by Nemo2 on March 29, 2004, at 22:35:20
In reply to muddled thinking, posted by kateincali on March 14, 2004, at 13:31:03
Kate,
I started Lex on Jan 9th and had the normal se's. Brain fog, jittery feelings, amped up in the morning, needed less sleep, needed less food, etc. After 4 weeks the se's backed off, but two important ones remained. Brain fog and jitteryness. I am 54 and have a big job. I have to be quick and smart and ready to learn lots of new stuff all the time. Lex did not allow me to do that. I tried to deal with being slower mentally and finally decided that I'd take a different tack. Very careful and healthy nutrition, lots of exercise and no SSRI's. I quit Lex cold 4 days ago and am going through the withdrawal symptoms that no one tells you about in this AD world. I'm trying to get back to the place I was when I started Lex and work on my anxiety and depression through a more natural approach. I've read other posts that tell me the withdrawal may take months. If that is truly the case, I don't know whether I can survive in my job, which would be a sad end to 25 years of success with a wonderful company. Nemo2
Posted by sexylexy on March 29, 2004, at 22:37:23
In reply to Re: here we go on 20mg..., posted by sueds on March 29, 2004, at 21:50:27
Hey Sueds,
Welcome to our lexapro family. I hope you find the information useful. I am not familiar with Gabitril what is that? You said you have PTSD and Depression. Though Depression can be chemical or biological, PTSD is only from experience, where a Congnitive Behavioral Therapist would come in very handy. You said you had tried all the drugs on the market, what about drugs with therapy. I am sure you probably have tried this combo but I am a therapist so figured I would put my two cents in. What sort of symptoms are you currently having? Sorry to be invasive, just want to help!!!
God Bless,
Lexy
Posted by sexylexy on March 29, 2004, at 22:42:48
In reply to Re: muddled thinking, posted by Nemo2 on March 29, 2004, at 22:35:20
Nemo,
Sorry to hear you decided against lexapro. I was like queen of the foggy brain when I started, almost quit many times, after about 5 to 6 weeks the fog was gone and now I am actually thinking very well, quick and clear. I hope the natural remidies help, get yourself a good Cognitive Behavioral Therapist and tell them your worries with depression and anxiety. They will be able to work on your depressive thoughts and give you coping skills for the future.
Good Luck, God Bless,
Lexy
Posted by jlynne on March 29, 2004, at 23:32:17
In reply to RE: Sueds, posted by sueds on March 29, 2004, at 21:56:16
You are very welcome here, Sueds:~)
Actually, most of us are making it through the day because of this board and each other. I am in my 7th wk on Lex, 2nd wk at 15mg. I take 1mg Lorazepam at night to help me sleep.
I, too, have tried just about everything on the market for depression over the years. This is only the second time I have been allowed to take something for the insomnia - the first time was 28 yrs ago. I hope I don't always need the Lorazepam, but I know it makes a difference (for me, anyway).I'm glad you found us:~) Hope you stick around!
...jlynne
Posted by jlynne on March 29, 2004, at 23:40:02
In reply to RE: Sueds » sueds, posted by jlynne on March 29, 2004, at 23:32:17
Have you found the Psycho-Social site yet?? Near the top of the messages, you will find a thread that starts with "Re: Too Much Drama". If you scroll down a ways, you will see a post from me to you . . . most everyone who posts on this site here also posts over there where we can be more "social". LOL
...jlynne
Posted by KathrynLex on March 30, 2004, at 11:03:51
In reply to Trucker . . ., posted by jlynne on March 29, 2004, at 23:40:02
Hi Guys,
I'm currently taking 100 mgs of Wellbutrin (on top of 15 mgs Lex) and will be increasing to 150 mgs on Wednesday. Prior to taking Wellbutrin I was feeling a tad tired and flat on lex, and that seems as if it's been going away little by little since I started Wellbutrin. The side effects have been pretty minimal since I started out at a very low dose of 50 mgs.
I hope this info helps those of you who might be experiencing similar problems on Lexapro.
K.
Posted by Mariposa on March 30, 2004, at 11:22:13
In reply to Trucker . . ., posted by jlynne on March 29, 2004, at 23:40:02
Haven't heard from Wayne or lil' jim in a while. I still come here and read all the posts. Up to 30mg now and this past *period* was not fun...PMS and fights w/hubby....I have a pdoc appt late April, and will probably ask to increase, AGAIN!!!
So glad to hear YOU are doing well!!!~~~8|8
Posted by jlynne on March 30, 2004, at 12:00:12
In reply to Trucker . . ., posted by jlynne on March 29, 2004, at 23:40:02
Posted by Gator on March 30, 2004, at 15:22:56
In reply to Lex and Wellbutrin Update, posted by KathrynLex on March 30, 2004, at 11:03:51
KathrynLex,
Thanks for your info. I am going tomorrow to see the doctor and will ask him if he thinks the Wellbutrin will be beneficial for me. Thank you KathrynLex for responding to my question.
Gator
Posted by wantinfo on March 30, 2004, at 17:28:11
In reply to Re: muddled thinking, posted by Nemo2 on March 29, 2004, at 22:35:20
hey nemo. i am younger than you are but i understand exactly what you mean about the job thing. there are days i feel so anxious i dont even know how i will get through the day. i am only 26 but i have a fairly high-powered job as well in a very competitive environment. have you tried xanax? when i do have anxiety problems at work i find that .25 mg can be VERY beneficial. emily
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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