![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by maryhelen on September 30, 2003, at 5:39:12
Hi everyone:
Sorry if this message shows up twice. I tried to post it yesterday and have not seen it show up yet.
I haven't been around much lately, as I have been in a deep depression. I thought I had read here a while ago that Lexapro is now available in Canada. I asked my pharmacist about it and he was not aware of Lexapro and had not heard about it being approved in Canada. Does anyone know if it has been approved by Health & Welfare Canada or if it may be soon?
I am taking Lamitcal 300 mg. This past June had a response to it at 150 mg., felt better than I had in my whole life. This response only lasted 3 weeks and although pdoc suggested I go up to 300 mg. it has not 'kicked' back in yet. I had been taking Parnate for 2 years and was still taking it when I started the Lamitcal, but had been experiencing hair loss consistantly and it was getting to the point that, not only did Parnate not seem to be working anymore, I was losing more hair by the handful. Since stopping Parnate over a month ago the hair loss has stopped, and is beginning to grow back in. Have not had an opportunity to see my pdoc much lately, due to my return to work and his absence due to his own illness. I have an appointment on October 16th to see him and I have heard here that many are getting very positive results with Lexapro, knowing of course it is not the same for everyone.
I am reluctant to give up on the Lamitcal, but feel that I need another med with it. Have tried more meds and combos than I can remember, not unlike most of us here. I am not bi polar, but have treatment resistant depression. I am feeling very desperate and frightened right now, having crashed badly and having to cope with the added stress of returning to work after a 2 1/2 year sick leave fighting the depression.
Any other suggestions about what I can do or info about Lexapro's availability in Canada will be very much appreciated.
maryhelen
Posted by jay on September 30, 2003, at 23:58:52
In reply to Lexapro available in Canada yet?Very depressed, posted by maryhelen on September 30, 2003, at 5:39:12
Hi..I am sorry you are having such a rough time. Here is the Health Canada Government website:
http://tinyurl.com/p9wd(I used Tinyurl.com just to make the addy shorter.) Type in the generic name for the drug..and it doesn't look to be available yet.
There are possibly some combinations still left yet, and is there any you haven't tried?Please take good care..
Jay
Posted by maryhelen on October 2, 2003, at 5:06:02
In reply to Re: Lexapro available in Canada yet?Very depressed » maryhelen, posted by jay on September 30, 2003, at 23:58:52
Hi Jay:
Thank you for responding to my post. I get kinda nervous posting, because I find you guys are so well informed and articulate that I wouldn't be able to keep up, but I do read the boards every day. Thanks also for your acknowledgement that I am having a rough time right now. It means a lot to me.
You are right, Lexapro is not available in Canada yet and thank you so much for taking the time to check. I spoke with my pdoc yesterday, and he wants me to add Celexa with the Lamitcal. I have been on Celexa before, many years ago. I can remember my family doc and I would always return to it after we tried other meds. It didn't do too much for the depression but I don't think it has many side effects and it must have helped somewhat or I can't see that I would have returned to it a few times. I am hoping that, in combination with the Lamitcal, I will get some relief from this horrible depression.
I am sure there will always be other combinations that the docs can put together, but as you know it gets so discouraging to keep changing and waiting the 4 - 6 weeks to see if it will help. I have even had 2 separate rounds of ECT, but I guess we just have to keep trying and hoping for the best.
It is really hard right now because I have just returned to work after a 2 1/2 year absence battling this depression and now it is back so bad. I had such an incredible response to Lamitcal when I first took it about 6 months ago (was also taking Parnate at the time). I felt better than I ever have in my life. It was almost scary. The affect lasted just over 3 weeks and now seems like it was such a tease. I am reluctant to give it up, so am hoping that another med combined will 'kick start' it again.
Thanks again Jay.
maryhelen
Posted by jay on October 3, 2003, at 1:32:10
In reply to Thanks, Jay ..., posted by maryhelen on October 2, 2003, at 5:06:02
Hi maryhelen...
I have found a similar med, epival/depakote to help with addition of an antidepressant. It has often gotten me out of some nasty 'funks' in the past. Anxiety is the worst for me, and I think it's come down to me only responding well to benzodiazepines. But, that may change as it has before. Try to focus on your symptoms and getting relief from them. Easier said than done..I know.
Best wishes,
Jay
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.