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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Brown eyed girl on January 24, 2004, at 19:13:07
In reply to Lexapro side-effects, posted by Mandy Roberts on January 5, 2004, at 10:54:06
I am on my 5th day of lex. Having some bad nausea and my insomnia has gotten worse any suggestions.
Posted by Missy K on January 24, 2004, at 20:17:01
In reply to Re: Need info - pleeeaaassseee, posted by LynneDa on January 23, 2004, at 13:35:17
Hey everyone.
Last week I was posting complaining about wicked anxiety attacks. I thought, in the interest of the other new users, that I should say that they are gone. The depression lifted almost right away, and I'm sleeping better (not all night, but it's a bit better each night). The only complaint I have is (this is intimate, but nothing is really sacred here, is it?) my inability to "get all the way there", so to speak (I believe it is called inorgasmia?). I still enjoy it, but I'm not myself, you know? But this is a small complaint compared to everything else. Thank you all for getting me through that first week, that was tough, but worth it to feel as good as I do now (pleasant side effect, I lost a good deal of weight, now I have to keep it off with my appetite returning.)
Posted by Mrs C. on January 24, 2004, at 22:33:17
In reply to getting better, posted by Missy K on January 24, 2004, at 20:17:01
Hi MissyK, I am so glad to hear that you are feeling better! I wish you luck with the other intimate detail. I do hear from others that it will return slowly to normal. I have not had that problem myself luckily. However I do wish I had experienced the loss of appetite and weight loss that some of you have talked about. I am struggling right now to lose 20 pounds before our vacation in April. My weight is not related to the lexapro at all. I've needed to lose this for some time now and I think that now that I'm feeling better I have the strenght and willpower I need. Well, continued good mental health to you. Mrs. C
Posted by Mrs C. on January 24, 2004, at 22:36:12
In reply to Re: Has no one experienced this? » Journeyman, posted by simus on January 24, 2004, at 13:30:57
Richard, there you go again! How do you come up with these things? Anyway, I'm glad you do. Thanks for the laugh! Mrs. C
Posted by KathrynLex on January 25, 2004, at 1:00:29
In reply to Re: Lexapro side-effects, posted by Brown eyed girl on January 24, 2004, at 19:13:07
Hi Brown Eyed Girl,
I've heard that Tylenol PM can help with the insomnia. I never took a sleeping pill to get through the insomnia, which lasted about 4 wks.
For the nausea I can only suggest really mild foods that aren't hard to digest like soup, toast, yogurt etc... This should keep the nausea from getting worse.
Remember that all the side effects you're experiencing are temporary and they will go away in the next couple of weeks.
K.
Posted by KathrynLex on January 25, 2004, at 1:04:30
In reply to getting better, posted by Missy K on January 24, 2004, at 20:17:01
Missy K,
It's wonderful that you're feeling better. Getting rid of depression is such a relief, and I love hearing success stories! You'll start sleeping through the night again very soon and I'm wishing you continued success.
K.
Posted by Bali on January 25, 2004, at 10:32:45
In reply to Re: Lexapro side-effects, posted by Brown eyed girl on January 24, 2004, at 19:13:07
Brown eyed girl,
Melatonin might also help with your insomnia. I suffered from that for about a month, but every day I seemed to be able to sleep a little more and a little better. Now, after 3 months on Lex, I am sleeping through the night, no problem. I also don't need the melatonin anymore. As far as the nausea, I didn't find anything to actually take it away, but I only had the nausea for about a week. I ate saltines and drank water and lost weight....but appetite came back second week and my stomach was back to normal. Just hang in there...it will go away, promise! ~Bali> I am on my 5th day of lex. Having some bad nausea and my insomnia has gotten worse any suggestions.
Posted by hanging on on January 25, 2004, at 10:55:30
In reply to Re: Lexapro side-effects, posted by Brown eyed girl on January 24, 2004, at 19:13:07
I had a rough time with my stomach for the first week or two. Not too much to do about it, but it really did pass. I never thought it would and didn't know if I would be able to stay on lex, but it did go away. I still have little to no appetite in the morning, but can eat pretty well in the evening. I'm on day about 19. Still waiting to feel less anxious and depressed, but don't seem to have anymore se's.
Hang in there. This board is great for support so stick around. :-)
Posted by Gator on January 25, 2004, at 11:51:12
In reply to Re: scared and confused, posted by vandy on January 23, 2004, at 20:04:05
Vandy,
That is a great way of looking at it!! I chuckled when I read your post. The next time he asks me why I need a chemical to help me feel better I am going to use that water and air are chemicals too. Thanks for the ammo!
Gator
Posted by bobbiedobbs on January 25, 2004, at 13:03:20
In reply to Special Effects, posted by Journeyman on January 20, 2004, at 22:19:38
Lexapro and Ritalin - strange bedfellows?
Wanted sage counsel from active lex-site about any experiences combining the above medications -I am an adult lexapro user, apparently prescribed the ritalin add-on to help with excessive sleep (not outright fatigue or obvious depression, but low motivation) and inability to focus. The "R" word is scary to me because of all the press re Attention Deficit disorder and kids. Has anyone ever heard of this med match? I had suggested Lexapro augmented with Wellbutrin to help with the slowness and the sexual side-effects as well documented by numerous others. My doctor wants to try Ritalin and Lexapro first, if that doesn't work, perhaps Geodone (which I've never even heard of).
Any help would be much appreciated. I'm kind of losing my already fragile sense of who I am. Phil
Posted by vandy on January 25, 2004, at 13:13:50
In reply to Re: scared and confused » vandy, posted by Gator on January 25, 2004, at 11:51:12
I wish I was there to hear it.
"Hey, you put that H two Oh down right this minute. You want to develop chemical dependency?""Are you snorting that Oh two again? What kind of an example does that set for the children? Don't try to defend yourself by telling me it's only 20% Oh Two. The rest is mostly N two and that's ANOTHER chemical!"
Posted by Bali on January 25, 2004, at 13:45:53
In reply to Re: Special Effects, posted by bobbiedobbs on January 25, 2004, at 13:03:20
Phil, There is another Lex group that I occasionally visit and there was a person posting on there a month or so ago who takes/took Ritalin with the Lex. You might want to check out this group: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Lexapro/
~Bali
Posted by lelebug on January 25, 2004, at 18:27:38
In reply to Re: Ladies on lex. please respond!, posted by sip on January 23, 2004, at 13:35:05
Lexy-
I'm so glad someone asked about this. I haven't read anything on the site about periods and Lex yet. I have been on lex for about 16 days, and I'm about 6 days late for my period this month. I was starting to get a little worried about it. But in the back of my head kept telling myself that it was just my body getting use to the new meds. I haven't had any symptoms of pms or anything else. So it's been kind of a nice break. I'm sure once our bodies get use to this we'll be back on schedule. It is nice to know I'm not the only one experiencing this though.
Posted by lepus on January 25, 2004, at 18:37:26
In reply to Re: Ladies on lex. please respond!, posted by lelebug on January 25, 2004, at 18:27:38
I have been on Lex for about 19 days and I am late with my period and having the worst PMS symptoms ever. I am cramping, can't stop crying and frankly am feeling suicidal. My face has broken out horrendously. I don't bother to tell my doctor because he would never believe it was the Lex. I am not sure it is either 100% but it seems like something is wrong.
God, I just feel terrible. I am also on 1mg Klonopin twice a day, 1000mg Depakote ER and 25 mg Seroquel when I need it. Dx'd Bipolar II. Does anyone have any idea why I am feeling so horrible??
Posted by Mrs C. on January 25, 2004, at 20:39:47
In reply to Ladies on lex. please respond! FEELING HORRIBLE, posted by lepus on January 25, 2004, at 18:37:26
My best guess is that you are in transition. A short adjustment period between feeling lousy and feeling better. At that "special" time of the month everything becomes more dramatic and intense. Just ride it out. Drink lots of water, relax and try having a cup of tea. Put some sweat pants on and watch tv. You'll be feeling better in no time. I know it seems terrible right now but we all have those months when we just want to have all our reproductive organs removed. Add emotional distress to the hormone level and you have one messed up system. Calm down because I bet the stress of wondering what is wrong with you is only making you feel worse. I have been there and I know what I am talking about. You will be fine, trust me. Keep coming to this board, we all help eachother a great deal! Good luck. Mrs. C
Posted by Mrs C. on January 25, 2004, at 20:42:13
In reply to Ladies on lex. please respond! FEELING HORRIBLE, posted by lepus on January 25, 2004, at 18:37:26
I just read your message again and I feel that I must ask you to call someone about your suicidal thoughts. You need help from someone who is live and in person, not cyber friends. Of course we are here for you but I strongly urge you to call someone NOW! Mrs. C
Posted by Jayslace on January 25, 2004, at 20:51:14
In reply to Ladies on lex. please respond! FEELING HORRIBLE, posted by lepus on January 25, 2004, at 18:37:26
Lepus, I'm agreeing with Mrs. C on everything she said. Including calling someone. Your life is so important, much more than what you think right now. Our body chemicals can make us feel so sad sometimes as can the weather, and just things that go around us in life, but let's not let that stop that from living completely. Pick up your phone and start dialing. And if you can't do that, just keep emailing this board, we will gladly keep emailing you back. We are real people hear who have been through so much, some close to what you have (me 3 times, but no more!! ). I'm a yahoo messenger, with Jayslace. Clue there :-)
We're always here for you !!!!
Put your arms around yourself and know that's from me.
Ruthie
Posted by bobbiedobbs on January 25, 2004, at 22:45:24
In reply to Phil please read, posted by Bali on January 25, 2004, at 13:45:53
> Phil, There is another Lex group that I occasionally visit and there was a person posting on there a month or so ago who takes/took Ritalin with the Lex. You might want to check out this group: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Lexapro/
> ~BaliThanks for the lead, Bali. There seems to be a wealth of info and a good vehicle for info-sharing here. Hopefully this will help. Phil
Posted by simus on January 25, 2004, at 23:01:12
In reply to Re: Lexapro side-effects, posted by Bali on January 25, 2004, at 10:32:45
> Brown eyed girl,
> Melatonin might also help with your insomnia.Be careful with the melatonin. I had a bad reaction from it - bad anxiety.
Posted by nicky847 on January 26, 2004, at 9:26:10
In reply to Has no one experienced this?, posted by KathrynLex on January 23, 2004, at 17:10:23
Kathryn-
I dont think it is too surprising that you would experience this..I think that one of the things Lexapro does is to kind of disrupt thought patterns..its good in the sense that you dont spiral into anxious irrational thoughts with the constant what if chain reaction..but its bad in the sense that sometimes it is hard to concentrate on things because you lose your train of thought so easily...i dont have any remedies for this but i can say that i think what you are describing is real....i think the best thing to do would be to write down things that you really need to remember..and perhaps start using a day planner so that you can refer back to it and not forget appointments or important tasks or anything like that..
nick
> I posted this earlier today and only one person has responded. This entire week has been so unproductive at work because I can't seem to focus on my job. I need to know if this will go away. I have a pdoc visit scheduled next week. But it is nice to get feedback from people who are on lex vs. a guy with a clipboard.
>
> Hi,
> >
> > Since starting lex my attention span has gotten worse. I was having a conversation with a friend today and realized half way through that I had no idea what she was talking about. This happened occasionally before I was on lex, but since starting on lex it's occuring much more often - at least once a day. I'm also having trouble focusing on tasks at work and leisure reading has become more difficult because my mind wanders very quickly...way more quickly than it used to. Is this a side effect of the lex that will go away, or could it be something else? This is fairly disconcerting, any ideas or suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks!
> >
> > K.
>
>
>
Posted by bluesfan on January 26, 2004, at 11:25:57
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
I have been on 10mg of Lexapro for 40 days now, and I feel that my dosage may be too low. I just had an appointment with my physician last Thursday, and she said there is a chance that I may need to up my dosage if I'm not feeling better by now. Should I give the drug more time at this dosage and see what happens? Could this still be the fallout from the "week 5 blues"? I feel like Lexapro has definitely helped and I no longer have any side effects, but my horrible thoughts are creeping back in my head and I really hoped that would be better by now. Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Posted by ednababish on January 26, 2004, at 11:35:55
In reply to Re: Lexapro side-effects, posted by Brown eyed girl on January 24, 2004, at 19:13:07
> I am on my 5th day of lex. Having some bad nausea and my insomnia has gotten worse any suggestions.
Ask your doctor for a few ambien to tide you over until the insomnia passes--it's okay to take them together. As for nausea, take a pepsid or tagamet and eat crackers. Sit tight and this will pass.
Posted by lepus on January 26, 2004, at 13:13:23
In reply to Re: Ladies on lex. please respond! FEELING HORRIBLE » lepus, posted by Jayslace on January 25, 2004, at 20:51:14
Thanks for your concern, both of you Mrs. C and Jayslace. I am having suicidal thoughts and will call if they get worse or if I get a plan. For now I am just remembering that this has to pass.
It is just strange what is happening with my period. I am getting cramps, a grayish discharge (ick sorry)and then the mood change is so extreme. Did anyone else get this? I believe so. I will have to check the past posts again. I am so tired as well.
Anyway, I have just been curling up in bed with a book and waiting for this to pass.
Thanks-
Posted by Alain on January 26, 2004, at 13:19:07
In reply to Re: Ladies on lex. please respond! FEELING HORRIBLE » lepus, posted by Jayslace on January 25, 2004, at 20:51:14
Don't give into your suicidal thoughts. It will pass. You are just having a bad day. I get depressed also around my period. Curl up with a book or watch t.v. Email later today and let us know how you are doing. Go easy on yourself..Alain
Posted by KathrynLex on January 26, 2004, at 13:33:14
In reply to Re: Ladies on lex. please respond! FEELING HORRIBLE, posted by lepus on January 26, 2004, at 13:13:23
Hi Lepus,
My heart goes out to you. Lexapro does strange things around that time of the month. My period is approaching and I've felt pretty "off." Just yesterday I burst in to tears while I was in my car...that's VERY unusual for me. I'll be happy one minute and two seconds later I'm yelling at my boyfriend. Heellloo mood swing!
I've been on 10 mg lex for 38 days now. Discharge, cramps, feeling awful... it's happening to me but not as badly because I think my body has had a longer time to adjust to the lex. Next month will be much easier for both of us.
Stay curled up in bed with your book...maybe get up to make yourself a cup of cocoa (chocolate can help sometimes) and watch a funny movie. Remember you're not alone in this. There are others (me included) going through the very same thing. It WILL get better!
K.
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