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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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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
Posted by lil' jimi on July 12, 2003, at 15:26:32
In reply to Re: Hola amiga! from Texas to your Catskill Mts » lil' jimi, posted by trucker on July 12, 2003, at 14:45:20
hi trucker!
you wrote:
> in case you aren't aware of the location of the catskill mountains, they are in upstate new york... south of albany, ny>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
... .. ... i knew the catskill mts were in new york ... ... i hadn't realized they were in the south east corner of ny ... ...
... two of my closest friends live in easthampton, mass ... ... i miss them ... ...>
> 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.... .... i have been taking lots of supplements ... and my SEs weren't very bad either ... ... larry hoover convinced me (he wouldn't know this) to try the omega-3 oils ... now i'll check out your sublingual Bs too .... thanks ...
... ... i admire your bubbliness ... ... and grieve for your tragedies you've suffered ... ... my wife and i suffered, she says 6 and i say 7, miscarriages during our fight with infertility ... ... our 4 year-old is the happy ending to our long futility ... ....
bless you trucker
and
BE CAREFUL OUT THERE!!!!
~ jim
Posted by Bela on July 14, 2003, at 12:54:04
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
I have two questions regarding Lexapro for anyone out there that has the information.
Question 1: In your experience, how long does it take for Lexapro to have a positive effect, assuming that it does? I have taken 10 mg. per day for 2 weeks and have noticed no benefit. If anything, my depression may have gotten worse.
Question 2: I am concurrently taking Remeron and Lamictal. Could this effect the efficacy of the Lexapro?
Thanks for any help you give me.
Bela
Posted by BLKVETTES on July 14, 2003, at 13:28:29
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Bela on July 14, 2003, at 12:54:04
> I have two questions regarding Lexapro for anyone out there that has the information.
>
> Question 1: In your experience, how long does it take for Lexapro to have a positive effect, assuming that it does? I have taken 10 mg. per day for 2 weeks and have noticed no benefit. If anything, my depression may have gotten worse.
>
> Question 2: I am concurrently taking Remeron and Lamictal. Could this effect the efficacy of the Lexapro?
>
> Thanks for any help you give me.
> BelaHi there it took about 5 weeks for lexapro to start working for me. I have heard as long as 12 weeks for some. I have no clue how your other meds mix with lexapro. Sorry I cant be more help.
WAYNE
Posted by Bela on July 14, 2003, at 15:15:35
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by BLKVETTES on July 14, 2003, at 13:28:29
Thanks, Wayne. Your information made me feel much better.
Bela
Posted by tm on July 14, 2003, at 17:02:31
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Bela on July 14, 2003, at 12:54:04
> I have two questions regarding Lexapro for anyone out there that has the information.
>
> Question 1: In your experience, how long does it take for Lexapro to have a positive effect, assuming that it does? I have taken 10 mg. per day for 2 weeks and have noticed no benefit. If anything, my depression may have gotten worse.
>
> Question 2: I am concurrently taking Remeron and Lamictal. Could this effect the efficacy of the Lexapro?
>
> Thanks for any help you give me.
> Bela
I took a little longer than Wayne did, but I woke up one morning and it was like someone cut the light switch on, I knew that I was going to have a good day and it's been like that ever since. I don't know about the mixture of med.Hang in There! I hope you have the same experience.
Take care Tim
Posted by Bela on July 14, 2003, at 17:49:14
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by tm on July 14, 2003, at 17:02:31
Tim - I appreciate your words of encouragement. I do hope I have the same experience.
Bela
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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