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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by looking for a life on December 6, 2002, at 10:04:45
In reply to Lexapro effectiveness?, posted by Peter S. on December 5, 2002, at 19:31:11
>
> Anyone had a response to Lexapro after having tried many different anti-depressants? All the others have not worked or have pooped out on me and I'm wondering if Lex is worth a try.
>
> Thanks!
>
> PeterI have been on God knows how many anti depressants in the past 14 years. I am on Wellbutrin and Lexapro ( switched from Celexa) and have not noticed any inprovement. In fact I have had an increase in the negative side effects:o(
Good Luck:o)
Posted by stella1 on December 6, 2002, at 10:31:26
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
I was on Celexa for 3 months - I really liked what it did for my anxiety. I started taking SSRI's for Anxiety, and as a PostTraumatic Stress treatment. There were some mild sexual side effects, ohter than that everything was ok, except I was really shaky- almost as though I were shivering from the cold all day, my muscles were really tight. My Dr. suggested I try Lexapro - it was to have fewer s/e, and he thought I might maintain the good effects it was having on my anxiety while getting rid of the jitteriness. After two months on Lexapro - I have just switched back to Celexa. The Lexapro made my anxiety much worse, I went home with sore shoulders nearly every day, and i could not sleep. I was surprised at how anxious it made me - I was really unpatient, my jind was alwaysa racing, I was analyzing everything, I was intolerable in traffic etc.
Has anyone else experienced this? I thought Lexapro was supposed to be better?
Posted by ayuda on December 6, 2002, at 11:09:51
In reply to Re: Effexor and weight gain » ayuda, posted by IsoM on December 5, 2002, at 0:37:08
I know -- the way these things work, people have had s/e all over the place. That's why I'm skeptical when someone says, "that's not a typical side effect of that medication." From what I'm seeing, EVERYTHING is a typical side-effect of ADs! Or just about. I was completely nauseated all the time while on the Effexor -- no amount of antacids would help, and I developed an ulcer -- but at the same time had a sharp increase in appetite. That was really hell. I wish it had at least come with a decrease in appetite like you had. In that respect, I am glad to be off the Effexor.
> It's not understood yet why one medication will have one side effect & yet a completely opposite effect for others. I've noticed that some SSRIs can either cause weight gain or weight loss in persons taking them. You gained weight on Effexor - I couldn't give it a long enough trial to see if it would've helped for me as within a week of taking it daily, I had lost all appetite & the thought of eating became repugnant. I had to quit it before I starved to death. I couldn't force more than a few spoonsful of food into me through a day.
Posted by ayuda on December 6, 2002, at 11:15:52
In reply to Re: question for pharmrep, posted by looking for a life on December 5, 2002, at 10:26:02
> > I will be having major surgery in a couple of weeks (nothing serious, purely elective). My intake of prescriptions and OTC drugs is being limited. My question is, do you know if the Lexapro would interfere with my ability to have surgery? I have to be off drugs such as aspirin and Alleve. I was just wondering, because my doctor isn't familiar with ADs, and though he will probably be doing the research himself, I thought I would ask here since you are knowledgeable about this drug in particular. Thanks!
>
> I just had surgery on my wrist and was able to take all of my medications. I have had a couple surgeries and have been on anti depressants every time. It should not be a problem.
> Good luck with your surgery:o)Thanks for the info -- I haven't had any surgery in about 15 years, so I am hoping that none of my medications get in the way. And thanks for the good wishes -- I am nervous about it, so I really hope it goes well.
Posted by kara lynne on December 6, 2002, at 14:05:44
In reply to Switched from Celexa to Lexapro- going back , posted by stella1 on December 6, 2002, at 10:31:26
***I was intolerable in traffic etc*** God, can I relate to this. It's interesting to see the commonalities for some of us with the side effects; muscle tension (neck in particular), jaw clenching and increased agitation all around for starters. Every time I try to increase the dose to get to a therapeutic effect it all becomes intolerable. I am going to try Nardil as soon as it becomes available again. So I just wanted to say, yes, I've definitely experienced what you're talking about. In advance, I acknowledge everyone for whom this drug has worked wonders, but I am not one of them. Good luck to you Stella
Posted by looking for a life on December 6, 2002, at 17:33:19
In reply to Switched from Celexa to Lexapro- going back , posted by stella1 on December 6, 2002, at 10:31:26
> I was on Celexa for 3 months - I really liked what it did for my anxiety. I started taking SSRI's for Anxiety, and as a PostTraumatic Stress treatment. There were some mild sexual side effects, ohter than that everything was ok, except I was really shaky- almost as though I were shivering from the cold all day, my muscles were really tight. My Dr. suggested I try Lexapro - it was to have fewer s/e, and he thought I might maintain the good effects it was having on my anxiety while getting rid of the jitteriness. After two months on Lexapro - I have just switched back to Celexa. The Lexapro made my anxiety much worse, I went home with sore shoulders nearly every day, and i could not sleep. I was surprised at how anxious it made me - I was really unpatient, my jind was alwaysa racing, I was analyzing everything, I was intolerable in traffic etc.
> Has anyone else experienced this? I thought Lexapro was supposed to be better?
Same here!!!! Crappy sleep, imaptient, headaches from the stress. I too was told that Lexapro was better. I have yet to see how!!
Your not alone:o) I think I might go back to celexa as well.
Good Luck!
Posted by looking for a life on December 6, 2002, at 17:35:24
In reply to Re: Switched from Celexa to Lexapro- going back , posted by kara lynne on December 6, 2002, at 14:05:44
> ***I was intolerable in traffic etc*** God, can I relate to this. It's interesting to see the commonalities for some of us with the side effects; muscle tension (neck in particular), jaw clenching and increased agitation all around for starters. Every time I try to increase the dose to get to a therapeutic effect it all becomes intolerable. I am going to try Nardil as soon as it becomes available again. So I just wanted to say, yes, I've definitely experienced what you're talking about. In advance, I acknowledge everyone for whom this drug has worked wonders, but I am not one of them. Good luck to you Stella
It's sad but I am relieved to have someone else experience what I am going through. :o(
Good Luck!
Posted by Sebastian on December 6, 2002, at 20:32:31
In reply to Switched from Celexa to Lexapro- going back , posted by stella1 on December 6, 2002, at 10:31:26
I had a simalar experience when I was only taking Celexa. I went back to taking it with a little Zyprexa to relax me, return sleeping, and be able to eat. Zyprexa is great for treating anxiety, much better than the Celexa.
Sebastian
Posted by Mr.Scott on December 7, 2002, at 1:34:58
In reply to Re: Lexapro and headaches » Jaycee, posted by pharmrep on December 4, 2002, at 9:10:19
Thank you for the information. I have forwarded it to the advertising
division for their evaluation.Jim Morrison
CDER Ombudsman
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subj: Forest Pharmaceuticals
Date: Wed, 4 Dec 2002 04:06:23 -0500
From:
To: MORRISONJ@CDER.FDA.GOVDear Mr. Morrison of the DDMAC division of the FDA,
There is a well trafficked forum for patients suffering mental illness on
the
internet at the address www.dr-bob.org/babble.Under the posting name of "pharmrep," you will find a self-admitting
representative for Forest Pharmaceuticals who is disseminating clinical data
directly to patients on the newly approved SSRI
Lexapro (escitalopram).I believe this constitutes a marketing violation in that a self admitting
pharmaceutical representative for Forest Pharmaceuticals is 'selling' or consulting
directly to patients without any clear fair balance attached to the information
being so readily offered. As I understand the regulatory procedure all direct to patient marketing must contain clear fair balance.While this clever marketing tactic of creating hopes in the minds of the
suffering with the ultimate goal of influencing physicians prescibing
habbits
may not yet have a legal precendent by which your body can make a
deliberation, I think it is worthy of investigation.Sincerely and Annonymous.
Posted by JLM on December 7, 2002, at 1:52:17
In reply to Lets see what the FDA thinks?, posted by Mr.Scott on December 7, 2002, at 1:34:58
> Thank you for the information. I have forwarded it to the advertising
> division for their evaluation.
>
> Jim Morrison
> CDER Ombudsman
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Subj: Forest Pharmaceuticals
> Date: Wed, 4 Dec 2002 04:06:23 -0500
> From:
> To: MORRISONJ@CDER.FDA.GOV
>
>
>
> Dear Mr. Morrison of the DDMAC division of the FDA,
>
> There is a well trafficked forum for patients suffering mental illness on
> the
> internet at the address www.dr-bob.org/babble.
>
> Under the posting name of "pharmrep," you will find a self-admitting
> representative for Forest Pharmaceuticals who is disseminating clinical data
> directly to patients on the newly approved SSRI
> Lexapro (escitalopram).
>
> I believe this constitutes a marketing violation in that a self admitting
> pharmaceutical representative for Forest Pharmaceuticals is 'selling' or consulting
> directly to patients without any clear fair balance attached to the information
> being so readily offered. As I understand the regulatory procedure all direct to patient marketing must contain clear fair balance.
>
> While this clever marketing tactic of creating hopes in the minds of the
> suffering with the ultimate goal of influencing physicians prescibing
> habbits
> may not yet have a legal precendent by which your body can make a
> deliberation, I think it is worthy of investigation.
>
> Sincerely and Annonymous.
>
>
>
>
>
>Well, this ought to be interesting to say the least.
I certainly think we are only getting one side of the story, namely Forrest/Lundbecks.
Posted by Mr.Scott on December 7, 2002, at 3:19:07
In reply to Re: Lets see what the FDA thinks?, posted by JLM on December 7, 2002, at 1:52:17
well...Here are a couple of my favorites the FDA has leveraged on Forest in the past.
Viewing these letters requires Adobe Acrobrat.
http://www.fda.gov/foi/warning_letters/m466n.pdf
http://www.fda.gov/foi/warning_letters/m2483n.pdf
Posted by Geezer on December 7, 2002, at 8:54:16
In reply to Lets see what the FDA thinks?, posted by Mr.Scott on December 7, 2002, at 1:34:58
Mr. Scott,
Excellent idea and very well said!!
Geezer
Posted by Alan on December 7, 2002, at 9:58:49
In reply to Lets see what the FDA thinks?, posted by Mr.Scott on December 7, 2002, at 1:34:58
> Thank you for the information. I have forwarded it to the advertising
> division for their evaluation.
>
> Jim Morrison
> CDER Ombudsman
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Subj: Forest Pharmaceuticals
> Date: Wed, 4 Dec 2002 04:06:23 -0500
> From:
> To: MORRISONJ@CDER.FDA.GOV
>
>
>
> Dear Mr. Morrison of the DDMAC division of the FDA,
>
> There is a well trafficked forum for patients suffering mental illness on
> the
> internet at the address www.dr-bob.org/babble.
>
> Under the posting name of "pharmrep," you will find a self-admitting
> representative for Forest Pharmaceuticals who is disseminating clinical data
> directly to patients on the newly approved SSRI
> Lexapro (escitalopram).
>
> I believe this constitutes a marketing violation in that a self admitting
> pharmaceutical representative for Forest Pharmaceuticals is 'selling' or consulting
> directly to patients without any clear fair balance attached to the information
> being so readily offered. As I understand the regulatory procedure all direct to patient marketing must contain clear fair balance.
>
> While this clever marketing tactic of creating hopes in the minds of the
> suffering with the ultimate goal of influencing physicians prescibing
> habbits
> may not yet have a legal precendent by which your body can make a
> deliberation, I think it is worthy of investigation.
>
> Sincerely and Annonymous.
>
================================================While there has been lengthy discussion about this over at PB admin, specifically:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20020725/msgs/6905.html
I'm of the opinion that this is the correct approach although skeptical that it will have any effect. Perhaps it will as I've stated in my postings on the subject in that thread.
Alan
Posted by kimbini on December 7, 2002, at 12:05:22
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
I just started Lexapro mid october and have found no side effects, most of all the other antidepressants I've taken have the usual side effects, weight gain, tiredness, not able to sleep at night (I've taken Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Wellbutrin, celexa). I have not gained any weight (in fact I've lost about 7 pounds), I sleep like a log, and most of all I feel better.
Posted by Mr.Scott on December 7, 2002, at 12:12:35
In reply to Re: Lets see what the FDA thinks? » Mr.Scott, posted by Alan on December 7, 2002, at 9:58:49
Thanks Alan I hadn't seen that thread until now!
Posted by bridgette on December 7, 2002, at 12:34:10
In reply to Re: Lexapro and Wellbutrin, posted by looking for a life on December 6, 2002, at 10:00:20
I think Wellbutrin sr is great w/Lexapro and hate the thought that so many of you say they stop working after awhile---what are the statistics of that happening. Also, has anyone ever split the wellbutrin sr to get a lower dose---I don't belive it's harmful except for losing the SR efefct. What do you think??
Posted by looking for a life on December 7, 2002, at 13:57:28
In reply to Lexapro and Wellbutrin and splitting wellbutrin s, posted by bridgette on December 7, 2002, at 12:34:10
> I think Wellbutrin sr is great w/Lexapro and hate the thought that so many of you say they stop working after awhile---what are the statistics of that happening. Also, has anyone ever split the wellbutrin sr to get a lower dose---I don't belive it's harmful except for losing the SR efefct. What do you think??
I take Lexapro as well as Wellbutrin. My Doctor had me take 200mgs in the a.m. and another 100mgs around noon to give a little boost. Seems to work better for me.
:o)
Posted by Alan on December 7, 2002, at 14:17:12
In reply to Re: Lets see what the FDA thinks? » Alan, posted by Mr.Scott on December 7, 2002, at 12:12:35
> Thanks Alan I hadn't seen that thread until now!
>
>
===============================================Well happy reading...it's a long one to wade through. I said all that I thought I would be allowed to say. I tried my best : ^ )
Best,
Alan
Posted by ANXIETY ANN on December 7, 2002, at 18:21:20
In reply to Re: dosing » looking for a life, posted by pharmrep on December 5, 2002, at 11:15:59
Hi Pharmrep
I have been on 10 mg of Lexapro for about 6 weeks now. I was prescribed it for anxiety and panic which has improved tremendously. I feel much better than I used to but have noticed lately that i am more tense and impatient. (like I was before Lexapro but not as bad). My question to you is this: do you think that I should up my dose to 15mg a day and see how I feel on that? If I do up my dose, how long would it take to see if it improves my mood? Any advice you give me would be great.
thanks-Anxiety Ann
Posted by ANXIETY ANN on December 7, 2002, at 18:31:08
In reply to Re: dosing » looking for a life, posted by pharmrep on December 5, 2002, at 11:15:59
Hi,
I was wondering what the purpose of taking both Lexapro and Wellbutrin is? I have been taking Lexapro for about 6 wks and have noticed lately that I am more impatient and agitiated than I was in the beginning. Lexapro has helped me with my anxiety and I was feeling GREAT up until a few days ago when the agitation started. (feels a little bit like my old self). Would the Wellbutrin help this s/e? If so, how are the sexual s/e on wellbutrin? Any info would be great. Thanks-Anxiety Ann
Posted by looking for a life on December 7, 2002, at 18:45:04
In reply to Re: Question for Pharmrep, posted by ANXIETY ANN on December 7, 2002, at 18:21:20
> Hi Pharmrep
> I have been on 10 mg of Lexapro for about 6 weeks now. I was prescribed it for anxiety and panic which has improved tremendously. I feel much better than I used to but have noticed lately that i am more tense and impatient. (like I was before Lexapro but not as bad). My question to you is this: do you think that I should up my dose to 15mg a day and see how I feel on that? If I do up my dose, how long would it take to see if it improves my mood? Any advice you give me would be great.
> thanks-Anxiety Ann
I would like to say I am on 20mgs and the tension and the impatience is a big problem with me as well. I am glad it has helped you some. I wish I could get some positive results:o(
Posted by jtc on December 7, 2002, at 22:17:23
In reply to Lets see what the FDA thinks?, posted by Mr.Scott on December 7, 2002, at 1:34:58
Hi, I am new to this message board. Any advice about Effexor XR and it's use in children would be greatly appreciated. My 8 1/2 year old daughter has severe anxiety, so much so that it is interfering with her school work. She has been tested for ADD but psychologist said she does not have it. He said she has more anxiety than most kids her age. So he referred us to a psychiatrist and she started my child on Effexor XR about 3 weeks ago. She is taking 37.5 mg daily. I don't really notice a difference but her afternoon teacher at school says she notices a difference. I take Effexor XR, 75 mg daily. I have read a lot of things about Effexor and don't know if I want my child to take it or if I should be taking it. It has helped me but I still have some side effects from it. I am just really worried about my daughter. She is so young to be taking mood altering drugs. Is there any other medications anyone knows of that she can try that have been approved by the FDA. I read that Effexor XR has not really been approved by the RDA for use in children. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Thanks, jtc
Posted by bridgette on December 8, 2002, at 20:06:39
In reply to Re: Lexapro and Wellbutrin, posted by ANXIETY ANN on December 7, 2002, at 18:31:08
The purpose of adding the Wellbutrin sr to the Lexapro is to allieviate the sexual side effects (it does) and to boost the Lexapro. I am afraid of the Wellbutrin even though I have had no problems but I worry (worrying is my thing) about the possibility of seizures. If there is anyworry about w/drugs I will worry. I take 150mg of wellbutrin a day and could increase it to 300 but I'm afraid to.
Posted by ANXIETY ANN on December 9, 2002, at 8:20:12
In reply to Re: Lexapro and Wellbutrin Anxiety Ann, posted by bridgette on December 8, 2002, at 20:06:39
> The purpose of adding the Wellbutrin sr to the Lexapro is to allieviate the sexual side effects (it does) and to boost the Lexapro. I am afraid of the Wellbutrin even though I have had no problems but I worry (worrying is my thing) about the possibility of seizures. If there is anyworry about w/drugs I will worry. I take 150mg of wellbutrin a day and could increase it to 300 but I'm afraid to.
Bridgette,
I know how you feel. worrying is my thing too, especially when it comes to meds. If I read about the s/e before I take them, I get afraid to take them. Does the Wellbutrin help at all with the worrying? Lexapro seemed to really help me in the beginning but now I am starting to feel those same old things again (anxiety, worry, dread). Thats why I was asking about the Wellbutrin to see if it would help the Lexapro work better. I take it seizures are a s/e of Wellbutrin? GREAT, It always seems as though you have to make a trade off when you take a anti-depressant.
Ann
Posted by ayuda on December 9, 2002, at 14:04:13
In reply to Effexor XR: Any advice would be appreciated..., posted by jtc on December 7, 2002, at 22:17:23
> Hi, I am new to this message board. Any advice about Effexor XR and it's use in children would be greatly appreciated. My 8 1/2 year old daughter has severe anxiety, so much so that it is interfering with her school work. She has been tested for ADD but psychologist said she does not have it. He said she has more anxiety than most kids her age. So he referred us to a psychiatrist and she started my child on Effexor XR about 3 weeks ago. She is taking 37.5 mg daily. I don't really notice a difference but her afternoon teacher at school says she notices a difference. I take Effexor XR, 75 mg daily. I have read a lot of things about Effexor and don't know if I want my child to take it or if I should be taking it. It has helped me but I still have some side effects from it. I am just really worried about my daughter. She is so young to be taking mood altering drugs. Is there any other medications anyone knows of that she can try that have been approved by the FDA. I read that Effexor XR has not really been approved by the RDA for use in children. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
> Thanks, jtc
I am not a doctor or pharmacist, but I don't think of anti-depressants as "mood altering" drugs. A person who suffers from depression or anxiety -- and I have suffered from both since about age 7 -- has a chemical imbalance. ADs are an attempt to correct that imbalance. It is most commonly and probably best compared to insulin for diabetics -- they also suffer from a chemical imbalance. So I would not fret about your daughter needing this medication in the first place -- My father and my maternal grandmother both passed on this chemical imbalance to me, my sister and my sister's son, so it appears that you have passed it onto your daughter -- again, it is a physical problem that has "mental" health aspects to it, don't not have her treated for it.As for Effexor XR -- I was on it (I'm age 37) for 7 months and could not handle the side effects, mostly the nausea and weight gain, but I don't know how a child would respond to it. If you want to know if your doctor should have prescribed it for her, you may want to call your pharmacist and ask them about it -- they have the most up-to-date reference guides on drugs. However, I don't think that any doctor who wants to keep his/her license to practice and butt out of jail would prescribe it for her if it was dangerous.
You and your daughter are the best judges of whether or not she can handle the side effects. Don't let anything anyone says here take the place of that judgment. As for the effectiveness, especially if this is her first AD, it takes some time for this kind of med to start showing its effectiveness, and in the meantime you may want to be patient where side effects are concerned.
Back in the early 70s when my parents first had to deal with my problems, no one knew anything about depression or anxiety, and certainly not for children. I was put on "kiddie" tranquilizers, which I had to keep going off of to live my life. I also just learned how to cope with it as best I could, though I would be paralyzed emotionally by anything that heightened my anxiety.
As a teen, I turned to moderate alcohol use as "self-medication" for my anxiety (my father is an alcoholic, also bi-polar). Being on an AD is preferable to alcohol abuse, and actually addresses the problem. What I guess I am saying is that, if your daughter really suffers from these problems and they are left untreated with the proper medication, she will still need to bring her anxiety down someway -- and that alternative may not be what you want for her.
I feel for her -- I know what it is like to be a child and to suffer from anxiety. I would keep my family up all night long some nights in my terrified state, which means that they all suffered along with me. Effexor really helps with anxiety -- it doesn't make you into a robot, like a tranquilizer would, it just keeps you from experiencing that heightened anxiety reaction.
Now that I have been treated for the anxiety for a couple of years, I would never go back to trying to cope with it on my own. I love the relative internal peace I have found. You really need to make sure that your daughter knows that she is not crazy, especially with the fact that she is a child and is under psychiatric care, she may think that she is. She has a physical problem that may require treatment all her life to improve her quality of life. I sure wish I could have some of my childhood back -- with an antidepressant to take -- to live over again without the anxiety or the tranquilizers.
I wish you and your daughter the best of luck. Just remember, depression and anxiety are physical problems, and an AD is not the same as a benzodiazapine or mood stabilizer. Keep us informed on how you and she are doing on the meds.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Script revised: February 4, 2008
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