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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by ST on January 8, 2004, at 18:30:39
In reply to Lex Flu - Why Haven't Doctors Heard of It?, posted by KathrynLex on January 7, 2004, at 12:05:08
Hi,
I've switched so many antidepressants and this has always happened to me. The doctors don't know about this nor do they really care, I think. After searching the internet and talking with dozens of other antidepressant users, these symptoms are extremely commmon when starting or ending an antidepressant. In the archives, you may want to look up "seratonin syndrome", which supposedly occurs when mixing different meds, but the symptoms are similar when going off a med as well.Not everyone goes through this, but I'd say about 80% of the people I spoke with have.(I live in a major city where almost everyone I know is on something!)
It seems to occur as a withdrawal response to weaning yourself off of or stopping a drug. Your body is responding to not receiving that dosage every day. It can also occur if you are starting a drug and do not have another one in your system, but that has only been my experience once.
There was a time when I was very broke and would fool around with my prescription strength to save money. Often, I wouldn't have any money at the end of the month to buy my AD and would have to wait a few days before I could buy it. I would start geting the symtoms within two days of not taking my AD. They got worse and worse. Then when I finally bought my prescription and took the AD, the symptoms would start dissapearing and eventually I would feel "back to normal". It took my doing this a few times before I noticed the correlation! But it's very clear now.
Whenever I would miss my daytime dose of Effexor by one or two hours, I would start feeling sick. Then when i was weaning myself off Effexor I was extremely ill every day. I believe that Effexor can be the most difficult AD to get out of your system (check out the archives!). I had to wean myself over a period of about 3 months. I got down to chipping off tiny pieces of the drug each day to stave off the withdrawal symtoms. I missed so much work during this period! It was difficult explaining why I had flu symtoms to people for almost three months!I would take my tiny bit of Effexor in the morning and by the evening I would be sick as a dog: feverish, nauseous, achy and dizzy. Then I'd grudgingly chip off another piece of the Effexor, take it and wait about two hours to feel better.
Don't let your doctor make you feel nutty for feeling this or tell you that it's a coincidence that you have the flu. Mine finally got the picture after seeing my reactions so many times!
Good luck, it'll go away!Sarah
Posted by BobYuma on January 8, 2004, at 18:53:18
In reply to Re: Lexapro and Nuts, posted by LynneDa on January 8, 2004, at 15:54:58
> > > ... I know we are all nuts in our own way, that's for sure! But I have to commend all of us for trying to be less nutty! ~ Lynne > >
Now, Lynne, why on earth would you want to be ordinary .. and less nutty? Sheesh ...
I happen to have an un-breachable reputation for being nutty, and I like it that way. God save me from normalcy .. and normal people.By the way, you're a very sweet person, Lynne [and I think you're a little nutty too, which is a good thing .. remember?].
Your Nutty Pal, Bob
Posted by BobYuma on January 8, 2004, at 18:59:03
In reply to Re: Lexapro and Nuts, posted by BobYuma on January 8, 2004, at 18:53:18
Hey, Guys. I found a site that's very interesting as far as information on Lexapro goes. Maybe some of you have seen it before, maybe some haven't. At any rate, when you arrive at the site, go a little over half way down the page [it's a very long page], and you'll come to " TABLE 1." This is a study of patients on Lexapro who experienced different types of adverse effects [I think we in-the-know folks call them side effects].
For example, it says that 15% of the patients on Lexapro experienced nausea, and only 6% experienced somnolence [sleepiness, I think]. Don't know about you folks, but I tend to think the percentages are a bit low. But that's just me, and we all know about me. Stop running with those scissors in your mouth, Ralph.
Bob
Posted by BobYuma on January 8, 2004, at 19:01:34
In reply to My Fellow Nuts, posted by BobYuma on January 8, 2004, at 18:59:03
Ok. stop laughing. I forgot to ad the link. Sheesh. So here it is...
scissors .. no wait that's not it.. here ...
http://www.lexapro.com/pdfs/lexapro_pi.pdf
Posted by Jayslace on January 8, 2004, at 19:03:40
In reply to My Fellow Nuts, posted by BobYuma on January 8, 2004, at 18:59:03
Hey, Bob, where is the site?
Just curious....
Ruthie
Posted by BobYuma on January 8, 2004, at 19:09:27
In reply to Re: My Fellow Nuts » BobYuma, posted by Jayslace on January 8, 2004, at 19:03:40
>>> Hey, Bob, where is the site?
Just curious.... <<<Sorry, Ruthie. I'm such a nut you know.
http://www.lexapro.com/pdfs/lexapro_pi.pdf
Posted by Jayslace on January 8, 2004, at 19:23:41
In reply to Re: My Fellow Nuts, posted by BobYuma on January 8, 2004, at 19:09:27
Me a nut, you a nut.... So what!!
Be Happy!!
Ruthie
Posted by Jayslace on January 8, 2004, at 19:27:12
In reply to Re: My Fellow Nuts, posted by Jayslace on January 8, 2004, at 19:23:41
Bob, I think I forgot to add a laugh in there though. So , here is a good , hearty , nutty laugh!! Hahahahahaha!!
And it's sincere!
:-) Ruthie
Posted by friendofbillw on January 8, 2004, at 19:37:59
In reply to Re: Lexapro clinical data, posted by ELENI4 on January 8, 2004, at 18:08:45
Great info! Thanks.
Posted by BLKVETTES on January 9, 2004, at 0:40:12
In reply to Lexapro Withdrawal Dizziness/Tingling/Numbness?!, posted by CR on January 8, 2004, at 16:16:47
> I discontinued Lexapro (10mg/day) cold turkey about 2 weeks ago. STILL getting severe dizziness in the left hemisphere in my brain with tingling and numbness of my extremeites. Is this normal for these syptoms to continue for so long? They are not decreasign in intensity at all. Anyone else have experience wtih this?
> Thanks!
> CRYOU KNOW YOU CAN GET SEIZURES STOPPING THESE MEDS COLD TURKEY. I would guess your past that stage. Its one hell of a shock to your body when you give it something and take it away all at once. This stuff can go for a month or even a few months. It varies person to person and on what you read. Some get zero withdrawal. Slow tapering off is the best way to go.
WAYNE
Posted by american woman on January 9, 2004, at 10:30:51
In reply to lexapro side effect...incontinence?, posted by friendofbillw on January 7, 2004, at 23:33:53
> This is embarrassing to write, but I'm curious if anyone else is having trouble with "urgent incontinence (UI)" on lexapro. UI is when you feel the need to go to pee and have to go immediately or it starts coming out. It's horrible! I haven't had any other side effects, but this one. I'm on wellbutrin too. The problem seems to have started when I started on the lexapro. Anyone else?
I didn't have incontinence, but I did find that with Lexapro I was often constipated (sorry, no nicer way to put it), to the point I had to take something for it.
Posted by LynneDa on January 9, 2004, at 10:44:13
In reply to Re: lexapro side effect...incontinence?, posted by american woman on January 9, 2004, at 10:30:51
Now that you brought it up . . . I too had the "c" word when starting Lex and when upping my dosage. And that was VERY unusual for my body! It did straighten itself out after a week or so.
Posted by Esmarelda on January 9, 2004, at 11:02:23
In reply to Lexapro Withdrawal Dizziness/Tingling/Numbness?!, posted by CR on January 8, 2004, at 16:16:47
I don't think you are ever supposed to quit AD cold turkey. You should taper off.
Posted by BLKVETTES on January 9, 2004, at 13:19:33
In reply to Re: lexapro side effect...incontinence?, posted by american woman on January 9, 2004, at 10:30:51
> I didn't have incontinence, but I did find that with Lexapro I was often constipated (sorry, no nicer way to put it), to the point I had to take something for it.Yea, I was that way for quite awhile. Took me a few months before that ended.
WAYNE
Posted by Twuffy on January 9, 2004, at 13:34:28
In reply to Re: lexapro side effect...incontinence?, posted by BLKVETTES on January 9, 2004, at 13:19:33
I had to pee a lot when I was on Wellbutrin but I think it was because I was losing weight. Just a thought.
Posted by Mrs C. on January 9, 2004, at 14:11:07
In reply to Re: Lexapro and Nuts, posted by LynneDa on January 8, 2004, at 15:54:58
Half the battle is admitting it right? Personally, I'm a cashew kinda girl!
Mrs. C
Posted by LynneDa on January 9, 2004, at 14:13:46
In reply to Re: Lexapro and Nuts, posted by Mrs C. on January 9, 2004, at 14:11:07
Actually, I only like nuts if they're in things . . . I'm sure someone could have a field day with that one :-)
Happy Friday everyone and have a good weekend!
~ Lynne
Posted by Mrs C. on January 9, 2004, at 14:16:27
In reply to Re: Lexapro and Advil, posted by sexylexy on January 8, 2004, at 17:13:42
> > I asked my doctor about advil when she prescribed lex to me. I have always suffered from tension headaches and advil was almost a daily thing for me. She said that advil is perfectly safe to take with lex. By the way, I have only had one headache since I began lex. Another benefit for me. Thanks for your post. Mrs. C.
>
>
> Mrs. C...
> Did you have spacey/foggy stuff on Lexapro when you started? Please tell me you did and it went away, I am starting week 3 today and feel like Ive been in a two week day dream.
> Thanks
> Lexy
>
> Yes, I did have that feeling and it has gone away. I also felt jittery and developed some really weird twitches in my face. All of those things are gone! The only se I still feel from time to time is the jaw clenching problem. You will feel better soon. Keep coming to the board for support and reassurance. You'll get through this! Mrs. C
Posted by KathrynLex on January 9, 2004, at 16:16:40
In reply to Re: Lexapro and Advil, posted by Mrs C. on January 9, 2004, at 14:16:27
Has Lexapro effected anyone's ability to concentrate on things? After 21 days on 10 mg of Lex I can't focus to save my life. But, I was reading some past posts where people reported that Lex improved their concentration. I was just wondering what other people have experienced?
Posted by sexylexy on January 9, 2004, at 16:40:18
In reply to Lexapro and Concentration, posted by KathrynLex on January 9, 2004, at 16:16:40
> Has Lexapro effected anyone's ability to concentrate on things? After 21 days on 10 mg of Lex I can't focus to save my life. But, I was reading some past posts where people reported that Lex improved their concentration. I was just wondering what other people have experienced?
K~
Im in your boat. A little spacey and having concentration problems. I go back to graduate school in two days so I am a little worried about studying, driviing and since I am in grad school for Psych, I am going to have to try to be a good therapist at my internship. I wish I could offer more, everyone says it goes away, I am on day 18. Just know that your not the only one~
Lexy
Posted by BLKVETTES on January 9, 2004, at 17:35:47
In reply to Lexapro and Concentration, posted by KathrynLex on January 9, 2004, at 16:16:40
> Has Lexapro effected anyone's ability to concentrate on things? After 21 days on 10 mg of Lex I can't focus to save my life. But, I was reading some past posts where people reported that Lex improved their concentration. I was just wondering what other people have experienced?
For quite awhile I questioned if I was losing my memory. I have wrote this before but I would watch shows and see if I could remember the casts real names. I had mild anxiety and social anxiety all my life. Didnt even realize it until I got panic attacks and depression more than a year ago. But I think clearer now than I ever have I believe. If you believe in chemical imbalance. I guess it makes sense to think that when you start these meds your brain is going to go through some kind of transition. With brain imaging they are seeing the brain react.
WAYNE
Posted by Forbidden on January 9, 2004, at 19:44:36
In reply to Lexapro and Concentration, posted by KathrynLex on January 9, 2004, at 16:16:40
Hi K,
You already know that I definitely have been experiencing some lack of concentration, I seem to forget things and even get a bit confused at times. Really a strange feeling, that is hard to explain to people who don't know.
Yesterday I had an AWESOME day, the best I have had since I started getting anxiety symptoms over 8 months ago, I woke up in a great mood and full of energy. Today wasn't quite as good, but still definetly better than before I started the Lex. Not as much lightheadedness, worry over my health, etc..... I think it's starting to kick in.....(knock on wood) :)
Posted by reluctant on January 9, 2004, at 19:57:07
In reply to Lexapro and Concentration, posted by KathrynLex on January 9, 2004, at 16:16:40
K -
Well, still testing the waters with lexapro. With Zoloft, another ssri, I was VERY spacey and couldn't concentrate to save my life. But hopefully with lexapro . . .
. . . I'm sorry; what were we talking about?
-r.
Posted by Jayslace on January 9, 2004, at 20:08:09
In reply to Re: Lexapro and Concentration, posted by reluctant on January 9, 2004, at 19:57:07
R, LOL You can be so inspiring, and encouraging, and also make me laugh till I , well, almost need to change my pants. But this is all a plus in my life, ok? LOL
As far as the concentration, I have to say that is part of my disability since my brain tumors were removed. However, I have noticed it being better since being on the Lex.
Also, let me say, I have had 2 good days in a row since being on the 20mg. I slept good again last night, and was awake all today. I have noticed I am gritting at my teeth a little now though.
I wish everyone luck with this Lex! And love you all for your posts!
Ruthie
Posted by reluctant on January 9, 2004, at 20:13:21
In reply to Re: Lexapro and Concentration » reluctant, posted by Jayslace on January 9, 2004, at 20:08:09
lots of health to you, ruthie!
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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