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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by bran on August 29, 2003, at 20:43:43
In reply to confused (nm), posted by bran on August 29, 2003, at 20:25:36
Hey guys,
i really appreciate all the information. you all have been helping me out. i'm a 20 year old female with dysthymia/anxiety (i suppose). i use to use prozac and effexor back in the day, but discontinued those after i felt they didn't do anything. i've been using lexapro for about 4 months now. the initial side effects were horrible, severe headaches and insomnia. they passed, but now i'm extremely tired all the time and my ability to orgasm/sexual drive is non existent. does anyone relate?
thanks again,
bran
Posted by galkeepinon on August 29, 2003, at 21:57:12
In reply to Re: SHAY AND LEXAPRO, posted by BLKVETTES on August 29, 2003, at 1:17:13
Posted by trucker on August 29, 2003, at 22:14:34
In reply to Re: SHAY AND LEXAPRO, posted by BLKVETTES on August 29, 2003, at 1:17:13
i wish i had something i could say or do to make thinks better, some special magical healing of the tears and fears. i remember feeling this way as well. the only thing that kept me from suiside was my religious beleifs. if you comit suiside you won't go to heaven. and see since my baby boy was born dead i know he is in heaven with my LORD and KING. and if i ever want to see my boy i must tow the mark to reach heaven. i hope that all of us here are one day happy and healthy again. and we can all laugh at our fears and tears.
take it easy,
i always thought it was the evil one trying to take me out. so i'd burn in hell.
trucker
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////> Hi trucker, my memories are the pain I went through in the last year. I was never depressed until the last year. All the hospital visits, all the tests, all the fear, all the pain. Thoughts of dying and wanting to die are not going away anytime soon!!!!!!!!!!!! This is why some call me the clown man!!!!!!!!!!
>
> The Man With The Clowns Eyes
>
>
> Do you ever wonder about clowns. They look so sad!!!! They look like tears are flowing from their eyes. But they seem happy and act happy. But they look so sad!!! I want to tell you about the man with the clowns eyes. He really has been happy all his life. He really cant complain about the way he was raised. But things went wrong and he does not know why or how. One morning he was sitting on the edge of his bed waiting for his wife and daughter to leave for the day. He was very sad but hid this from his little girl. Well the time came for them to leave and he wished them a good day and kissed his daughter good bye. He then went back to his room and sat on the edge of the bed staring at a tv with no sound. He did this everyday, he did not eat, he could not sleep and the pain in his aching body was unbearable. As he sat there tears began to flow from his eyes. He did this everyday and saw no reason to live. He felt he was a burden to all. He thought of many ways to end his life. Why was the man with the clown eyes so sad. He began to recall his childhood. His parents were divorced when he was very young. But his dad was always there and was a good father. But he missed his father because he was no longer there everyday. He had a great mother who sacrificed to make his life a happy one. So it could not be his childhood. He became a teenager, he had lots of friends, the girls were attracted to him. He was very popular!!!!! So it could not be because of his teenage years. He got married very young and had kids that he loved very much. There was a time when he did drugs that nearly destroyed his family and himself. He sought help and quit the drugs and became his old self again. Years went by and the man with the clowns eyes was really very happy. He had everything a person ever dreams of in life. But one day this all came to an end. He no longer cared how he looked. He quit eating, he could not sleep and was very depressed. He lost interest in all that made him happy. So now the man with the clowns eyes just sits in his room with fear as the tears flow from his eyes and down his cheeks. He went from doctor to doctor and no one could make him feel happy again. All hope was gone, but he looked at the picture of his daughter that was next to the bed. This always made him cry harder and his body shake and tremor. He could not end his life!!!! Even though he no longer wanted to live he could not do this to his family. This was the low point for the man with the clowns eyes. Everyday he sat there and cried never wanting to leave his room. I wonder if the man with the clowns eyes will be ok. Will he always be sad!!!! Will he be happy!!!! Will he live or die!!!! I really cant say!!!! But as I look in the mirror at the man with the clowns eyes. Tears begin to flow from my eyes and down my cheeks. I get the feeling he will be ok. I get the feeling he will be happy again. Well we can only hope that this is true!!!!
> THE END
Posted by BLKVETTES on August 29, 2003, at 22:55:42
In reply to Re: SHAY AND LEXAPRO » BLKVETTES, posted by trucker on August 29, 2003, at 22:14:34
Hi Trucker, hey I think I have confused you somehow. I have recovered and maybe feel better than I have in years in many ways. What I went through makes me look at life and people differently. I eat better and I take better care of myself. That story I wrote was written months ago. Jim asked me to share why people on other boards call me the clown man. Lexapro like someone said I believe Gail if Im wrong Im sorry is a miracle drug. What has happened to me from November 1st of last year till now is truly a miracle. But at the same time when anyone has something really bad in life happen to them those bad memories fade away slowly. When I go from board to board other people are living my story. I feel their pain everyday I read a post. But Im better at putting the info out to help and moving on without getting emotional. Example Im getting emails from a single mother with one child. She suffers from panic and anxiety. She thinks she may be crazy, she thinks she is a bad mother. So I send her lots of info to read and convince her that she is not crazy. She is 4 months into her med in another couple of weeks GOD willing it should start to work. I get emails from teenagers, people in their 20's, 30's 40's 50' and even 60's everyday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am fine, besides Jim thinks Im the funny one!!!!!! TAKE CARE TRUCKER!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU WILL SEE YOUR SON ONE DAY!!!!!!!!!
WAYNE
Posted by lil' jimi on August 30, 2003, at 2:38:17
In reply to Re: 80 c.i. PLUS 20 mg = Good formula !, posted by hog80ci on August 29, 2003, at 19:29:44
i thank _you_, man ... great post!
reads like you're getting a handle on some heavy issues there ! ... that IS great!> Thanks Jim. I come home every day and check the threads here. It's helped a lot. Had a good talk today about a couple of character defects I try and deal with...self centeredness and an aversion to delayed gratification. I think seeing the words from other people give me hope, put me in some gratitude, and help me be patient.
>
> I might be seeing signs of benefit already. I have a pretty short fuse. Meds help keep it under control. Today, I was in a situation where I should have blown my stack, but the lid seemed to stay at least part way on. Thanks again for your support and encouragement.
> Jim >
>you have reminded me of how much i must be benefiting from lex ... ... ... i used to have to struggle against my internal undirected rage, especially in the mornings ... i haven't really felt that at all for a while ... i am a lot cooler now ...
best to you ... keep posting ... hang in there!
~ jim
Posted by lil' jimi on August 30, 2003, at 3:53:02
In reply to Good news...the light seems near, posted by theump on August 29, 2003, at 19:53:06
hi Renee!
that is great news!
wonderful to hear you're feeling better ...
and very encouraging!
i am so hoping this is the beginning of better things to come for you ... and me and all of us ....
.... i'll be trying my (absurd?) titrating up plan ... ... as soon as i get a handle on my technique for making measured 1mg doses ... once heard about liquid lexapro! ... that'd be the tiket! ... too bad it's the labor day weekend ... tuesday i'm shaking down my pharmacist, my gp and my health insurance ...
... ... OR my plan's back to pill smashing and measuring powder into tenths: no fun ... ... the only real fun is to kid about snorting the powder ... (the junk they probably use to make the lex into a pill probably ruin the remains of my allergy plagued sinuses!) .... .... i suppose i could try to dissolve the powder into water and measure that ... ...
... ... unfortunately for my little titrating trail experiment, jim is one lazy scientist ... ... i am definiteely turning this into a hobby !
... ... HA HA !!take care, renee ... _please_ keep me (us) posted! .... .... i'll be waiting to hear how it's going and good luck!
~ jim
Posted by galkeepinon on August 30, 2003, at 4:48:43
In reply to Re: Sun sensitivity, posted by EmilyC on August 29, 2003, at 13:47:54
I'm blonde with green eyes, but I got a BAD burn when I started Topamax this summer. I'm not sure which meds cause sun sensitivity and which don't-I've been a sun bather most of my life but have stepped back lately. So far, with Lexapro-no burn as bad as with Topamax alone.
I'm blonde with blue eyes and I burn pretty easily. Usually sunscreen takes care of it but in the last month since I've started Lexapro, I've definitely noticed that I'm more sensitive to the sun. I've gotten burned with SPF 15 on and I've gotten burned on just by being outside for 15 minutes at noon without sunscreen. None of that happened before Lexapro. I asked the doctor about it this morning and he confirmed that sun sensitivity is definitely a side effect. Although I consider it a small price to pay for feeling like a real person again!
Posted by Cait on August 30, 2003, at 10:06:10
In reply to Teeth Grinding on Lex., posted by Suzy on August 18, 2003, at 18:37:59
Suzy, Just reading your post and I am experiencing the same problem as you. However I didn't associate tooth grinding with Lexapro, just thought I was going mad in my old age! I am glad to hear that someone else has the same problem, though not glad that you have it. I wonder what can be done. I take 10 a day and feel great otherwise, except I drink too much and just don't know why Lexapro has these two side effects on me
Posted by Mariposa on August 30, 2003, at 10:47:38
In reply to Re: Teeth Grinding on Lex., posted by Cait on August 30, 2003, at 10:06:10
>
> Suzy, Just reading your post and I am experiencing the same problem as you. However I didn't associate tooth grinding with Lexapro, just thought I was going mad in my old age! I am glad to hear that someone else has the same problem, though not glad that you have it. I wonder what can be done. I take 10 a day and feel great otherwise, except I drink too much and just don't know why Lexapro has these two side effects on me
>I am into month 6 now @ 20mg, and *clenching* is the only se I still experience. My teeth don't hurt anymore, and it's not as severe as it was in the beginning. If I catch myself, I can stop it, and as I said it's not so bad anymore. With all the *benefits* of Lex, I can live with it!
Drinking too much what?? And are you saying Lex is contributing to the problem?? If you think it's *too much* are you trying to stop??? Is it a social thing or are you *self medicating* ?? My experience has been that I desire alcohol less, Lex has helped take care of some of my reasons for drinking, so I do it less often. Please don't take my questions as being *accusations*, I am curious and concerned, and would be very interested in your answer!
Good luck to you~~~8|8
Posted by lil' jimi on August 30, 2003, at 10:57:50
In reply to confused, posted by bran on August 29, 2003, at 20:43:43
hi bran ~
> Hey guys,
> i really appreciate all the information. you all have been helping me out. i'm a 20 year old female with dysthymia/anxiety (i suppose). i use to use prozac and effexor back in the day, but discontinued those after i felt they didn't do anything. i've been using lexapro for about 4 months now. the initial side effects were horrible, severe headaches and insomnia. they passed, but now i'm extremely tired all the time and my ability to orgasm/sexual drive is non existent. does anyone relate?
> thanks again,
> bran... glad to have you "aboard" ... thanks for your post!
... ... i've been on lex for nearly 6 months and have not had SEs as bad as you have
... i really feel for you with sexual SEs for this long ... do you believe it's lex SEs ? or could it be unrelieved symptoms ? ... ... both ? ... (how would anyone ever know the answer to that "both?", jim?)
... ... i ask because i haven't read of folks having decreased libido ... _once_ the initial SEs fade and therapeutic benefits begin to kick in anyway ...
.... guessing (just guessing!) your SEs sould be fading (faded?) and benefits should be just about to begin ... maybe ... ... but no two folk are the same ....... hey, it's good to hear from you ... posting has helped me ... i believe it can be good for you ... so, post lots! ... ... it is good for us all ...
TAKE CARE !!
~ jimp.s. alcohol is a major depressant ... this means that it works Against lexapro's antidepressant benefits to our neurotransmitters ... ... therefore, drinking less alcohol will increase your lexapro's effectiveness ... ... try to cut back on alcohol as much as possible ... preferably down to zero ... ... i'd speculate that this would help recovery from the sexual SEs
~ j
Posted by Mariposa on August 30, 2003, at 11:11:31
In reply to confused, posted by bran on August 29, 2003, at 20:43:43
> Hey guys,
> i really appreciate all the information. you all have been helping me out. i'm a 20 year old female with dysthymia/anxiety (i suppose). i use to use prozac and effexor back in the day, but discontinued those after i felt they didn't do anything. i've been using lexapro for about 4 months now. the initial side effects were horrible, severe headaches and insomnia. they passed, but now i'm extremely tired all the time and my ability to orgasm/sexual drive is non existent. does anyone relate?
> thanks again,
> branYes, I can relate! I too had horrible se's in the beginning, but all, except mild clenching, are gone now.
Tiredness - we are all different, but I too experienced this feeling. I found, though, that if I ignored it, got up and *started moving* (forced myself!!) and *doing* that this feeling evaporated!! It was like the feeling was all in my head, not in the body, and once the body got moving the head quit whining and got on board too. It's worth a try, have a plan for the day and stick to it. Then if you still feel the lethargy, you should consider discussing w/doc.
Sex - I also had troulble w/this, but it's gradually improved. Don't give up and keep thinking *positive* thoughts, and I'm sorry I don't have any better advice on this area!!
Best of luck to you!~~~8|8
Posted by hog80ci on August 30, 2003, at 12:01:38
In reply to Re: Teeth Grinding on Lex., posted by Cait on August 30, 2003, at 10:06:10
Just to throw in my two cents worth. I grind my teeth on Lex too. Only been on the med for about 10 days and just went up to 20 from 10 this past Thursday. I find myself clenching my jaw all the time. I'm having a mouth guard made to wear at night because my jaw is really sore in the morning. We all just need to hang in there. From what I've read here the end effect will be worth it. Take care all...
Jim
Posted by Suzy on August 30, 2003, at 13:00:29
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
Thanks everyone for input on this subject. I am still having this problem and it does seem to be getting worse. I have been on Lex since August of last year but this seems to be a side effect that just started a few weeks ago. I did reduce my dose back down to 5 with hopes that will hope. I did try chewing gum but it doesn't look very professional and I may not continue. Thanks everyone.
Posted by trucker on August 30, 2003, at 14:25:54
In reply to Re: SHAY AND LEXAPRO, posted by BLKVETTES on August 29, 2003, at 22:55:42
THANKS, ITS BEEN A ROAD, ALONELY ROAD ALL THE WAY THRU. I WAS IN HOS. FOR 3DAYS HAVEING TO RECEIVE BLOOD TRANSFUSIONS. MY HUSBAND GOT THERE THREE DAYS LATER, JUST IN TIME TO BRING ME HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL. HE STAYED 2 1/2 DAYS AND I WAS ALONE FOR A MONTH AT A TIME AFTER HE LEFT WITH NO ONE TO SHOP FOR ME, DRIVE FOR ME, OR HOLD ME WHEN I CRIED. I ALMOST DIED "BUT I DIDN'T" AFTER THAT KIND OF A LOSS OF BLOOD YOU AREN'T SUUPOSED TO DRIVE FOR AT LEAST SIX WEEKS AFTER YOUR BLOOD RETURNS TO NORMAL. WHEN I WENT TO THE HOSPITAL (YOUR RED BLOOD COUNT IS SUPPOSED TO BE AROUND 47) MY WAS 12 AND STILL DROPPING. I ALSO WAS TO BE ON COMPLETE BED REST BUT AS STATED BEFORE NO ONE CARED ENOUGH TO TAKE CARE OF ME OR SEE IF I NEEDED ANYTHING.
LIKE I SAID ITS BEEN ROUGH, REAL ROUGH...
TRUCKER
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////> Hi Trucker, hey I think I have confused you somehow. I have recovered and maybe feel better than I have in years in many ways. What I went through makes me look at life and people differently. I eat better and I take better care of myself. That story I wrote was written months ago. Jim asked me to share why people on other boards call me the clown man. Lexapro like someone said I believe Gail if Im wrong Im sorry is a miracle drug. What has happened to me from November 1st of last year till now is truly a miracle. But at the same time when anyone has something really bad in life happen to them those bad memories fade away slowly. When I go from board to board other people are living my story. I feel their pain everyday I read a post. But Im better at putting the info out to help and moving on without getting emotional. Example Im getting emails from a single mother with one child. She suffers from panic and anxiety. She thinks she may be crazy, she thinks she is a bad mother. So I send her lots of info to read and convince her that she is not crazy. She is 4 months into her med in another couple of weeks GOD willing it should start to work. I get emails from teenagers, people in their 20's, 30's 40's 50' and even 60's everyday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am fine, besides Jim thinks Im the funny one!!!!!! TAKE CARE TRUCKER!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU WILL SEE YOUR SON ONE DAY!!!!!!!!!
> WAYNE
Posted by Arrianna on August 30, 2003, at 15:02:43
In reply to Good news...the light seems near, posted by theump on August 29, 2003, at 19:53:06
Hi Renee! It was really good to read your post. I've been on 10mg of Lexapro for 2 months, and have been wondering whether or not to play with dose: increase or decrease. Although the lex has been treating me like a best friend, I sometimes find it difficult to get motivated and up in the morning!! So, reading your post has encouraged me to try increasing.
Anyway, happy for you!!! I hope it continues to work for you.
Arrianna
Posted by theump on August 30, 2003, at 15:11:33
In reply to Re: Good news...the light seems near » theump, posted by Arrianna on August 30, 2003, at 15:02:43
Good luck for the move. I hope it works for you too!
Renee
> Hi Renee! It was really good to read your post. I've been on 10mg of Lexapro for 2 months, and have been wondering whether or not to play with dose: increase or decrease. Although the lex has been treating me like a best friend, I sometimes find it difficult to get motivated and up in the morning!! So, reading your post has encouraged me to try increasing.
> Anyway, happy for you!!! I hope it continues to work for you.
> Arrianna
Posted by Spot on August 30, 2003, at 17:07:33
In reply to re: new to Lexapro AND babbling... » hog80ci, posted by Arrianna on August 21, 2003, at 20:43:19
Hello all. I have insomnia, no real depression that I can tell, and I have taken ambien for years. The doctor said no more, and has tried me on paxil, (disaster) and now lexapro. I did not sleep and I feel awful. What to do? Thanks Spot
Posted by BLKVETTES on August 30, 2003, at 17:26:44
In reply to re: new to Lexapro AND babbling... » Arrianna, posted by Spot on August 30, 2003, at 17:07:33
> Hello all. I have insomnia, no real depression that I can tell, and I have taken ambien for years. The doctor said no more, and has tried me on paxil, (disaster) and now lexapro. I did not sleep and I feel awful. What to do? Thanks Spot
>
>
I have had insomnia all my life and it had nothing to do with depression. I was never depressed until a year ago. Why no more ambien? If it was working and you were not abusing it why were you taken off it. If its a family doctor time to see another doctor or someone who specializes in sleep disorders. TAKE CARE!!!
WAYNE
Posted by Spot on August 30, 2003, at 17:34:11
In reply to re: new to Lexapro AND babbling..., posted by BLKVETTES on August 30, 2003, at 17:26:44
> > Hello all. I have insomnia, no real depression that I can tell, and I have taken ambien for years. The doctor said no more, and has tried me on paxil, (disaster) and now lexapro. I did not sleep and I feel awful. What to do? Thanks Spot
> >
> >
> I have had insomnia all my life and it had nothing to do with depression. I was never depressed until a year ago. Why no more ambien? If it was working and you were not abusing it why were you taken off it. If its a family doctor time to see another doctor or someone who specializes in sleep disorders. TAKE CARE!!!
> WAYNE
My gp just said it was not good for me. He kept saying something about serotonin uptake dysfunction. When I told him I don't like anti-depressants, he mentioned that I get along well with valium. I use 5mg valium occasionally for stress rescue. I don't use it to sleep. What kind of doctor do I try to find. I hate feeling this way. I run a city and i can't afford to not be at the top of my game. I'm so new to this. Thanks, Spot
>
Posted by BLKVETTES on August 30, 2003, at 18:07:41
In reply to re: new to Lexapro AND babbling..., posted by Spot on August 30, 2003, at 17:34:11
> > > Hello all. I have insomnia, no real depression that I can tell, and I have taken ambien for years. The doctor said no more, and has tried me on paxil, (disaster) and now lexapro. I did not sleep and I feel awful. What to do? Thanks Spot
> > >
> > >
> > I have had insomnia all my life and it had nothing to do with depression. I was never depressed until a year ago. Why no more ambien? If it was working and you were not abusing it why were you taken off it. If its a family doctor time to see another doctor or someone who specializes in sleep disorders. TAKE CARE!!!
> > WAYNE
> My gp just said it was not good for me. He kept saying something about serotonin uptake dysfunction. When I told him I don't like anti-depressants, he mentioned that I get along well with valium. I use 5mg valium occasionally for stress rescue. I don't use it to sleep. What kind of doctor do I try to find. I hate feeling this way. I run a city and i can't afford to not be at the top of my game. I'm so new to this. Thanks, Spot
> >
>
>Hi, I dont want to steer you the wrong way. But after dealing with what I have the last year or so it just seems like a good idea to see more than one doctor if your not getting results. You talk about no depression and say you have stress. I take it you just have stress every now and then. Some one may come along with a good answer for you. But I got a couple of links that may help you decide where you want to go next!!! Not sleeping is no fun especially if you have to get up early every day. 2 negatives in a sentence is not good I guess!!!! TAKE CARE!!!!!!
WAYNE
http://www.sleepnet.com/http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/sleepdisorders.html
Posted by BLKVETTES on August 30, 2003, at 18:24:25
In reply to Re: SHAY AND LEXAPRO » BLKVETTES, posted by trucker on August 30, 2003, at 14:25:54
Hi Trucker, that must have been real hard dealing with all that on your own. Like you say we all have a story or two. None of them happy ones. My oldest daughter is due within 30 days and the baby is turned the wrong way. She will get the latest picture here soon. If the baby has not turned I guess they do a c-section. Of course I worry about everything that could go wrong. Just my nature I guess!!!!!! I notice a lot of us that suffer have humor. I guess its our way of masking pain. You take care TRUCKER!!!!!!!!!
WAYNE
Posted by melley on August 30, 2003, at 20:22:28
In reply to re: new to Lexapro AND babbling... » Arrianna, posted by Spot on August 30, 2003, at 17:07:33
I know someone on here commented on the sleepiness. I have been very sleepy since being on the lexapro and upping it to 10 mg from 5. Has anyone had this problem and had it go away?
Posted by galkeepinon on August 30, 2003, at 20:26:12
In reply to Re: SHAY AND LEXAPRO, posted by BLKVETTES on August 29, 2003, at 1:17:13
Posted by galkeepinon on August 30, 2003, at 20:28:33
In reply to so sleepy, posted by melley on August 30, 2003, at 20:22:28
Hi, how long have you been on Lexapro now? I started at 20mg flat out.
I know someone on here commented on the sleepiness. I have been very sleepy since being on the lexapro and upping it to 10 mg from 5. Has anyone had this problem and had it go away?
Posted by carla on August 30, 2003, at 20:29:00
In reply to so sleepy, posted by melley on August 30, 2003, at 20:22:28
just hang in there , it will pass.. try and keep your self busy when the sleepiness hits so you will sleep well at night.. good luck
carla
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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