Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 333334

Shown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Is this a lexapro side effect

Posted by deepdarkhole on April 6, 2004, at 12:36:40

I have been on lexapro for 10 days now. For me that is amazing as I have tried A LOT of meds and couldn't tolerate the side effects for more than a couple of days. Anyway....I am having some things happen that I am not sure if they are side effects or not. It is really starting to scare me.

My hands tremble and shake continuously. Clonipin does not seem to be helping much. But the one that is really starting to bother me is my jaw!!! It hurts so bad and it has started to tremble too.

As usual the dr. says hang in there for 4 weeks, if it is still happening we will change meds.

I would feel so much better though if I knew that it was a side effect that would go away. I am afraid again that it is something health related.

HELP!!!!

 

Re: Is this a lexapro side effect

Posted by KathrynLex on April 6, 2004, at 14:33:10

In reply to Is this a lexapro side effect, posted by deepdarkhole on April 6, 2004, at 12:36:40

Hi Deepdarkhole,

I know that what you're experiencing are very common side effects. I've been on Lexapro for about 3 months now and have had a slight hand tremor ever since I started taking it.

I think for most people, the jaw clenching and shaking go away after time. It may not go away entirely, but it won't always be this bad.

K.

 

Re: Is this a lexapro side effect » deepdarkhole

Posted by King Vultan on April 6, 2004, at 17:33:47

In reply to Is this a lexapro side effect, posted by deepdarkhole on April 6, 2004, at 12:36:40

> I have been on lexapro for 10 days now. For me that is amazing as I have tried A LOT of meds and couldn't tolerate the side effects for more than a couple of days. Anyway....I am having some things happen that I am not sure if they are side effects or not. It is really starting to scare me.
>
> My hands tremble and shake continuously. Clonipin does not seem to be helping much. But the one that is really starting to bother me is my jaw!!! It hurts so bad and it has started to tremble too.
>
> As usual the dr. says hang in there for 4 weeks, if it is still happening we will change meds.
>
> I would feel so much better though if I knew that it was a side effect that would go away. I am afraid again that it is something health related.
>
> HELP!!!!


This is a common SSRI side effect due to stimulation of serotonin 2A receptors. The receptors may downregulate over time, easing your trembling and shaking. Adding a drug that blockades these receptors may offer some relief. Examples would be Remeron, Serzone, trazodone, nortriptyline, or an atypical antipsychotic. Of course, these drugs all have their own side effects, too.

It sounds correct that Klonopin is having little effect. Its mechanism of operation has little to do with what's going on here.

What other meds have you tried?

Todd

 

Re: Is this a lexapro side effect

Posted by deepdarkhole on April 8, 2004, at 8:58:36

In reply to Re: Is this a lexapro side effect » deepdarkhole, posted by King Vultan on April 6, 2004, at 17:33:47

> > I have been on lexapro for 10 days now. For me that is amazing as I have tried A LOT of meds and couldn't tolerate the side effects for more than a couple of days. Anyway....I am having some things happen that I am not sure if they are side effects or not. It is really starting to scare me.
> >
> > My hands tremble and shake continuously. Clonipin does not seem to be helping much. But the one that is really starting to bother me is my jaw!!! It hurts so bad and it has started to tremble too.
> >
> > As usual the dr. says hang in there for 4 weeks, if it is still happening we will change meds.
> >
> > I would feel so much better though if I knew that it was a side effect that would go away. I am afraid again that it is something health related.
> >
> > HELP!!!!
>
>
> This is a common SSRI side effect due to stimulation of serotonin 2A receptors. The receptors may downregulate over time, easing your trembling and shaking. Adding a drug that blockades these receptors may offer some relief. Examples would be Remeron, Serzone, trazodone, nortriptyline, or an atypical antipsychotic. Of course, these drugs all have their own side effects, too.
>
> It sounds correct that Klonopin is having little effect. Its mechanism of operation has little to do with what's going on here.
>
> What other meds have you tried?
>
> Todd
>

Todd-

I have been on paxil, prozac, remeron, effexor, wellbutrin, luvox, celexa and zoloft! I am on lexapro now w/ buspar! I am beginning to wonder if I will ever find the right combination! This is getting very frustrating.


 

Re: Is this a lexapro side effect » deepdarkhole

Posted by LynneDa on April 8, 2004, at 11:31:19

In reply to Is this a lexapro side effect, posted by deepdarkhole on April 6, 2004, at 12:36:40

Hi! I had jaw clenching the first few weeks and then again for a couple of weeks when I upped from 10mg to 20mg of Lex. It did go away! I have read numerous posts about hand shaking and tremors of all sorts. I had hyper foot tapping for a few weeks as well. Lex has been effective for me in diminishing my depression and obsessive thinking. Good luck to you and hang in there, glad you are finding that you can tolerate the Lex!!!
~ Lynne
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>


I have been on lexapro for 10 days now. For me that is amazing as I have tried A LOT of meds and couldn't tolerate the side effects for more than a couple of days. Anyway....I am having some things happen that I am not sure if they are side effects or not. It is really starting to scare me.
>
> My hands tremble and shake continuously. Clonipin does not seem to be helping much. But the one that is really starting to bother me is my jaw!!! It hurts so bad and it has started to tremble too.
>
> As usual the dr. says hang in there for 4 weeks, if it is still happening we will change meds.
>
> I would feel so much better though if I knew that it was a side effect that would go away. I am afraid again that it is something health related.
>
> HELP!!!!

 

Re: Is this a lexapro side effect

Posted by Scott in Vermont on April 8, 2004, at 15:43:20

In reply to Is this a lexapro side effect, posted by deepdarkhole on April 6, 2004, at 12:36:40

I'm a couple of days behind you with Lexapro. I haven't had the same experience you have had as far as clenching, but I have developed a slight tremble in my hands.

My next appt with my pdoc is 04/29. I'm hoping to be one of those "Lexapro sucess stories" who adapted to the medication early on.

Good luck, and know that I'm reading your posts because you're so close to me in timeframe with Lexapro. I'll be interested in hearing about when you feel it is helping you.

 

Re: Is this a lexapro side effect

Posted by deepdarkhole on April 8, 2004, at 18:43:57

In reply to Re: Is this a lexapro side effect, posted by Scott in Vermont on April 8, 2004, at 15:43:20


I saw my pdoc today. He tells me that the jaw clenching and tremors/shaking are quite common side effects. Anyway....I am only taking 5 mgs and he is not increasing it yet. He wants to see if the side effects get better. I am not sure how much of an effect 5 mgs will have, but I go back in another 2 weeks, so til then I should know.

Let me know how you are doing.

> I'm a couple of days behind you with Lexapro. I haven't had the same experience you have had as far as clenching, but I have developed a slight tremble in my hands.
>
> My next appt with my pdoc is 04/29. I'm hoping to be one of those "Lexapro sucess stories" who adapted to the medication early on.
>
> Good luck, and know that I'm reading your posts because you're so close to me in timeframe with Lexapro. I'll be interested in hearing about when you feel it is helping you.

 

Re: Is this a lexapro side effect

Posted by Scott in Vermont on April 12, 2004, at 8:58:27

In reply to Re: Is this a lexapro side effect, posted by deepdarkhole on April 8, 2004, at 18:43:57

Ha. Figures I posted about "no jaw clenching". I spent the weekend conciously reminding myself to release my jaw muscles.

Better today, though.

 

Re: Is this a lexapro side effect

Posted by deepdarkhole on April 12, 2004, at 12:56:28

In reply to Re: Is this a lexapro side effect, posted by Scott in Vermont on April 12, 2004, at 8:58:27

Hey Scott-

Maybe it is because I suggested it as a side effect. My jaw clenching has been much better. However, I can't seem to stop shaking. I hate these tremors. They are getting worse, not better. My pdoc is keeping me on 5 mgs for another 2 weeks to see what happens. The clonipin helps, but I really don't want to become addicted to it, so I have been trying not to take it!
I really want lexapro to work. I desperately need to be on meds. My life has been hell.

 

Re: Is this a lexapro side effect

Posted by Joslynn on April 12, 2004, at 21:21:13

In reply to Is this a lexapro side effect, posted by deepdarkhole on April 6, 2004, at 12:36:40

I have been on Lexapro for a couple years and don't have any hand shaking or jaw clenching.

Hope it goes away soon, if it hasn't already. Sorry I am behind on posts.

 

P.S.

Posted by Joslynn on April 12, 2004, at 21:24:57

In reply to Re: Is this a lexapro side effect, posted by Joslynn on April 12, 2004, at 21:21:13

My hands shake if I am in a nervous situation, like giving a presentation at work, but I have always had that problem even before Lexapro.

 

Re: Is this a lexapro side effect

Posted by Scott in Vermont on April 13, 2004, at 8:38:17

In reply to Re: Is this a lexapro side effect, posted by deepdarkhole on April 12, 2004, at 12:56:28

Psychosomatic or not, I'm clenching my jaw all the time now. It's causing quite a headache (literally). Add a few asprin to that daily RX.

But it is a small matter overall. After 2 weeks on 10mg daily (morning dose) Lexapro seems to be doing ok with me. My experienced anxiety level has dropped off significantly, my depression is managable, and I'm able to focus on the tasks that needs to be done.

I'm still feeling the things I felt before (anxiety, depression), they are not "gone". But I'm able to face and manage them.

I understand "hell". I truly do. I hope that you find your combo and you find some peace. If I could bottle that feeling, I'd give it away for free.

My best wish to you (and everyone else).


This is the end of the thread.


Show another thread

URL of post in thread:


Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ


[dr. bob] 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.