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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by mopey on January 10, 2004, at 9:21:47
Hi! Been following the side effects debate, and that led me to wonder when people take LEx.
I am always sensitive to meds and even 5mg of Lex was too much -- vomiting, grogginess, etc.
I'm on 2.5 mg and can feel a buzzing when it kicks in and also sleepiness, followed by overalertness.
If I take it at bedtime I wake up mentally alert a couple of hours later, and I'm too physically tired to read or get out of bed. Just lie there thinking....
If I take it in the morning, I have to work through the weird kicking-in sensation and sleepiness and then feel great!
When do other people take it? I have a feeling that 4 a.m. might be best for me, as I could then be asleep for most of the problem time. However who wants to set an alarm to wake and take meds???!
Posted by Marietta on January 10, 2004, at 17:25:51
In reply to When to take Lexapro, posted by mopey on January 10, 2004, at 9:21:47
I've been on 10mg Lex and am on Day 19 (never took any A/D before this). First couple of days took in am.....and had same reaction you did! Wide awake after an hour or two of sleep. Some recommended taking before bed.....then i was awake about 2am FOR GOOD...but still groggy. Now i take about noon and at bedtime, 10pm so so, i can take Tylenol PM or .25 mg of Zanax if having a hard time sleeping....and sometimes take NOTHING and can sleep 4 or 5 hours straight. They tell me that in time, i will be able to sleep 8 hours thru. I LIVE FOR THAT TIME> lol
good luck......you just have to try different times for your body and be aware of how it effects YOU. Make notes and then adjust accordingly to how YOU feel each hour after taking it. That's what i did. After 1.5 hours, i get a little buzs and after about 8 hrs i feel like i can sleep so that's why i take it around noon. I think we all react differently.
Hope you get some relief.
Posted by mopey on January 10, 2004, at 23:00:38
In reply to Re: When to take Lexapro, posted by Marietta on January 10, 2004, at 17:25:51
Hi! Thanks for sharing your experience with this.
Do you mean you split the 10mg between noon and 8?Also, are you feeling generally good on lexapro?
I find it's helping my mood and making me less anxious (except when I'm suddenly awake with it during the night!), and I'm more mellow without feeling doped.Hope you're feeling benefits.
Thanks again.
Posted by KathrynLex on January 10, 2004, at 23:28:57
In reply to Re: When to take Lexapro, posted by mopey on January 10, 2004, at 23:00:38
Hi Mopey,
I know exactly what you mean about waking up in the middle of the night feeling anxious. (I'm on 10 mg of Lexapro, day 22) This does go away after a few weeks.
I take mine at night, around 10:30 pm. At first, I found that I'd wake up around 1:00 am, again at 4:00 am, then at 6:00 am - it would take me an hour to fall asleep and the alarm would go off at 8:00 am with me feeling groggy. But just a couple of days ago I found that I was asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow and now I'm tired all the time. But I only wake up once or twice during the night.
You might try a sleeping pill, or try taking it at 4 am for a week and then start taking it in the morning. The insomnia WILL go away. Good luck!
K.
Posted by Marietta on January 11, 2004, at 11:00:33
In reply to Re: When to take Lexapro, posted by mopey on January 10, 2004, at 23:00:38
No, I personally do not split the dose. I have just started listening to my body more closely until i feel that around noon is the best time to take the full 10mg. I'm sure, as weeks go by, i may have to adjust the time i take it as my body adjusts to the full effects of the Lex. FYI, my first visit w/the pdoc on day 13 was good. She said that I seem in-tune with my what my body is telling me and to do what works for "me" as to when I take it.....
Posted by mopey on January 11, 2004, at 15:05:58
In reply to Re: When to take Lexapro, posted by Marietta on January 11, 2004, at 11:00:33
Comforting to know that other people understand.
I tried taking it this morning but the weird feeling after an hour or so is just too disconcerting. I think I might wait until dinner tomorrow and try taking it at 6 p.m. Then the weirdness and following hyper feeling should be mostly gone when I go to bed at about 11. This is my current theory at least!Glad to hear that the insomnia part will fade. Perhaps I can try taking it at bedtime again in a week or two.
Thanks!
Posted by Twuffy on January 11, 2004, at 19:54:59
In reply to Re: When to take Lexapro, posted by Marietta on January 11, 2004, at 11:00:33
I read in the literature that peak levels are achieved after 36 hours. So if you take it in the morning, on the second night you actually peak and then are awake? Seems like they need a time release version...There may be a way to alternate dosing to keep this level. I am way too depressed to figure this out right now though. I'll get back to you when I back to myself...:-}
This is the end of the thread.
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