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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by lil' jimi on July 11, 2003, at 12:09:18
In reply to re: your penicillin nightmares = my fears, posted by Hoping on July 11, 2003, at 8:29:04
hi again there Hoping!
as in, Hoping-for-No-Sexual-Side-Effects:
> Thanks for all your insight and support, Dr. Wayne.... .. ... anyway i just thought i'd ramble on here about some of the fundamentals i've discovered since i've been here that hardly ever get posted to the newbies, i guess because everybody just expects us all to know them ... ...
one of the most powerful tools available here at our good Dr. Bob's pBabble is the ability to do searches .. ... .. there is so much text here that even just browsing you can discover a lot of information ... if somebody has the time and patience .... .... doing a targeted search can get you specific reports/subjects ... much faster than asking folks posting on the thread ... ... like sometimes Wayne and i aren't online ... ... could take days for someone with your answers/useful-replies to read your post and reply ... ...
you can use a regular google search by entering your search terms separated by commas and after the last term, a comma and 'dr-bob.org' ...
... for instance, at google's site we'd enter, say, "sexual SE, lexapro, dr-bob.org" (without any quotation marks)... ...
says here it took 0.16 seconds to get 168 posts ... ... second example of using this technique: always consider variations on your search terms, even little variations can be significant: i'm trying "sexual, lexapro, dr-bob.org" (no quotes) this time ... ... and we notice it took 0.08 seconds to get 522 reports ... ... see what i mean about a difference? ... leave out the "SE", get 354 more reports ... ... try to give the search engine every option to find the good stuff, if you can ...now that search begins at the google site ... ... of course Dr. Bob (hi, Dr. Bob!) offers us a few search options right here in pBabble ::
one is the "Find messages specifically for you" : this is where a poster has responded to your post and they have checked the "add name of previous poster" option, which automatically generates the ">> Hoping" tag on the end of the subject line ... ... (like i did on this post) ... ... ... and this search option just uses '>>Hoping' as its search term ... ...
... ... (there are a WHOLE lot of other USEFUL links near the top of each of the board pages, in particular, the
....
F A Q
...that Dr. Bob has provided us, in his insightful consideration ... thanks once again dr. bob!) ... ...
... now somewhat lower on the top of the page, Dr. Bob has disguised ... er, i mean, designed for us two search engines sharing one term entry window ...
... ... clicking the "Using Google" button on the right ... uses Google ... pretty much like i showed in the first option, but from inside pBabble, only you won't have to enter the "dr-bob.org" term because it does that for you ... in fact, it enters "site:dr-bob.org" for you And the comma separators ... so if i enter "sexual lexapro" (note: no commas and i didn't use quotes in any examples) and click the "Using Google" button, i get ... 512 reports in 0.62 seconds ... ... and they are brought up in a new browser window at the google site ...
(Hmmmm ... ... this makes me wonder about including the "site:" part of the term ... but it is only 10 fewer reports and one would have to compare them all to see why these ten were left out ... ... so no significant loss anyway.)
... ... then there is the Psycho-Babble Search:
using the "Search" button on the left invokes the pBabble Search "for the last year" ... ... these results are displayed on a page in its own window from within the pBabble domain... ...... now using our standard search terms "lexapro sexual" and clicking the "Search" button we get 1090 matches, but it looks to me like we've fished out every page with EITHER "lexapro" OR "sexual" ... .. ... which may be a little too inclusive for us ... ... so we can scroll on down to the bottom of the results page where we will find ... a box with the Search Options for both pBab Search and for Google (there's also the link to these search options at the search term entry window where we started) ... and now i can see that the pBabble Search does have its "any term" choice checked, which i will deselect by checking the "every term" option ... ... and now i hit pBab "Search" again .. ... .. and now we get Only 19 matches ... ... not so many, and we notice that none are from Since June 27, 2002 .... ... .... seems like this was explained by a format change for the posts, on that date, has fouled the search engine's criteria / ability to recognize / means to do a search / something, ... and that maybe for the time being our pBab Search really only works for posts from before June 27, 2002, maybe? ... ... and it is more of a challenge for our lex users, since the long lexapro thread only began in june of 2002. ... .. ...
... ... finally, there is my favorite technique for searching: using your browser's FIND function ... ... this one has real limitations: it only searches the contents of the page currently opened in the browser AND it only searches the text in the window, which means it will use just the subject lines, posters', postees' names, etc.. to search ... (google and pBab search will search the text of each post for matches as well) ... ... But if we, say, load the whole lex thread to our browser, starting at the ol' :
Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl
Posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
(http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020609/msgs/109458.html)
.... .... then click your browser's Edit menu and select "Find in This Page ..." ... ,which will bring up a dialog box where you can enter search terms ... ...so
even with the limitations, these search options can put us in charge of mining our own information out of all the reports within the marvelous resource .. .. .. most sincere praise be unto Dr. Bob for the benefits pBabble has provided ...
TAKE CARE,
~ jimp.s. i went a little ocd when i came here ... ... i began by reading ALL of the posts in the lex thread ... this took about as long as my SEs lasted ... around a week of my "spare" time ... ... i fly the ssri express without a pdoc and our fellow posters here have been a immense blessing to me ... ... so i try to give a little back ... ... and i need to support our buddy WAYNE! ... ... he can't do it all, anymore than i can ...
peace,
~j
Posted by trucker on July 11, 2003, at 12:27:32
In reply to re: your penicillin nightmares = my fears, posted by Hoping on July 11, 2003, at 6:52:44
> > hi Donia.
> >
> > thanks for your posts ....
> >
> > > Oh my goodness, it was awful. He got dime size red spots on his legs where his reaction caused his small blood vessels to burst. He got temporary arthritis from it. Couldnt walk on his right leg for three days, vomited for four days straight. He also urinated blood for a day because it can affect the kidneys. It can cause permanent kidney damage, but thank goodness this did not happen.
> >
> > yikes-a-moon-doh, momma! ... ... hijo lo! ... i feel for you! .... .... our little hero is only 4 1/2, but our worse fears are always for him
> > ... ... you've made me extra grateful that he is so healthy ... ...
> > thanks for checking in here
> > and
> > massive blessings to you, sweetie!
> > ~ jim
>
> I've been reading a lot of the conversation here, and was hoping there would be more references to s/e's regarding lex, in particular sexual desire/dysfunction, etc. I have been on Prozac and Effexor in the past and had to quit them both due to this s/e. The depression i have is not worth giving up that part of my life, which is fantastic. I just started Lex yesterday, at only 5mg qd for 4 days, then dr said to advance to the 10mg qd. I'm so scared this one will have the same effect, yet hoping it won't!! Does anyone have any experiences regarding this they'd like to share? Thanks.my side effects are a desire that is pert near out of control. this thing since leaving zoloft and welbutrin, and been on lex for 1 1/2 to 2 months this has woke up and started screaming feed me!!! my other half thinks to good to be true. so far it is still hungry and (forgive me for this one) i have wet dreams. this is so embarrassing. it works better than the other stuff i have been on. i feel normal except that hungry thing down there... sorry.
PS DON'T LAUGH!!! YOUR LAUGHING!!! BAD BABY!
take care
trucker
Posted by KimberlyDi on July 11, 2003, at 12:39:26
In reply to re: your penicillin nightmares = my fears, posted by Hoping on July 11, 2003, at 6:52:44
Hoping,
I'm currently on Effexor researching Lexapro because p-doc might switch me to it. My impression (from reading hundreds of posts) is that there are less sexual SE's on Lexapro than on Effexor. For those who start off experiencing the sexual SE on Lexapro, many report that it goes away. While on EFFEXOR, if you experience sexual SE's, then you are just SOL.Keep reading the posts, you'll find the information you want. Many of us are constant posters and evolve into a support group for each other. There may be some personal stuff mixed with the medication feedback. You'll have to weed through it if you don't like it.
Good Luck!
KDi from Texas
Posted by Donia on July 11, 2003, at 12:52:29
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
Hello, almost all anti depressants have the negative sexual side effects, at least at first. I am a 31 year old woman. I was on zoloft for about six months about two years or so ago. I had the sexual side effect problem from it for about 3 months. With alot of help from my husband this went away. Also with the lex I had this problem for a month or two. It seemed as if it went away sooner with the lex. A little extra time and help and it is gone now also and everything is back to normal.
Posted by lil' jimi on July 11, 2003, at 13:19:42
In reply to re: your penicillin nightmares = my fears » Hoping, posted by KimberlyDi on July 11, 2003, at 12:39:26
hi KimberlyDi,
you say:
> I'm currently on Effexor researching Lexapro because p-doc might switch me to it. My impression (from reading hundreds of posts) is that there are less sexual SE's on Lexapro than on Effexor. For those who start off experiencing the sexual SE on Lexapro, many report that it goes away. While on EFFEXOR, if you experience sexual SE's, then you are just SOL.
>
> Keep reading the posts, you'll find the information you want. Many of us are constant posters and evolve into a support group for each other. There may be some personal stuff mixed with the medication feedback. You'll have to weed through it if you don't like it.
>
> Good Luck!
> KDi from Texaslet me say ... ...
"i'm on lex going on 5 months: 4 mg for a month; .. 10 mg the past 3 1/2 months .... .... and my gr has usggested effexor for me if the lex isn't working ... ... i said maybe later!"
... ... so i won't have to be redirected ...
... ... because i really wanted to just be social and say hi to a fellow texas resident! .... Hello and howdy! ... .... ... i would not want you to compromise your privacy, so please don't feel like i want you to reciprocate, when i tell you i live in Austin ... ... i work at the university as an electronic technician ... ...
... ... i just felt like saying 'hi' when i saw your signature, ....
take care,
~ jim
Posted by tenacious on July 11, 2003, at 14:13:48
In reply to Is it okay to just stop taking Lexapro?, posted by CarrieL on June 16, 2003, at 21:48:15
Hi, I just found this forum after searching for how to wean myself off of lexapro. Does anyone know how I might go about it? Should I take a 1/2 dose for a few days? Has anyone done this?
I feel really bad on it, almost in a dream state, drugged out, and tired. I don't like it. I was perscribed it for sleep and depression due to fybromialgia.
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!!
tenacious
Posted by lil' jimi on July 11, 2003, at 14:30:52
In reply to Re: Is it okay to just stop taking Lexapro?, posted by tenacious on July 11, 2003, at 14:13:48
hi tenacious
> Hi, I just found this forum after searching for how to wean myself off of lexapro. Does anyone know how I might go about it? Should I take a 1/2 dose for a few days? Has anyone done this?
>
> I feel really bad on it, almost in a dream state, drugged out, and tired. I don't like it. I was perscribed it for sleep and depression due to fybromialgia.
>
> Any info would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks!!
>
> tenacious... ten, it just all depends on you .... are you sensitive to med changes?
.. do you tend to have side-effect reactions to meds in general? ... to SSRIs? ...
... ... but even so, we just can't be sure ...... so, Caution advises, go SLOW ... ... decrease your dose a little bit ... do that for a week ... decrease a little more ... do that for a week ... et cetera .. .. ....
some folks call this titrating down ... ... ... this is the best way for lots of folks ... ... then there are the exceptional cases:
they quit all at once cold turkey and then have no problems ... ... i'd have to say that they are EXTREMELY rare ... ... good luck ... post how it's going, please ...and
TAKE CARE !!!!
~ jim
Posted by theo on July 11, 2003, at 15:51:21
In reply to Re: Is it okay to just stop taking Lexapro?, posted by tenacious on July 11, 2003, at 14:13:48
I still had these side effects after 11 weeks and had to stop Lex. I was on 10mg and just stopped since this is the minimum dose, started Effexor XR the next day and had no major problems.
Posted by Donia on July 11, 2003, at 16:29:28
In reply to Re: Is it okay to just stop taking Lexapro?, posted by tenacious on July 11, 2003, at 14:13:48
Hello, I also have fibromyalgia. I mostly have the terrible fatigue and occassional flare ups in my upper back and now sometimes my lower back. I weaned myself off of zoloft. I first tried to quit cold turkey. I got those weird "brain zaps" and figured out I needed to wean off. I cut the pill and took 3/4 of it for a few weeks and then cut it in half for a few weeks and then took just a quarter of it for a few weeks and had no real problems doing it that way.
Posted by tenacious on July 11, 2003, at 16:45:16
In reply to Re: Is it okay to just stop taking Lexapro?, posted by Donia on July 11, 2003, at 16:29:28
Thanks for the info everyone!! I will try your suggestions, and let ya know.....
tenacious
Posted by Hoping on July 11, 2003, at 16:57:15
In reply to re: Searching for Specific Information on pBabble » Hoping, posted by lil' jimi on July 11, 2003, at 12:09:18
To say i'm pleasantly overwhelmed at the responses i got from folks is an understatement, especially you Jim. I'll go on to some of those links and sites you mentioned. And Wayne, i promise not to psych myself out before i give the Lexapro a chance. I guess i have what is referred to as dysthymia, not a debilitating depression but just a general, non-specific "black cloud" kind of sensation that is always there, keeping me from enjoying life like i feel i should. I also have some generalized anxiety, for which i've tried Buspar, which i was on for more than a year and feel it is totally useless. It's great for causing dizziness and drowsiness if you desire that, though. I now take xanax .25 to .50 once or twice a day which i think helps. Thanks for everybody's input, and it's nice to think i have a new group of friends i can talk to.
PS to trucker, i hope to have the same effects as you do from this lexapro stuff.........be careful on the road.
Posted by Hoping on July 11, 2003, at 16:59:36
In reply to re: Searching for Specific Information on pBabble, posted by Hoping on July 11, 2003, at 16:57:15
I thought i was responding the existing thread.......didn't notice the heading had changed. Please bear with this rookie to the site.
Posted by BLKVETTES on July 11, 2003, at 17:21:13
In reply to re: Searching for Specific Information on pBabble, posted by Hoping on July 11, 2003, at 16:57:15
> To say i'm pleasantly overwhelmed at the responses i got from folks is an understatement, especially you Jim. I'll go on to some of those links and sites you mentioned. And Wayne, i promise not to psych myself out before i give the Lexapro a chance. I guess i have what is referred to as dysthymia, not a debilitating depression but just a general, non-specific "black cloud" kind of sensation that is always there, keeping me from enjoying life like i feel i should. I also have some generalized anxiety, for which i've tried Buspar, which i was on for more than a year and feel it is totally useless. It's great for causing dizziness and drowsiness if you desire that, though. I now take xanax .25 to .50 once or twice a day which i think helps. Thanks for everybody's input, and it's nice to think i have a new group of friends i can talk to.
> PS to trucker, i hope to have the same effects as you do from this lexapro stuff.........be careful on the road.Hi there, I hope the lex works for you. It has wiped out my panic attacks and my anxiety and depression. I very seldom take the xanax anymore. Lexapro has been a life saver for me. I had a rough time with paxil and zoloft. GOOD LUCK!!!
WAYNE
Posted by lil' jimi on July 11, 2003, at 17:27:25
In reply to re: Searching for Specific Information on pBabble, posted by Hoping on July 11, 2003, at 16:59:36
> I thought i was responding the existing thread.......didn't notice the heading had changed. Please bear with this rookie to the site.
hey hoping friend,
... ... ... you didn't do anything
... that was me ... i feel free to re-write the subject line when i re-post ... it's my (confusing) attempt to have the content match the subject ... if we click the "in reply to ...." links of the posts' ... ... we can track back to where i changed the subject line .... ....
... ... sorry ... things are confusing enough, especially around here ... didn't mean to make it worse for you ... ....your posts are most appreciated ... .... keep up the good work ... and thanks for putting up with me
~ jim
Posted by Hoping on July 11, 2003, at 18:22:10
In reply to re: Searching for Specific Information on pBabble » Hoping, posted by lil' jimi on July 11, 2003, at 17:27:25
No problem Jim, now that i understand how the heading changed and everything. So, why are we all here at our various computers when it's such a beautiful evening out(at least it is here in NC)?
Posted by e503 on July 11, 2003, at 19:13:18
In reply to re: Searching for Specific Information on pBabble, posted by Hoping on July 11, 2003, at 18:22:10
gave ben 2.5 mg. lexapro during the day and he was much better and less hyper than when he was taking it at night. Only thing is, I noticed about 8 or 9 hours later (5:00 p.m. today) he started to get restless and somewhat agitated. I am wondering if I could dose it 2 times a day (2.5 mg. x 2)and if it would help. Has anyone else had the effect that it could be "calming" for about 8 hours or so, and then anxiety comes back?
thanks,
elise
Posted by liesl on July 11, 2003, at 21:18:20
In reply to Re: Rich or Mitch » Bill L, posted by Ritch on June 12, 2002, at 13:43:09
I've gained 25 pounds during the past year since I switched to Lexapro. I too find it helps with my anxiety mainly but not depression really at all. Has anyone else gained weight like this?
Posted by Donia on July 11, 2003, at 21:42:24
In reply to Re: Rich or Mitch, posted by liesl on July 11, 2003, at 21:18:20
I gained about 25 pounds on zoloft within 6 months. I am small and always have been. The only time I ever gained weight is when I was pregnant and I gained 11 pounds when I quit smoking. I craved carbohydrates really bad on the zoloft. It started about 4 months into the zoloft. I was even carry around a box of lucky charms cereal and eating about a box every two days. I have not had this problem at all with the lexapro. I have been on it for about 6 to 7 months.
Posted by McPac on July 11, 2003, at 22:14:18
In reply to re: your penicillin nightmares = my fears, posted by Hoping on July 11, 2003, at 6:52:44
" The depression i have is not worth giving up that part of my life, which is fantastic."
Why even take meds?
Posted by trucker on July 11, 2003, at 22:50:10
In reply to re: Searching for Specific Information on pBabble, posted by Hoping on July 11, 2003, at 16:57:15
> To say i'm pleasantly overwhelmed at the responses i got from folks is an understatement, especially you Jim. I'll go on to some of those links and sites you mentioned. And Wayne, i promise not to psych myself out before i give the Lexapro a chance. I guess i have what is referred to as dysthymia, not a debilitating depression but just a general, non-specific "black cloud" kind of sensation that is always there, keeping me from enjoying life like i feel i should. I also have some generalized anxiety, for which i've tried Buspar, which i was on for more than a year and feel it is totally useless. It's great for causing dizziness and drowsiness if you desire that, though. I now take xanax .25 to .50 once or twice a day which i think helps. Thanks for everybody's input, and it's nice to think i have a new group of friends i can talk to.
> PS to trucker, i hope to have the same effects as you do from this lexapro stuff.........be careful on the road.
thanks!my other half still thinks its a fluke, its kinda like a boy for the first time rasseling with a girl, doesn't know if he should touch me or if so where. hee! hee! hee! i love it and i do giggle more he says. that i hope i never loose, and my personality. it has pulled me thru alot!
good luck take care GOD BLESS!
trucker
Posted by trucker on July 11, 2003, at 23:01:20
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl » trucker, posted by lil' jimi on July 10, 2003, at 2:51:44
> hi trucker,
>
> thank you for your post ...
> you wrote:
> > i switched from zoloft 200mg to lexapro 20 mg.
> >
> > i wasn't informed of the way it would affect me.
> >
> > this thing is screaming feed me all of a sudden and before i had NO desire at all. now its almost out of control. my other half is still use to no not interested and i am trying to get him to give me some. if you catch my drift. i am more like my younger years at this point. hope i stay like this. this is my experience!
>
> and i'm writing this:
> i hear what you are saying ... i have had similiar experience with lexapro ... .. ... i have asked our lex posters before if anyone else experienced beneficial sexual side effects with lex and a few responded positively ... ... i initially suffered anorgasmia as a SE from lex, but after about a week that went away and things changed for the better ... ... well, and even better ...
>
> how long we're you on zoloft?
> how long have you been on lex?
> how was your transition like?
> how has your other half adjusted? yet?
>
> thanks again for the positive post ... never get enough of those here ...
>
> good luck !
> take good care!!!
> ~ jim
>
>
>
so you are from texas! i am from the catskill mountains
Posted by trucker on July 11, 2003, at 23:07:47
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl » trucker, posted by lil' jimi on July 10, 2003, at 2:51:44
hey folks
as for the chocolate helping you in this fashion and that. are you aware that chocolate releases the same chemical in the brain as having sex!!!! any wonder why some of could be having side effects sexually? you may try it all i can tell you is after eating chocolate i have no desire for several days. i kinda steer away from that stuff alittle when i know ill be around the other half. i hate to miss out. ha! ha! yee! haw!trucker
Posted by lil' jimi on July 12, 2003, at 1:14:09
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl » lil' jimi, posted by trucker on July 11, 2003, at 23:01:20
Posted by reichdon on July 12, 2003, at 7:58:56
In reply to Re: My experiences with Lexapro and Celexa, posted by Luziluna on April 16, 2003, at 9:37:04
This is in reply to MattD. I see that you took both Lexapro and Celexa. What was the reason you and your doc decided to take both? I am trying them both too - the Celexa made me feel too unmotivated and the Lexapro made me feel a bit anxious so I am hoping they will balance out (I am only taking a small dose - about 2.5mg of each). So far so good.
Posted by trucker on July 12, 2003, at 14:45:20
In reply to Hola amiga! from Texas to your Catskill Mts (nm) » trucker, posted by lil' jimi on July 12, 2003, at 1:14:09
in case you aren't aware of the location of the catskill mountains, they are in upstate new york... south of albany, ny
i am leaveing in a hour or so just thought i'd catch my final e-mails before i go.
take care all and i hope and pray that you all have a good experience with lex. see i alwways had a bubbly, happy go lucky attitude. even in the worst times. then i had a dead baby and a whole bunch of other horrible things that over loaded my circuits. i was also told that under heavy stress(which i can't imagine what it could be-ha! ha!) you should take sublingle b vitimins.
i have started this regimin as well, maybe this is the reason my side effects are good ones...if you are interested try this. TRIVITA (FROM THE HEALTHY LIVING COMPANY) TO ORDER 1-800-991-7116
to your health!
trucker
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
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