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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by me so tiny on December 31, 2002, at 15:28:15
In reply to I think they should make the starting dose 5mg, posted by hok on December 24, 2002, at 10:09:51
> It's been impossible to work my way up to 10mg of Lexapro, even after 2 months of taking it. The anxiety I get from it is just too much stress. I've been at 5mg and although I still have some anxiety from it, it's still a good compromise of anxiety vs. mood effect.
well, I'm switching from deactivated Paxil, and I have very few complaints about Lexapro. The paxil is down to 10mg, from a high of 50, those side effects seem down, including sexual, and I don't think it was antidepressing much anyway. I'm relatively content and I'm digging out from a pile of bills and paperwork I couldn't deal with until now.
I am "more energetic" now, and this might get to be a problem but for now I'm taking it positively. I sleep only three or six hours a night, but during the day I'm not drowsy, and one of my rules of dealing with insomnia is, don't worry about numbers of hours of sleep if I'm feeling fine the next day. I might even cut down my Wellbutrin - it hypes me up and increases the sex, both of which are not needed. See what happens.
> However, I don't have as much daytime sleepiness and cravings with the Lex.
yeah! like that! Under Paxil without WB, I was taking two or three naps a day. Otherwise i'd be cranky. (= depressed)
> How many of you are in the same boat- ... celexa ... better ...
> but ... Lexapro ... less side effects?I think it's all individual differences. These pdocs know a lot of technical details, but in terms of what works with who, and which drug will have what effect, they have to try it on each person. They don't even know why they take a month to kick in, why they sometimes fade, they don't know lots of other "why" questions. They display confidence when they prescribe you a new drug, cuz they're trying to prime the placebo effect.
My paxil started fading almost from the get-go. For other people that obviously doesn't happen. A cousin of mine, she was on Prozac for ten years and then it faded. Nobody knows why. We're from mixed western european blood - italy, france, germany, britain. Nothing unusual.
Some differences are chemical but some are behavioral coping techniques. For instance, I mentioned above that I don't worry about insomnia if I feel rested the next day. I spent years bitching and moaning about not getting 8 hours of sleep. I found myself checking the alarm clock to see how many hours I'd gotten, without actually feeling. Then I tried hiding all my clocks to force myself to just sleep as I felt sleepy. Finally I decided that I was just a light sleeper and 6 or 7 hours a night is right for me, and that works better.
OK so you can see that one man's Bad Side Effect is another man's Slight Adjustment To Lifestyle.
Posted by syringachalet on December 31, 2002, at 21:54:26
In reply to Re: Lex starting dose 5mg » hok, posted by me so tiny on December 31, 2002, at 15:28:15
me so tiny,
I think it sounds like you have gotten in tune with what your body needs and forget about the clocks. Live by the clocks where you must in your life but other wise, set simple boundaries and try to stay close to them for your own good.
When I talk with my patients and ask about their sleep, my concern isnt how many hours they get in 24 but how do they feel in terms of whether they can do most of the things they need to do in their everyday lives.
There have been times in my own life where I was worried about something that I was responsiblle for to make happen at work and for me I found that instead of laying in bed.. flipping around like a fish on a string...I would get up and do some small chore that I had been meaning to do but hadnt had time. Also if that chore was related to the cause of my worry/stress, I some how felt that I was 'doing something active about my worry/stress', thus having a small feeling of control of that one little piece of the situation.As I have said before, you know you best and listen to your body and be gentle with yourself.. there are enough people out there who have so much misdirected anger/frustration that you dont need to come down on yourself.. theyre standing in line for that...LOL
syringachalet
Posted by Geezer on January 1, 2003, at 10:27:05
In reply to Re: Lex starting dose 5mg, posted by syringachalet on December 31, 2002, at 21:54:26
> As I have said before, you know you best and listen to your body and be gentle with yourself.. there are enough people out there who have so much misdirected anger/frustration that you dont need to come down on yourself.. theyre standing in line for that...LOL
>
> syringachaletThank you syringachalet! This is very true and important advice. I believe it applies to medications, as well as, the patients own behavior. A lot said in a few words.
Geezer
Posted by dragonfly on January 1, 2003, at 11:07:38
In reply to Re: Lex starting dose 5mg » syringachalet, posted by Geezer on January 1, 2003, at 10:27:05
I have been on lexapro almost 2 months now. The dry mouth has gone away, I sleep so much better, my sex drive is slowly picking up. Like a few other people I had problems with the big "O" ( I am female) It was only a problem the first couple weeks after starting Lex. I was really really relieved when things were back to normal there! I do have problems with tiredness during the day, but I have learned to deal with it. When I feel it coming on I start moving around. I keep my exercise bike in the living room and just hop on for a few minutes to get blood moving and more oxygen in. I find something physical to do, clean house, garden, walk anything but sit or sleep. I have found the more I sit the more I think of food and napping. So far it has really helped me, plus I have lost a little weight and my house and yard looks soooooo much better which makes me feel soooo much better.
Posted by syringachalet on January 1, 2003, at 13:33:26
In reply to Re: Lex starting dose 5mg, posted by dragonfly on January 1, 2003, at 11:07:38
dragonfly,
Sounds like you ARE doing better and doing things that you can both see and make your life more enjoyable or even just to run smoother...
( the big shots call that self-empowerment..LOL)as for me... YOU GO GIRL!! :o)
P.S. keep us posted on how youre doing..even the not-so-great-days...cause thats real...syringachalet
Posted by Sadsack on January 1, 2003, at 21:24:38
In reply to Lethargy, posted by Oblivious on December 15, 2002, at 22:19:34
I felt like that at first but it is some better. Are you improving? If not, you might want to rethink what you're on and try something else. Let us know how it's going!
> I've been on Lexapro six weeks... absolutely no change in my mood... but I experience extreme lethargy... I have slept up to 18 hours some days... all I want to do is sleep. My boobs hurt all the time. No sex drive... don't even want a man touching me. Don't feel angry anymore... don't feel anything...
Posted by EGR on January 1, 2003, at 22:18:00
In reply to Re: Has anyone experience breast pain?, posted by jjo on December 16, 2002, at 9:23:42
I started noticing this last week... after about 7 days of being on Lexapro. Last week the breast pain was VERY bad... like when you need to nurse or pump... This week it isn't quite so bad, and it seems to me that they've enlarged too. Of course, I've gained weight since this whole depression med thing started for me around Halloween...
I guess I'm glad others are experiencing this too.
EGR
Posted by Kairos on January 1, 2003, at 23:18:12
In reply to Night Sweats, posted by newuser2 on December 30, 2002, at 6:11:50
I was wet from head to ankles and toes! Wear Flannel? At least that's what I did - yet it's VERY uncomfortable! I kept the fan on thinking that would "cool me down" yet all it did was succeed in freezing me to death because I kept on sweating!
Is there ANYone else out there that HAS seen this SE go AWAY?
Kairos
> I have been on Lexapro for 6 weeks. I am having night sweats every night that seem to be getting worse. I sweat only from my waist to my feet, no upper body sweating. Just wondering if this is normal. Is there a way to prevent this? Does anyone have any suggestions on how to sleep well at night in a bed of soggy sheets?
> Please advise.
Posted by Romulus on January 2, 2003, at 11:31:16
In reply to Re: Night Sweats » newuser2, posted by Kairos on January 1, 2003, at 23:18:12
Have you tried popping a tranquilizer before going to bed?
Xanax or Klonopin basically solve all sleeping issues I had with Lexapro (and generally make me feel great all day) but I'm worried of getting too much in the habit of using them though they're supposedly non-addictive.
> I was wet from head to ankles and toes! Wear Flannel? At least that's what I did - yet it's VERY uncomfortable! I kept the fan on thinking that would "cool me down" yet all it did was succeed in freezing me to death because I kept on sweating!
>
> Is there ANYone else out there that HAS seen this SE go AWAY?
>
> Kairos
> > I have been on Lexapro for 6 weeks. I am having night sweats every night that seem to be getting worse. I sweat only from my waist to my feet, no upper body sweating. Just wondering if this is normal. Is there a way to prevent this? Does anyone have any suggestions on how to sleep well at night in a bed of soggy sheets?
> > Please advise.
>
>
Posted by Noelle on January 2, 2003, at 22:47:50
In reply to Re: Night Sweats, posted by Dysfunk on December 30, 2002, at 19:41:25
Oh my gosh, I was really starting to wonder. The night sweats didn't start in the beginning but now I have them everynight and it is so gross. Even if its cold I get them
Posted by jobe on January 3, 2003, at 11:26:51
In reply to Re: Night Sweats, posted by Romulus on January 2, 2003, at 11:31:16
I've been taking Lexapro about 10 weeks now. My night sweats have become worse. My dr. told me they should stop after some time. (didn't say how long) I also have started experiencing terrible nightmares. I'm wondering if anyone else has this too. I had the same problem several years ago when I took Paxil. I wake up exhausted in the morning, like I've been fighting battles all night.
Posted by Dysfunk on January 3, 2003, at 14:34:26
In reply to Re: Night Sweats, posted by jobe on January 3, 2003, at 11:26:51
I have been having extremely violent and vivid dreams on Effexor, along with the sweats. The dreams are so complex, and I could have 5 or more a night. I also wake up exhausted!
Posted by jobe on January 3, 2003, at 15:12:48
In reply to Re: Night Sweats/Nightmares, posted by Dysfunk on January 3, 2003, at 14:34:26
I can totally relate. My dreams have so much rage in them. In my "unprofessional" opinion, I think the lex is helping me control (suppress) my anger during the day with certain situations in my life, but it comes out through my subconscious in my dreams. P.S. Just so you won't think I'm an axe murderer or anything, talking about this rage, my problems deal with my spouse and children. I'm harmless.
Posted by Bruce W on January 3, 2003, at 15:17:48
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
I have taken a 1/2 Pill 6 Days & a Whole pill for 9 days.
I think I am a little better, but still feel depressed.How long did it take for some of you to notice
a very noticeable difference?
Posted by mills on January 3, 2003, at 15:39:04
In reply to 1/2 Pill 6 Days, Whole pill 9 days, posted by Bruce W on January 3, 2003, at 15:17:48
4-6 weeks at 10 mg; ramped up to 20mg for about a month; ramped up to 30 mg for about 2 months more, and still feel the need to go higher; it takes longer and more for some of us; hang in there
> I have taken a 1/2 Pill 6 Days & a Whole pill for 9 days.
> I think I am a little better, but still feel depressed.
>
> How long did it take for some of you to notice
> a very noticeable difference?
Posted by ayuda on January 3, 2003, at 17:17:47
In reply to Re: Night Sweats/Nightmares, posted by Dysfunk on January 3, 2003, at 14:34:26
> I have been having extremely violent and vivid dreams on Effexor, along with the sweats. The dreams are so complex, and I could have 5 or more a night. I also wake up exhausted!
I had that same problem on Effexor, and it got worse as my dosage increased. My last week on it, I was as if in a dream state, not being able to distinguish clearly between dream life and real life, and those dreams were VERY vivid. I have only had a few strange dreams while on the Lexapro -- most were while I was also tapering off the Effexor.
As for sweating at night, I live in Miami, so it's hard for me to tell why I'm hot at night. Could be Lexapro, could be 60-degree nights. I usually blame it on the weather, but I have to run the air conditioning all the time. I wonder if it's really the Lexapro?
Posted by dragonfly on January 3, 2003, at 22:17:52
In reply to Re: Night Sweats/Nightmares » Dysfunk, posted by ayuda on January 3, 2003, at 17:17:47
I am curious about those with night sweats. Are y'all over 40? male or female? I had a horrible problem with hot flashes at night until my hysterectomy this past june. I am 41. I sometimes get a little sweaty at night, but blamed it on a flannel comforter. Now I wonder. I do have very vivid dreams but no nightmares. Maybe the lexapro is increasing estogen levels as well as seretonins. High estrogen was causing me to be miserable with night sweats.
Posted by dragonfly on January 3, 2003, at 22:18:39
In reply to Re: Night Sweats/Nightmares » Dysfunk, posted by ayuda on January 3, 2003, at 17:17:47
I am curious about those with night sweats. Are y'all over 40? male or female? I had a horrible problem with hot flashes at night until my hysterectomy this past june. I am 41. I sometimes get a little sweaty at night, but blamed it on a flannel comforter. Now I wonder. I do have very vivid dreams but no nightmares. Maybe the lexapro is increasing estogen levels as well as seretonins. High estrogen was causing me to be miserable with night sweats.
Posted by Gundy on January 4, 2003, at 12:29:29
In reply to Re: Night Sweats/Nightmares, posted by dragonfly on January 3, 2003, at 22:18:39
I just switched from paxil to lexapro eleven days ago. Right now I'm on 20mg, and notice mild somnolence and some sexual changes, but these symptoms are significantly less intense than those caused by paxil. I have been on many antidepressants, and, so far, I'd say lexapro has a superior side effect profile (but it does have side effects). However, after eleven days, I have not noticed much mood change or OCD relief....but it is still too early to tell.
Posted by Dysfunk on January 4, 2003, at 12:49:45
In reply to Re: Night Sweats/Nightmares, posted by dragonfly on January 3, 2003, at 22:17:52
I am over 40, and was concerned I was going through Perimenopause. I had my hormones tested and the gyn said I am not, yet the sweating and hot flashes continue. Night /day...hot/cold. IT IS A SIDE EFFECT OF THE MEDICATION!
I swear these meds are making me think I have all kinds of medical ailments. I want off this drug!
Posted by Noa on January 4, 2003, at 13:02:14
In reply to Re: Night Sweats/Nightmares-menopause?, posted by Dysfunk on January 4, 2003, at 12:49:45
My experience has been that many of the bothersome effects can be lowered or eliminated by lowering the dose and combining with another antidepressant, which both adds more antidepressant effect, but also can counteract some of the adverse effects. Talk to your pdoc about this. At higher doses, I had profuse sweating from effexor, but moreso with regular effexor than with the XR version.
Posted by ayuda on January 4, 2003, at 14:01:46
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
Now that I think about it, and that I have read all of the postings on this subject, I just realized today that the Lexapro has been what's making me sleepy all day, not the Trazodone. I don't know why it has taken so long to sink in, but I wake up fine around 7 a.m., take my Lexapro, and 2 hours later I'm back asleep. I don't know why I didn't make this connection before now. This has been going on for months!
I think I'm going to lower my dosage to 5mg -- I may even go off it. I have been VERY weepy and emotional lately, and it's nowhere near that time of the month. If I am experiencing the symptoms of depression while on an AD, it ain't working. And I think I've learned that what I need treated more than anything is the anxiety. Anyhow, I'm going to lower my dosage and start taking it at night and see what happens. Maybe I'll stay awake for a whole day! That would be a treat.
Posted by EGR on January 4, 2003, at 14:21:55
In reply to Daytime Sleepiness, posted by ayuda on January 4, 2003, at 14:01:46
>I wake up fine around 7 a.m., take my Lexapro, and 2 hours later I'm back asleep. I don't know why I didn't make this connection before now. This has been going on for months!
>
> I think I'm going to lower my dosage to 5mg -- I may even go off it.Actually, you probably need to increase it. I thought the same thing and increasing it (up to 20) helped me tremendously. It was the depression making me sleepy. I still nap everyday, but I have energy and I'm not weepy and angry. Talk to your doc.
EGR
Posted by pam1165 on January 5, 2003, at 0:57:45
In reply to Re: Daytime Sleepiness » ayuda, posted by EGR on January 4, 2003, at 14:21:55
I have been on Lexapro for 6 weeks so far so good , but I do have spells where I get really sleepy during the day .
Posted by token on January 5, 2003, at 13:00:20
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
i hope i am not alone in this but has anyone tried multiple meds and they just stop working after a good response of a few months? i've tried what feels like everything and i realize depression is recurrent. i've been on lexapro 10mg for 2 weeks and i feel somewhat better (finally my libido is returning and it's not as challenging to get myself out of bed everyday)and just tapered off effexor xr 150mg and neurontin 1600mg (for pain). other meds i am taking are wellbutrin sr 300mg, topamax 400mg (mood stabilization and migraines), flexeril 10mg (fibromyalgia and ankylosing spondylitis), colchicine (mediterranean fever), and low dose birth control pills.
i felt a definite difference in mood control and depression by the first week on 10mg lexapro. having my first orgasms since may '02 but they are not as intense prior to multi-meds. i am still binge eating but i am wondering if it is due to my stress level rather than the lexapro (or is it a side effect of flexeril?). i am still not quite feeling myself and i am still confused about the dosages, ie, lexapro 10 vs 20mg (i used to take celexa 40mg but stopped due to insomnia). any advice would be appreciated. also, anyone know a good replacement for flexeril? some days i sleep 16 hours and eat every waking hour. thanks!
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