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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by oldhand on July 20, 2003, at 23:17:57
In reply to lexapro and migraine and side effects, posted by bookgurl99 on July 19, 2003, at 16:13:13
> Hey,
>
> I was toggling between 50 mgs and 25 mgs of Zoloft for about a year, feeling out of it and low motivation and gaining weight. So I quit, only to discover that it was also preventing migraine for me quite effectively.
>
> Has anyone had success using lexapro for migraine prevention? And, have the side effects been manageable? I don't want to feel sedated or emotionally numb.I also get migraines, though as I age they seem to be less frequent. I have had very few while taking the Lexapro, only one so severe I ended up in the ER, but the rest are just 20 or so minutes of visual disturbance and they go away without a headache.
Side effects for me included insomnia (given trazodone to help) and some jaw clenching, dizziness and sweats. These have become very infrequent and are very manageable for me. I do not feel either sedated or emotionally numb. IMHO the Lexapro needs a fair chance to work, minimum six weeks and maybe more. I hope it helps you as it has me. Keep us posted.
Posted by Micheke on July 21, 2003, at 13:09:37
In reply to Re: Lexapro Withdrawal Dizziness » Micheke, posted by Rich B on July 18, 2003, at 20:53:23
Rich,
Good Luck! Thursday was the last time I took a dose of lexapro but, of course, by Saturday evening I was dizzy again. It's now Monday and I'm still trying to muscle through it. The dizziness is really bad this time, pretty much like when I went from 10mg to zero. Not sure how long I can deal with this since I do have to work. The new thing is now my hands start shaking on and off and I'm having trouble sleeping. I took a .25mg of xanax last night to help me relax to sleep but I'm not sure if it really did anything. I'm hoping this goes away by sunday beause my fiancee is leaving for a business trip for a week and I'll be home alone. We'll see what happens, I may wind up going back up to .25mg temporarily but I'm trying not to. I just want this done. Sounds like we're dealing with the same things. Keep me posted on your progress...hope your done by saturday for your trip.
-Michele
Posted by bookgurl99 on July 21, 2003, at 18:01:25
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Kayla on July 18, 2003, at 13:12:50
Should I be taken lexapro in the morning or at night?
I took one this afternoon and noticed feeling reaaaally tired and nauseated. (But, my migraines make me tired too.) Would taking it at night make me sleep through the worst start-up effects?
I'm starting on lexapro in an attempt to get the migraine control I got on zoloft without the side effects.
Thx to my frequent med changes, my migraines are getting worse. My dr. basically flung 4 weeks' worth of lexapro at me and told me to come back and see him then.
Posted by tm on July 21, 2003, at 18:21:21
In reply to Lexapro -- evening or night?, posted by bookgurl99 on July 21, 2003, at 18:03:21
> Should I be taken lexapro in the morning or at night?
>
> I took one this afternoon and noticed feeling reaaaally tired and nauseated. (But, my migraines make me tired too.) Would taking it at night make me sleep through the worst start-up effects?
>
> I'm starting on lexapro in an attempt to get the migraine control I got on zoloft without the side effects.
>
> Thx to my frequent med changes, my migraines are getting worse. My dr. basically flung 4 weeks' worth of lexapro at me and told me to come back and see him then.
>
>
> I asked my pdoc if it mattered when I took it and he said, no. So I switched to night just so I could sleep through any possible side effects. It really didn't help me sleep better at the time I was still waking up 3-4 times a night, I no longer wake up at night. I have asked your same question in the past and some take it mid-afternoon to supper. The advice I got was to play with the times. I didn't play with mine much, and I have stuck with taking it sometime during the evening. My wife also takes it in the evening, but she had no side effects from it.
Hope this helps!Take care Tim.
>
Posted by BLKVETTES on July 21, 2003, at 19:07:04
In reply to Lexapro -- evening or night?, posted by bookgurl99 on July 21, 2003, at 18:01:25
> Should I be taken lexapro in the morning or at night?
>
> I took one this afternoon and noticed feeling reaaaally tired and nauseated. (But, my migraines make me tired too.) Would taking it at night make me sleep through the worst start-up effects?
>
> I'm starting on lexapro in an attempt to get the migraine control I got on zoloft without the side effects.
>
> Thx to my frequent med changes, my migraines are getting worse. My dr. basically flung 4 weeks' worth of lexapro at me and told me to come back and see him then.
>
>
>
>Hi there, its one of those things where you will have to experiment with. At the biginning I to was very tired almost zombie like. I took it morning and night and afternoon. I have settled in at 4pm for a couple of months. I believe the tiredness just went away as I adjusted to the lexapro. But for me that tired feeling lasted a good 6 weeks. TAKE CARE!!!!
WAYNE
Posted by Mescalito on July 22, 2003, at 2:13:02
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
I have been on Lexapro for 4 days. I can tell you that I have had MAJOR skin crawling feeling as well as general space cadet. I cannot sleep and for the most part feel awful! I am not going to take it anymore will call my doc tomorrow to let her know that there has to be something better out there!!!
Posted by arrianna on July 22, 2003, at 11:01:02
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Mescalito on July 22, 2003, at 2:13:02
Hi Mescalito-
I'm sorry to hear about your experience with Lex. I've been taking it now for two weeks (10mg) for anxiety. I have to say my anxiety has improved considerably, but I can relate to some of your side effects.
I think the first couple of weeks have to be the worst adjusting to the med. I've also experienced tiredness, insomnia, and a depressed mood. And like you, I really thought it may be best to quit. But, I urge you to hang in there. It could be it's just not for you, or you need some more time to adjust.
I'm starting to feel better now on Lex after 2 weeks- I still feel some tiredness, etc, but it's manageable. I had to ask myself what's worse: the side effects or the reason why I'm on it??
Hope this helps- Good Luck!!
Arrianna
Posted by arrianna on July 22, 2003, at 11:15:29
In reply to Re: Lexapro -- evening or night?, posted by BLKVETTES on July 21, 2003, at 19:07:04
Hi! I'm not sure if it makes a difference when you take Lex. I've been taking it for two weeks now, and take it in the evening. I decided to take it in the evening just in case it made me nasuseated. Sometimes, I do feel more tired after taking it and sometimes I can't tell any change. It's one that you can experiment with to see what works best for you.
In my experience, I have found at times that even though I do feel tired after taking it, I do have trouble falling asleep; and, once asleep, I'm easily awakened. It's getting better, tho, as I'm adjusting to it. I also experienced slight headaches on Lex, but now after 2 weeks, haven't noticed any.
Hang in there, and I hope it works out for you!!
Arrianna
Posted by Gabby on July 22, 2003, at 11:23:08
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl » Mescalito, posted by arrianna on July 22, 2003, at 11:01:02
Hi.
I have been taking lexapro, in the mornings for about 4 months. For the first 3 months, I was on 10 mg. After sometime that didn't seem to work well anymore. My primary care doc increased my dosage to 15...a week later I was on 20 instead.
I am not sure when this began, but I also suffer from sleeplessness. To counteract this, my doc prescribed Trazadone, which is also an antidepressant, but it sure knocks me out.I hear a lot of people talking about the side effects of Lexapro, besides the sleeplessness, I do not know of any that I have suffered from. Can someone please name a few for me?
Posted by arrianna on July 22, 2003, at 11:46:55
In reply to Re: depakote before Lexapro » joebob, posted by HushDarling on July 19, 2003, at 0:33:13
Hi Melissa,
I've been on Lexapro now for two weeks. This is the first time I've ever been on any type of anti-depressant which I'm also taking 10mg (for anxiety). Anyways, I have experienced the typical side effects: light tiredness, trouble falling asleep- easily awakened, depressed mood, and decreased sex drive.
I experienced all these in the first couple of weeks, but now they seem to be improving as I adjust to it. I also experienced light headaches in the beginning, but now haven't noticed any. The side effects (for me) are mild and seem to outweigh the other options. Hope it works for you!
Take Care,
Arrianna
Posted by reichdon on July 22, 2003, at 14:09:19
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Mescalito on July 22, 2003, at 2:13:02
To ggrrl: how much of a dosage are you taking? I am starting out small (2.5 mg which is only 1/4 a tablet) and really didn't have many side effects. I thought I would slowly increase. Maybe that would help. good luck!
Reichdon
Posted by roxannamarie on July 22, 2003, at 18:23:00
In reply to Lexapro Withdrawal Dizziness, posted by Rich B on July 15, 2003, at 8:48:48
I experienced your exact scenario. Three years ago I was thin, really cute and super energetic but I foolishly went on Paxil for a bit of "social Phobia" and three years later I am fat, tired, have very low self-esteem, anxious and truly digusted with the person I became on Paxil. I switched to Lexapro a month ago and gained even more weight, I was like an eating machine, and then I would just sit on my ass all the time. Anyway, I am done with those stupid meds and am having the worst withdrawal..My brain is spinning around like a top inside my skull and I lash out at anyone who looks at me wrong... Seriously these meds are evil..I was fine before..I have had severe run ins with the law and gained an excessive amount of weight..If I was'nt depressed before I sure as hell am now... Do not take Paxil or Lexapro for Social Phobia or Anxiety, I almost ruined my life and hit rock bottom..Seriously..
Posted by bookgurl99 on July 22, 2003, at 19:50:08
In reply to Lexapro Withdrawal Dizziness, posted by Rich B on July 15, 2003, at 8:48:48
Rich,
I know it sounds weird, but I think some of the symptoms are due to blood volume changes. For example, when I came off Zoloft I felt really dizzy and peed like crazy. Certain other meds can make you bloat.
Can you try drinking a _lot_ of water, or -- this is what my dr. has suggested for the dizzy onset of migraine -- trying an Alka Seltzer?
At least you know it'll end; it did last time right?
Posted by Doug in PA on July 22, 2003, at 20:14:36
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Mescalito on July 22, 2003, at 2:13:02
I have been on Lex for about 6 weeks (I think) but my memory is so bad I can't remember when I started it. (space cadet) I have had that skin crawling feeling also and it worried me until I realized that it coinsided with the dread of my landlord coming to see the pig stie that I have let my house become. Does anything (thoughts)in your life start the tingling feeling??? I have felt better since I made the connection that maybe it is not the medication. Also what has helped me is a .5mg xanax two or three times a day in addition to 10 mg of lex. After 3 years I have actually started cleaning my house. I was always well groomed personally and showered daily but if I dropped something on the floor it was too much trouble to pick it up. I would just step over it. I really hated myself for doing that. I hope that I am getting better. Getting motivated is the hardest thing to do, staying motivated is the second hardest. Believing that there is hope for you getting better is a thought that I almost never have. I take it one day at a time. Give some reconsideration to stopping Lexapro. Good luck.
Doug in PA
========================================> I have been on Lexapro for 4 days. I can tell you that I have had MAJOR skin crawling feeling as well as general space cadet. I cannot sleep and for the most part feel awful! I am not going to take it anymore will call my doc tomorrow to let her know that there has to be something better out there!!!
Posted by roxannamarie on July 23, 2003, at 11:06:18
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? Skin crawl, posted by Doug in PA on July 22, 2003, at 20:14:36
Doug,
I totally know what you mean. I turned into a complete slob on meds.; I used to be vain to the point of fault, but on meds I did'nt shower, brush teeth, wash my face, comb my hair, even deodorant was a effort because I was too tired... My hygeine went to seed as did my living conditions, I honestly think they just make you not care..
Posted by Doug in PA on July 23, 2003, at 16:32:06
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? Skin crawl, posted by roxannamarie on July 23, 2003, at 11:06:18
roxannamarie
Do you know what else is missing in my every day life?? Laughing! Oh I hear a joke or see something amusing but it is only a mild ha ha. A
"Century" (actually 15 years)or more ago before I became depressed, I remember laughing 'till my sides hurt. I felt truly happy and good most of the time. Now-a-days nothing makes me really laugh or happy. Everything is either a tolerable shade of grey or black. Short of illegal drugs, is there a "happy" pill out there????? As for pills making you not care, you may be right. I don't care that I have put on 40 pounds in the last few years. Ok, I am lieing, I hate myself because of it, but I can't force myself to do anything about it. I care more about the feelings of others than I do of my own.
Everything for me is.....later...maybe.
Doug in PA
================================================> Doug,
>
> I totally know what you mean. I turned into a complete slob on meds.; I used to be vain to the point of fault, but on meds I did'nt shower, brush teeth, wash my face, comb my hair, even deodorant was a effort because I was too tired... My hygeine went to seed as did my living conditions, I honestly think they just make you not care..
Posted by pasdenom on July 23, 2003, at 18:10:14
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? Skin crawl, posted by Doug in PA on July 22, 2003, at 20:14:36
Doug and all,
I, too, have experience the "skin crawl" feeling, which I used to call "feeling kicky," because of an uncontrollable urge to move my legs. I have interpreted it to be RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome) exacerbated by Lexapro. I have experienced RLS on and off since my first pregnancy, but never nightly like this. Is skin crawl feeling mostly in your legs and mostly while you are sitting or laying down? If so, it probably is drug-induced RLS. What helps me is stretching, walking around, taking muscle relaxants or valium, occasionally.
Maybe Lexapro causes this in me and something different in you all.
Hope this helps.
Posted by roxannamarie on July 23, 2003, at 18:46:47
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? Skin crawl, posted by Doug in PA on July 23, 2003, at 16:32:06
Oh, I know. I can't remember the last time I had a really good deep laugh. This withdrawal is really bad though... I am soo dizzy and nauseous..I really want to push through this and hopefully I can become clear and energetic again. The weight gain factor was so strange..I put on 30 pounds? and I am 5'1.. It was so weird, even when I would work out and diet on Paxil I would not lose the weight, maybe like a pound or two but it definetly does something to the body chemistry.
Posted by BLKVETTES on July 23, 2003, at 19:00:10
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? Skin crawl, posted by pasdenom on July 23, 2003, at 18:10:14
> Doug and all,
> I, too, have experience the "skin crawl" feeling, which I used to call "feeling kicky," because of an uncontrollable urge to move my legs. I have interpreted it to be RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome) exacerbated by Lexapro. I have experienced RLS on and off since my first pregnancy, but never nightly like this. Is skin crawl feeling mostly in your legs and mostly while you are sitting or laying down? If so, it probably is drug-induced RLS. What helps me is stretching, walking around, taking muscle relaxants or valium, occasionally.
> Maybe Lexapro causes this in me and something different in you all.
> Hope this helps.Hi there, I had the restless leg thing also. The worst was at night when trying to sleep. It took months for this to be tolerable for me. Xanax helped a lot!!!!!!! I still get it sometimes but this is probably because of some anxiety or to many sodas!!! But Its nothing like it was and I sleep better than I have my whole life. TAKE CARE!!!!
WAYNE
Posted by Rich B on July 23, 2003, at 20:58:28
In reply to Re: Lexapro Withdrawal Dizziness, posted by bookgurl99 on July 22, 2003, at 19:50:14
Thanks all repliers. To update Michele and everyone else as well. Last Wednesday, I went back on a half a pill (5 mg) because I could not stand the dizziness. Right away the dizziness went away. I took a half a pill for 2 days and then a quarter pill for 3 days. No dizziness whatsoever. I stopped it on Monday and felt just an inkling of dizziness that evening. Yesterday and today (Wednesday) I have been dizzy but not as bad as when I went full blown cold turkey. Today, however, was much worse than Tuesday. However, I have been very depressed and anxious today and depression was not my problem at all before. I have a reason though. I am in the process of trying to move a friendship with a lady friend into something more. Well, as is normal in this type of situation, I am very anxious and if anything I do to advance the process does not succeed, I take it as a sign that she is not and will not be interested in me that way and I am heading toward failure. That is kind of normal for me because of experience, but it just seems much more intensified. Like 2 weeks ago when I went cold turkey, I am very tired kind of melancholy. Well, its full-blown depression and out of control anxiousness. One side of me wants to ride it through and just suffer a little longer to get it over with. Another side of me says that I am crazy to be trying to get off this stuff right now with what is going on in my life. If I have a few more days like this one, I’ll have to. Now get this. I am going out of town with a bunch of friends Saturday into Sunday and if I am still dizzy on Saturday, I’ll have to take it because it will ruin my fun and also I am driving. To make matter worse, this lady friend is one of the seven who is going on this trip with me. How is THAT for a nerve-racking weekend??? I think I will try to gut it out another day or two and see what happens. Come Fri or Sat if the situation is not much better, I’ll have go back to a quarter pill for a while. Wish me luck.
Rich B
P.S. Is tiredness a withdrawal symptom? How about depression?
Posted by bookgurl99 on July 23, 2003, at 21:27:42
In reply to Re: Lexapro Withdrawal Dizziness, posted by Rich B on July 23, 2003, at 20:58:28
Rich,
Feeling tired or depressed can both happen. Sometimes you can feel more depressed (temporarily) than you did before! But luckily, this often clears up in a few months.
books
Posted by bookgurl99 on July 24, 2003, at 7:49:26
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
Well, I started 2 days ago. Still at the 5 mg dose. (small!)
First things I've noticed -- it really does have milder SE's than Celexa. Felt tired the first day; switched to night, haven't had a problem. Also, on Celexa (which I quit after a week), I _immediately_ developed SSRI sweatiness/lack of libidio. Not there on the lex.
Felt weird yesterday, like my brain wanted to go into a migraine. Took the lex, few hours later the feeling was gone. Maybe it will work for these migraines.
Have to say it seems good.
Posted by BLKVETTES on July 24, 2003, at 8:12:41
In reply to First few days on Lexapro, posted by bookgurl99 on July 24, 2003, at 7:49:26
> Well, I started 2 days ago. Still at the 5 mg dose. (small!)
>
> First things I've noticed -- it really does have milder SE's than Celexa. Felt tired the first day; switched to night, haven't had a problem. Also, on Celexa (which I quit after a week), I _immediately_ developed SSRI sweatiness/lack of libidio. Not there on the lex.
>
> Felt weird yesterday, like my brain wanted to go into a migraine. Took the lex, few hours later the feeling was gone. Maybe it will work for these migraines.
>
> Have to say it seems good.Hi there, with some people 5mg has done the trick. Others have had to go to 20mg. I take about 7mg and have been for a long time. Take your time in moving up the dose. Do it slowly and you may hit the perfect dose on the way up. TAKE CARE!!!
WAYNE
Posted by Micheke on July 24, 2003, at 14:28:56
In reply to Re: Lexapro Withdrawal Dizziness, posted by Rich B on July 23, 2003, at 20:58:28
Rich,
Since my last post I was forced back to a 5mg dose of the lex. I was having a hard time driving cause every time I moved my eyes I got dizzy. Dizziness disappeared about 2 hours after I took it. I took the 5mg for a couple of days and now I'm on my 2nd day of 2.5mg. I think I'll stay on this till my fiance gets back from his trip. I don't know about you but going back and forth through this withdrawal is certainly enough to make me anxious and depressed. I felt like a failure for giving in to the meds and going back on. The truth is that I couldn't function with the dizziness the way it was. Feels like a perpetual merry go round. Gives me a headache and makes me very cranky. I'm doing great right now, we'll see what happens at the next step.Anyway, sounds as if you have the potential for a great trip. Try to just have fun and not worry too much about a blossoming relationship while you're away. Take things as they come. I try to remind myself that when things are right they happen naturally. Let us know how things went when you get back :)
-Michele
Posted by mph-speedy on July 24, 2003, at 18:49:29
In reply to Re: First few days on Lexapro, posted by BLKVETTES on July 24, 2003, at 8:12:41
Have been reading Lexapro thread with interest. First time user of AD - have been on 10mg Lexapro for one month. Minor side effects (thirst, insomnia) do not outweigh benefits so far. Almost immediate positive effect being lifted out of overwhelming anger, depression, and paranoia. Where to go from here? Any thoughts?
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