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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by trucker on August 23, 2004, at 8:38:50
In reply to Re: had a bad day today - Mrs. C, posted by Mrs. C on August 22, 2004, at 23:17:21
i second this.. if you had a heart condition... would you feel guilty about taking your meds for that?? same with lex... we are usually on it because as we age are hormones fluckuate... then we get what is called a chemical imbalance... and in order to make things work right we need meds.. and the right balance.. don't feel guilty.. and don't tell friends and family cause they all get weirded out over it and think we are wacked out... very untrue.. most of us gets this problem due to the change... and others because of a thing called polycystic ovarian syndrom (pcos) which is a whole body aliment. and affects hormones and putuitory glands and the whole body.. take care of your self.. BE KIND TO YOURSELF!
trucker
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////> Hi Jenstar,
> No, I dont think that going back on Lex is a sign of weakness. If anything it is a sign that you are willing to do whatever it takes to make your life better. I have never had any second thoughts about taking medication to help with my "issues". If you had diabetes would you feel weak for taking medication for that? Of course not. Mental illness is exactly that...an illness and why not treat it? Thanks for all of your supportive posts. I really enjoy reading them and I hope that you are feeling better soon. Mrs. C
Posted by LynneDa on August 23, 2004, at 11:24:08
In reply to Re: Lexapro dosage, posted by Baz on August 21, 2004, at 17:45:02
Wow, lots of posts about Lex increasing, decreasing and why are we taking it! I love reading everyone's thoughts and opinions and am grateful for everyone's feedback and support.
Here are my thoughts. I was on Lex 9 months, went up to 20mg. Got very, very tired, gained 15 lbs in 6 months (very unusual for me), yet wasn't depressed, anxious, angry or crying (except over the weight I could not lose!!!). So, weaned off Lex (with no bad effects as I decreased)and went on Wellbutrin SR 300mg. This has been for 2 months. I'm awake, have great orgasms but lost only 6 lbs. (low carbing). AND, horror of horrors, I am depressed, crying, angry and not coping again. I'm 41, dx PMDD.
So, I went back on Lex at 5mg a few days ago. I cannot take being the mean, snappish, crying witch I am without the Lex. I absolutely hate it that I have to take meds, so I am with many of you there. But, it helps me function and cope. My kids and husband deserve and need a balanced mom. And I need to be able to function at work.
I am slowly resigning myself to the fact that I will need to deal with the weight gain, sexual problems & other s/e's cuz they are not as bad as the ME that I am without Lex. I am not the type of person who deals well with being perceived as weak or needy or inefficient or unable to cope! This is tough.
I feel for every one of you who are struggling with these hormonal imbalances that make us feel so abnormal and unable to cope. But, like Edna and Mrs. C. have stated, it's a physical illness that needs treatment.
Good luck and BIG HUGS to all :-)
~ Lynne
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>.
Posted by Mrs. C on August 24, 2004, at 21:35:17
In reply to Re: Lexapro dosage, posted by LynneDa on August 23, 2004, at 11:24:08
Hey Lynne,
Great to hear from you. I am so sorry that you have had such a tough time. To me, weight gain is insignificant compared to being anxious, depressed, etc. I am very surprised that so many people hear would rather stop taking the med than gain a little bit of weight. Of course I have battled most of my thirties with my weight. I did not gain any weight while taking lex and in fact have lost weight on Atkins. I am back on it after a few weeks break. Craving sugar a little bit today but I am coping okay. Good luck to you and I hope that you find what you are looking for soon, Mrs. C
Posted by dare on August 25, 2004, at 0:44:29
In reply to Re: worried...please help, posted by devrisr on August 22, 2004, at 18:52:22
my daughter has been on lexapro for 2 years and it has nearly destroyed her. i have been investigating this drug and this is one thing i found.....* June 26, 2004 Lawsuits are starting. Lexapro manufacture, Forrest Laboratories, has stated recently concluded test found that it's antidepressant Lexapro did not help depressed children. Negative and hidden clinical trials on Celexa from Europe are being disclosed at the moment. Lexapro is designed from Celexa. The best Forrest Labs could do in Europe to even run their trials for Celexa was to use H. Lundbeck, the Danish company that developed Celexa.
If your child was prescribed Lexapro or you were prescribed Lexapro while under the age of 18 and there were adverse reactions, you may wish to file a lawsuit.
this is from this website http://www.prozactruth.com/lexapro.htm#sideeffectsthere is also alot of feedback from people who have used lexapro...you should check it out and have your girlfriend read it as well. if her doctor is wise enough to work through her depression without drugs i would recommend doing that first... lexapro has serious side effects and is certainly NOT for situational depression.
good for you for caring enough to check things out...i trusted my daughter with doctors when i shouldn't have...i have changed her doctor and he is getting her off the meds ...it will be a long hard road but finally the right one...learning coping skills. she has been on and off meds for almost 20 years and misdiagnosed for them all..anyway check out the website and good luck!!
Posted by captain on August 25, 2004, at 8:42:43
In reply to Re: worried...please help, posted by dare on August 25, 2004, at 0:44:29
Dare- Thank you for your post! I read that site and appreciate you sending it out. I only take lex for anxiety but have not enjoyed the side effects such as excessive sweating, constipation, sleep problems, inorgasmia and weight gain. I would rather (right now at least) learn how to cope with my anxiety. I am sure I would feel different if I suffered from depression but I do not know what that is like. Right now I don't know if my anxiety is enough to need this med.
Again - many thanks!
Captain
Posted by Alex71 on August 25, 2004, at 10:34:03
In reply to Re: Lexapro/Vertigo/Dizziness, posted by Mrs. C on July 6, 2004, at 20:55:56
Hello everyone!
I am on Lex 10 mg, recently switched to it from Celexa. I was also prescribed 5 mg Valium by my pdoc to manage my anxiety/panic attacks but I am very reluctant to take it because I am afraid that Valium won't help my anxiety and I am gonna panic since there would be no more chance for me.
Now I am anxious all the time and just cant make myself to take the Valium. Anyone,please help
Posted by ednababish on August 25, 2004, at 10:36:32
In reply to Anybody experienced this combo?, posted by Alex71 on August 25, 2004, at 10:34:03
May I ask why you were switched from celexa to lexapro?
Posted by Alex71 on August 25, 2004, at 10:43:10
In reply to Re: Anybody experienced this combo?, posted by ednababish on August 25, 2004, at 10:36:32
My pdoc switched me from Celexa to Lexapro because he said Lexapro is the more effective one and it has less side effects (which is not really true)
Posted by ednababish on August 25, 2004, at 12:03:52
In reply to Re: Anybody experienced this combo?, posted by Alex71 on August 25, 2004, at 10:43:10
I hate to be nosy, but what side effects are you speaking of? I'm having SSE issues with lexapro at 20mgs--I had fewer with 30mgs celexa. My doctor is thinking of switching me over to celexa if this does not improve with an herbal remedy. It's been three years and a lot of life changes since I took celexa, but about the only thing I have noticed is (I believe) I am calmer with lexapro and have fewer anxiety problems. Please tell what the side effects have been for you with both drugs.
Edna
Posted by Alex71 on August 25, 2004, at 12:49:17
In reply to Re: Anybody experienced this combo?, posted by ednababish on August 25, 2004, at 12:03:52
Hi Edna,
The funny thing that I had no SE with Celexa whatsoever. I had my conditions improved and I decided to get off Celexa and quit it cold turkey. The withdrawal symtoms were terrible. I had constand tingling in my arms and my head (like little electrical impulses that bothered me a lot). Anxiety was back too.
I decided to go back to Celexa but I didnt have anymore of it. By this time I had to go to a different pdoc (insurance issues) and he gave me Lexapro, which he said is the same thing as Celexa. I started taking 10 mg of Lex and those symptoms went right away. But I also got some severe side effects like fatigue, dizziness, hot flashes etc. It 's liking living in a thick fog. I've been on Lex for over a month already and the SE have been subsiding but my anxiety still persists. Now I decided to give it more time and if I dont fell better by Nov.1, I am going back on Celexa.
Like I said I was also prescribed 5 mg Valium. But my problem is I cant make myself to take a Valium pill and I dont know what to do. Valium is like a "last resort" for me (at least that's what I think) and if for some reason Valium will not work I am gonna freak out even worse. So here I am being anxious but saving Valium for the "worst case scenario".> I hate to be nosy, but what side effects are you speaking of? I'm having SSE issues with lexapro at 20mgs--I had fewer with 30mgs celexa. My doctor is thinking of switching me over to celexa if this does not improve with an herbal remedy. It's been three years and a lot of life changes since I took celexa, but about the only thing I have noticed is (I believe) I am calmer with lexapro and have fewer anxiety problems. Please tell what the side effects have been for you with both drugs.
>
> Edna
Posted by captain on August 25, 2004, at 13:51:15
In reply to Re: Anybody experienced this combo?, posted by Alex71 on August 25, 2004, at 12:49:17
Alex - you have never taken a valium? I can't imagine that you will feel anxious at ALL after taking one of those! :) It really calms your nerves. Have you tried xanax? You should talk to your doc abotu getting a rx for xanax or ativan as that also calms your nerves and I would think it is a lot less potent than a valium.
Both are VERY relaxing.
Good luck!
captain
Posted by Alex71 on August 25, 2004, at 13:59:02
In reply to Re: Anybody experienced this combo?, posted by captain on August 25, 2004, at 13:51:15
Hi captain, thx for your reply.
My problem is that I am afraid to take Valium because if Valium wouldn't work --what am I gonna do next? I guess I just have to try and take the pill and see what happens. If it wont work I guess I 'll just get drunk:(> Alex - you have never taken a valium? I can't imagine that you will feel anxious at ALL after taking one of those! :) It really calms your nerves. Have you tried xanax? You should talk to your doc abotu getting a rx for xanax or ativan as that also calms your nerves and I would think it is a lot less potent than a valium.
>
> Both are VERY relaxing.
> Good luck!
> captain
Posted by ednababish on August 25, 2004, at 14:37:45
In reply to Re: Anybody experienced this combo?, posted by Alex71 on August 25, 2004, at 13:59:02
Dear Alex,
Hope that's a joke about getting drunk. Hate to be a mother hen, but alcohol and alcohol withdrawal (also known as the morning after) exacerbates panic symptoms. It also short circuits the efeectiveness of antidepressants. Although I've never used it, I understand 5mgs of ativan works wonders for anxiety and panic.
Edna
Posted by ednababish on August 25, 2004, at 14:50:51
In reply to Re: Anybody experienced this combo?, posted by Alex71 on August 25, 2004, at 12:49:17
Dear Alex,
I did not see really obvious results with lexapro until three month after I increased to 20mgs. I have very little anxiety right now, although I am currently 1) on my period 2) a college professor stumbling through my first week of classes with 50 bored, miserable, and hostile freshman comp students, and 3) in trouble with my dean. Six months ago this combination would have reduced me to utterly disfunctional and absolutely sick with anxiety; now I see the big picture and know that this too shall pass.
Why did I tell you this? Because you may need more lexapro than you are currently taking to kick the anxiety. Although the manufacturers say 10mgs lexapro equals 40mgs celexa, it's not true. From my experience (and everyone is different) 20mgs lexapro equals 30 mgs celexa.
And another thing about ativan--I have a friend who hates to take anything, but she hates shots more. 5 mgs of ativan got her through minor surgery, and she gave it two thumbs up! She reported she felt fine and functional, sufficiently worried but not out of control scared. It's worth looking into.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Posted by Alex71 on August 25, 2004, at 19:10:11
In reply to Re: Anybody experienced this combo?, posted by ednababish on August 25, 2004, at 14:50:51
Thank you Edna,
I have never heard od Ativan, might look into it.
Right now I've decided to take that Valium pill at my next anxiety/panic attack whatever happens.
I'll report on the progress. Thank you again for your support, Edna.> Dear Alex,
>
> I did not see really obvious results with lexapro until three month after I increased to 20mgs. I have very little anxiety right now, although I am currently 1) on my period 2) a college professor stumbling through my first week of classes with 50 bored, miserable, and hostile freshman comp students, and 3) in trouble with my dean. Six months ago this combination would have reduced me to utterly disfunctional and absolutely sick with anxiety; now I see the big picture and know that this too shall pass.
>
> Why did I tell you this? Because you may need more lexapro than you are currently taking to kick the anxiety. Although the manufacturers say 10mgs lexapro equals 40mgs celexa, it's not true. From my experience (and everyone is different) 20mgs lexapro equals 30 mgs celexa.
>
> And another thing about ativan--I have a friend who hates to take anything, but she hates shots more. 5 mgs of ativan got her through minor surgery, and she gave it two thumbs up! She reported she felt fine and functional, sufficiently worried but not out of control scared. It's worth looking into.
>
> Good luck and keep us posted.
Posted by Mrs. C on August 25, 2004, at 21:28:31
In reply to Re: Anybody experienced this combo?, posted by ednababish on August 25, 2004, at 12:03:52
Edna, what are "SSE problems"? Mrs. C
Posted by ednababish on August 26, 2004, at 8:28:02
In reply to Re: Anybody experienced this combo?, posted by Mrs. C on August 25, 2004, at 21:28:31
SSE's are sexual side effects.
Posted by PinkSuede on August 26, 2004, at 11:13:57
In reply to Anybody experienced this combo?, posted by Alex71 on August 25, 2004, at 10:34:03
Hi Alex,
I take Valium; 10mgs at bedtime. It helps me sleep.
I'm also taking 5mg of Lex. I was taking 10, but the fatigue (I could sleep all day) and the SSE's were getting me down.
Valium is a great drug. It's been around for years and a pharmacist told me it's very safe. Much safer than we have been led to believe.
Pink
Posted by LynneDa on August 26, 2004, at 12:41:01
In reply to Re: Anybody experienced this combo?, posted by PinkSuede on August 26, 2004, at 11:13:57
> Hi PinkSuede -
Did you notice a decrease in the SSE's and the sleepiness when you went down to 5mg of Lex? I was at 20mg & so sleepy I could hardly drive to work (10mg actually gave me insomnia, go figure!). I went off of it and on Wellbutrin (great for SSE's - goes the opposite way!), but am adding 5mg of Lex back in and hoping those 2 things won't come back!
~ Lynne
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
> I take Valium; 10mgs at bedtime. It helps me sleep.
>
> I'm also taking 5mg of Lex. I was taking 10, but the fatigue (I could sleep all day) and the SSE's were getting me down.
>
> Valium is a great drug. It's been around for years and a pharmacist told me it's very safe. Much safer than we have been led to believe.
>
> Pink
Posted by Mrs. C on August 26, 2004, at 14:11:45
In reply to Re: Anybody experienced this combo?, posted by ednababish on August 26, 2004, at 8:28:02
Oh, Thanks. Mrs. C
Posted by PinkSuede on August 27, 2004, at 10:32:58
In reply to Re: Anybody experienced this combo?, posted by LynneDa on August 26, 2004, at 12:41:01
Hi Lynne!!
This has been my experience:
I started out at 2.5 mgs of Lex and worked my way up to 5. It was a tough adjustment for me with lots of s/e's. However, at the 5 I did not have any major SSE's or other problems.
Then came a rough spot in my life (I've had many this year!!) and I upped my dosage to 10. Well, I literally could have slept all day and as far as sex was concerned I was "dead".
I've been back to 5 for not quite a week now and my sex drive and ability to reach the big "O" has not returned. I'm sure it will take some time for my body to adjust to the lower dosage and get back to where I was.
Soooooo, to answer your question: you will still notice _some_ SSE's at 5 (takes longer to achieve orgasm) but not be completely 'dead' like I was at 10.
I hate this. It is so hard. I know I need the Lex, but being so fatiqued and asexual is no fun either!!
Pink
Posted by jcem on August 31, 2004, at 10:24:15
In reply to Lexapro really good for anxiety?, posted by hockeygirlcanada on July 15, 2004, at 17:51:30
> Hi,
> I have been suffering from severe, chronic g.a.d for seven years. Been on just about everything, lexapro is not available in canada yet, but I was wondering if it really does alleviate anxiety?
> Thank You
>yes, I just got off of Effexor XR about six months ago- a nightmare within itself - and now I am on Lexapro. I am not sure if it is helping me or not to be honest. I am also a sufferer of GAD, panic disorder and mild agoraphobia so I take Klonopin as well. The Klonopin works- but the Lexapro so far has just given me a mild calm feeling which I think is good....since I can't do that on my own no matter what...but I am curious myself if it is really good with GAD.
Posted by ednababish on August 31, 2004, at 13:16:38
In reply to Re: Lexapro really good for anxiety? » hockeygirlcanada, posted by jcem on August 31, 2004, at 10:24:15
Absolutely! Just not overnight. And it will initially exacerbate anxiety. But I was so anxious and panic ridden that I couldn't even drive a car or walk into a store without steeling myself. Now I do these things without thinking, and only occassionally think, "Remember when I couldn't do this without practically freaking out?" I feel so comfortable in the world now. Good Luck,
Edna
Posted by jcem on August 31, 2004, at 13:19:24
In reply to Re: Lexapro really good for anxiety?, posted by ednababish on August 31, 2004, at 13:16:38
> Absolutely! Just not overnight. And it will initially exacerbate anxiety. But I was so anxious and panic ridden that I couldn't even drive a car or walk into a store without steeling myself. Now I do these things without thinking, and only occassionally think, "Remember when I couldn't do this without practically freaking out?" I feel so comfortable in the world now. Good Luck,
> Edna
I am so hoping that it will work out for me that way. I am staying very positive...I force myself outside and it is very very hard but I use my son as my drive to do it. He is 14months old and I refuse to keep him from experiencing life because I have a mental illness. I do everything possible to force myself but the anxiety attacks are hard to deal with....I am so glad that the Lexapro seems to work for you- I will definitely stay hopeful! thank you so much for sharing!
Posted by captain on August 31, 2004, at 15:06:18
In reply to Re: Lexapro really good for anxiety?, posted by jcem on August 31, 2004, at 13:19:24
Hi jcem - do you take xanax or anything else for when you have those panic attacks? It seems to really help people.
I suffer from GAD - mostly worry about my health and something happening to people i care about so I don't have the same type, but the xanax does help when I have those bad moments.
Good luck!
Captain
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