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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by mystic on March 11, 2004, at 20:27:11
In reply to New on Lexapro, posted by kateincali on March 11, 2004, at 19:07:10
Kate?...Totally normal was thinking when I first started Lexapro holy moly I hope that I sleep again I have always been a great sleeper and this bothered me but it eventually goes away along with the stomach upset and anxiety...so hang in there I'm on my 5th week and hopefully on the up hill slide...but I will let you in on a secret...These people in this post are angels and you are definately in the right place...hang in there and keep the faith...Mystic
Posted by BobYuma on March 11, 2004, at 20:41:59
In reply to New on Lexapro, posted by kateincali on March 11, 2004, at 19:07:10
> > I just began graduate school this past fall and low and behold began having panic attacks when speaking in my lectures or reading essays during class. I have been on Lexapro for 4 days and am having terrible insomnia. I am awakening at 4 a.m. every morning, am feeling highly anxious, sick to my stomach, and fuzzy headed. I have never taken any kind of medication and am wondering is this fairly normal? How long do these side effects usually last? Anyone have any words of wisdom? Thanks for reading.
> > > > > > > > > > > >
Hi, Kate.
To answer your questions, it's normal to experience nausea, fuzzy headedness, sleeplessness, and anxiousness. They're all side effects of Lexapro.Now for the good part, they do go away, in time. The amount of time seems to depend on the individual. Most seem to take anywhere from one to three months.
If it helps any, I experienced terrible headaches, sleeplessness, jaw clinching to the point that my jaws would actually ache, and anxiety attacks, all from Lexapro .. "but" ... I stayed on Lexapro because the positive effects were bigger than the negative.
If lack of sleep turns out to be a major problem (and it probably will), ask you doctor or druggist for something to help you sleep. That's important.
If the anxiety becomes too bothersome (mine did), then ask your doctor for something to help with that. I took Lorazepam.
Maybe somebody else can tell you what to do about the nausea, I didn't experience that one, thank God.Hopes this helps and makes you feel a bit better. At least you can know you're not alone, all of us here have either "been there" or are still there.
Take care and God Bless.
BobYuma
Posted by susielalala on March 11, 2004, at 21:23:23
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro?, posted by KathrynLex on March 10, 2004, at 18:33:48
I just want to let you all know that you have made me feel so much better. I am on my 9th day of Lexapro. I have gone through hell. I thought I was the only one, until I found this sight. You have no idea how much all of your input has helped. thank you. I problaby would of wuit if it wasnt for this sight. I hope the best for all of you. I will continue to keep praying for all of you.
God Bless!
Posted by Sent4 on March 11, 2004, at 21:28:51
In reply to New on Lexapro, posted by kateincali on March 11, 2004, at 19:07:10
I'm on my 2nd week. My se's were nausea, chills, anxiety. I'm still having trouble sleeping. The nausea, anxiety and sleeplessness were my original symptoms when I went to my Dr for a check up. My main se now is being so sleepy all day. I am encouraged by these postings that these se's will go away. Thanks so much to all the posters here, I thought I was alone in this. :)
Posted by Dr. Bob on March 12, 2004, at 2:21:49
In reply to Re: HELP..WHEN WILL THE ANXIETY END!!!!, posted by jlynne on March 11, 2004, at 2:44:01
> Magdalena, thank you for the hug - I could feel it:)
It's great to support each other, that's the idea here, but I'd like to redirect follow-ups that aren't about medication, like the above, to Psycho-Social-Babble. Here's a link:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20040305/msgs/321962.html
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by mrs c on March 12, 2004, at 7:54:20
In reply to New on Lexapro, posted by kateincali on March 11, 2004, at 19:07:10
Hi,
Welcome to the board. Your symptoms are very typical. If you go back and read some old posts from this board you will see a wide range of side effects from lexapro. What you are experiencing has happened to many of us, me included. Rest assured, it does pass within a couple of weeks, maybe sooner. This is a wonderful and supportive sight so if you need help or just need to vent about things, we're here. Mrs. C
Posted by mrs c on March 12, 2004, at 7:58:01
In reply to YOU HAVE ALL BEEN SO HELPFUL!!!, posted by susielalala on March 11, 2004, at 21:23:23
Hi, you sound just like I did when I first found this sight. The relief that I felt when I discovered that there were others out there experiencing the same things was huge! I am on my fifth month of lexapro. I started at 10mgs but now have began to take 15. I am feeling pretty good and pray that soon you will begin to feel better. Keep the faith and come to this board often, it really does help tremendously! Mrs. C
Posted by mrs c on March 12, 2004, at 8:00:46
In reply to Redirect: general support, posted by Dr. Bob on March 12, 2004, at 2:21:49
> > Magdalena, thank you for the hug - I could feel it:)
>
> It's great to support each other, that's the idea here, but I'd like to redirect follow-ups that aren't about medication, like the above, to Psycho-Social-Babble. Here's a link:
>
> http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20040305/msgs/321962.html
>
> Thanks,
>
> BobDr. Bob,
I am concerned that alot of messages that I tried to check today weren't found. Are you by chance re-directing some of these automatically to your social site? I rely on these people every day for support and look forward to hearing from them. If this is something that you are doing I would please like to know. Thanks for such a great site! Mrs. C
Posted by Dr. Bob on March 12, 2004, at 8:56:05
In reply to Re: Redirect: general support-Dr. Bob, posted by mrs c on March 12, 2004, at 8:00:46
> > http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20040305/msgs/321962.html
>
> I am concerned that alot of messages that I tried to check today weren't found. Are you by chance re-directing some of these automatically to your social site?Did you try checking there, too? :-)
Bob
Posted by want info on March 12, 2004, at 9:01:59
In reply to Re: emily, posted by mystic on March 11, 2004, at 18:26:49
hi mystic...i feel the same way! i dont like to say im feeling ebtter bc im afraid it will go away. i definitely dont feel 100% AT ALL but i dont feel completely panicked, and i have begun to eat again so that is good. i also dont feel quite so much like im about to lose my mind. how are YOU feeling?
Posted by dzinegirl on March 12, 2004, at 9:02:50
In reply to New on Lexapro, posted by kateincali on March 11, 2004, at 19:07:10
Hang in there. I had insomnia for 3 days in a row, when I started. I had been taking my dosage at night after dinner. I switched to early am and its much better. I sleep at night now. It was bad in the beginning but will get better in a week and slowly the se will fade. Im on my 4th week and feel better.
good luck to you.
dzinegirl
Posted by mystic on March 12, 2004, at 9:06:41
In reply to Re: emily » mystic, posted by want info on March 12, 2004, at 9:01:59
Emily...glad to hear it...for me not sure not a good day I dont think..Had a bad night..fell asleep on the couch and woke up with panic for some reason went to bed and didnt feel much better just a strange panic feeling that didnt want to go away..Have a drs appt this morning and sure that they will try to get me to up to 15mgs was hoping to just stay on the 10mgs but not sure that will happen...took my xanax this morning and we will see how the rest of the day goes...Bob had written a post that we were supposed to post on another sight not sure what that means not sure where that is ...any ideas...will wait to hear back from him...hope you have a great day take care and keep the faith...Mystic
Posted by want info on March 12, 2004, at 9:09:19
In reply to Re: emily, posted by mystic on March 12, 2004, at 9:06:41
hi again mystic...i wasnt in the office yesterday so am just receiving these posts now. i went up to 15 this week and i think that is why im feeling ebtter. my pdoc said even 20 really isnt a high dose and i shouldnt worry about going up to that. but i am stickign with 15 for now. i think it might help you! EM
Posted by want info on March 12, 2004, at 9:10:50
In reply to Re: YOU HAVE ALL BEEN SO HELPFUL!!!, posted by mrs c on March 12, 2004, at 7:58:01
hi there...how is the 15 working for you? i'm on my 4th day and i think i really do feel a bit better. i'm also on .25 xanax twice a day...and still feel a bit weird...but i can feel parts of my old self returning?
Posted by mystic on March 12, 2004, at 9:12:28
In reply to Re: emily » mystic, posted by want info on March 12, 2004, at 9:09:19
Hello everyone....Well after having a great 4 days and now crashing again...Have an appt with the dr today but very discouraged and not sure what to do about this lexapro...It seems like a tease for me I have great days then wake up in the morning and just know what kind of day it is going to be....Had a terrible night just different panic than usual and really surprised me because it was not familiar to me...But have a to see what the drs suggests I'm sure it will be to up the dosage to 15mgs...thanks for listening..Have a great day...Mystic
Posted by want info on March 12, 2004, at 9:15:18
In reply to New on Lexapro, posted by kateincali on March 11, 2004, at 19:07:10
hey there. sounds like we are about the same age! i have had the s/e's too. sometimes i feel like i dont know where i am or who im with...of course rationally i do, but i get so anxious that i talk myself into thinking im going crazy. its really scary. ive just upped from 10mg to 15 and i definitely have good days and bad. im happy to talk if you need to. EM
Posted by want info on March 12, 2004, at 9:15:38
In reply to New on Lexapro, posted by kateincali on March 11, 2004, at 19:07:10
hey there. sounds like we are about the same age! i have had the s/e's too. sometimes i feel like i dont know where i am or who im with...of course rationally i do, but i get so anxious that i talk myself into thinking im going crazy. its really scary. ive just upped from 10mg to 15 and i definitely have good days and bad. im happy to talk if you need to. EM
Posted by ednababish on March 12, 2004, at 10:31:35
In reply to Re: New on Lexapro - kateincali, posted by BobYuma on March 11, 2004, at 20:41:59
Dear Kate,
I really feel for you--I just got my Ph.D. last December. The stress and strain of graduate work was so overwhelming I dragged my feet for five years on writing my dissertation. I didn't think I would ever finish it, that I would always regret never having finished and always be a failure. It took a year on celexa to finish, decide to have a baby (which I was too much of a mess to ever consider prior to that), do my first conference, reach a constructive decision concerning my marriage-- a whole slew of things I couldn't face without the help of an antidepressant. Although I have had a history of depression since I was 15, graduate school brought on full blown panic disorder--two related conditions. You are not alone--I've been there, Lexy is there, as are countless others who post here. Hang in there, get your work done to the best of your ability (it does not have to be perfect), and soon you will find that although grad school is possibly the most inhumane thing anyone ever puts themselves through, you will make it.
Edna Babish
Posted by declaring grace on March 12, 2004, at 10:39:49
In reply to Re: New on Lexapro, posted by Sent4 on March 11, 2004, at 21:28:51
I am on day 4 of taking 10mg of Lex and for the first time in my life I am having anxiety attacks. I feel like I am jumping out of my skin. My doctor said to try only taking 5mg.. what do the lex users recommend ? ?
Posted by Sent4 on March 12, 2004, at 10:46:21
In reply to Day 4 on LEX, jumping out of my skin..help, posted by declaring grace on March 12, 2004, at 10:39:49
"I am on day 4 of taking 10mg of Lex and for the first time in my life I am having anxiety attacks. I feel like I am jumping out of my skin. My doctor said to try only taking 5mg.. what do the lex users recommend ? ? "
I felt that way, too. I'm on week 2 and the anxiety attacks are better. Why not cut down to 5mg like your doctor suggested? You can always increase to 10mg again, later.
It's funny that the se's of Lexapro duplicate and increase many of the original symptoms we suffer from due to anxiety & depression, isn't it?
Posted by declaring grace on March 12, 2004, at 10:49:32
In reply to Re: Day 4 on LEX, jumping out of my skin..help » declaring grace, posted by Sent4 on March 12, 2004, at 10:46:21
How much lex are you taking ? ? I don't know how having anxiety attacks is going to help my depression.
Posted by linnie on March 12, 2004, at 11:10:17
In reply to Day 4 on LEX, jumping out of my skin..help, posted by declaring grace on March 12, 2004, at 10:39:49
> I am on day 4 of taking 10mg of Lex and for the first time in my life I am having anxiety attacks. I feel like I am jumping out of my skin. My doctor said to try only taking 5mg.. what do the lex users recommend ? ?
I was having anxiety on 10mgs of lex. After 4 weeks, i increased the dosage to15mgs and the anxiety is gone. Stick with it but you may have to increase the dose to feel the total releif. I don't kniw why it affects some of use that way.
linnie
Posted by want info on March 12, 2004, at 11:40:05
In reply to Re: Day 4 on LEX, jumping out of my skin..help, posted by linnie on March 12, 2004, at 11:10:17
hey linnie...i just switched 4 days ago from 10 to 15. how long after switching did your anxiety go away? thanks, emily
Posted by linnie on March 12, 2004, at 13:24:06
In reply to Re: Day 4 on LEX, jumping out of my skin..help » linnie, posted by want info on March 12, 2004, at 11:40:05
> hey linnie...i just switched 4 days ago from 10 to 15. how long after switching did your anxiety go away? thanks, emily
It took about 4 to 5 days to feel better, so hang in there.
Posted by micro on March 12, 2004, at 17:42:43
In reply to Day 4 on LEX, jumping out of my skin..help, posted by declaring grace on March 12, 2004, at 10:39:49
> I am on day 4 of taking 10mg of Lex and for the first time in my life I am having anxiety attacks. I feel like I am jumping out of my skin. My doctor said to try only taking 5mg.. what do the lex users recommend ? ?
Hello,
The se's of most ad's appear within the first 2 weeks of administration if you cannot wait for your anxiety to subside consider a small dose of a beta- blocker such as inderal or atenolol. If this does not work a very low dose of a benzo may be added. Others will notice improvement before you will, [if it is working] but you must give the med time to work. If you have no results within 4 to 6 weeks this med is not for you. Please have it switched. It is not uncommon for panic like symtoms to increase if you are nervous at the outset of therapy. Take care. Micro
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