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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Charlotte Groce on February 14, 2003, at 19:45:34
In reply to Re: lexapro need help--Charlotte, posted by MaryZee on February 9, 2003, at 20:33:52
> Hi Charlotte: My doctor also put me on Lexapro.
> I took it two weeks (l0 mg) and felt awful. I have cut the pills in half and am taking 5mg at night. Plan to discontinue completely. Seeing the doctor on the 24th (he's on vacation). After ten years on Prozac and now the Lexapro, I have decided that I am going to stop all the medication. I want to know how I feel without any of these drugs in my system. If I start acting "weird" my family will tell me and then I can always ask the doctor to put me back on the Prozac. Have not liked the Lexapro at all. I hope it helps you to read posts - it sure helps me. Before finding this place I thought I was very alone in my depression and panic attacks.
> Twenty years of suffering - ten on med's - life get's tiring sometimes. But I always try to think that maybe tomorrow will be better. Lost my best friend/older sister to cancer three years ago. She made me promise that I would not commit suicide after she died (we knew she was dying).
> She made me promise over and over. I wanted to after she died - but did not. Am glad now that she made me promise. So is my husband. He is supportive though he does not really "understand" what is going on with me. Let us know how you do off the meds, o.k.? Thanks for listening.
MaryZee:Thank you for responding. I have been off of Lexepro for 2 + a few days now. I feel much better...suicide is not in my mind as much now. My energy has returned. My memory is still lost, but my concentration is returning.
I wish my family was more supportive. My husband does not understand my mental illness. I have been suffering from OCD for more than 15 years and panic attacks for 2 years. I just found out what was wrong with me in Feb. 2001. Paxil saved my life, but ruined my sex life. When I switched to Lexapro in Nov. my sexual desire returned, but a whole new set of side effects joined me. I decided, like you, to try it on my own for a while to see who I am without my meds. I want me back.
I learned how to handle the anxiety (panic attacks) with breathing techniques and the OCD with confrontation techniques. I still see my theropist every 3 weeks and my psychiatrist every 4. I still take clonazapem each night. I just found this website 2 weeks ago. It is good to know I am not alone. For so many years I thought I was the only one that was like this. I am elated to know that I am in good company.
I hope you do well without your meds. But if not you can always go back. Good luck.
Charlotte
Posted by Charlotte Groce on February 14, 2003, at 19:56:54
In reply to Re: New lex user-Theona --Anyone!!!!, posted by Cherie on February 8, 2003, at 15:04:19
> Need advice-just stopped Celexa 20 mg. 6wks ago after being on for 15 months. Did great on it, felt great. Why did I stop? Went for annual dr. visit and had gained 20 lbs in one year! Dr. suggested Lexapro immediately implying it would be answer to low libido and weight gain. I have been VERY intolerant and edgy and unmotivated recently and believe depression is creeping in. Any ideas on the weight gain?
Cherie:
I gained 30 pounds in 6 months when I was on Paxil (2 years). My libido abandoned me too. My PDr. said this past Nov. that Lexapro was the answer . My sex drive returned immediately and I have now lost 11 pounds.
The lexapro however, left me feeling lazy and unmotivated. I was more irritable as well. I stopped taking the Lexapro 2 weeks ago. But you should do well. Give the Medication a try.
Good luck.
Charlotte
Posted by Charlotte Groce on February 14, 2003, at 20:13:24
In reply to Re: Lexapro has been very good for me, posted by Sussus on February 13, 2003, at 9:59:17
> Thanks Charlotte, for your sharing. Since my last posting, things have finally started to get better in a very real way for me. It took a solid month on Lexapro for me to start to feel like myself again on any consistent basis. I am so relieved to wake up in the morning and want to do things again - anything. I am regaining my energy. Hang in there. I still have nausea from Lexaprop every day and my sleep and sex life are off, but hey- everything is a trade-off and this is one I will gladly take. Keep in touch.
> Sussus
Sussus:The nausea lasted about a month for me. I always took the medication in the morning before I left for work. I noticed that some folks prefer taking it at night. That may help your nausea.
Charlotte
Posted by Charlotte Groce on February 14, 2003, at 20:31:16
In reply to Dealing with Lexapro, posted by handmemymidol on February 11, 2003, at 17:49:14
> I have been diagnosed and dealing with panic disorder and agorophobia for 5 years now. Zoloft did nothing for me. Paxil made my stomach hurt. Serzone worked great, but of course, can't take that anymore with the liver scare and all. Now I am on Lexapro. I can't decide what I think of it. On the plus side, I am living a "normal" life, work, etc. All panic symptoms have subsided. I did have the loss of apetite that others are mentioning but after the first 2 weeks or so, apetite is back. The biggest problems I am having are sexual. I have no interest at all anymore in sex. And when I do have sex, forget about an orgasm. I have taken to faking it so my husband doesn't feel bad. I am at the 10 mg dose and that is working well so I don't think the doc will be upping it. Will this symptom fade away too like the loss of apetite? How long might it take? It has also made me really sleepy. I have been experimenting with taking it at different times to eliminate that. Also, does anybody else experience itching? Geez, when I try to go to sleep at night, I itch like crazy! The more I try to ignore it, the more I itch! It is making me nuts! Doesn't bother me much during the day when I am busy, only when I am lying around, watching tv, etc., so I don't think it is an allergic thing. What say ye?
Handmemymidol:I chuckled when I read your post. I use to itch a lot when I took paxil. I did not realize it until I read your post that itching may be a side effect. I itched everywhere and all the time.
The paxil completely depleted my sex drive and I could not reach orgazism. When I switched to Lexapro my ability to climax returned immediately. Penetration orgazisms are still tough to reach, but oral stimulation is easier. Keep trying you will get there.
But thanks for the laugh. I did not realize that all that itching was from an ISSR.
Good luck.
Charlotte
Posted by Charlotte Groce on February 14, 2003, at 20:36:41
In reply to LEX wieght gain anybody,or not?, posted by male34 on February 12, 2003, at 15:29:25
> my paxil quitting reason was gaining weight has anyone been on LEXAPRO long enough to say it does or doesn't make you gain weight? please thanks!
Male34:
I gained 30 pounds on paxil. My doctor switched me to Lexapro in Nov. and insisted that it would help with the weight loss. I stopped taking the Lexapro 2 weeks ago. I have lost 11 pounds.
Good luck.
Charlotte
Posted by MaryZee on February 14, 2003, at 21:51:55
In reply to What ever happened to Prozac? , posted by nails on February 14, 2003, at 1:16:04
Hi! Wish you could tell me! I sure wish that the Prozac had not stopped working. I am hoping that once I have been off it for awhile I can start taking it again and it will once again work.
But, as I've said before, I'm also intent on getting off all the meds (Lexapro now) and seeing how I do. In fact by the middle of next week I will be off the Lex too. If I start getting miserable again I will try the Prozac again. Let us know if you find anything as good as Prozac!!!
It was like a miracle pill for me when I first started taking it!!!!
Posted by oldhand on February 14, 2003, at 22:43:55
In reply to Re: 20mg, no therapeutic effect, giving up, posted by Leo Bostar on February 14, 2003, at 18:42:15
> Side effects are now kicking in: bad migraines, hypersomnia, anxiety, increased depression. Therapeutic effects never happened after over a month of taking this stuff. I'm backing off. The MD has agreed to let me reduce the dose 5mg at a time, for a week or so at each dose, until I'm off the Lexapro completely. What a total waste of time and money. I'm through with chemicals that make me sick and theraptists that do nothing but nod and take my money. Good luck, everyone. I'm outta here.
Wow, Leo....please don't give up. There is something out there that will work for you. Many of us have had to try several different things to feel better and even then some things poop out after awhile for some unknown reason. See if your doc will try you on another AD. Though I am having very good results with the Lexapro I have been through a gamut of meds to reach this point. Some people "swear by" Effexor but it almost drove me round the bend. I feel great on Wellbutrin but can't leave the bathroom so what good is it? :+) Prozac, Zoloft, Serzone, Celexa, Remeron all worked well for me for awhile too but then pooped out. of course all the time I was drinking alcohol too so who is to say what caused what. Now I feel more like "me" than I have in years and it has been worth all the trials. Please don't give up. "You are a child of the universe, no more or less that the trees or the stars"
Posted by male34 on February 15, 2003, at 10:34:42
In reply to Re: New lex user-Theona --Anyone!!!!, posted by Charlotte Groce on February 14, 2003, at 19:56:54
> > Need advice-just stopped Celexa 20 mg. 6wks ago after being on for 15 months. Did great on it, felt great. Why did I stop? Went for annual dr. visit and had gained 20 lbs in one year! Dr. suggested Lexapro immediately implying it would be answer to low libido and weight gain. I have been VERY intolerant and edgy and unmotivated recently and believe depression is creeping in. Any ideas on the weight gain?
> ***************I GAINED 35 lbs ON PAXIL IN 2 YEARS IWAS CRAVING JUNK FOOD AND IM NOT A JUNK FOOD PERSON BUT NOW OFF PAXIL WEIGHT DROPPED QUICK NOW ON LEXAPRO AND FROM WHAT IVE READ ,NO WEIGHT GAIN COMPLAINTS FROM OTHERS IM ON LEX 2 WEEKS ONLY
> Cherie:
>
> I gained 30 pounds in 6 months when I was on Paxil (2 years). My libido abandoned me too. My PDr. said this past Nov. that Lexapro was the answer . My sex drive returned immediately and I have now lost 11 pounds.
>
> The lexapro however, left me feeling lazy and unmotivated. I was more irritable as well. I stopped taking the Lexapro 2 weeks ago. But you should do well. Give the Medication a try.
>
> Good luck.
>
> Charlotte
>
>
Posted by anxious1 on February 15, 2003, at 11:06:18
In reply to Re: New lex user-Theona --Anyone!!!!, posted by male34 on February 15, 2003, at 10:34:42
I too was on paxil for 2 years, gained a lot of wait and it is a good form of birth control if you know what I mean. My doctor gave me some samples of lexapro to try for a few weeks. Side effects are gone but I too am cranky and unmotivated. Maybe paxil wasnt that bad after all. I am going to get my first prescription of lexapro today (if it ever stops snowing so I can get out of my driveway) to try for a month. Will they ever get this perfected so we don't always have to take the bad with the good?
Posted by Dysfunk on February 15, 2003, at 14:35:05
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by princess8896 on February 14, 2003, at 18:07:40
ggrrl: I feel the same way. I am still on 40 mg of Prozac and 10 mgs for Lex for a month now and feel more anxious with a low level depression. What are you going to do? What does your doctor say?
Posted by Dysfunk on February 15, 2003, at 14:39:31
In reply to Re: Switch from Prozac to Lexapro -, posted by MaryZee on February 13, 2003, at 13:17:39
MaryZee:
The same thing happened to me. I was on Prozac, feeling fantastic, then it stopped working and I went into a severe depression and became suicidal. Years later, I am on a lower dose of Prozac and it has started working for me again, but not to the same extent. Funny thing is,I felt invincible on it the first time, and was extremely sexual. Now, I don't feel that and the sexual disfunction has been an issue. My doctor is trying to add drugs into Prozac to kick start it again. So far it hasn't worked. Good luck going off all drugs. I know I can't do that.
Posted by Dysfunk on February 15, 2003, at 14:51:43
In reply to What ever happened to Prozac? , posted by nails on February 14, 2003, at 1:16:04
I absoutely agree with you about the wonders of Prozac- at first! I think it was new to the market and no one knew how it would work long term. When it pooped out on me, dr's were stunned. Now I see poop out complaints all over this board. Years later, I talk to my new pdoc and he knows about the poop out and feels it is a matter of adding in other drugs to kick start Prozac. I too would give anything to feel like I did the first few years on Prozac. I tried new things, physically and mentally (like sports and job challenges), I didn't feel things so deeply and take crititicism personally and I don't think I even cried for years. I hope I can find that again with the new andti-d's- You too.
-Dysfunk
Posted by MaryZee on February 15, 2003, at 23:35:33
In reply to Re: Switch from Prozac to Lexapro - » MaryZee, posted by Dysfunk on February 15, 2003, at 14:39:31
Hi! After 11 years I have gone for 48 hours without any anti-depressant medicine. Am off the Prozac; am off the Lexapro. I do not know if it is physical or psychological - but I have not been this "awake" in years. Oh, also meant to say I have been off my Premarin (hormones) for six weeks). When the Prozac (which was wonderful) stopped working I was put on the Lexapro. I could not function on the Lex. I was so tired I could not stand it. I also would just sit and stare - nothing "got through". That is why I weaned myself off of it. I do find myself getting crabby - but stop myself, take a deep breath and tell myself that I am fine and to stay calm. I hope what I learned while on the Prozac will stay with me. I cannot believe that after all this time I have actually not taken the meds.
Know it has not been a long time at all - but still it is out of my system!! If I get the old symptems back I will not hesitate to go back to the Prozac - maybe being off it for awhile it will work again. But I hope that wil not be necessary! I have not had any withdrawal. (Hope I'm not talking to soon). If I can get off the medicines maybe I can do other things too!! Like start exercising and stop smoking!! I don't drink. I do have a prescription for Valium - but take them maybe a couple times a week. But I have not been taking them for the last week either!! I so want off all meds!! Let me know if anyone else has stopped them and how you have done!!! I really needed them and the Prozac changed my life!! I am so grateful that there are such medications. But I want to know what I am like without any of the meds!!! I'll let you know how I feel during the next week - wish me luck!! And I'm praying for everyone who has the problems we all do !!!!
Posted by Psychonaut on February 16, 2003, at 6:56:58
In reply to Re: Lexapro has been very good for me, posted by Sussus on February 13, 2003, at 9:59:17
I've been on Lexapro about 6 weeks. What a difference it's made! The meds did what I hoped they would do, they even me out. No more huge mood swings. I'm more relaxed and cheerful. Even the sexual side effects are beneficial, as I was a sex-addict before. I would get angry if I had to go longer than three days without sex, and project that my husband didn't love me. Now I'm just as happy to cuddle.And it helps the PMS, which was a most welcome discovery. I'm sure most of my improvement is due to the Jungian analysis I underwent over the last year, but the meds help keep the complexes from taking over. Yes, my dreams are pretty weird, and sometimes unpleasant, but if I'm not acting out of the unconscious in waking life all of that energy is naturally going to come in the dream state.
The only drawback is that I crave carbs, and have to pay even more attention to how I eat.
Posted by winchester on February 16, 2003, at 10:05:48
In reply to Re: lexapro need help,users, posted by male34 on February 3, 2003, at 13:35:59
I just took my first Lexapro 5 mg. yesterday morning. I was so wired up by bedtime, had to take klonepin to fall asleep and then ambien at 3:00 a.m. to fall back to sleep. I started Lexapro because of anxiety and for middle of the night insomnia. Hate to think that now because of Lex. I'll start having insomnia at the beginning of bedtime. I know some of you have experienced insomnia. Do you think that with the tiny amount of lex. I took and the fact that I'm experiencing initial insomnia now that it might be a hopeless case to eventually not have insomnia while on Lexapro. Aren't SSRI's suppose to correct your seratonin levels-then why insomnia on SSRI's. How long does the insomnia last caused by Lexapro?
Posted by Donia on February 16, 2003, at 10:42:17
In reply to Re: Lexapro has been very good for me, posted by Psychonaut on February 16, 2003, at 6:56:58
This is my fourth week of lexapro. Started the first week at 5mgs to test side effects and 2nd week started the 10mg. I am feeling much better. My husband said this past week that he is getting his wife back. My story is I have always had depression and anxiety somewhat but always fought it myself. I was generally functional. I am a 30 year old female and 2 years ago my youngest son developed a disease. I had to do therapy with him 3 times a day for a year. It knocked me down. I got down to 102lbs and a depression and panic I could not control or get out of so started zoloft. It helped with alot of side effects. Had to take xanax a few months also. Well I weaned myself off of zoloft after 6 months when horrible night sweats started. I was fine for about 6 months without the meds and then my youngest son got sick again with a weird ailment. I spent two months in bed and miserable again. Chest pains from the panic and I could not get myself out of it so I started the lexapro. I had very few side effects from it. I was a little more anxious at first and sleep was difficult, also have the sexual side effects but the anxiousness and sleep difficulties are subsiding. I feel so much better. I dont know if I will need to be on these meds for life now or not. I worry about the "poop" out of these meds. So far I like the lexapro although it took about 4 weeks.
Posted by Donia on February 16, 2003, at 10:44:05
In reply to DOES INSOMNIA GO AWAY?, posted by winchester on February 16, 2003, at 10:05:48
This side effect usually goes away although my doctor said sometimes it is one of the last side effects to go. Talk to him about adding a sleeping pill to help. When I was on zoloft I took xanax to help anxiety and insomnia.
Posted by Dysfunk on February 16, 2003, at 14:29:04
In reply to Re: Switch from Prozac to Lexapro -, posted by MaryZee on February 15, 2003, at 23:35:33
Congratulations Mary Zee! I hope things continue to go well for you.
-Dysfunk
Posted by Dysfunk on February 16, 2003, at 14:30:19
In reply to DOES INSOMNIA GO AWAY?, posted by winchester on February 16, 2003, at 10:05:48
Winchester, my insomnia went away. I am not sure how long it took...5 days or so.
Posted by MaryZee on February 16, 2003, at 18:38:55
In reply to Re: Switch from Prozac to Lexapro - » MaryZee, posted by Dysfunk on February 16, 2003, at 14:29:04
Thank you Dysfunk!! So far so good!! Other than being a little crabby everything is fine! And I realize when I am being crabby and stop myself! I say to myself "why are you snapping - he didn't do anything!" And then say I'm sorry and make a joke! Hubby is a good guy :) I know this is going to sound "weird": I seem to be breathing better!! Always felt like I was holding my breath before! Really have noticed a big difference! Could this all be in my mind or do the med's make you breathe more shallow?? And also have not had heart palpitations for two days!!! I just hate them!! So hope that this continues. Anyone else notice any of these things? Has anyone else thought that their heart palpitations might be coming from the medicine?
They are so scary!! Oh I hope they don't come back!!!
Posted by oldhand on February 16, 2003, at 21:21:10
In reply to DOES INSOMNIA GO AWAY?, posted by winchester on February 16, 2003, at 10:05:48
> I just took my first Lexapro 5 mg. yesterday morning. I was so wired up by bedtime, had to take klonepin to fall asleep and then ambien at 3:00 a.m. to fall back to sleep. I started Lexapro because of anxiety and for middle of the night insomnia. Hate to think that now because of Lex. I'll start having insomnia at the beginning of bedtime. I know some of you have experienced insomnia. Do you think that with the tiny amount of lex. I took and the fact that I'm experiencing initial insomnia now that it might be a hopeless case to eventually not have insomnia while on Lexapro. Aren't SSRI's suppose to correct your seratonin levels-then why insomnia on SSRI's. How long does the insomnia last caused by Lexapro?
Winchester,
I also had severe insomnia when first starting Lexapro. Doc gave me Trazodone to take at bedtime. The insomnia has now gone away and I can even nap if I want (I just love naps.) It took about two months for it to get better so I would not give up on the Lexapro quite so soon, especially if you are feeling well otherwise.
Now if I have a sleepless night I feel it is just a part of my life. Good health to us all and best wishes.
Posted by cwspunky on February 17, 2003, at 1:18:25
In reply to Re: Switch from Prozac to Lexapro -, posted by MaryZee on February 15, 2003, at 23:35:33
I have been weaning off of Zoloft for the past 2 weeks. I am pleasantly surprised at how relatively "normal" I am. I get a little agitated, but I dont think anymore than the usual suspects.
I had tried to do this before but went right back on when I broke apart...crying, screaming, angry for no reason.
I am going off because I wanted to try lexapro due to the lower side effects. I hope that they are true.
I expereinced insomnia, weight gain and loss of libido, although I was happy and calm.
Anyone have insight about the beneifts of Lexapro over zoloft?
Posted by cwspunky on February 17, 2003, at 1:35:47
In reply to Re: Lexapro has been very good for me, posted by Donia on February 16, 2003, at 10:42:17
I just weaned from zoloft. Ihad tried it 2 times before and had to go back on...I got angry and weapy...the Dr. says I became out "depressed" or potentially had Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder after a very scary time with my baby but it seems to be gone...so I say...but I apparently suffer from PMDD and have been told to take the zoloft for this.
I would like to try Lexapro because of the decreased side effects, such as, insomnia, weight gain (or at least the inability to lose) and low libido.
I am supposed to stay off all meds for another week and then try the Lexapro. But I am feeling well right now, but my "time of the month" is coming and who knows how I will feel then.
Any ideas about the above mentioned side effects and if they really go away?
I would like to go without anything
Posted by nhg on February 17, 2003, at 11:59:00
In reply to DOES INSOMNIA GO AWAY?, posted by winchester on February 16, 2003, at 10:05:48
Insomnia went away for me within about 2 weeks. See if you can get through it without sleeping pills, but anti-anxiety such as Xanax might help. (My friend found getting off sleeping pills caused more insomnia than the original insomnia caused by antidepressants.)
Posted by Dysfunk on February 17, 2003, at 12:42:12
In reply to Re: Switch from Prozac to Lexapro -, posted by MaryZee on February 16, 2003, at 18:38:55
Mary Zee:
It sounds like maybe cognitive therapy is working for you and you can rationalize and talk yourself out of your moods. That is great.
I think I may feel more shallowness of breath on this medicine. It is hard to tell cause I have the lump in my throat that makes me feel choked up. When I work out, I am pushing myself past the exhuastion I feel. Breathing is more difficult when I work out I think because my body feels more tired.
I too get palpatations. I have for years since being on the meds. They are scarey cause you can't breathe during them, but my heart is strong so I don't worry. Get checked to see if your heart is in good condition to be sure.
I have been experiencing the eye twitching too. Another nuisance that I hope isn't too noticeable. It usually happens when I haven't slept enough.
I don't feel that I am experiencing any positive effects yet from Lexapro. Ho-hum.
-Dysfunk
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