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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by tm on October 8, 2003, at 14:31:41
In reply to wellbutrin vs lex (was: Too much lex at once!), posted by Gza on October 8, 2003, at 8:34:54
PDOC added Remeron today to be taken at night. I still have mild anxiety. In the last month I have noticed the depression sneaking in. I cuurently take 25 MG of Lex at night and I take .75mg of Xanax 4x a day. I am not familiar with Remeron, does anyone have any experience?
Thanks Tim
Posted by Arrianna on October 8, 2003, at 15:52:18
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
Hello fellow Lexapro users:
It's been awhile since I've posted ~ I've been busy with a new job and feeling "pooped" so I thought I better check in.
I'm not sure whether I'm experiencing Lexapro poop-out that other's have experienced, or just feeling "pooped" from my schedule change of my new job, or both.
I've been feeling "pooped" since I started my new job three weeks ago. My mind and body are adjusting to this new schedule change since I had the summer off and now I'm up at 7a.m. for work. During the past three weeks, I've been feeling more tired than usual, irritable, anxious, and not myself.
Could it be that the lexapro is losing it's effectiveness for me (been taking it now for 3 months)?? Is it time for a dose increase (been on 10mg for the whole 3months)?? It feels like it's not "working" like it used to, but then again it may just be that I need more time to adjust to work, etc.
I don't want to blame Lexapro for what I'm experiencing, and most likely it is just this new change, yet I could really use some outside input. I have alot of other things going on in my life right now as well: leaving my son's dad at the end of the month who I've been with for 5years.
Would it be a good idea to increase my dose to help me through this time, even if my "poop-out" isn't from lexapro losing it's effectiveness??
Any help or suggestions please.
Thanks,
Arrianna
Posted by cmonfo on October 8, 2003, at 16:29:07
In reply to wellbutrin vs lex (was: Too much lex at once!), posted by Gza on October 8, 2003, at 8:35:51
if using too many drugs is smoking lots of pot then yes maybe.. But i've been so freaking bothered w/ the lasting side effects of the lexapro and all of the other pills they've put me on in the last few months.. it's like a have the personality of a meth addict for the last month or so..
the wellbutrin makes me kind of woozy and dizzy.. but my thinking and memory are clearer.. i think..
i've decided to quit marijuana.. not because i want to clear my thinking, but since the lexapro thing i've felt like pot would just through me into another episode...
and to doubters out there...
note that the episode is very physical and NOT brought on by self hypnosis or something... I will repeat. the adverse side effects from lex were Physical and not mental. I did not some how take a hit of magical mind acid and make my pupils the size of plates and give myself the shakes... Lex (in my oppinion) is a horribal drug that should be perscribed more carefuly or not at all.. that stuff is poison.. and one cannot blame the marijuana for the episode.. because obviously it was 90 percent of the lex and had my genius of a doctor not perscribed it, i probably wouldn't have recieved what seems like lasting brain damage (since saturday night (which was also the last time i smoked)...So my modo is: Just say no... to lexapro
oh and if your still reading.. 2 days on the wellbutrin and this afternoon i had a little twitch fit.. in 10 minutes i had like 15 involitary twitches (which was last brought on by zyprexa but eventualy went away after months of no use).. and it's embarrassing because i sit at the front of my class... and i'm new.
Posted by cmonfo on October 8, 2003, at 16:35:52
In reply to Lex, Remeron Xanax has anyone added Remeron?, posted by tm on October 8, 2003, at 14:31:41
i use to take remeron, it was great, i wasn't a different person at all, i was just happier.. and it mixed fine with marijuana... but it kinda made me impodent.. which ruined my first time (but hey, it's my mood that counts most, right?)... oh and i took it w/ depakote..
i'm really curious why i didn't just get back on it again.. considering all the horribal poison they've given me so far.. by poison i mean Lexapro, zyprexa, and effexor.. i think i have brain damage because of that stuff... (i consider involitary twitches and instabillity brain damage)
Posted by cmonfo on October 8, 2003, at 16:38:10
In reply to wellbutrin vs lex (was: Too much lex at once!), posted by Gza on October 8, 2003, at 8:35:51
oh.. and if you ment symptoms of depression.. that was brought on by 10 long years of horribal abuse..
Posted by Esmarelda on October 8, 2003, at 16:57:20
In reply to Lex, Remeron Xanax has anyone added Remeron?, posted by tm on October 8, 2003, at 14:31:41
I was on Remeron for a few months about 2 years ago. I gained a BUNCH of weight and was tired all the time. I hated it. I have been on Lex for about 18 weeks now, 10 mg at first and then 15 for about the last month and it has worked really well.
Posted by Esmarelda on October 8, 2003, at 16:59:59
In reply to Pooped on Lexapro!, posted by Arrianna on October 8, 2003, at 15:52:18
I was on 10 mg for about 3 months and felt a little "pooped" so I upped to 15 mg about a month ago and that seemed to do the trick. I'd try upping to see how you feel then.
Posted by Arrianna on October 8, 2003, at 19:51:19
In reply to Re: Pooped on Lexapro! » Arrianna, posted by Esmarelda on October 8, 2003, at 16:59:59
Posted by Diva Blue on October 8, 2003, at 20:14:49
In reply to Re: Lex, Remeron Xanax has anyone added Remeron?, posted by cmonfo on October 8, 2003, at 16:35:52
> i use to take remeron, it was great, i wasn't a different person at all, i was just happier.. and it mixed fine with marijuana... but it kinda made me impodent.. which ruined my first time (but hey, it's my mood that counts most, right?)... oh and i took it w/ depakote..
> i'm really curious why i didn't just get back on it again.. considering all the horribal poison they've given me so far.. by poison i mean Lexapro, zyprexa, and effexor.. i think i have brain damage because of that stuff... (i consider involitary twitches and instabillity brain damage)hello. An addiction to marijuana is in itself a serious issue to deal with...I KNOW...I have been there. In NO way will smoking it EVER make anything BETTER. Pot is NOT a stimulant...it is a depressant, and will cause you more problems. I commend you on the effort to quit and I wish you the very best of luck!
some of the "brain damage" will go away once ALL the pot is out of your system, and brain cells start to form again.
Posted by oldhand on October 8, 2003, at 22:18:48
In reply to Lex, Remeron Xanax has anyone added Remeron?, posted by tm on October 8, 2003, at 14:31:41
> PDOC added Remeron today to be taken at night. I still have mild anxiety. In the last month I have noticed the depression sneaking in. I cuurently take 25 MG of Lex at night and I take .75mg of Xanax 4x a day. I am not familiar with Remeron, does anyone have any experience?
>
> Thanks TimHi Tim<
I took Remeron in combination with Celexa before starting Lexapro (now combined with Wellbutrin). The Remeron was to help me sleep if I remember correctly. Towards the end of using it, I was sleeping too much and had gained alot of weight. I could not go to bed without getting up again to eat huge amounts of whatever I could lay hands on. I was also still drinking alot of beer, which I don't do anymore and I have lost most of what I gained.
I sure would give the Remeron a try and perhaps the Lexapro in the morning? Hope all goes well for you.
Shelley
Posted by Dr. Bob on October 9, 2003, at 2:01:45
In reply to Re: Too much lex at once!, posted by cmonfo on October 7, 2003, at 17:53:50
> after a f*cked up arguement and alot of emotional stress...
Sorry to be such a prude, but please don't use language that could offend others:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#civil
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by BLKVETTES on October 9, 2003, at 8:30:35
In reply to Pooped on Lexapro!, posted by Arrianna on October 8, 2003, at 15:52:18
> Hello fellow Lexapro users:
>
> It's been awhile since I've posted ~ I've been busy with a new job and feeling "pooped" so I thought I better check in.
>
> I'm not sure whether I'm experiencing Lexapro poop-out that other's have experienced, or just feeling "pooped" from my schedule change of my new job, or both.
>
> I've been feeling "pooped" since I started my new job three weeks ago. My mind and body are adjusting to this new schedule change since I had the summer off and now I'm up at 7a.m. for work. During the past three weeks, I've been feeling more tired than usual, irritable, anxious, and not myself.
>
> Could it be that the lexapro is losing it's effectiveness for me (been taking it now for 3 months)?? Is it time for a dose increase (been on 10mg for the whole 3months)?? It feels like it's not "working" like it used to, but then again it may just be that I need more time to adjust to work, etc.
>
> I don't want to blame Lexapro for what I'm experiencing, and most likely it is just this new change, yet I could really use some outside input. I have alot of other things going on in my life right now as well: leaving my son's dad at the end of the month who I've been with for 5years.
>
> Would it be a good idea to increase my dose to help me through this time, even if my "poop-out" isn't from lexapro losing it's effectiveness??
>
> Any help or suggestions please.
> Thanks,
> ArriannaHi, I have felt this way a couple of times myself. I can usually figure out why I feel like I do. It has gone away each time. Sounds like you have figured it out also. Your going through a big change with having to be somewhere at a certain time, learning your new job, getting used to new people and much more. Try your best not to let everything overwhelm you. Also going up 5mg. will not hurt and you can always go back down. Congrats on the new job and try to have fun with it!!!! TAKE CARE!!!!!!!!
WAYNE
Posted by Gza on October 9, 2003, at 9:30:42
In reply to Re: Lex, Remeron Xanax has anyone added Remeron?, posted by cmonfo on October 8, 2003, at 16:35:52
I got to look up remeron.
regarding your bad experiences with lex, are you sure its not because of mixing so many drugs? Youve had an incredible mix of legal & non.
Youre sure right about the symptoms being physical and not mental.
Posted by almondjoy on October 9, 2003, at 16:02:34
In reply to Re: Pooped on Lexapro!, posted by BLKVETTES on October 9, 2003, at 8:30:35
I've been feeling similarly...tired alot, and as anxious as before i started lex five weeks ago. the my anxiety seemed better the first two weeks i took it. since reading alot of posts here, and on another forum im trying to get in touch with my pdoc before our appt. i really think an increase in dosage will help, but like you, i don't want to make it "all lex's fault" im under alot stress and its hard to tell, and sux having to second-guess....
i hope everything levels out, and hope to find out what you resolved.
Posted by Arrianna on October 9, 2003, at 16:47:25
In reply to Re: Pooped on Lexapro! » BLKVETTES, posted by almondjoy on October 9, 2003, at 16:02:34
Thanks for responding!
It's nice to know that I'm not alone with my struggles. Like you said, it sux to have to second guess: is it the med. or something else??
Anyway, I think that I'm going to slowly try to increase my dose. Hopefully, that will help for me. I've also been dealing with the flu ~ so, I finally figured that that's playing a role in my exhaustion.
Hope everything gets better for you!! Sounds like you're still early on with the lex, so hang in there and you should reap the benefits soon. Good luck with your pdoc appt.
Arrianna
Posted by Arrianna on October 9, 2003, at 16:58:39
In reply to Re: Pooped on Lexapro!, posted by BLKVETTES on October 9, 2003, at 8:30:35
Thanks for responding Wayne!
Your post helped simplify things for myself. Although I assumed my feeling of poop-out was due to recent life changes, it's still beneficial to have another's validation.
I am planning on increasing my dose - even though, I'm scared that by doing so, I may experience some side effects again. I'm going to gradually increase in the hopes that that won't happen. Have you ever increased your dose? If so, did you experience any side effects or tiredness by doing so??
I am also loving my new job. I'm working as a Special Education Teacher's Assistant and I am really enjoying it!! It's rewarding, fun, and doesn't even feel like work!
Anyway, thanks again!! You take care, too.
Arrianna
Posted by fallsfall on October 9, 2003, at 18:46:29
In reply to Re: Pooped on Lexapro! » BLKVETTES, posted by Arrianna on October 9, 2003, at 16:58:39
Arrianna,
Could you please send me an email at babble fallsfall at hotmail.com?
Thanks
Posted by BLKVETTES on October 9, 2003, at 19:29:22
In reply to Re: Pooped on Lexapro! » BLKVETTES, posted by Arrianna on October 9, 2003, at 16:58:39
> Thanks for responding Wayne!
>
> Your post helped simplify things for myself. Although I assumed my feeling of poop-out was due to recent life changes, it's still beneficial to have another's validation.
>
> I am planning on increasing my dose - even though, I'm scared that by doing so, I may experience some side effects again. I'm going to gradually increase in the hopes that that won't happen. Have you ever increased your dose? If so, did you experience any side effects or tiredness by doing so??
>
> I am also loving my new job. I'm working as a Special Education Teacher's Assistant and I am really enjoying it!! It's rewarding, fun, and doesn't even feel like work!
>
> Anyway, thanks again!! You take care, too.
> ArriannaHi, slowly going up in dose should be no problem. If you go 2.5 for a week and then the other 2.5 I doubt you will feel any side effects. Your body is used to the lexapro. I did have problems with some anxiety and had to go back down. But we are all different and that was long ago for me. Just listen to your body and it will tell you if your doing the right thing. You know the game, but its always great to hear someone elses opinion. I know where your coming from on that. Glad you love your job, that is so important in life. TAKE CARE!!!!
WAYNE
Posted by Peter on October 9, 2003, at 19:38:45
In reply to Re: Pooped on Lexapro! » BLKVETTES, posted by Arrianna on October 9, 2003, at 16:58:39
I posted a new thread yesterday in the general area, and then realized it would be good to also post within the ongoing lex thread.
Here's the deal:
Day 34 total lexapro, day 28 on 10mg (I started with 5mg the first 6 days). Everytime I thought it was beginning to kick-in, I'd feel like crap again. I've taken every other SSRI, with varying degrees of success, and also a plethora of other meds and med combos over the last 8 years. I spoke with my pdoc yesterday about the fact that I felt really bad all the time, unable to wake up, sleeping thru my alarm, irrtable and depressed all day, unresponsive to anything or anyone around me, numb and dull, etc. He said that it seemed as if I wasn't responding well to the lex - that it was both activating me (thus the irritability) and 'flattening' my mood (thus the continued depression and apathy). He suggested that I begin to taper the med and that we move toward my trying a med from the only class I haven't yet tried - the MAOIS. I've been considering them for years, and I'm probably a good candidate considering my history. But I am so sick of going from one med cocktail to the next; also, I've come this far already on the lex (and it hasn't been easy), and I've read so much about people feeling NOTHING on 10mg until week 7, 8, or even 9, and then it kicks in and it's well worth the wait. I just don't want to stop prematurely. So I made a resolution last night that I would stick with it another week or two instead of tapering it right now. I also decided that I would put a little more effort in to increase the chances of my responding well to the lex. What I mean by this is the following: I find that a lot of my lack of response has had to do with my
not 'allowing' the lex to work, so to speak; it's almost as if I've been thinking so pessimistically about the med and SSRI's in general, that I've been psychosomatically hindering its benefits. Today, I felt that my acceptance and resolution to stick with the lex and do what I can do -
both physically (getting my sleep/wake cycles back on track, exercising) and mentally (not letting my pessimism get the best of me) - seemed to help me benefit more from
the lex; I just have a feeling that it might be beginning to work (fingers crossed). I awoke with more energy today, and felt better in the afternoon than I have in a long time. Of course, it's not all about my shift in attitude and resolve; the action of the lex itself is helping me to HAVE a more positive, optimistic outlook on my responding well to it. So it might very well be that my own efforts +the therapeutic actions of the lex are beginning to work together to my benefit. I hope this makes sense. Does it? Cause I sort of feel like I'm not making any sense at all! Regardless, I hope my better mood today is the lex kicking in and not just another 'false alarm'! I really would prefer to not go on another 'med-roller-coaster' at this point. And my doc agreed that I stick with the lex another week or two, saying that my more positive outlook and decision to 'allow' the med to work will make me all the more liable to respond well to it. So, of course a positive response to the lex would be mostly due to the pharmacological actions of the drug and the balancing out of the NT's in my brain, but in my case it looks like some of it has to do with my cooperating with the process and doing what I can to allow it to work . All right, now I think I'm just further convoluting what was already pretty convoluted in the first place. Sorry! Is there any sense in what I'm saying?
thanks,
Peter
Posted by johnny b good on October 9, 2003, at 22:29:38
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? » johnny b good, posted by madwand on October 7, 2003, at 13:26:44
> Johnny,
> Welcome! We are at similar stages, both in Lexapro and recovery. I just celebrated 11 years in August and was at 10mg Lexapro for 4 weeks, then 15mg for 2 weeks, and now to 20mg.
> Have you explored the Substance Abuse sub-board yet? It appears that quite a few of us have made the medication "jump" a ways down the road in sobriety. I had a sense early on that it would be a good step, but got warded off by some of the traditional 12-Step resistance to medications.
> And yes, the spiritual coping skills do help. To be honest, one reason I avoided medication for so long was that I did reasonably well with the coping skills and didn't want people to look at that and say, "oh, it was just the medication". Talk about ego!
> What I have concluded is that the coping skills teach us how to walk up the mountain. The medications simply help eliminate the refrigerator (or at least make it lighter) that some of us have to carry up the mountain. And of course (not that I would encourage anyone to "wait" for this reason) carrying that refrigerator around for a few years does build some spiritual muscles.
> And this is definitely a good place for medication support. I never would have believed how many different reactions people can have to different things.
> Keep Coming Back!
>
> MichaelMichael yes I can relate to all you say. I was in turmoil for a long time after sobering up because of the traditions of A/A. But pain won out in my case. There was just no real peace in my life and I was working my program to the max. I was introduced to anti-depressants and discovered I did not have to live in constant agony. Drinking again was not an option for me. I don't think I had another sobering up effort left after the initial one. I was pretty much spent. Oops I need to change the subject or get redirected. But it all ties in together. This is day 48 on Lex and I have been at 20mgs for about 2 weeks. I had a wicked day today for anxiety probably because of lack of sleep. I hope it kicks in soon as the coping skills can only carry me so far. I am hoping for the best and keeping my chin up as it may be right around the corner. See ya'll down the road.
Posted by Mariposa on October 10, 2003, at 11:50:37
In reply to Crossing my fingers!!, posted by Peter on October 9, 2003, at 19:38:45
> I posted a new thread yesterday in the general area, and then realized it would be good to also post within the ongoing lex thread.
> Here's the deal:
> Day 34 total lexapro, day 28 on 10mg (I started with 5mg the first 6 days). Everytime I thought it was beginning to kick-in, I'd feel like crap again. I've taken every other SSRI, with varying degrees of success, and also a plethora of other meds and med combos over the last 8 years. I spoke with my pdoc yesterday about the fact that I felt really bad all the time, unable to wake up, sleeping thru my alarm, irrtable and depressed all day, unresponsive to anything or anyone around me, numb and dull, etc. He said that it seemed as if I wasn't responding well to the lex - that it was both activating me (thus the irritability) and 'flattening' my mood (thus the continued depression and apathy). He suggested that I begin to taper the med and that we move toward my trying a med from the only class I haven't yet tried - the MAOIS. I've been considering them for years, and I'm probably a good candidate considering my history. But I am so sick of going from one med cocktail to the next; also, I've come this far already on the lex (and it hasn't been easy), and I've read so much about people feeling NOTHING on 10mg until week 7, 8, or even 9, and then it kicks in and it's well worth the wait. I just don't want to stop prematurely. So I made a resolution last night that I would stick with it another week or two instead of tapering it right now. I also decided that I would put a little more effort in to increase the chances of my responding well to the lex. What I mean by this is the following: I find that a lot of my lack of response has had to do with my
> not 'allowing' the lex to work, so to speak; it's almost as if I've been thinking so pessimistically about the med and SSRI's in general, that I've been psychosomatically hindering its benefits. Today, I felt that my acceptance and resolution to stick with the lex and do what I can do -
> both physically (getting my sleep/wake cycles back on track, exercising) and mentally (not letting my pessimism get the best of me) - seemed to help me benefit more from
> the lex; I just have a feeling that it might be beginning to work (fingers crossed). I awoke with more energy today, and felt better in the afternoon than I have in a long time. Of course, it's not all about my shift in attitude and resolve; the action of the lex itself is helping me to HAVE a more positive, optimistic outlook on my responding well to it. So it might very well be that my own efforts +the therapeutic actions of the lex are beginning to work together to my benefit. I hope this makes sense. Does it? Cause I sort of feel like I'm not making any sense at all! Regardless, I hope my better mood today is the lex kicking in and not just another 'false alarm'! I really would prefer to not go on another 'med-roller-coaster' at this point. And my doc agreed that I stick with the lex another week or two, saying that my more positive outlook and decision to 'allow' the med to work will make me all the more liable to respond well to it. So, of course a positive response to the lex would be mostly due to the pharmacological actions of the drug and the balancing out of the NT's in my brain, but in my case it looks like some of it has to do with my cooperating with the process and doing what I can to allow it to work . All right, now I think I'm just further convoluting what was already pretty convoluted in the first place. Sorry! Is there any sense in what I'm saying?
> thanks,
> Peter
>
reading your post it sounds just like me at about the same time.....got very depressed about the whole situation and just wanted to quit because i was *sure* lex wasn't going to work. my pdoc raised my dose from 5mg to 10mg around week 5, and i hung in there with encouragement from this board and things DID get better. just give it a little more time and try to think positive thoughts.... the *lights didn't come on* for me until week 9, hopefully it won't be so long for you.keep us posted on your progerss and best of luck~~~8|8
Posted by dutch on October 10, 2003, at 12:32:33
In reply to Re: Crossing my fingers!! » Peter , posted by Mariposa on October 10, 2003, at 11:50:37
i have been on lexapro 15 mg day for 6 months now. i can't remember anything! i grind my teeth at night, even tho i sleep really well for the first time in years. i have also gained a steady 5 lbs a month since taking this medication. my new psych says these problems are not side effects of this medication, but i am not sure. any ideas or similar experiences?
Posted by ginger C on October 10, 2003, at 12:50:24
In reply to Re: Crossing my fingers!!, posted by dutch on October 10, 2003, at 12:32:33
I am taking Lexapro and have been for almost a year. I find myself biting my tongue and grinding my teeth. I talked to my doc about this and she seems to think it is the Geodon doing it not the Lexapro but I did not start doing this until I started the Lex. I was taking 20mg but I got a little manic so she dropped me down to 10mg even this did not seem to help much.
Posted by Peter on October 10, 2003, at 12:51:55
In reply to Re: Crossing my fingers!!, posted by dutch on October 10, 2003, at 12:32:33
I'm taking it for depression and social anxiety. Anyone have success with lex for the latter? How about compared to other SSRI's?
Posted by dutch on October 10, 2003, at 12:54:33
In reply to Re: Crossing my fingers!!, posted by ginger C on October 10, 2003, at 12:50:24
that is so weird! i am sitting here biting my tounge right now and didn't even realize it!
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