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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by maririp on October 26, 2002, at 9:14:47
In reply to Re: Doesn't anyone like Lexapro, posted by grace on October 26, 2002, at 0:39:53
> I'm glad to hear that you finally found a doc that listened to you and is helping you. It can be a big change to go from feeling weird all the time (whether it is severe moods, depression, anxiety, etc.) to go back to being "normal". Sometimes it seems like it's too good to be true, but I'm sure you'll have your moments (even on meds, I know I do sometimes). Just enjoy the life that you're living thanks to modern medicine and as long as you can deal with the side effects, keep at it. And don't forget "talk therapy" too - it makes a big difference to do both meds & therapy than just one or the other.
Well said. I agree with you said and therapy along with meds is really the key. It wouldnt hurt everyone to have a little therapy :-)
Posted by bridgette on October 26, 2002, at 10:25:20
In reply to Re: Doesn't anyone like Lexapro, posted by wharfrat on October 25, 2002, at 15:36:59
I so related to what you said. I think the changes we are feeling are subtle (more subtle than we would like---but if we are having sexual side effects then something is working). I wish I could say NOTHING bothers me ----that is where I want to be, but I DO feel LESS botherd. I am at 4 weeks and 4 days and I'm still thinking about raising it to 15 mg---what do you all think about that to kick start it somemore???
> I was diagnosed with mild depression Sept. 29th.
> Have never taken antidepressants (prescribed anyway). Have felt on the verge of insanity for as long as I can remember, but Dr.'s always have told me I'm just high strung or stressed out and need to relax and forget about it. Finally found a Doc who did'nt treat me like someone just looking for some good drugs. Anyway back to the point. It's been almost four weeks on lexapro and I'm told by the people who know me I'm better. I do feel better. Early side effects were mild headache in the mornings, grinding teeth and spaced out feeling for the first week. No more side effects except for sexual. My wife doesn't seem to mind the extra time it takes. It can be frustrating, but hey, I wanted to strangle everybody from the lady with the screaming baby in the store to my kids. Now nothing upsets me. Is this how it feels to be normal?
Posted by bridgette on October 26, 2002, at 10:31:21
In reply to Pregnancy, posted by Kelli on October 26, 2002, at 9:06:56
I am hypersensitive about my weight and that is the first question I ask about any drug and I can safely say there is NO weight gain w/Lexapro. Granted, I still exercise aLOT and am extremely careful w/my diet. Actually, that's a whole other problem. I though maybe, I would *lighten up* on my eating disorder w/Lexapro, but that has not happened. Sometimes, I think we look for designer drugs to do it all.
Posted by Vann on October 26, 2002, at 13:41:43
In reply to Weight gain., posted by bridgette on October 26, 2002, at 10:31:21
I see some people on Lexapro have mentioned teeth grinding. After 2 weeks on 10 mg. daily I woke up with a sore tongue and some toothache. I wonder if I am biting my tongue at night. Has anyone else experienced this?
Posted by mudbunny on October 26, 2002, at 16:46:14
In reply to Weight gain., posted by bridgette on October 26, 2002, at 10:31:21
Hi, I know what you mean .I have a obssesion of weighing myself at least 10 times a day. I thought the lex would help it did a little but I am still weighing myself at least 5 times a day and workout an hour on the treadmil. I have been on it for 1 month and have not gain a pound good luck
Posted by wharfrat on October 26, 2002, at 17:33:50
In reply to Re: Doesn't anyone like Lexapro, posted by bridgette on October 26, 2002, at 10:25:20
Well, I say nothing bothers me anymore, but I still have my moments. Maybe I should say things don't bother me near as much. As far as going to a higher mg I don't know. I was given 10 mg and have taken 28 doses. I see Doc on Wednesday and I'll report to him how it's working. He kind of acted like he hadn't prescibed much of it since it came out. Thanks for the support.
Posted by Ward on October 26, 2002, at 17:57:31
In reply to Re: Doesn't anyone like Lexapro, posted by bridgette on October 26, 2002, at 10:25:20
Do you feel like you are making gradual progress, but just not as fast as you'd like? If you aren't making any progress or feel you are backsliding, then I'd go to 15mg. If you are slowly improving,
then I'd stay at 10mg. I was diagnosed with major depression on Sept. 19th, started on 10mg. Lexapro and first felt I was doing a little better after 1 week. Things were fair until the end of week 3, then I had four consecutive bad days and I felt I was really backsliding, so I went to 15mg. That has helped, but I'm still on a roller coaster of good days and bad days. Right now my biggest side effect is feeling tired most of the time, followed by feeling anxious sometimes. I'm hoping for a full week with no major bad days. I wish you success. Hang in there!> I so related to what you said. I think the changes we are feeling are subtle (more subtle than we would like---but if we are having sexual side effects then something is working). I wish I could say NOTHING bothers me ----that is where I want to be, but I DO feel LESS botherd. I am at 4 weeks and 4 days and I'm still thinking about raising it to 15 mg---what do you all think about that to kick start it somemore???
>
> > I was diagnosed with mild depression Sept. 29th.
> > Have never taken antidepressants (prescribed anyway). Have felt on the verge of insanity for as long as I can remember, but Dr.'s always have told me I'm just high strung or stressed out and need to relax and forget about it. Finally found a Doc who did'nt treat me like someone just looking for some good drugs. Anyway back to the point. It's been almost four weeks on lexapro and I'm told by the people who know me I'm better. I do feel better. Early side effects were mild headache in the mornings, grinding teeth and spaced out feeling for the first week. No more side effects except for sexual. My wife doesn't seem to mind the extra time it takes. It can be frustrating, but hey, I wanted to strangle everybody from the lady with the screaming baby in the store to my kids. Now nothing upsets me. Is this how it feels to be normal?
>
>
Posted by merlin on October 26, 2002, at 23:03:28
In reply to Dr. Switched me from Celexa to Lexapro, posted by merlin on October 25, 2002, at 11:39:51
Uh Oh....
Well in my earlier post shown below, things had been going fine. However, all day yesterday and last night into today was very very bad for me to the point of what I would call the verge of a breakdown. I did everything in my power to hold on with what little strength i had. things were not going the way they shold have I had a rebelious employee who i feel has worse problems than I, cause me sever stress and anxiety. I am still currently on 20 Mg of lexapro. but I feel that the past 48 hours when i needed Lexapro to help me the most. it did not. it felt like my lexapro medication went into hiding into a closet somewhere when i needed its effects and help the most.
on Celexa which i have taken for 2 years I never ever had these effects of the meds run and hide away on me. has anyone else encountered this? if so could it be that i have not been on it long enough? any help in answering these questions would be appreciated.> 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 bridgette on October 27, 2002, at 6:49:33
In reply to Re: Doesn't anyone like Lexapro » bridgette, posted by Ward on October 26, 2002, at 17:57:31
I too, have some really good days (w/out my sad thoughts and fears) but other days where I do. What I wonder is if it's normal to have a good days then backslide for awhile, maybe pharrep could answer that. An interesting thing happened yesterday when I went to the pharmacy to p/u another month's prescription for Lexapro and they were ALL OUT. The pharmacist said it has really been moving. I asked if he had any any feedback, and of course he hasn't yet. By the way, he gave me 4 pills to hold me til the new shipment cam ein---I wonder too, what would have happned if I would have had to skip a few days? I read about people taking drug holidays to relieve sexual side effects. What about doing that???
Posted by bridgette on October 27, 2002, at 6:56:27
In reply to Re: Weight gain., posted by mudbunny on October 26, 2002, at 16:46:14
I, too weigh multiple times day---let's see it's 7:55 am and I've been on the scale 3 times already. Yes, I do know this is not normal! I also exercise at least 2 hours a day and work full time. I am NEVER thin enough. I am getting ready to go out for a run right now, but enjoy this website so much---it is more helpful than a therapist---to talk to real live people who are going through this, together! I check it almost as many times as I weigh myself. hahaha
Posted by bridgette on October 27, 2002, at 7:19:38
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
I sent an earlier message which doesn't seem to appear asking what you all think of taking drug holidays to see if it alieviates the sexual side effects---I don'tknow if skipping one day would be enough to get it out of your system. Maybe, two? I assume you wouldn't have to rebuild again like when you first start taking it. What do you thinK?
Posted by maririp on October 27, 2002, at 8:32:34
In reply to Question., posted by bridgette on October 27, 2002, at 7:19:38
> I sent an earlier message which doesn't seem to appear asking what you all think of taking drug holidays to see if it alieviates the sexual side effects---I don'tknow if skipping one day would be enough to get it out of your system. Maybe, two? I assume you wouldn't have to rebuild again like when you first start taking it. What do you thinK?
Id like to know about that myself..its nice they have viagara for men and forgot about the women. Hormone changes are hard enough. Zoloft was the only med I heard you could skip a day or 2 and I hated zoloft. These companies need to spend their profits coming up with a pill to ehnance your sexual drive and orgasms. It's like a catch 22 with antidepressants...feel better but feel bad about no more orgasms or very few, thats why I struggle with the idea of having to take them again. Sex and orgasms are a huge part of happiness and its annoying to not have them.
Posted by ANXIETY ANN on October 27, 2002, at 9:09:31
In reply to Re: Question., posted by maririp on October 27, 2002, at 8:32:34
> > I sent an earlier message which doesn't seem to appear asking what you all think of taking drug holidays to see if it alieviates the sexual side effects---I don'tknow if skipping one day would be enough to get it out of your system. Maybe, two? I assume you wouldn't have to rebuild again like when you first start taking it. What do you thinK?
>
> Id like to know about that myself..its nice they have viagara for men and forgot about the women. Hormone changes are hard enough. Zoloft was the only med I heard you could skip a day or 2 and I hated zoloft. These companies need to spend their profits coming up with a pill to ehnance your sexual drive and orgasms. It's like a catch 22 with antidepressants...feel better but feel bad about no more orgasms or very few, thats why I struggle with the idea of having to take them again. Sex and orgasms are a huge part of happiness and its annoying to not have them.
>
>
Amen to that sister! I have been taking Lexapro for Anxiety (3wks) and although my anxiety is better, sex is disappointing. It is so frusrating to not complete the job (have an orgasm). Its like whats worse, no anxiety or no orgasim? It seems that there always has to be some trade off. This was one of the reasons I went off Effexor (that ans I gained 20 pounds). I think that all these anti-depressants must be made by people who never have sex! Thats my gripe for the day. Anxiety Ann
Posted by wharfrat on October 27, 2002, at 11:04:24
In reply to Re: Doesn't anyone like Lexapro, posted by bridgette on October 27, 2002, at 6:49:33
Myself having not been on antid's before have one dose left for tomarrow and Dr. appt. isn't till Wednesday. Got a sample to pick up tomarrow so I won't miss a day. I am doing so well I don't want to screw it up by missing one. Does anybody know if missing a dose is something to be concerned about? All the sick, dizzy, underwater feeling stuff is gone, but having the Big "O" is still difficult but not impossible. And yeah, If you stop for week or something and start again do you have to go thru the early side effects? What's the deal with SSRI's and this sexual side effect? Do these side effect go away eventually as well??
Posted by maririp on October 27, 2002, at 11:11:24
In reply to Re: Question., posted by ANXIETY ANN on October 27, 2002, at 9:09:31
> > > I sent an earlier message which doesn't seem to appear asking what you all think of taking drug holidays to see if it alieviates the sexual side effects---I don'tknow if skipping one day would be enough to get it out of your system. Maybe, two? I assume you wouldn't have to rebuild again like when you first start taking it. What do you thinK?
> >
> > Id like to know about that myself..its nice they have viagara for men and forgot about the women. Hormone changes are hard enough. Zoloft was the only med I heard you could skip a day or 2 and I hated zoloft. These companies need to spend their profits coming up with a pill to ehnance your sexual drive and orgasms. It's like a catch 22 with antidepressants...feel better but feel bad about no more orgasms or very few, thats why I struggle with the idea of having to take them again. Sex and orgasms are a huge part of happiness and its annoying to not have them.
> >
> >
> Amen to that sister! I have been taking Lexapro for Anxiety (3wks) and although my anxiety is better, sex is disappointing. It is so frusrating to not complete the job (have an orgasm). Its like whats worse, no anxiety or no orgasim? It seems that there always has to be some trade off. This was one of the reasons I went off Effexor (that ans I gained 20 pounds). I think that all these anti-depressants must be made by people who never have sex! Thats my gripe for the day. Anxiety Ann
>
LOL! Ann..you said it..and most antidressants do pack about 20 pounds on ya..I have found with lexapro tho my appetite is better I dont feel the need to pull a stool up to the frig! but orgasms are not easy to come by...I hate that more than I do my depression and anxiety..Why they dont make a new one as wonderful as lexapro without the sexual side effects is beyond me!
Posted by merlin on October 27, 2002, at 11:12:26
In reply to Re: Doesn't anyone like Lexapro, posted by wharfrat on October 27, 2002, at 11:04:24
Ooh Oh....
Well, in my earlier post shown below, things had been going fine. However, all day yesterday and last night into today was very bad for me to the point of what I would call the verge of a breakdown. I did everything in my power to hold on with what little strength I had. things were not going the way they should have I had a rebellious employee who I feel has worse problems than I, cause me sever stress and anxiety. I am still currently on 20 Mg of lexapro. but I feel that the past 48 hours when i needed Lexapro to help me the most. it did not. it felt like my lexapro medication went into hiding into a closet somewhere when i needed its effects and help the most.
on Celexa which i have taken for 2 years I never ever had these effects of the meds run and hide away on me. has anyone else encountered this? if so could it be that i have not been on it long enough? any help in answering these questions would be appreciated.> My Doctor switched me from 40 mg Celexa 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 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 believe this is the medication.
Posted by bridgette on October 27, 2002, at 13:08:11
In reply to Re: Doesn't anyone like Lexapro, posted by merlin on October 27, 2002, at 11:12:26
When I was on Prozac, Buspar relieved the sexual side effects, so trying Buspar w/it is one possibility. I have read that about Buspar many places and tried it first hand. What does nayoen else think of Buspar? I also read that Gingko Biloba 400mg per day will alleviate the side effect, then there's the drug holiday---so we have some options. I think before I want to add another drug I will try skipping a day and see what happens. What happened to Pharmrep???
Posted by Charlie Lee on October 27, 2002, at 13:08:52
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
I started taking Lexapro on Sept 10th for generalized anxiety. So its been about 5 weeks - and my anxiety has DISAPPEARED. In fact, I am so laid back - I don't give a flip about anything. I go to work ONLY because I like having the power ON in my house. Three weeks ago I took pride in my job, now I just work at the level of "getting by". This is coming from a woman who finished college in the spring with a 3.96 GPA. I use to worry about EVERYTHING. So, my next dosage of Lexapro will be cut in half (from 10mgs to 5). I need to care. I want my drive back. This stuff is really STRONG!!! Zoloft worked much better. I cared but didn't allow myself to become strung out with anxiety. But the sexual side effects were unacceptable. I hope cutting the dosage works. I've been sleeping 12 hours a day and I would sleep all 24 if I didn't have to work and eat. I just don't care anymore. Well, there is enough of "me" left to say, "Whoa! This is no way to live!!!" I would rather worry.
Posted by Phyl on October 27, 2002, at 13:54:26
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Charlie Lee on October 27, 2002, at 13:08:52
> I started taking Lexapro on Sept 10th for generalized anxiety. So its been about 5 weeks - and my anxiety has DISAPPEARED. In fact, I am so laid back - I don't give a flip about anything. I go to work ONLY because I like having the power ON in my house. Three weeks ago I took pride in my job, now I just work at the level of "getting by". This is coming from a woman who finished college in the spring with a 3.96 GPA. I use to worry about EVERYTHING. So, my next dosage of Lexapro will be cut in half (from 10mgs to 5). I need to care. I want my drive back. This stuff is really STRONG!!! Zoloft worked much better. I cared but didn't allow myself to become strung out with anxiety. But the sexual side effects were unacceptable. I hope cutting the dosage works. I've been sleeping 12 hours a day and I would sleep all 24 if I didn't have to work and eat. I just don't care anymore. Well, there is enough of "me" left to say, "Whoa! This is no way to live!!!" I would rather worry.
> I'm on my third week on 5 mg. and I don't intend increase the dosage. I;ve never been on any medicaions for anxiety; I think I was put on Lexapro because of my fear of driving. It hasn't done much for that, but it certainly makes me sleep more than I normally do. Isn't it amazing how it causes insomnia in some people and other people can't stay awake. Makes you wonder about these drugs....This is a great site for information and feedback; I hope Forrest Labs refers to it because we are the only ones who know what this medication can do.
Good luck to all of you.
Posted by flwalk on October 27, 2002, at 16:15:50
In reply to Re: Question., posted by ANXIETY ANN on October 27, 2002, at 9:09:31
Has anyone had to wait more than five weeks for Lexapro to kick-in, i.e., do what it's supposed to do?
Posted by trmpqwn on October 27, 2002, at 16:27:17
In reply to Re: Doesn't anyone like Lexapro » bridgette, posted by Ward on October 26, 2002, at 17:57:31
I have had remarkable improvement with Lexapro. Music sounds good, I'm optimistic, social anxiety is gone. Absolutely wonderful!!!! And, sexual side effects are hardly noticeable. I am a female. Whoopeeee
Posted by ANXIETY ANN on October 27, 2002, at 17:07:03
In reply to Pregnancy, posted by Kelli on October 26, 2002, at 9:06:56
> I was just dianosed with Major Depression and put on Lexapro. My husband and I do not use birth control so there is the possiblity of getting pregnant. Is there any information about getting pregnant while taking Lexapro? Are there any known complications?
Hi Kelli
I would wait awhile before becoming pregnant. Not just because of the Lexapro (Im not sure if you can take it while preg)but you need to work through your depression before you have children. I have two daughters and both times after they were born I suffered from terrible depression and with my last daughter it lasted for over 5 years! It is extremely hard to be depressed and care for a baby. Maybe in addition to the Lexapro you could get some therapy so that you can learn how to deal with depression. Do something for yourself before you have any babies. Take care Anxiety Ann
Posted by merlin on October 27, 2002, at 17:23:45
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
Dr. Bob
I was wondering if my doctor switched me to a much higher does than i needed of Lexapro. Would this cause me to feel lethargic, loss of energy, want to sleep later into the morning and have no drive to do what i used to be able to do while on Celexa?I was on 40 MG of Celexa and My Dr. Switched me to 20 MG of Lexapro. I have never noticed anyone in the posts taking as much as 20 MG of Lexapro could it be i am on to much of the stuff.?
Posted by maririp on October 27, 2002, at 17:32:47
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Charlie Lee on October 27, 2002, at 13:08:52
> I started taking Lexapro on Sept 10th for generalized anxiety. So its been about 5 weeks - and my anxiety has DISAPPEARED. In fact, I am so laid back - I don't give a flip about anything. I go to work ONLY because I like having the power ON in my house. Three weeks ago I took pride in my job, now I just work at the level of "getting by". This is coming from a woman who finished college in the spring with a 3.96 GPA. I use to worry about EVERYTHING. So, my next dosage of Lexapro will be cut in half (from 10mgs to 5). I need to care. I want my drive back. This stuff is really STRONG!!! Zoloft worked much better. I cared but didn't allow myself to become strung out with anxiety. But the sexual side effects were unacceptable. I hope cutting the dosage works. I've been sleeping 12 hours a day and I would sleep all 24 if I didn't have to work and eat. I just don't care anymore. Well, there is enough of "me" left to say, "Whoa! This is no way to live!!!" I would rather worry.
>
Im sure you didn't mean for you message to be funny but i have to tell you it gave me allot of chuckles, you were very funny! I like lexapro been on it about two months..the verdict is out on orgasms, haven't really had time for that yet.
Posted by maririp on October 27, 2002, at 17:38:23
In reply to Re: Pregnancy, posted by ANXIETY ANN on October 27, 2002, at 17:07:03
> > I was just dianosed with Major Depression and put on Lexapro. My husband and I do not use birth control so there is the possiblity of getting pregnant. Is there any information about getting pregnant while taking Lexapro? Are there any known complications?
>
> Hi Kelli
> I would wait awhile before becoming pregnant. Not just because of the Lexapro (Im not sure if you can take it while preg)but you need to work through your depression before you have children. I have two daughters and both times after they were born I suffered from terrible depression and with my last daughter it lasted for over 5 years! It is extremely hard to be depressed and care for a baby. Maybe in addition to the Lexapro you could get some therapy so that you can learn how to deal with depression. Do something for yourself before you have any babies. Take care Anxiety AnnWell said Ann..having babies can cause a huge change in hormones and emotions. I went through a very rough time after my second (and last) child. I think therapy along with meds is the best way to go. I went through several years of therapy, heck i could be a therapist now..lol..mari
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