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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by johnny b good on October 6, 2003, at 23:09:24
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
Howdy all from Texas. It is finally cooling down here as fall approaches. It's day 45 on Lex and have been upped by doc to 20mg's for a week and a half. Haven't made it out of the woods yet but am doing better in the depression dept. but anxiety is hanging on. I have been using my coping skills and reading the posts here to hang in there til the Cavalry arrives. I never had any place to run in the past when anx/dep came calling but now I just turn on the computer and look you guys up. It works as good as anything else when the heat is really on. I feel like I need to give back so here I am. I get tickled sometimes reading these posts like the ones on "Flatulance". Well I agree with that one cause I have had a touch of windiness my self in the beginning. I am willing to go for 10 or more weeks to see if the Lex is going to help. I have my fingers crossed and will hope for the best. I have learned many coping skills in Alcoholics Anonymous as I am in recovery for 10+ years and had to learn to deal with life on lifes terms with out that old crutch to lean on. My A/A experience has served me well in life and this is just another bump in life that I've had to slow down for. Well enough of my philosophy and just wanted to check in with you guys and say keep up the good posts as some of us depend on them. See ya'll down the road.
Posted by galkeepinon on October 7, 2003, at 1:23:47
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro?, posted by johnny b good on October 6, 2003, at 23:09:24
Hey there, First~GOOD FOR YOU!!! 10+ years is a while bud and a lot of work. That is awesome!!!
Bob's board is great!!! There are a lot of helpful and considerate people here who really care and often post with a lot of experience. I hope you get what you came for:-)~~By the way, did you add it to your favorites?;)
I've been on Lexapro for 10 weeks, on Thursday, still on 10mg.
I was hesitant at first to start Lexapro, because I had never tried it. From my experience, it has really worked well for me.
I'm glad you'll be willing to go for 10 or more weeks to see if the Lex is going to help you, you may be pleasantly surprised. And you're one step ahead of the *beast* (the depression I call it) by having those coping skills behind you too.
The 'Substance Abuse Board' has a lot of great posts too, you may want to check it out if you haven't done so already.
'Bumps' are a fact of life I guess, I sure run into some, but am learning to deal with them better.
I will cross my fingers for you too, so glad you posted.
Please keep us updated on how you're doing, we are here for ya!
Take care,
Kristen
> Howdy all from Texas. It is finally cooling down here as fall approaches. It's day 45 on Lex and have been upped by doc to 20mg's for a week and a half. Haven't made it out of the woods yet but am doing better in the depression dept. but anxiety is hanging on. I have been using my coping skills and reading the posts here to hang in there til the Cavalry arrives. I never had any place to run in the past when anx/dep came calling but now I just turn on the computer and look you guys up. It works as good as anything else when the heat is really on. I feel like I need to give back so here I am. I get tickled sometimes reading these posts like the ones on "Flatulance". Well I agree with that one cause I have had a touch of windiness my self in the beginning. I am willing to go for 10 or more weeks to see if the Lex is going to help. I have my fingers crossed and will hope for the best. I have learned many coping skills in Alcoholics Anonymous as I am in recovery for 10+ years and had to learn to deal with life on lifes terms with out that old crutch to lean on. My A/A experience has served me well in life and this is just another bump in life that I've had to slow down for. Well enough of my philosophy and just wanted to check in with you guys and say keep up the good posts as some of us depend on them. See ya'll down the road.
Posted by galkeepinon on October 7, 2003, at 1:34:01
In reply to Re: Lexapro and Nausea, posted by dannielle on October 6, 2003, at 22:51:39
Hi, I'm hoping that the nausea will pass for you. I got slight nausea during my first week or two, but I also got that the first week when I was taking Effexor. It passed for me and I hope it passes for you too!
When I start a new med, I always thought that *symptoms* I was feeling such as nausea, jitteryness, etc., was definately caused by the med, it could be and it may not be. I hope you give it a chance, Lexapro has worked very well for me, but I'm sure you already know that we are all so different when it comes to how we react to medications.
Can you call your prescribing doctor? He/she may have some suggestions for you too, as well as others who post here that are on Lexapro. I know I took TIGAN when I got the nausea and it helped.
Hang in there, and let us know how it goes, I really hope you give it a chance, the new med Lexapro is working for a lot of people here as well as people I know in my life.
Best,
Kristen
> just began taking Lexapro for Panic Disorder, and it makes me extremely nauseated and seemed more panicky after a week of taking it. Not sure if I was just nauseated and that made me THINK it was the drug, thus, causing panic, or the drug itself... HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Peter on October 7, 2003, at 7:10:32
In reply to re: Checking in ... » Peter , posted by lil' jimi on October 6, 2003, at 22:22:12
> hi Peter,
>
> i'm thinking that we have a confusion here that we should clear up for you ...
>
> you write:
> > He said that if my mood is not recognizably improved, we would take the next step of increasing the lex dose. However, I'm concerned about doing this. The lexapro prescribing info that describes the outcomes of the various placebo-controlled trials state that those groups who took 20mg lexapro experienced DOUBLE the SE's than the placebo and 10mg lex groups; it also states that there was no real evidence that the 20mg group experienced more therapeutic effects than did the 10mg group. But, on the other hand, I've heard from many posters that they increased from 10mg and experienced a profound increase in therapeutic effects. But if the stats are correct, do I really want to, by increasing the dose, risk double the side-effects (the ones I just recently got over were bad enough in and of themselves) with a chance of not experiencing any increase in therapeutic effects? I'm confused as to what to do. >
>
> ... now i respect that you do have several irons in the fire about your options here ...
> ... i am addressing only one of your considerations ...
> ... but i feel this is a case of comparing apples to oranges ...
>
> the study's statistics comparing 10 mg's to 20 mg's side-effects have to be comparing groups who start out at 10mg versus 20mg respectively ...
>
> i see this as too far a reach to be compared to a single user going from 10mg to 20mg ...
> ... because this amounts to comparing the SEs of someone going from zero to 20mg ...
> ... to the SEs of someone going from 10mg to 20mg ...
> >>AGH! I completely misinterpreted that info! You're right. Thank you so much for clearing that up for me. I'm much less skeptical and confused about increasing the dose now. Funny, but today I woke up actually feeling ok! For weeks I've been waking up every day feeling exhausted and heavy and moody, like I don't want to face the day. But today was different - my mood seems a bit improved. Cool! Maybe lex is finally working! Maybe increasing the dose will really kick it in more quickly. I'll see what my pdoc thinks I should do. But thanks again for clearing that up, Jim.
>Best,
Peter
Posted by vandy on October 7, 2003, at 11:34:55
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? » johnny b good, posted by galkeepinon on October 7, 2003, at 1:23:47
Geez!
I was always thankful for this board before but now I'm truly grateful. Flatulance can no be blamed on Lexapro instead of admitting I'm just an old fart.
> Hey there, First~GOOD FOR YOU!!! 10+ years is a while bud and a lot of work. That is awesome!!!
> Bob's board is great!!! There are a lot of helpful and considerate people here who really care and often post with a lot of experience. I hope you get what you came for:-)~~By the way, did you add it to your favorites?;)
> I've been on Lexapro for 10 weeks, on Thursday, still on 10mg.
> I was hesitant at first to start Lexapro, because I had never tried it. From my experience, it has really worked well for me.
> I'm glad you'll be willing to go for 10 or more weeks to see if the Lex is going to help you, you may be pleasantly surprised. And you're one step ahead of the *beast* (the depression I call it) by having those coping skills behind you too.
> The 'Substance Abuse Board' has a lot of great posts too, you may want to check it out if you haven't done so already.
> 'Bumps' are a fact of life I guess, I sure run into some, but am learning to deal with them better.
> I will cross my fingers for you too, so glad you posted.
> Please keep us updated on how you're doing, we are here for ya!
> Take care,
> Kristen
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > Howdy all from Texas. It is finally cooling down here as fall approaches. It's day 45 on Lex and have been upped by doc to 20mg's for a week and a half. Haven't made it out of the woods yet but am doing better in the depression dept. but anxiety is hanging on. I have been using my coping skills and reading the posts here to hang in there til the Cavalry arrives. I never had any place to run in the past when anx/dep came calling but now I just turn on the computer and look you guys up. It works as good as anything else when the heat is really on. I feel like I need to give back so here I am. I get tickled sometimes reading these posts like the ones on "Flatulance". Well I agree with that one cause I have had a touch of windiness my self in the beginning. I am willing to go for 10 or more weeks to see if the Lex is going to help. I have my fingers crossed and will hope for the best. I have learned many coping skills in Alcoholics Anonymous as I am in recovery for 10+ years and had to learn to deal with life on lifes terms with out that old crutch to lean on. My A/A experience has served me well in life and this is just another bump in life that I've had to slow down for. Well enough of my philosophy and just wanted to check in with you guys and say keep up the good posts as some of us depend on them. See ya'll down the road.
>
>
Posted by Gza on October 7, 2003, at 11:52:59
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro?, posted by vandy on October 7, 2003, at 11:34:55
New to lex. I took three on the first day to get it running fast, bad bad bad bad mistake. I was in hell for three days non stop, heart felt like it was going to explode, impossible to sleep for more than 1-2 hours a night for those three days. I stopped it for 4 days to let it wear off and catch up on sleep! Started ONE again today - will keep posted.
Posted by mph-speedy on October 7, 2003, at 12:07:36
In reply to Re: New to meds/compulsive skin picker, posted by ELENI4 on October 4, 2003, at 0:59:27
I'm reading this stuff on skin-picking with interest - have picked fingertips and bit nails all my life, and just thought it was dry cuticles and a bad habit. Another disorder? Anyway, if it is, the lex hasn't improved it by a noticable amount.
speedy
Posted by madwand on October 7, 2003, at 13:26:44
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro?, posted by johnny b good on October 6, 2003, at 23:09:24
Johnny,
Welcome! We are at similar stages, both in Lexapro and recovery. I just celebrated 11 years in August and was at 10mg Lexapro for 4 weeks, then 15mg for 2 weeks, and now to 20mg.
Have you explored the Substance Abuse sub-board yet? It appears that quite a few of us have made the medication "jump" a ways down the road in sobriety. I had a sense early on that it would be a good step, but got warded off by some of the traditional 12-Step resistance to medications.
And yes, the spiritual coping skills do help. To be honest, one reason I avoided medication for so long was that I did reasonably well with the coping skills and didn't want people to look at that and say, "oh, it was just the medication". Talk about ego!
What I have concluded is that the coping skills teach us how to walk up the mountain. The medications simply help eliminate the refrigerator (or at least make it lighter) that some of us have to carry up the mountain. And of course (not that I would encourage anyone to "wait" for this reason) carrying that refrigerator around for a few years does build some spiritual muscles.
And this is definitely a good place for medication support. I never would have believed how many different reactions people can have to different things.
Keep Coming Back!Michael
Posted by galkeepinon on October 7, 2003, at 14:54:48
In reply to Too much lex at once!, posted by Gza on October 7, 2003, at 11:52:59
Welcome!
Wow~3 on the first day, I can understand though, you want something to ease the pain.
I'm glad you're ok, and hope you give Lex a chance, it has doen wonders for a lot of people here.
Yes, keep posting:-)
Kristen> New to lex. I took three on the first day to get it running fast, bad bad bad bad mistake. I was in hell for three days non stop, heart felt like it was going to explode, impossible to sleep for more than 1-2 hours a night for those three days. I stopped it for 4 days to let it wear off and catch up on sleep! Started ONE again today - will keep posted.
Posted by madwand on October 7, 2003, at 15:44:08
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
BTW, if anyone who has not shown up recently has wondered why this ancient (over a year old!) thread still survives, it is because it is one of the first things to pop up when you search for "Lexapro" in Google.
That was actually how I first got here, but then I "forgot" that part and was scratching my head about this long-lived thread.
Anyway, we now return you to your previous discussion (my apologies to those folks who don't get stuck on funny little things like this <g>).Michael
Posted by Diva Blue on October 7, 2003, at 16:53:38
In reply to Re: New to meds/compulsive skin picker, posted by mph-speedy on October 7, 2003, at 12:07:36
> I'm reading this stuff on skin-picking with interest - have picked fingertips and bit nails all my life, and just thought it was dry cuticles and a bad habit. Another disorder? Anyway, if it is, the lex hasn't improved it by a noticable amount.
>
> speedyhello...I personally think you are ok. The skin-picking I am referring to goes a lot deeper (no pun intended) than biting your nails or anything along that line. It is much more of a compulsion.
so, rest assured...no extra disorders for you! good thing, huh??
we need as FEW as we can get!!by the way....update guys....you know I am all worried about the appetite thing....at weight watchers, last week I lost 1.4 lbs and this week .4. !!! making me a little happier...or maybe its the lexapro!! :)
Posted by scarlett on October 7, 2003, at 17:37:19
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? » johnny b good, posted by madwand on October 7, 2003, at 13:26:44
Has anyone switched from zoloft to lexapro? I ganed 30+ lbs. on zoloft. i want to get off it. Was taking 200mg and now weaned down to 100.
Posted by cmonfo on October 7, 2003, at 17:53:50
In reply to Too much lex at once!, posted by Gza on October 7, 2003, at 11:52:59
i took only 1 pill of lex and started getting really wierd and jittery.. then i smoked pot... and then for about 3 days i experienced what you are refering to.. though my doc didn't believe me (despite my own mothers input.. she was scared poopless and said i looked like i was on acid).. he even laughed at me.. ofcourse this is due to his ignorance on the subject and i just kinda shook it off... after a fucked up arguement and alot of emotional stress... but whatever.. i'm taking wellbutrin now and am going to get on depakote.
Posted by vandy on October 7, 2003, at 17:57:13
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? (aside) » Dr. Bob, posted by madwand on October 7, 2003, at 15:44:08
I'm with you Michael. And I'm glad this thread exists for over a year. I can only imagine how many it's helped, me included. And I found it through Google. Funny thing: I wasn't yet taking it. My wife's doc prescribed it for her. My allergist suggested it to me when I confided in him about my depression. Then my PCP wrote up a script. Welllllll! That's a lota docs writing a lot of Lex and I'm a Financial Consultant/Money Manager so I started digging in this Lexapro thing to see if Forest Labs was worthy of investment dollars. Voila! Here I was in Dr. Bob's yard. I got my script filled and kept in touch until it kicked in. BTW, Forest Labs already priced in the release long ago and the stock is down about 10 points from where I started watching it.
> BTW, if anyone who has not shown up recently has wondered why this ancient (over a year old!) thread still survives, it is because it is one of the first things to pop up when you search for "Lexapro" in Google.
> That was actually how I first got here, but then I "forgot" that part and was scratching my head about this long-lived thread.
> Anyway, we now return you to your previous discussion (my apologies to those folks who don't get stuck on funny little things like this <g>).
>
> Michael
Posted by daisylady on October 7, 2003, at 20:56:16
In reply to Re: New to meds/compulsive skin picker, posted by mph-speedy on October 7, 2003, at 12:07:16
BlueDiva is right...it goes much deeper than biting your nails. My daughter spends 1 1/2 to 2 hours picking when she's supposed to be going to school or elsewhere. I'm sure you're OK!
Posted by daisylady on October 7, 2003, at 21:00:22
In reply to Re: Too much lex at once! » Gza, posted by galkeepinon on October 7, 2003, at 14:54:48
Is it better to take 10mg in the morning and 10mg at night or 20mg at once? Any input would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Posted by lil' jimi on October 7, 2003, at 21:12:44
In reply to Re: Too much lex at once!, posted by cmonfo on October 7, 2003, at 17:53:50
hi cmonfo,
you wrote:
> after a f*cked up arguement and alot of emotional stress... >folks have some language rules here ...
this will be brought to your attention, by our Dr. Bob ...
his mission is that we not use vocabulary that could offend anyone ...i don't make the rules and i don't enforce them ...
... but he does... just thought i'd offer this friendly heads up here so you won't be spooked when you get his response ... it's a warning the first offense ... ... 2nd offense _will_ bring down a posting ban ...
... hey, just so you know ... okay ?
take care,
~ jimp.s. the asterisked versions (like above) are not prohibited
Posted by cmonfo on October 7, 2003, at 23:51:37
In reply to cmonfo, posted by lil' jimi on October 7, 2003, at 21:12:44
i'm really sorry about that.. i thought it would convert it to astertisk (pardon my spelling) automaticaly...
sorry again.
-cmonfo
Posted by lil' jimi on October 8, 2003, at 0:31:50
In reply to Re: cmonfo, posted by cmonfo on October 7, 2003, at 23:51:37
> i'm really sorry about that.. i thought it would convert it to astertisk (pardon my spelling) automaticaly...
>
> sorry again.
>
> -cmonfohey, really no harm to me ... ... although, Dr. Bob may take heart at your conscientiousness (who spells?) ..
... i just didn't want it to spook you out too much, if the big guy gives you the word ...... but i Do like your idea of automatic censoring ... you know that shouldn't be impossible to do ...
... very interesting ...... and i hope you're feeling better now, too
... sounded like you have had a rough time there ...remember to always drink LOTS of water ... neurochemistry depends on it ... and
take care !
~ jim
Posted by tm on October 8, 2003, at 5:19:34
In reply to Question for 20mg-er's, posted by daisylady on October 7, 2003, at 21:00:22
> Is it better to take 10mg in the morning and 10mg at night or 20mg at once? Any input would be appreciated.
>
> Thanks!I take 25 at night. Early on I tried morning and night and ended up with night, somewhere around 9 PM. Hope this helps.
Tim
Posted by Gza on October 8, 2003, at 8:34:54
In reply to Re: Too much lex at once!, posted by cmonfo on October 7, 2003, at 17:53:50
cmonfo, you said,
i'm taking wellbutrin now and am going to get on depakote.Is wellbutrin working better than lex?
Does anybody here have experience with both?
What's depakote?
Are your symptoms bought on by too much drug use? (don't take it personally, *I understand*)
Posted by almondjoy on October 8, 2003, at 9:42:44
In reply to Re: Lexapro and Nausea, posted by dannielle on October 6, 2003, at 22:51:39
Taking ginger root 2 or 3 times a day helped me w/ nausea from lexapro. you can get it about anywhere they sell supplements....drugstore, walmart, whatever
take care
Posted by mph-speedy on October 8, 2003, at 13:27:14
In reply to Re: Compulsive skin picker...MPH-Speedy, posted by daisylady on October 7, 2003, at 20:56:16
Whew! That's a relief! Thanks!
speedy
> BlueDiva is right...it goes much deeper than biting your nails. My daughter spends 1 1/2 to 2 hours picking when she's supposed to be going to school or elsewhere. I'm sure you're OK!
Posted by tm on October 8, 2003, at 14:31:41
In reply to wellbutrin vs lex (was: Too much lex at once!), posted by Gza on October 8, 2003, at 8:34:54
PDOC added Remeron today to be taken at night. I still have mild anxiety. In the last month I have noticed the depression sneaking in. I cuurently take 25 MG of Lex at night and I take .75mg of Xanax 4x a day. I am not familiar with Remeron, does anyone have any experience?
Thanks Tim
Posted by Arrianna on October 8, 2003, at 15:52:18
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
Hello fellow Lexapro users:
It's been awhile since I've posted ~ I've been busy with a new job and feeling "pooped" so I thought I better check in.
I'm not sure whether I'm experiencing Lexapro poop-out that other's have experienced, or just feeling "pooped" from my schedule change of my new job, or both.
I've been feeling "pooped" since I started my new job three weeks ago. My mind and body are adjusting to this new schedule change since I had the summer off and now I'm up at 7a.m. for work. During the past three weeks, I've been feeling more tired than usual, irritable, anxious, and not myself.
Could it be that the lexapro is losing it's effectiveness for me (been taking it now for 3 months)?? Is it time for a dose increase (been on 10mg for the whole 3months)?? It feels like it's not "working" like it used to, but then again it may just be that I need more time to adjust to work, etc.
I don't want to blame Lexapro for what I'm experiencing, and most likely it is just this new change, yet I could really use some outside input. I have alot of other things going on in my life right now as well: leaving my son's dad at the end of the month who I've been with for 5years.
Would it be a good idea to increase my dose to help me through this time, even if my "poop-out" isn't from lexapro losing it's effectiveness??
Any help or suggestions please.
Thanks,
Arrianna
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