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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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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
Posted by jcem on August 31, 2004, at 15:44:52
In reply to Re: Lexapro really good for anxiety?, posted by captain on August 31, 2004, at 15:06:18
> 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
Thank you for yoru response...I do take Klonopin which helps tremendously. It really is the only thing that has worked as of yet. And I have had this problem for many many years. They say that I was born with Panic Disorder and it progressed into GAD and mild agorphobia...so therefore...it has been one medicine to another and yet to another...but luckily the Klonopin works very well. I take 2 mg a day and it allows me to have the ability to get out of the house and drive if I need to...I still have panic attacks but it isn't as bad.
Posted by mystic on August 31, 2004, at 18:30:48
In reply to Re: Lexapro really good for anxiety?, posted by captain on August 31, 2004, at 15:06:18
Hey jcem...The lexapro should help it helped me and it did take a while so try not to get discouraged..and I think it was edna that said your anxiety might get worse before it gets better as far as the lex and that is absolutely true but the depression really was better in a short period of time but the anxiety took longer..dont get discouraged and these posts will help you greatly if you stick with it...people are here to help you and they are more than willing to do so they are great..good luck and hope to talk to you soon...a friend Mystic
Posted by owensmar on August 31, 2004, at 20:36:23
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.
Would this initial worsening happen with Paxil, too? How long would it be likely to last? I tried Paxil for three weeks, got steadily more anxious, even panicked.
Marsha
Posted by ednababish on August 31, 2004, at 20:53:09
In reply to Worse initial anxiety with Paxil too? » ednababish, posted by owensmar on August 31, 2004, at 20:36:23
I took Paxil CR--first 12.5, then 25mgs. I had a panic episode the first day of classes two weeks into 25mgs, but I assumed that was because it was the first day of classes and because I was new on Paxil. It never happened again, but Paxil made me forgetful, apathetic in the extreme, and the SSE's were too much. Yes, I would say it was bad at first, but Paxil works for some people and works very well for panic disorder. Good luck,
Edna
Posted by mystic on August 31, 2004, at 21:56:37
In reply to Worse initial anxiety with Paxil too? » ednababish, posted by owensmar on August 31, 2004, at 20:36:23
Hey everyone was just wondering how many people have gained weight on the lex as there are people stuggling in the social babble as to this problem and I'm trying to determine how many people gain weight on the lex or if it is just they feel better and eat more or at what dose people begin to notice..thanks all i really appreciate it have a great week ..your friend Mystic
Posted by jcem on September 1, 2004, at 7:47:57
In reply to RE: Hey jcem, posted by mystic on August 31, 2004, at 18:30:48
> Hey jcem...The lexapro should help it helped me and it did take a while so try not to get discouraged..and I think it was edna that said your anxiety might get worse before it gets better as far as the lex and that is absolutely true but the depression really was better in a short period of time but the anxiety took longer..dont get discouraged and these posts will help you greatly if you stick with it...people are here to help you and they are more than willing to do so they are great..good luck and hope to talk to you soon...a friend Mystic
Thank you very much. It is so hard to deal with alone....I have much support from family and friends(don't get me wrong) but when they do not have the mental illness then they truly do not know what you are experiencing.
anyways...the Lexapro has made a touch more anxious but I figured it was just the adjustment. I am supposed to go up to 20mg on friday. We will see what that does. I am goign to stick with it since I have been on so many things and they never really worked for me.
Thank you so much!
Jamie
Posted by ednababish on September 1, 2004, at 10:15:10
In reply to RE:: Hey everyone, posted by mystic on August 31, 2004, at 21:56:37
Mystic,
It was after an increase to 20mgs on Easter. But it was also the end of a semester, which means I didn't have the time to make meals and eat right. And it was also during one of those phases where I assumed I could eat anything that I wanted, which isn't the case. And it was also the tail-end of the winter, fat-eating season, when I tend to eat heartier foods and chocolate. So maybe I was a bit relaxed and eating more as a result--it was only a five pound or so gain, and it hasn't come off according to the scale because I have a lot more muscle than I did four months ago.
Edna
Posted by captain on September 1, 2004, at 11:39:40
In reply to RE:: Hey everyone, posted by mystic on August 31, 2004, at 21:56:37
Hey Mystic! I actually did gain weight on lexapro and am probably a good example of what happens. If you read the fine print, these drugs have the ability to slow down your metabolism (not everyone, but many people). As you may know, that is what determines how much fat you burn when you are resting (which means when you are not working out). Your metabolism already slows as you age, which is why it is so much harder to lose weight when you are 50 than when you are 20.
I am 28 and am training for a half marathon and teach a weights class at my gym. I have not had weight issues in the past 6 years since I got out of college and wasn't ordering pizza at 3am every night! I have gained about 5 pounds since starting the lex three months ago and I can tell it is because my metabolism has slowed drastically. I am running about 20-25 miles a week and I know my body really well and its reaction to exercise and this is abnormal.
I got off of the lex about a week ago after tapering down and have already lost about 2 pounds and expect to see a change in my metabolism in the next 2 months. It can take as long for it to change back as it did to initially change it. I know many think I am nuts to quick lex over 5 pounds, but that is a lot on my frame and causes my clothes not to fit and for me to not be very happy! I love food and I hate to puke so I would never have an eating disorder! I just like to be in charge of my weight thru fitness and the SSRI's messed that up! :) Besides, having only been on for three months wasn't giving me much hope of what was to come weight wise in another year of taking lex!
So it rarely has to do with a lack of exercise or feeling better so you are eating more - it is more about how it effects your metabolism. Many are fighting an uphill battle while on SSRI's.
Again, this is my story and my knowlege from being a certified personal trainer so take it for what it is worth!
best of luck to you!
Captain
Posted by mystic on September 1, 2004, at 22:32:16
In reply to RE:: Hey everyone - Mystic, posted by captain on September 1, 2004, at 11:39:40
hey great advice would welcome more!!!!!!..it just sucks that we have to gain weigh to feel better and i think than many people go off the lex for that reason they dont want to gain the weight and i dont blame them I have heard of no one that has stayed the same or lost weight from this med so when you get to feeling better on this med we tend to go off to just lose the weight that we have gained..dont you think that at some point we could have it all..i dont know just discouraged at this point..have gained about 10lbs and it is terrible me being from an eating disorder family and to be honest i have definately had my eating disorder issues and dont want to face them again so feel good or deal with eating disorders that is the question..really discouraging...mystic
Posted by mystic on September 7, 2004, at 22:32:59
In reply to RE:: Hey » mystic, posted by trucker on September 7, 2004, at 22:25:44
Hey Trucker..I'm doing ok..afraid to go to bed as afraid of where my thoughts will take me after my therapy session today..but have to do it as have got to get up early tomorrow for wacky world.hahaha..Hope you are doing great..and hope your meds are working good we are on the lexapro post so we have to mention it hahah..even though no one is mentioning anything on here lately...but my meds are going great..still on 17.5 of the lex and they are good hahahah catch up to you later trucker take good care of yourself Your friend mystic
Posted by jcem on September 8, 2004, at 8:03:57
In reply to RE:: Hey everyone, posted by ednababish on September 1, 2004, at 10:15:10
Well, I have posted before and now I am on 20mg of Lexapro and 2mg of Xanax XR a day. I have to admit that so far I haven't had any anxiety attacks and I feel so much better inside. I don't have that medicine head feeling...which everything else seemed to give. I am hopeful that this combination will give me back to how I used to be so long ago...
As I have mentioned before, I suffer from GAD, panic disorder, mild agoraphobia, temporary depression that was caused by being on Effexor XR, and PTSD. Geez that's a depressing in itself writing all of that...makes me really feel nuts.
Jamie
Posted by trucker on September 8, 2004, at 13:44:33
In reply to RE: Hey trucker, posted by mystic on September 7, 2004, at 22:32:59
good to hear from you mystic.. i am on 15mg now and will wean to 10 soon... take care and i hope you have sweet dreams
trucker
Posted by sexylexy on September 9, 2004, at 12:53:19
In reply to RE:: Hey everyone, posted by jcem on September 8, 2004, at 8:03:57
Hi All!
I just went and my OBGYN who is also an Endinochronogilst. I wanted some help with my crazy hormones and was wondering about the weight gain from Lexapro. The Dr. asked me if I would try Sarafem which is just prozac colored in pink and purple.
I have seen ok results with the lexapro but am ready to kick this depression once and for all...I do however, have anxiety problems and wonder if the prozac will help that too???
Anyone out there a prozac fan????Thanks!!!
Lexy
Posted by mystic on September 10, 2004, at 17:43:04
In reply to Re: New to Lexapro and feeling awful » jjana, posted by worrywort on May 13, 2003, at 12:43:06
Hey everyone..just a quick note..to say..Please take a minute tomorrow and say a silent prayer for all the people that lost their lives that day and since that day because of sept 11th...pray for them and their loves ones as it was a senseless act and we are all safe...thank you mystic
Posted by bride2be on September 10, 2004, at 22:03:16
In reply to RE::: Hey everyone, posted by mystic on September 10, 2004, at 17:43:04
i am gonna say a huge prayer. it will be a sad day. much love to anyone who lost a loved one on that tragic day.
Posted by Ann1983 on September 12, 2004, at 18:30:26
In reply to RE::: Hey everyone--mystic, posted by bride2be on September 10, 2004, at 22:03:16
Hi All,
I am new to this message board. I have been on meds for 1 1/2 years. Tried many combos. Currently taking 10 mg Lexapro in AM and 200 mg Lamictal in evening. Combined with 1 mg Xanax XR. I suffer from GAD, panic attacks and anxiety. My symptons are shortness of breath and sometimes dizzyness or get the feeling like I have a head cold with that light-headedness. Anyway, I am wondering if I should continue taking meds forever or what. I hear withdrawl is terrible. I recently tried to stop Lexapro and became very depressed. That was not one of my original symptoms. Just finished reading the book Your Drug May Be Your Problem by Peter R. Breggin, MD and David Cohen, PhD. Now I am really confused. The book is all about how meds are prescribed freely without the real understanding of the long-term affects. Also, that doctors give everyone a "disease" name like Bi-Polar, etc. And that no one needs meds. I don't think the book is all true, but it does make me question some things. If anyone has similar meds and symptons as I do, please, reply to me. I really don't know what to do next....
Posted by flipsactown on September 13, 2004, at 0:29:23
In reply to Anyone Combining Lexapro and Lamictal?, posted by Ann1983 on September 12, 2004, at 18:30:26
I have been on Lexapro, currently at 30mg, for over 3 months. 45 days after taking Lexapro, my unipolar depression(no mania) started lifting and continued to lift until my depression totally disappeared. I have been taking AD's over 13 years and the very first AD I took was Prozac which I took for 7 years up until it finally pooped out. Prozac saved my life as I had severe depression exacerbated by chronic back pain.
I have taken many AD's usually in combo with Prozac or Zoloft. I have taken Effexor, Celexa, Paxil, Wellbutrin, Remeron, Lamictal and Lithium. I have only experienced withdrawal from Effexor which I took only briefly,
Lexapro has been as effective to me as Prozac. As far as being on AD's for the rest of my life, I will do what I have to if it will increase my quality of life. Anyone who has experienced severe depression knows what I am talking about. I would rather take AD's the rest of my life, as long as it is effective, then be depressed. Hope this helps. Good luck to you.
FST
> Hi All,
> I am new to this message board. I have been on meds for 1 1/2 years. Tried many combos. Currently taking 10 mg Lexapro in AM and 200 mg Lamictal in evening. Combined with 1 mg Xanax XR. I suffer from GAD, panic attacks and anxiety. My symptons are shortness of breath and sometimes dizzyness or get the feeling like I have a head cold with that light-headedness. Anyway, I am wondering if I should continue taking meds forever or what. I hear withdrawl is terrible. I recently tried to stop Lexapro and became very depressed. That was not one of my original symptoms. Just finished reading the book Your Drug May Be Your Problem by Peter R. Breggin, MD and David Cohen, PhD. Now I am really confused. The book is all about how meds are prescribed freely without the real understanding of the long-term affects. Also, that doctors give everyone a "disease" name like Bi-Polar, etc. And that no one needs meds. I don't think the book is all true, but it does make me question some things. If anyone has similar meds and symptons as I do, please, reply to me. I really don't know what to do next....
>
Posted by Ann1983 on September 13, 2004, at 7:49:13
In reply to Re: Anyone Combining Lexapro and Lamictal? » Ann1983, posted by flipsactown on September 13, 2004, at 0:29:23
I am going to my Psych today and asking to be taken off Lamictal for mood stabilizing. I have been on 200mg daily for several months. I haven't noticed any difference. Nor have the people closest to me. Anyone gone off Lamictal that can tell me how they did it to minimize withdrawl symptoms? I am also taking 10mg a day of Lexapro. F.Y.I. Tried other meds but they made me high as a kite. Especially Paxil. Prozac gave me instant panic attacks. Also, does anyone suffer from shortness of breath, like you can't get enough oxygen? I still get that way sometimes. This was my sympton at the beginning of taking meds nearly 2 years ago. I hate to increase my meds intake and hate that I am still taking Xanax this long into the game. I take 1 mg XR in the morning and .25 at night before bed with my Lamictal and Atarax (supposedly for allergies, but really to help me sleep). Also, since I have been on meds, I take an afternoon nap nearly everyday. Anyone out there that can relate to this?
Posted by CraigD on September 13, 2004, at 11:02:33
In reply to Lexapro and Lamictal, shortness of breath, posted by Ann1983 on September 13, 2004, at 7:49:13
> I am going to my Psych today and asking to be taken off Lamictal for mood stabilizing. I have been on 200mg daily for several months. I haven't noticed any difference. Nor have the people closest to me. Anyone gone off Lamictal that can tell me how they did it to minimize withdrawl symptoms? I am also taking 10mg a day of Lexapro. F.Y.I. Tried other meds but they made me high as a kite. Especially Paxil. Prozac gave me instant panic attacks. Also, does anyone suffer from shortness of breath, like you can't get enough oxygen? I still get that way sometimes. This was my sympton at the beginning of taking meds nearly 2 years ago. I hate to increase my meds intake and hate that I am still taking Xanax this long into the game. I take 1 mg XR in the morning and .25 at night before bed with my Lamictal and Atarax (supposedly for allergies, but really to help me sleep). Also, since I have been on meds, I take an afternoon nap nearly everyday. Anyone out there that can relate to this?
I recently added Lamictal to my Celexa (same as Lexapro) with the hopes of reducing my Celexa dose and decrease the manic behavior I display on SSRI's. That's worked great. Helped quite a bit with the social anxiety and ruminations as well.It did give me some strange dreams and keep me from sleeping well, so I moved the dosage to the morning and that took care of the problem. Perhaps trying this will allow you to sleep better at night and nap less during the day.
Good Luck,
Craig
Posted by Mrs. C on September 14, 2004, at 20:41:17
In reply to Re: Anyone Combining Lexapro and Lamictal? » Ann1983, posted by flipsactown on September 13, 2004, at 0:29:23
Hi FST,
Thank you for your post. It's nice to hear some positive thoughts about AD's. I have been worrying that maybe I am doing harm to myself for being on Lexapro almost a year now. But I feel so much better emotionally that I never want to go back to where I was before. Your post really helped me to see that. Thanks. Mrs.C
Posted by flipsactown on September 14, 2004, at 21:28:50
In reply to Re: Anyone Combining Lexapro and Lamictal?, posted by Mrs. C on September 14, 2004, at 20:41:17
That's the beauty of this forum! By sharing our personal experiences, we empower ourselves with knowledge, support and most importantly, the strength in knowing that we are not alone in our suffering. I hope for a continued depression free, Lexapro filled, future for you.
FST
> Hi FST,
> Thank you for your post. It's nice to hear some positive thoughts about AD's. I have been worrying that maybe I am doing harm to myself for being on Lexapro almost a year now. But I feel so much better emotionally that I never want to go back to where I was before. Your post really helped me to see that. Thanks. Mrs.C
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