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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Mrs C. on January 28, 2004, at 22:09:11
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro?, posted by twinsmom on January 28, 2004, at 20:48:24
Hi Twinsmom, The only advice I can give you is to read old posts. Everyone on this board has had different experiences on Lex. You will find someone to relate to, trust me. I can't really tell you what your side effects will be because we are all so different. Just keep coming to this board for support and keep in mind that the side effects are short lived and manageable. Good Luck! Mrs. C
Posted by KathrynLex on January 28, 2004, at 22:13:34
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro?, posted by twinsmom on January 28, 2004, at 20:48:24
Hi Twinsmom,
Lexapro seems to effect everyone so differently. You might not experience any side effects at all on lex. I hope you make a smooth transition.
My first few weeks on lex were a little bumpy, but I hadn't taken meds for several years so it was a major adjustment for my body. Some of the most common side effects include insomnia and loss of appetite.
If you encounter a side effect that concerns you, I guarentee someone else on this board has had it and can walk you through it. Please keep us posted on your progress. I hope all goes well for you as you start lexapro.
K.
Posted by Mrs C. on January 28, 2004, at 22:13:34
In reply to Re: Ladies on lex. please respond! FEELING HORRIBLE, posted by lepus on January 28, 2004, at 21:34:25
You're welcome. I must tell you that I remember feeling that way in the evening too! I dreaded taking that pill because I knew that in the morning I was going to feel awful again. For me it was anxiety. I just felt so jittery and nervous. Not good for someone with OCD! I'm glad you are going to see someone tomorrow. Let us know what happens. Mrs. C
Posted by Jayslace on January 28, 2004, at 22:20:41
In reply to Re: dosages?, posted by Mrs C. on January 28, 2004, at 22:03:37
Amen! Mrs. C!! As of the age of 36 I knew exactly who I was, and what I wanted. I was in the career of my choice I had been in for 14 beautiful yrs. I was single (happily, finally) but dating a wonderful man. I had 2 handsome little boys. I had experienced death of my grandma,when I was 15, and that brought on depression, but I came over that.
But at the age of 37, I developed brain tumors, had surgery, then a pulmonary embolism, died for 5 minutes, came back to life,(praise God) and now am disabled.
I'll be 40 in May. That wonderful man married me. His beautiful girls love me and my handsome boys love him. I know I have so many things to be thankful for. But I do have the depression feelings of what I have lost in the brain tumor and death that I went through.
But with the help of God, family, friends, and Lex , I am going to live and get through all of this.
Thank you Mrs. C. How beautiful you are.
Hugs to everyone!!
Ruthie
Posted by KathrynLex on January 28, 2004, at 22:36:52
In reply to Re: dosages? » Mrs C., posted by Jayslace on January 28, 2004, at 22:20:41
Ruthie,
I have to say, reading your post inspired me. It must have taken a lot of strength to survive through so much. And you have such a positive, hopeful attitude! I admire that.
K.
Posted by Jayslace on January 28, 2004, at 22:44:00
In reply to Re: dosages?, posted by KathrynLex on January 28, 2004, at 22:36:52
K, I have been blessed to have always been positive and optimistic. I get that from my family. Thank you. But it also feels so good to find others like you , yourself, and the others on here, who even though they don't always post good things, just that they are posting asking for help.
In that I am disabled (mentally, because of decreased comprehension and concentration) my goal is to be able to do some volunteering. Just to be able to help in some way, kind of as I did as the nurse I used to be.
Life is so precious, I always knew it was, but I find it out more in more everyday.
Health and friendship to you all,
Ruthie
Posted by simus on January 28, 2004, at 23:21:47
In reply to Re: dosages? » sexylexy, posted by LynneDa on January 28, 2004, at 16:23:42
> Food for thought & I welcome responses:
> I wonder if I'll ever be happy like I used to be. I think part of my happiness was naivety and a complete lack of cynicism about the world. After going through some things in the past 2 or 3 years, I think I'm changed forever. Part of my depression stems from mourning my old self and old state of mind and accepting a new reality, a new order to my world. Hey, do you think I just grew up at the ripe old age of 40????? ha!I have never looked at it like this before. You are very insightful, and I there is a lot of truth in it in my case. Thank you.
Posted by vandy on January 29, 2004, at 7:23:32
In reply to Re: dosages?, posted by Mrs C. on January 28, 2004, at 22:03:37
This is fine stuff. It's as eloquent as it is deep. Best of all it's purest truth. Thank you for saying it.
> Okay, I'm about to get deep. Not until about age 35 do we really know who we are. The person we were when we were younger no longer exists. That is part of growing as a person. The hard part is learning to like the grown up "you" and to be happy with the person you have become. I am totally different now than I was when I was in my 20's. I have experienced hardship so I know what it's like to have to be strong and when to ask for help. I have experienced the death of my father so I know how to appreciate family. I have experienced the birth of my children, so I know what a miracle life is. I have experienced personal illness so I know how to appreciate life! I have experienced anxiety and depression so I now know what "happy" feels like. You can't help but change! Youth is wonderful and naive. Thank God it is. But there comes a time at a certain age when you really start to figure out who you are and it may not be who you thought you were. For some, this can be a difficult experience and for others it comes naturally. But eventually we all get through it. There is nothing wrong with us because we have changed, this is how it is supposed to be! Go with and be glad for it! Age has made us wiser so that we can carry one and advise the younger ones.
>
> Well, there is my take on life! Any other people ready to give theirs?!
>
> Mrs. C
Posted by Mrs C. on January 29, 2004, at 7:37:51
In reply to Re: dosages? » Mrs C., posted by Jayslace on January 28, 2004, at 22:20:41
Thank you Ruthie. I am inspired by your stories of survival everyday! You are doing great and I am proud of you! Keep the faith, Mrs. C
Posted by ednababish on January 29, 2004, at 8:27:09
In reply to WILL I GET FAT?, posted by sexylexy on January 28, 2004, at 11:42:01
Lexy--I have lost weight both with lexapro and celexa--about five lbs. I did not gain with paxil, although I did experience a slowdown in the loss of my baby weight. I work out like a fiend and watch what I eat, which helps. I have noticed with lexapro I have had cravings and I have gotten unbearably hungry when mealtime aproaches, but as in all other cases if you don't give in to those cravings and you keep eating sensibly you shouldn't be picking up weight. Good luck and go to the Gap--they always have lots of size twos :>)
Posted by LynneDa on January 29, 2004, at 9:51:23
In reply to Re: Brand New Lexapro User, posted by Linda P. on January 28, 2004, at 17:15:05
Hmmmm . . .that is very curious! I would think between a neuro, a psychi and a generalist they could come up with some reason for your reactions! It's good, in a way, that you had the same reaction before you were on the Lex, so you don't need to worry about discontinuing that. I loved the Protonix. My mother-in-law swears by it, too. Have you spoken to an endocrinologist - aren't they hormonally-related docs? I'd keep researching and pushing on this one! What you describe almost sounds like the physical reactions to an anxiety attack.
I wish you good luck. Acid reflux is not fun and has such long-term consequences. There has to be something you can take to counter-balance the effects you're having. I hope you find it!! I am so happy to hear about your good luck on Lex. Isn't it nice to know you can feel good again?
~ LynneTo Lynne - My "adverse reaction" is what threw me into anxiety/depression originally 4 yrs. and two months ago. (When I was on only Prilosec prescription medication. No anti-depressants at that point.)It's a very sudden-onset sensation of burning in my abdomen, followed by nausea, shakiness, palpitations, weakness and an icy-cold feeling from about the middle of the back of my skull all the way down my back. My flesh remains warm, but the cold feeling is there - and two doctors have told me this is a hormonal reaction - to what, they didn't say. (I have nothing left to produce female hormones with.) (*:*) Since I'm a total "puke-phobic," I keep doctor-prescribed Compazine 5 mg. on hand, and I don't leave it to chance! The Compazine never fails to calm me down and take away the nausea. I used to have this experience when on Prilosec only, so I stopped the Prilosec and went to Tums, Rolaids, etc. However, the acid reflux has continued and gotten much worse over the course of the past four years. I started taking the Prilosec OTC back at the beginning of Nov., as the pharmacist said it is now in a time-release formula and might be "kinder" to me. I had two or three nausea/anxiety episodes in Nov. and Dec., so quit the Prilosec again. My primary care physician urged me to try this new Protonix, which was like a miracle - and his words were, "If you have a reaction to this stuff, you'll be written up in medical journals." We laughed. Well...I had another episode last night - very brief in duration, but nonetheless scary. My psychiatrist says there is NO way that one medication could have an effect on the other - but, please forgive me if I'm a little cynical about that. It seems more than coincidental that the only time I experience these episodes is when I'm on an acid inhibitor.
> So that's my long story. I'm still curious about the balance of all these medications, which, by the way, I take 12 hrs. apart. Protonix at 9 a.m., Lexapro 10 mgs. at 9 p.m. I am a huge fan of Lexapro. It's been wonnnnderful for me! I feel ALIVE, physically, mentally and spiritually - have my sense of humor and joie de vivre back. It's the acid-reflux thing, I think, that's screwing things up!
> Linda P.
>
Posted by LynneDa on January 29, 2004, at 10:18:42
In reply to Re: dosages? -- Lynne, posted by BobYuma on January 28, 2004, at 19:51:10
Bob - Thank you for all your thoughts & stats! It is all very interesting. Has life become harder in this day and age or have our expectations just risen over the last half-century or so, only to be dashed by the normal realities of life? Without manual labor to wear us out every day, do we have too much time to ponder our insides? Or are there too many artifical chemicals in our bodies screwing up our brains? Lots of possibilities! :-)
I know I've been "given" depression and my current hardships for a reason. Usually in my life I've been lucky enough to be able to determine the lesson of a situation and see the joy in overcoming adversity to embrace the lesson. Now, I'm struggling a bit with the why's and wherefore's. I know part of my lesson right now is patience - that I can't control or hurry the process for whatever reason.
I am convinced that those of us souls who choose life on Earth are the brave ones! I am sure it is much easier to just hang around in the Spirit world (ha, ha!). Being on medication has allowed me to figure myself out a little better. Don't know that I have all the answers yet, but I feel equipped to confront myself now - something I haven't been able to do over the past few years. I do really trust that everything happens for a reason and that is a comfort.
Thanks again for your thoughts, I appreciate your feedback! Peace in the form of self-awareness is a gift I wish for everyone!
~ Lynne
Posted by LynneDa on January 29, 2004, at 10:24:27
In reply to Re: dosages? -- Lynne, posted by KathrynLex on January 28, 2004, at 21:02:06
Kathryn - Thank you! You always have just the right thing to say and I truly appreciate that!!
You did hit on something. I need to embrace the person I've become and I haven't done that yet. I'm still thinking I'll get the old me back, which is impossible of course. It's advice I've given to others - accept who you've become - yet can't seem to adopt it completely myself. And you're right, the Lex does make it easier. I'm glad I finally started taking it!
Thank you, thank you and wishing you Peace today!
~ Lynne
Posted by LynneDa on January 29, 2004, at 10:42:39
In reply to Re: dosages?, posted by Mrs C. on January 28, 2004, at 22:03:37
Mrs. C. - Thank you for your response; I'm glad you got deep and shared your philosophy. It is important information to me! I am receiving the most beautiful messages from you all on this topic and I really treasure them!
I agree with you on the 35 year old mark. That is about when I started "feeling uncomfortable" with myself. I didn't realize what a creature of habit I had become. I always thought I was flexible and adaptable . . . surprise! I think I just got tired of doing for everyone and forgot to look out for my own needs and so was at a deficit - I had nothing left in my emotional bank account when things got tough. I guess I'm now in the process of finding balance - not feeling guilty for not carrying the rest of the world on my shoulders!
Thanks so much for all your wise, witty and caring posts!!!
Peace,
~ Lynne
Posted by Gator on January 29, 2004, at 10:49:44
In reply to Re: dosages? -- Lynne » KathrynLex, posted by LynneDa on January 29, 2004, at 10:24:27
Hi,
It seems that you have been doing a lot of thinking lately. With everything that happened in my life over the holidays I had a lot of thinking to do also. As I said in a previous post I am seeing my old self more and more. But it is a different version of her. I am more mature and responsable than she was. I have done some wild and crazy and fun things in the last couple weeks that I wouldn't have had the guts to do before. I am really starting to enjoy life, my kids and my husband. I owe alot to Lexapro for giving me the courage to "rediscover" how fun of a person I can be!!!
I hope for everyone on this board the inner peace and happiness that I have finally found again.
((hugs to all!!))
Gator
Posted by LynneDa on January 29, 2004, at 10:54:50
In reply to Re: dosages? » Mrs C., posted by Jayslace on January 28, 2004, at 22:20:41
Ruthie - I marvel daily at your wonderful attitude. Thank you so much for sharing it! You really are an inspiration!!
Peace,
~ Lynne
Posted by KathrynLex on January 29, 2004, at 11:01:03
In reply to Re: dosages? -- Lynne » KathrynLex, posted by LynneDa on January 29, 2004, at 10:24:27
Hi,
I went to see my pdoc this morning who increased my lex dose from 10 mg to 20 mg. I'll be taking 15 mg over the next two weeks. My pdoc thinks a lot of my rougher days were caused by mild panic attacks that can be prevented by raising my dose and by taking lorazepam on an as needed basis.
I'm scared about increasing. For those of you who have increased, what kind of side effects did you experience? Were they as bad as when you first started taking lex? Did it make you feel more "out of it" or more alert? Any feedback is greatly appreciated. Thanks!
K.
Posted by LynneDa on January 29, 2004, at 11:15:33
In reply to Increasing Lex Tonight, posted by KathrynLex on January 29, 2004, at 11:01:03
Hi Kathryn -
I went from 10 to 20 mg 5 weeks ago tomorrow. I did have a bit of nausea, "tired but wired" syndrome during the night and sleepiness/fog during the day. Right at 4 weeks, something literally popped and I started feeling better - sleeping a bit better and my day time sleepiness is dimishing more each day this week.So, the s/e's weren't as bad AT ALL :-). This is my "bad" week of the month - which is why I upped in the first place, the 10 mg wasn't taking care of my symptoms during this time. I would say my symptoms are 90% better during this week! But, it did take the 4 - 5 weeks, like it did the first time, to make a measurable difference.
Good luck, hope for the best and let us know!!
~ Lynne
Hi,
>
> I went to see my pdoc this morning who increased my lex dose from 10 mg to 20 mg. I'll be taking 15 mg over the next two weeks. My pdoc thinks a lot of my rougher days were caused by mild panic attacks that can be prevented by raising my dose and by taking lorazepam on an as needed basis.
>
> I'm scared about increasing. For those of you who have increased, what kind of side effects did you experience? Were they as bad as when you first started taking lex? Did it make you feel more "out of it" or more alert? Any feedback is greatly appreciated. Thanks!
>
> K.
>
Posted by Linda P. on January 29, 2004, at 11:15:54
In reply to Re: Brand New Lexapro User » Linda P., posted by LynneDa on January 29, 2004, at 9:51:23
> Hmmmm . . .that is very curious! I would think between a neuro, a psychi and a generalist they could come up with some reason for your reactions! It's good, in a way, that you had the same reaction before you were on the Lex, so you don't need to worry about discontinuing that. I loved the Protonix. My mother-in-law swears by it, too. Have you spoken to an endocrinologist - aren't they hormonally-related docs? I'd keep researching and pushing on this one! What you describe almost sounds like the physical reactions to an anxiety attack.
>
> I wish you good luck. Acid reflux is not fun and has such long-term consequences. There has to be something you can take to counter-balance the effects you're having. I hope you find it!! I am so happy to hear about your good luck on Lex. Isn't it nice to know you can feel good again?
> ~ Lynne
>
>
>
>
>
> To Lynne - My "adverse reaction" is what threw me into anxiety/depression originally 4 yrs. and two months ago. (When I was on only Prilosec prescription medication. No anti-depressants at that point.)It's a very sudden-onset sensation of burning in my abdomen, followed by nausea, shakiness, palpitations, weakness and an icy-cold feeling from about the middle of the back of my skull all the way down my back. My flesh remains warm, but the cold feeling is there - and two doctors have told me this is a hormonal reaction - to what, they didn't say. (I have nothing left to produce female hormones with.) (*:*) Since I'm a total "puke-phobic," I keep doctor-prescribed Compazine 5 mg. on hand, and I don't leave it to chance! The Compazine never fails to calm me down and take away the nausea. I used to have this experience when on Prilosec only, so I stopped the Prilosec and went to Tums, Rolaids, etc. However, the acid reflux has continued and gotten much worse over the course of the past four years. I started taking the Prilosec OTC back at the beginning of Nov., as the pharmacist said it is now in a time-release formula and might be "kinder" to me. I had two or three nausea/anxiety episodes in Nov. and Dec., so quit the Prilosec again. My primary care physician urged me to try this new Protonix, which was like a miracle - and his words were, "If you have a reaction to this stuff, you'll be written up in medical journals." We laughed. Well...I had another episode last night - very brief in duration, but nonetheless scary. My psychiatrist says there is NO way that one medication could have an effect on the other - but, please forgive me if I'm a little cynical about that. It seems more than coincidental that the only time I experience these episodes is when I'm on an acid inhibitor.
> > So that's my long story. I'm still curious about the balance of all these medications, which, by the way, I take 12 hrs. apart. Protonix at 9 a.m., Lexapro 10 mgs. at 9 p.m. I am a huge fan of Lexapro. It's been wonnnnderful for me! I feel ALIVE, physically, mentally and spiritually - have my sense of humor and joie de vivre back. It's the acid-reflux thing, I think, that's screwing things up!
> > Linda P.Lynne - Thank you so much for your encouragement. And I AM going to keep pushing on this one. Yes, nausea definitely brings on a full-blown anxiety attack for me. And I can't help feeling that it has something to do with the acid-inhibitor, (which DOES work like a dream!)Right now, I've got my pharmacist working on it to see if there is anything in the Protonix formula which could be provoking these episodes. It's the ONLY thing, I think, that can explain why I was three years on Paxil (with no acid-inhibitor), with NO anxiety attacks at all - and a year on the Lexapro with no problems - until I added the acid-inhibitor to the regimen. My psychiatrist wants to add another medication, and is aggravated with me for not saying 'yes.'(He thinks I'm suffereing mood swings, but I KNOW I'm not. I feel great, nothing's bothering me, sleeping well, exercising regularly, and am on top of the world - reasonably so.) I am reluctant to add another medication regimen until I get some answers! Your suggestion of an endocrinologist is excellent - and once I exhaust the pharmacological route, may pursue that angle. Thank you for your input - you are the ONLY person who has responded thus far, and your comments have been a source of comfort.
Linda P.
> >
>
>
Posted by vandy on January 29, 2004, at 11:15:56
In reply to To LynneDa » LynneDa, posted by Gator on January 29, 2004, at 10:49:44
Well, I for one really like your new self.
> Hi,
>
> It seems that you have been doing a lot of thinking lately. With everything that happened in my life over the holidays I had a lot of thinking to do also. As I said in a previous post I am seeing my old self more and more. But it is a different version of her. I am more mature and responsable than she was. I have done some wild and crazy and fun things in the last couple weeks that I wouldn't have had the guts to do before. I am really starting to enjoy life, my kids and my husband. I owe alot to Lexapro for giving me the courage to "rediscover" how fun of a person I can be!!!
>
> I hope for everyone on this board the inner peace and happiness that I have finally found again.
>
> ((hugs to all!!))
>
> Gator
Posted by Gator on January 29, 2004, at 11:44:58
In reply to Re: To LynneDa, posted by vandy on January 29, 2004, at 11:15:56
Vandy,
Thanks, your sooooo sweet!!!
Gator
Posted by KathrynLex on January 29, 2004, at 15:18:30
In reply to Re: Increasing Lex Tonight » KathrynLex, posted by LynneDa on January 29, 2004, at 11:15:33
Hi Lynne,
This is really good to hear. When you increased, did you go right to 20 mg or were you taking 15 mg for 2 weeks before going to 20 mg?
Dale
Posted by kellieann7 on January 29, 2004, at 15:22:00
In reply to Increasing Lex Tonight, posted by KathrynLex on January 29, 2004, at 11:01:03
Kathryn,
My doc increased my dose from 10 to 20 after two weeks. The only side effect I noticed an increase in was being more tired (normally around 11 am). When I came home for lunch, I would have this overwhelming urge to lie down for a 10 minute nap. Of course, I would then sleep for 2 hours. My body didn't feel tired, but it was like a compulsive thought (I thought I HAD to sleep). So, I stopped going home for lunch, and staying busy made me not think about napping.
Posted by LynneDa on January 29, 2004, at 15:37:03
In reply to Re: Increasing Lex Tonight » LynneDa, posted by KathrynLex on January 29, 2004, at 15:18:30
Hi - I went right to 20 because my initial s/e's were not that severe. I also did it over Christmas Break so the first week I stayed in my jammies all day (being so tired, etc.), and my 3 kids all thought that was pretty cool because then they could too!
~ Lynne
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Hi Lynne,
>
> This is really good to hear. When you increased, did you go right to 20 mg or were you taking 15 mg for 2 weeks before going to 20 mg?
>
> Dale
Posted by sexylexy on January 29, 2004, at 16:08:39
In reply to Re: Increasing Lex Tonight » KathrynLex, posted by LynneDa on January 29, 2004, at 15:37:03
Hi Ya'll
Today is day 40 on 10mg of lex. I really am not wanting to up my dose from 10 ever and was kinda hoping that I would be able to stay on 10mg till I got back home to my friend and family be on 5mg for a few months and then eventually taper off. I have gotten some good feed back from a few of you on and have decided to wait 9 weeks before I make any decisions. Are any of you doing well on anxiety and depression on 10 mg?
Thanks so much!
Lexy
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