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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Esmarelda on November 17, 2003, at 17:10:51
In reply to Re: Lexapro for Anxiety?, posted by jane47 on November 17, 2003, at 12:21:38
Jane, I started on 10 mg about the middle of June '03. Around August 1, I jumped up to 15 mg where I have been ever since.
Posted by nemo kitty on November 17, 2003, at 17:24:44
In reply to Re: Concerned New User, posted by marlar on November 17, 2003, at 17:01:31
> > Hi. I'm a 19 year old female and my doctor just prescribed me 10 mg of Lexapro and I'm really concerned. She prescribed my the meds because I become really depressed right before I start my period every month. But I'm really worried about the side effects. I'm a small framed person and only way 110 pounds (healthy for my height and frame). Also, I go to college (finals are coming up) and have two part time jobs so I can't really afford to have bad side effects. Should I maybe talk to my doctor about starting at a smaller dose or are the side effects not that bad? Also, do the majority of people who start Lexapro have the side effects? I have been reading over the posts on this thread and they are really informative but I haven't found any people posting who are as young and small as me. Do people my age normally get prescribed Lexapro? One more question, does anyone think that I would suffer from the sexual side effects as well?
>
>
> I just started on Lexapro last week. Doc started me on 5 mg/day but I had SEs, nausea, diarrhea, hard time focusing. She lowered me to 2.5 mg/day and SEs much better, just a headache. I am only 5'1", 100#, 25 yo female. Might want to think about lower dose if you experience bad SEs. Good luck!
>MAKE SURE YOU ONLY START WITH LIKE 1/2 OF THE 10MG!! I am 5'2. 115 pounds. I was presribed 10mg and have been taking 1/2 (5 mg) It is perfect for me with some side effects ....naseau, sleepiness, headache,.....but they went away after 2-3 weeks.
You should really only start with 1/2 for the first 2 weeks. Maybe 5mg will be enough for you!!!
Posted by June on November 18, 2003, at 12:52:35
In reply to Re: Sexual Side effects, posted by June on November 17, 2003, at 12:52:04
Does your sex life stop after Lexapro? Is there a time when an orgasm will return? I really need to know!
Posted by LynneDa on November 18, 2003, at 13:09:05
In reply to Re: Lexapro Sexual Side effects, posted by June on November 18, 2003, at 12:52:35
I've been on 10mg for one month and I can now say I get part of the way there. If they were a 9 before, they're about at a 3 now - at the beginning of taking it they were at a 0! It just takes longer and lots of visualization and talking (or whatever works for you) - it's not as effortless and automatic as it used to be. I don't really care as much anymore - I enjoy the whole process now and not just the end goal!
I'm sure someone's mentioned Wellbutrin. I've heard adding that helps in the sexual area. Good luck to you!
~Lynne
Posted by stacieg on November 18, 2003, at 13:24:10
In reply to Re: Lexapro Sexual Side effects, posted by LynneDa on November 18, 2003, at 13:09:05
I am new to the site. My husband has been on lex for 8 days. He is very tired in the morning but once up it gets better. Will this SE ever go away? He also has a problem with sexual SE's. It takes him a long time to ejaculate so that adds to his frustration. Has anyone else experienced this, and did it go away?
Posted by BarbaraEL on November 18, 2003, at 14:26:20
In reply to Re: Lexapro Sexual Side effects, posted by June on November 18, 2003, at 12:52:35
> Does your sex life stop after Lexapro? Is there a time when an orgasm will return? I really need to know!
I'm a 45 year old woman who has been on Lexapro (10mg/daily) for six months. Within the first month of taking it it had quelled the symptoms of my depression: restlessness, anxiety, sleeplessness, overwhelming sense of sadness and hopelessness, bouts of crying, etc.
Re side effects: I experienced some nausea and dizziness but these subsided within the first 6 weeks. Initially my libido felt rejuvenated and I resumed a more active sex life than I had been experiencing.
Lexapro eventually (after about 8 weeks) made me feel VERY tired, however, and I complained to my doctor about this. I was grateful for being able to sleep through the night but was getting frustrated with feeling so groggy every morning - often not feeling fully awake until noon. He suggested adding Wellbutrin to the mix (150mg/daily), taking it in the morning, and taking the Lexapro earlier in the day instead of before bed which had been my routine. This did help alleviate the groggy feeling and the two meds together worked pretty well up until just recently.
After appx 5 mos on Lex and 3 mos on Wellbutrin it became more difficult to reach orgasm and they were MUCH less intense. I was beginning to feel an overall numbness, sensually and emotionally. My sex life didn't stop completely, but I was losing interest and the initiative to do anything about it. I was feeling drained of energy.
On a recent visit to my doctor, my blood pressure was high -168/104 - normal BP for me is 120/70. My doctor recommended going off the Wellbutrin immediately (!) and to begin tapering off the Lexapro. Apparently both are beginning to show up on Dr.s logs as contributors to high blood pressure. He seemed as surprized as I was by this.
Anyway - It's been appx 2 weeks that I've been off Wellbutrin. I've felt a little dizzyfizzy-headed but generally ok - and I've reduced the Lex to 10mg every other day.
Re sex: This may be a fluke but my libido has definately re-awakened and orgasm has already been easier to achieve and is regaining intensity. I'm thrilled!
I am curious to know if others have had similar experiences either with Lexapro or Wellbutrin (or both) after about six months use. I appreciate reading everyone's posts regarding these drugs - it's been very helpful!
Posted by LynneDa on November 18, 2003, at 14:30:48
In reply to Lexapro, Wellbutrin, Orgasms! » June, posted by BarbaraEL on November 18, 2003, at 14:26:20
BarbaraEL - Thanks so much for sharing as you are much farther down the road in this process than I am. It is good to know about the Lex/Wellbutrin mix, as I was considering it for the sexual side effect reason. Continued good luck to you!
~ Lynne
Posted by BarbaraEL on November 18, 2003, at 14:45:56
In reply to Re: Lexapro, Wellbutrin, Orgasms!, posted by LynneDa on November 18, 2003, at 14:30:48
> BarbaraEL - Thanks so much for sharing as you are much farther down the road in this process than I am. It is good to know about the Lex/Wellbutrin mix, as I was considering it for the sexual side effect reason. Continued good luck to you!
> ~ LynneThank you, Lynne - for the welcoming "shout out". I'm glad this forum exists -- I'm anxious to learn from it and am pleased to be able to contribute. Best of luck to you, as well!
-BarbaraEL
Posted by June on November 18, 2003, at 15:53:41
In reply to Re: Lexapro Sexual Side effects, posted by stacieg on November 18, 2003, at 13:24:10
>Yes you are very tired on lex, but I am hoping it will get better. I have only been on it for 3 weeks (2 weeks at 5mg, 1 week 10mg). I am having sexual problems also. I am hoping these s/e go away after awhile. I can't really seem to get any answers from anyone who has been on it a long time.
I am new to the site. My husband has been on lex for 8 days. He is very tired in the morning but once up it gets better. Will this SE ever go away? He also has a problem with sexual SE's. It takes him a long time to ejaculate so that adds to his frustration. Has anyone else experienced this, and did it go away?
Posted by LynneDa on November 18, 2003, at 16:01:40
In reply to Re: Lexapro Sexual Side effects, posted by June on November 18, 2003, at 15:53:41
Lex hasn't been on the market for long - maybe March of 2003? I've encountered 3 or 4 posters who have been on it that long and they all say the s/e's do go away and they are very happy they got through the first 8 - 10 weeks. Of course, if they had not felt good, they'd quit and switch! As usual, it's different for anyone.
I've been on it only 4 weeks. I'm still a little sleepy. I still get very slightly nauseous occasionally. Low level orgasms. Those are the only side effects I still have. Except for the 10 days around my period, it is working well for me so far.
For your husband, there are several threads that sound all-male that you might want to check out!
Hang in there all of you, if the others can get through the first month or so, so can we :-)
~ Lynne
Posted by Dr. Jill on November 18, 2003, at 16:12:40
In reply to Re: Lexapro Sexual Side effects, posted by LynneDa on November 18, 2003, at 16:01:40
Hi Everyone: Thanks to everyone for sharing your thoughts regarding Lexapro. I have been checking in daily since starting this medication. I am on day 16 and started off on 5mg and then increased to 10mg after a week. I put myself back on 5mg three days ago because the side effects were so bad. I have had major insomnia, my throat feels tight, cannot concentrate, feeling jittery, sweats, and constant nasal drip. How long did it take for your se's to go away? I figured that I stuck it out this far and I am not going to quit now. I have not even tried to have sex. Do not want to add another se onto the list. LOL. It seems like as one se goes away, another one appears. I had major tummy "issues" the first week. Thanks in advance for any information you can give me. Jill
Posted by Esmarelda on November 18, 2003, at 16:14:07
In reply to Re: Lexapro Sexual Side effects, posted by June on November 18, 2003, at 15:53:41
The sleepiness goes away, but it took about 3 or so months for me before it did go away. I just could not get out of bed in the a.m. Don't know about ejaculation - haha! I have read other male posters who say this goes away too. Good luck!
Posted by Dr. Jill on November 18, 2003, at 16:16:55
In reply to Re: Lexapro Sexual Side effects, posted by LynneDa on November 18, 2003, at 16:01:40
Hi Everyone: Thanks to everyone for sharing your thoughts regarding Lexapro. I have been checking in daily since starting this medication. I am on day 16 and started off on 5mg and then increased to 10mg after a week. I put myself back on 5mg three days ago because the side effects were so bad. I have had major insomnia, my throat feels tight, cannot concentrate, feeling jittery, sweats, and constant nasal drip. How long did it take for your se's to go away? I figured that I stuck it out this far and I am not going to quit now. I have not even tried to have sex. Do not want to add another se onto the list. LOL. It seems like as one se goes away, another one appears. I had major tummy "issues" the first week. Thanks in advance for any information you can give me. Jill
Posted by anonymous13 on November 18, 2003, at 17:04:22
In reply to Re: Lexapro for Anxiety? » anonymous13, posted by Esmarelda on November 17, 2003, at 10:53:15
I took lexapro for one day and did not like the feeling of being on it. It felt like I was literally high. Instead of taking the 10 mg dosage that the doctor gave me- I cut it in half and only took half of it. I wasn't able to sleep at night. I took it around 2:00 in the afternoon and have been having problems in sleeping. I was up for about 3 days with only 3 hours of sleep. Last night I was able to sleep for about 6 hours. (Thank you Lord!) My doctor didn't want to give me any sleep aids cause it's hard for me to breathe on it and and my heart beats way to fast on it. If I continuesly take this lexapro for anxiety will my body get used to it and how long would that take? Will I be able to sleep like everyone else that post on this site? I would love to sleep alot. Cause it seems the more I sleep the better I feel. I just dont like the feeling of being "high". I can't think straight and it trips me out.
Posted by Esmarelda on November 18, 2003, at 17:12:49
In reply to Re: Lexapro for Anxiety? » Esmarelda, posted by anonymous13 on November 18, 2003, at 17:04:22
I have always had trouble sleeping so I didn't know if it was lexapro or just me. I take 2 Benadryl at night to sleep. It is the ingredient in Tylenol P.M. that makes you sleepy. Listen to your doctor because they know what is good for you. Someone on here once recommended Badger Sleep Balm. I just plugged it into the internet and ordered some. I think it helped relax. It smells good, at the very least. It has lavender and some other herbs in it. Try taking the Lexapro in the A.m. instead of in the afternoon. Good luck!
Posted by BarbaraEL on November 18, 2003, at 17:18:48
In reply to Everyone - Interested in when these darn SE's stop, posted by Dr. Jill on November 18, 2003, at 16:16:55
> Hi Everyone: Thanks to everyone for sharing your thoughts regarding Lexapro. I have been checking in daily since starting this medication. I am on day 16 and started off on 5mg and then increased to 10mg after a week. I put myself back on 5mg three days ago because the side effects were so bad. I have had major insomnia, my throat feels tight, cannot concentrate, feeling jittery, sweats, and constant nasal drip. How long did it take for your se's to go away? I figured that I stuck it out this far and I am not going to quit now. I have not even tried to have sex. Do not want to add another se onto the list. LOL. It seems like as one se goes away, another one appears. I had major tummy "issues" the first week. Thanks in advance for any information you can give me. Jill
Hi Jill -Yes, it seems like as soon as one side effect subsides a new one creeps in! I've been taking 10 mg Lexapro daily for six months -- up until 2 weeks ago. My side effects included nausea, dizziness, loss of appetite, extreme sleepiness, sweats, that tightness in the throat you mentioned and the inability to concentrate, too.
I also noticed my short term memory seemed to be adversely affected - my brain was very foggy!
Most of these SE's subsided within the first 6 to 8 weeks. Occasionally, one of the above would pop up again -- maybe just for a day or two and to a lesser degree than initially. All in all, the side effects were tolerable and I was content in exchanging the depression for these random annoyances.My doctor told me that Lexapro might stimulate my appetite and that maybe I'd have the urge to snack more but this never manifested itself. I had quit smoking three months before starting Lex and have managed to stay off cigs and not put on any post-smoking weight either.
I slept better while on Lex, felt more relaxed and better equipped emotionally to handle the stresses in my life.
The least pleasing side effect for me was the change in my libido and ability to orgasm - which happened gradually over a period of a few months. I began to sense an overall numbness that I felt was induced by the medication and so now am in the process of weening myself from it to see how I feel with less of it in my system.
Despite what I've stated above, I'd encourage you to stick it out and see if most of the side effects don't subside within the next 14 days. Lex helped me quite a bit - even though I'd like NOT to take it anymore.
My doctor said I should use Lexapro for a minimum of six months - that it would take at least that long to reap the benefits. I don't know if agree with that -- for myself, anyway.
Best of luck! Keep posting...
BarbaraEL
Posted by anonymous13 on November 18, 2003, at 17:19:28
In reply to Re: Lexapro for Anxiety? » anonymous13, posted by Esmarelda on November 18, 2003, at 17:12:49
So even if I had no sleep at all. I would be able to take the lexapro in the morning without freaking out? I tried taking the benadryl but it makes me sweat big time and like I said hard to breathe, heart beats way faster and and really really dizzy. If I fall asleep with it I am only able to sleep for like 15 to 30 minutes.
Have you ever heard of 5 htp? I heard you can take this supplement to help boost the serontonin in the brain which reduces the anxiety attacks. I also heard that you need certain amino acids, etc.
Posted by Erin1679 on November 18, 2003, at 17:20:13
In reply to Re: Lexapro for Anxiety? » anonymous13, posted by Esmarelda on November 18, 2003, at 17:12:49
I have been taking Lexapro for about 2 months. I was given it for anxiety and stress. I have taken 10mg everyday. I dont feel any different, and I havent really had side effects (just loss of appetite, but I had that from being stressed out to begin with) Should I tell the doctor it isnt affecting me and that maybe I should stop this and take something else...or up the mg....? Thanks for help
Posted by Esmarelda on November 18, 2003, at 17:27:05
In reply to Lack of Everything, posted by Erin1679 on November 18, 2003, at 17:20:13
It took some people 8 weeks or so before it started working. I would think it would work by now. What dosage are you on? Maybe you could try upping that.
Posted by Esmarelda on November 18, 2003, at 17:28:21
In reply to Re: Lexapro for Anxiety?, posted by anonymous13 on November 18, 2003, at 17:19:28
Never heard of it. I feel for you that you are having such a bad time of it. I hope you feel better soon!
Posted by BarbaraEL on November 18, 2003, at 17:37:46
In reply to Lack of Everything, posted by Erin1679 on November 18, 2003, at 17:20:13
> I have been taking Lexapro for about 2 months. I was given it for anxiety and stress. I have taken 10mg everyday. I dont feel any different, and I havent really had side effects (just loss of appetite, but I had that from being stressed out to begin with) Should I tell the doctor it isnt affecting me and that maybe I should stop this and take something else...or up the mg....? Thanks for help
Erin -
Two months seems too long to me - I think you oughtta go to your doctor. If you're not getting relief from your anxiety and stress AND you're not experiencing any side effects from the medication? - then Lexapro probably ain't gonna do it for you - you might require something entirely different. I wouldn't up the dosage without talking with your doctor either - that doesn't seem like a good idea.
Hope you make an appoinment soon - you shouldn't have to be waiting so long to feel better!
Good luck!
BarbaraEL
Posted by Scribbler on November 18, 2003, at 19:07:23
In reply to Re: Lexapro for Anxiety? » anonymous13, posted by Esmarelda on November 18, 2003, at 17:12:49
> Someone on here once recommended Badger Sleep Balm. I just plugged it into the internet and ordered some. I think it helped relax. It smells good, at the very least. It has lavender and some other herbs in it.<
Greetings -- I'm the one who suggested Badger Sleep Balm. So glad to know you've given it a try! I use it every night and it does help me drift off to dreamland. Sometimes I also take 2.5 mg of Valium, or 5 mg of Ambien if I have to get up really early the next morning (which I always somehow anticipate and then wake up about 3 a.m. and lie there waiting for the alarm to go off).
I'm now on Week #6 and all my SE's are gone, I think. Had trouble eating in Week #1 after nausea first day, regained my appetite about Week #3. Can't comment on the orgasm problem as my husband had prostate surgery about 5 years ago and our sex-life has become more imaginative and less orgasm-focused. I'm not thinking about it right now, anyway; I'm just trying to relax and feel less anxious.
Which brings me to the problem that I DO have, and wonder if anyone else does: It's taking me a while to let Lexapro do what it's supposed to ("Let Go & Let Lexapro," there's a slogan for their ad agency to try!) What I mean is, I will now encounter an occasion when I would ordinarily have felt anxious and/or panicky (that must definitely be spelled wrong) and had used Valium to try and counteract it...So now when I encounter that same situation I still feel like I should take some Valium, just in case. I don't quite trust the Lex to do its thing. When I remind myself to do the above ("Let Go, and...") it usually does, but I still have to get myself over that habit of projecting what might happen if I don't supplement it with the same old Valium. Any ideas? Does it just take time and experience to build up that confidence and trust?
Posted by sapphira on November 18, 2003, at 19:16:31
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
has anyone noticed a change in the frequency and the amount of urine they produce? i'm on my third week and seemed to be urinating less both in frequency and amount, but then today i've intentionally started drinking more fluids and things have improved.
sapphira
Posted by Dr. Jill on November 19, 2003, at 5:29:17
In reply to Lexapro and urination??, posted by sapphira on November 18, 2003, at 19:16:31
Sapphira: You asked about the frequency of urination. Actually, my situation is the opposite - I go far more than I used to. In addition, I also feel as if I am coming down with an (UTI), I often feel pressure when I go. Hang in there! I am on day 17 and most of the side effects are still with me - but I do not want to give up! I just wish I could sleep and my throat stopped hurting. Jill
Posted by LynneDa on November 19, 2003, at 9:12:55
In reply to sapphira , posted by Dr. Jill on November 19, 2003, at 5:29:17
Hi! I am having more frequency in urination too. Also, have you tried Melatonin for sleep? It helps me tremendously. It's OTC at health food stores, generally.
I just hit my one month yesterday. I still have slight nausea occasionally (not bad), can't orgasm and am a little sleepy. My anxiety and obsessive thinking has diminished, but I'm hoping for even more relief in the next month or so before I can say I'm better. I'm definitely more functional at work and the crying jags have stopped.
Good luck and hang in there everyone! Thanks for all the info. and support out there, it is so helpful!
~ Lynne
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