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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by slippinaway on January 31, 2004, at 18:28:16
hello
i really could use some advice from any current or former lexapro users. i am currently taking 10 mg. of lex for ocd/depression/anxiety. i took it for the first time for 2 weeks at christmas time and stopped due to feeling very disassociated and
aggitated and much more anxious than i was even before starting it. i was switched back to paxil which i was on for 5 years before changing to lex and i still felt bad. now i was put back on lexapro and it's only been a week and i am so nervous and anxious and unstable and here is the latest side effect,my eyes are burning and bloodshot and watery and i've developed a twitch in my right eye. i feel way worse than when i felt the depression coming on strong at christmas time.
so what i'm wondering is should i stick with this lexapro while miserable...or does it sound like it isn't for me?? i know 2 weeks isn't very long for a decision but the paxil and prozac always seemed to work rather quick and i never had bad se's other than orgasm difficulty.
any replies would be greatly appreciated....thanx
Posted by Zena on January 31, 2004, at 19:32:15
In reply to really struggling here with lexapro!!, posted by slippinaway on January 31, 2004, at 18:28:16
> hello
> i really could use some advice from any current or former lexapro users. i am currently taking 10 mg. of lex for ocd/depression/anxiety. i took it for the first time for 2 weeks at christmas time and stopped due to feeling very disassociated and
> aggitated and much more anxious than i was even before starting it. i was switched back to paxil which i was on for 5 years before changing to lex and i still felt bad. now i was put back on lexapro and it's only been a week and i am so nervous and anxious and unstable and here is the latest side effect,my eyes are burning and bloodshot and watery and i've developed a twitch in my right eye. i feel way worse than when i felt the depression coming on strong at christmas time.
> so what i'm wondering is should i stick with this lexapro while miserable...or does it sound like it isn't for me?? i know 2 weeks isn't very long for a decision but the paxil and prozac always seemed to work rather quick and i never had bad se's other than orgasm difficulty.
> any replies would be greatly appreciated....thanxSlippinaway,
You need to take klonopin or xanax to help with the side effects your feeling. When I started on antidepressents I had the same problem only I was on such a low dose that I thought I was going to climb out of my skin. Finally found a Dr. who upped my dosage. Once the meds.kick in your need for these lessens. Anyhow, they did with me. Zena
Posted by KathrynLex on January 31, 2004, at 19:53:38
In reply to really struggling here with lexapro!!, posted by slippinaway on January 31, 2004, at 18:28:16
Hi Slippingaway,
I've been on Lexapro for about 7 wks now. It's been wonderful for my anxiety and depression. But like you, I had trouble with the side effects. They didn't subside until the end of the 4th week. I felt dizzy, disoriented, anxious and came down with some flu-like symptoms to name just a few.
Sometimes if you start out at a very low dose like 5 mg and slowly increase to 10 mg you can avoid a lot of the side effects. You could even start at 2.5 mg if you're particularly sensitive to Lex.
An odd side effect of Lexapro is that it can cause you to feel very anxious for the first few weeks that you take it. Funny, since it's prescribed for anxiety. You might consider asking your pdoc to prescribe a benzo such as Lorazepam or Xanax to help relieve some of your initial anxiety on Lex. It can be very helpful.
Another slightly frustrating thing about Lexapro is that it can take a while to kick in. For me it took about 5 weeks. But in my case it was worth the wait. I feel better than I have in months.
So, like I said tell your pdoc the Lex is making you anxious and ask about one of the benzos I mentioned. It might bring you some relief. Also discuss with your pdoc the idea of taking a lower dose.
If you can, I encourage you to try and give the Lex at least another 2 weeks. It's supposed to be effective after 4 to 6 wks. By week 4 you'll probably know if it's the right med for you or not.
But above all else listen to your body. If the side effects are too much don't take it, it's not for everyone.
I'm sorry for the long winded post. But I've been where you're at...wanting to feel better, just waiting for the medication to work...it's a difficult spot to be in. Having as much information as possible can sometimes make it a little less difficult and less scary to be going through this. It's sometimes comforting to know that you're not alone in adjusting to a new medication, and you're not. I did it just a few weeks ago.
Best of luck to you.
K.
Posted by Zena on January 31, 2004, at 20:57:08
In reply to Re: really struggling here with lexapro!!, posted by KathrynLex on January 31, 2004, at 19:53:38
Hi Kathrynlex,
I have been following your posts as I just started on lexapro & you have really given me the courage to go on. I have battled depression for almost two years & the pdocs wouldn't give me a strong benzo for fear of getting addicted. I have been on many but finally could take remeron. Several weeks ago my depression returned so Dr. started me on lex at 2.5mg for 4 days & increase 1/4 at a time for 4 days until I reach 10-which will be Tues. I am currently on klonopin & take it as needed. The combo of lex & remeron is working fine for now. We shall see what happens when I start on 10mg. Thanks for your positive posts.
Zena
Posted by lucy00 on January 31, 2004, at 21:20:11
In reply to Re: really struggling here with lexapro!!, posted by Zena on January 31, 2004, at 20:57:08
Did you stop the Paxil abruptly? If so, maybe your reaction is withdrawal from Paxil rather than a reaction to Lexapro. I right now am also switching from Paxil to Lexapro; I have gone from 25 CR Paxil to 12.5 CR Paxil plus 5 mg (half a pill) of Lexapro. Then I will switch to all Lexapro. So far, so good!
Posted by KathrynLex on February 1, 2004, at 22:57:06
In reply to Re: really struggling here with lexapro!!, posted by Zena on January 31, 2004, at 20:57:08
> Hi Kathrynlex,
> I have been following your posts as I just started on lexapro & you have really given me the courage to go on. I have battled depression for almost two years & the pdocs wouldn't give me a strong benzo for fear of getting addicted. I have been on many but finally could take remeron. Several weeks ago my depression returned so Dr. started me on lex at 2.5mg for 4 days & increase 1/4 at a time for 4 days until I reach 10-which will be Tues. I am currently on klonopin & take it as needed. The combo of lex & remeron is working fine for now. We shall see what happens when I start on 10mg. Thanks for your positive posts.
> ZenaHi Zena,
Thanks, I'm glad to hear that my posts have been helpful. Lexapro really has been a wonderful med for me, I hope that you have positive results with it!
K.
Posted by sexylexy on February 3, 2004, at 12:45:09
In reply to Re: really struggling here with lexapro!!, posted by KathrynLex on February 1, 2004, at 22:57:06
Hi...
Seems to me that you may be going though paxil withdrawl. I had a friend that switched from paxil to lexapro and was talking about similar side effects that you experienced. Turns out it was withdrawl from Paxil and had nothing to do with lexapro.
You may want to taper off the Paxil really slowly as you begin to add the Lex. My friend was on it for years and was having to cut her pill in to tiny pieces to help with the withdrawl.
Lexapro has been pretty good for me I have been on 10mg for about 6 and 1/2 weeks. I hear it really kicks in at week 8 and 9 so heres hoping.
Good luck, God Bless and use lots of support.
Lexy
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