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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by baracuda on March 24, 2003, at 13:37:47
In reply to Re: atypical depression, posted by annlanka on March 23, 2003, at 12:30:05
i have been diagnosed with atypical depression since i was a kid.
its just part of my identity now - its no big deal because i dont really know any other way to be. i mean i hope i can get better, but if i dont, it wont be any different than anything else i know.
Posted by annlanka on March 24, 2003, at 14:15:20
In reply to Re: atypical depression, posted by baracuda on March 24, 2003, at 13:37:47
hey baracuda-
sorry you have had to suffer so long. What meds have you been on since you were diagnosed. What are you main symptoms? Has anything worked better than others for your illness?anne
Posted by baracuda on March 24, 2003, at 14:28:30
In reply to Re: atypical depression, posted by annlanka on March 23, 2003, at 18:08:00
i used to blame my depression on being a female - it was just a 3 week long pms session with 1 week of actually messed up - so in essence, it was every day i was suffering from something.
i dont thinnk it matters what it is, if something is wrong its just wrong...
Posted by BarbaraS on March 24, 2003, at 21:35:15
In reply to Re: Barbara are you still tired?, posted by KRM123 on March 24, 2003, at 10:50:33
Hi,
Yes, I'm still tired and feeling pretty lazy. It seems to have gotten a little better over the last couple of weeks, but I am thinking about cutting my 5 mg in half, which may be too little to have any effect. The good part is that the depression and anxiety seems to have lifted and I've had some days where I feel really good. My therapist suggested drinking some tea with caffeine to get a perk, so I might try that as well. Good luck, and keep me posted on how you are doing.
Barbara
Posted by BarbaraS on March 24, 2003, at 21:45:54
In reply to Re: Barbara are you still tired?, posted by BarbaraS on March 24, 2003, at 21:35:15
Hi everyone,
My therapist thought I might want to switch from Lexapro to Wellbutrin because of the consistent side effects that I've had. Has anyone done that, or been on Wellbutrin before? What side effects have you had? I hate having to start a different med again, so I'm trying to hang in there with Lexapro.
Thanks for any help you can offer.
Barbara
Posted by KRM123 on March 24, 2003, at 22:16:19
In reply to Re: Barbara are you still tired?, posted by BarbaraS on March 24, 2003, at 21:35:15
Thanks for getting back to me Barbara. I am still feeling depressed and unmotivated. Today was my 9th day so I think I should give it some more time, but I hate feeling so unmotivated. I used to work out everyday and I can barely get myself out of the house to take a walk. I don't know how much longer I can live like this. I hope things get better.
Good luck to you and hope you feel better. Thanks for keeping me posted =)
Posted by Krissy P on March 24, 2003, at 22:54:38
In reply to Lexapro to Wellbutrin - Please advise, posted by BarbaraS on March 24, 2003, at 21:45:54
Posted by Krissy P on March 24, 2003, at 22:55:50
In reply to Re: Barbara are you still tired?, posted by KRM123 on March 24, 2003, at 22:16:19
Posted by lil' jimi on March 25, 2003, at 0:46:59
In reply to Is it, or isen't it..., posted by pumpkin on March 24, 2003, at 10:46:58
...
> Talking about "stressors"- my mom is in critical
> care in the hospital, plus ...May your mom recover and your suffering lessen.
Praying for you and yours.
~ jim
Posted by leeran on March 25, 2003, at 1:40:23
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
Hi there.
Tomorrow is my first day on Lexapro (and this is my first post on this board).
I thought I was a whiz kid when it came to ADs until I found out (just today) that there's a new AD on the block that I hadn't heard of until I mentioned "Generalized Anxiety Disorder" to my prescription-writing savior, a.k.a. my psychiatrist, this afternoon.
If he had been on time I wouldn't have had time to thumb through the generic waiting room booklet on depression and identify the symptoms that I still grapple with on a daily basis, namely, obsessive "what iffing" with a perpetual dark cloud thrown in for added drama and angst.
So, I did an internet search on Lexapro (in between reading conspiracy websites regarding the war and surfing ebay) and landed here. And I'm so glad that I did!I've found out so much about this medication and the possibilities (both positive and negative) that it will feel like old home week when I pop that first 10 mg. tomorrow morning.
Thanks to everyone who has so openly shared their experiences on this medication as well as other medications.
As for my own Molotov Cocktail, I'm currently on 40 mg. per day of Adderall (late onset A.D.D. - or at least that's what I call it) and 150 mg. of timed release Wellbutrin. The Adderall comes from my psychiatrist (newly acquired in January) and the Wellbutrin comes from my general practitioner who will prescribe just about anything to get me out of the office (he’s a minimal contact HMO kind of guy). Throw in natural hormones from a compounding pharmacy and a recent round of three weeks on Cipro and I'm ready for Anthrax, menopause and my son's homework (not necessarily in that order).
My primary concern with any antidepressant is weight gain and sexual dysfunction and both topics have been thoroughly covered here since last August (yes, I read almost every post). I have winced when I’ve read some posts – and crossed my fingers on others. It looks like Lexapro runs the gamut when it comes to side effects and positive/negative results.
Someone mentioned breast tenderness (I had that with Prozac) and several others mentioned sexual dysfunction on a variety of meds. I experienced it with Paxil and found myself so laid back that I really didn’t care if I ever DID have another orgasm – despite the fact that there was that part of me floating above, wagging a finger saying “buy you SHOULD care!”
Someone else mentioned hormones and feeling like crying all the time. I’m in early peri-menopause and my nickname for myself (prior to going on natural hormones) was “hormoneless in Hermosa” or “consistently crying in California,” however, once I started taking them (almost a year ago) the crying jags ceased almost immediately. I’ve also read that attention deficit disorder, depression and an entire host of other similar pain-in-the-butt things are exacerbated by hormonal fluctuations. Oh yeah, and for you guys with mid-life “man-o-pause” – these hormones have testosterone thrown in so perhaps there’s a male equivalent out there, if you can find a compounding pharmacy and/or doctor to formulate the mixture that suits your circumstances.
Sorry for the long and very stream of consciousness post. I suppose I feel comfortable baring my soul (and medicine chest) because I’m so thrilled to find a message board where everyone seems so open about “The Big D” and conquering the big D. That said, I felt compelled (a little compulsive disorder thrown in) to say thank you and explain my reasons (in dissertation format) for landing here.
Posted by Krissy P on March 25, 2003, at 1:51:36
In reply to Tomorrow = Day 1, Lexapro, posted by leeran on March 25, 2003, at 1:40:23
Hi leeran, and nice to meet you. I "landed" here too about 3 weeks ago, and it has been a
God-send. There are a lot of wonderful, supportive, kind people here and I hope if you have anything on your mind (which it sounds like you do hehehehe) feel free to ask.
Ever sice I found this site I have posted quite a bit (as you may have noticed) and have learned all kinds of stuff, and heard and shared experiences with the others.
We're all here for you, including me:-)
All the best,
Kristen
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------> Hi there.
>
> Tomorrow is my first day on Lexapro (and this is my first post on this board).
>
> I thought I was a whiz kid when it came to ADs until I found out (just today) that there's a new AD on the block that I hadn't heard of until I mentioned "Generalized Anxiety Disorder" to my prescription-writing savior, a.k.a. my psychiatrist, this afternoon.
>
> If he had been on time I wouldn't have had time to thumb through the generic waiting room booklet on depression and identify the symptoms that I still grapple with on a daily basis, namely, obsessive "what iffing" with a perpetual dark cloud thrown in for added drama and angst.
> So, I did an internet search on Lexapro (in between reading conspiracy websites regarding the war and surfing ebay) and landed here. And I'm so glad that I did!
>
> I've found out so much about this medication and the possibilities (both positive and negative) that it will feel like old home week when I pop that first 10 mg. tomorrow morning.
>
> Thanks to everyone who has so openly shared their experiences on this medication as well as other medications.
>
> As for my own Molotov Cocktail, I'm currently on 40 mg. per day of Adderall (late onset A.D.D. - or at least that's what I call it) and 150 mg. of timed release Wellbutrin. The Adderall comes from my psychiatrist (newly acquired in January) and the Wellbutrin comes from my general practitioner who will prescribe just about anything to get me out of the office (he’s a minimal contact HMO kind of guy). Throw in natural hormones from a compounding pharmacy and a recent round of three weeks on Cipro and I'm ready for Anthrax, menopause and my son's homework (not necessarily in that order).
>
> My primary concern with any antidepressant is weight gain and sexual dysfunction and both topics have been thoroughly covered here since last August (yes, I read almost every post). I have winced when I’ve read some posts – and crossed my fingers on others. It looks like Lexapro runs the gamut when it comes to side effects and positive/negative results.
>
> Someone mentioned breast tenderness (I had that with Prozac) and several others mentioned sexual dysfunction on a variety of meds. I experienced it with Paxil and found myself so laid back that I really didn’t care if I ever DID have another orgasm – despite the fact that there was that part of me floating above, wagging a finger saying “buy you SHOULD care!”
>
> Someone else mentioned hormones and feeling like crying all the time. I’m in early peri-menopause and my nickname for myself (prior to going on natural hormones) was “hormoneless in Hermosa” or “consistently crying in California,” however, once I started taking them (almost a year ago) the crying jags ceased almost immediately. I’ve also read that attention deficit disorder, depression and an entire host of other similar pain-in-the-butt things are exacerbated by hormonal fluctuations. Oh yeah, and for you guys with mid-life “man-o-pause” – these hormones have testosterone thrown in so perhaps there’s a male equivalent out there, if you can find a compounding pharmacy and/or doctor to formulate the mixture that suits your circumstances.
>
> Sorry for the long and very stream of consciousness post. I suppose I feel comfortable baring my soul (and medicine chest) because I’m so thrilled to find a message board where everyone seems so open about “The Big D” and conquering the big D. That said, I felt compelled (a little compulsive disorder thrown in) to say thank you and explain my reasons (in dissertation format) for landing here.
>
>
Posted by SLS on March 25, 2003, at 6:25:53
In reply to Tomorrow = Day 1, Lexapro, posted by leeran on March 25, 2003, at 1:40:23
Hi Leeran.
> As for my own Molotov Cocktail, I'm currently on 40 mg. per day of Adderall (late onset A.D.D. - or at least that's what I call it) and 150 mg. of timed release Wellbutrin.
A friend of mine is doing wonderfully taking a combination of Wellbutrin 300mg + Lexapro 20mg. Her case has been pretty difficult to treat. I hope Lexapro works out for you.
- Scott
Posted by annlanka on March 25, 2003, at 8:17:18
In reply to Re: Tomorrow = Day 1, Lexapro, posted by SLS on March 25, 2003, at 6:25:53
hey guys-
I have two questions. First, re the posts about wellbutrin. What is wellbutrin mainly used to treat? is it a more of a stimulating anti-depressant or relaxing anti-depressant? is it an ssri? i dont know anything about it and was curious. Also, tomorrow i am supposed to see a psychoanalysist. I am unfamiliar with this practice besides the freudian techniques and lying on a couch. But is this what psychoanalysis is even like? has anyone gone to a psychoanalysist? if so was it helpful? Did they get you on the right meds?Thanks!
anne
Posted by jawsdogj on March 25, 2003, at 8:39:55
In reply to yes, Wellbutrin users please share (nm), posted by Krissy P on March 24, 2003, at 22:54:38
i have been sick since weaning off zoloft 3 weeks ago,can any one help
Posted by lil' jimi on March 25, 2003, at 8:53:34
In reply to Tomorrow = Day 1, Lexapro, posted by leeran on March 25, 2003, at 1:40:23
...
> Someone else mentioned hormones and feeling like crying all the time. I’m in early peri-menopause and my nickname for myself (prior to going on natural hormones) was “hormoneless in Hermosa” or “consistently crying in California,” however, once I started taking them (almost a year ago) the crying jags ceased almost immediately. I’ve also read that attention deficit disorder, depression and an entire host of other similar pain-in-the-butt things are exacerbated by hormonal fluctuations. Oh yeah, and for you guys with mid-life “man-o-pause” – these hormones have testosterone thrown in so perhaps there’s a male equivalent out there, if you can find a compounding pharmacy and/or doctor to formulate the mixture that suits your circumstances.
...welcome aboard, Leeran. Glad to have you.
Allow me to offer my speculation that our posters to this board constitute a self-selected group which tends to skew our offerings toward the negative (with no disparagment of anyone implied)relative to reactions of the total class of Lexapro users:
this is based on my not all together unreasonable presumption that the lex users with the best reaction/response are most likely to not have the need nor motivation to come and find a message board like this one.
Whereas our good folks suffering from our neuarotransmitter disease(s) will be reaching out (we hope!) and will be finding our group of merry (and not so merry) Lex-ers.
We may add to that the likelyhood that those garnering the most positive benefit from taking lex, who do come and find this board and post, are also less likely / motivated to need to make posts.
None of which is so bad. Our squeaky wheels need the grease, which is as it should be. But our overall impression from reading the total of all the our posts from last summer (i did this also and now wonder if this is an indication of compulsion(?)) might be more discouraging than maybe a scientific sampled survey. Or not.
I still feel this is all to the good:
Those who are suffering the worst teach us the most.
And we all benefit whenever one of us can help another ... it helps me immensely whenever i get to feel that i've been able to provide a little "grease".
As for me today = 21 days, and for the 1st time I'm having a bad day. Not really so bad comparatively, I'm just real grumpy and irratable and I could cry, but it seems odd to me given i've been on lex.For you, I ask, What can you tell us about these "natural hormone" treatments you write of?
peace,
~ jim
Posted by blkvettes on March 25, 2003, at 10:11:00
In reply to Re: yes, Wellbutrin users please share, posted by jawsdogj on March 25, 2003, at 8:39:55
> i have been sick since weaning off zoloft 3 weeks ago,can any one help
Hi there, I got real sick from zoloft and coming off it was a nightmare. Severe sweating, sick to my stomach, brain zaps, balance problems which I still fight time to time muscle spasms everywhere and more that I cant remember I am sure. This all lasted about a month!!!!!!! Can you write back and state whats going on. TAKE CARE!!!!!!!!
Posted by Lorraine Baker on March 25, 2003, at 12:07:51
In reply to Re: SICK FROM ZOLOFT, posted by blkvettes on March 25, 2003, at 10:11:00
I have been on Zoloft for about a year. Worked pretty good, but I still had some problems. My MD put me on Lexapro, Lamictal and Zoloft. I was flying high for sure. He told me to stay on the Zoloft. When I went to reup the prescription the pharmacist said I should not be taking the Zolfot with the Lexapro. I called my MD and he said I should start weaning down on the Zoloft. I was taking 100mg a day now I am taking 50mgs each day. I am walking around in circles wondering what I should do with myself. I am very restless. I hope this will go away. I did notice a big change when I started the Lexapro. Things looked much brighter, but I became very manic. I am hoping once I am off the Zoloft completely, things will be more manageable.
Posted by Krissy P on March 25, 2003, at 13:26:01
In reply to Re: SICK FROM ZOLOFT, posted by Lorraine Baker on March 25, 2003, at 12:07:51
Hi, May I ask:
so now, at the moment, you are weaning off of Zoloft, you are on Lamictal and Lexapro?
Just wondering?
Thanks and please hang in there:-)
Kristen
> I have been on Zoloft for about a year. Worked pretty good, but I still had some problems. My MD put me on Lexapro, Lamictal and Zoloft. I was flying high for sure. He told me to stay on the Zoloft. When I went to reup the prescription the pharmacist said I should not be taking the Zolfot with the Lexapro. I called my MD and he said I should start weaning down on the Zoloft. I was taking 100mg a day now I am taking 50mgs each day. I am walking around in circles wondering what I should do with myself. I am very restless. I hope this will go away. I did notice a big change when I started the Lexapro. Things looked much brighter, but I became very manic. I am hoping once I am off the Zoloft completely, things will be more manageable.
Posted by Lorraine Baker on March 25, 2003, at 17:47:07
In reply to Re: SICK FROM ZOLOFT » Lorraine Baker, posted by Krissy P on March 25, 2003, at 13:26:01
I am taking Lexapro 10mg each day plus Lamictal 25mg am and 50mg pm. I am also taking 50mg of Zoloft each day. Three medications each day
Posted by Donia on March 25, 2003, at 21:24:15
In reply to yes, Wellbutrin users please share (nm), posted by Krissy P on March 24, 2003, at 22:54:38
I took wellbutrin for three days. Felt like I was high as in actually smoking dope high so I quit. The dose may have been wrong I dont know, other than that I didnt notice any other side effects but three days is a little soon to tell.
Posted by Donia on March 25, 2003, at 21:34:58
In reply to Re: SICK FROM ZOLOFT, posted by Lorraine Baker on March 25, 2003, at 17:47:07
I was on zoloft 100mgs for six months. Thought I could just quit and couldnt. The brain zaps drove me crazy!! I did wean off without much trouble. I started by taking 3/4 of the 100mg pill for 2 weeks. I would cut a quarter off. Then I went down to half a pill for 2-3 weeks. then I only took a quarter of the pill for a few weeks and then quit. I have to admit though, I have been on lexapro 10mg and sometimes I take another half to make it 15mgs, but I felt better on the zoloft. I have been on lexapro for over two months and I am not getting the results I did from zoloft. I am not panicked and depressed now, but I cant get my butt out of bed. If I do get up and try to stay up I just sit until I get tired and back to bed I go. I have tried the caffeine, I drink 10 cans of pepsi a day. After 4 months on zoloft though, I got awful night sweats. I am thinking of going back to it though. Your situation and results may be different.
Posted by Krissy P on March 25, 2003, at 21:39:26
In reply to Re: yes, Wellbutrin users please share, posted by Donia on March 25, 2003, at 21:24:15
Are you still on the Wellbutrin now??
> I took wellbutrin for three days. Felt like I was high as in actually smoking dope high so I quit. The dose may have been wrong I dont know, other than that I didnt notice any other side effects but three days is a little soon to tell.
>
Posted by Donia on March 25, 2003, at 21:51:48
In reply to Re: yes, Wellbutrin users please share » Donia, posted by Krissy P on March 25, 2003, at 21:39:26
No I quit taking after three days.
Posted by leeran on March 26, 2003, at 0:39:25
In reply to Re: yes, Wellbutrin users please share, posted by Donia on March 25, 2003, at 21:24:15
I never really felt any side effects on Wellbutrin. Eventually I thought I felt "better" but nothing as far as feeling an immediate (or initial) psychotropic effect. In fact, I've never felt that way with any of the anti-depressants I've tried (Paxil, Prozac, Wellbutrin). It's just amazing to me how these medications produce such profoundly
different effects, depending on the individual.I started Lexapro today and about an hour after taking it (took it at the same time as the Adderall, first thing in the a.m.) I felt really strange - which I really didn't expect considering my experiences with the other ADs. It did pass after about 40 minutes.
As far as feeling "high" - my father (elderly) ended up having MAJOR hallucinations on Effexor and had to go off of it. In fact, these hallucinations - for him - were SO real that he couldn't understand why my mother wasn't seeing them, too!
Amazing critters, these chemicals in our brains. Throw the wrong lighter fluid on them and watch out!
> I took wellbutrin for three days. Felt like I was high as in actually smoking dope high so I quit. The dose may have been wrong I dont know, other than that I didnt notice any other side effects but three days is a little soon to tell.
>
Posted by Krissy P on March 26, 2003, at 0:49:04
In reply to Re: yes, Wellbutrin users please share, posted by leeran on March 26, 2003, at 0:39:25
Oh my,
it is amazing how these meds produce such profound effects for each and every one of us!
What sort of strange feeling do you mean when you felt that today after taking Lexapro? It was your first dose right?
YES! Amazing critters, these chemicals in our brains. Throw the wrong lighter fluid on them and watch out!
Please wish me luck with my pdoc appt on Friday, I am, feeling a little better about believing my pdoc will be able to help me. I have never been on either Wellbutrin or Lexapro, and have been doing some research-I may give them,or at least 1, a try.
Kristen
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------> I never really felt any side effects on Wellbutrin. Eventually I thought I felt "better" but nothing as far as feeling an immediate (or initial) psychotropic effect. In fact, I've never felt that way with any of the anti-depressants I've tried (Paxil, Prozac, Wellbutrin). It's just amazing to me how these medications produce such profoundly
> different effects, depending on the individual.
>
> I started Lexapro today and about an hour after taking it (took it at the same time as the Adderall, first thing in the a.m.) I felt really strange - which I really didn't expect considering my experiences with the other ADs. It did pass after about 40 minutes.
>
> As far as feeling "high" - my father (elderly) ended up having MAJOR hallucinations on Effexor and had to go off of it. In fact, these hallucinations - for him - were SO real that he couldn't understand why my mother wasn't seeing them, too!
>
> Amazing critters, these chemicals in our brains. Throw the wrong lighter fluid on them and watch out!
>
> > I took wellbutrin for three days. Felt like I was high as in actually smoking dope high so I quit. The dose may have been wrong I dont know, other than that I didnt notice any other side effects but three days is a little soon to tell.
> >
>
>
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