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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by lucy00 on December 15, 2003, at 18:46:36
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro?, posted by Kim B. on December 15, 2003, at 14:43:26
> I have just started Lexapro today and have a weird drugged feeling on 5 mg. Is this normal? and how long should it last?
Yes, I had the same experience. I felt drugged out, like I was separated from the rest of the world. My voice even sounded different to me. I felt a bit dizzy as well. It went away in a few days (I think around 4 for me).
Posted by Erin1679 on December 15, 2003, at 19:21:40
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro?, posted by lucy00 on December 15, 2003, at 18:46:36
I just fainted last night and was unconscious for a few seconds. I have been on Lex for about 3 months. Could it have been from that? I cant get a doctor's appointment for TWO weeks! Ugh! This stresses me out even more!
Posted by BobYuma on December 16, 2003, at 7:58:19
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro?, posted by Kim B. on December 15, 2003, at 14:43:26
> I have just started Lexapro today and have a weird drugged feeling on 5 mg. Is this normal? and how long should it last?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Hi, Kim.
That feeling is a natural side affect with Lexapro from what I've read since I came to the message board.
I had the same feeling for a few days myself the first week I was on Lexapro. I'm five days into my second week now, and believe it or not, most of the side affects have completely gone away. I know that it takes some people up to four or five weeks to be rid of the SE's, but it looks like I won't take as long. I'm on 10 mgs a day, and I think it's working well enough that I won't have to increase the amount.
I can say all of this after I just went through an emergency heart catheterization with my Dad yesterday. They also found the problem and spent an hour and a half repairing an artery. I'm happy to say that I made it through the day just fine, without any feelings of panic at all, and my Dad is doing great right now. I figure yesterday was like a test for me, and if I made it through that, then I can make it through anything else.
My thanks to everyone for the support I've received here on the message board.
I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Healthy and Fruitful New Year.
Sincerely, BobYuma
Posted by LynneDa on December 16, 2003, at 9:22:51
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro?, posted by Erin1679 on December 15, 2003, at 19:21:40
Hi Erin - fainting doesn't sound good! Do you have a history of that? What did your doctor's office say, are they concerned? I'm surprised they didn't get you in right away! How's your blood pressure? Maybe if you feel badly again you should go to a walk-in clinic type of place. Good luck and take good care!
~ Lynne
Posted by SJ on December 16, 2003, at 10:10:28
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro?, posted by BobYuma on December 16, 2003, at 7:58:19
Have learned a lot from all of you. Thank you. My 10 year old is on day 12 of Lexapro (started at 5mg, on day 5 bumped to 10mg). The past few days she has complained on and off that's she feels light headed and her stomach hurts. The last three days I've noticed that she can't sit still. Do any of you have any advice for us? I have to say that it seems to have already helped with the anxiety part of it... she says she no longer gets a lump in her throat and she can stop worrying. Thanks for any help you can pass this way.
Posted by nicky847 on December 16, 2003, at 10:26:21
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro?, posted by SJ on December 16, 2003, at 10:10:28
In the 2nd week of taking Lexapro I think that alot of people experience the agitated feeling that your daughter is feeling. From what I have read and experienced myself that S/E subsides after a few more days..for me it was pretty bad for a couple of days last week. What helps me is whenever I feel like that I take 10 deep breaths, in slowly through the nose, and fully exhale thru the mouth, like imagining i am blowing on a hot slice of pizza trying to cool it off...I feel much more relaxed after that.
Posted by RRCarlo on December 16, 2003, at 11:49:20
In reply to Re: Lexapro side-effects, posted by Mariposa on December 13, 2003, at 19:15:25
It took about three weeks for Lexapro to make a difference for me but I'm feeling it now. I'm less anxious, calmer and feel better. Last Friday night, I caught myself singing out loud in public while doing my first real shopping of this Christmas season. It can make a difference, it just takes more than a week. Two weeks into my treatment, i would have said that the drug is doing bupkes. Now 3.5 weeks in, I'm glad I made the switch.
Posted by lil' jimi on December 16, 2003, at 15:24:34
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
greetings friends and other fellow lex users,
started out at 5mg in april ... been at 10mg since march ...
... ... things are pretty swell hokey dorey for me and lex ...i have been away a while ... ... sorry ... i miss my lex thread friends ... mariposa, does wayne still come around?
... my pals may connect with my yahoo adx ...
... yahoo calls me 'yellowdogjim' ...... (y'all know there are reasons we never write out an email adx here or anywhere online, right?) .....
take care!
~ jim
Posted by BobYuma on December 16, 2003, at 15:33:45
In reply to 10 milligrams of lexapro, posted by lil' jimi on December 16, 2003, at 15:24:34
> ... (y'all know there are reasons we never write out an email adx here or anywhere online, right?) .....>> take care!
>>>>>>
I guess I'm not sure why, Jim. But I'm sure there's a good reason.
Thanks, Bob
Posted by Mariposa on December 16, 2003, at 17:52:13
In reply to 10 milligrams of lexapro, posted by lil' jimi on December 16, 2003, at 15:24:34
> greetings friends and other fellow lex users,
>
> started out at 5mg in april ... been at 10mg since march ...
> ... ... things are pretty swell hokey dorey for me and lex ...
>
> i have been away a while ... ... sorry ... i miss my lex thread friends ... mariposa, does wayne still come around?
>
> ... my pals may connect with my yahoo adx ...
> ... yahoo calls me 'yellowdogjim' ...
>
> ... (y'all know there are reasons we never write out an email adx here or anywhere online, right?) .....
>
> take care!
> ~ jimStarted to wonder what happened, you haven't posted in a while. I saw a couple of posts from Wayne, a week or so back, so he still does come around. Have missed your great supportive and informative posts...DON'T BE A STRANGER!!!~~~8|8
Posted by lil' jimi on December 17, 2003, at 10:39:57
In reply to Re: 10 milligrams of lexapro, posted by BobYuma on December 16, 2003, at 15:33:45
hi bob,
automated agents ("bots") systemically process ("mine") web sites for anything like an email address ... ... then these get fed to the spammers ... ...
bots don't read english ... so if we are a little subtle we can convey an adx, but we are forced to be a little coy ... ... the bots are watching ....take care,
~ jim
Posted by LynneDa on December 17, 2003, at 10:46:45
In reply to Re: email addresses? ... just don't post 'em ... » BobYuma, posted by lil' jimi on December 17, 2003, at 10:39:57
Wow, I never thought of that - Thanks for the tip!
Happy Holidays to all posters! I've been on Lex for 2 months now and almost all of my symptoms of depression and anxiety have lifted. Many more good days than bad! No more side effects of any consequence - just a little sleepy, but not bad, even orgasms are starting to come more easily (no pun intended and sorry if that's a little personal, I know that is a concern to many though!). I take 10 mg in the a.m.'s.
Good luck to everyone and hang in there if you are struggling. It does get better!
~ Lynne
Posted by lil' jimi on December 17, 2003, at 10:51:05
In reply to Re: Missed you!! » lil' jimi, posted by Mariposa on December 16, 2003, at 17:52:13
sweet mariposa,
you wrote:
> Started to wonder what happened, you haven't posted in a while. I saw a couple of posts from Wayne, a week or so back, so he still does come around. Have missed your great supportive and informative posts...DON'T BE A STRANGER!!!~~~8|8
>... sorry i've been a stranger ... strange ... strain ... strained ...
i just got off my 2 week ban ... enforced strangeness ... ...
thanks for the wayne report ... i miss you guys too ... ... i hope you're doing okay ....
TAKE CARE! (as wayne would say ...)
~ jim
Posted by Kim B. on December 17, 2003, at 11:22:57
In reply to Re: email addresses? ... just don't post 'em ..., posted by LynneDa on December 17, 2003, at 10:46:45
I just started Lexapro 3 days ago, the side effects aren't too bad. 1 night I don't sleep the next I do, I can't figure that out. But, I have been experiencing muscle tension in my neck and back with my depression. Anything out there to help until the Lexapro kicks in?
Posted by ocdforyears on December 17, 2003, at 18:06:30
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
it took me a while to get registered, but here I am. I've had obsessions and anxiety as long as I can remember, and I'm near 40 now. Bad depressions ten or so years ago. Lots of therapy.
The therapy gradually has helped depression very much, though I still have some. But the obsessions...I didn't even know I had them for a long time. I thought I was crazy, or going to hurt myself, or some such rot. Fact is I hadhave OCD. My current obsession, which I don't want to really get into, relates to my wife and has put lots of strain on my marriage and really ruined my ability to enjoy a beautiful family.
I've been working with a therapist, again, for a year and a half, and it does help, though I want to do more of that cognitive stuff I read so much about in relation to my disorder.
Years ago I took every med before the ssri's came out, maoi's, tricyclics...nothing helped but xanax and that knocked me out so much I haven't had it in many years. Now, one week on lexapro.
Zoloft, which I tried first, was really tough to handle for me. I felt spacey and anxious and kind of surreal. I lasted one week. So far the lex, at only 5 mg (10 left me feeling very stimulated) has been much easier to handle. It makes me tired by wired at the same time, but not excessively so. I feel a little strange, probably from the stimulation, but not much. And I have to say, today, my seventh day on it, my depression really seems to be changing. Not the obsessions yet, but the depression feels different. I feel different. For someone depressed most of his life, that's encouraging. If it could help with my ocd...I'd be really amazed.
So far no other side effects. No sexual side effects that I've noticed; that worried me also (worry is big for me). Anyway, thanks for listening and I'll keep you posted (pun intended). Hopefully it will keep working, and actually touch my elusive ocd symptoms. OCD is a vicious, cruddy disease.
Posted by BobYuma on December 17, 2003, at 18:54:01
In reply to Just started Lexapro , posted by Kim B. on December 17, 2003, at 11:22:57
> I just started Lexapro 3 days ago, the side effects aren't too bad. 1 night I don't sleep the next I do, I can't figure that out. But, I have been experiencing muscle tension in my neck and back with my depression. Anything out there to help until the Lexapro kicks in?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Hi, Kim.
I'm very familiar with neck and shoulder tension as a side effect to depression.
I was so tense and stressed at one time with the depression that my blood pressure shot up. I'm in good health, good weight, and eat healthy, so my doctor said that it had to be coming from the stress and tension. I researched this type of high blood pressure on the Internet and discovered that a body massage [especially in the area of the neck and shoulders] had been reported as actually lowering blood pressure. So now I have my weekly massage without fail. My blood pressure was back to normal after two weeks, by the way. Hope this helps.
Take care of yourself.
BobYuma
Posted by Oldhand on December 18, 2003, at 1:10:22
In reply to 10 milligrams of lexapro, posted by lil' jimi on December 16, 2003, at 15:24:34
> greetings friends and other fellow lex users,
>
> started out at 5mg in april ... been at 10mg since march ...
> ... ... things are pretty swell hokey dorey for me and lex ...
>
> i have been away a while ... ... sorry ... i miss my lex thread friends ... mariposa, does wayne still come around?
>
> ... my pals may connect with my yahoo adx ...
> ... yahoo calls me 'yellowdogjim' ...
>
> ... (y'all know there are reasons we never write out an email adx here or anywhere online, right?) .....
>
> take care!
> ~ jimHey Jim,
I have heard but a little from BLKVETTES recently but Mariposa is here and I am lurking as usual. I missed ya guy, your always insightful and often humorous contributions.
I remain at 20mg Lex, added 150 then 300mg Wellbutrin XL. Began 500MCG of B-12 cause I heard someone here mention it helped.
Got to say this is the first Christmas in a long time I have felt "Christmasy".
Better living through chemistry.
Best of Holidays to all and Peace for all in the New Year.
Shelley
Posted by nicky847 on December 18, 2003, at 9:12:46
In reply to one week on lex, posted by ocdforyears on December 17, 2003, at 18:06:30
Lexapro is supposed to be very good for keeping obsessive thoughts in check...I hope that it works for you! "Tired and Wired" made me laugh about how it makes you feel after the first week or so..thats right on with how i felt...the wired will go away soon...tired might stick around a little longer but the peace of mind is well worth it..Good Luck!
Nick
> it took me a while to get registered, but here I am. I've had obsessions and anxiety as long as I can remember, and I'm near 40 now. Bad depressions ten or so years ago. Lots of therapy.
>
> The therapy gradually has helped depression very much, though I still have some. But the obsessions...I didn't even know I had them for a long time. I thought I was crazy, or going to hurt myself, or some such rot. Fact is I hadhave OCD. My current obsession, which I don't want to really get into, relates to my wife and has put lots of strain on my marriage and really ruined my ability to enjoy a beautiful family.
>
> I've been working with a therapist, again, for a year and a half, and it does help, though I want to do more of that cognitive stuff I read so much about in relation to my disorder.
>
> Years ago I took every med before the ssri's came out, maoi's, tricyclics...nothing helped but xanax and that knocked me out so much I haven't had it in many years. Now, one week on lexapro.
>
> Zoloft, which I tried first, was really tough to handle for me. I felt spacey and anxious and kind of surreal. I lasted one week. So far the lex, at only 5 mg (10 left me feeling very stimulated) has been much easier to handle. It makes me tired by wired at the same time, but not excessively so. I feel a little strange, probably from the stimulation, but not much. And I have to say, today, my seventh day on it, my depression really seems to be changing. Not the obsessions yet, but the depression feels different. I feel different. For someone depressed most of his life, that's encouraging. If it could help with my ocd...I'd be really amazed.
>
> So far no other side effects. No sexual side effects that I've noticed; that worried me also (worry is big for me). Anyway, thanks for listening and I'll keep you posted (pun intended). Hopefully it will keep working, and actually touch my elusive ocd symptoms. OCD is a vicious, cruddy disease.
>
>
Posted by lil' jimi on December 18, 2003, at 11:03:02
In reply to Re: 10 milligrams of lexapro » lil' jimi, posted by Oldhand on December 18, 2003, at 1:10:22
hi Shelley!
> Hey Jim,
> I have heard but a little from BLKVETTES recently but Mariposa is here and I am lurking as usual. I missed ya guy, your always insightful and often humorous contributions.
> I remain at 20mg Lex, added 150 then 300mg Wellbutrin XL. Began 500MCG of B-12 cause I heard someone here mention it helped.
> Got to say this is the first Christmas in a long time I have felt "Christmasy".
> Better living through chemistry.
> Best of Holidays to all and Peace for all in the New Year.
> Shelley
>... wonderful for me to hear you are doing well ... i cherish how long we have shared with each other here
... it makes me very happy that you are okay
... and it is good to know you are actively pursuing your recovery/good combo ...i have a suggestion ...
... have you tried the Omega 3 oils?
... these are essential fatty acids which benefit mental health ...
we need the DHA and the EPA in particular ... you can check into these here at PsychoBabble Alternative ...
there are posts there or ask Larry Hoover there ...
he IS the expert ...
i take a gram of EPA and DHA per day ...
fish oil supplements by themselves don't have enough EPA and DHA ... plain fish oil supplements will have too much viitamin A and you can get vitamin A toxicity before you get enouugh EPA and DHA ... so fish oil has to be refined and filtered to increase their potencydo take these with a meal ... preferably your meal with the most fat content ... they can upset your stomach ...
we get Omega3, 6 and 9 oils in our diets, but not enough Omega3 ...
i have read that Omega 3 oils make up 60% of the brain's weight ... some folks call them "brain juice" ... they are credited with not only protecting neurons health and helping to heal neurons, but with supporting the growth of new neuurons ...
... and i am still on 10 mg of lexapro
(that's my med talk for our med page here ...)there are a lot of other suggestions for supplements at Alternative ...
great to see you!
TAKE CARE!
~ jim
Posted by Dan W. on December 18, 2003, at 21:34:06
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
I am 60 days clean from alcohol and benzos. I have been taking Effexor XR 150 for 45 days and Lexapro 10 mg for the last 12 days while tapering off the Effexor. I have been experiencing difficult withdrawals from the Effexor (or maybe side effects from the Lexapro). Has anyone experienced difficulty during the transition? How long is the "hang in period"?
Thanks,
Dan
Posted by lexman on December 18, 2003, at 22:02:49
In reply to Re: lexapro isn't working! » royalscrewup, posted by Esmarelda on November 7, 2003, at 14:14:19
i have been on lexapro for about 4months.It has helped with anxiety only for me.I get extremely tried during the day and cant sleep at night.I am seeing my dr next week.I also get bad headaches.I am taking 10mg daily.Is there anything i can do about the side effects and the depression?
Posted by sfmom on December 18, 2003, at 22:55:43
In reply to Re: lexapro isn't working!, posted by lexman on December 18, 2003, at 22:02:49
Obviously, everyone reacts to drugs differently, but I had a similar experience with Lexapro. It helped with my anxiety, the weight loss was great, but it just didn't help my depression. I started on 10mg, then went to 20. Since it wasn't working for the depression, my pdoc put me on Paxil, and later added Wellbutrin. But I'm still depressed and tired all the time, although better than on Lex. I don't know what is finally going to work for me. Good luck finding something that works for you. A lot of people have had great experiences with Lex, I wish I could have been one of them. But after four months, I think you've given it a fair shot.
Posted by littlepanickyjessica on December 18, 2003, at 23:51:41
In reply to new user, posted by jennielaughs on December 5, 2003, at 9:37:00
hey guys...been reading this thread for some time now, it's pretty interesting, makes me feel scared and normal all at the same time. anyway, had first panic attack little over a month ago and have since suffered from nearly intolerable anxiety and recurrent, yet not as violent as the initial, panic attacks. tried many things such as changing diet, quit drinking, cognitive therapy, acupunture, massage, etc. took zoloft for one day and felt absolutely terrible...have taken half of one xanax to help get thru a panic attack. am generally not excited about getting on meds but have heard lots of good things lately about lexapro. wondering if anyone out there had bad reaction to zoloft and favorable reaction to lexapro...i know they are both SSRIs. also wondering if anyone has personally gotten through panic/anxiety without meds...just therapy only or whatever. this is not a fun experience but everyone keeps telling me that someday i will look back on it as a blessing. reactions, anyone? by the way, this anxiety stuff is all new to me...is it in any way typical to feel physically anxious all day even though you lead a relatively stress-free life? thanks, guys. i hope everyone feels better.
Posted by Oldhand on December 19, 2003, at 0:36:32
In reply to Oldhand, posted by lil' jimi on December 18, 2003, at 11:03:02
Posted by Oldhand on December 19, 2003, at 0:51:00
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? » Dr. Bob, posted by Dan W. on December 18, 2003, at 21:34:06
> I am 60 days clean from alcohol and benzos. I have been taking Effexor XR 150 for 45 days and Lexapro 10 mg for the last 12 days while tapering off the Effexor. I have been experiencing difficult withdrawals from the Effexor (or maybe side effects from the Lexapro). Has anyone experienced difficulty during the transition? How long is the "hang in period"?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Dan
Hi Dan,
Effexor was a terrible thing for me. Got up to 75mg and it raised my BP and other bad effects. I tried to stop without tapering (duh!). Sent me into serious anxiety and other horrible stuff. Doc got me through with some Ativan until I could get in to him at which time he changed me to Lexapro. I was not transitioning really I guess. But please give it a good shot as the Lexapro has truely made a difference in my life.
Best Wishes,
Shelley
PS-With the Lexapro I no longer felt like drinking alcohol, a good thing for me as I was self-medicating for years I think, which led to abuse. Hope it may benefit you in the same way.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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