![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Wildman on December 23, 2003, at 11:47:04
I'm new to this forum, but have been following the discussions regarding Lexapro.
I went to see a pdoc about a month ago for anxiety and mild depression that I have been experiencing for 10+ years. Originally, the pdoc and I worked on my sleep, as it was clear that I wasn't getting enough. Tried some Seroquel for a few days, which helped a little bit, but I didn't like the side effects. Moved on to Doxepin, which made me have the worst food cravings.
Finally, we talked about SSRIs and he gave me a sample of Lex. I was very nervous about trying this sort of thing, but was in such bad shape that I just went ahead and started on it.
I started with a 5mg dose for the first two days (a weekend) and then moved up to 10mg/day. The first two days were uneventful, but when I moved to 10mg that first day (meds taken at 7AM each day), I was very uncomfortable after about 5 hours. Felt like a panic attack, but 1mg of Ativan helped a great deal. Next day, same thing.
The third day of 10mg I started to figure out the pattern to my response to Lex. I take the med a 7AM each day and after about 5 hours, I am very stimulated ("peaking", in psychedelic terms).
At first this was somewhat unpleasant, but after a week, I don't seem to have the roller coaster effect anymore, I guess my blood levels of the drug have stabilized.
I must say that so far my experience has been great, although I am experiencing the ejac. delay issue, (which my wife enjoys).
I feel like a new man. My old stressed out and extrememly irritable self is a thing of the past, and I haven't felt the need to reach for the Ativan for many days now. In fact, my desire to drink beer or smoke pot is also greatly reduced (I was self medicating for 20 years with that stuff).
My wife notices a great change in me and tells me that I am much more like the man she met 18 years ago, which is helping our relationship a great deal.
Gone are the leg aches that I would get from workplace stress, gone is the irritability, gone is the constant "running on adrenaline" feeling, gone are the nights with lousy sleep, etc.
In short, this drug has exceeded my expectations, and I am very pleased to have gotten relief from my symptoms.
Wildman
Posted by VitalSign on December 23, 2003, at 12:42:39
In reply to Lexapro: One week and what a difference!, posted by Wildman on December 23, 2003, at 11:47:04
Well that is encouraging. Today is my first day on it and I feel very "stimulated". A few hours ago I wanted to jump out of my skin. I have felt kinda "hot" too. Like hot flashes. My thoughts are rather calm and I don't feel anxious. It's hard to describe.
I haven't taken my nap today though. I own my own business which allows me to nap for 2 hours a day ;). This was a daily thing on Luvox.
I am confused whether to stop the Luvox altogether and give Lexapro a chance or try to get off medication altogether.
Posted by KathrynLex on December 23, 2003, at 13:55:20
In reply to Re: Lexapro: One week and what a difference!, posted by VitalSign on December 23, 2003, at 12:42:39
It's great to hear that someone is feeling so well after only a week! I've been on it for 4 days now and am feeling slightly better. Anxiety and depression feel as though they've lessened somewhat.
I'm also getting hot flashes, although not as many as I had the first night. (Last night I only had one!) And by the second night, that feeling of wanting to jump out of my skin had diminished quite a bit. It took about 3 nights for me to get used to all the side effects, but I've found that they have a pattern (i.e. restlessness 2 hrs after taking it goes away by the 3rd hr etc...) Best of luck.
Posted by VitalSign on December 23, 2003, at 14:32:05
In reply to Re: Lexapro: One week and what a difference!, posted by KathrynLex on December 23, 2003, at 13:55:20
> I'm also getting hot flashes, although not as many as I had the first night. (Last night I only had one!) And by the second night, that feeling of wanting to jump out of my skin had diminished quite a bit. It took about 3 nights for me to get used to all the side effects, but I've found that they have a pattern (i.e. restlessness 2 hrs after taking it goes away by the 3rd hr etc...) Best of luck.<
Seems to be a pattern in many people taking this drug. I think I'll stick it out. I have heard many good things about this drug, though the side effect free claim seems to be untrue.
Here after 8 hours of taking it I feel excellent mentally. Though that may just be a placebo effect.
Posted by Mariposa on December 23, 2003, at 14:45:31
In reply to Re: Lexapro: One week and what a difference!, posted by VitalSign on December 23, 2003, at 14:32:05
Hey guys! Lex user here since Feb, and have to say it has been GREAT for me. First 8 weeks can be rough, but once you get past the 8wk things deffinitely improve. Warning - things can get worse before they get better.
Hang in there!~~~8|8
Posted by Bill LL on December 23, 2003, at 15:28:33
In reply to Lexapro: One week and what a difference!, posted by Wildman on December 23, 2003, at 11:47:04
I have also been very happy on it. I started on it over a year a go on 20mg. I now take 30. If it starts to wear off on you in the future, don't hesitate to increase the dose. Increasing the dose did not increase side effects for me.
Posted by Wildman on December 24, 2003, at 10:26:18
In reply to Re: Lexapro: One week and what a difference!, posted by VitalSign on December 23, 2003, at 12:42:39
> Well that is encouraging. Today is my first day on it and I feel very "stimulated". A few hours ago I wanted to jump out of my skin. I have felt kinda "hot" too. Like hot flashes. My thoughts are rather calm and I don't feel anxious. It's hard to describe.
>
> I haven't taken my nap today though. I own my own business which allows me to nap for 2 hours a day ;). This was a daily thing on Luvox.Rereading my own post, I realize that I didn't describe the "stimulation" part very well. It was just as you describe, the "wanting to jump out of your skin". In fact I used those same words when describing it to my wife.
As for naps, the Lex has allowed me to be relaxed enough to think I could actually take a nap in the daytime. Usually I can only nap when I'm really sick with the flu or something.
Give the Lex a bit more time if you can, I'm on day #8 of the full dosage and feel pretty good.
Posted by VitalSign on December 24, 2003, at 10:53:46
In reply to Re: Lexapro: One week and what a difference!, posted by Wildman on December 24, 2003, at 10:26:18
I didn't take it this morning. By the end of the night last night I was out of control. I was hyper and acting "goofy". I didn't feel like myself at all. I hate that feeling. It feels like I'm in a dream and I have to keep reminding myself that I'm not.
I went through the same thing with all SSRIs I've taken. Even Luvox which I've been on for 6 years.
I'll probably stay on Luvox or look into getting off these drugs.
It's funny how LSD is so bad for you but I have had weirder "trips" on these drugs than I ever did on LSD.
Posted by KathrynLex on December 25, 2003, at 15:50:32
In reply to Re: Lexapro: One week and what a difference!, posted by Wildman on December 24, 2003, at 10:26:18
I'm on day 6 of 10 mg of lex and have to admit I'm a little discouraged not to be feeling better. My head has felt swimmy since I started taking it and the past week has gone by in a fog. All of these posts are so encouraging that I'm inspired to keep taking it, but I would like to feel better soon!
Posted by nicky847 on December 25, 2003, at 19:34:17
In reply to Re: Lexapro: One week and what a difference!, posted by KathrynLex on December 25, 2003, at 15:50:32
Kathryn...
Don't be discouraged time is on your side! 6 days is really not long enough to feel too many benefits..and you may even feel a little bit worse..ive been on lex 4 weeks and while i dont yet feel 100% i can say that it has made a difference...> I'm on day 6 of 10 mg of lex and have to admit I'm a little discouraged not to be feeling better. My head has felt swimmy since I started taking it and the past week has gone by in a fog. All of these posts are so encouraging that I'm inspired to keep taking it, but I would like to feel better soon!
Posted by KathrynLex on December 26, 2003, at 14:39:29
In reply to Re: Lexapro: One week and what a difference!, posted by nicky847 on December 25, 2003, at 19:34:17
Thanks for the support. I know these things take some time.
Posted by Neatfreak on December 27, 2003, at 7:04:04
In reply to Re: Lexapro: One week and what a difference!, posted by KathrynLex on December 25, 2003, at 15:50:32
I am on day 16 of Lexapro 10mg with no indefinable results. Absolutely no side effects. Possible slight increase in my sleep
Posted by KathrynLex on December 29, 2003, at 16:37:06
In reply to Re: Lexapro: One week and what a difference!, posted by Neatfreak on December 27, 2003, at 7:04:04
It's interesting that you have had NO side effects. I guess it just goes to show you that these drugs effect everyone differently. When you say that you've had "indefinable results" do you mean that you haven't noticed anything positive?
I wish I could say that my sleep has increased too, but I'm sleeping a LOT less. Lex has caused a bit of insomnia for me.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.