![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 940 to 964 of 8406. Go back in thread:
Posted by Phyl on October 19, 2002, at 13:44:24
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
I am a chronic insomniac..that is my main problem. I have had it for 30 years. In the past year or so, I have developed a fear of being in a car at nighttime in heavy traffic. (Common with senior citizens, which group I belong to.) Other than this, I have no real anxieties. I am a worrier (5 grown children), but have never considered myself to be depressed -- when you are sleep-deprived, it's difficult to always be upbeat. I could always manage to get through the day, even on just 2-3 hours of sleep. Altho I was pretty tired, it didn't affect my energy level; people didn't believe I had such a chronic problem because I was able to keep going...better than others with no sleep problem.
I went to my internist for help with sleep and he put me on 10 Lexapro and 50 Trazodone. Told me it was Ok to take 2 Trazodone at night. The first day that I went on Lexapro, I took one Trazodone and after staying awake for two hours, I took a second one. Immediately my nasal passages dried up (I didn't realize it was the medication) and after another hour, I fell asleep and slept for about five hours. When I woke up, I felt sick; I was so tired, I was slurring my words and practically shuffled when I walked. My head felt very "fuzzy." I could barely function the entire day. It was terrible. The doctor took me off the Trazodone immediately, but asked me to stay on the Lexapro. For the first few days, I was totally exhausted at 6:00 p.m. I asked him if I could cut the pill in half and he said that was ok. (I am very sensitive to most meds.)
Even on one-half a pill (for almost two weeks), I find that I am extremely tired in the early evening (7:00 on) and I have to retire early. I also fall asleep much easier than I ever have, but when I wake up I am very tired. As the day goes on, I feel like myself.
Other than this fear of being in a car, I have no other anxieties. I am on no medications other than BP med, and I have never been treated for any anxiety or depression problems.
I am not quite sure I belong on this med. It seems to act as a sleeping pill for me. I don't notice much difference during the daytime, other than a slight lightheadedness. I don't notice any "improvement" during the daytime. What is this supposed to do for me? Cure me of my fear of driving? Allow me to worry less?
I will return to the internist in two weeks and will stay on this half pill til then. I just wondered what you think of my situation.
Thanks!
Posted by bridgette on October 19, 2002, at 14:39:49
In reply to Re: Lexapro and Celexa relative side-effects, posted by shakingoscar on October 11, 2002, at 1:06:19
I am responding to the message from the person who said that Claratin (the allergy med?) would helps w/sexual side effects---did I understand correctly. When I was on prozac I found that Buspar relieved the sexual side effects. Has anyone tried Buspar w/the Lexapro?
Posted by bridgette on October 19, 2002, at 14:49:22
In reply to Re: Is Lexapro helping anyone with anxiety ?cody, posted by Alan on October 18, 2002, at 23:16:48
I am still waiting for something to happen---I will say I have had a few (probably 3 days) where I felt a real sense of well being and I assume that's what we are striving for. Is this the way it works---that it's a gradual climb, up one day and then back to the same, Is it a gradual climb? I will stay w/it---I just want to hear if this is normal. I am definatley hoping for some improvemenet in the eext couple weeks or I but will consider 15 mg (I',m on 10mg now).
Posted by sparkinark on October 19, 2002, at 15:28:59
In reply to Re: Benzodiazapines vs. AD's for anxiety disorder, posted by Grace on October 18, 2002, at 16:33:01
I've never heard of using something like Claritin to help with SSRI side-effects. Is there any documentation on this or is this just someone's hunch? All I can take is Allegra because of really bad side-effects to other anti-allergy drugs, but I've not taken Allegra since I started Lexapro. I'll see if the combo does anything for me.
Claritin? Go figure...
> I am diagnosed with panic/anxiety disorder and mild
> depression (mostly because of the effect the panic/
> anxiety has had on my life).
>
> I have tried MANY different meds and am currently taking:
> 30 mg celexa (at night)
> .5 mg 2x day klonopin
> 10 mg claritin (for sexual side effects)
>
> my doctor recently added the claritin to my meds
> because of the sexual side effect problem, which
> nothing else fixed (buspar, ginko, wellbutrin, etc.).
> She had a study that another doctor had done with his
> own practice of 9 patients on SSRI's and sexual side
> effects. Of those 9, 7 reported their sexual s/e went
> away with the claritin and 2 had some improvement.
> I figured it was worth a try and amazingly it has
> had some effect.
>
> I now have some desire for sex (which was non-existent before)
> and am able to orgasm without it taking 2 hours and more work
> than it was worth. I figure I'm a tough case, so maybe you
> can bring this up with your docs.
>
> Also, I've just been switched today to Lexapro because of
> being very sleepy for the whole time I've been on Celexa.
> I'm starting out with 10mg (anytime) and moving up to
> 15....we'll see.
Posted by ant-rock on October 19, 2002, at 16:25:53
In reply to Re: testosterone was a viable treatment, posted by jrbecker on October 18, 2002, at 11:41:47
> I was able to get an edocrinologist to prescribe me Androgel last year since I had a low-moderate T level. It ended up having a fairly good effect on my mood, completely vanquishing all of my atypical symptoms, and making me more focused and calm. And talk about getting in shape, it starts to change your physique almost immediately and really motivates you. You feel more full of energy, more confident. Yes, it really was that effective (and no, this is not an infomercial). As for T as a depression treatment, I have to say that it was mild to moderately effective, so I think that it makes a great candidate as an augmentation therapy for anyone with a lot of fatigue probs or high stress problems (T helps attenuate cortisol levels).
>
> T gets a bad rap. In fairly low dosages it can be a great treatment, especially for depressed men. T abuse on the other hand (or taking T when you already have high endogenous levels) will also give you a depressed mood and a lot of agression to boot.
>
> Personally, the reason I stopped taking it was because I feel like I'm fairly motivated without it these days and my psychopharmacological treatment is going fairly well by itself.
>
> Doctors are loosening up these days about prescribing it. It used to be only for geriatric men, but many endos (not all) are now prescribing it to the larger population. It definitely wouldn't hurt to get checked out. Be honest in the consulation. Tell the doc you suffer from depression, anxiety, fatigue probs, etc, and ask him/her if you can get a blood test to see if your T count is somewhat low and if this might be a viable therapy option. Read the book the "Testosterone Syndrome" by Eugene Shipman to delve into the subject more.
>
> Bottom line is that it's not a cure-all (as a lot of the hype out there will tell you), but it can be quite effective.
>
> PS - T treatment can induce mania, so for you BPs out there, be cautious.Hi jrbecker,
Would you mind telling me what dose and how often you used the Androgel.
I have been trying this myself recently, but there isn't much info out there regarding it's use for depression.
Thank you for any info you can provide,Anthony
Posted by ANXIETY ANN on October 19, 2002, at 17:57:02
In reply to Claritin?, posted by sparkinark on October 19, 2002, at 15:28:59
> I've never heard of using something like Claritin to help with SSRI side-effects. Is there any documentation on this or is this just someone's hunch? All I can take is Allegra because of really bad side-effects to other anti-allergy drugs, but I've not taken Allegra since I started Lexapro. I'll see if the combo does anything for me.
>
> Claritin? Go figure...
>
>
>
> > I am diagnosed with panic/anxiety disorder and mild
> > depression (mostly because of the effect the panic/
> > anxiety has had on my life).
> >
> > I have tried MANY different meds and am currently taking:
> > 30 mg celexa (at night)
> > .5 mg 2x day klonopin
> > 10 mg claritin (for sexual side effects)
> >
> > my doctor recently added the claritin to my meds
> > because of the sexual side effect problem, which
> > nothing else fixed (buspar, ginko, wellbutrin, etc.).
> > She had a study that another doctor had done with his
> > own practice of 9 patients on SSRI's and sexual side
> > effects. Of those 9, 7 reported their sexual s/e went
> > away with the claritin and 2 had some improvement.
> > I figured it was worth a try and amazingly it has
> > had some effect.
> >
> > I now have some desire for sex (which was non-existent before)
> > and am able to orgasm without it taking 2 hours and more work
> > than it was worth. I figure I'm a tough case, so maybe you
> > can bring this up with your docs.
> >
> > Also, I've just been switched today to Lexapro because of
> > being very sleepy for the whole time I've been on Celexa.
> > I'm starting out with 10mg (anytime) and moving up to
> > 15....we'll see.
>
>Hi
I am so frustrated with the sexual s/e that I am going to ask my doc about the Claritin. Has anyone else tried it? PLEASE LET US FRUSTRATED PEOPLE KNOW!!!!
Posted by CuriousJane on October 19, 2002, at 21:59:50
In reply to Re: Went from Celaxa to Lexapro, notice irriatbility » Alan, posted by yeltom on October 19, 2002, at 12:56:13
I have noticed headaches as well. It started about the same time as the irritability. I am thinking about switching back if this doesn't get better soon!
> I switched from 40 mg celexa to 10 mg lexapro 3 weeks ago, and I feel more prone to headaches and irritability as well. Would like to hear from anyone else who has had this problem and, hopefully, from someone who had this problem but no longer does. Is this just an adjustment problem that I will get over?
>
> > > I switched from 30mg of Celexa (which worked fine aside from the total lack of sex drive) to 10mg Lexapro about 7 days ago, and for the last few days I have noticed myself becoming increasingly impatient and frustrated (no one seems to be able to drive right! :). Today I was so frustrated at work I started to cry, which hasn't happened in ages. I have also noticed tension headaches the past few days. No new stresses in my life, so I can only imagine its the meds.
> > >
> > > called my doc and he said, "Well, you could need less, or more." Great. So he suggested dropping to 5mg for a few days, and then if that doesn't work, going to 15mg.
> > >
> > > Anyone have any similar problems switching?
> > =============================================
> > No but a close friend did...I posted some reasons why I thought it was happening up earlier in this thread. It may be worth looking into. It's only a little technical but seems especially apropos to your situation....
> >
> > http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021012/msgs/123451.html
> >
> > Alan
> >
> >
>
>
Posted by Alan on October 19, 2002, at 22:56:04
In reply to Re: Went from Celaxa to Lexapro, notice irriatbility, posted by CuriousJane on October 19, 2002, at 21:59:50
> I have noticed headaches as well. It started about the same time as the irritability. I am thinking about switching back if this doesn't get better soon!
===========================================
YMMV but - A close relative told me about his experience with switching over to Lex. from Celexa for an anxiety disorder and it esentially went something like this:....Been on Celexa since it came onto the market and it has helped me better than anything else I have ever taken (the list is to long to even think about). PDoc recently asked me to consider switching to Lexapro, which is similar to Celexa without the isomer that causes most of the side effects. However, the Lexapro made me extremely anxious so possibly the sleepiness side effect of Celexa was what I needed. I went back on the Celexa feel better but back to the usual sedation problem....
In response, I didn't want to say anything about the whimsical idea that all of the side effects would reside in the (removed) mirror image molecule and all the therapeutic effect would reside in the remaining molecule, but it's not surprising he discovered that on his own.
Doctors will fall for some pretty flimsy lines if delivered with a straight face and a pert attitude. Any biologist could tell them that when mirror-image isomers of molecules exist, it tends to be so that most of the biological activity resides in one isomer and the other is nearly inactive. However, the isolated-isomer version of Prozac never made it to market because it turned out to be dangerous, so the "one isomer active" rule may apply more to naturally occurring substances than it does to synthetic drugs.
Judging from the public statements I've heard, few authorities who are financially independent of Forest Pharmaceuticals expect Lexapro to be systematically better than Celexa for anything except the maker's bottom line. (There could be a few individual exceptions.) Same goes for Nexium compared to Prilosec and all these other analogous "next-generation" pills.
Interesting how the next generation always makes it to market just as the previous one's patent is expiring.
Alan
Posted by CuriousJane on October 20, 2002, at 11:14:56
In reply to Re: Went from Celaxa to Lexapro, notice irriatbility » CuriousJane, posted by Alan on October 19, 2002, at 22:56:04
> > I have noticed headaches as well. It started about the same time as the irritability. I am thinking about switching back if this doesn't get better soon!
> ===========================================
> YMMV but - A close relative told me about his experience with switching over to Lex. from > Celexa for an anxiety disorder and it esentially > went something like this:Nice to know I am not the only one. Celexa also worked great for me, but I did have dose-related side effects that were annoying. I was the one who asked to switch--my doc never suggested it. I wasn't so naive as to expect all of the side effects to go away, but I figured 10mg of Lexapro should have less side effects than 30mg of Celexa--just simple math!
I am giving it until the end of next week (2weeks total) and then switching back.
Posted by grace on October 20, 2002, at 12:18:01
In reply to Re: Claritin?, posted by ANXIETY ANN on October 19, 2002, at 17:57:02
Okay, since I've started a mini-thing with this, I figured I'd better pull out the article that my doc gave me when we decided to put me on Claritin to give it a try.
I'm not sure what publication it came from, but the bottom of the page she copied for me says "J Clin Psychiatry 63:6, June 2002", p. 534.
It is from a Russel V. Brubaker, M.D. at Michigan State University in Alto, MI.
It is titled Fluoxetine-Induced Sexual Dysfunction Reversed by Loratadine.Basically, this Dr. had a male patient with major depression who had sexual s/e with fluoxetine at 5mg/day and started taking loratadine, 2.5mg/day for allergic rhinitis. He was on low
dosages because he didn't handle meds well. Whereas he had reported dulling of penile sensation and delayed erection and ejaculation with the loratadine all of the side effects went away and stayed away.So, over the next 9 months, this doc prescribed loratadine for 9 additional patients (5 men & 4 women) with a diagnosis of major depression who were also on fluoxetine and had sexual dysfunction.
The dosage of loratadine varied rom 2.5 to 15 mg depending on patient...most were 10mg/day. Seven of the 9 patients had complete reversal of sexual s/e within 2 days and the other 2 had significant improvement
of the side effects.There's more to this article, but I don't want to type the whole thing right now....
Hope it helps - it's definitely helped me - not completely, but enough to continue to take it!
Posted by bridgette on October 20, 2002, at 12:20:12
In reply to Re: Went from Celaxa to Lexapro, notice irriatbility » CuriousJane, posted by Alan on October 19, 2002, at 22:56:04
Are you saying that it is doubtfull that Lexapro will even work. I hope not because I do want to give it a fair trail. I have been on it for 3 and 1/2 weeks
and have had a few really good days and the rest seem normal (normal for me). I am thinking if it's the same at a month to go to 15 mg. Is a month a fair trail or should one wait for 6 weeks????> I have noticed headaches as well. It started about the same time as the irritability. I am thinking about switching back if this doesn't get better soon!
> ===========================================
> YMMV but - A close relative told me about his experience with switching over to Lex. from Celexa for an anxiety disorder and it esentially went something like this:
>
> ....Been on Celexa since it came onto the market and it has helped me better than anything else I have ever taken (the list is to long to even think about). PDoc recently asked me to consider switching to Lexapro, which is similar to Celexa without the isomer that causes most of the side effects. However, the Lexapro made me extremely anxious so possibly the sleepiness side effect of Celexa was what I needed. I went back on the Celexa feel better but back to the usual sedation problem....
>
> In response, I didn't want to say anything about the whimsical idea that all of the side effects would reside in the (removed) mirror image molecule and all the therapeutic effect would reside in the remaining molecule, but it's not surprising he discovered that on his own.
>
> Doctors will fall for some pretty flimsy lines if delivered with a straight face and a pert attitude. Any biologist could tell them that when mirror-image isomers of molecules exist, it tends to be so that most of the biological activity resides in one isomer and the other is nearly inactive. However, the isolated-isomer version of Prozac never made it to market because it turned out to be dangerous, so the "one isomer active" rule may apply more to naturally occurring substances than it does to synthetic drugs.
>
> Judging from the public statements I've heard, few authorities who are financially independent of Forest Pharmaceuticals expect Lexapro to be systematically better than Celexa for anything except the maker's bottom line. (There could be a few individual exceptions.) Same goes for Nexium compared to Prilosec and all these other analogous "next-generation" pills.
>
> Interesting how the next generation always makes it to market just as the previous one's patent is expiring.
>
> Alan
>
>
>
>
>
Posted by grace on October 20, 2002, at 12:20:25
In reply to Re: Went from Celaxa to Lexapro, notice irriatbility » Alan, posted by CuriousJane on October 20, 2002, at 11:14:56
I'll be interested to hear how those of you with anxiety work out with lexapro. My doc switched me two days ago because I have a lot of tiredness with celexa and she says that it can't really hurt to try the lexapro because it's "supposed" to have less of the unnecessary stuff in it which may be causing some side effects. It's not guaranteed to work at all, but just worth a shot. Since I'm only on day two (so far no probs), I would like to continue to hear how others have faired.
Thanks!
Posted by Alan on October 20, 2002, at 15:41:53
In reply to Question for Alan, posted by bridgette on October 20, 2002, at 12:20:12
> Are you saying that it is doubtfull that Lexapro will even work. I hope not because I do want to give it a fair trail. I have been on it for 3 and 1/2 weeks
> and have had a few really good days and the rest seem normal (normal for me). I am thinking if it's the same at a month to go to 15 mg. Is a month a fair trail or should one wait for 6 weeks????
>
============================================
I'm not a doctor (or a pharmrep) and am not completely sure that your primary diagnosis is anxiety disorder.I have simply observed on bboards and in the research that I've seen, that one either responds best to an AD or bzd (or MAOI in some cases) and the running the gamut of AD's *before* trying any of these other two in monotherapy *on an equal footing* is simply the result of AD's being so commercially driven. The co's own stats re: efficacy bear that out for anxiety disorder - 30 - 50% - marginally better than placebo as to be almost negligible.
BZDs on the other hand hover in the 70 - 80% success rate catagory for the general population.
Why aren't the two offered along side one another in seperate clinical trials - head to head.
The reasons seem obvious to everyone that takes the time to listen.
Also, that the very thing eliminated from celexa to manufacture lexapro is what may have been providing sedating qualities that were helping you (minimally) in the first place.
Docs try so hard to convince a patient to try to fit the medicine when it should be the other way around...the patient is not at fault if the medicine doesn't fit their commercially perceived agenda, that's all. Doctors need to listen to what their patients are telling them rather than going with the supposed latest and greatest that's received the most or persuasave "face time", provided stats and all.
Alan
Posted by jrbecker on October 20, 2002, at 15:48:33
In reply to Re: testosterone was a viable treatment » jrbecker, posted by ant-rock on October 19, 2002, at 16:25:53
i tried both 1% and .5% levels. .5% seemed sufficient for me. it's very easy to use. it comes in small packts (like ketchup condiment packs). You tear it open and rub on your upper extremities (shoulders, arms). It absorbs quickly int the skin. You should apply nightly.
Posted by ZeeZee on October 20, 2002, at 17:06:03
In reply to Re: Question for Alan » bridgette, posted by Alan on October 20, 2002, at 15:41:53
Posted by Milla on October 20, 2002, at 20:02:06
In reply to Re: 2 days? » Milla, posted by pharmrep on October 15, 2002, at 22:38:58
Pharmrep:
For each of my former medications, there was a lengthy period of time that I took them. Some I tried for six months at the least and others were for around a year & a half. At one time I was on prozac for four years and a year on celexa and I wasn't too happy with any of them. Even though my doctor said that the side effects would pass and I was aware that all medications take atleast two weeks to take affect (sometimes even months)I took Lexapro for a couple days until I had enough.
I tired of being a guinea pig and getting nothing out of it but confusion and unhappiness; so I attempted an alternative method and I'm very happy with the results.
I had difficulty with ssri withdrawl at first, but now I'm very stable with the help of my behavioral psychologist and through my part in Cognitive Therapy. There is no medication in my body and I'm actually happier and more balanced than I was on the pills. In 1995 I took my first pill and after all these years on medicine, I am now free from pills and so much better.
Thankyou though for your reply and good advice.
Posted by shakingoscar on October 21, 2002, at 3:12:48
In reply to Went from Celaxa to Lexapro, notice irriatbility, posted by CuriousJane on October 18, 2002, at 20:59:25
after two months of complete agony in trying to switch from 60mg celexa to lexapro, I have finally gone back to celexa.
I hate lexapro!
15mg was too little and 20mg made me feel like I was in continual panic attack mode.
I tried the following doses: 10mg 15mg 20mg 30mg.
The 30mg was a prescribing error on my doctors part.
Posted by yeltom on October 21, 2002, at 18:42:07
In reply to Re: Went from Celaxa to Lexapro, notice irriatbility, posted by shakingoscar on October 21, 2002, at 3:12:48
That doesn't sound promising. I've been on lexapro for 3 and 1/2 weeks and am still having problems. Headaches, nausea, even constipation, irritability, poor sleep/fatigue. I was hopeful that it would go away until I read this. Hard to believe the transition from Celexa to Lexapro would be so rough, considering that Celexa basically contains lexapro. I would like to hear from more who've made the switch. Has anyone had better luck?
> after two months of complete agony in trying to switch from 60mg celexa to lexapro, I have finally gone back to celexa.
>
> I hate lexapro!
>
> 15mg was too little and 20mg made me feel like I was in continual panic attack mode.
>
> I tried the following doses: 10mg 15mg 20mg 30mg.
> The 30mg was a prescribing error on my doctors part.
Posted by emmalie on October 22, 2002, at 1:45:53
In reply to Re: Went from Celaxa to Lexapro, notice irriatbility » shakingoscar, posted by yeltom on October 21, 2002, at 18:42:07
Well, I must admit that I'm not the best person to respond to this question but . . . I was taking Celexa for a month and then switched to Lexapro to see if my side effects (severe head/jaw tension) would diminish. Lexapro was INTENSE for me. Felt like I was leaving my body, felt totally spacey yet more anxious for a few days. I realize that these symptoms can go away and often do. I kind of wanted to ride it out, but then I kept logging on to these types of discussion boards and reading people's comments. The bottom line: I switched back to Celexa and am MUCH happier. Still have the jaw tension but at least I'm HERE and feel like a normal human being. Plus, no one really knows the more long-term effects of lexapro, whether or not it is easy to withdraw from or more difficult (like Paxil).
For now, I must say that I am content to let other people try out the new drug and then comment on their experiences. It was too scary for me.
Posted by shakingoscar on October 22, 2002, at 2:23:25
In reply to Re: Went from Celaxa to Lexapro, notice irriatbility, posted by emmalie on October 22, 2002, at 1:45:53
Well, I am five days into being back on Celexa, and I feel already much better.
I worked out exactly how long I withstood the pain of lexapro. My first prescription was on the 29th July. I switched back last friday - so that is approximately 10 weeks of real pain.
Its cost me a week off work and numerous mini panic attacks at work, which I havent had in TWO YEARS!
I estimate that I was on 30mg for 4 weeks, 10mg for 1 week (depression came back quickly on that dose), 15mg for 2 weeks - again depression continued to stay, and 20mg the rest of the time - but 20mg gave me constant panic attacks.
I WILL NEVER TOUCH LEXAPRO AGAIN.
And no-one can say I havent give it a good long chance to work.
I would say that lexapro has caused me more pain than when I started PAXIL, and that was awful.
Thank god for celexa.
Posted by shakingoscar on October 22, 2002, at 9:23:53
In reply to Re: Went from Celaxa to Lexapro, notice irriatbility, posted by shakingoscar on October 22, 2002, at 2:23:25
For the last year I have been on 60mg of celexa for anxiety disorder, panic attacks, and depression... Before that, I have taken Paxil, Prozac, Dothiepin, Immipramine and Zoloft. I became ill just over 2 years ago.
I was impressed by all the hype about lexapro, so switched... Here is my account of the last 10 weeks (repeated from an ealier message).
---Well, I am five days into being back on Celexa, and I feel already much better.
I worked out exactly how long I withstood the pain of lexapro. My first prescription was on the 29th July. I switched back last friday - so that is approximately 10 weeks of real pain.
Its cost me a week off work and numerous mini panic attacks at work, which I havent had in TWO YEARS!
I estimate that I was on 30mg for 4 weeks (mistake of doctor who overprescribed - this dose made me VERY ILL after 2 weeks and I thought my illness had blown up again), then 10mg for 1 week (depression came back quickly on that dose), 15mg for 2 weeks - again depression continued to stay, and 20mg the rest of the time - but 20mg gave me constant panic attacks.
I WILL NEVER TOUCH LEXAPRO AGAIN.
And no-one can say I havent give it a good long chance to work.
I would say that lexapro has caused me more pain than when I started PAXIL, and that was awful.
Thank god for celexa.
Posted by Phyl on October 22, 2002, at 9:24:48
In reply to Re: Went from Celaxa to Lexapro, notice irriatbility » CuriousJane, posted by Alan on October 19, 2002, at 22:56:04
I have been on Lexapro for three weeks now. I have a very chronic problem with insomnia and lately have had a fear of being in a car in heavy traffic. Was given 10 mg of Lexapro along with 50 mg of Trazodone for sleep. The first night I took the Trazodone, it left me barely able to function and I was taken off of it. I was always so exhausted on 10 mg. of Lexapro that my internist said I could go to 5 mg. I have been on 5 mg from Day 2 and I still find that I am extremely tired from about 6:00 p.m. on. The Lexapro seems to act as a sleeping pill for me. I don't notice any other side effects. I have noticed that I don't feel thirsty anymore, and drink very little water/liquids. I don't know if this is because of the Lexapro...
I function Ok during the daytime (much as I did eveng bein sleep-deprived.) Occasionally, I take Lorezepam when I can't get back to sleep. I am not quite sure if I belong on Lexapro...I have never been diagnosed with depression and other than the car thing, I have no other anxieties. I am a worrier (five children)
Posted by sjb on October 22, 2002, at 10:17:03
In reply to Any older people on Lexapro?, posted by Phyl on October 22, 2002, at 9:24:48
What do you call older??? I'm 42 and on Lexapro only. I don't have daytime drowsiness, if anything, maybe a little anxious, but do sleep more than I used to. I take 10mg, first thing in the morning and started on 9/11. I had some insomnia the first week, but that has faded.
Posted by sjb on October 22, 2002, at 10:20:31
In reply to Re: Went from Celaxa to Lexapro, notice irriatbility, posted by emmalie on October 22, 2002, at 1:45:53
No one really knows the long-term effects of any of the drugs we are taking.
Posted by yeltom on October 22, 2002, at 12:01:16
In reply to Re: Went from Celaxa to Lexapro, notice irriatbility, posted by shakingoscar on October 22, 2002, at 2:23:25
So how come you didn't switch back to Celexa sooner? My problem is that I'm not sure how long is a fair trial. As I said, I've been taking lexapro for almost 4 weeks, and it still aint pleasant. I'd switch back right now, but before doing so, I want to be confident that things aren't likely to suddenly get better in the next few days. Don't want to have gone through all this shit for nothing. But I'm thinking that it's unlikely to improve much. I know that for some ssri's, you need to give it 6 to 8 weeks. But it would seem that it shouldn't take that long with Lexapro, especially considering that I'm switching from Celexa rather than from an unrelated drug or starting from scratch. And with Celexa, I felt good in less than 2 weeks. Clearly, you think you should have switched back to Celexa sooner, but why didn't you? How do you know when enough is enough? Are there any docs or pharm reps out there who might be able to give me some insight?
> Well, I am five days into being back on Celexa, and I feel already much better.
>
> I worked out exactly how long I withstood the pain of lexapro. My first prescription was on the 29th July. I switched back last friday - so that is approximately 10 weeks of real pain.
>
> Its cost me a week off work and numerous mini panic attacks at work, which I havent had in TWO YEARS!
>
> I estimate that I was on 30mg for 4 weeks, 10mg for 1 week (depression came back quickly on that dose), 15mg for 2 weeks - again depression continued to stay, and 20mg the rest of the time - but 20mg gave me constant panic attacks.
>
> I WILL NEVER TOUCH LEXAPRO AGAIN.
>
> And no-one can say I havent give it a good long chance to work.
>
> I would say that lexapro has caused me more pain than when I started PAXIL, and that was awful.
>
> Thank god for celexa.
Go forward in 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.