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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 Digitime on September 10, 2014, at 12:17:57
Hi,
I hope someone can give me some advice. I have been on citalopram 20 mg for 10 years and I was doing fine until the citalopram stopped working. I have tapered of citalopram and started lexapro. I knew they are almost identical but hoped lexa would work anyway.
I now take Lexapro for 7 weeks, 2 weeks on 5 mg and the last 5 weeks on 10 mg. After the raise to 10 mg I am feeling very depressed. Complete hopeless and I lack feelings for my loved ones. It really is very hard to wake up every day facing this depression.
I never had a "standard" depression before. I took citalopram for panic/depression attacks that would last only hours. But now I am in an almost constant depression.
Now I am torn between the following options:
-stay on 10 mg for another x weeks hoping things will improve. But is this a realistic option since I am already 5-7 weeks on lexapro? Did someone only noticed improvement on lexa after for example 10 weeks? With citalopram I almost had an immediate effect.
-increase till 15 mg. I hestitate because it maybe will harder to taper of from 15 in comparison to 10 mg if Lexa isn't the medicine for me
-start tapering off lexa so I can switch to another medicine.
My psychiatrist has explained all these three options but can't give me any advice. I should do what I find the most appropiate.
I know it's for the most past trial and error when it comes to anti-depressisants.
I hope someone had slightly the same experiences and could give me some insights.
Many thanks in advance!
Posted by Linkadge on September 10, 2014, at 19:27:19
In reply to On Lexapro 7 weeks - feeling very depressed, posted by Digitime on September 10, 2014, at 12:17:57
Another med sounds like a decent choice. If energy / motivation is an issue you might try an snri like Effexor or cymbalta
Posted by Hello123 on September 11, 2014, at 16:47:25
In reply to Re: On Lexapro 7 weeks - feeling very depressed, posted by Linkadge on September 10, 2014, at 19:27:19
In my experience, becoming tollerant to one med in a certain certain class of drugs (like SSRI's) can lead to other meds in the same class to not have an effect as well. But some people do have success when they switch to another med when the one they're currently taking stops working. if switching to anothwr SSRI like Zoloft or Prozac doesn't help, you could try taking a break from meds that inhibit serotonins reuptake and that might help SSRI's start working again l when you resume taking it.
Posted by jrbecker76 on September 12, 2014, at 11:54:38
In reply to On Lexapro 7 weeks - feeling very depressed, posted by Digitime on September 10, 2014, at 12:17:57
> Hi,
>
> I hope someone can give me some advice. I have been on citalopram 20 mg for 10 years and I was doing fine until the citalopram stopped working. I have tapered of citalopram and started lexapro. I knew they are almost identical but hoped lexa would work anyway.
>
> I now take Lexapro for 7 weeks, 2 weeks on 5 mg and the last 5 weeks on 10 mg. After the raise to 10 mg I am feeling very depressed. Complete hopeless and I lack feelings for my loved ones. It really is very hard to wake up every day facing this depression.
>
> I never had a "standard" depression before. I took citalopram for panic/depression attacks that would last only hours. But now I am in an almost constant depression.
>
> Now I am torn between the following options:
>
> -stay on 10 mg for another x weeks hoping things will improve. But is this a realistic option since I am already 5-7 weeks on lexapro? Did someone only noticed improvement on lexa after for example 10 weeks? With citalopram I almost had an immediate effect.
>
> -increase till 15 mg. I hestitate because it maybe will harder to taper of from 15 in comparison to 10 mg if Lexa isn't the medicine for me
>
> -start tapering off lexa so I can switch to another medicine.
>
> My psychiatrist has explained all these three options but can't give me any advice. I should do what I find the most appropiate.
>
> I know it's for the most past trial and error when it comes to anti-depressisants.
>
> I hope someone had slightly the same experiences and could give me some insights.
>
> Many thanks in advance!
>
>
I was on Celexa for years and did somewhat well. Like you, eventually I found it was not doing an adequate enough job. I also tried to switch over to Lexapro and found it really made me more depressed and anxious. There is definitely a subset of patients like us out there who responded favorably to Celexa/Citalopram but unfavorably to Lexapro/Escitalopram. In terms of acclimating to Lex over time, I did notice some of the initial numbness went away after a few weeks, but still felt it was actually making me more anxious and depressed than anything I've experienced on another SSRI. Titrating up to 10 mg was even more problematic. I gave it a few months, and eventually discontinued it.Back to Celexa/Citalopram, just curious if you recall what generic manufacturer you took. I did well with some generic versions (Amneal Pharm) but not others (Torrent).
Have you ever given Cymbalta/Duloxetine a go? I've found it superior to Citalopram. Although the recommended dosage is to get up to 60 mg, some do well on lower doses (20 - 30 mg). I would advise starting low.
JB
Posted by Beckett on September 12, 2014, at 20:18:06
In reply to Re: poor response with Lexapro from Celexa, posted by jrbecker76 on September 12, 2014, at 11:54:38
I started Lexapro about ten weeks ago. My initial response was positive, and after my dose went to 15 mg., (maybe three weeks ago), I felt everything kick in. You could try a higher dose just to see since you are already taking it, and if the lexapro does not work out, then do a sideways switch. (My assumption is you will look for another AD.)
All said, if you are depressed and falling, I think your doctor should be told. I guess you have already. I would hope he would weigh in. After all, you need his advice to consider what would be best for you. Can you press him a bit to offer his opinion?
Posted by Christ_empowered on September 13, 2014, at 10:16:49
In reply to Re: poor response with Lexapro from Celexa, posted by jrbecker76 on September 12, 2014, at 11:54:38
It might be time to ditch SSRI drugs. SNRI drugs, maybe some kinda cocktail ("California Rocketfuel," the combo of Effexor w/ Remeron comes to mind) might be what you need now.
Sorry this is happening.
Posted by Digitime on September 13, 2014, at 11:15:49
In reply to On Lexapro 7 weeks - feeling very depressed, posted by Digitime on September 10, 2014, at 12:17:57
Thank you all for the responses! I have decided to up my dosage to 15 mg. I have found some people on the internet that were doing better on 15 or 20 mg than on 10 mg. I figured that I don't have a lot to loose. If I quit Lexapro now all the 7 weeks have been for nothing. I hope things will be better on 15 or eventually 20 mg. If not I will switch to probably an SNRI.
Posted by Phillipa on September 13, 2014, at 11:47:29
In reply to Re: poor response with Lexapro from Celexa, posted by Beckett on September 12, 2014, at 20:18:06
Beckett lexapro is working for you for depression only or for anxiety also. Or do you take something separate for this? Thanks Phillipa
Posted by Beckett on September 13, 2014, at 14:59:08
In reply to Re: poor response with Lexapro from Celexa » Beckett, posted by Phillipa on September 13, 2014, at 11:47:29
P, May I babble you on this? B
Posted by Phillipa on September 13, 2014, at 20:14:50
In reply to Re: poor response with Lexapro from Celexa » Phillipa, posted by Beckett on September 13, 2014, at 14:59:08
Got it P
Posted by Zyprexa on September 20, 2014, at 22:37:15
In reply to On Lexapro 7 weeks - feeling very depressed, posted by Digitime on September 10, 2014, at 12:17:57
Try zoloft. I had good results from celexa for a number of years, then stoped working and I swiitched to zoloft. Been on zoloft now for number of yeara. I guess celexa poops out. So far I like zoloft better.
This is the end of the thread.
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