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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 23 of 23. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by shadowmon on July 4, 2004, at 4:21:56
I've been having a real problem with taking lexapro. I'm currently on 20 mg, and I still feel depressed, you know how in the mornings you feel like junk than in the evenings you feel better.
The Dr. has also put me on 30-45 mg of remeron to help me get a "window" so that I can see if the lexapro will kick in. He wants me to go up to 30 mg on the 7th. I'm wondering has anyone gone from 20mg to 30 mg and seen a world of difference? Right now I still feel depressed and before I was on the remeron, I couldnt eat and would wake up with pa's in the morning which made me even worse.
prior to this I used to be on paxil 40 mg. and trazodone 50 mg. It worked like a charm, however I was getting back elevated liver enzyme tests from the lab.
I'm not sure if I made a mistake getting off the paxil.
What should I expect out of the increase?
Posted by shadowmon on July 5, 2004, at 0:39:11
In reply to lexapro 30 mg workd for anyone?, posted by shadowmon on July 4, 2004, at 4:21:56
I was just wondering if anyone had read this.
Posted by flipsactown on July 5, 2004, at 4:16:22
In reply to Re: lexapro 30 mg workd for anyone? anyone??, posted by shadowmon on July 5, 2004, at 0:39:11
I just started 30mg of Lex June 30th and I have only been on it for 27 days total. I feel a slight improvement in my unipolar depression and am hoping for a dramatic improvement in another 4 weeks if not sooner. Good luck to the both of us.
FST
> I was just wondering if anyone had read this.
Posted by sexylexy on July 6, 2004, at 11:46:09
In reply to Re: lexapro 30 mg workd for anyone? anyone?? » shadowmon, posted by flipsactown on July 5, 2004, at 4:16:22
Hey..
Im not too sure about 30mg, I have heard people going up to 80mg of lex...seems though if your not seeing a lot of improvement I would go for a different combination, if the paxil was working for you maybe go back to 40mg of that then find soemthing else that does not harm the liver emzymes? Just a bit of advice that I found when I first started posting. IF you want people to answer your post, find a post that has to do with what your asking about and tack on to that as opposed to starting a new post. Alot of people on check the post that are sent to them. I hope that makes sense. Best of luck!
Lexy
Posted by Mariposa on July 6, 2004, at 13:23:56
In reply to Re: lexapro 30 mg workd for anyone? anyone??, posted by sexylexy on July 6, 2004, at 11:46:09
Currently at 30mg, have been on Lex 15+ mos. Have had good results. Couple of days ago missed one dose, the next day was grouchy and rude, following day deeply depressed, third day bitchy again, feel better today. Didn't think missing one dose would have such an effect!!!
Cletus2, who hasn't posted in a while was up to 100mg, have seen other posters taking 40mg. Hope this helps.~~~8|8
Posted by shadowmon on July 7, 2004, at 0:30:55
In reply to Re: lexapro 30 mg workd for anyone? anyone??, posted by Mariposa on July 6, 2004, at 13:23:56
I just went up to 30 mg and it made a difference to me at least the last 2 days that I have been taking it. I feel somewhat cognisent, but the depressive thoughts keep me going, could this be just residual from the anxiety that I had while I was getting up there on the lexapro?
(my main thoughts are now the setbacks that I have endured while trying to get up to a dosage that works on this drug...)
Posted by Pkate on July 9, 2004, at 1:51:41
In reply to lexapro 30 mg workd for anyone?, posted by shadowmon on July 4, 2004, at 4:21:56
Shadowmon-
Since I'm new at this I don't have an answer to your question, but I am in the same boat as you. Used to be on Paxil and Trazadone and was in heaven. You wrote me earlier this week with some advice on the weight gain and being switched to Laxapro. Since we're in similar situations I was wondering if you could tell me of the side effects your experiencing on Lexapro other than depression. Anything odd going on with your body? I feel extremely weird and am not liking this one bit. Insight?
Posted by shadowmon on July 10, 2004, at 2:07:56
In reply to Re: lexapro 30 mg workd for anyone?, posted by Pkate on July 9, 2004, at 1:51:41
> Shadowmon-
> Since I'm new at this I don't have an answer to your question, but I am in the same boat as you. Used to be on Paxil and Trazadone and was in heaven. You wrote me earlier this week with some advice on the weight gain and being switched to Laxapro. Since we're in similar situations I was wondering if you could tell me of the side effects your experiencing on Lexapro other than depression. Anything odd going on with your body? I feel extremely weird and am not liking this one bit. Insight?I see my Psych doc on monday. I am going to tell him that I dont want to take this anymore. it doesnt seem to be working other than stopping the GAD symptoms that also coincide with my depression. I had a really bad day today, I just slept all day, that is how it's been since going up to 30 mg. I felt better than I had for about a day or so, and then back in the doldrums. I may even ask to go back on the paxil. I just feel so "low" right now, side effects that I have felt on this? No appetite whatsoever (doctor had to put me on remeron so I could eat. the runs, Insomnia (I get that from all the ssri's I've taken) When I started taking the lower dosages of the lexapro, I did have some anxiety, but then again, I dont know if it was just the GAD still making life difficult.
It seems to me, that this experience on lexapro sent me off of remission back into who knows where.
keep me posted how you do, hope you fare better.
Posted by flipsactown on July 10, 2004, at 2:37:50
In reply to Re: lexapro 30 mg workd for anyone?, posted by shadowmon on July 10, 2004, at 2:07:56
Shadowmon,
How long have you been on Lexapro? I have been on it only 31 days and my pdoc upped my dosage from 20 to 30mg only 10 days ago and I can definitely feel my unipolar depression lifting, not dramatically, but I am hoping it will continue to lift in the coming 3 to 4 weeks. If you have been on Lex for less than 6 or 8 weeks, perhaps you need to be a bit more patient. More often than not, SSRI's take that long to be fully effective.
FST
> Shadowmon-
> > Since I'm new at this I don't have an answer to your question, but I am in the same boat as you. Used to be on Paxil and Trazadone and was in heaven. You wrote me earlier this week with some advice on the weight gain and being switched to Laxapro. Since we're in similar situations I was wondering if you could tell me of the side effects your experiencing on Lexapro other than depression. Anything odd going on with your body? I feel extremely weird and am not liking this one bit. Insight?
>
> I see my Psych doc on monday. I am going to tell him that I dont want to take this anymore. it doesnt seem to be working other than stopping the GAD symptoms that also coincide with my depression. I had a really bad day today, I just slept all day, that is how it's been since going up to 30 mg. I felt better than I had for about a day or so, and then back in the doldrums. I may even ask to go back on the paxil. I just feel so "low" right now, side effects that I have felt on this? No appetite whatsoever (doctor had to put me on remeron so I could eat. the runs, Insomnia (I get that from all the ssri's I've taken) When I started taking the lower dosages of the lexapro, I did have some anxiety, but then again, I dont know if it was just the GAD still making life difficult.
>
> It seems to me, that this experience on lexapro sent me off of remission back into who knows where.
>
> keep me posted how you do, hope you fare better.
>
>
Posted by shadowmon on July 10, 2004, at 3:49:34
In reply to Re: lexapro 30 mg workd for anyone? » shadowmon, posted by flipsactown on July 10, 2004, at 2:37:50
I've been on lexapro for about 7weeks, It seems like when I up a dose, (the last one 5 days ago) I feel better for a few days and then back down...
Posted by Mariposa on July 10, 2004, at 9:42:21
In reply to Re: lexapro 30 mg workd for anyone?, posted by shadowmon on July 10, 2004, at 3:49:34
> I've been on lexapro for about 7weeks, It seems like when I up a dose, (the last one 5 days ago) I feel better for a few days and then back down...
Only 7 weeks.....I agree that you should give it a little more time. I did not notice any *improvement* until week 9, and I would say it was about 4 months before I really felt good results, well worth the wait. Is it possible that the jumping around in dose is causing some of the problems??
Best of luck!~~~8|8
Posted by shadowmon on July 11, 2004, at 0:31:42
In reply to Re: lexapro 30 mg workd for anyone?, posted by Mariposa on July 10, 2004, at 9:42:21
I don't know, it seems the more up in dose I go, the less "fight" I have in me. I can say the Lexapro has stopped the incessant worries, but I feel exhausted and blah. I can't even describe it.
I've been having problems with the remeron as well. 40 mg I sleep way too much, 45 mg I am up at 3 am and cant get to sleep.
This doesnt make sense from going from paxil 40 mg and trazodone to sleep and doing perfectly well on it.
Posted by cpallen79 on July 14, 2004, at 19:06:47
In reply to Re: lexapro 30 mg workd for anyone?, posted by shadowmon on July 11, 2004, at 0:31:42
Lexapro is tricky, they say to take a lower does, but I think they may be wrong on that, I don't think it is as potent as once speculated
Posted by shadowmon on July 14, 2004, at 23:56:15
In reply to Re: lexapro 30 mg workd for anyone?, posted by cpallen79 on July 14, 2004, at 19:06:47
I agree with you on that,The 30 mg still left a lot to be desired. I've decided to go back on the paxil, it was evil to get off of it, but hey at least it worked.
Posted by rustyh on July 27, 2004, at 14:54:01
In reply to Re: lexapro 30 mg workd for anyone?, posted by shadowmon on July 14, 2004, at 23:56:15
I asked my doc if 30mg was needed for some people with anxiety and he said that he never had a patient on that dose - but at 7 weeks i feel like the 20mg dose just wears off after about 8hrs -sometimes in a matter of minutes. If I take it in the morning then my GAD comes back in the eve - not good for sleep. I am sure Paxil used to work better than this but then my anxiety has been bad this time. Does anybody else think that Paxil is superior? I don't want to give up on it too early but you've got to wonder.
Posted by shadowmon on July 27, 2004, at 20:56:57
In reply to Re: lexapro 30 mg workd for anyone?, posted by rustyh on July 27, 2004, at 14:54:01
> I asked my doc if 30mg was needed for some people with anxiety and he said that he never had a patient on that dose - but at 7 weeks i feel like the 20mg dose just wears off after about 8hrs -sometimes in a matter of minutes. If I take it in the morning then my GAD comes back in the eve - not good for sleep. I am sure Paxil used to work better than this but then my anxiety has been bad this time. Does anybody else think that Paxil is superior? I don't want to give up on it too early but you've got to wonder.
I know how you feel rusty, I felt the same way that you do in regards to the lexapro seeming to feel like it wears off after about like 8 hours. So bad in fact, that I decided to go back onto the paxil. For some reason, I feel more "together" and equipped to handle everything on it. Mind you that by the time I hit 30 mg of lexapro, the anxiety caused me to slip into a deep depression that the lexapro didnt seem to help. It made me feel like I wasnt anxious at all I was just very deeply depressed. Good luck to ya.
Posted by rustyh on August 14, 2004, at 9:45:12
In reply to Re: lexapro 30 mg workd for anyone? » rustyh, posted by shadowmon on July 27, 2004, at 20:56:57
that's my experience as well - i've just switched back to Paxil - the lexapro did help my anxiety for a few hours, but even then it often felt like being in a straight-jacket - i was calm on the surface but struggling with worry and depressive thoughts underneath. Paxil seems to work better for me. Disappointing, as the Lex side effect profile seemed better, but you can't win em all
Posted by flipsactown on August 14, 2004, at 10:49:00
In reply to Re: lexapro 30 mg workd for anyone?, posted by rustyh on August 14, 2004, at 9:45:12
Update: It has been slightly more than 2 months being on 30 mg Lexapro and my unipolar depression is all but gone. I noticed the change 45 days into Lexapro. I still have some fatigue and insomnia but because my depression has lifted, I can deal with it.
FST
> that's my experience as well - i've just switched back to Paxil - the lexapro did help my anxiety for a few hours, but even then it often felt like being in a straight-jacket - i was calm on the surface but struggling with worry and depressive thoughts underneath. Paxil seems to work better for me. Disappointing, as the Lex side effect profile seemed better, but you can't win em all
Posted by tasher on February 13, 2006, at 23:43:55
In reply to Re: lexapro 30 mg workd for anyone? » rustyh, posted by flipsactown on August 14, 2004, at 10:49:00
thanks for everyone sharing your experiences. i started at 10mg lexapro about 2 years ago. then i moved to 20 mg approx. 6 months after that. it seemed to do the trick. i have trouble being compliant & have had recurring depressive episodes due to that. i have been determined to be responsible for my life & have been taking my meds regularly for a while now. but after a traumatic event in january, i feel the depression creeping back. i have an appt in a couple days to discussion my medications. i am hoping my NP is willing to increase my dose. my sister has done wonderfully at 30mg & i'm hoping i will respond the same.
good luck to you all.
Posted by flipsactown on February 14, 2006, at 9:53:05
In reply to Re: lexapro 30 mg workd for anyone?, posted by tasher on February 13, 2006, at 23:43:55
In my case, Lexapro 30mg, worked great for nearly 9 months, then it stopped working. My pdoc switched me to Cymbalta, currently on 60mg, along with Wellbutrin 400mg and Trazodone 100mg. This combo has held my depression in check, although it has only been a couple, three months. However, everyone reacts differently to meds.
FST
> thanks for everyone sharing your experiences. i started at 10mg lexapro about 2 years ago. then i moved to 20 mg approx. 6 months after that. it seemed to do the trick. i have trouble being compliant & have had recurring depressive episodes due to that. i have been determined to be responsible for my life & have been taking my meds regularly for a while now. but after a traumatic event in january, i feel the depression creeping back. i have an appt in a couple days to discussion my medications. i am hoping my NP is willing to increase my dose. my sister has done wonderfully at 30mg & i'm hoping i will respond the same.
>
> good luck to you all.
Posted by deniseuk on February 14, 2006, at 11:05:27
In reply to lexapro 30 mg workd for anyone?, posted by shadowmon on July 4, 2004, at 4:21:56
Hi Shadowmoon,
You sound to be in pretty much the same situation as I am right now.
I'm on 40mg of Seroxat (it seemed to stop helping much about a year ago) and I just feel sort of blah and nothingy although the anxiety istn't as bad.
I was just wondering about the trazodone, did that help the Seroxat to work for you or do you think the Seroxat would have worked without the trazodone?
I was thinking of mentioning Trazodone to my psychiatrist.
Kind Regards....Denise
Posted by shadowmon on February 14, 2006, at 22:07:23
In reply to Re: To Shadowmoon, posted by deniseuk on February 14, 2006, at 11:05:27
> Hi Shadowmoon,
>
> You sound to be in pretty much the same situation as I am right now.
>
> I'm on 40mg of Seroxat (it seemed to stop helping much about a year ago) and I just feel sort of blah and nothingy although the anxiety istn't as bad.
>
> I was just wondering about the trazodone, did that help the Seroxat to work for you or do you think the Seroxat would have worked without the trazodone?
>
> I was thinking of mentioning Trazodone to my psychiatrist.
>
> Kind Regards....Denise
Hi denise,Thanks for replying. I actually was taking remaron for a while and then gor put on respiradl (sp) I took that for a while, and decided to take trazodone again. Lo and behold, it worked! so I am now back to the original meds that I took.
Posted by zuma on February 15, 2006, at 2:07:14
In reply to Re: To Shadowmoon, posted by shadowmon on February 14, 2006, at 22:07:23
my doc wants me to increase my lexapro from 10 to 20 mgs. but as i understand it, the literature says doses above 10 mg had no increased benefit, and you know the drug company would love to list it if there was, so there must REALLY have been no evidence. why would the literature not show this if increased doses seem to at least sometimes help people?
This is the end of the thread.
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