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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Esmarelda on October 24, 2003, at 15:35:44
In reply to Re: What is anxiety?, posted by COOP on October 24, 2003, at 14:57:18
I have had heart palpitations, flutters and tachycardia from anxiety. I have had knots in my stomach and various other described kinds of weird feelings, but no absolute chest pain that I could solely attribute to anxiety.
Posted by dmwilmoth on October 24, 2003, at 15:35:51
In reply to Re: What is anxiety?, posted by COOP on October 24, 2003, at 14:57:18
My dad had a stroke in March, and the very next day I started getting soreness or achy in my chest, right under my breast bone. It would NOT go away!! I thought I was having a heart attack or something. I went to a cardiologist and did stress-test, etc and found everything to be fine. But with my anxious personality, I worried about it constantly. That was one reason I went on Lexapro -- my fear of having all sorts of diseases. I was convinced I had a number of things, including Lou Gehrig's, cancer, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, etc.
Now that I've been on the Lexapro for the past 4 months, the chest pains have pretty much disappeared. I have noticed that I sleep a lot harder now (I don't wake up ONCE during the night and sometimes don't even hear the alarm).
> I started the meds 10 days ago. After being treated for cancer for over a year I started getting chest pains, thinking that I was having a heart attack. I was tested and found to be ok
> But I am still afread of every pain and it got out of hand where I am afread to go to far from home or my doctors. I was on paxil that did not help, these meds seem to help with many side effects. Did anyone else have these trouble chest pains.
> Thanks
Posted by LynneDa on October 24, 2003, at 15:36:05
In reply to Re: Lexapro and alcohol » dmwilmoth, posted by Esmarelda on October 24, 2003, at 15:31:27
> Keep in mind, alcohol is a depressant and acts on your brain's chemistry and body's metabolism in a way that can counteract what the medication is trying to do for you!
No side effects, just doesn't allow medicine to work properly.
Posted by dmwilmoth on October 24, 2003, at 16:03:22
In reply to Are these common side effects, posted by Brutyr on October 24, 2003, at 15:02:14
This is weird...the light-headedness, fainting sensation you have -- those were my symptoms that I had for almost a year that prompted me to get help. Since taking the Lexapro, I haven't had those feelings. I still feel anxious at times, but the main thing that bothered me was feeling like I was moving all the time even when I was standing still.
> I seem to be tired alot, have headaches, muscle aches (such as my chest, neck, shoulders and back) and sometimes along with the aches I have the sensation of light-headness or almost a sort of fainting sensation.
Posted by tm on October 24, 2003, at 16:08:26
In reply to Re: What is anxiety?, posted by COOP on October 24, 2003, at 14:57:18
My anxiety started with chest pains that I had been fighting for a few days. Finally I went to the emergency room and had a stress test and all is well. I had been fighting chest pains for 13 years and found that a dose of 1000mg of Ibuprophen would make it go away, it didn't work this time. Anyway I went in on a Saturday came home on Sunday and by Tuesday I was scared I was going to die. I finished the week at work and tried to work with my regular doctor. By Monday I was not able to go to work and had to be forced out of bed on Tuesday and I went to work. I was in a daze for a long time had nausea for 3 months. During this time I found my PDOC and got some Paxil that did not work. I am currently on 25mg of Lex, .75mg of Xanax 4x a day and just got on remeron. I finally feel normal again. The fright of dieing was gone after a few days when this whole mess started. I was fighting anxiety and slight depression after the fright went away. The remeron finally took care of the slight depression. This whole process started the first of March of this year. I know I've rambled but I hope it helps someway. If I can help in anyway just ask.
Take Care Tim
Posted by galkeepinon on October 24, 2003, at 16:24:58
In reply to Re: Lexapro for Anxiety? » nemo kitty, posted by sfmom on October 24, 2003, at 12:25:34
Hi there, when I first started Lexapro, I had the jitters and couldn't fall asleep either. My doc gave me an Rx for Cogentin, it helped, but more importantnly it DID pass.
To this day, my legs still 'jerk' as I'm falling asleep sometimes. This reflex also has something to do with a concept of the period of right when a person is falling into sleep. It may not be normal, but I experienced the same thing. I would talk to your prescribing MD too, if it helps ease your mind.
Hang in there and the best of luck to you on the Lexparo:-)
Hi all,
> I'm on my second day of Lexapro and Klonopin for depression, severe GAD and panic disorder. I'd been self-medicating with Xanax and wine for the last couple weeks until my health plan could get me in to see a dr. I'm also out on disability right now and sending my 2 year old daughter to daycare full time because I'm afraid to be home alone with her. Not afraid that I'll hurt her in any way, but that I either won't be able to protect her or will have a panic attack and pass out. So, I'm really, really hoping that the Lexapro does the job because I can only stay off work for a month and can't function at all right now. Any advice would be appriciated. Side effects so far have been pretty severe nausea and I couldn't fall asleep because I was jittery (even on the Klonopin) and my legs kept jerking. Is this normal??? --lj
Posted by tiredman on October 24, 2003, at 18:54:24
In reply to Re: Help! First day: Nausea and Lexapro » vandy, posted by LynneDa on October 21, 2003, at 10:24:41
I am on day three of Lexapro. I am very sensitive to meds and started at a 2.5 mg. dose. Was very jittery and anxious for the first two days. I felt a little less jittery today so I took another 2.5 mg. I'm jumpin out of my skin! I hate this stuff. I can't wait until 9:00 when I can take my lorazapam and go to bed.
I feel so terrible, my kids want me to play video games with them but I can't. My nerves are too raw (I'm a 45 year old father of 3). How long does this last?
My pdoc just gave me a prescription for perphenazine to ease the anxiety. I guess it's an antipsychotic but in a 4mg. dose it helps with anxiety. Have any of you tried it?
Posted by galkeepinon on October 24, 2003, at 20:01:21
In reply to Day three - still killing me, posted by tiredman on October 24, 2003, at 18:54:24
I'm so sorry to hear you're feeling so terrible!
Lexapro may take some time for you before you feel better and not so jittery.
Perphenazine(Trilafon) is a potent antipsychotic. Used alone, it helps to treat anxiety and agitation. Did you get the generic?
Hopefully it will reduce your anxiety. 4mg is a good dose, in my opinion.
Lexapro has helped many people here. Give the Lexapro some more time and I wish you all the best:-)
> I am on day three of Lexapro. I am very sensitive to meds and started at a 2.5 mg. dose. Was very jittery and anxious for the first two days. I felt a little less jittery today so I took another 2.5 mg. I'm jumpin out of my skin! I hate this stuff. I can't wait until 9:00 when I can take my lorazapam and go to bed.
>
> I feel so terrible, my kids want me to play video games with them but I can't. My nerves are too raw (I'm a 45 year old father of 3). How long does this last?
>
> My pdoc just gave me a prescription for perphenazine to ease the anxiety. I guess it's an antipsychotic but in a 4mg. dose it helps with anxiety. Have any of you tried it?
Posted by Ann2 on October 24, 2003, at 20:24:38
In reply to Re: Day three - still killing me » tiredman, posted by galkeepinon on October 24, 2003, at 20:01:21
I have been on Lexapro for threee weeks now and am still experiencing stomach problems. Ihave decided to cut the 10mg in half for a week.
Ann2
Posted by Mariposa on October 24, 2003, at 22:23:00
In reply to Re: What is anxiety?, posted by COOP on October 24, 2003, at 14:57:18
> I started the meds 10 days ago. After being treated for cancer for over a year I started getting chest pains, thinking that I was having a heart attack. I was tested and found to be ok
> But I am still afread of every pain and it got out of hand where I am afread to go to far from home or my doctors. I was on paxil that did not help, these meds seem to help with many side effects. Did anyone else have these trouble chest pains.
> ThanksI had chest pains that I think were brought on by job stress three years ago. They worried me so much I went for a physical and stress test...nothing wrong w/me. Stress can do terrible things to you!~~~8|8
Posted by Mariposa on October 24, 2003, at 22:30:46
In reply to Are these common side effects, posted by Brutyr on October 24, 2003, at 15:02:14
> Hi there. I have been taking Lexapro for 7 weeks now and will soon be going into my 8th week of this medication. I really never noticed alot of side effects til just over the last week. I seem to be tired alot, have headaches, muscle aches (such as my chest, neck, shoulders and back) and sometimes along with the aches I have the sensation of light-headness or almost a sort of fainting sensation. Is this normal? And if so how much longer can I look forward to these side effects? Thanks for any help with my questions!
Are you drinking enough water? Eating properly? I remember feeling tired, but if I got up and moved around, the tiredness would evaporate, almost like the head was tired but body was willing. SE's should be subsiding, try not to dwell on them and think positive thoughts!! I still feel that *faint/dizzy* thing occasionally but it's mild and fleeting.
Best of luck!~~~8|8
Posted by BLKVETTES on October 24, 2003, at 23:18:29
In reply to Re: What is anxiety? » COOP, posted by Mariposa on October 24, 2003, at 22:23:00
Hey, you guys are doing a great job answering these posts. Getting tired yet??? Havent seen lil jimi!!!!!!! Im doing fine!!!!! Spending more time at other boards. Nov. 1st will be one year to the day when my hell started. Gives me the creeps but I guess I will survive. YOU GALS and VANDY TAKE CARE!!!!!
WAYNE
Posted by galkeepinon on October 24, 2003, at 23:29:21
In reply to YOU WOMEN ARE DOING GREAT, posted by BLKVETTES on October 24, 2003, at 23:18:29
>>>>>>>Im doing fine!!!!!
SO HAPPY TO HEAR THAT!!!
>>>>>>>Spending more time at other boards. Nov. 1st will be one year to the day when my hell started.
Do something really good to yourself:-) Something postitive, loving, and peaceful~YOU deserve it!
>>>>>>>YOU GALS and VANDY TAKE CARE!!!!!
> WAYNE***You too WAYNE you're a good egg;-)!!!!!!!!
Posted by Corny on October 25, 2003, at 1:15:12
In reply to Re: Lexapro for Anxiety?, posted by sfmom on October 24, 2003, at 12:36:23
I thought I was the only one in the world that had this troat closing (hard to swallow) sensation from a drug. That was the problem I had with Strattera and never got past three days on the stuff.I have been slowly coming off Paxil and currently using 37.5 mg of Effexor ER a day to help. Anybody know how this compares to Paxil on a milligram to milligram basis. I would like to get back to a drug free state and have failed several times on just reducing the Paxil a little every day. I cut open a 75 mg Effexor ER to see if it could be taken in smaller doses and was surprised to see that that the capsule contained little snowball like things that will roll around. I have tried taking half of the contents this way and wonder if I am losing any of the effectiveness of the drug by doing so. I hope these other issues are not a problem to those reading this thread and would like some feedback.
Posted by vandy on October 25, 2003, at 9:10:55
In reply to YOU WOMEN ARE DOING GREAT, posted by BLKVETTES on October 24, 2003, at 23:18:29
Hey, Wayne! Thank you. You're the berries, the cat's meow and like that.
Posted by Mariposa on October 25, 2003, at 9:49:10
In reply to YOU WOMEN ARE DOING GREAT, posted by BLKVETTES on October 24, 2003, at 23:18:29
> Hey, you guys are doing a great job answering these posts. Getting tired yet??? Havent seen lil jimi!!!!!!! Im doing fine!!!!! Spending more time at other boards. Nov. 1st will be one year to the day when my hell started. Gives me the creeps but I guess I will survive. YOU GALS and VANDY TAKE CARE!!!!!
> WAYNEThanks for the pat on the back, it's always nice to be appreciated....just trying to give back as good as I got!!~~~8|8
Posted by carolee on October 25, 2003, at 16:36:34
In reply to Re: Are these common side effects, posted by dmwilmoth on October 24, 2003, at 16:03:22
iam starting week 3, and have been having the faint/dizzy feelings within an hour or so after taking lexapro. i also started with headaches, they are manageable, but uncomfortable. i don't seem to have that rush of anxiety/panic when thoughts come to mind.
Posted by GEEKUS on October 25, 2003, at 18:58:12
In reply to YOU WOMEN ARE DOING GREAT, posted by BLKVETTES on October 24, 2003, at 23:18:29
WHAT ABOUT SEXUAL SIDE EFFECTS WITH LEXAPRO? I'VE BEEN TAKING 20 MG FOR 6 WEEKS, AND MY SEXUAL DESIRE & PLEASURE SENSATIONS ARE TOO LOW. ITS AS THOUGHT MY PENIS SUFFERED A STROKE (NO PUN INTENDED)?
ANY THOUGHTS ON WHAT I CAN EXPECT FROM LEXAPRO? AND WHAT CAN I DO TO (IN TERMS OF MEDICATION)REGAIN MY NORMAL SEXUAL FEELING & DESIRE?
Posted by awatts on October 25, 2003, at 20:02:56
In reply to SEXUAL SIDE EFFEECTS, posted by GEEKUS on October 25, 2003, at 18:58:12
> WHAT ABOUT SEXUAL SIDE EFFECTS WITH LEXAPRO? I'VE BEEN TAKING 20 MG FOR 6 WEEKS, AND MY SEXUAL DESIRE & PLEASURE SENSATIONS ARE TOO LOW. ITS AS THOUGHT MY PENIS SUFFERED A STROKE (NO PUN INTENDED)?
>
> ANY THOUGHTS ON WHAT I CAN EXPECT FROM LEXAPRO? AND WHAT CAN I DO TO (IN TERMS OF MEDICATION)REGAIN MY NORMAL SEXUAL FEELING & DESIRE?
From my personal experience you can expect the sexual stuff to return only when you stop taking it. When I stopped Lexapro, it took only a few days to get it back. But Lexapro had not helped me at all, and the Effexor XR is wonderful.
Posted by lonewolf91$ on October 25, 2003, at 21:31:46
In reply to Re: SEXUAL SIDE EFFEECTS, posted by awatts on October 25, 2003, at 20:02:56
I've been on Lexapro 20mg since July. I still have the same sexual desires as before and have no problem achiving an erection. The problem is with ejaculation. I have to work very hard to reach the point of no return, it is also more intense then before. The other side effect giving me the most trouble is fatigue, but a short nap cures that. I have a few more but over all I am satisfied with the results, better mood, happier outlook in general, and a little less fighting with the wife, though I suppose there will never be a cure for that. LOL
Posted by sfmom on October 26, 2003, at 10:47:25
In reply to Re: Lexapro for anxiety/switching pm to am » ANXIETY ANN, posted by pharmrep on October 11, 2002, at 19:14:55
> > Does any one know how to adjust the dose of Lexapro if you take it at night and want to switch to mornings? ie.if you take 10mg at night do you again take 10mg the very next am to get on
> > a regular am schedule? or do you wait until the following morning?
>
> ** I would split the difference...take your last pm dose about mid-day, and your 1st am dose in late morning, then the next at whatever early am you had in mindI'm on day four of Lexapro and can't sleep even with Clonopin (sp?) although I'm exhausted during the day. Haven't had a panic attack yet on Lex but I'm so jittery I can barely type. Can't sleep because my legs and ankles jerk and hand shake. This is really a problem for me because I have to be up before 7 with my 2 year old. Has anyone found a time of day to take Lex that makes it easier to sleep at night. I've been taking 10mg after dinner to help with the nausea, not that it's really helping. Also, I'm totally out of it and can't concentrate. Is this the Lex, or just the depression I'm feeling now that the panic attacks are gone? Help please.
Posted by Mariposa on October 26, 2003, at 11:12:09
In reply to Re: Lexapro for anxiety/switching pm to am, posted by sfmom on October 26, 2003, at 10:47:25
> I'm on day four of Lexapro and can't sleep even with Clonopin (sp?) although I'm exhausted during the day. Haven't had a panic attack yet on Lex but I'm so jittery I can barely type. Can't sleep because my legs and ankles jerk and hand shake. This is really a problem for me because I have to be up before 7 with my 2 year old. Has anyone found a time of day to take Lex that makes it easier to sleep at night. I've been taking 10mg after dinner to help with the nausea, not that it's really helping. Also, I'm totally out of it and can't concentrate. Is this the Lex, or just the depression I'm feeling now that the panic attacks are gone? Help please.
>
>
I started off taking in the morning, had some of the same problems you mention, switched to afternoons, then to evenings, and now I'm back to mornings again. The first couple of weeks can be tough w/se's but they should go away, mine were mostly gone by end of 4th week. Had insomnia in the beginning, but now I fall asleep quickly and easily and sleep soundly through the night - THANK YOU Lex for THAT!!! I took OTC for sleep (Tylenol PM, Unisom, Ibuprofen, Acitomenifen).Trouble concentrating - I had that too but OK now. I think the time of day thing is something you have to play with, try different times to see what works for you. As I said before, I moved around a bunch but settled on mornings in the end.Good Luck to You!~~~8|8
Posted by carolee on October 26, 2003, at 15:38:14
In reply to Re: SEXUAL SIDE EFFEECTS, posted by lonewolf91$ on October 25, 2003, at 21:31:46
iam still finding that i cant seem to climax - yes i am still ready, but just cant get over the hill! i am having no trouble sleeping and take 10mg in the am...lorazepam when needed. iam still feeling anxious though, doens't seem to have affected my anxiety, maybe still new. it has only been 3 weeks.
Posted by Patient on October 26, 2003, at 17:33:11
In reply to Re: Lexapro w/ Wellbutrin , posted by Patient on October 11, 2003, at 18:24:22
> Hello,
>
> Many doctors will add or augment Wellbutrin to SSRI's. The added boost from the reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine from the Wellbutrin can be helpful if one isn't completely responding to an SSRI, or, as in your case, to counteract daytime somnolence, as well as some other side effects of SSRI's.
>
> I have, unofficially, Borderline Personality Disorder-can be difficult to treat, especially anger outbursts have been a problem for me, as well as still getting depressed while taking SSRI's. I've been taking Lexapro since February of this year. I started out with 5mg daily in morning, and 250mg of carbamazepine(Tegretol, mood stabiliser) for the first month, then increased Lexapro to 5mg twice a day. (I couldn't tolerate 10mg at once on most days-it made me a bit on the anxious side.) After a month of this combination I couldn't take the severe somnelence-I was a walking and napping zombie. So, stopped the carbamazepine, only taking it a week or two before my period starts, since this is when I'm most irritable. After a couple months I reduced down to 5mg daily Lexapro, mainly due to affordability. For me, 5mg daily is just as effective as the twice a day dosage. As of recent, I no longer take Tegretol as it seemed to make the daytime sleepiness even worse, especially 12 or so hours after taking it. I really didn't notice any improvement with it anyway, though was taking a low dose.
>
> Here is where I finally get to the part about my experience with Wellbutrin (I can be long-winded).
>
> A couple of years ago I had been prescribed Wellbutrin SR and took 150mg a day. It made me relaxed, but I was quick to snap at my husband-it was a strange combination-to be relaxed and easily irritated at the same time. I tried increasing to 300mg a day and couldn't handle the "snappiness". That was my month+ experience with Wellbutrin by itself.
>
> In the past couple of months I have been experiencing what I call, false hunger pangs. While eating I would feel hungry, but an uncomfortable hunger. Just recently I stopped drinking real coffee-my stomach said no more. I don't know if it is from the Lexapro, but someone else on this board said they experienced acid reflux after taking Celexa. I have some leftover Wellbutrin SR and for the past few days I've been taking 150mg once in morning, and 5mg Lexapro in mid-afternoon. Wow-what a difference! I thought the Lexapro was helping, but after a few days on the Wellbutrin I feel ten times better-more alert-able to fill out a crossword puzzle within a shorter period of time, do not feel lethargic or tired during the day (just as you mentioned). The best part is that I feel relaxed-a calm feeling-and an added surpise is that my stomach is no longer bothering me. I do know that Wellbutrin can supress the appetite. I no longer am aware of my stomach throughout the day-no more pangs. I've only been on this combination a few days, but I am happy with the results so far. I'm ashamed to admit that I usually drink a glass of homemade wine or beer in the evenings to help calm me, and this isn't good, especially if you are taking any medications. Since I've taken the Wellbutrin I no longer want a glass of wine to relax me in the evenings. I have Ativan (lorazepam) if I need it, but I try to avoid it as my doctor told me the benzos can disrupt sleep cycles-eveningtime was usually when I'd take Ativan-it's effects lasting well into the A.M. hours.
>
> You are on a low dosage of Wellbutrin-make sure you take it as early in the morning as possible. Sometimes the insomnia-effect goes away after you've been on Wellbutrin a while.
>
> I would suggest you ask your doctor about trazodone (Desyrel). It's an older antidepressant that today is more commonly prescribed in a low dose to counteract insomnia caused by stimulating antidepressants. In my opinion, it works better than Ambien (zalpidem)or Sonata (zaleplon), as these only last a few hours, whereas trazodone helps one sleep the night through. Months ago my doctor prescribed 50mg trazodone taken at bedtime-he said it doesn't disrupt sleep cycles. It worked great at helping me sleep, but would cause stuffy nose and dry mouth, enough to keep me awake for the first two hours after taking it. Eventually I found 12.5mg worked fine without side effects. For me, it usually starts to make me sleepy in about thirty minutes to an hour.
>
Escitalopram and Bupropion updateI saw the psychiatrist last week. I have been doing well, so he merely renewed my prescriptions. He had written me a renewed prescription for Wellbutrin SR 150mg tablets a few months ago, but I never got it filled, because I had some tablets remaining from 2001 prescription. We talked about how much better I am doing since I added the Wellbutrin to the 5mg Lexapro; feeling calmer during day and into evening, no more alcohol, and I'm not snapping from the Wellby. The only trouble was that I had to start taking a small dose of trazodone every night to help me sleep, since the Wellbutrin in combination with Lexapro was causing mild insomnia. He gave me some samples of 100mgs of Wellbutrin SR to see if this lower dose would be better. It was! Now I rarely, if ever, need to take 12.5mg of trazodone to help me sleep. Doctor also told me, according to the Wellbutrin drug literature, that due to Wellbutrin's affect on certain isoenzymes (CYP2B6), that it could cause an increase in certain other drugs, including SSRI's; one may have to reduce SSRI dosage when taking them with Wellbutrin. I'm already taking a low dose of Lexapro, so this isn't a problem for me. If anything, he said I could take the Wellbutrin every other day, because many of Wellbutrin's important metabolites-with actions not quite understood-last in the body for more than a day (hydroxybupropion, threohydrobupropion, and erythrohydrobupropion). I haven't tried every other day Wellby, yet. Right now I am taking the Wellby in the morning and Lex in afternoon.
Doctor also renewed carbamazepine (Tegretol), but this time he forgot to make it the extended-release form. I tried the regular 200mg form and within about an hour+ I had false-hunger pangs like I complained about. I thought this was caused by the Lexapro, or maybe from my vitamin/mineral supplement. I looked in my drug journal and sure enough, during those days I took carbamazepine, whether timed-release formula or regular, it caused those wrenching false-hunger pangs. That mystery is solved! I looked at the side effect profile for carbatr. and it states "stomach distress" or "gastic distress". I'm not going to take it any more. If I can do well on the Lexapro and Wellbutrin combination, than that is all I want to take-don't like to take any more drugs than I have to. I like this energy I now have-no more apathy-and no more need for a glass of wine to calm me down in the evenings for I already feel calm. I find it strange that a so-called stimulant can make one feel calm-now I understand why some doctors prescribe it for those that have anxiety, not just depression-in certain situations stimulants have a calming effect instead of setting off anxiety.
That's it really. Just an update.
Posted by platinumbride on October 27, 2003, at 9:12:15
In reply to SEXUAL SIDE EFFEECTS, posted by GEEKUS on October 25, 2003, at 18:58:12
I am not a doctor
(though I play one on TV ha ha h a)I have heard that wellbutrin can spice up the sex drive and that ssris and wellbutrin taken together can sometimes be of help.
But talk to your doc. If you are bipolar or something, I don't want to see that you have had a terrible episode from advice given by a novice who may have heard something from someone........
Diane
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