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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by susielalala on March 9, 2004, at 22:21:57
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
Hi all! I am on my seventh day of lexapro. I actually hated it for the 1st 5 days. I had the worse side effects. I had bad anxiety, nervousness and my moods were really swinging. Yesterday it actually felt a little better. I was still nervouse but the anxiety seemed a little better, my moods are still a little crazy but they seem better. I am gonna stick with it for awhile and give it a chance to work. Oh by the way I am having some real wild dreams.
Posted by magdalena on March 9, 2004, at 23:35:54
In reply to Re: HELP..WHEN WILL THE ANXIETY END!!!!, posted by KathrynLex on March 8, 2004, at 13:58:02
i just started taking paxil this week after suffering with anxiety and depression (from the anxiety) for 5 years, Im 23. I thought i could 'get over it' on my own but instead i became secluded and avoid a million places and developed a few phobias instead. i am on day 4 of paxil and feel a little 'off'. The thing is on day 3 of taking these meds i had a REALLY bad anxiety attack at work but had to stay there cause i cant just leave work. This feeling was so bad its been at least 3 years since i had one so bad, does anyone know if its because of the paxil?
i hope somebody out there can ease my mind about this... its making me feel hopeless to be on meds, i just dont know what else to do.:(
thanks for listening, anything you can tell me might help..*sniff*
Posted by jlynne on March 10, 2004, at 1:56:09
In reply to Re: HELP..WHEN WILL THE ANXIETY END!!!!, posted by magdalena on March 9, 2004, at 23:35:54
Magdalena, I had a bad experience on Paxil several years ago, but I am not sure if it was the same as yours. With me, the anxiety started right away on the first day, and got progressively worse. By the third day, I was dangerous to be around! I had to stop taking it. However, Paxil has helped many people, including some who post here.
I would suggest that you talk to your doctor about your concerns, and keep coming back to this board; it is a very supportive place to be. I have been visiting here for about a month now, but this is the first time I have posted. I saw that it is late at night, and I didn't want you to go too long without hearing from someone.
I understand your feeling of being "hopeless on meds". I am 54 yrs old and have been trying for almost 30 yrs to find "the right one". I am just starting my 5th week of Lexapro, getting ready to up from 10mg to 15mg, and I have to be honest - if it weren't for the support I have found here (even though this is the first anyone has heard from me) I would have given up on the Lex because of the side effects. If the Paxil doesn't work out for you, I am sure that your doctor can come up with an alternative - don't give up. We are all here for you.
> i just started taking paxil this week after suffering with anxiety and depression (from the anxiety) for 5 years, Im 23. I thought i could 'get over it' on my own but instead i became secluded and avoid a million places and developed a few phobias instead. i am on day 4 of paxil and feel a little 'off'. The thing is on day 3 of taking these meds i had a REALLY bad anxiety attack at work but had to stay there cause i cant just leave work. This feeling was so bad its been at least 3 years since i had one so bad, does anyone know if its because of the paxil?
>
> i hope somebody out there can ease my mind about this... its making me feel hopeless to be on meds, i just dont know what else to do.:(
>
> thanks for listening, anything you can tell me might help..*sniff*
>
Posted by LynneDa on March 10, 2004, at 8:46:00
In reply to Re: another bad day..., posted by wantinfo on March 9, 2004, at 18:37:30
I'm on 20, went directly from 10 and it wasn't bad. My mini anxiety/panic attacks went away pretty quickly on 20 and the week before my periods has improved each month (3 cycles so far). I'm pretty sensitive to meds so was nervous to up that much, but it really was fine! Have a wonderful day, it's sunny where I am, hope it is for you too :-).
~ Lynne
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>thanks lynne...are you on 20? my doc wants me to skip directly to 20 from 10 but i am afraid...
Posted by LynneDa on March 10, 2004, at 8:52:55
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro?, posted by susielalala on March 9, 2004, at 22:21:57
Hi Susielala -
Glad to hear you are doing better. It is amazing how quickly it can work. Your s/e's sound very normal and may take another week to really diminish. Weird dreams have been reported by others! Give your body time to adjust and I think you'll be happy with the results, I know I am!
~ Lynne
(20 mg Lex, 4 months)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Hi all! I am on my seventh day of lexapro. I actually hated it for the 1st 5 days. I had the worse side effects. I had bad anxiety, nervousness and my moods were really swinging. Yesterday it actually felt a little better. I was still nervouse but the anxiety seemed a little better, my moods are still a little crazy but they seem better. I am gonna stick with it for awhile and give it a chance to work. Oh by the way I am having some real wild dreams.
Posted by LynneDa on March 10, 2004, at 8:57:25
In reply to Re: HELP..WHEN WILL THE ANXIETY END!!!!, posted by magdalena on March 9, 2004, at 23:35:54
Hey Magdalena - Hang in there! I'm on Lex not Pax, but I imagine they are similar in that a takes a few weeks for your body to adjust to the meds. Give it some time - increased anxiety at the beginning has been reported by everyone on this board! Just go easy on yourself and realize it is just a stage you have to go through to get to the good part :-)
~ Lynne
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>i just started taking paxil this week after
suffering with anxiety and depression (from the anxiety) for 5 years, Im 23. I thought i could 'get over it' on my own but instead i became secluded and avoid a million places and developed a few phobias instead. i am on day 4 of paxil and feel a little 'off'. The thing is on day 3 of taking these meds i had a REALLY bad anxiety attack at work but had to stay there cause i cant just leave work. This feeling was so bad its been at least 3 years since i had one so bad, does anyone know if its because of the paxil?
>
> i hope somebody out there can ease my mind about this... its making me feel hopeless to be on meds, i just dont know what else to do.:(
>
> thanks for listening, anything you can tell me might help..*sniff*
>
Posted by magdalena on March 10, 2004, at 12:19:33
In reply to Re: HELP..WHEN WILL THE ANXIETY END!!!! » magdalena, posted by LynneDa on March 10, 2004, at 8:57:25
Thanks so much for the posts you guys, it makes me feel very lucky to have people who i can talk about this to. It makes me feel better knowing that many people have had similar experiences with the increase in anxiety while begining to take meds, it is my first time on them and i really want to get better so i will give them a fair trial. I am also going to go see a therapist or psychiatrist in a month thats the soonest date they have so hopefully that will help me as well. I dont know if i am just being delusional but i hope with a combination of the both (meds and talk) i can beat this thing out of me or at least to a minimum, that is i want to be able to get on with out the meds eventually and not be a complete basket case:)
i will post here more often, and thank you guys for taking the time to make me feel better, im here for you too.
jlynne, are you taking Lexapro for an anxiety disorder or a combination of things? what kind of side effects have you had so far?
hope everyone has a good day today:)Magdalena
Posted by mrs c on March 10, 2004, at 13:53:11
In reply to another bad day..., posted by wantinfo on March 9, 2004, at 15:45:28
I am wondering when you take your lex. Like you I feel anxious and jittery from Lexapro but mine occurs during the morning hours. It lasts until about noon. I take my lex right before bed and sleep pretty well all night. It's when I wake up that I feel the jitters. Just a thought for you. Mrs. C
Posted by KathrynLex on March 10, 2004, at 13:55:32
In reply to Re: another bad day..., posted by wantinfo on March 9, 2004, at 18:36:33
Hi Emily,
Your doctor wants you to go right to 20 mgs? I think you should do what is comfortable. If slowly increasing to 15 mgs, then 20 mgs is easier I think you should tell your pdoc that's what you want to do. On the other hand, if your side effects (other than the anxiety) have been tolerable, you might have no problem increasing right to 20 mgs. Please let us know what you end up doing. Either way, I think you will be okay. Increasing right to 20 mgs might be a little more uncomfortable...but it could also take effect a lot faster and you might see results a lot sooner.
K.
> thank you kathryn...i almost never had panic before starting lex. that is SO interesting and makes me feel better that a higher dose may be necessary for anxiety. are you on 15 or 20? my doc says i should go right to 20, but i am nervous to.
> i know i will make it through but sometimes it seems so hopeless...and ive never been a depressed person. your story is inspiring to me!
> emily
Posted by KathrynLex on March 10, 2004, at 13:58:49
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro?, posted by susielalala on March 9, 2004, at 22:21:57
Hi Susie,
The first few weeks can be a little rough. I know exactly what you mean about the wild dreams. It's good to hear that things are getting a little easier for you. I'm glad you've decided to stick with it. I had to wait about 7 weeks before I noticed some very positive changes...but it's worth the wait.
K.
Posted by mrs c on March 10, 2004, at 14:10:15
In reply to Re: another bad day... » wantinfo, posted by KathrynLex on March 10, 2004, at 13:55:32
Hi Emily, My doctor also wanted me to go right to 20mgs from 10. I was not comfortable doing that though so I have started at 15mgs for now. I started Monday night and so far I feel pretty good. I do have some side effects but they are weaker than they were in the beginning. I'm okay with them now that I know what to expect and that it's normal. Bye for now. Mrs.C
Posted by want info on March 10, 2004, at 14:17:24
In reply to Re: another bad day..., posted by mrs c on March 10, 2004, at 13:53:11
i do take mine before bed...15 for the last two days...!!
Posted by skokie on March 10, 2004, at 16:37:49
In reply to another bad day..., posted by wantinfo on March 9, 2004, at 15:45:28
If you are having trouble with nausea and a poor appetite, go to the store and pick up some cans of Ensure or other type of liquid nutrition.
The generic brands from CVS and Walgreens are good too and are also less expensive. These drinks will give you the calories you need along with protein and other nutrients. If they are too strong-tasting for you, dilute them with a little bit of water. I had to use them in the morning when I was feeling really weak and occasionally once during the day when I needed a boost. You might also try a hearty, canned chicken noodle soup, or saltine crackers spread with peanut butter.
> hi all. i have not been doing well, still. today i have not eaten anything at all and had to leave work early because of massive anxiety (i told them i felt nauseous and lightheaded, which was true). i have felt out of sorts and dizzy all day (unsurprising since i havent eaten).
>
> my doc said to go to 20 (again i've been on 10 for 5 weeks). i left her a message asking if i should try 15 first. i've been waking up in the middle of the night shaky and sweating. overall i am terrified. i talked to my mom just now (26 and i still call my mom when im scared) and she was like its still early, you WILL get through this! but im so scared of the day to day. this morning i felt fine!
Posted by susielalala on March 10, 2004, at 17:49:15
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? » susielalala, posted by LynneDa on March 10, 2004, at 8:52:55
Thanks so much for your advice Lynn and Kathryn. I am going to stick with the Lex. I had a bad night last night, I woke up at 4 am with a panic attack. That is the fisrt one of those I have had in about 2 years. I have not clue why. Today I am a little nervous and depressed, feel out of sorts kind of. I guess that panic attack really drained me. I have xanex to take for my anxiety. Does it help? I just want all of us to feel better. I am praying for all of us. God bless!
Posted by KathrynLex on March 10, 2004, at 18:33:48
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? » LynneDa, posted by susielalala on March 10, 2004, at 17:49:15
Hi Susie,
Unfortunately, Lexapro can cause panic attacks for the first few weeks that you take it. (Read the package insert, it says that it can increase anxiety.) The good news is that it's a side effect that goes away once your body adjusts to the new medication. In the meantime, I've found that Xanax, Lorazepam or Klonopin is very helpful in stopping/lessening an attack.
I had a panic attack a little while ago and took .25 mgs for it...worked like a charm. I was back in bed, sound asleep and VERY comfortable within half an hour. And yes, I felt a little drained the next day. Panic attacks are exhausting!
You're mood might fluctuate a little in the next couple of weeks...but as time passes, your mood will improve and your anxiety/depression will decrease considerably. I still get anxious or depressed once in a great while but it's much easier to cope with. I'm very grateful to have found Lexapro.
I hope all of this is helpful and encouraging. We've all gone through an adjustment period on Lexapro, and I can assure you you're not alone.
K.
Posted by mrs c on March 10, 2004, at 18:42:42
In reply to Re: another bad day... » mrs c, posted by want info on March 10, 2004, at 14:17:24
Well, that puts my theory to rest. Hope tonight is better for you. Mrs. C
Posted by wantinfo on March 10, 2004, at 18:54:41
In reply to Re: another bad day..., posted by mrs c on March 10, 2004, at 18:42:42
awww thank you :) today was a bit better for me...took an extra xanax before bed and slept much better. tonight will be the 3rd night of 15mg lex...
Posted by mystic on March 10, 2004, at 20:50:45
In reply to Re: HELP..WHEN WILL THE ANXIETY END!!!!, posted by magdalena on March 9, 2004, at 23:35:54
I was on Paxil for 7 years and it worked well for me it worked with the anxiety the only problem well there are a couple but in the beginning I was very very anxious and did take xanax on a daily basis until it evened out a lot like the Lexapro which I'm on 10mgs now...2nd I gained about 45lbs on the Paxil and that is the reason that I went off gradually i had been on 10mgs for the last 3 years...and now went right from the paxil to the lexapro and trying to get situated with the lex...I also was very detached and not very caring when on the paxil but didnt realize it until after I was off...So there are good and bad but that is with everything...good luck to you Mystic
Posted by jlynne on March 10, 2004, at 23:12:47
In reply to Re: HELP..WHEN WILL THE ANXIETY END!!!!, posted by magdalena on March 10, 2004, at 12:19:33
Magdalena, I hope you are feeling better. How did today go? Any more anxiety?
As for your question, I am taking Lexapro for depression and anxiety, and a little OCD. The most prominent side effect for me is the insomnia (especially since I tend to obsess after I go to bed), but I am taking 1mg of Lorazepam for that (.5mg about an hour before I go to bed, and another .5mg about 1/2 hr before). One other side effect for me is the "wired/tired" feeling that you might hear people talking about. My anxiety went away fairly soon after I started the Lexapro, but it has started to come back over the weekend and that is why I am upping my dose this week.
You are so young, and you have such better choices for treatment than I did when I was your age. I have all the hope in the world that you will find your way. Please, don't let what I said in my first message discourage you. The meds I took before didn't work because my doctor didn't understand the insomnia piece, and she refused to give me anything to help me sleep. My current doctor is much more in tune with my needs. (Do you have a good relationship with your doctor?)
I hope I am not rambling on. It has been very hard for me to write this; I am on the verge of tears at this moment because I have social anxiety and this is almost like getting up in front of a crowded room for me. I will keep writing to you, though, because I know that I will be okay with it after I do it a few more times, and I know how important it is to share our experiences with each other. I am glad you landed on this site:) jlynne
P.S. Was I right about this site? Have you been getting some good feedback?
Posted by Dr. Bob on March 11, 2004, at 0:07:29
In reply to Re: another bad day... » mrs c, posted by wantinfo on March 10, 2004, at 18:54:41
Posted by mrs c on March 10, 2004, at 20:54:23
Tonight will also be my third night of 15mg Lex. Good luck to both of us. Fortunately I have never had an anxiety attack but from what I've heard they are horrible. I feel for you my friend and hope that you have found the solution by taking a xanax before bed. Bye for now. Mrs. C
Posted by Simus on March 11, 2004, at 0:34:59
In reply to Re: HELP..WHEN WILL THE ANXIETY END!!!!, posted by jlynne on March 10, 2004, at 23:12:47
>I am on the verge of tears at this moment because I have social anxiety and this is almost like getting up in front of a crowded room for me.
Thank you for your courage to post. In an attempt to make you smile, I understand it helps if you try to picture us in our e-underwear. (Virtual reality is the ONLY place, at 42 with two children, I will ever look good in thong underwear.) :D God bless.
Posted by Magdalena on March 11, 2004, at 0:36:37
In reply to Re: HELP..WHEN WILL THE ANXIETY END!!!!, posted by jlynne on March 10, 2004, at 23:12:47
yes, this site has helped me a lot i dont feel alone in this as much:) thank you so much for sharing with me jlynne, i know how hard it is to open up to other people its something i am trying to learn how to do better myself. I hope that somehow threw this i can offer you as much help as you have done for me. I dont really have a relationship with my doctor yet because it was my sisters MD that refered me to my new doctor who i will meet next month.
right now i am feeling better but i dont know if that has anything to do with the fact that i drank 2 beers tonite. i wanted to know if it would make me sick because my birthday is coming up and i would like to possibly go out for a bit with my friends and not test it then. no one around me really understands what i have or what i have been going through but they have been pretty good anyway.
I hope you are feeling good tonite and i wish you along with everyone out there that is suffering with this, comfort and happiness.i hope to hear how you are doing soon,;)
(Big Hug)Magdalena
p.s Mystic you were a great help too, i am fighting discouragement because of my sudden raise in anxiety but i will keep the faith in that in a few weeks i will feel considerably better:)
thank you all.
Posted by jlynne on March 11, 2004, at 1:21:24
In reply to Re: HELP..WHEN WILL THE ANXIETY END!!!! » jlynne, posted by Simus on March 11, 2004, at 0:34:59
>Thank you for your courage to post. In an attempt to make you smile, I understand it helps if you try to picture us in our e-underwear. (Virtual reality is the ONLY place, at 42 with two children, I will ever look good in thong underwear.) :D God bless.
Simus. . . I did smile - BIG! . . . then I cried again. You touched me. Thank you. Hard to write.
I know about hard to look good in a thong - - lost 35lbs, kept the skin:) Now you get to picture that! . . . will give more when I can. Bless you. jlynne
Posted by jlynne on March 11, 2004, at 2:44:01
In reply to Re: HELP..WHEN WILL THE ANXIETY END!!!!, posted by Magdalena on March 11, 2004, at 0:36:37
Magdalena, thank you for the hug - I could feel it:) Am glad you have people around who care. No way for them to understand if they haven't experienced it - that's okay, it's not necessary. Comfort comes from the heart, not the mind.
Big day tomorrow - grandson's b.d. (#15) - going to visit after work (safe place for me:). Lives 45 mi away - don't know if will be posting tomorrow night. Will be thinking of you tho. Hope you have pleasant uneventful day. Sometimes when anxiety gets bad I workout or run(through the house) or talk to myself outloud. Remember "This, too shall pass". May God hold you in his hands . . . jlynne
P.S. tomorrow I start the 15mg dose.
Posted by susielalala on March 11, 2004, at 8:23:34
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro?, posted by KathrynLex on March 10, 2004, at 18:33:48
Thank you so much again. You have really been a God send to me. I am still experiencing anxiety today. I have to go to work in a few minutes and feel awful. But I am not gonna give up on Lex. Last night when I went to bed I had bad anxiety and just layed there and prayed and finally went to sleep. I am hoping as you say it will go away. My depression is doing alot better. I went to the doctor yesterday. He is my family doc and he really doesnt know alot about the side effects and wanted to know if I wanted to switch already. ( He is the one who prescribed it to me) I said no I am gonna stick with it. He says that I seem to be doing better. So thanks again for your advice. :)
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