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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 21 of 21. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by johnnyj on March 5, 2007, at 14:25:40
Well, I lasted about 7 days on luvox at 25-mg. I was having these heart palpatations (anxiety?) that was really uncomfortable. So, I see my family doctor until my new pdoc is available on the 20th of this month. I have to admit I felt a little better but the physical agitation was terrible. Worse than my normal gad, it kind of felt like I was being scared at times and the fear response would not dampen. Does this make sense?
After two days off and staying on the klonopin (0.5-mg) I feel better but totally fatigued. I am really confused that maybe I didn't give it enough time. I don't mind some anxiety but the lack of sleep was terrible. Any suggestions?
My doc suggested lexapro in the past and I may have to go with this but I hear of terrible anixety stories with it too so I am feeling lost right now. I need to relax and sleep.
johnnyj
Posted by football on March 5, 2007, at 17:07:38
In reply to New med time (lexapro?), posted by johnnyj on March 5, 2007, at 14:25:40
None of the SSRIs did much of anything for me, but Lexapro was the worst because of the sexual side-effects.
Maybe it's Nardil time for you?
Posted by Phillipa on March 5, 2007, at 19:37:58
In reply to Re: New med time (lexapro?), posted by football on March 5, 2007, at 17:07:38
Well it wasn't for me but I know people who took lexapro with klonopin and loved it. Love Phillipa
Posted by Nolegirl323 on March 5, 2007, at 20:13:21
In reply to New med time (lexapro?), posted by johnnyj on March 5, 2007, at 14:25:40
> Well, I lasted about 7 days on luvox at 25-mg. I was having these heart palpatations (anxiety?) that was really uncomfortable. So, I see my family doctor until my new pdoc is available on the 20th of this month. I have to admit I felt a little better but the physical agitation was terrible. Worse than my normal gad, it kind of felt like I was being scared at times and the fear response would not dampen. Does this make sense?
>
> After two days off and staying on the klonopin (0.5-mg) I feel better but totally fatigued. I am really confused that maybe I didn't give it enough time. I don't mind some anxiety but the lack of sleep was terrible. Any suggestions?
>
> My doc suggested lexapro in the past and I may have to go with this but I hear of terrible anixety stories with it too so I am feeling lost right now. I need to relax and sleep.
>
> johnnyjI found Lexapro to be very calming, it is approved for anxiety and depression. If you are already taking a benzo (klonopin), I believe that Lex will enhance the effect of the klonopin.
I love lexapro. I take a benzo with it as well - xanax, plus Lamictal.
I had NO start up anxiety, and as my dosage went up, my depression went down.
Depressive episodes decreased dramatically when Lamictal was added.
Posted by Phillipa on March 5, 2007, at 20:36:52
In reply to Re: New med time (lexapro?), posted by Nolegirl323 on March 5, 2007, at 20:13:21
Wow I'm envious. Love Phillipa
Posted by johnnyj on March 6, 2007, at 9:09:37
In reply to Re: New med time (lexapro?), posted by football on March 5, 2007, at 17:07:38
Does each one have a distinct time the initial anxiety wears off? Assuming you have start up anxiety. I was on luvox for 7 or 8 days and it has taken two days for the chest stuff, side effects, to calm down. Massive chest palps were debilitating.
Is there any criteria for an ssri not working for people? I mean if you get certain side effects does this mean this type of med is not for you?
Actually, I have come to a point where I would probably give up sex to live an anxiety free life. I have a cold so I am taking off of work today. I almost feel better with the cold because at least I am forced to rest.
The strange thing about luvox was my mood seemed better. The anxiety was just killer though. I don't particularly feel depressed just gad and worry is over the top. And add on terrible sleep and I am barely functional.
Today is not so bad, I just need something to take the edge off.
How much time does one give an ssri?
Sorry for the ton of questions but need some help here.
johnnyj
Posted by johnnyj on March 6, 2007, at 9:14:42
In reply to Re: New med time (lexapro?), posted by Nolegirl323 on March 5, 2007, at 20:13:21
Hello Nolegirl,
Yes, I remember you saying lexapro did not make you nervous. What about insomnia?
Do you think the benzo kept you from having (masked) any start up anxiety? Were you on the xanax when you took the luvox?
It is so strange that you had anxiety and insomina on luvox but lexapro worked great. I wish a pdoc could explain that...
Lamictal? What is that for? May I ask you diagnosis? Thank you
johnnyj
Posted by TheMeanReds on March 6, 2007, at 11:11:48
In reply to New med time (lexapro?), posted by johnnyj on March 5, 2007, at 14:25:40
I would talk with your doc...its always good to taper off. I quit lexy could turkey and was seeing bugs that werent there, and only slept an hour a night if that. Also major anxiety attacks. I flushed my pills (dumb idea) and couldnt take them if I wanted to. Nothing I would ever want to do again. Worst experience with psch meds ever.
Posted by johnnyj on March 6, 2007, at 12:28:00
In reply to Re: New med time (lexapro?), posted by TheMeanReds on March 6, 2007, at 11:11:48
Were you on lexapro long? Or was it just a trial that didn't go well? May I ask if you found a med that is working and your dx? Thanks
johnnyj
Posted by nolegirl23 on March 6, 2007, at 18:19:34
In reply to Re: New med time (lexapro?) » Nolegirl323, posted by johnnyj on March 6, 2007, at 9:14:42
> Hello Nolegirl,
>
> Yes, I remember you saying lexapro did not make you nervous. What about insomnia?
It is so strange that you had anxiety and insomina on luvox but lexapro worked great. I wish a pdoc could explain that...
>
> Lamictal? What is that for? May I ask you diagnosis? Thank you
>
> johnnyjHi Johnny,
> Do you think the benzo kept you from having (masked) any start up anxiety? Were you on the xanax when you took the luvox?
To answer this, I find that it is very possible that the xanax could have masked any start up anxiety I had from Lexapro. I do take quite a bit of xaxax (4mgs..) So yes, that is definitely a possibility.> Lamictal? What is that for? May I ask you diagnosis? Thank you
Lamictal is an anti-convulsant/ mood stablizer. It is used in to treat those with epilepsy or bipolar disorder.
My diagnosis' are as follows:
Bulimia Nervosa (in remission)
Bipolar II
Panic Disorder
OCD.Hope this helps, and yes, I too wish pdocs could explain a LOT of things!
~ Shanon~
Posted by johnnyj on March 6, 2007, at 19:04:42
In reply to Re: New med time (lexapro?), posted by nolegirl23 on March 6, 2007, at 18:19:34
thank you Sharon,
Were you on the same meds when you tried the luvox? I am trying to get some type of grasp on whether the luvox was essentially responsible for your insominia and anxiety. I will see my new pdoc next week and hopefully will get some answers. I am sure they are going to have a whale of a time with me. Anxiety,ocd, and gad what a combo I am.
thanks again
johnnyj
Posted by Phillipa on March 6, 2007, at 20:10:03
In reply to Re: New med time (lexapro?) » nolegirl23, posted by johnnyj on March 6, 2007, at 19:04:42
Johnny were you on anything else at the time? As I swear luvox is the only ad I can tolerate. Love Phillipa ps can you tolerate benydryl?
Posted by johnnyj on March 6, 2007, at 20:52:54
In reply to Re: New med time (lexapro?) » johnnyj, posted by Phillipa on March 6, 2007, at 20:10:03
No other meds for the first two days and then when I went to 250mg I had to take the klonopin otherwise I wouldnt' have slept that night. I just can't do that anymore.
No, benadryl gets me sleep but produces a depressive hangover that leaves me more sedated and out of it and it last the whole day until I sleep that next night. Benadryl is terrible for me. I have found it one of the worst drugs I hav ever taken for side effects.
Posted by Phillipa on March 6, 2007, at 21:44:22
In reply to Re: New med time (lexapro?) » Phillipa, posted by johnnyj on March 6, 2007, at 20:52:54
Was that a typo 250mg of luvox to start are you sure you didn't mean 25mg? Love Phillipa the benadryl question was to see how things sedate you I hate benadryl as it doesn't put me to sleep just makes me feel out of it.
Posted by nolegirl23 on March 7, 2007, at 14:52:46
In reply to Re: New med time (lexapro?) » nolegirl23, posted by johnnyj on March 6, 2007, at 19:04:42
> thank you Sharon,
>
> Were you on the same meds when you tried the luvox? I am trying to get some type of grasp on whether the luvox was essentially responsible for your insominia and anxiety. I will see my new pdoc next week and hopefully will get some answers. I am sure they are going to have a whale of a time with me. Anxiety,ocd, and gad what a combo I am.
>
> thanks again
>
> johnnyjHi Johnny -
The only med that I was not on when i was on Luvox was Lamictal...
I normally take 40 mgs of lexapro; when I was prescribed Luvox, the did drop me down to 20 mgs of Lexapro; while decreasing my Lex, they were increasing my luvox ( from 25 mgs to 50 mgs, to 75 mgs...)
My insomnia/anxiety could have been a result of the tapering of Lexapro, the addition of Luvox, or just one of those random things..Do what you feel is right, but allow for the meds to actually work.
I was about to quit Lamictal after 2 weeks, but my pdoc told me to give it at least 6 weeks. I am so glad that I did. For me, Lamictal is what I needed.
All of us are different; we all respond differently to different meds.Best of Luck,
Shanon
Posted by johnnyj on March 7, 2007, at 17:32:34
In reply to Re: New med time (lexapro?), posted by nolegirl23 on March 7, 2007, at 14:52:46
Yeah, I hear you on letting things work. I posted an article on Terry Bradshaw below that has inspired me to keep looking.
It has been mentioned several times to me about paxil but all of the sexual side effects are scary, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do. Hopefully my pdoc will have some good insight. I was feeling mentally better on luvox just the physical anxiety was killer. If I could get something that wouldn't be as bad and wait it out I should do ok. Patience is what I will pray for.
cheers
johnnyj
Posted by TheMeanReds on March 8, 2007, at 10:47:07
In reply to Re: New med time (lexapro?) » TheMeanReds, posted by johnnyj on March 6, 2007, at 12:28:00
I was on the lexapro since april 04, and stopped septembre 06. I've found im bipolar, so I suppose lamictal and abilify, and seroquel, control depression. When I started lexy I felt zombie like, but that passed. Once in a while someone would ask me if I was paying ANY attention and be angry with me....I zoned them out. But other than that it was an ok ssri...though I prefer not to take em.
> Were you on lexapro long? Or was it just a trial that didn't go well? May I ask if you found a med that is working and your dx? Thanks
>
> johnnyj
Posted by Nolegirl323 on March 8, 2007, at 18:11:55
In reply to Re: New med time (lexapro?) » nolegirl23, posted by johnnyj on March 6, 2007, at 19:04:42
> thank you Sharon,
>
> Were you on the same meds when you tried the luvox? I am trying to get some type of grasp on whether the luvox was essentially responsible for your insominia and anxiety. I will see my new pdoc next week and hopefully will get some answers. I am sure they are going to have a whale of a time with me. Anxiety,ocd, and gad what a combo I am.
>
> thanks again
>
> johnnyjI was on xanax when I was on luvox, but not Lamictal.
The insomnia was something else, and the hospital I was in wouldn't give me my Ambien; they gave me 50 mgs of Vistaril so that I could sleep.
When I first started taking Lex, it made me sleepy.Somebody above posted about stopping lex cold turkey and having horrible withdrawl symptoms. I wouldn't doubt this.
I quit Zoloft cold turkey and felt like I was dying.
I couldn't walk a straight line, had a constant headache, and had auditory halluciations.i don't think it's ever a good idea to quit any psych med cold turkey.
Shanon
Posted by johnnyj on March 8, 2007, at 21:21:34
In reply to Re: New med time (lexapro?) » johnnyj, posted by TheMeanReds on March 8, 2007, at 10:47:07
I see you mentioned something about paxil not being for you. Could you explain your experiences? It is either lexapro or paxil I try next. If I have the same reaction or worse than luvox I may have to try luvox at a low dose and give it two weeks to pass. I wrote something about anxiety below. Thanks.
johnnyj
Posted by TheMeanReds on March 9, 2007, at 10:40:32
In reply to Re: New med time (lexapro?) » TheMeanReds, posted by johnnyj on March 8, 2007, at 21:21:34
Johnny, Paxil was the 1st psych med (legal) that I tried. I was 18 and just graduated high school. The commercials drug me in, 'be yourself again', 'less anxiety', I think one of the 1st anti depressants to be on TV.
So I went to a random md at kaiser. He gave me a 2 year supply of the stuff, in good nature, because my insurance would be over @19. But Looking back very irresponsible, i think.
I could go on and on all day about the bad things about paxil I personally believe. I was on that for the 2 year supply. I quit because my pills ran out.
Then I met a psychiatrist practicing for the people who could not afford one. I told him about the paxil...I think he still has it on a piece of paper somewhere. Ive been seeing him for 5 years. When I started the Lexapro, he said he thought it would liekly work, because he had tried it himself. I think he suffers from the things I do. I was so reluctant to be on ssris after paxil, but I gave it a shot.
This is getting long. If id have to choose one or the other, it would definately be lexapro. I've had my fights with it too, but it is by far more theraputic for axiety and depression. My doc mentioned putting me back on it, but im on an ssri vacation.
I think the biggest blessing with lexapro is its fast acting...you dont wiat 3 months for full effect. Plus if I had missed a dose I wouldnt freak out. On paxil if I missed a dose it was hell, I'd get shakey, lightning jolts, could not think clearly.....on and on.
If you have anymore specific Qs Id be happy to try to answer. =)
Posted by Phillipa on March 9, 2007, at 18:38:56
In reply to lexapro or paxil, posted by TheMeanReds on March 9, 2007, at 10:40:32
So you think that paxil has the worst brain zaps? As that was the first ad I was ever on at only l0mg. Sick as a dog for three months with xanax and he let me drink beer. But I did eventually get better and back to work. Then had to bite off small pieces of the paxil til off completely avoided the zaps . And then for about a year monotheraphy of .5 xanax twice a day. Worked well for me. paxil never worked again. Love Phillipa
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