![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1008 to 1032 of 8406. Go back in thread:
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
Posted by grace on October 27, 2002, at 21:13:55
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
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I have been taking SSRI's for over two years now and I've been on various forms and other drugs on top of those to combat the sexual side effects, which have been extreme. I have been on Buspar, Wellbutrin, Gingko, etc. Two things were prescribed for me in addition to these others...one is Viagra (yes, I'm female)...I haven't actually taken any yet because in the meantime, my doc prescribed Claritin (see earlier posts) and that has helped. Maybe you can check into these solutions with your docs?? Problem is that Viagra is expensive and most insurance plans don't cover it, but if it helps, it could be worth it! Good luck!
Posted by grace on October 27, 2002, at 21:21:27
In reply to Re: Doesn't anyone like Lexapro, posted by wharfrat on October 27, 2002, at 11:04:24
> 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??
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm certainly not a doc, but I think it is okay if you miss one dose, it's probably not going to hurt you too much, but I think it should be something to try to avoid...I mean you're building up this chemical in your body and by "messing" with that, it's hard to say exactly what can happen. I mean I've missed a dose because I fell asleep and forgot or something and that was okay...I just took my regular dose the next day, but I certainly haven't done it on purpose and I wouldn't do it to get rid of the sexual side effects.....at least not without talking to my doc first. I have a feeling they don't go away that fast and you're probably doing yourself more harm than good.....just my .02 cents
Posted by meow mary on October 28, 2002, at 0:05:17
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by merlin on October 27, 2002, at 17:23:45
Many people have posted that they are taking 15 or 20mgs. Lexapro. I did not notice any effect on depression or anxiety at 10mgs after 3 weeks and my doctor said that most of his other patients didn't either, despite the big sell that 10mgs "should" be all you need. It was important for me to go slowly though, because of the side effects I experienced. And I'm not convinced yet that this is the med for me. Maybe you would do better to cut back at first (I'm not sure how long you've been on it) and work up slowly to deal with the side effects, or maybe you just won't end up liking the med. The side effects often end up being different for different people. But I just wanted to reassure you about the dosing-- it's not uncommon. Good luck.
Posted by wharfrat on October 28, 2002, at 8:44:10
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
I'm starting week 5 and have been doing fine, however yesterday my 9 year old boy and 4 of his little friends decided to come in the garage and ask me a million questions while I was working. The horrible heart pounding and lump in my throat was more than I could take, I thought I was going to explode. Is this normal after feeling so much better or am I not where I need to be yet? Anyone? Anyone?
Posted by mills on October 28, 2002, at 10:00:28
In reply to Re: Question., posted by maririp on October 27, 2002, at 11:11:24
well, for me, nothing helps with the sexual side effects, not drug holidays, viagra, gingko, yohimbe, wellbutrin, claritin, every herb thought by anyone to be an aphrodisiac, and i've tried them all, but i have no choice; i cannot live without an ssri; paxil saved my life; it literally gave me relief when i was at the end of my rope, and i am hoping that lexapro will be a good substitute with less s/e; it's not a great drug for me at this point; i take it for ocd/anxiety/depression, and it must take more for the ocd, because i am at 20 mg, and i feel i need more
> > > > 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 ANXIETY ANN on October 28, 2002, at 10:40:10
In reply to Week 5, posted by wharfrat on October 28, 2002, at 8:44:10
> I'm starting week 5 and have been doing fine, however yesterday my 9 year old boy and 4 of his little friends decided to come in the garage and ask me a million questions while I was working. The horrible heart pounding and lump in my throat was more than I could take, I thought I was going to explode. Is this normal after feeling so much better or am I not where I need to be yet? Anyone? Anyone?
Hi
I think its normal to feel anxiety once in a while even if you are taking meds. It takes a while for your body and mind to adjust to these new meds. My doc told me it could take up to 8 wks for full improvement. Do you take anything like adivan for the anxiety? Are you male or female? Im a woman and I know that even with Lexapro and adivan when I have PMS I still have bad days. Hang in there and don't be so hard on yourself. Ann
Posted by wharfrat on October 28, 2002, at 11:43:21
In reply to Re: Week 5, posted by ANXIETY ANN on October 28, 2002, at 10:40:10
Ann,
Thanks for the support. Lexapro is the first antidepressant I've ever taken and I'm on other meds. I'm a 41 year old male. My new doctor (Family Physician)Is trying them on me. After other Doc's have told me over the past five or six years that there's nothing wrong with me I'm just to uptight, need to relax and not let things bother me. Easy for them to say! My new Doc thinks from talking with him, that I have a case of mild depression (mild?). Looking at some web sites I think I might have general anxiety disorder. 9 out of 10 symptoms are me. Worry about everything, insomnia, weight loss, anxiety, restlessness, irritabilty and so on. And this is nothing new. My wife told me the other day that I'm reminding her of how I was when we met 18 years ago, Happy, funny, less irritable, angry etc. But I think I've had a problem since I was a kid and it's just gotten worse. Actually I think it's inherited. My Mom took valium for years and my Dad was such an ill tempered tyrant, that my sister got married just to get away & I could'nt hardly stay through High School. Dad got on Paxil a couple of years ago but I don't think he takes them like he should. He's happy on them and meaner than hell off them. Anyway, that's my story and I don't intend to stop Lexapro or missing a dose. Don't want to take a chance of slipping back to the oldself. Myself and my family don't like him.
Posted by mills on October 28, 2002, at 11:57:45
In reply to Re: Week 5, posted by wharfrat on October 28, 2002, at 11:43:21
hey whar, i relate to your story; i am 48 and until about ten years ago, i had never seen a psychiatrist or a psychologist, even though i had suffered from years of an obsessive compulsive introspection that absolutely sucked all my energy down to the bone; long story short, i got to the end of my rope a year and a half ago, and got on paxil; one of the hardest things i've ever been through, but it saved my life; it took me maybe 3 months to get leveled out, but it made me feel happy for the first time in 30 years; i got off of it because of the horrendous sexual side effects, and besides i thought, wow, i feel better, maybe i don't need it anymore (riiiiiiight); so, now i'm on lexapro, and so far it's not helping all that much, but i'm going to stick it out awhile longer, sexual side effects and all; hang in there
> Ann,
> Thanks for the support. Lexapro is the first antidepressant I've ever taken and I'm on other meds. I'm a 41 year old male. My new doctor (Family Physician)Is trying them on me. After other Doc's have told me over the past five or six years that there's nothing wrong with me I'm just to uptight, need to relax and not let things bother me. Easy for them to say! My new Doc thinks from talking with him, that I have a case of mild depression (mild?). Looking at some web sites I think I might have general anxiety disorder. 9 out of 10 symptoms are me. Worry about everything, insomnia, weight loss, anxiety, restlessness, irritabilty and so on. And this is nothing new. My wife told me the other day that I'm reminding her of how I was when we met 18 years ago, Happy, funny, less irritable, angry etc. But I think I've had a problem since I was a kid and it's just gotten worse. Actually I think it's inherited. My Mom took valium for years and my Dad was such an ill tempered tyrant, that my sister got married just to get away & I could'nt hardly stay through High School. Dad got on Paxil a couple of years ago but I don't think he takes them like he should. He's happy on them and meaner than hell off them. Anyway, that's my story and I don't intend to stop Lexapro or missing a dose. Don't want to take a chance of slipping back to the oldself. Myself and my family don't like him.
Posted by merlin on October 28, 2002, at 12:05:13
In reply to Re: Week 5, posted by mills on October 28, 2002, at 11:57:45
I dont understand if you were doing fine on Paxil why did your doctor swutch you to lexapro, and why did my doctor switch me if Celexa was doing the trick. I was doing fine on lexapro the first week so i thouight but now I am feeling pretty bad most of the time. Why are the Doctors switching everyone to Lexapro and it shows some drug stores are running out and waiting for shipments. are our doctors benefiting from switching us to Lexapro? and why switch us if we were doing fine on our old meds?
> hey whar, i relate to your story; i am 48 and until about ten years ago, i had never seen a psychiatrist or a psychologist, even though i had suffered from years of an obsessive compulsive introspection that absolutely sucked all my energy down to the bone; long story short, i got to the end of my rope a year and a half ago, and got on paxil; one of the hardest things i've ever been through, but it saved my life; it took me maybe 3 months to get leveled out, but it made me feel happy for the first time in 30 years; i got off of it because of the horrendous sexual side effects, and besides i thought, wow, i feel better, maybe i don't need it anymore (riiiiiiight); so, now i'm on lexapro, and so far it's not helping all that much, but i'm going to stick it out awhile longer, sexual side effects and all; hang in there
>
> > Ann,
> > Thanks for the support. Lexapro is the first antidepressant I've ever taken and I'm on other meds. I'm a 41 year old male. My new doctor (Family Physician)Is trying them on me. After other Doc's have told me over the past five or six years that there's nothing wrong with me I'm just to uptight, need to relax and not let things bother me. Easy for them to say! My new Doc thinks from talking with him, that I have a case of mild depression (mild?). Looking at some web sites I think I might have general anxiety disorder. 9 out of 10 symptoms are me. Worry about everything, insomnia, weight loss, anxiety, restlessness, irritabilty and so on. And this is nothing new. My wife told me the other day that I'm reminding her of how I was when we met 18 years ago, Happy, funny, less irritable, angry etc. But I think I've had a problem since I was a kid and it's just gotten worse. Actually I think it's inherited. My Mom took valium for years and my Dad was such an ill tempered tyrant, that my sister got married just to get away & I could'nt hardly stay through High School. Dad got on Paxil a couple of years ago but I don't think he takes them like he should. He's happy on them and meaner than hell off them. Anyway, that's my story and I don't intend to stop Lexapro or missing a dose. Don't want to take a chance of slipping back to the oldself. Myself and my family don't like him.
>
>
Posted by mills on October 28, 2002, at 12:13:59
In reply to Re: Week 5, posted by merlin on October 28, 2002, at 12:05:13
well, in my case, it was because i hated the sexual side effects, and lex holds out hope (as literally every new generation of ssri has since prozac came on the market) of producing less sexual side effects; i have doubts, but i am willing to switch in order to try to find a better medication; if lex is not it, i'll run, not walk, back to paxil
> I dont understand if you were doing fine on Paxil why did your doctor swutch you to lexapro, and why did my doctor switch me if Celexa was doing the trick. I was doing fine on lexapro the first week so i thouight but now I am feeling pretty bad most of the time. Why are the Doctors switching everyone to Lexapro and it shows some drug stores are running out and waiting for shipments. are our doctors benefiting from switching us to Lexapro? and why switch us if we were doing fine on our old meds?
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> > hey whar, i relate to your story; i am 48 and until about ten years ago, i had never seen a psychiatrist or a psychologist, even though i had suffered from years of an obsessive compulsive introspection that absolutely sucked all my energy down to the bone; long story short, i got to the end of my rope a year and a half ago, and got on paxil; one of the hardest things i've ever been through, but it saved my life; it took me maybe 3 months to get leveled out, but it made me feel happy for the first time in 30 years; i got off of it because of the horrendous sexual side effects, and besides i thought, wow, i feel better, maybe i don't need it anymore (riiiiiiight); so, now i'm on lexapro, and so far it's not helping all that much, but i'm going to stick it out awhile longer, sexual side effects and all; hang in there
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> > > Ann,
> > > Thanks for the support. Lexapro is the first antidepressant I've ever taken and I'm on other meds. I'm a 41 year old male. My new doctor (Family Physician)Is trying them on me. After other Doc's have told me over the past five or six years that there's nothing wrong with me I'm just to uptight, need to relax and not let things bother me. Easy for them to say! My new Doc thinks from talking with him, that I have a case of mild depression (mild?). Looking at some web sites I think I might have general anxiety disorder. 9 out of 10 symptoms are me. Worry about everything, insomnia, weight loss, anxiety, restlessness, irritabilty and so on. And this is nothing new. My wife told me the other day that I'm reminding her of how I was when we met 18 years ago, Happy, funny, less irritable, angry etc. But I think I've had a problem since I was a kid and it's just gotten worse. Actually I think it's inherited. My Mom took valium for years and my Dad was such an ill tempered tyrant, that my sister got married just to get away & I could'nt hardly stay through High School. Dad got on Paxil a couple of years ago but I don't think he takes them like he should. He's happy on them and meaner than hell off them. Anyway, that's my story and I don't intend to stop Lexapro or missing a dose. Don't want to take a chance of slipping back to the oldself. Myself and my family don't like him.
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Posted by CuriousJane on October 28, 2002, at 13:54:14
In reply to Re: Doesn't anyone like Lexapro, posted by merlin on October 27, 2002, at 11:12:26
I switched from 30mg of Celexa to 10mg of Lexapro on 10/9. It was my idea--not my docs, to see if my sex drive would come back.
I was fine for the first 4 days, but then started noticing anxiety, frustration and headaches starting on day 5. By day 9 I was a tense, stressed out mess--overreacting to everything. We (doc suggested) tried upping my dose to 15, but that just gave me more muscle tension. My jaw was sooo tight, the pain was awful. Back down to 10 after a few days, but I still had some muscle tension and I felt "flat." I switched back to Celexa on day 17 (I think) and after 3 days back on Celexa I feel like myself again. It just wasn't for me. My dad had a similar experience to mine, but he gave it 5 weeks before switching back.
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