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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by KathrynLex on March 31, 2004, at 18:00:53
In reply to Day # 10... advice please????, posted by bride2be on March 31, 2004, at 16:05:08
Hi bride2be,
When I first started on lex (at 10 mgs) it took until week 4 for my mood to even out and things still get a little bumpy around my period. At week 6 I increased to 15 mgs to get rid of the last little bit of anxiety I was having and now I feel great.
I hope your mood evens out soon!!! That emotional rollercoaster can be SO exhausting.
K.
Posted by bride2be on March 31, 2004, at 18:10:10
In reply to Re: Day # 10... advice please????, posted by KathrynLex on March 31, 2004, at 18:00:53
thanks lexy! YOU HAVE BEEN REALLY HELPFUL. I THINK I WILL STICK IT OUT UNTIL MY NEXT APT AND THEN SEE WHAT MY DOC THINKS. THANKS AGAIN!
Posted by mel_light on March 31, 2004, at 19:49:58
In reply to RE::: Hey Everyone, posted by bride2be on March 31, 2004, at 18:37:08
Has anybody had leg cramps and soreness as a side effect? The back of my thighs are so sore and my calves keep cramping???Just wondering if this is just a side effect. I think I'm fixating on it because I just went up about a week ago to 10mg of lex and now anxiety is starting again....big sigh...
Posted by bride2be on March 31, 2004, at 20:10:15
In reply to RE::: Hey Everyone/ leg cramps, posted by mel_light on March 31, 2004, at 19:50:42
Mel-i have not had leg cramps, although i have been on 10's for 10 days and i do get numbness in my feet sometimes. who knows why? if it persists i would contact your doctor. sorry you are not feeling well.
Posted by susielalala on March 31, 2004, at 20:15:07
In reply to Re: Day # 10... advice please????, posted by ednababish on March 31, 2004, at 16:12:20
It will get better. I am on day 29. I have gone thru hell and back. The first 2 weeks were the worst. I had the worse anxiety and nervousness. The depression is alot better but I still have anxiety and nervousness, but not as bad. I can deal with it better now. I think the lexapro is strting to kick in. At least I am hoping so. So hang in there it really does get better. Also I want everyone to know that I am praying for us all daily. I may not post alot but you are all on my mind and in my prayers. God bless you all. And Mystic hang in there friend you are gonna get better!!!!
Posted by Mrs. C on March 31, 2004, at 20:57:05
In reply to anyone been on 10's long?, posted by bride2be on March 31, 2004, at 17:56:24
Hi Bride,
I began taking 10mgs in October and just increased to 15 the beginning of March. So I guess it was about five months before I felt like I needed an increase. Hope that helps. Mrs. C
Posted by bride2be on March 31, 2004, at 20:59:54
In reply to Re: Day # 10... advice please????, posted by susielalala on March 31, 2004, at 20:15:07
thank you all for your answers and advice! i dont know what i would do without you. you guys that have been on 10's for a long time make me want to stick it out! i am not going to try and up it so soon. you guys are wonderful! much love, bride2be :)
Posted by jlynne on March 31, 2004, at 21:02:42
In reply to Re: Day # 10... advice please????, posted by bride2be on March 31, 2004, at 16:14:52
> i just feel discouraged and kinda like 10 is not enough. but what else can i do but wait it out! it really sucks! i am in such a bad mood!
Bride, I was at 10mg and started feeling my symptoms return full force after about 5 weeks. I didn't wait for my doc appt the following week - I called him and he okay'd an increase over the phone. I went up to 15mg and have been there for a couple weeks. The s/e's came back just like when I first started, but they have started to back off a little now. My doc is leaving it up to me to decide if/when I want to increase to 20mg. I take 1mg Lorazepam at night to help with the insomnia caused by the Lex.
Good luck:~)
...jlynne
Posted by jlynne on March 31, 2004, at 21:08:13
In reply to RE::: Hey Everyone/ leg cramps, posted by mel_light on March 31, 2004, at 19:49:58
> Has anybody had leg cramps and soreness as a side effect?
. . . come to think of it, I had a couple of really big foot cramps last week. I never really considered that it might be my meds . . .
I think I heard of someone else on another thread complaining of muscle soreness, though. Have you talked to your doc or pharmacist about it??
Good luck:~)
...jlynne
Posted by trucker on March 31, 2004, at 22:40:26
In reply to RE::: Hey Everyone/ leg cramps, posted by jlynne on March 31, 2004, at 21:08:13
legs achking, are you taking a vitimin A suppliment? i was told that it will make ya hurt like you never hurt before because it sucks the calcium out of your body esp. your bones. i was told no one should take a vitimin A suppliment. more detimental than helpful. my two cents...
trucker
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
> > Has anybody had leg cramps and soreness as a side effect?
>
> . . . come to think of it, I had a couple of really big foot cramps last week. I never really considered that it might be my meds . . .
>
> I think I heard of someone else on another thread complaining of muscle soreness, though. Have you talked to your doc or pharmacist about it??
>
> Good luck:~)
>
> ...jlynne
Posted by ednababish on April 1, 2004, at 8:45:34
In reply to Re: Day # 10... advice please???? » bride2be, posted by jlynne on March 31, 2004, at 21:02:42
Bride2be--Very few who post here have found 10mgs to be adequate--fifteen seems to be the lowest dosage which has positive effects. When I remarked about this to my pdoc, she wholeheartedly agreed. Lots of people who post here have discovered that an increase usually helps, even for those people who question how well the drug is working at lower dosages. Good luck--Edna
Posted by ednababish on April 1, 2004, at 8:49:45
In reply to RE::: Hey Everyone/ leg cramps, posted by mel_light on March 31, 2004, at 19:49:58
I have had stiffness in my feet and ankles early on each time I have taken a new AD--even if I have changed horses midstream, as it were. Might be the same variety of muscle tension that is factor in jaw-clenching and headaches in early treatment. EB
Posted by want info on April 1, 2004, at 9:20:39
In reply to Re: Day # 10... advice please????, posted by bride2be on March 31, 2004, at 17:11:25
hey bride. this was my experience. im 26 years old. i have been on meds for anxiety (no depression - that can be key in what med you take)since i was 18. i was on paxil for 8 years. i started feeling more anxious and my regular doc said to go up to 30. i had massive anxiety when i did that and went to a psychopharmacologist (i see a social worker for therapy but she cant prescribe medicine). she said id been on paxil for so long and shed like to start me on another med. my bro had had success on celexa and she thought id have success on lexapro, which is similar. i was on 10 mg for 5-6 weeks and realized i was still extremely anxious, even when i combined it with a little xanax. i increased to 15 but my doc thought the increase from 10-15 was negligible and that i should really go to 20. i fought that for awhile until i had a panic attack last week and decided to try it. it may be taking me longer to adjust to the lex than it might take someone else bc my brain was trained to paxil. i'm now in my 8th week total...first week of 20...and feel pretty good. hope this helps...EM
Posted by lisa swede on April 1, 2004, at 9:28:45
In reply to Re: Day # 10... advice please????, posted by ednababish on April 1, 2004, at 8:45:34
has anyone tried stopping lexapro and suffered from severe dizziness? i have been taking it for 6 months and am trying to stop it. i have had dizziness for about 2 weeks. what should i do?
Posted by nicky847 on April 1, 2004, at 11:00:07
In reply to stopping lexapro, posted by lisa swede on April 1, 2004, at 9:28:45
i weaned off of celexa last summer and did ok..no real withdrawal symptoms..if i were you i would discuss with my doctor a tapering schedule..stopping cold turkey often leads to withdrawal symptoms and is not the best way to go about getting off the med..
> has anyone tried stopping lexapro and suffered from severe dizziness? i have been taking it for 6 months and am trying to stop it. i have had dizziness for about 2 weeks. what should i do?
Posted by bride2be on April 1, 2004, at 14:21:40
In reply to Re: Day # 10... advice please???? » bride2be, posted by want info on April 1, 2004, at 9:20:39
i really appriciate everyones advice. i think i am going to call and see if i can up it to 20. i feel really anxious and not better at all at day 11. you guys are wonderful for taking the time to help me out. i will fill you in as soon as possible. thanks! ---bride2be
Posted by bride2be on April 1, 2004, at 14:42:11
In reply to Re: Day # 10... advice please????, posted by bride2be on April 1, 2004, at 14:21:40
well, i just got off the phone with my doc, she said to go ahead and up to 20 starting tomm. i am really excited about it. i hope side effects are not bad, wish me luck. i am going out of town for 2 days, but i will keep you guys posted on sunday when i get back. thanks for the support!
Posted by jlynne on April 1, 2004, at 15:01:37
In reply to up to 20!!!!!!!, posted by bride2be on April 1, 2004, at 14:42:11
Good luck, Bride!! I look forward to hearing how it goes:~)
((((Bride))))
...jlynne
Posted by KathrynLex on April 1, 2004, at 15:29:41
In reply to stopping lexapro, posted by lisa swede on April 1, 2004, at 9:28:45
Hi Lisa,
I think the only thing you can do is wait for it to pass. Did you stop taking it all at once? My pdoc told me that if you do that it can cause some withdrawl symptoms including dizziness. You could try taking a very small dose of Lexapro to see if it helps clear your head a little bit. Tapering off is the best way to stop taking Lexapro. Best of luck!
K.
Posted by KathrynLex on April 1, 2004, at 15:30:45
In reply to up to 20!!!!!!!, posted by bride2be on April 1, 2004, at 14:42:11
Hi Bride,
Have a wonderful vacation and good luck with the 20 mg increase. I hope it works out for you!
K.
Posted by bride2be on April 1, 2004, at 15:36:56
In reply to Re: up to 20!!!!!!! » bride2be, posted by jlynne on April 1, 2004, at 15:01:37
i will keep you guys posted! i hope everyone has a good weekend! i am noticing that you guys sound like you are doing pretty good these days. maybe soon i can feel that way too. love yall!
Posted by bride2be on April 1, 2004, at 15:38:42
In reply to Re: stopping lexapro, posted by KathrynLex on April 1, 2004, at 15:29:41
lisa, i also heard not to stop cold turkey b/c it can cause major side effects. maybe you should cut back slowly untill your body gets use to not having so much of it. just a thought.
Posted by sexylexy on April 1, 2004, at 15:57:28
In reply to Re: up to 20!!!!!!!, posted by bride2be on April 1, 2004, at 15:36:56
Hey Guys,
I am not doing so well today. I have had a great past month but things have not been going so well for the past few days. I have been getting really sad and cried last night. I have had a lump in my throat all day. I keep thinking oh no, what if it is coming back. I know that these are automatic thoughts that are brought on from feeling depressed but right now it is making me not be able to focus on the positives. Anyone felt like this and gotten better, any advice or support is VERY welcome.
God Bless,
Lexy
Posted by KathrynLex on April 1, 2004, at 16:37:35
In reply to oh no, posted by sexylexy on April 1, 2004, at 15:57:28
Hi Lexy,
It's entirely possible that you've just hit a rough couple of days. Unfortunately Lexapro can't eliminate bad days - it would be nice if it could do that though.
Maybe the increased stress of finishing grad school has started getting to you. I know that anytime I'm under stress at work my mood fluctuates more than it usually does.
Or, it could be your period. Is it due anytime soon?
I've noticed that since I added Wellbutrin to my Lexapro, my mood has been more stable. I'm taking it in the hopes that it will improve my concentration, but it's also an antidepressant. You might want to look in to it if you don't start feeling better in the next week or so.
Some positive things to think about: You've come a VERY long way since starting Lex. A lot of your posts have been quite upbeat, and isn't the old Lexy like that? You're getting much closer to where you want to be. You've fought really hard to get this far, and it's that same strength that will help you beat your depression.
Please let us know when you start feeling better. I'm worried about you and only want to see you do well.
K.
Posted by orlando on April 1, 2004, at 16:45:48
In reply to stopping lexapro, posted by lisa swede on April 1, 2004, at 9:28:45
Lisa, I tried to stop taking Lex and like you, suffered severe dizziness. I tried to stick it out for at least 2 weeks and then started taking it again, because of the withdrawal side effects (and strong advise from my doctor). The next time I decide to quit, it will not be cold turkey. I'll taper the dose (am currently taking 20). I have heard that adding a small amount of Lex (5mg) will help with the dizziness, but I would consult your doctor on this. Good Luck...I know how awful you are feeling.
> has anyone tried stopping lexapro and suffered from severe dizziness? i have been taking it for 6 months and am trying to stop it. i have had dizziness for about 2 weeks. what should i do?
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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