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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by annlanka on March 28, 2003, at 10:54:37
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl » dawne, posted by Okpolosi on March 27, 2003, at 18:25:55
> Yes I had terrible headaches first few weeks. Also have had several episodes of depression taking Lex. Everyone says to give it time, some need longer than others.
> Week 9 for me at 10mg.I spent 5 months on lexapro, first at 10 mg then at 20. Felt good the first couple days (weird, huh) then just dropped and dropped. Still on it but augmenting with others. Hopefully it will work.
annlanka
Posted by Litleone on March 28, 2003, at 20:07:37
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
I am very sensitive to ssi's and just started with Lexapro. Only problem so far is that I can't quit yawning, and tried napping today, but no success, anyone with similar problem??
Posted by blkvettes on March 28, 2003, at 20:33:21
In reply to Just started Lexapro, can't quit yawning?????, posted by Litleone on March 28, 2003, at 20:07:37
> I am very sensitive to ssi's and just started with Lexapro. Only problem so far is that I can't quit yawning, and tried napping today, but no success, anyone with similar problem??
Hi there, I was tired all the time during the day and could not nap. The reason I think for me is I suffer from panic attacks and just cant relax during the day to nap. TAKE CARE!!!!!!!
Posted by leeran on March 28, 2003, at 20:35:03
In reply to Just started Lexapro, can't quit yawning?????, posted by Litleone on March 28, 2003, at 20:07:37
That's an interesting observation - "tried napping today, but no success." I feel somewhat similar.
I'm on Lexapro (Day 4) and I was trying to think of a way to describe how I'm feeling to my husband and the best I can come up with is "immobilized."
I don't want to expend a lot of energy going anywhere - or doing anything because I feel like I MIGHT tired, but I'm still not tired or sleepy enough to even commit to a nap.
I'm on Adderall, and it feels as though I've hit a speed bump - but not in a bad way.
I'm likening this feeling to one of those movie scenes where the character is on some cheesy moving sidewalk but you can't see the actual movement - and it ends up looking like they're just gliding across the set (I think Mike Myers did this in some movie - I wish I could describe it better and I'm hoping this isn't the prelude to some "Night of the Walking Catatonic" stage in my life! ).
Plus, I notice that I've been feeling particularly verbose (as evidenced above - LOL) and I'm definitely feeling less irritable (verbose AND irritable could be detrimental to anyone in the immediate vicinity).
Oh yeah, and time feels a bit suspended. Example, I'll look at the clock and think "how in the world did it get to be 6:30?"
Sorry to go into such agonizing detail!
Usually I don't have any SSRI or anti-depressant side effects so I'm still debating if what I'm feeling are side effects - or just me looking for an excuse to be a lazy *ss for a few days.
> I am very sensitive to ssi's and just started with Lexapro. Only problem so far is that I can't quit yawning, and tried napping today, but no success, anyone with similar problem??
Posted by susan b. anthony on March 29, 2003, at 13:41:34
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by annlanka on March 28, 2003, at 10:54:37
Starting week three on 10 mg. having some headaches but sleeping much better. I have anxiety attacks walking/driving in wet weather and actually drove in the rain the other night - more afraid of the dark then the wet so I think i am starting toget better. Also, was actually smiling yesterday!!!!
Posted by lil' jimi on March 29, 2003, at 14:09:53
In reply to SE's, posted by pumpkin on March 27, 2003, at 21:23:35
> Have been reading the most recent posts.
>
> Question for you. I find that I go through
> periods of feeling "crazy". I don't know
> whether it is from the depression, hormones,
> or I have to have an adjustment (uped) on
> the Lex. However, taking it in the morning is
> better for me at this time, because I fall asleep
> better and quicker at night. I know the "hazy"
> feeling too! Headaches are still present, and
> dealing with a mom who is very ill, and in the
> hospital doesn't help!
>
> I'm too tired, and somewhat "apathetic" to
> comment on other areas. Although my mood swings
> (crying one minute and ok the next) are hard.
>
> Sometimes...and then the sun shines! I'm hanging
> in there throughout all this confusion.
hi pumpkin,are you still on 5mg of lex or has that been increased? from our past posts it appears you started 3/11, while i starteed 5mg on 3/6 so i'm less than a week ahead of you there ... all bets are off because i've haven't had anything other that lex, however i got a real good headache today ... although i have other explanations for it: allergies, coffee deficeincy (ho, ho) ... so never mind me ...
you, however, we want to offer support, especially with your mom being ill ... i am pulling you both.
and as sorry as i am that you're having such a bad time, it does seem like your improving some ... like when the sun shines .. so you should be commended ... way to go!
but even to try to guess at how to sort out all of the variables for you is way beyond me ... my crystal ball broke last week ... but if i read you right, it seems as if you're getting a better (maybe a little better?) grasp on it there?
don't think i answered any 'question', but know that folks care for you here.
take care!
~ ... jim
Posted by pumpkin on March 29, 2003, at 20:29:56
In reply to Re: SE's » pumpkin, posted by lil' jimi on March 29, 2003, at 14:09:53
Just giving an update to you. Time is short.
I'm now on 7.5 of Lex. I uped it a few days ago.
Felt like I was going crazy, and still very
depressed. I now know that I'm having panic
attacks again, plus, I will enter a "hyper"
stage (mania) as the anti-depressant goes "up".
I am going to talk with my doctor on Monday
about going back on Klonopin (like years ago)
to settle the mania down, because the mood
stabilizer is at the "theraputic" dosage. If
this makes sense. Have found out that not only
is my oldest daughter, and middle half sister
Bi-Polar, but my oldest half sister (I don't
see her-by her choice) is also diagnosed as
the same. Runs in my family-maybe my husbands
too! I kinda feel that I've been ripped off!Anyhow- I still get headaches. And alittle
"flighty"! I won't talk "bathroom", and still
feel "weird". But, something is doing something!
Busy week at the hospital, and at my moms (she
came home today- against advice, and I'm very
concerned!) Please keep us in prayer! I believe
that she should go on med too (depression), but
finds comfort in other ways... She's not in good
health!The posts help me alot, and again I say thank you!
As far as some of the other posts about hormones-
talking with my gyn- "Yes, Virgina, there is"...
So, onward bound we go!
Posted by lostsailor on March 29, 2003, at 20:31:43
In reply to Re: SE's » pumpkin, posted by lil' jimi on March 29, 2003, at 14:09:53
I am just getting ready to go back from a "bad trip"on paxil cr and will prob switch to either lexapro or effexor-xr again, but --not really re wieght, as I did not really gain any last time, but do others feel starving all the time on lexapro??????? ~tony
Posted by Hollygirl on March 29, 2003, at 21:25:22
In reply to Re lexapro and hunger...., posted by lostsailor on March 29, 2003, at 20:31:43
> I am just getting ready to go back from a "bad trip"on paxil cr and will prob switch to either lexapro or effexor-xr again, but --not really re wieght, as I did not really gain any last time, but do others feel starving all the time on lexapro??????? ~tony
Yes! I was hungry all the time on Lexapro...and very, very tired. I have sinced switched to Effexor XR. Good luck
Posted by Donia on March 29, 2003, at 21:49:45
In reply to Re: Re lexapro and hunger.... » lostsailor, posted by Hollygirl on March 29, 2003, at 21:25:22
I have been on lexapro 10mgs for 2 and a half months and have lost weight. I do not seem to eat as much as before.
Posted by college_student on March 30, 2003, at 2:37:44
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by baracuda on March 27, 2003, at 19:44:10
Hi, question: What dose of Lexapro are you on? I had the drugged effect on Paxil and am hoping that I don't experience that on 10mg of lexapro. Thanks
Posted by Okpolosi on March 30, 2003, at 7:06:43
In reply to Re lexapro and hunger...., posted by lostsailor on March 29, 2003, at 20:31:43
I have found I am less hungry on Lex, and have lost 6 pounds.
Posted by susan b. anthony on March 30, 2003, at 8:01:55
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by susan b. anthony on March 29, 2003, at 13:41:57
Well, seems like a small little club here and no one wants to talk to me, so i sign off.
Posted by blkvettes on March 30, 2003, at 10:18:31
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by college_student on March 30, 2003, at 2:37:44
> Hi, question: What dose of Lexapro are you on? I had the drugged effect on Paxil and am hoping that I don't experience that on 10mg of lexapro. Thanks
Hi, I had the zombie effect at 10 mg and am at 7.5mg and doing great. Play with the times that you take it and dosage if need be if you experience that drugged feeling. You can always move back up on the dosage. I hope it works for you. TAKE CARE
Posted by blkvettes on March 30, 2003, at 10:22:17
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by susan b. anthony on March 30, 2003, at 8:01:55
PLEASE COME BACK AND TRY AGAIN!!!!!!!
Posted by KRM123 on March 30, 2003, at 10:35:17
In reply to Re lexapro and hunger...., posted by lostsailor on March 29, 2003, at 20:31:43
Hi I am on week 2 of Lex but I'm going to start weening myself off cause I can't stand the tiredness. I am constantly eating and it is hard for me to get that full feeling. My anxiety is a lot worse too and I eat when I'm stress and worried. I am about to try Effexor...how did that work for you and why did you get off it?? I've tried Zoloft and Prozac before and they made me gain weight instantly. I swear the drugs mess up my metabolic rate. I am praying that the Effexor won't do the same thing- I will not tolerate the weight gain.
Posted by KRM123 on March 30, 2003, at 10:36:38
In reply to Re: Re lexapro and hunger.... » lostsailor, posted by Hollygirl on March 29, 2003, at 21:25:22
How has the Effexor been working for you?? I am also quitting Lexapro because of the tiredness.
Posted by oldhand on March 30, 2003, at 11:25:43
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by susan b. anthony on March 30, 2003, at 8:01:55
> Well, seems like a small little club here and no one wants to talk to me, so i sign off.
Hi Susan B,
You must forgive me, sometimes I do not get to this board as often as I want to, and some days I just don't feel like responding, though I think maybe I could contribute.
I have been on ten mg. of Lexapro since mid-November. I found I have lost weight. I had gained 50 pounds over the course of my different meds so losing weight is a good thing. I was also drinking alot of beer which I have stopped too. It is not that I don't get hungry, it is that I can control it better now. I think that has to do with the reduction of my depression, not eating all the time for comfort. Before the Lexapro I was on a combination of Celexa and Remeron. I could not go to bed at night without taking a meal with me.
The issues of weight gain and loss have been discussed quite a bit on this board and you might want to read some of the earlier posts to compare information.
I reread the research info on Lexapro last night and it was my impression that it was neutral, neither gain nor loss but folks here have all had different experiences.
Wishing you health.
Posted by oldhand on March 30, 2003, at 11:32:02
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl » susan b. anthony, posted by oldhand on March 30, 2003, at 11:25:43
> > Well, seems like a small little club here and no one wants to talk to me, so i sign off.
>
> Hi Susan B,
> You must forgive me, sometimes I do not get to this board as often as I want to, and some days I just don't feel like responding, though I think maybe I could contribute.
> I have been on ten mg. of Lexapro since mid-November. I found I have lost weight. I had gained 50 pounds over the course of my different meds so losing weight is a good thing. I was also drinking alot of beer which I have stopped too. It is not that I don't get hungry, it is that I can control it better now. I think that has to do with the reduction of my depression, not eating all the time for comfort. Before the Lexapro I was on a combination of Celexa and Remeron. I could not go to bed at night without taking a meal with me.
> The issues of weight gain and loss have been discussed quite a bit on this board and you might want to read some of the earlier posts to compare information.
> I reread the research info on Lexapro last night and it was my impression that it was neutral, neither gain nor loss but folks here have all had different experiences.
> Wishing you health.
Guess I was mixed up in addressing my post, but I hope it will be read by whoever asked the question and I hope SusanB. will stay with us.
Posted by blkvettes on March 30, 2003, at 11:56:17
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by oldhand on March 30, 2003, at 11:32:02
Hello, you people that give up after a short time on a med must understand it takes time. If you are tired drop the dosage this worked for me. You do not have to take 10mg to get results. Everyone is different, I have seen people get results on just 5mg. I have been up to 10 down to 5 and am at 7.5 with good results. I read posts on all kinds of boards where people give up in the first week and move to something else. Most side effects go away in time. As for weight in some people their metabolism slows down with these meds. I guess you have to watch what you eat and exercise. On this board alone I have read posts where people have gone through some terrible side effects and they go away with time and say they are doing great. I am not defending lexapro but all meds that people take. It takes time, if a person quits because of allergic reaction or some severe side effect as I did with paxil and zoloft that is one thing. Some people give up over a headache, upset stomach, they are tired etc. These are minor side effects where a simple dosage change would do the trick. Some people take one med and start a new one and blame all their side effects on the new med when they are withdrawling from the old med. A lot of shrinks try to start you out on the full dose. You do not have to take a full dose to get results. If you go lower you can always go back up when your body is ready. No matter what med you take give it a fair chance!!!!!!!! I could have easily gave up on lexapro but people on this board and other boards convinced me to give it time!!!!!! GOOD LUCK TO ALL!!!!! TAKE CARE!!!!!!!!
Posted by IfOnly on March 30, 2003, at 12:17:47
In reply to BEING TIRED!!!!!!!!!!!!, posted by blkvettes on March 30, 2003, at 11:56:17
You are exactly right!!! The doctors should be telling this to people. There is no automatic cure.
Posted by okpolosi on March 30, 2003, at 13:14:33
In reply to Re: BEING TIRED!!!!!!!!!!!!, posted by IfOnly on March 30, 2003, at 12:17:47
I just have to put in my 2 cents!!!
Week 9 10mg Lex.
In the first few weeks I had almost EVERY side effect associated w/Lex...debilitating Migraine-like headaches, nausea, dizziness, diahrea, extreme lethargy, feeling like a zombie, binge eating, anxiety, depression, clenching....I could go on and on!!!
The second week was by far the worst, called in sick for work the whole week and stayed in bed or on the couch sick as a dog.
By the 4th week I was starting to seriously doubt I would get any help or results...had several deep depressions.
I stuck with it though, mostly because of the many posts I read here encouraging me to give the meds a chance to work. And I am happy to say THEY ARE WORKING!!!
Have not had another deep depression in several weeks. Have not had a terrible fight w/husband (used to occur at least once a week, if not more). People at work have commented I don't seem so "manic" or "crazed" as one person put it.
The meds have brought back my "sense of balance", no more extremes of bad emotions, everything seems more "even" if that makes sense?
So, please do NOT give up so easily...the meds DO need some time to work for some people!!!
Posted by Hollygirl on March 30, 2003, at 13:35:39
In reply to Re: Re lexapro and hunger....Hollygirl, posted by KRM123 on March 30, 2003, at 10:36:38
> How has the Effexor been working for you?? I am also quitting Lexapro because of the tiredness.
I have only been on the Effexor for 3 days so it is hard to say. I definitely have energy, though...in fact, I don't sleep. One bad thing is that I am nauseated and have been throwing up. I assume that is just the initial side effect and will go away in time. Good luck
Posted by Chacha on March 30, 2003, at 13:56:26
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by oldhand on March 30, 2003, at 11:32:02
I have just started taking lexapro for about 3 days now. I have spent alot of time sleeping during the day, and I have also starting experiencing diahrea, which is not normal for me.
Will these things go away? or do I need to reduce my 10 mg to 5 mg? I called my pharmacy and they suggested that but if this goes away in a few days I would rather not.
Posted by leeran on March 30, 2003, at 14:05:34
In reply to BEING TIRED!!!!!!!!!!!!, posted by blkvettes on March 30, 2003, at 11:56:17
What an excellent message! Blkvettes, I wanted to tell you that, after reading one of your recent posts on Friday, I went back and did a search and followed your complete progress on Lexapro and even told my husband about your metamorphosis thus far on this medication.
Your most recent post (below) is full of such excellent, well-thought out advice and it's DEFINITELY something I needed to read this morning (I am on day 6 w/ Lexapro).
Like many people, one of my biggest fears is that I will gain back weight that I have lost (50 pounds gained in eight years - a combination of ADs, stress, early menopause and laziness/tiredness). I've lost 24 - 25 pounds of that 50 and am afraid of gaining it back and becoming MORE depressed because of the weight gain (such a vicious circle).
I'm curious - are you splitting a 10 mg. to get to 7.5 - or are there smaller dose pills available? I'm thinking I read that 10 mg. was the lowest dosage available in actual pill form.
I am also on 40 mg. per day of Adderall - so I feel like that will help with any weight gain and I've actually lost a few pounds this week taking the Lexapro (but I know that can be short-lived).
I do feel an even more drastic reduction in appetite with the Lexapro layered on top of the Adderall so we'll see what happens . . . I spent a few OCD hours last night combing the internet for posts about "Lexapro and weight gain" and it truly seems to be a mixed bag. It's amazing how completely different all of us are wired when it comes to metabolism and mood.
Magnesium seems to offer dramatic improvement for some people (according to posts I read on this board last night). I've taken it before then run out or didn't take it religiously but I do think it has helped in the past - so I plan on getting some of the Magnesium Glycine today.
Thank you SO much for your posts. You are so open and have been so kind to continue to post as you have improved. Your progress has been a true inspiration!
_---------
> Hello, you people that give up after a short time on a med must understand it takes time. If you are tired drop the dosage this worked for me. You do not have to take 10mg to get results. Everyone is different, I have seen people get results on just 5mg. I have been up to 10 down to 5 and am at 7.5 with good results. I read posts on all kinds of boards where people give up in the first week and move to something else. Most side effects go away in time. As for weight in some people their metabolism slows down with these meds. I guess you have to watch what you eat and exercise. On this board alone I have read posts where people have gone through some terrible side effects and they go away with time and say they are doing great. I am not defending lexapro but all meds that people take. It takes time, if a person quits because of allergic reaction or some severe side effect as I did with paxil and zoloft that is one thing. Some people give up over a headache, upset stomach, they are tired etc. These are minor side effects where a simple dosage change would do the trick. Some people take one med and start a new one and blame all their side effects on the new med when they are withdrawling from the old med. A lot of shrinks try to start you out on the full dose. You do not have to take a full dose to get results. If you go lower you can always go back up when your body is ready. No matter what med you take give it a fair chance!!!!!!!! I could have easily gave up on lexapro but people on this board and other boards convinced me to give it time!!!!!! GOOD LUCK TO ALL!!!!! TAKE CARE!!!!!!!!
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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