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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Wildman on January 26, 2004, at 18:48:21
So far, I must say that Lexapro is helping me combat my (I think mild) anxiety and depression. I have had ups and downs with it (today was a good day).
I've been mindful of getting plenty of rest and not taking on too much at work or at home. When I'm rested, the next day generally is very good. If I had trouble sleeping on a particular night, the next day really is tough.
I can tell, right now, at 7:30PM, that I am probably going to have trouble sleeping tonight, in that I am very energized (think of how you feel on the longest day of summer, when you get a bit "light crazed"). It's not anxiety really (I feel at peace), and it's not quite a nervous energy (not fidgety) but have the energy right now to paint the entire inside of my house, which would take days.
I'm pretty sure that when 10PM rolls around, that I will not be able to sleep, and will reach for the Seroquel (25 mg helps to zonk me out).
I am curious if anyone else has experienced this, and if they augmented the Lex with anything (long term). If I didn't have to get up for work early in the morning this would be enjoyable (having this much energy in the winter is unheard of for me). I was thinking about Klonopin, but this is excess energy, not anxiety (I think).
The only word I have to describe this feeling (and I may have no idea what I am talking about here) would be "very mild" mania. If this were somehow kicked up a couple of notches (sorry Emeril) I would have a real problem on my hands.
Does anyone know of an online assessment for mania to get an idea of where I am in this?
I must say that I certainly could have worse side effects than this (although I am trying to sort out the sexual se's), so I feel silly complaining about it.
I am _wide_ awake, and feeling as if I've had 3 cups of coffee and I haven't had any caffeine since 11AM. It's a more natural type of energy than caffeine.
Sorry for the long post but I am WIRED!
Posted by DanielJ on January 27, 2004, at 7:57:56
In reply to Lexapro and Insomnia/Mania, posted by Wildman on January 26, 2004, at 18:48:21
My son who has Schiz. was put on Lexapro and Abilify. It may work for some but God what a combo for him. I don't think he slept at all in the month he was taking it. I believe either one of these can cause insomnia in many people. Now he takes Zoloft in the mornings and it keeps him fairly calm. Zyprexa before bed helps him sleep.
Oh yes the doctor had him taking Klonopin for a while. He took it and went right to bed, when got up, he wanted another Klonopin. The support group I have been attending confirmed my beliefs about these medications. Abilify is OK though but I have been told that it is better to take it in the morning. Hope this helps.
Posted by HappyGirl on January 28, 2004, at 1:18:41
In reply to Lexapro and Insomnia/Mania, posted by Wildman on January 26, 2004, at 18:48:21
Hi:
It sounds like you've been experiencing a lot of 'Hypo-mania' that is a part of Bipolar II. Your current med. is just anti-dep., 'Lex?"
What dx. do you have?
If you are/were dxed just 'depression,' then you need to 'tell' your pdoc. in regard to your 'manic episode' that might have brought up by anti-dep. you've been on. Or, you just started heading for 'Bipolar?' It's very common, if not often, .... Bipolar starts after a long/short use of anti-dep. only.
Sleeplesses is, in my guess/understanding from my journey, Bp II, coming from 'hypomania,' ... not just 'insomnia.'
If you're Bipolar, then you need to get a mood-stabilizer, such as Depakote that is VERY first-lined Mood Stabilizer and also good for Bipolar II.
H.G.
Posted by Wildman on January 28, 2004, at 9:32:56
In reply to Re: Lexapro and Insomnia/Mania, posted by HappyGirl on January 28, 2004, at 1:18:41
> It sounds like you've been experiencing a lot of 'Hypo-mania' that is a part of Bipolar II. Your current med. is just anti-dep., 'Lex?"
Right, lexapro.
> What dx. do you have?
Unclear to me at this time. At first I went in thinking GAD, then he thought Anxiety Adjustment Disorder.... (I thought I was closer to GAD, and I did read the DSM-IV on it).
After more discussion, I agreed to _try_ Lexapro, as he thought that my help my mild anxiety and depression. I must admit that I'm not feeling depressed anymore, which for me during winter, is a huge improvement.
> If you are/were dxed just 'depression,' then you need to 'tell' your pdoc. in regard to your 'manic episode' that might have brought up by anti-dep. you've been on. Or, you just started heading for 'Bipolar?'
I hope I'm not Bipolar. My symptoms are not that severe, and after taking the "Young Mania Assessment Scale", I've decided mania is much too strong a word for what I'm experiencing.
Last night I was all wired up again, and took 2.5mg of Ativan and went to bed promptly and had a good night's rest. I'm sure he won't give me more benzos for sleep (maybe he will) so I need a plan B for this situation.
It also seems that the sexual SEs I was experiencing are not as severe as I was thinking, if you know what I mean :) Yeah for me!
Now I just need to tackle the wired feeling at night. If I ignore it, I'll go to bed at 1AM, and I need to be up by 6:30, which gives me not nearly enough rest.
Posted by HappyGirl on January 28, 2004, at 13:15:37
In reply to Re: Lexapro and Insomnia/Mania, posted by Wildman on January 28, 2004, at 9:32:56
Hi:
I know all symptoms you've been mentioning/experiencing, as for me, a person having Bp II, sounded like 'Bipolar,' particularly your quote, ... 'ups and downs.' Bipolar has, along with 'mania/hypomania,' 'depressive episodes,' Anxiety and partial ADD that all brought up by Bp, believe or not,... this is in "my case."
However, if your pdoc. dxed your problem 'Anxiety' and 'Depression,' then you need to believe his profession. The reason why you're wondering is because of insomnia you have once awhile, .... Right? Then, for this, you have 'Ativan' that sounds like helping your sleeping problem.
In your very first post, however you mentioned 'Seroquel' 2.5mg. ... this AP is, in my knowledge, seems NOT use for a person who has Anxiety and Depression. Rather, more serious form of M.I., like Bipolar, most of pdocs. prescribes, from the reading/hearing. Then, I might have suspected 'Bipolar.'
Hopefully, the current med. regimen working on you GOOD, ... otherwise your concern/worry may NEVER cease. I know from the experience that Bipolar is a kind 'annoying M.I.,' however with a right med. combo. I've been fairly leading the normal life, so to speak, 'back to myself.' Most harnedest one for me is NOT to have 'right name' for my mental problem. The least, I can say I'm happy to have the right name along with RIGHT med. combo.
H.G.
Posted by kellieann7 on January 28, 2004, at 16:10:12
In reply to Lexapro and Insomnia/Mania, posted by Wildman on January 26, 2004, at 18:48:21
Wildman,
I have been on Lex for about 2 months for depression... I was feeling pretty lethargic and unmotivated at that time. I know that "slightly manic" feeling since starting Lex as well. At times, I go on cleaning sprees when I do tons of laundry, pick up everything, and rearrange rooms of furniture. Sometimes, I have this sudden urge to skip or run around the neighborhood (not that I actually would do this, it is just the urge). I definitely liken the feeling to long summer days when I was about 13. I don't believe I am bipolar, these effects have only come up since I began taking the medicine. I initially went to see the Pdoc because I was having a difficult time getting through the loss of pets. However, I can now say that I have been suffering with this depression for years. I have been sullen, irritable, lazy, and no fun for the last year alone, but because the depression was gradual, I didn't notice the changes. Now with Lex, I remember how much I love to laugh, exercise, and even have SEX! I haven't had any of the sexual s/e just because I feel so good about myself right now. I can say, I am scared that my Pdoc will try to take the meds away and I want to feel this way all the time!
Posted by sexylexy on January 29, 2004, at 16:25:25
In reply to Re: Lexapro and Insomnia/Mania, posted by HappyGirl on January 28, 2004, at 13:15:37
Hey Ya'll
Im Lexy, I usually post in one of the above lex discussions. I got some questions for ya'll and would love an answer. I've been on 10mg for 40 days(1st day of week 6) . I have seen great improvement in my anxiety and it has taken a nice chunk out of the depression I got from taking the birth control pill (as its been explained to me, I kinda got post partum depression from the b/c pill without having a baby .. very strange)but I am still not feeling *good*, *happy* or *up to par* Anyway here are a few questions I would love to get some feed back.1. Have you all seen good improvements from 10mg, I would really like to not have to up if I do not have too?
2. When did you all start feeling *good* again?
3. For women on lex did 10 mg help out with PMDD or PMS?
Ok thanks so much!!!
Have a great day and God bless
Posted by sexylexy on January 29, 2004, at 16:27:31
In reply to Re: Lexapro and Insomnia/Mania, posted by sexylexy on January 29, 2004, at 16:25:25
Ohhh sorry,
what about weight gain, thats a biggie
Posted by kellieann7 on January 30, 2004, at 0:40:38
In reply to Re: Lexapro and Insomnia/Mania, posted by sexylexy on January 29, 2004, at 16:27:31
Lexy,
I have been on Lex for about 2 months. My first two weeks were at 10, and I have been on 20 since. I have found that Lex has helped my depression, and I have a healthy, gloom-free outlook on life now. I have noticed a slight weight loss, but I attribute this to the increase in energy helping me stick to my Pilates! Also, since I am not depressed, I'm not eating as many cookies as before! :-)
As far as PMS goes, I usually have 24 hours of hell right before I start, emotions are crazy, and I get very irritable and snap alot. This month I was 14 days late (ARG), and had one bad hour. I didn't have any indication that I was going to start, and didn't notice any other period related symptoms.
My biggest complaint about Lex is the pain in my wrist/thumb joint. Sometimes I can't move part of my hand, and I can't put a lot weight on it (like when I push myself off the floor with my hands). This started with Lex, and I haven't had any injuries, so I assume it is the Lex causing it. Has anyone else had joint stiffness/pain?
Posted by LynneDa on January 30, 2004, at 11:54:43
In reply to Lexapro and Insomnia/Mania, posted by Wildman on January 26, 2004, at 18:48:21
Hi Wildman - Your post caught my eye because it is similar to my situation. I took 10 mg of Lex for 2 months and am now up to 20mg for another 2 months. My dx is PMDD with mild depression. The PMDD creates anxiety, obsessive thinking, anger, sadness, the whole barrage of bad PMS stuff taken to the nth degree!
Anyway, I didn't sleep well before Lex due to depression, I guess. I took a lot of Melatonin, Excedrin PM, benadryl, whatever I could to help! But, now that I'm on Lex, I fall asleep fine and wake up in the middle of the night - totally awake and wired. I get out of bed immediately and go downstairs to read, clean the kitchen, pay bills, etc. After about 90 minutes I can fall back to sleep quite easily.
I also have moments of high speed cleaning and organizing or just thinking clearly and making a lot of progress at work - that is during waking hours. It is interspersed with feeling very sleepy during the day too.
I don't think I'm manic, like you said it is excess energy. I'm hoping it will diminish as time goes by! I'm letting it go another couple of weeks (to get to 10 weeks) before I talk to my p-doc again.
Good luck and sorry for the long post, but your situation sounds so close to mine! Let me know if you get it resolved :-).
~ Lynne
Posted by sexylexy on January 30, 2004, at 13:39:51
In reply to Re: Lexapro and Insomnia/Mania, posted by kellieann7 on January 30, 2004, at 0:40:38
Kellieann
Thanks so much for the imput. About the sore joints I have heard of that as a side effect. Have you checked out www.remedyfind.com, they have about 400 rewiews from people taking lex. I know thats where I heard about the stiff joints! Thanks a ton
Lexy
Posted by kellieann7 on January 30, 2004, at 20:36:56
In reply to Re: Lexapro and Insomnia/Mania » kellieann7, posted by sexylexy on January 30, 2004, at 13:39:51
Lexy,
Thanks for the link...I'm about halfway through and still can't get over how many of us have similar side effects. I am the first person in my family to actually take the A/D medication they are prescribed, so I am so grateful for the online support!
This is the end of the thread.
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