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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by dr. justin on October 31, 2002, at 13:43:46
I'm new here, so if this has already been discussed in a previous thread, could you please point me that way? If not, I am interested in hearing from people who have been on Celexa and changed to Lexapro. What were your doses? What was it treating for you (i.e., anxiety, OCD, depression, any combination, etc.)? How is it different, i.e, does it work better? Less sides? New sides? I am about to make the switch myself, and I'd really like to know what to expect. Thank you!
Posted by BrittPark on November 1, 2002, at 12:04:54
In reply to Anyone transition from Celexa to Lexapro?, posted by dr. justin on October 31, 2002, at 13:43:46
Hi,
I'm sorry that I don't have any experience of either celexa or lexapro. I am curious however. Why are you switching? Is it because the celexa isn't working well enough, or that celexa's SEs are bothering you, or some other reason?Hope the switch goes well,
Britt
Posted by dr. justin on November 1, 2002, at 12:41:57
In reply to Re: Anyone transition from Celexa to Lexapro? » dr. justin, posted by BrittPark on November 1, 2002, at 12:04:54
> Hi,
> I'm sorry that I don't have any experience of either celexa or lexapro. I am curious however. Why are you switching? Is it because the celexa isn't working well enough, or that celexa's SEs are bothering you, or some other reason?
>
> Hope the switch goes well,
>
> BrittThanks Britt. As for why I'm supposed to switch, Here's my situation: A mixed bag anxiety/OCD/depression problem that has been treated well. But I'm developing a real problem leaving the house-- kind of a hermit complex. Business trips, too. So I’m supposed to make the switch to Lexapro. But besides some sexual SE, Celexa works well for me, just not well enough to stop my decent into "hermitism." I don't know if Lexapro will either; that's why I'm hoping to hear from others who have made the switch. There's an arguement going on in another section of the board as to whether Lexapro is a real improvement over Celexa. Although I trust science and its studies, I'd like to hear from real people who've been there, ya know?
Cheers,
Justin
Posted by MarathonMom on November 10, 2002, at 17:51:52
In reply to Anyone transition from Celexa to Lexapro?, posted by dr. justin on October 31, 2002, at 13:43:46
Justin,
Perhaps my experience will help you in your decision making process. I was on 20 mg of Celexa which worked quite well at lifting my depression, but I was bothered by delayed orgasm. My Dr. felt that Lexapro may be the solution to this problem.
I switched from 20 mg of Celexa to 10 mg of Lexapro and within a few days I started to feel awful. Headaches, depression creeping back in, and inability to concentrate. I actually started to experience hermetism for the first time on Lexapro. I took Lex for about 3 weeks, and then switched back to Celexa. I have to admit I feel like my old self again--bubbly, cheerful, optimistic. I am actually enjoying my husband and children, and am able to cope with the pressures of a high-stress job. I am an executive in the male-dominated financial services field and have actually scared myself with how ballsy I've been at times this past week. I've got the boys club blushing, and mad as hell that I've one-upped them. Celexa has made this possible.
For me, Lexapro was not all it was cracked up to be, but each individual is different. If I were you, I would closely examine the reasons why you are contemplating a switch. What are you trying to accomplish? Would adding another med work for you? At this point, Drs. are prescribing based on info from Forest Labs rather than actual patient data and feedback. Someone else on this board coined the term designer drug.
As for sexual side effects, virtually all of us suffer from them. I see my dr. next week to explore the possibility of adding another med to combat this. Hope this has helped and Good Luck!!!
Posted by dr. justin on November 10, 2002, at 22:24:40
In reply to Re: Anyone transition from Celexa to Lexapro?, posted by MarathonMom on November 10, 2002, at 17:51:52
MarathonMom,
Thank you for taking the time to write such an informative message; I didn't end up being put on Lexapro, and now I'm glad. You've given me the most detailed account of what it's like to switch from Celexa to Lexapro; I really appreciate it!
>
> I am actually enjoying my husband and children, and am able to cope with the pressures of a high-stress job. I am an executive in the male-dominated financial services field and have actually scared myself with how ballsy I've been at times this past week. I've got the boys club blushing, and mad as hell that I've one-upped them. Celexa has made this possible.Good for you!!! I'm used to working in very progressive work environments (academia), and forgot the leaps made for women there don't extend beyond the ivory tower. And it's always so nice to hear a success story from someone who shares the same "problems." It reminds me that things can turn out all right.
Unfortunately, I have been placed on a radically different set of meds. The reason is Celexa wasn't working in my usual dose (20mg) and didn't get better at 40mg. I won't even go into the hell that 60mg was. And I've become super-tolerant to the Klonopin I've taken for anxiety. I mean SUPER-tolerant. To quell a panic attack, I once took 12mg of Klonopin. My physician said I should have stopped breathing. I didn't even fall asleep all night!!!
I've posted my anxiety about this unknown med combo under "HELP! Effexor XR, Wellbutrin SR, and Trazadone." Unfortunately, no one has answered my plea. If you know anything about these drugs, or know someone on the board that does, could you please let them know I need help? The anxiety alone over the change is keeping me awake at night. Thank you.
justin
Posted by MarathonMom on November 11, 2002, at 5:00:27
In reply to Re: Anyone transition from Celexa to Lexapro? » MarathonMom, posted by dr. justin on November 10, 2002, at 22:24:40
justin,
I am truly sorry that you are experiencing such a difficult time right now. My advice is to keep working with your Dr(s). to try to get your meds right. I know it's hard to think clearly and concentrate when your not sleeping well, so perhaps that should be an immediate concern you address with your physician. If you're not getting results, seek out another opinion. I've learned there is a vast disparity in the quality of services provided by Psych Drs.
I can't imagine the hell you face because you don't respond well to your meds. 60mg of Celexa must have been awful. Hang in there. Focus. Believe you will get better. That's half the battle right there.
And don't think that life should be "perfect." I still have difficult days, but they are more manageable now. Take care and keep us posted!
This is the end of the thread.
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