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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Phyl on October 22, 2002, at 16:19:25
In reply to Re: Any older people on Lexapro?, posted by sjb on October 22, 2002, at 10:17:03
I'm 20 years older....62! I find that I am ok all day but very tired at night. And altho I seem to fall asleep easier with the Lexapro, people comment that I "look tired." I don't think it is "good" sleep. I'm not sure if it is suppoed to help me stop worrying (?) or cure me of my being afraid to be in heavy traffic (?). I didn't think it was supposed to be a sleeping pill. Sometimes I feel, too, like chucking it and struggling with the sleep problem, but will give it a couple more weeks.
Posted by SMM on October 22, 2002, at 21:11:07
In reply to Re: Complete Knowledge Not Always Available » dr. dave, posted by IsoM on August 21, 2002, at 13:28:26
Is it possible for a person to experience seizure-like activity after one week of lexapro? i.e muscular convulsions, clammy skin, altered mental status, teeth clenching, biting tongue ( no post- ichtal state or other seizure behaviors)Our 17 year old daughter is experiencing this and the drug is the only recent change in her lifestyle. Please respond ASAP.
Posted by Ritch on October 22, 2002, at 22:26:47
In reply to Re: Complete Knowledge Not Always Available, posted by SMM on October 22, 2002, at 21:11:07
> Is it possible for a person to experience seizure-like activity after one week of lexapro? i.e muscular convulsions, clammy skin, altered mental status, teeth clenching, biting tongue ( no post- ichtal state or other seizure behaviors)Our 17 year old daughter is experiencing this and the drug is the only recent change in her lifestyle. Please respond ASAP.
Seizures can happen with any antidepressant in a susceptible individual. I would take her to the ER now and find out what is going on to be safe. If it isn't a seizure it certainly sounds like serious enough side effects to warrant investigating.
Posted by SMM on October 22, 2002, at 23:37:09
In reply to Re: Complete Knowledge Not Always Available » SMM, posted by Ritch on October 22, 2002, at 22:26:47
Our 17 year old has been to the ER for seizure-like activity, had a CT scan, MRI, bloodwork and there are no answers. As I stated, the Lexapro has been the only recent change in her life (which they instructed us to stop at the ER. Since stopping the Lexapro, the severity of these "fits: seem to have decreased, as well as the duration. She goes to a neurologist tomorrow, but I have a feeling it will again be a negative test. They are telling us it is due to stress and anxiety. It is scaring the hell out of us so any input would be greatly appreciated.
Posted by lmblec on October 23, 2002, at 0:36:46
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:
>
> ....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
>
> i am lexapro three weeks, had to drop it back to 15 mg from twenty because all i do i sleep on it- the 20 mg reduced my anxiety almost to normal- i think i have to get it 30 mg (that ought to be fun)to get at the ocd - maybe be the add prozac at some point. this is going on for a year,drug after drug. paxil was the worst-40 mg could not sleep on it -took medication to sleep an needed two hours to wake up-
THE BEST DRUG FOR ALL THIS IS PROZAC IF YOU CAN GET ON IT- IF I CAN GET BACK ON IT, THIS ANXIETY AND OCD AFTER A YEAR WOULD BE DOWN TO 10MG- EMAIL ME IF YOU WANT AND ILL TELL YOU HOW TO GET ON IT- YOU MUST BE ABLE TO TAKE IMIPRAMINE WITH OUT THE URINE RETENTION PROBLEM-THEN ADD PROZAC AFTER THE ANXIETY IS UNDER CONTROL LMBLEC@AOL.COM>
>
>
Posted by shakingoscar on October 23, 2002, at 2:04:43
In reply to Re: Went from Celaxa to Lexapro, notice irriatbili » shakingoscar, posted by yeltom on October 22, 2002, at 12:01:16
I didnt switch back for one simple reason.
I was pinning all my hopes on this wonder-drug and I didnt want to give it up with out a real trial. That trial actually lasted 10 weeks.
Not even prozac took that long and it is known that prozac takes 1-2 months to level out in your system.
I obviously feel very deflated by all this lexapro hype.
Posted by shakingoscar on October 23, 2002, at 2:06:27
In reply to Re: Went from Celaxa to Lexapro, notice irriatbili » yeltom, posted by CuriousJane on October 22, 2002, at 14:18:08
here here... I agree totally.
Posted by bridgette on October 23, 2002, at 17:36:02
In reply to Re: Went from Celaxa to Lexapro, notice irriatbili, posted by shakingoscar on October 23, 2002, at 2:06:27
I just hit 4 weeks and I think I am feeling less anxious, less angry and less irratible and believe me, I was losing patience, too. Does anyone out there have anything positive to say???? I also have energy and I think feel generally better and calmer.
Posted by yeltom on October 23, 2002, at 20:31:38
In reply to Doesn't anyone like Lexapro, posted by bridgette on October 23, 2002, at 17:36:02
Less irritable, etc. than what? Were you on Celexa, another drug, or nothing at all?
> I just hit 4 weeks and I think I am feeling less anxious, less angry and less irratible and believe me, I was losing patience, too. Does anyone out there have anything positive to say???? I also have energy and I think feel generally better and calmer.
Posted by flwalk on October 24, 2002, at 16:00:02
In reply to Delayed effect of Lexapro (nm), posted by flwalk on October 24, 2002, at 13:14:16
I have been taking Lexapro for four weeks and have experienced no relief from depression and anxiety. Is there anyone out there that waited over four weeks (i.e., five or six weeks) before the medication went to work, i.e., "kicked-in"?
Posted by bridgette on October 24, 2002, at 17:08:54
In reply to Re: Doesn't anyone like Lexapro » bridgette, posted by yeltom on October 23, 2002, at 20:31:38
I was on Prozac and Buspar before Lexapro. I always think and want to feel better but I think it (Lexapro)takes the edge off. I have only tried Prozac, uspar and now Lexapro and I think maybe I expect too much, maybe this is what *normal* feels like. Maybe, I'll try 15 mg next.
Posted by Phyl on October 24, 2002, at 17:19:56
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
I am on week 3 of Lexapro and I find that I am very tired at the end of the day and have been going to bed sometimes as early as 6:30!! And I sleep about six hours. At 1:00 or so, I take a Lorezepam so I won't stay up until morning. Is this happening to anyone else? During the day, I feel fine. I take only 5 mg. of the Lexapro.
Posted by Psychnut01 on October 24, 2002, at 19:51:53
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
I have been on Lexapro for a little over 4 weeks now. For the 1st time I am able to lay down and go to sleep with no problem and sleep straight through the night and wake up with no problem. I sleep for about 7 hrs and wake up fine. The only major side effect I am experiencing is periodic depersonalization/derealization episodes but it is for 5-10 min only. My Dx is Bipolar 1. I also take Topamax, Zyprexa & Welbutrin SR.
Posted by flwalk on October 24, 2002, at 19:52:37
In reply to Re: trial question » pharmrep, posted by allisonm on August 6, 2002, at 10:34:07
Has anyone had to wait more than four weeks, i.e., five or six, before the Lexapro kicked-in?
Posted by Prima on October 24, 2002, at 20:01:28
In reply to How long does it take for Lexapro to go to work?, posted by flwalk on October 24, 2002, at 19:52:37
Been on Lexapro for a little over a month and it lessens my anxiety, and has proved to aleviate a good deal of my depression. I can't help but wait to fall over the edge again. With that in mind, I will give it an honest run through with time.
Omshanti,
Prima
Posted by cmd on October 24, 2002, at 22:47:32
In reply to Re: How long does it take for Lexapro to go to work?, posted by Prima on October 24, 2002, at 20:01:28
HAS ANYONE EXPERIENCED, OR HEARD OF EXPERIENCING WEIGHT GAIN WITH LEXAPRO? I HAVE TRIED PAXIL WITH GOOD RESULTS EXCEPT FOR WEIGHT GAIN. I HAVEN'T TRIED CELEXA BEFORE EITHER. I HAVE HEARD A LOT OF SSRI'S CAUSE WEIGHT GAIN, HOWEVER, MY DR. SAYS SHE HASN'T HAD ANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THAT SIDE EFFECT WITH LEXAPRO. I DON'T KNOW WHICH IS WORSE, THE DEPRESSION OR THE WEIGHT GAIN! THANX, ANY RESPONSE IS APPRECIATED.
Posted by lmblec on October 25, 2002, at 0:01:47
In reply to Delayed effect of Lexapro (nm), posted by flwalk on October 24, 2002, at 13:14:16
been on it three weeks had 2weeks at 20 mgn reduced my anxiety but sleep all day- had to reduce to 15 mg
some of the anxiety came back
Posted by lmblec on October 25, 2002, at 0:12:21
In reply to Re: Does anyone notice they sleep more?, posted by Phyl on October 24, 2002, at 17:19:56
> I am on week 3 of Lexapro and I find that I am very tired at the end of the day and have been going to bed sometimes as early as 6:30!! And I sleep about six hours. At 1:00 or so, I take a Lorezepam so I won't stay up until morning. Is this happening to anyone else? During the day, I feel fine. I take only 5 mg. of the Lexapro.
if you are sleeping more on lexapro wait until you get to 20 mg - i sleep all day then and night then cant sleep the next-up 24 hrs- had to reduce it to 15 mg- and some of the anxiety came back- my doctor
put me on hold doing anything more lexapro- email me if you have anxiety/ocd and would like to get on prozac-if i can back on prozac this would be under control and a very low dose 10mg after one year
lmblec@aol.com- put prozac in subject area so i dont delete
Posted by lmblec on October 25, 2002, at 0:16:57
In reply to Re: Delayed effect of Lexapro, posted by flwalk on October 24, 2002, at 16:00:02
> I have been taking Lexapro for four weeks and have experienced no relief from depression and anxiety. Is there anyone out there that waited over four weeks (i.e., five or six weeks) before the medication went to work, i.e., "kicked-in"?
If you are taking a low dose 5/10 mg you wont get any relief- i had to go to 20 mg for anxiety to come down- but now i am sleeping all day- try and go uo slowly- that may help-- i may have to go off the drug
because of the sleeping
Posted by Jaycee on October 25, 2002, at 6:34:51
In reply to Re: How long does it take for Lexapro to go to work?, posted by Prima on October 24, 2002, at 20:01:28
I have been on Lexapro for about 3 weeks now. Switched from paxil to lex. Went through 2 weeks of hell, not sure if it was from paxil withdrawal or lex. Have had alot of migraines and don't feel as good as I did on paxil but I will give it another couple of weeks. Sleepiness is starting to ease some and I am starting to have more energy. I am holding out hope on lex, I hate being on the antidepressant roller coaster. I am grateful for sites like this.
Posted by mudbunny on October 25, 2002, at 7:38:36
In reply to Re: WEIGHT GAIN, posted by cmd on October 24, 2002, at 22:47:32
Hi, I have been on lexapro for 4 weeks and no weight gain at all. It is working well for me good luck.
Posted by Grace on October 25, 2002, at 11:30:46
In reply to Doesn't anyone like Lexapro, posted by bridgette on October 23, 2002, at 17:36:02
> I just hit 4 weeks and I think I am feeling less anxious, less angry and less irratible and believe me, I was losing patience, too. Does anyone out there have anything positive to say???? I also have energy and I think feel generally better and calmer.
========================================================================================================================================================================================================================================================================
I have been on Lexapro for exactly one week (switched from Celexa) and have no complaints. The first day was fine (went to 10mg), the second day was a little weird (went up to 15mg), but after that, I leveled off and have been fine all week. I haven't noticed any side effects besides what Celexa gave me and ma HOPING that after 6-8 weeks (maybe sooner) that some of those will go away (particularly tiredness).
Funny thing is that I tried a bunch of different stuff too and Celexa was the first thing that worked for me (I have anxiety disorder/panic attacks and mild depression). I'm keeping my fingers crossed, esp. since so many on here seem to have problems.
Posted by merlin on October 25, 2002, at 11:39:51
In reply to Re: WEIGHT GAIN, posted by mudbunny on October 25, 2002, at 7:38:36
My Doctor switched me from 40 mg clexa to 20 mg lexapro on 10/18/02 i feel good its like the lexapro started working right away. I notice an improvement compared to the the celexa. on Celexa I found myself taking naps in the middle of the day which really bothered me because i did not want to sleep but just became so tired and never knew why, no it seems like the celexa was making me take those afternoon naps. since i switched to lexapro I have not taken any afternoon naps at all. i do still encounter trouble sleeping at night. i do not beleive this is the medication.
Posted by Abacus on October 25, 2002, at 13:10:52
In reply to Re: Does anyone notice they sleep more?, posted by Phyl on October 24, 2002, at 17:19:56
Yes, I get sleepy too (am also only on 5 mg). I take the med before bed, which helps, but have taken naps from time to time as well. Lex has helped the depression though (in conjunction with Wellbutrin) -- even at my low dose.
Posted by Hardwired_56 on October 25, 2002, at 14:02:52
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
Switched from Paxil to Lexapro. I didn't like it at all. The Chronic Pain (migraine) physician really touted it's lack of side effects. Problem is the stuff just didn't work as well for me as Paxil. I didn't have the weight gain or sexual side effects some experience with Paxil. Just one man's opinion.
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