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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by johnray on March 4, 2004, at 19:35:58
In reply to Lexapro Dosing Info--My Doctor's Opinion, posted by meow mary on October 14, 2002, at 19:03:40
> I saw my doctor today. He said he's been getting a lot of disappointed responses from his patients who have been at 10mgs, and thinks there is a certain amount of "hype" about that dosage being effective--especially in the case of OCD where a higher dosage is usually required. He doubled my dosage, although he said it would be fine to start with 15 at first.
Fellow Lexapro users may find this interesting. I started on 10 mg. of Lex for severe anxiety and after four and a half weeks I felt like the anxiety was just modestly improved while the nausea and sexual side effets were very noticable. I had the strange feeling of being sleepy and anxious at the same time. My pdr said to go to 20 because most people who can tolerate 10 have no problem with the higher dose. When I got home I took another 5 mgs. intending to go up to 15 first and then 20.
In about an hour and a half I had a major anxiety attack that lasted around six hours. What I ended up doing was making a solution of one 20 mg. Lex tablet in 20 ml distilled water or saline and slowly raised my dose 1/2 mg. every few days. Even this was a bit touchy. I found that at 12 mgs. the anxiety started to noticably improve. I'm now at 13 mgs. and am just about fine. So it looks like small differences in dose can trans late into big differences in effect. I plan to use the Lex as cover so I can transition back to Imipramine without the start-up anxiety with that drug and slowly eliminate the Lex. No sex is no fun and fairly small doses of Imipramine will keep anxiety at tolerable levels. I plan to try Pregabalin at the earliest opportunity and hopefully use this to replace my clonazapam.
Posted by johnray on March 4, 2004, at 19:50:34
In reply to Lexapro Dosing Info--My Doctor's Opinion, posted by meow mary on October 14, 2002, at 19:03:40
There is, in my opinion, no posible way that 10 mgs. of Lex can be as effective as 200 mgs. of Zoloft as claimed in a Forrest Lab sponsored study.
Posted by mrs c on March 4, 2004, at 20:36:58
In reply to Re: Questions at 15mg or 20mg » mrs c, posted by simus on March 4, 2004, at 18:38:01
Thanks Simus, I'm still trying to decide what to do. Mrs. C
Posted by mrs c on March 4, 2004, at 20:39:51
In reply to Re: Questions at 15mg or 20mg..mrs c., posted by mystic on March 4, 2004, at 18:41:26
Mystic, You are so right. Giving advice is much easier than taking it. But I appreciate everyone's thoughts so much. It's a wonderful feeling to not be alone in this. How was your day today! It's says so much about you as a person to be able to offer me comfort when you are feeling such sadness in your own life. Thanks and I look forward to hearing from you tomorrow. Mrs. C
Posted by sexylexy on March 4, 2004, at 20:44:58
In reply to Evening everyone, posted by mystic on March 4, 2004, at 19:24:12
Hey Mystic,
I know when I was really anxious, I would go work out to try to balance it out. I also was not eating much because I was so so so so so anxious. When I would go work out, I would get more depressed and anxious. I later found out that it was making me hypoglycemic. My blood sugar would drop and drop more after I would work out, this made me very VERY depressed and anxious. So make sure you are eating, especially lots of nuts, beans ect. It should help with the work out!!!
Prayers and Luck,
Lexy
Posted by mrs c on March 4, 2004, at 20:49:00
In reply to Evening everyone, posted by mystic on March 4, 2004, at 19:24:12
Holy Smokes Mystic! Did I forget to mention that I am also extremely afraid of going to the dentist. Yes, I have dental anxiety. I sweat, my heart races, I cry, I put bruises on my hands from squeezing myself so tight. Anyway, what I'm wondering about the Lex is if it's okay to mix with pain med. like codeine. I know that he will prescribe it cause he has in the past but I'm not sure if it's okay to take it and I really don't want to tell him I'm on the Lexapro. I will if I have to though. Maybe I should just call my primary doc and ask her.
Glad to hear that you made it through another day and that you were able to tolerate your Zanax. I'm proud of you for trying to exercise even if it didn't help you feel any better. Keep at it, maybe it takes some time to kick in. I'll check in with you tomorrow. Mrs. C
Posted by Journeyman on March 4, 2004, at 21:10:55
In reply to RE: journeyman, posted by mystic on March 3, 2004, at 21:07:05
Hello Mystic,
Thank you for your kind words. All the people who post on this board, including you, make this a very important and meaningful community.
May you find the acceptance you long for, realizing that all you ever need to have and be is not to be found elsewhere; it is already dwelling in you.
Journeyman
Posted by mystic on March 4, 2004, at 21:19:56
In reply to Re: Evening everyone, posted by mrs c on March 4, 2004, at 20:49:00
Mrs C....You wouldnt believe how many people are terribly phobic about the dentist..and a lot of them take a xanax or something before they go and that is fine to do..Some people even take it just to get their teeth cleaned...My advise to you is dont let you dental needs get away from you because it is very important as to avoid other procedures...I would definately give your primary a call and ask him so that you can avoid having to divulge it to your dentist...I know that you know that this is a very common thing and that everyone even people you would never dream of have this problem but for whatever reason you dont want to tell the dentist is your own..But the most important is for you to FEEL COMFORTABLE so that you can get through the visit..I know all to well how you feel..I had to go through a root canal a couple of weeks ago and I got through it but the anticipatory is the worst...I will say a special prayer for you and do call and find out the med info from your regular dr and avoid stressing about telling your dentist...Talk to you tomorrow ...take care...Your friend Mystic
Posted by Zena on March 4, 2004, at 23:17:04
In reply to Re: Insominia--LynneDa/Gator, posted by Anjul on March 4, 2004, at 17:44:28
Hi Anjul,
I feel for you if your having problems sleeping. I take 15mg. remeron & 1/2 klonopin before bedtime & sleep all night. I also take 10mg. in the morning around 8. This combo works very well for me.
Zena
Posted by Zena on March 4, 2004, at 23:23:36
In reply to Re: Insominia--LynneDa/Gator, posted by Zena on March 4, 2004, at 23:17:04
> Hi Anjul,
> I feel for you if your having problems sleeping. I take 15mg. remeron & 1/2 klonopin before bedtime & sleep all night. I also take 10mg. in the morning around 8. This combo works very well for me.
> ZenaI goofed. Forgot to tell you it's Lex 10mg. I take in the mornings. Sorry!!
Zena
Posted by gr00vy on March 5, 2004, at 1:03:06
In reply to Re: Question: Lexapro 5 and 10 » BobYuma, posted by Esmarelda on January 16, 2004, at 10:09:31
so i went to a doctor for a regular check-up the other day.
"you seem anxious," he says. this is the second time in a week and a half someone has said as much.
i am a new yorker, and a freelancer. that should be enough to make anyone anxious right there. i also have a bad living situation - a roommate who keeps inviting people to live in our apartment (and so i've given notice and i'm moving out, and i don't yet know where but i have about 28 days to find out, and come up with the money to do so).
anxious? duh.
there was another point in my life where i was this stressed out, and i happened to get a regular check up then, too - and the doctor pushed a head pill on me (prozac). a more manic person didn't exist in new york during the month i took that garbage.
i tell this to my new doctor.
"you're probably bipolar," he says - that's what happens to bipolar people who take prozac."
but now he wants me to take this?
unlike my younger, stupider years, i now refuse to put anything in my mouth that hasn't been properly researched. call me vain but the side effects seem worse than the benefits with Lexapro (call me vain but weight gain is the last thing i need to make me feel happier).
thanks for the samples, doc. they were awfully fun to flush.
Posted by simus on March 5, 2004, at 1:20:23
In reply to is my doctor nuts?, posted by gr00vy on March 5, 2004, at 1:03:06
People shouldn't take psychiatric drugs without very serious consideration first. I can't fathom why anyone would take them unless they absolutely had to. They should be a last resort. So...keep flushing.
Posted by Bubbasmom on March 5, 2004, at 1:42:07
In reply to Re: is my doctor nuts? » gr00vy, posted by simus on March 5, 2004, at 1:20:23
Hi All;
Just spent about two hours reading everyone's posts from the last week. Today I just want to say thank you to everyone who posts here because there is such a great support network and I feel like I can come to all of you with any question or gripe that I may have without being judged. I am now on week 3 and things are continuing to improve for me. I still have to occasional anxious feelings but am generally doing much better. I no longer feel like a failure. I am trying to remember that I can only change those things that are within my power to change. This is a hard thing for me because I want to be the peacemaker. I am trying to recognize and accept my limits, however frustrating they may seem. Thanks to everyone for listening and being so supportive as I embark on this journey!
Michelle
Posted by BLKVETTES on March 5, 2004, at 2:42:18
In reply to Re: Lexapro Dosing Info--You may find this useful » meow mary, posted by johnray on March 4, 2004, at 19:35:58
> > I saw my doctor today. He said he's been getting a lot of disappointed responses from his patients who have been at 10mgs, and thinks there is a certain amount of "hype" about that dosage being effective--especially in the case of OCD where a higher dosage is usually required. He doubled my dosage, although he said it would be fine to start with 15 at first.
>
>
> Fellow Lexapro users may find this interesting. I started on 10 mg. of Lex for severe anxiety and after four and a half weeks I felt like the anxiety was just modestly improved while the nausea and sexual side effets were very noticable. I had the strange feeling of being sleepy and anxious at the same time. My pdr said to go to 20 because most people who can tolerate 10 have no problem with the higher dose. When I got home I took another 5 mgs. intending to go up to 15 first and then 20.
> In about an hour and a half I had a major anxiety attack that lasted around six hours. What I ended up doing was making a solution of one 20 mg. Lex tablet in 20 ml distilled water or saline and slowly raised my dose 1/2 mg. every few days. Even this was a bit touchy. I found that at 12 mgs. the anxiety started to noticably improve. I'm now at 13 mgs. and am just about fine. So it looks like small differences in dose can trans late into big differences in effect. I plan to use the Lex as cover so I can transition back to Imipramine without the start-up anxiety with that drug and slowly eliminate the Lex. No sex is no fun and fairly small doses of Imipramine will keep anxiety at tolerable levels. I plan to try Pregabalin at the earliest opportunity and hopefully use this to replace my clonazapam.
>
>I take 7.5mgs of lex and have been there for about 7 months. I played lab rat with myself until I found a dose that worked. I must have changed my dose 50 times. Anytime I went up to 10mg. the anxiety was pretty bad. A few mgs. can make a huge difference.
WAYNE
Posted by Anjul on March 5, 2004, at 6:44:18
In reply to Re: Insominia--LynneDa/Gator, posted by Zena on March 4, 2004, at 23:17:04
Zena,
All I know of Remeron is the reported major weight gain. What has been your experience with the side effects of this combo? Thanks so much!! Anjul
Posted by Zena on March 5, 2004, at 8:50:29
In reply to Re: Insominia-Zena, posted by Anjul on March 5, 2004, at 6:44:18
Anjul,
I haven't gained any weight on the remeron & I've been on it for almost two years. I am on week 4 of Lex -so far no weight gain. I walk/jog 5 days a week & watch my diet closely. No caffeine & lots of fruits & vegs.Let me know if you decide to take remeron. It's wonderful for sleep.
Zena
Posted by BobYuma on March 5, 2004, at 9:15:49
In reply to Re: Lexapro Dosing Info--Final thought on Lex dose, posted by johnray on March 4, 2004, at 19:50:34
> > There is, in my opinion, no posible way that 10 mgs. of Lex can be as effective as 200 mgs. of Zoloft as claimed in a Forrest Lab sponsored study.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >Lexapro's active ingredient is Escitalopram Oxalate.
Zoloft's active ingredient is Sertraline Hydrochloride.Both Aspirin and Imitrex (active ingredient: sumatriptan) are taken for headaches. Many people take two Aspirin for their headache, which would be around 650 mg. Other people with headaches take Imitrex, the average dose being 50 mg.
Would you argue that one should take 650 mg of Imitrex in order to obtain the same pain relief that you'd receive from 650 mg of Aspirin?
BobYuma
Posted by mystic on March 5, 2004, at 10:03:02
In reply to Re: Lexapro Dosing Info--Final thought on Lex dose, posted by BobYuma on March 5, 2004, at 9:15:49
Hello everyone ....Me again...Had a rough night..couldnt sleep had terrible thoughts of where to turn if this does not work and how I was going to go on living with this darkness...Will it ever go away and will I ever be normal again..I felt pretty good after the first 2 weeks now I'm into the 4th and am hearing about how bad the 5th can be and how it might be until week 9 before I feel any difference..Afraid to be alone right now...Afraid to be with people...Afraid of everything...I have a Drs appt at 1...I know he is going to want me to increase and I'm not sure that is the answer...I desperately do not want to gain the weight that I have heard you can and the flat feeling when you increase...It is sooo confusing...I'm really sorry I'm a downer today just had to vent so desperately..Thank you for listening..and I'm truely sorry for anyone reading this and thinking that the Lex is not a good idea...My body is very touchy with meds as far as side effects...Everyone have a great day...Mystic
Posted by Anjul on March 5, 2004, at 10:20:05
In reply to Re: Insominia-Zena, posted by Zena on March 5, 2004, at 8:50:29
I will talk to my pdoc. about remeron. I have hep c and have to watch out for my liver with most meds. I have been on Lex since October and have lost about 8 lbs. I am careful, too. The only problem with Lex for me (other than utter insomnia) is no orgasms. Anjul.
Posted by MarkD on March 5, 2004, at 10:21:26
In reply to Re: LONG lexapro support and a ? » MarkD, posted by kellieann7 on March 3, 2004, at 23:07:09
Kell, thank you for the post, sorry it tok me a few days to get to it, yes im on the 10mg of LEX a day and have the anxiety level go up about 6 hours after taking it, that does not bother me much though, shaking hands, palpitations and a few hot flashes from time to time, their harmless like every other symptom. I am anxious and high strung physically like your hubby though so i assume thats why my anxiety seems a bit higher then it should, i really do not feel depressed but the doc said he wanted to lower my anxiety with Lex while the anti side of the drug conteracted the anxiety supressing side,,,half of one 6 of another who knows...
I feel i should just stop taking the Lex and just take my Blood Pressure meds like ive been doing for years, doc thinks that my anxiety level is part of my BP problem...
anyway just rattling on here, thank you again for your input..
Mark
Posted by mystic on March 5, 2004, at 10:33:53
In reply to Re: Insominia-Zena, posted by Anjul on March 5, 2004, at 10:20:05
Anjul...can I ask you what dosage you are on??..thanks Mystic
Posted by ednababish on March 5, 2004, at 10:52:19
In reply to Not a good day!!!, posted by mystic on March 5, 2004, at 10:03:02
Mystic--Sorry to hear you feel so badly, but if it's any help I've taken three antidepressants and have never had flat feelings OR put on weight. In fact I've taken it off. Eat sensibly and exercise and that shouldn't be a problem. As for flat feelings, I've felt peaceful, even a little careless, but after all the turmoil in my life peaceful is nice. However, I am given to understand that some folks miss their raging emotions--my father did when he took Celexa, he complained it gave him "Fits of euphoria!" which gave my sister and I fits of giggles. The point is that he was iuncomfortable with feeling anything other than the angst he lived with his whole life and it scared him. I am all for raising a dosage where needed, and I truly don't believe that 10 is the magical mgs for Lexapro. I take 15mgs, but am not adverse to upping it when necessary. Good luck and God Bless. Edna Babish
Posted by mystic on March 5, 2004, at 10:54:43
In reply to Re: Insominia-Zena, posted by mystic on March 5, 2004, at 10:33:53
Hello everyone...Keep forgeting to add this to the post...I know that there have been quite a few people that have complained about clenching with Lexapro..It work in the dental field and if you have a problem with this you really should check with your dentist in regards to a Nightguard which is a hard appliance that goes on your lower teeth and you wear it at night or whenever you are stressed or know that you are clenching to prevent tooth breakage..It wont prevent the clenching but you can do damage to your teeth from the clenching...You can crack your teeth while you are sleeping and this would not be good...Just wanted to put that out there some people dont realize that they can really do damage to their teeth and most of the time you dont even realize that you are clenching..Thanks..Mystic
Posted by want info on March 5, 2004, at 11:00:20
In reply to Not a good day!!!, posted by mystic on March 5, 2004, at 10:03:02
hey guys...i feel like i am losing my mind...i messed up my birth control pills this week and this morning put on 2 different (though similar) shoes to go to work! i'm in my second day of week 4 on lexapro. what's wrong with me?
emily
Posted by BLKVETTES on March 5, 2004, at 11:00:44
In reply to Re: Lexapro Dosing Info--Final thought on Lex dose, posted by BobYuma on March 5, 2004, at 9:15:49
> > > There is, in my opinion, no posible way that 10 mgs. of Lex can be as effective as 200 mgs. of Zoloft as claimed in a Forrest Lab sponsored study.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
>
> Lexapro's active ingredient is Escitalopram Oxalate.
> Zoloft's active ingredient is Sertraline Hydrochloride.
>
> Both Aspirin and Imitrex (active ingredient: sumatriptan) are taken for headaches. Many people take two Aspirin for their headache, which would be around 650 mg. Other people with headaches take Imitrex, the average dose being 50 mg.
>
> Would you argue that one should take 650 mg of Imitrex in order to obtain the same pain relief that you'd receive from 650 mg of Aspirin?
> BobYuma
>
>YO, you explained that nicely!!!!!
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