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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by nikkij2626 on May 6, 2006, at 9:04:17
In reply to Re: lexapro -IBS » vero, posted by Phil on January 20, 2003, at 20:47:45
I took lexapro about 2 years ago and it worked wonders. the only 2 problems i had was gaining 10 pounds and loss of sex drive. which in my book was worth it to feel great again. but i stopped taking it, because i thought i was ok. and now i started to take it again. I take it for stress and bad anxiety. So good luck.
Posted by MercyMe on June 9, 2006, at 17:01:38
In reply to Re: how exapro has helped and effected other users » ginad37, posted by miggy on May 3, 2006, at 8:10:39
Taking Lexapro is like someone pushed the NORMAL button for me! I was on Wellbutrin, a small dose of Lithium and Topamax and still was riddled with anxiety and crying all the time, as well as a sense of hopelessness. Two weeks on Lexapro and it all stopped. I have gained 10 pounds though. I'm sure that's directly related to my increase in appetite, and I suppose that's a side effect of the drug. But I'd rather be fat and happy than the way I was before. I have developed myoclonis which is that jerking of the body one often gets when falling asleep, although mine is more pronounced. It could be exacerbated from another medical problem I have that has to do with my central nervous system. I was taking my higher dose of Lexapro at night and my doc just had me reverse it. We'll see if it helps. I say it's a wonder drug. I remember taking Celexa years ago and went back to Prozac because it didn't work very well for me. ~~ MercyMe
Posted by razzles on July 4, 2006, at 7:56:58
In reply to Checking in Again After Less Time, posted by Journeyman on December 20, 2005, at 18:55:56
Hi, I stopped Lexapro thinking I was fine and hating the 25 pound gain. Well, must be completely out of my system now and GAD is back.
Muscle jerks all night long, thought I was dying, every noise woke me and made me jump.
Guess I am going to take meds no matter how great I think I am. My mom had this and now I inherited it. Hate pills. Hate the weight, not good for my heart problem. Double time at the gym now I figure and cross my fingers that works.
Just venting from a night of mental torment. Thanks for any comments or suggestions.
Posted by lil' jimi on July 5, 2006, at 11:59:54
In reply to Re: Checking in Again After Less Time, posted by razzles on July 4, 2006, at 7:56:58
hi razzles,
> Hi, I stopped Lexapro thinking I was fine and hating the 25 pound gain. Well, must be completely out of my system now and GAD is back.
>
> Muscle jerks all night long, thought I was dying, every noise woke me and made me jump.
>
> Guess I am going to take meds no matter how great I think I am. My mom had this and now I inherited it. Hate pills. Hate the weight, not good for my heart problem. Double time at the gym now I figure and cross my fingers that works.
> Just venting from a night of mental torment. Thanks for any comments or suggestions.sorry things are being so rough for you.
best of good luck with finding relief.
i would have guessed you were staying up late, since you're replying to Journeyman's old post there.
i'd LOVE to hear how he's doing.
not that i'd imagine you'd have any idea, of course.
it just took me back to that place, that seems so long ago now.i'm still the same ol', same ol'
... 10mg a day for more than 3 years.
i take it along with my supplements, like omega oils, minerals and ginseng; all in a big hand-full GULP!but my symptoms have never been severe like.
i'm a cheap med-head.
what can i say?our other late night viewers may amuse themselves by searching my name in this thread.
there's a lot of wisdom in this old thread.
ah, back in the day.
we were keeping the camp fires burning there for a while.!!! TAKE CARE!!
~ just plain "jim"
Posted by Journeyman on July 22, 2006, at 11:15:45
In reply to Re: Checking in Again After Less Time, posted by lil' jimi on July 5, 2006, at 11:59:54
Jim - I'm doing pretty well, thank you. I hope you are too.
To those of you who are new(er) to this board and have read more than just a handful of messages, you'll see suggestions that you go back and read through old posts. So what are you waiting for?
You didn't develop your depression and anxiety overnight; it probably took years. Perhaps you grew up in an environment where you weren't valued for who you were, or where your mom or dad or some other important person tried to get their own needs met through you. You didn't have the chance to be cared for as you should have been, and the threat of being cut off by the very people whose job it was to care for you threatened your very existence. Of course you were anxious and scared! And it became a part of your way of thinking. Whatever your own story, the mental conditioning probably didn't happen overnight, and it's not going to disappear overnight either; so you've got some time as you work your own program to recovery. Read them. They're more interesting than that late-night television stuff anyway.
What will you read about in the messages? You'll learn that for some people, Lexapro was not suitable at all, and that for others it has had a profound effect by helping them to cope/get strengthened/reduce their anxiety so that their natural impulses can help take over and take care.
Another message you'll discern is that you're not alone. There are lots and lots of others who are making the struggle to approach life one day at a time.
You'll also see that people get to where they're going by different paths. They've tried this combination and that, and they'll continue to search until they find what they need.
You'll also read what may seem like a bunch of junk. But hey, we're human - welcome to the club.
You'll see people who are (at least temporarily) giving up, and others who are winning the battle to know in their hearts that they are okay. You have the power to choose which ones you'll be like.
And with some time, and taking care of yourself mentally, physically, and spiritually - you are also very likely to find the most important thing you're looking for: the awareness that you belong. That you are perfectly acceptable just as you are, and in fact, are worth celebrating.
May your journey bring you appreciation and wisdom of its own adventure.
Posted by dilutedlexapro on July 24, 2006, at 22:42:33
In reply to Keep Hope Have an Open Mind, posted by Journeyman on July 22, 2006, at 11:15:45
I have been taking 10 mg of lexapro diluted in 8 oz of water for about 1.5 yrs. It has been literally a lifesavor. I had tried for many years and many uncontrolable bouts of depression or maybe it was the panic disorder. I know I have had some serious panic attacks that I could'nt seem to get out of. I was HORRIBLE. I have a question for any body who takes lexapro, have you noticed considerable weight gain? I have gained 30lbs and it doesn't seem to be stopping anytime soon.
Posted by lil' jimi on July 24, 2006, at 23:01:56
In reply to Keep Hope Have an Open Mind, posted by Journeyman on July 22, 2006, at 11:15:45
> Jim - I'm doing pretty well, thank you. I hope you are too.
thanks, i'm doing finer than frog's fur!
great to hear your voice.rock on,
~ jim
Posted by lil' jimi on July 24, 2006, at 23:20:40
In reply to weight gain » Journeyman, posted by dilutedlexapro on July 24, 2006, at 22:42:33
hey, dlex,
> I have been taking 10 mg of lexapro diluted in 8 oz of water for about 1.5 yrs. It has been literally a lifesavor. I had tried for many years and many uncontrolable bouts of depression or maybe it was the panic disorder. I know I have had some serious panic attacks that I could'nt seem to get out of. I was HORRIBLE.
i am grateful you've found the magic bullet that works for you.
adapting to an SSRI can be so hard.
it is gratifying when it can relieve suffering.> I have a question for any body who takes lexapro, have you noticed considerable weight gain? I have gained 30lbs and it doesn't seem to be stopping anytime soon.
i have gained weight, but it has not correlated with my taking lexapro.
for me, it correlates to a lifetime misspent eating as much as possible and avoiding any exercise or exertion, which worked okay when i was younger and had a metabolism.Now, not so much.
now i think i will have to stay hungry for the rest of my life
and exercise constantly if i don't want to become overweight.there is an occassional side effect to lexapro that could be salient:
lexapro (and/or its relieving depression) made food taste good (better).take care,
~ jim
Posted by ramsea on July 25, 2006, at 3:07:58
In reply to weight gain » Journeyman, posted by dilutedlexapro on July 24, 2006, at 22:42:33
When I was on Lexapro I gained weight steadily and also developed a weird night-eating disorder where I would eat without knowing it, a kind of sleepwalking. My sugar balance was all over the shop. It stopped when I stopped the Lexapro. But it also wasn't helping me--it was making me manicky in a bad way. So I wasn't getting the benefit you are.
I'm glad you are feeling better, it's hell to panic acutely. Maybe a nutritionist could help--really work on the balance part of insulin response and appetite regulation through the right foods/water/timing. good luck. ramsea
Posted by ramsea on July 25, 2006, at 3:10:28
In reply to weight gain » Journeyman, posted by dilutedlexapro on July 24, 2006, at 22:42:33
When I was on Lexapro I gained weight steadily and also developed a weird night-eating disorder where I would eat without knowing it, a kind of sleepwalking. My sugar balance was all over the shop. It stopped when I stopped the Lexapro. But it also wasn't helping me--it was making me manicky in a bad way. So I wasn't getting the benefit you are.
I'm glad you are feeling better, it's hell to panic acutely. Maybe a nutritionist could help--really work on the balance part of insulin response and appetite regulation through the right foods/water/timing. good luck. ramsea
Posted by Evie on August 3, 2006, at 13:41:02
In reply to Re: New to Lexapro and feeling awful, posted by oregon on May 13, 2003, at 11:55:27
First i have to say i have never been on any medication and when i first went to therapy the first thing she suggested was for me to get on medication and boy i was so deep in depression that i was considering suicide. I AM ON LEXAPRO FOR 4 WEEKS NOW AND WHAT A DIFFERENCE, I FEEL HARDLY ANY ANXIETY AND MY DEPRESSION IS GETTING BETTER!! Am scared to take these type of drugs but hey it way better than how i felt 1 month ago. Lost my appetite too. Deal with the dry mouth but i feel better!
Posted by Violetskyye on October 21, 2006, at 15:01:29
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? » Dr. Bob, posted by AntiTrust on February 28, 2004, at 15:30:17
I'm on Day 22 of 5 mg Lexapro, and have spent the last 10 days pretty much on my bed sleeping or watching TV. Does this stuff ever kick in? After three weeks, I am wondering if I just go off and try something else [already tried Zoloft, Prozac, Wellbutrin and Luvox], or keep dragging myself through the days hoping the fatigue and apathy will pass.
First four days or so, I had moments of doing stuff I couldn't do before: speaking in public; going shopping alone and other things, but the last two weeks, I'm getting progressively more exhausted and unable to get anything done. I heard the meds kick in in two weeks, and side effects subside in a week or so, but not for me.
Any advice, anyone. ZZZZZzzzzzzzzz.
Posted by Evie on October 24, 2006, at 11:11:39
In reply to Lexapro-Day 22 - Sooooo tired, Help!, posted by Violetskyye on October 21, 2006, at 15:01:29
Well i was on Lex for the first week 5mg then after that i was on 10mg for months, the first month i felt like my anxiety was almost gone then, i have been on Lex for 4 months, i just got off the Lex cause it just was not doing anything at all. I slept alot and i had lots of nightmares and in the beginning i had 1 night sweat. But as far as depression it's still there and i was told to up it to 20mg but i just decided for myself to just come off it. Am not one that likes to take meds anyways. I been off of Lex for 2 weeks now and i feel more depressed, but am trying to get out and do exercise and see if i can take control over my life instead on relying a pill. I have hope.
Good Luck
Posted by Violetskyye on October 25, 2006, at 20:24:59
In reply to Re: Lexapro-Day 22 - Sooooo tired, Help!, posted by Evie on October 24, 2006, at 11:11:39
Thanks, Evie. I am about ready to give up, too, but I've already invested almost 4 weeks, so I'll tough it out, and maybe even go up to 10mg for a bit, but I'm not optimistic so far.
Posted by irishcatholic on October 26, 2006, at 11:46:30
In reply to Lexapro-Day 22 - Sooooo tired, Help!, posted by Violetskyye on October 21, 2006, at 15:01:29
same experience
but had to go to work anyway
not fun at all
unfortunate that Proz didn't work better for you
that's what got me revved up
Posted by Feelin Good in VA on October 26, 2006, at 15:15:39
In reply to Re: Lexapro-Day 22 - Sooooo tired, Help!, posted by irishcatholic on October 26, 2006, at 11:46:30
I've been on 10mg dose of Lex for the past year. After the first 90 days any side effects went away and I started feeling good. Still feeling really great. I incorporated cognitive retraining with the start up use of the Lex and I found it to worked well for me. Hang in there... I hope things start looking up for you soon.
Posted by Esmarelda-Fran on August 14, 2007, at 19:28:08
In reply to Re: Lexapro-Day 22 - Sooooo tired, Help!, posted by Feelin Good in VA on October 26, 2006, at 15:15:39
I used to be just Esmarelda, but now am Esmarelda-Fran b/c I could not remember password and had to re-register. Anyway, I am referring my husband who just started lexapro to this board and some of our old posts. It helped me tremendously!
Fran
Posted by lil' jimi on February 8, 2008, at 16:23:03
In reply to It's me again under different name, posted by Esmarelda-Fran on August 14, 2007, at 19:28:08
hi, esmarelda,
nice to hear your voice.this april, it will be five years that i have been taking lexapro.
10mg.
is your husband going to read the thread from the beginning?that's what i did.
it helped me.take care!
Posted by xdisolvedgirlx on December 30, 2008, at 1:10:33
In reply to Any significant weight gain or loss on Lexapro????, posted by AnnieJ on June 12, 2003, at 22:47:02
My Dr. prescribed me Paxil 6 years ago for G.A.D. With a year and a half, I gained roughly 40lbs (I am 5' 0" tall). I was weened of the drug and the weight came right off. Recently, he prescribed me Lexapro for G.A.D. after a semi-traumatic event. It was never intended to be a permanent medication, as I take adivan for anxiety. I was started on 10mg in May of this year. A few months later, my dosage was increased to 20mg. It is now 8 months since I started taking Lexapro and I have gained 50 lbs; most of it within the last few months.
Posted by shadowplayers721 on December 30, 2008, at 2:19:03
In reply to weight gain » Journeyman, posted by dilutedlexapro on July 24, 2006, at 22:42:33
I hear the physician talk to their drug rep in the hallway - "Please guys, offer medications that don't make my patients gain weight and cause sexual dysfunction."
I have told my physician over and over again that Lexapro was making me gain weight. What did he say? The literature says it does not do that. He knows that his patients are telling the truth. You can see the difference. I can see the difference in myself, friends, and family.
Anyone that I know that has been thin all their life and gains weight rapidly and it stays on and will not come off, I ask them, "Are you on antidepressants (SSRI's)?" 100% of them they will answer, "Yes, how did you know?" I tell them you have the look. I can spot it from knowing what those pills did to my body.
Now, I am wonder what else is in store...
Posted by Garnet71 on January 5, 2009, at 13:26:42
In reply to Re: Any significant weight gain or loss on Lexapro???? » AnnieJ, posted by xdisolvedgirlx on December 30, 2008, at 1:10:33
Hi there,
This is a great resource for evaluating meds:
http://www.askapatient.com/viewrating.asp?drug=21440&name=LEXAPRO
There are over 1000 comments regarding Lexapro there.
Note, I've also read that SSRIs increase cortisol; don't know if this is true, but if it is, it explains weight gain. Cortisol in excess is also said to cause neuro and brain damage that leads to memory loss and other symptoms.
Good luck.
Posted by KarenRB53 on January 19, 2009, at 10:07:04
In reply to Re: Any significant weight gain or loss on Lexapro???? » xdisolvedgirlx, posted by Garnet71 on January 5, 2009, at 13:26:42
> Hi there,
>
> This is a great resource for evaluating meds:
>
> http://www.askapatient.com/viewrating.asp?drug=21440&name=LEXAPRO
>
> There are over 1000 comments regarding Lexapro there.
>
> Note, I've also read that SSRIs increase cortisol; don't know if this is true, but if it is, it explains weight gain. Cortisol in excess is also said to cause neuro and brain damage that leads to memory loss and other symptoms.
>
> Good luck.Interesting information about the cortisol and SSRI's. That could explain why I gained so much weight on Prozac. Now I'm trying to get the weight off as I'm off Prozac and just starting Lexapro. I wonder how the cortisol effect can be dealt with?
Karen
Posted by Chihuahua on February 2, 2009, at 21:33:37
In reply to Re: weight gain, posted by ramsea on July 25, 2006, at 3:10:28
Re Lexapro and abnormal excessive eating.
My Psychiatrist changed me from Cipramil to Lexapro 5 years ago.
Lexapro was a very effective antidepressant for me .
However Lexapro failed to address the other vital abnormalities in my syndrome of Atypical Depression.
1. My Anergy remained.
2.social isolation.
Inability to get to sleep( some agitation)
3. Overeating disorder.
I totally relate to a previous post in which the person experienced weird eating behaviour. I would often awake with
Chocolate and food scraps all over me , but would have no recollection of my crimes. Of course , this situation would be worse if I took Stillnox the night before.
However , I needed to take some medication to get to sleep every night on Lexapro. In the morning , i needed dexamphetamine( later ritalan) to get out of bed.
The thought which was mentioned about cortisol being raised with Lexapro , I found very interesting, because I started to take a low dose of Hysone when I started Lexapro. My weight gain was extremely rapid.
I am at least 15 kg heavier than when I started Lexapro.I am in the process of changing across to a MAO inhibitor.
I am very disappointed in the new formulation of Nardil, which no longer performs as it did before 2003.I will keep trying
Best wishes to all my friends who keep enduring the abnormal
twists of nature. one day " no resident will say 'I am sick' " Isaiah33:24.
Posted by thib on April 6, 2009, at 22:32:20
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
after 5 years lexapro has quit working for me; my pdoc switched me to cymbalta and voila i am doing great AND i have a normal sex drive again
Posted by KarenRB53 on April 18, 2009, at 11:49:26
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro?, posted by thib on April 6, 2009, at 22:32:20
> after 5 years lexapro has quit working for me; my pdoc switched me to cymbalta and voila i am doing great AND i have a normal sex drive again
Lexapro isn't working so well for me, I wondered if you're still on Cymbalta and is it working well for you?
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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