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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by galkeepinon on September 14, 2003, at 19:08:03
In reply to Re: paxil to lexapro, posted by leedsman on September 14, 2003, at 14:55:08
Hang in there~~~I'm about to finish up my 6th week, and I still have some fatigue.
Keep us posted:-) I am happy to hear that you are giving the Lexapro somewhat of a chance:-)> Thank you for your replies. This morning I feel terrible, I have muscle aches in my shoulders and neck , am very tired , probably partially from high pollen alergy count. Today I start my 5th week of 10 mg. lexapro and am still waiting for this stuff to kick in. I took a little Klonopin to ease what I feel might be a little anxiety, but it has made me more sedated feeling.
> If I am up and about already the Klonopin does not make me tired but just calms me, but now I feel like I am so tired that Im just want to lay in bed and do nothing, I really hate this whole feeling, please help
Posted by leedsman on September 14, 2003, at 20:39:55
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
While I start my 5th week of Lexapro 10mg. what about the time I started on 5mg.Lexapro a week before that , did that help? Or the week before that when I was on Paxil 12.5 mg CR one day and 5 mg. Lexapro the next for a week. I have been off Paxil cold turkey for 5 weeks now, could I still be suffering from some kind of Paxil withdrawal besides taking Lexapro now. I know Wayne said it could be a combo of both, but I am having this sinus burning feeling, anybody ever have that? Like your sinus feel inflammed but are not and congestion in the morning. Any one else t out there have any input?
Posted by PHV on September 14, 2003, at 21:25:44
In reply to Re: paxil to lexapro » leedsman, posted by Mariposa on September 14, 2003, at 16:52:24
Help -
I've been taking 10mg of Lexapro for just a little over ten weeks now for depression. I noticed significant improvement almost immediately and really felt back to my old self. Suddenly today, I have been so anxious and feel like I'm ready to jump out of my skin. I have never had problems with anxiety in the past and am wondering if it's a side effect of Lexapro or perhaps my body's way of telling me I no longer need it? Ten years ago I was on Serzone for approximately six months for depression. My doc at the time told me my body would tell me when I no longer needed the meds. Butterflies in the stomach and overall anxious feelings seemed to come about the time my doc said I was okay to stop taking meds. I was able to withdraw with no problems. Though depression runs in my family, I'm generally not reliant upon meds to get me though. However, the past year has been overwhelming with the deaths of three people very close to me, cancer diagnosis in my father, and two other people who have been my rocks my entire life, moving across country. Now that I seem to be feeling better and accepting all of the difficult situations in my life recently, could the anxiety be an indication that I no longer need Lexapro? Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Patty
Posted by galkeepinon on September 14, 2003, at 23:15:53
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by leedsman on September 14, 2003, at 20:39:55
>>>>>I am having this sinus burning feeling, anybody ever have that?
Yep, I had that coming of another anti-depressant~EffexorXR. I also got that feeling when I overdosed on Klonopin, and my doc took me off it abruptly. I was getting the 'congestion' and pain right smack dab in the middle of my forehead. I hope you feel better, I'm not sure what causes this, but I've had it on numerous occasions, becuase I have withdrawn off so many medications over the years.
Posted by Arrianna on September 15, 2003, at 0:05:35
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by leedsman on September 14, 2003, at 20:39:55
Leedsman,
Yes, I experience the sinus congestion, too. It's in the morning for me as well and then eventually subsides throughout the day. I've had this for the last couple of years though, so I know it's not from Lexapro since I've only been on it for 2 months.
I thought it was from my smoking. Yet, the funny thing for me is when I first started taking Lex, the congestion went away!! It was awesome, so I chalked it up to being from anxiety: tightness in the throat, hard to swallow: the pysical symptoms from it, etc.
But, it's come back for me again. It presented itself again after a couple missed doses, so now I really don't know. Anyways, just wanted to let you know I got it, too. Hope it'll get better for you.
Arrianna
> While I start my 5th week of Lexapro 10mg. what about the time I started on 5mg.Lexapro a week before that , did that help? Or the week before that when I was on Paxil 12.5 mg CR one day and 5 mg. Lexapro the next for a week. I have been off Paxil cold turkey for 5 weeks now, could I still be suffering from some kind of Paxil withdrawal besides taking Lexapro now. I know Wayne said it could be a combo of both, but I am having this sinus burning feeling, anybody ever have that? Like your sinus feel inflammed but are not and congestion in the morning. Any one else t out there have any input?
Posted by Arrianna on September 15, 2003, at 0:19:41
In reply to Lexapro Side Effects, posted by PHV on September 14, 2003, at 21:25:44
Patty,
I'm so sorry to hear of your losses. It must have been such a difficult and tragic year for you. I'm so sorry.
Sounds like you're moving through it with much resilience.
I wish I had an answer for you regarding your quesition. Though, I've never heard that there are pysical indications that your ready to come off your med. Hopefully others will better be able to help you with that.
Yet, I can really identify with the anxious feelings of butterflies in the stomach and feeling like you want to just jump out of your skin. It's not a fun feeling. I'm on lexapro for anxiety, but this feeling is differen't than the anxiety and panic attacks I've had before Lexapro. So, I'm really not sure what this is about.
Do you feel your ready to go off your meds? Have you talked to your doctor about it? Don't want to tell you what to do, but you may want to talk to your doc. or wait for a clearer answer here from this board, before you make a definite decision.
Hang in there and stay strong! Good Luck!
Arrianna
> Help -
>
> I've been taking 10mg of Lexapro for just a little over ten weeks now for depression. I noticed significant improvement almost immediately and really felt back to my old self. Suddenly today, I have been so anxious and feel like I'm ready to jump out of my skin. I have never had problems with anxiety in the past and am wondering if it's a side effect of Lexapro or perhaps my body's way of telling me I no longer need it? Ten years ago I was on Serzone for approximately six months for depression. My doc at the time told me my body would tell me when I no longer needed the meds. Butterflies in the stomach and overall anxious feelings seemed to come about the time my doc said I was okay to stop taking meds. I was able to withdraw with no problems. Though depression runs in my family, I'm generally not reliant upon meds to get me though. However, the past year has been overwhelming with the deaths of three people very close to me, cancer diagnosis in my father, and two other people who have been my rocks my entire life, moving across country. Now that I seem to be feeling better and accepting all of the difficult situations in my life recently, could the anxiety be an indication that I no longer need Lexapro? Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Patty
>
>
Posted by Mariposa on September 15, 2003, at 11:42:50
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by leedsman on September 14, 2003, at 17:10:36
> Anybody feel better when it gets dark or closer to bedtime, it seems to happen to me. How about you Mariposa, I was curious if that happened to you.
Yes, I would have to agree. I also seem to have more energy in the evenings, have to control myself or I'll stay up all nite CLEANING!!!
Posted by Mariposa on September 15, 2003, at 11:48:38
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by leedsman on September 14, 2003, at 20:39:55
> While I start my 5th week of Lexapro 10mg. what about the time I started on 5mg.Lexapro a week before that , did that help? Or the week before that when I was on Paxil 12.5 mg CR one day and 5 mg. Lexapro the next for a week. I have been off Paxil cold turkey for 5 weeks now, could I still be suffering from some kind of Paxil withdrawal besides taking Lexapro now. I know Wayne said it could be a combo of both, but I am having this sinus burning feeling, anybody ever have that? Like your sinus feel inflammed but are not and congestion in the morning. Any one else t out there have any input?
Yes I got that Too. Have a little of it now, about 4 weeks at 20mg. But then again I also get allergies this time of year, so it may be a combination of both.
Posted by BLKVETTES on September 15, 2003, at 12:41:23
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl » leedsman, posted by Mariposa on September 15, 2003, at 11:42:50
> > Anybody feel better when it gets dark or closer to bedtime, it seems to happen to me. How about you Mariposa, I was curious if that happened to you.
>
> Yes, I would have to agree. I also seem to have more energy in the evenings, have to control myself or I'll stay up all nite CLEANING!!!
Yep, the night is better!!! Maybe its some kind of mental release you get for making it through the unknown of the day. I used to be afraid of sleeping because I knew that feeling would be gone in the morning. TAKE CARE!!!!
WAYNE
Posted by Wildflower on September 15, 2003, at 12:49:31
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl » leedsman, posted by Mariposa on September 15, 2003, at 11:42:50
> > Anybody feel better when it gets dark or closer to bedtime, it seems to happen to me. How about you Mariposa, I was curious if that happened to you.
>
> Yes, I would have to agree. I also seem to have more energy in the evenings, have to control myself or I'll stay up all nite CLEANING!!!I'm with you Mariposa. For some reason, I've had a sudden urge to clean at night - which isn't a bad SE. ;-)
For those of you who have this "night energy" when do you take your Lex? Morning? Evening? I take mine in the morning and wonder if I'd have more "morning energy" if I took the med at night.
Posted by BLKVETTES on September 15, 2003, at 13:08:15
In reply to Lexapro Side Effects, posted by PHV on September 14, 2003, at 21:25:44
> Help -
>
> I've been taking 10mg of Lexapro for just a little over ten weeks now for depression. I noticed significant improvement almost immediately and really felt back to my old self. Suddenly today, I have been so anxious and feel like I'm ready to jump out of my skin. I have never had problems with anxiety in the past and am wondering if it's a side effect of Lexapro or perhaps my body's way of telling me I no longer need it? Ten years ago I was on Serzone for approximately six months for depression. My doc at the time told me my body would tell me when I no longer needed the meds. Butterflies in the stomach and overall anxious feelings seemed to come about the time my doc said I was okay to stop taking meds. I was able to withdraw with no problems. Though depression runs in my family, I'm generally not reliant upon meds to get me though. However, the past year has been overwhelming with the deaths of three people very close to me, cancer diagnosis in my father, and two other people who have been my rocks my entire life, moving across country. Now that I seem to be feeling better and accepting all of the difficult situations in my life recently, could the anxiety be an indication that I no longer need Lexapro? Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Patty
>
>
I truly just wanted to avoid this post all together. But after reading it the last couple of days, what the heck!!!!!! Your post is very unique!! I have read where traumatic events cause the chemicals in the brain to get unbalanced and going on a med sometimes straightens them out after awhile. Even my own situation I believe everything that has happened to me was triggered by events over a 2 year period. That might be true and then again not. Even Jim, I wonder about this also. I have also read where your body will tell you when you hit the right dose. Meaning if a person never has side effects they up the dose until they do. I will tell you this I was on a med before and felt pretty good and then everything went away very quickly. I wont get into why because it was rare. I dont believe anyone here can tell you what to do. As for me I cant take the chance of stopping my med. Once you have had a panic attack its a constant reminder never to stop your med, if your lucky enough to recover. TAKE CARE!!!!!!!
WAYNE
Posted by BLKVETTES on September 15, 2003, at 13:18:33
In reply to Increased Night Energy, posted by Wildflower on September 15, 2003, at 12:49:31
> > > Anybody feel better when it gets dark or closer to bedtime, it seems to happen to me. How about you Mariposa, I was curious if that happened to you.
> >
> > Yes, I would have to agree. I also seem to have more energy in the evenings, have to control myself or I'll stay up all nite CLEANING!!!
>
> I'm with you Mariposa. For some reason, I've had a sudden urge to clean at night - which isn't a bad SE. ;-)
>
> For those of you who have this "night energy" when do you take your Lex? Morning? Evening? I take mine in the morning and wonder if I'd have more "morning energy" if I took the med at night.
>
>I have taken my med at so many different times without finding what I was looking for. I gave up and take it late afternoon. Its something you can try though. We are all different and it might work for you. But depression and anxiety zap your energy. It takes a lot of work to deal with these disorders. Its a constant mental workout that leads to exhaustion. I bet thats why a lot of us wake up so tired. TAKE CARE!!!!!
WAYNE
Posted by vandy on September 15, 2003, at 13:21:30
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl » leedsman, posted by Mariposa on September 15, 2003, at 11:42:50
Gosh! Stay up all night cleaning? I wish that happened to me because that's how long it would take me to put a dent in this mess. Say! Would you like to come and visit us? <grin>
Posted by Mariposa on September 15, 2003, at 13:57:48
In reply to Increased Night Energy, posted by Wildflower on September 15, 2003, at 12:49:31
> > > Anybody feel better when it gets dark or closer to bedtime, it seems to happen to me. How about you Mariposa, I was curious if that happened to you.
> >
> > Yes, I would have to agree. I also seem to have more energy in the evenings, have to control myself or I'll stay up all nite CLEANING!!!
>
> I'm with you Mariposa. For some reason, I've had a sudden urge to clean at night - which isn't a bad SE. ;-)
>
> For those of you who have this "night energy" when do you take your Lex? Morning? Evening? I take mine in the morning and wonder if I'd have more "morning energy" if I took the med at night.
>
>
I have tried all different times....I do best taking it early in the morning.
Posted by Mariposa on September 15, 2003, at 14:05:15
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by vandy on September 15, 2003, at 13:21:30
> Gosh! Stay up all night cleaning? I wish that happened to me because that's how long it would take me to put a dent in this mess. Say! Would you like to come and visit us? <grin>
I had the same problem..... I moved into Mom-in-Law's house Dec. to help take care of her, then she passes away Jan.1! She had been in house 5 yrs. and rarely cleaned, not her fault so much as diabetes, falling & breaking hip, ankle, shoulder (at dif. times). Also had MASTIFF (200 lbs.!!!) and Shit-su who lived in house and were not housebroke!!! Needless to say the place was a MESS! Started taking Lex end of Feb. and now the place is almost CLEAN!!! So I am not at all upset by this se!!!!
If it happens to you I say just go with it and ENJOY!!!
Best of luck to us all!~~~8|8
Posted by galkeepinon on September 15, 2003, at 14:10:11
In reply to Increased Night Energy, posted by Wildflower on September 15, 2003, at 12:49:31
Hi Wildflower, I find that taking my Lexapro in the early morning works the best. I sem to sleep better at night when I take it in the early morning for some reason.
> For those of you who have this "night energy" when do you take your Lex? Morning? Evening? I take mine in the morning and wonder if I'd have more "morning energy" if I took the med at night.
>
>
Posted by lil' jimi on September 15, 2003, at 14:40:10
In reply to Re: paxil to lexapro » leedsman, posted by Mariposa on September 14, 2003, at 16:52:24
> > Mariposa, how long did you have this eyes feel like lead feeling and what week were you into of Lexapro. Did you have the muscle aches in shoulder and neck and the fatigue that comes with it? Did you feel better at night , especially hours before bedtime, I seem to feel better whwn it gets dark outside , I know it's strange , but I must have strong anxiety in the daytime. Do you think the Lexapro makes you tired and sedated, what time of the day did you take it,I take it after dinner,
>
> If I remember right, the Heavy fatigue/lethargy/aches & pains went into 6th week, maybe even 7th. I also started @ 5mg and had TERRIBLE side effects. If you were not so far along I would have considered cutting back to 5mg, but you are *almost there*!!
>
> I was taking dose in the morning to begin, and had terrible headaches at nite first couple of weeks. Then I started falling asleep right after dinner, I couldn't stay awake. So I moved to taking dose w/dinner. That worked for a while, then I started catching a *buzz* in the evening and I was up all nite cleaning house. Moved to afternoons and still had trouble going to bed, so now I'm back to taking in the morning again.
>
> For me the tiredness, lethargy, etc. was deffinitely a side effect of the Lex, I have none of those problems now. I would have to force myself to get out of bed and get moving, and it really seemed like after a while the *tired* feeling was all in my lazy head, as when I got the body moving, the head decided it really wasn't tired after all. I really hope my *goofy* descriptive style is not annoying, but I try to write what I remember *feeling* at the time.
>
> Hope this helps!~~~8|8you're writing is beautiful as always, sweet Mariposa ... .... whatever it could conceivably lose in clarity , it more than makes up for in it's poetry ... ... not to mention it's sincere helpfulness .... .... i love your posts ....
and it could help .... it might be easier on you too ... if you had the url for your posts back then, so those wanting to read your at-the-time first-person specific reports, they could .... .... and then they would be able to learn from following the thread from there, if they wanted to ....
(and our new posters won't know to search for your posts under your former posting name ... okpolosi)
and i can do the same thing ... we can do searches for our early posts and then use them like footnotes when we refer to our past experiences for folks .... maybe?
... and they would be free to post back to us from any of our past posts, should they have a question, or a contribution, from back then, too ... ....
as you can easily tell, leedsman, you are getting the lowdown here with our Mariposa .... ..... this is the good stuff here, pardner .... !
i couldn't say it any better, nor lay it out with the depth of compassion, nor speak from the experience of some of the worst lexapro adaptaion SEs (mine were nothing compared to Mariposa's or Wayne's!), as Mariposa does ... ... but i can add my complete endorsement of all of her advice, and the observation of the consistency of her advice with the perponderance of posts we've read here ... ... .... all by way giving greater reassurance of the validity of Mariposa's insights ...
... as i was saying, the good stuff ....
TAKE CARE !!
~jim
Posted by Esmarelda on September 15, 2003, at 14:41:33
In reply to re: The Women ARE Great !!!!, posted by lil' jimi on September 14, 2003, at 1:29:27
We are blessed to have each other. I have been reading the earlier posts and think that as Wayne??? said, we are just reacting to normal life. No one goes around happy and smiling all the time and even on meds, we should still "feel." I wish I could figure out what makes me go down. Sometimes I can, but for instance, this morning was one of those where I was so tired and just could not get up to face the world until about 1 hour ago. I had a little anxiety, but not as much as I used to before Lex. Maybe, I just overdid it over the weekend and was tired, who knows. YOU ALL - Men and Women - are great. It's nice to be able to talk to people who know what you are going through. My therapists says it's an illness and you have to take care of yourself like it's the flu and you CAN'T just talk yourself out of it. Boy, is she right! Thanks to All.
!
Posted by Esmarelda on September 15, 2003, at 14:43:44
In reply to Re: paxil to lexapro, posted by leedsman on September 14, 2003, at 14:55:08
Hang in there Leedsman. It was at least week 5 before mine kicked in and probably a little longer!
Posted by Esmarelda on September 15, 2003, at 14:48:29
In reply to Re: paxil to lexapro » leedsman, posted by Mariposa on September 14, 2003, at 16:52:24
I can vouch for what Mariposa is saying. Leedsman, the same with me. In fact, I still have trouble in the mornings, but have to admit that it may be somewhat in my "lazy head" too as when I get up and get going, I'm okay!
Posted by lil' jimi on September 15, 2003, at 14:57:22
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by leedsman on September 14, 2003, at 20:39:55
i had a sinus thing ... for sure ... ... but i couldn't identify it as an SE at the time ...
... i have allergies, like you ... and about the time ... no, at the exact same time as i started lexapro, i started "Nasacort" nasal inhaler stuff ... ...
... so i still can't tell if it was a lex SE, or a symptom of allergies, or a SE of the Nasacort ... ... isn't cortisone an anabolic steriod ?... you know, it's rough enough to rearrange your tneurotransmiiters' chemistry ... ... but then to be squirting anabolic steriods ... into your olfactories just beneath your brain there ... ...
cripes !! ... i should feel great !
take care!
~ jim
Posted by lil' jimi on September 15, 2003, at 15:07:39
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? » leedsman, posted by galkeepinon on September 14, 2003, at 23:15:53
to Leedsman,
... and, of course, everyone ...i was thinking that it may have been made worse by dehydration ... ... always be sure we are drinking lots of water and benefical fluids ... ... not only do our neurochemistries gotta have those electrolytes ... and LOTS of them ... ...
... but our sinuses are going to work a lot better too .. ... ....keep on drinking (water!) !
~ jim
Posted by leedsman on September 15, 2003, at 15:27:09
In reply to re: sinus thing II » galkeepinon, posted by lil' jimi on September 15, 2003, at 15:07:39
Thanks, jimi, Mariposa, Wayne and all of you replied to, thanks for your input. I have a question is the 10mg. Lexapro on a time release or not, and do you guys feel these wavy feelings go over your eyes like there is a chemical in your body, any blurred vision, I have had a little blurred vision , but the neck and shoulder pain or tension, I do not know what it is., is really bothering me where I have to take 4 advil to get any kind of relief.I do not know ifit is areturning fibromyalgia thing or what, but when I took Paxil before , all that pain had stopped, but now for the last two or three weeks, this neck pain in the daytime causes fatigue, Anybody have any suggestions , I also heard folic acid helps Lexapro kick i faster, or Wellbutrin , any thoughts?
Posted by BLKVETTES on September 15, 2003, at 15:51:06
In reply to re: The Women ARE Great !!!!, posted by Esmarelda on September 15, 2003, at 14:41:33
> We are blessed to have each other. I have been reading the earlier posts and think that as Wayne??? said, we are just reacting to normal life. No one goes around happy and smiling all the time and even on meds, we should still "feel." I wish I could figure out what makes me go down. Sometimes I can, but for instance, this morning was one of those where I was so tired and just could not get up to face the world until about 1 hour ago. I had a little anxiety, but not as much as I used to before Lex. Maybe, I just overdid it over the weekend and was tired, who knows. YOU ALL - Men and Women - are great. It's nice to be able to talk to people who know what you are going through. My therapists says it's an illness and you have to take care of yourself like it's the flu and you CAN'T just talk yourself out of it. Boy, is she right! Thanks to All.
> !
I know this for a fact, when I dont get enough sleep over a few days. I get depressed and have trouble controlling my thoughts and feelings. Even though I know exactly what the problem is, it is still hard to accept. But after catching up on sleep Im fine again. TAKE CARE!!!
WAYNE
Posted by Esmarelda on September 15, 2003, at 16:03:05
In reply to re: The Women ARE Great !!!!, posted by BLKVETTES on September 15, 2003, at 15:51:06
I'll try to get to bed early tonight, Wayne. I feel okay now. Thanks.
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