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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 18 of 18. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Big Popper on November 2, 2006, at 14:53:57
I had never (or I think) had any depression unitl a few months ago. I am in my mid 30's. I started 10 mg of Lexapro and had horrible side effects for 30 days, then everything was great. this lasted until a few days ago. I went from not being able to sleep or eat to normal. Now the depression and anxiety is almost as bad now as the the first horrible 30 days. I felt good for about 3 weeks. So, I have been on 10 mg for +/- 53 days. Any suggestions or ideas or how it went away and came back with out changing anything???
Posted by deniseuk190466 on November 2, 2006, at 16:16:37
In reply to Please Help Lexapro!, posted by Big Popper on November 2, 2006, at 14:53:57
Hi,
This seems to happen to other people to although not me.
Don't despair I'm sure somebody on this board will be able to advise you on what you can add to the drug to maybe get it working again. I don't think your alone with this phenonemon although I'm not sure why it happens.
Just thought I'd write because Scott (SLS) says this has happened to him a number of times with different drugs.
Denise
Posted by Phillipa on November 2, 2006, at 16:27:59
In reply to Re: I think SLS will identify with this., posted by deniseuk190466 on November 2, 2006, at 16:16:37
10mg is a low dose 20 is average if I'm not wrong. Have you called your doc and told him it's not working? That is what I would do but congratulations on finding a med that does work. Love Phillipa
Posted by bigpopper on November 2, 2006, at 18:56:39
In reply to Re: I think SLS will identify with this., posted by deniseuk190466 on November 2, 2006, at 16:16:37
This is my first try with any anti-depressant. As mentioned earlier, the first 4 weeks were horrible. Then every thing felt "normal" . It makes me worry that things were so good for 3 weeks and BOOM, symptoms start to return.
I spoke to my doc today. He said to stay the course for a week or so (with help of Zanax). He says he hopes it is just a small "bump" in the road. He is not wanting to increase dosage due to my horrible SE's I had in beginning.
He does not want me go into another tailspin if the increased dosage increased axiety again. He also says that due to not having a history of depression, I should get over this with smaller dosage of Lexapro and a zanax as needed. I hope he is telling the truth and not just trying to make me feel good.??
I do feel a little better tonight, but the mornings scare the hell out me!
Posted by Phillipa on November 2, 2006, at 19:22:59
In reply to Re: I think SLS will identify with this., posted by bigpopper on November 2, 2006, at 18:56:39
Sounds like good advise to me. Good luck. Love Phillipa
Posted by bigpopper on November 3, 2006, at 12:34:07
In reply to Re: I think SLS will identify with this. » bigpopper, posted by Phillipa on November 2, 2006, at 19:22:59
I talked to a couple of close friends today who are both regular family doctors that see patients with depression and prescribe anti-depressants daily. They both recommended me increasing dosage to 20mg and said I would should not have any more increased axiety due to the increase since I have been on 10mg. for 2 months.
They both say that if a benefit is noticed and then you have a relapse, the dosage should be raised. This is contradicting to what the Phys doctor told me.??
I guess I am looking for other thoughts. I am scared to raise dosage, but also scared to fall back into the dark pit.
Posted by Racer on November 3, 2006, at 13:52:34
In reply to Re: I think SLS will identify with this., posted by bigpopper on November 3, 2006, at 12:34:07
My advice is to talk to your own doctor, tell him that you've lost the benefit you first had, and ask him to raise the dose to 20mg to see if you get it back. If you approach it from the standpoint of "Hey, you know, it seemed to work, but then it stopped -- let's try raising the dose, because I'm a bit afraid of trying something else unless I'm sure this isn't going to work."
I'd also check rxlist.com or medlineplus.com and see what they say the maximum dosage is. Then, print it out and take it along to show him you're not maxed out on it. Rxlist does say that 10mg is the recommended dose, medlineplus shows 10mg or 20mg, with 20mg being the maximum recommended.
Good luck.
Posted by SLS on November 3, 2006, at 17:02:47
In reply to Please Help Lexapro!, posted by Big Popper on November 2, 2006, at 14:53:57
I really don't have much to add to what others have already suggested. 20mg is really the optimal dosage of Lexapro. If you get stuck, you might want to add Wellbutrin before giving up on the Lexapro. Then, if you notice an increase in energy from the Wellbutrin, but not a full antidepressant response, you can perhaps switch from Lexapro to Effexor.
Good luck.
- Scott
Posted by bassman on November 4, 2006, at 10:35:20
In reply to Re: Please Help Lexapro! » Big Popper, posted by SLS on November 3, 2006, at 17:02:47
In my support group, all the postive results have been with 20 mg Lexapro, not 10 mg. I've found that although I'm very sensitive to meds, increasing a dose isn't the truama of starting a new drug. Like Racer said-a good way to approach the doc...and maybe try 15 mg before 20 just for your own comfort. I also found NO AD worked for me unless I was also taking Xanax...
P.S.- I think the maximum dose is higher than 20 mg now...I tried 30 mg when 20 mg pooped out. It wasn't a good idea. :>}
Posted by bigpopper on November 4, 2006, at 10:42:30
In reply to Re: Please Help Lexapro!, posted by bassman on November 4, 2006, at 10:35:20
How long did it take for the increase to show results? It took 30 days for my intial results during start-up.
What happened when you went to 30 mg over the 20 mg. Just curious. And how did you know to increase?
Posted by bassman on November 4, 2006, at 10:57:43
In reply to Re: Please Help Lexapro!, posted by bigpopper on November 4, 2006, at 10:42:30
I saw a difference in a couple weeks...very gradual, not wake up one morning ready to chase cars on the expressway super-charged.
When I went to 30 mg, I think I had a complete matched set of all the side effects that are listed for Lexapro. That was different because I had no side effects at 10 and 20 mg, unless you consider losing your entire sex life worth mentioning. :>}
Oh, and my doc was of the opinion that SSRI's are safe enough to take above the max suggested doses, as long as you tolerate them.
Posted by bigpopper on November 4, 2006, at 11:10:18
In reply to Re: Please Help Lexapro!, posted by bassman on November 4, 2006, at 10:57:43
That makes me worry. I had every side effect mentioned plus more while starting the 10 mg. That lasted 30 days, then all seemed fine. Increasing to 20 could start this back again or worsen. I hate this feeling!
Posted by bassman on November 4, 2006, at 11:46:37
In reply to Re: Please Help Lexapro!, posted by bigpopper on November 4, 2006, at 11:10:18
My guess is that you won't have any increased side effects-or few. If it's O.K. with your doc, take 15 mg or even 12.5 mg for a couple days and see what happens. It would seem to me that you have much more to gain that to lose. I DO know the fear you are talking about though, first-hand, so please don't think I'm not empathetic. I find the more I need medication, the less likely I am to take it because the thought makes me fearful! But increasing slowly vastely decreases the chance of side effects...
Posted by Phillipa on November 4, 2006, at 19:32:39
In reply to Re: Please Help Lexapro!, posted by bassman on November 4, 2006, at 11:46:37
Bassman I agree again with you l00%. Seems that the pdocs I've seen lately are starting on lower and lower doses. Probably to decrease the side effects which causes one to quit a med that might work. Love Phillipa
Posted by bigpopper on November 5, 2006, at 8:53:47
In reply to Re: Please Help Lexapro! » bassman, posted by Phillipa on November 4, 2006, at 19:32:39
I have been waking up very early in the morning with "restless leg symdrone"? .. I can not stop moving my legs or go back to sleeep. I have noticed this before, so my question is. Is this caused by Lexapro (even though I though I was through SE stage) or increased axiety. Would increasing dosage make this worse or should I quit Lex and try something else??????????????????????????
Posted by monserrat on November 5, 2006, at 15:07:10
In reply to Please Help Lexapro!, posted by Big Popper on November 2, 2006, at 14:53:57
If anything I think that you may have ramped up TOO quickly. From personal experience I have found Lexapro to be very good at treating anxiety/depression once your body gets used to it. But it actually increases anxiety quite a bit for the first couple of months. Starting out at 10mg is unusual.. A lot of people start at 5mg and go up to 10mg in time. Xanax will help but you might think about easy off on the lexapro and letting your body adjust more slowly.
Posted by elanor roosevelt on November 7, 2006, at 23:05:44
In reply to Please Help Lexapro!, posted by Big Popper on November 2, 2006, at 14:53:57
increase your dose to 15 now and 20 next week
the increase does not have the edgy feel of the intial days ad 10 is a low dose
good luck
Posted by bigpopper on November 7, 2006, at 23:17:58
In reply to Re: Please Help Lexapro!, posted by elanor roosevelt on November 7, 2006, at 23:05:44
That is exactly what my doc said today. 15mg. I am glad to hear the increase is not as bad as the startup. That about killed me!
What about the sex thing? Is 15mg much worse than 10mg after adjustment. I could live with that SE at 10mg. Not too bad. BTW I am a male.
This is the end of the thread.
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