![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1035 to 1059 of 8406. Go back in thread:
Posted by johnnylex on October 28, 2002, at 17:28:09
In reply to Re: Week 5, posted by wharfrat on October 28, 2002, at 15:00:46
I have finally run out of the Lexapro samples that my doctor gave to me. I now need to purchase Lexapro, but I am uninsured, so price is an issue. I live in South Florida and my local Walgreens, Eckerd and Winn-Dixie sell 30 tablets of 20mg Lexapro for $74.99, $75.29 and $69.95.
Does anyone know where I can find it cheaper?
By the way, I am hoping that the medication will make getting a job (which includes health insurance) a possibility.
Posted by TNgirl on October 28, 2002, at 17:48:33
In reply to Re: Question., posted by grace on October 27, 2002, at 21:13:55
> > > > 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!
>> > hey! i'll tell you what's worse... no sex at all!! at least you all want and are having or attempting to have sex! count yourselves lucky! for the past 10 months i've been dealing with major depression(on top of fibromyalgia et al...) and haven't even wanted to have sex(guess it's lucky i'm single) i've had offers but i just wasn't interested. this is not normal by any means for me! i've been on lexapro now for 3 wks.,instead of prozac. i'm hoping that i will soon get back to my old social self and start having a life, again! instead of staying home alone all the time. and then, hopefully, i'll start being intrested in sex, again!!! :)
(i'm gonna cross my fingers and knock on wood and anything else i can think of, too, just in case~!!!) :)
Posted by merlin on October 28, 2002, at 18:27:32
In reply to Re: Doesn't anyone like Lexapro » merlin, posted by CuriousJane on October 28, 2002, at 13:54:14
Curious Jane
Many thanks from me to you. After reading your follow up post to mine and seeing how much of what you explain you were feeling on lexapro was the same for me. I called my Doctor and asked for an appointment today. My doctor switche on 10/18/02 from 40 MG of celexa to 20 MG of Lexapro the first four to five days were great. and then Wow! Like a bombshell hit, I had feelings and thoughts and concerns and fears after dealing with all these terrible feelings along with overeacting, to things worring about things that needed to get done and not acting on the not caring to do anything and started to get the feeling of wanting to hide inside my house and not go out. in the past 5 days my friends have had to try and force me to get out of the house. After reading your Post you made me call my doctor and go and see him right away. for the first time in the past five days when i walked through the door into the doctors areas where u get weighed and bloodpresure checked before see ing the doctor the doctor said to me carefull with him he is a magician he will make u dissapear. its the first time i felt safe and actually laughed a little bit in 5 days.
after talking to my doc in his office he could see I was suffering from something pretty bad.
He switched me to paxil said he would have prescribed that for me a long time ago would have been his first choice. but before i started seeing this Doctor my now retired Doctor took me off paxil a few years back saying it would be cheaper for me seeing i did not have insurance and Paxil was the same as Celexa just different side effects. My new doctr just shook his head. and said starttaking it and call him for anything if i have any problems.Lexapro is not for me.
Thanks goes out to Curious jane for waking me up from the tunnle Lexapro caused me to be in.
Goodluck to everyone else on Lexapro.
I know many of you are having great results its just definatly not for me.I wish everyone the best of Luck.
> 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.
>
>
Posted by maririp on October 28, 2002, at 20:38:09
In reply to Re: Week 5 » wharfrat, posted by ANXIETY ANN on October 28, 2002, at 14:39:17
> > 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.
>
> Hi I can totally relate to your story. I was given Lexapro for extreme anxiety that started as a child. I started having full blown panic attacks in 1996 I too saw several docs who told me I needed to calm down (they should have a panic attack before they pretend to know what their talking about) I was put on xanax and was on that for 4 years but it didn't get rid of the generalized anxiety just the acute panic attacks. I am still in counseling and I take adivan for anxiety at least until I get adjusted to Lexapro. Anxiety does run in families my grandmother father and aunt all suffer from anxiety disorder. If your anxiety does not get better I would talk to your doc about maybe taking adivan to get you through. It soulds almost like what happened in the garage with the kids was the start of a panic attack. Did you feel like you had trouble breating , real nervous and dizzy ? Felt like you had to get out of there fast? All classic signs of panic. Talk to your doc if you like him or find on that specialzes in Anxiety and Depression. Good luck Ann
>HI..I also had full blown panic attacks..started in 1986, I most likely had anxiety since I was a child. I was even agoraphobic for a time. I was lucky my doc knew right away it was panic disorder. I have been on lexapro almost 2 months. I feel wonderful except i can tell already its going to ruin my orgasms. I also take xanax very rarely. I think what helped me more than anything on the panic disorder was a therapist who specialized in panic disorder. I learned allot about it and how not to fear it. I too had shortness of breath..the need to feel like I had to run to get away. I couldn't go into a store. I was dizzy, sweaty, and felt like I was outside of myself scared to death. the more you learn about your disorders the easier it gets to live with it.It also runs in my family..Mari
Posted by maririp on October 28, 2002, at 20:45:09
In reply to Re: Question., posted by TNgirl on October 28, 2002, at 17:48:33
> > > > > 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!
> >
>
> > > hey! i'll tell you what's worse... no sex at all!! at least you all want and are having or attempting to have sex! count yourselves lucky! for the past 10 months i've been dealing with major depression(on top of fibromyalgia et al...) and haven't even wanted to have sex(guess it's lucky i'm single) i've had offers but i just wasn't interested. this is not normal by any means for me! i've been on lexapro now for 3 wks.,instead of prozac. i'm hoping that i will soon get back to my old social self and start having a life, again! instead of staying home alone all the time. and then, hopefully, i'll start being intrested in sex, again!!! :)
> (i'm gonna cross my fingers and knock on wood and anything else i can think of, too, just in case~!!!) :)
>
Hi..Its no fun to want or attempt to have sex only to end up frustrated. I have found that will all the antidepressants i have taken the price to pay was no orgasms or allot of weight gain. It is so nice to feel happy again with the help of lexapro but as Ann said what a trade off your sex life suffers. These are the reasons I usually do not stay on an antidepressant for long, however, as you get older and hormones change I find I may have to stay on them. Not all women can take hormone therapy. Good luck to you, and get out there and enjoy life :-)
Posted by Erin on October 28, 2002, at 21:36:10
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 about three to four weeks and feel so much better now. No Side Effects! I don't sleep all day any longer and feel great. After reading some of the responses to Lexapro I am scared that this will not last forever. Just went to my doctor today and raved about this new drug. Is there anyone out there that has experienced good results such as myself? If so could you let me know what your past and present experiences are?
Posted by Malcolm on October 29, 2002, at 2:13:41
In reply to Citalopram pharmacology, posted by dr. dave on August 20, 2002, at 15:22:46
> Although r-citalopram has some affinity to histamine (not 'histomine') receptors this does not mean it is 'inhibiting s-citalopram'. You cannot inhibit a molecule, you can only inhibit a process - which process involving s-citalopram is the r-citalopram/histamine receptor interaction inhibiting?
>
> The whole marketing of this drug seems to be based on sloppy science. I have no problem with Celexa, I prescribe it all over the place, but raising desparate people's hopes with woolly and wishful thinking I object to.Dr. Dave,
Those are "desperate" people, not "desparate" people.
--Mal
Posted by dr. dave on October 29, 2002, at 5:11:46
In reply to Re: Citalopram pharmacology » dr. dave, posted by Malcolm on October 29, 2002, at 2:13:41
> > Although r-citalopram has some affinity to histamine (not 'histomine') receptors this does not mean it is 'inhibiting s-citalopram'. You cannot inhibit a molecule, you can only inhibit a process - which process involving s-citalopram is the r-citalopram/histamine receptor interaction inhibiting?
> >
> > The whole marketing of this drug seems to be based on sloppy science. I have no problem with Celexa, I prescribe it all over the place, but raising desparate people's hopes with woolly and wishful thinking I object to.
>
> Dr. Dave,
>
> Those are "desperate" people, not "desparate" people.
>
> --MalThank you, I stand corrected.
David
Posted by shakingoscar on October 29, 2002, at 5:18:06
In reply to Re: Doesn't anyone like Lexapro » merlin, posted by CuriousJane on October 28, 2002, at 13:54:14
I gave it ten weeks for the lexapro to work after being on 60mg celexa for nearly a year. I really wish I hadnt switched - the full ten weeks I was up and down like a yoyo and unfortunately, mostly very down and anxious and VERY TENSE.
Lexapro? never again!
Posted by dr. dave on October 29, 2002, at 5:41:16
In reply to Re: Citalopram pharmacology » dr. dave, posted by Malcolm on October 29, 2002, at 2:13:41
I was interested to discover in the product monograph (page 22) on www.cipralex.com that one of the two initial US studies of Lexapro/Cipralex showed no statistically significant difference between escitalopram and placebo, nor citalopram and placebo.
What does this mean? I do think that escitalopram and citalopram are both effective, but that they are virtually identical in practice, and their benefit over placebo is a lot less than you might be led to believe by the rather feverishly optimistic marketing. Optimism about treatment for depression is good, but to treat depression realistically and seriously you need to have an accurate idea of what your tools can achieve.
Posted by mudbunny on October 29, 2002, at 6:12:17
In reply to Weighing (mudbunny), posted by bridgette on October 27, 2002, at 6:56:27
It sure is a battle. How is your eating habits? I will only eat 1 full meal a day and then only a snack in the night. I dont like to eat a full meal unless I know I can workout after the same day. I think I will gain weight if I dont. I wish I could stop. My therapist told me to get rid of my scale yea right. My husband got rid of my scale once and I just got a new one.I lost 70 pounds I was heavy my whole life now I am afraid of gainig it back. I want to have a baby but the weght issue is to much right now. Good luck and god bless. mudbunny
Posted by maririp on October 29, 2002, at 8:05:49
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Erin on October 28, 2002, at 21:36:10
> I have been on Lexapro for about three to four weeks and feel so much better now. No Side Effects! I don't sleep all day any longer and feel great. After reading some of the responses to Lexapro I am scared that this will not last forever. Just went to my doctor today and raved about this new drug. Is there anyone out there that has experienced good results such as myself? If so could you let me know what your past and present experiences are?
Hi..I have been on lexapro for about two months. I think its one of the best antidepressants I have ever taken. Its my first time back on one in 3-4 years. The first few days I experienced zombie like state and woke up feeling sad. Day 5 I woke up happy and its been great ever since. I do have a hard time with orgasms so we will see how that goes still too eary to tell if this will be a lasting side effect.
Posted by ANXIETY ANN on October 29, 2002, at 9:28:53
In reply to Re: Question., posted by maririp on October 28, 2002, at 20:45:09
> > > > > > 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!
> > >
> >
> > > > hey! i'll tell you what's worse... no sex at all!! at least you all want and are having or attempting to have sex! count yourselves lucky! for the past 10 months i've been dealing with major depression(on top of fibromyalgia et al...) and haven't even wanted to have sex(guess it's lucky i'm single) i've had offers but i just wasn't interested. this is not normal by any means for me! i've been on lexapro now for 3 wks.,instead of prozac. i'm hoping that i will soon get back to my old social self and start having a life, again! instead of staying home alone all the time. and then, hopefully, i'll start being intrested in sex, again!!! :)
> > (i'm gonna cross my fingers and knock on wood and anything else i can think of, too, just in case~!!!) :)
> >
> Hi..Its no fun to want or attempt to have sex only to end up frustrated. I have found that will all the antidepressants i have taken the price to pay was no orgasms or allot of weight gain. It is so nice to feel happy again with the help of lexapro but as Ann said what a trade off your sex life suffers. These are the reasons I usually do not stay on an antidepressant for long, however, as you get older and hormones change I find I may have to stay on them. Not all women can take hormone therapy. Good luck to you, and get out there and enjoy life :-)Hi
I agree with Mari, we may be having sex but believe me its not much fun and terribly frusrating if you can't have an orgasm. maybe you're depression is the reason you don't have much of a sex drive.Give Lexapro a chance to work and go find your self a GOOD man, ENJOY LIFE
Anxiety Ann
Posted by wharfrat on October 29, 2002, at 9:55:20
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
Is anyone out there taking lexapro for general anxiety disorder?
Posted by bridgette on October 29, 2002, at 10:52:39
In reply to Re: Citalopram pharmacology » Malcolm, posted by dr. dave on October 29, 2002, at 5:11:46
any better than a placebo? Is that what the study says? But, don't they say that about all SSRI's. That they all have a placebo effect. I read that in a study that was in all the newspapers in July.
Posted by Erin on October 29, 2002, at 11:53:40
In reply to Re: Anyone taking lexapro for GAD?, posted by wharfrat on October 29, 2002, at 9:55:20
> Is anyone out there taking lexapro for general anxiety disorder?
I have been taking Lexapro for about 3-4 weeks for major depression and general anxiety disorder. It has been a god-send for me as I do not experience the level of anxiety I once did. This is not to say that there is no anxiety at all, I do experience the normal anxiety. New places, people and things, changes in my life give me a greater level of anxiety but this is true for most people. I will continue my journey with Lexapro and pray that it will help me down the road in recovery.
Posted by johnj on October 29, 2002, at 17:15:50
In reply to Re: Citalopram pharmacology (nm), posted by Malcolm on October 29, 2002, at 14:51:32
Hello,
Does it sound strange to start off with a low dose? I was told to start with 5 mg, but was thinking I would rather start with half that. I am med sensitive and thought that may be better. Anybody with experience out there? Someone mentioned that at low does, Celexa, gave vivid dreams. I didn't know if it is ok to start slow and move up slowly. Thanks
johnj
Posted by chad_3 on October 29, 2002, at 23:21:20
In reply to Re: Doesn't anyone like Lexapro, posted by shakingoscar on October 29, 2002, at 5:18:06
Hi ShakingOscar
I admit your name caught my attention which is why I read your post - I have read almost nothing on this new SSRI except that I heard it blocks 5ht-2 and 5ht-3 somewhat (aka: Remeron) - but has little to no norephinephine effect (kinda like Serzone - except Serzone does have mild NE effects)
Well except that Lexapro supposedly blocks part of 5ht-3, and based on effects on depression (weak effect - sometimes anxiety or tension , etc) - these comments remind me of Serzone - which sounds to me like they are both similar pharacological profiles.
Serzone is now used probably more to augment that anything - as an axiolytic, or to reduce some SSRI sexual side effects since it partially blocks serotonin.
Anyway - long story short - this Lexapro sounds to me more like an augmenting agent than a standalone antidepressant - but I'm just taking a wild guess here on the little bit I've heard.
Chad
> I gave it ten weeks for the lexapro to work after being on 60mg celexa for nearly a year. I really wish I hadnt switched - the full ten weeks I was up and down like a yoyo and unfortunately, mostly very down and anxious and VERY TENSE.
>
> Lexapro? never again!
Posted by dr. dave on October 30, 2002, at 6:20:32
In reply to Lexapro doesn't work???, posted by bridgette on October 29, 2002, at 10:52:39
> any better than a placebo? Is that what the study says? But, don't they say that about all SSRI's. That they all have a placebo effect. I read that in a study that was in all the newspapers in July.
Different studies give you a range of different results, which shows you the dangers of seeing the result of a single trial as 'scientific proof' of anything. Some show greater efficacy, some don't. I think the truth is that Lexapro is more effective than placebo, particularly for more severe depression, but the increase in effectiveness over placebo is such that you can't detect it in some trials.
It's also worth remembering that these trials show averages for a big group of people, and that for an individual the benefit over placebo might be much bigger than the average difference. But then again, sometimes there will be zero advantage.
Posted by Phyl on October 30, 2002, at 6:40:12
In reply to Starting an SSRI Question(lexapro), posted by johnj on October 29, 2002, at 17:15:50
I was told to start with 10 mg of Lexapro but cut it in half. I have been taking 5 for almost four weeks. I notice little difference during the daytime, but am always ready to go to sleep at about 7:00 p.m. I usually sleep for 4-5 hours and then take a Lorezepam to get through to the morning. I think I was prescribed Lexapro for a specific phobia (driving on highways); so far, I'm still afraid to drive, so am not sure what it is doing for me. I go see my internist this morning to clarify a few things. Originally he put me on Trazodone for insomnia but that did a real job on me and I was taken off of it immediately. I think I will stay on 5 mg. I, too, am very sensitive to meds. Good luck!
Posted by SLS on October 30, 2002, at 7:26:31
In reply to Citalopram pharmacology, posted by dr. dave on August 20, 2002, at 15:22:46
> The statement '10mg Lex is 40mg Celexa' doesn't make any sense.
I'm not sure if this refers to my post along another thread, but what I meant by Celexa 60mg = Lexapro 10mg is that they seem to be relatively equivalent therapeutic dosages. This is based upon my memory of the earliest personal anecdotal reports posted by people on PB. Since writing that, I think it looks more like Celexa 60mg = Lexapro 20mg. This is nothing more than my gross observations that I haven't documented. However, this in no way a statement of relative efficacy. Celexa 60mg might be less effective than Lexapro 20mg.> Let's get down to the science here - '10mg lex' is 10mg of s-citalopram. '40mg Celexa' is 20mg s-citalopram plus 20mg r-citalopram. That's different.
Celexa and Lexapro are different. Period.
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021006/msgs/123211.html
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020906/msgs/119448.html
Do you feel you know enough about the brain, physiology, organic chemistry, and the pharmacology of these two drugs to state anything about getting down to science? I admit that I don't (not such a revelation). I just like doing thought experiments - you know - theory. My theories are constructed with great care but with insufficient knowledge for them to be worth a damn.
> A study has been presented claiming 10mg Lexapro is as effective as 40mg Celexa - but Jack Gorman in his meta-analysis of the research states that this study was too small to demonstrate differences in efficacy. The result of one small trial is not necessarily the complete and absolute truth.
I think that empirical observation is essential to help validate the musings of theoreticians.
- Scott
Posted by Amberlin on October 30, 2002, at 9:42:53
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
Just switched today.
No side effects, of course I didn't think I would experience any. I had been on Effexor for two years previously, went to Celexa for a month, and now on Lexapro. I feel like a guinea pig.But I'll remain positive and hope that Lexapro works.
Posted by dr. justin on October 30, 2002, at 19:34:27
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
I hope to switch to Lexapro shortly; my physiatrist, whom I am fortunate to have, is the head of my alma mata's psychiatry department and has never steered me wrong (please don't interpret that to mean I haven't had to ride the medicine merry-go-round, I just think my ride may have been shorter because of his talent). He has recommended to me that I shift from Celexa to Lexapro. I'll come back and post with the differences a month or so after I make the switch.
Also, since others have, I wanted to share the combo that really worked for me, for those of you that are just starting your battle. No one falls into any of the seemingly arbitrary categories for these illnesses, but if I was to describe my problem, it would be as follows: Imagine a triangle. Each of the three points are labeled "Depression", "Anxiety", and "OCD." A point describing my condition is in the triangle, and the closer it is to a tip, the more of that condition I experience. My illness "floats" inside this triangle, occasionally drifting closer to one point than the other two, but always on the move. Very hard to combat. If this sounds familiar, I really have had it under control the past 3 years with this “recipe”:
150 mg Wellbutrin SR 2x/day
40 mg Celexa in the morning
4 mg Klonopin in the eveningI hope you all get feeling better; hang in there!
Posted by sjl on October 30, 2002, at 21:10:02
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
Hi,
I just started on lexapro(10mg) for anxiety and I've gotten some strange side-effects. About 2 hours after I take it, I start twitching, yawning, and feeling like I need to flex my muscles. My jaw also starts to shake a bit. Anyone else get effects like this? Is this normal?Thanks,
sjl
Posted by dr. justin on October 30, 2002, at 22:37:26
In reply to Just started on lexapro...., posted by sjl on October 30, 2002, at 21:10:02
sjl,
I can't comment on Lexapro yet, but I've been taking its "Father", Celexa, for a couple of years now. When I first started taking it, I can clearly remember experiencing facial twitching. Occasionally, the twitching would occur across my back or in my legs. I believe it was somewhat similar to what you described is happening to you. It eventually went away, but when I increased from 20 mg to 40 mg (roughly, the Lexapro 10 mg equivalent) the twitching came back very strong. After 2-3 weeks, it faded again for me. If it really starts to bother you, I'd recommend notifying your physician, but if you're just nervous that you're having some bizarre side-effect, I wouldn't sweat it. Lexapro claims it eliminates or diminishes some of Celexa's uncomfortable side-effects; I guess the twitching isn't one of them. Take care.
~ Justin
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