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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by HappyGirl on August 30, 2008, at 7:56:09
Hi:
One of my friends has Anxiety, mild-form but once awhile his Anxiety flares-up.He's following his dr. who told him to take a minimum-dosage, but seems not helping his Anxiety. Also, he's taking Xanaxa for his sleeping problem before going to the bed.
Wonder what dosage is recommendable?
Thanks for your help in advance.
Posted by Phillipa on August 30, 2008, at 11:09:40
In reply to Lexapro-dosage for Anxiety, posted by HappyGirl on August 30, 2008, at 7:56:09
Which med doseage or both. More info needed. Thanks Phillipa
Posted by HappyGirl on August 30, 2008, at 12:06:05
In reply to Re: Lexapro-dosage for Anxiety » HappyGirl, posted by Phillipa on August 30, 2008, at 11:09:40
Thanks for the response.
It's Lexapro.
He mentioned 10 mg. Lexapro, but he said he still feels 'some' Anxiety, such as nervouseness,
even political debate on TV sometime bothering him. Simply, in my guess, he needs to increase
Lexapro which he said NOT able to fall sleep if
he takes during the night, then he's on it during the breakfast. Certainly, the other med.,
Xanax 0.5 mg. helps him fall sleep.
Posted by theo on August 30, 2008, at 17:32:51
In reply to Re: Lexapro-dosage for Anxiety, posted by HappyGirl on August 30, 2008, at 12:06:05
Lexapro sent my anxiety throught the roof as time went on which was odd. My doctor explained that there is a new study showing this is true in many people which is odd because it's usually worse at first and then eases. Something about buildup of norepinephrine that doesn't really stabilize, just keeps building.
Posted by Phillipa on August 30, 2008, at 18:59:45
In reply to Re: Lexapro-dosage for Anxiety » HappyGirl, posted by theo on August 30, 2008, at 17:32:51
For whatever reason antidepressants just don't touch my anxiety and never have. Maybe if he adds a bit more benzo during the day eventually it will work. I wouldn't up the dose. Phillipa
Posted by Justherself54 on August 30, 2008, at 21:00:09
In reply to Re: Lexapro-dosage for Anxiety, posted by HappyGirl on August 30, 2008, at 12:06:05
Lexapro was a good AD for me. Maybe a quick call to his doctor to see if an increase may be in order. I found Lex to be very good for anxiety, although I felt a little stunted emotionally. I hope he feels better soon.
Posted by Hygieia's Bowl on August 30, 2008, at 21:08:30
In reply to Lexapro-dosage for Anxiety, posted by HappyGirl on August 30, 2008, at 7:56:09
Lexapro has been wonderful for anxiety (numerous symptoms) and for the depression which came with it. Anxiety messes were my presenting symptoms and were always my most debilitating findings.
I began with 10 mgs. which was adequate but not optimium. After 6 months the dose was raised to 20 mgs. and it's been a good treatment for me for a number of years now. It works in monotherapy for me after using a benzo with Lex for about the first yearish.
Posted by HappyGirl on August 30, 2008, at 21:21:13
In reply to Re: Lexapro-dosage for Anxiety » HappyGirl, posted by Justherself54 on August 30, 2008, at 21:00:09
Thanks all for the responses.
He told me that Lexapro 10 mg. seems working on his Anxiety along with milder form of depression.
One thing over which he concerns most is that he does not like to end-up 'addicted to the Lexapro,' because he has other physical issue, Diabetic II/milder form. For that reason, he said he wants to take as minimum as possible.
Does anyone has any opinion or experience on this, two issues?
Posted by Hygieia's Bowl on August 31, 2008, at 7:41:56
In reply to Re: Lexapro-dosage for Anxiety, posted by HappyGirl on August 30, 2008, at 21:21:13
You'll have to bear with me regarding my soapbox regarding the difference between medical dependence versus addiction.
Addiction, as it is purely defined, has 4 characteristics:
1) Psych-social disruption
2) Tolerance that does not stop at a maintance dosing
3) Drug seeking behavior
4) Use of a substance for other than it's intended purpose.Perhaps others see it as a matter of semantics but I never have. Some define addiction as any substance which has withdrawal symptoms upon discontinuing as being addiction but again, that's not what I see as a defining characteristic.
I am certainly medically dependent on Lexapro but in terms of addiction as I define it, no.
Posted by Jeroen on September 2, 2008, at 15:20:05
In reply to Lexapro-dosage for Anxiety, posted by HappyGirl on August 30, 2008, at 7:56:09
10 mg really helped for anxiety, and 20 mg was too much for me
Posted by rskontos on September 6, 2008, at 20:45:10
In reply to Re: Lexapro-dosage for Anxiety, posted by Jeroen on September 2, 2008, at 15:20:05
The optimum dosage and usually the highest most docs will go up to on Lexapro is 20 mg. I found even 10 mg was too sedating for me and I slept for 10-12 hours even just taking a "nap". It worked for anxiety, although not for panic attacks, but I just plain slept too much.
I am now just taking xanax for my anxiety and it is very effective.
rsk
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