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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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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.
Posted by looking for a life on December 9, 2002, at 16:20:12
In reply to Re: Lexapro and Wellbutrin Anxiety Ann, posted by ANXIETY ANN on December 9, 2002, at 8:20:12
> > 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
I am on 400mgs of wellbutrin Sr and 20mgs of Lexapro. I have never had a seizure. I have been on Wellbutrin for at least 3 yrs now and the MAJOR problem I have is sweating. It is horrible. I was told that Anti depressants target the same area that controls body temperature. I was told that they have not found the right combo to just target the part that causes depression.
The Wellbutrin is supposed to boost your energy. Since switching from Celexa to Lexapro I have not noticed to much of an increase in enegry. ( Lexapro is supposed to give you energy as well).
I too was put on Wellbutrin to boost my sexual desire. I was on Effexor Xl at the time. I have not seen any benefit of Wellbutrin in the sex area.
Lexapro increased my sexual desire for about one week. I am still as depressed and anxious as before.
Good Luck:o)
Posted by leslieg on December 9, 2002, at 17:25:38
In reply to Effexor XR: Any advice would be appreciated..., posted by jtc on December 7, 2002, at 22:17:23
My son was on Zoloft (and ritalin) from about 7 years old until he was about 11 years old. He's still on adderall for his ADHD. We used Zoloft because it had worked so very well for me; there was a definite assumption that genetically he had a greater chance of reacting well to the same med I had reacted well to. I am very afraid of Effexor, and based on my own reactions and withdrawal from it I would *never* let my kids take it. But perhaps you are doing very well on it. I weaned my son off of Zoloft as he entered his teenage years because Zoloft made me inorgasmic and I did not want my son to go through his "high-hormone teen years" with no sex drive! Sure, it may have made me worry less, but it isn't normal! Our home life had changed enough that his depression still hasn't come back. (Yea!)
As for meds being approved for use on children, most are not (psychiactric or otherwise). You need to have a doctor who has used the drugs with enough children clients to have a feel for what works and what doesn't.
> 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 9, 2002, at 18:10:14
In reply to Re: Lexapro and Wellbutrin Anxiety Ann, posted by looking for a life on December 9, 2002, at 16:20:12
1st of all Looking for a life since you have been on Wellbutrin sr for a long time I have questions for you--no 1 do you drink wine on it. I have a couple glasses of wine every night but I hope that's an ok time since it's been 11 hours since my pill. I enjoy the wine and I don't want to give up everything in life. I can increase from 150 mg to 300mh anytime but because of the wine I have held back---so what do you thinK I have also split the pills (even though they say not to) and have felt that has helped. I asked a few pharmacists and the best I could tell splitting them just cuts out the sustained effect. What do you think about that too????
Posted by bridgette on December 9, 2002, at 18:16:34
In reply to Re: Lexapro and Wellbutrin Anxiety Ann, posted by looking for a life on December 9, 2002, at 16:20:12
After re-reading your e-mail, I'm now thinking your Wellbutrin and Lexapro are not helping you much . Why have you stayed on Wellbutrin for 3 years if it doesn't help???
Posted by Dr. Bob on December 9, 2002, at 18:31:38
In reply to Lets see what the FDA thinks?, posted by Mr.Scott on December 7, 2002, at 1:34:58
> 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).Follow-ups to this should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration, thanks.
Bob
PS: As should follow-ups regarding posting policies in general.
Posted by jtc on December 9, 2002, at 21:20:37
In reply to Re: Effexor XR: Any advice would be appreciated... » jtc, posted by ayuda on December 9, 2002, at 14:04:13
> > 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.
>Ayuda, thanks so much for your advice and insight. I am also 37 and have been on ADs off and on for about 15 years. I am currently taking Effexor XR, 75 mg and I have weight gain and did have excessive sweating but my daughter has not exhibited either of those side effects. I am going to call her psychiatrist tomorrow with some questions about Effexor. My daughter seems to be doing better since starting the Effexor. She is not as anxious and she is not continuously worrying about her health or other things. As far as I can remember I was just like that as a child but my symptoms did not really show up until I turned 18 and went to college. I have panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder and see a psychiatrist myself. He is the one who told me to be cautious about putting my child on medications for depression because of the young age and that the mind is still developing. But I am just going to do what I have to for my child because she needs help. My husband is more supportive than I thought he would be about all of this. I think he just got worried about her so much and saw that there is nothing else we can do except try this medication or another AD. I want to thank you for your advice. It really helped me. I will keep you posted.
Thanks, jtc
Posted by jtc on December 9, 2002, at 21:31:13
In reply to Re: Effexor XR: Any advice would be appreciated... » jtc, posted by leslieg on December 9, 2002, at 17:25:38
> My son was on Zoloft (and ritalin) from about 7 years old until he was about 11 years old. He's still on adderall for his ADHD. We used Zoloft because it had worked so very well for me; there was a definite assumption that genetically he had a greater chance of reacting well to the same med I had reacted well to. I am very afraid of Effexor, and based on my own reactions and withdrawal from it I would *never* let my kids take it. But perhaps you are doing very well on it. I weaned my son off of Zoloft as he entered his teenage years because Zoloft made me inorgasmic and I did not want my son to go through his "high-hormone teen years" with no sex drive! Sure, it may have made me worry less, but it isn't normal! Our home life had changed enough that his depression still hasn't come back. (Yea!)
>
> As for meds being approved for use on children, most are not (psychiactric or otherwise). You need to have a doctor who has used the drugs with enough children clients to have a feel for what works and what doesn't.
>
> > 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
Hi leslieg,
Thanks for your response. I am curious as to what problems you had while on Effexor and what were your withdrawal symptoms? I have thought about trying to go off of Effexor because I have been researching it on the internet and it sounds a little scary. That is why I am a little scared for my daughter to take it. For the most part it has helped me except for the weight gain and I also notice that if I miss a dose I start to feel lightheaded and really strange. I am on 75 mg and my daughter is on 37.5 mg. I don't need to gain any more weight though. I find myself eating all the time even when not hungry. My daughter lost 1 1/2 pounds since starting the Effexor three weeks ago and she is already thin enough. It seems like she is doing a little better since starting the Effexor. I will have to speak to her psychiatrist and get her advice about any other medications my child could try. Thanks so much for responding to my post.
jtc
>
>
Posted by AnneL on December 9, 2002, at 23:37:32
In reply to Re: Effexor XR: Any advice would be appreciated..., posted by jtc on December 9, 2002, at 21:31:13
When my daughter was 13 she developed severe anxiety and depression. She was started on Zoloft but could not tolerate the GI upset. She ended up in the hospital and was started on Effexor XR and went from 37.5 to 150 mg. within one week. She has been stable on 225 mg. for about 18 months and doing beautifully. She has just turned 15 years old, is an A and B student,has stopped worrying about her health, has given up a lot of her OCD habits (hand washing, fear of "germs")and has good friendships. Effexor, therapy, limit setting, routine, and the natural process of maturation have all helped my daughter to become confident and well. As long as your child is tolerating the medication with no undue side effects, I say go for it. My daughter adjusted to Effexor extremely well. (I take it also). Good Luck to you and your child. :) Anne
Posted by me so tiny on December 10, 2002, at 3:04:43
In reply to Re: Lexapro and Wellbutrin, posted by ANXIETY ANN on December 7, 2002, at 18:31:08
> Hi,
> I was wondering what the purpose of
> taking both Lexapro and Wellbutrin is?Wellbutrin works well as a complement to a lot of the SSRIs, prozac, paxil, celexa and lexapro. They boost Serotonin; WB boosts Norepinephrine and Dopamine. As others have posted:
- sex: the ssri's tend to sabotage sexual drive. Wellbutrin tends to boost it back.
- the ssri's tend to sedate you. WB tends to wake you up.As always, your milage WILL vary. The SEs you get will be a crapshoot.
I got put on WB mainly for sexual; under Paxil, orgasms were virtually impossible. When it kicked in, I have to say I liked it - the AD effect was just different. Mostly I'd notice myself in a good mood despite the fact that I was totally angry just a little bit ago.
On paxil alone, I'd end up taking like two naps a day, otherwise i'd get cranky. My insomnia, ugh, don't get me started. But, we experimented with taking various drugs in morning or evening. I now take them all in the morning. Maybe one light nap mid-day.
I've also been sweating. Not sure if it's the paxil or WB.
I too am being eased off of Paxil onto Lexapro. The paxil pooped out on me. Too early to tell, but I'm not encouraged by the anxiety that people are complaining about.
Posted by mills on December 10, 2002, at 10:12:17
In reply to Re: Effexor XR: Any advice would be appreciated... » jtc, posted by AnneL on December 9, 2002, at 23:37:32
wow, nice success story; i needed that; hey anne, would you write one for me?
> When my daughter was 13 she developed severe anxiety and depression. She was started on Zoloft but could not tolerate the GI upset. She ended up in the hospital and was started on Effexor XR and went from 37.5 to 150 mg. within one week. She has been stable on 225 mg. for about 18 months and doing beautifully. She has just turned 15 years old, is an A and B student,has stopped worrying about her health, has given up a lot of her OCD habits (hand washing, fear of "germs")and has good friendships. Effexor, therapy, limit setting, routine, and the natural process of maturation have all helped my daughter to become confident and well. As long as your child is tolerating the medication with no undue side effects, I say go for it. My daughter adjusted to Effexor extremely well. (I take it also). Good Luck to you and your child. :) Anne
Posted by leslieg on December 10, 2002, at 13:09:17
In reply to Re: Effexor XR: Any advice would be appreciated..., posted by jtc on December 9, 2002, at 21:31:13
> > My son was on Zoloft (and ritalin) from about 7 years old until he was about 11 years old. He's still on adderall for his ADHD. We used Zoloft because it had worked so very well for me; there was a definite assumption that genetically he had a greater chance of reacting well to the same med I had reacted well to. I am very afraid of Effexor, and based on my own reactions and withdrawal from it I would *never* let my kids take it. But perhaps you are doing very well on it. I weaned my son off of Zoloft as he entered his teenage years because Zoloft made me inorgasmic and I did not want my son to go through his "high-hormone teen years" with no sex drive! Sure, it may have made me worry less, but it isn't normal! Our home life had changed enough that his depression still hasn't come back. (Yea!)
> >
> > As for meds being approved for use on children, most are not (psychiactric or otherwise). You need to have a doctor who has used the drugs with enough children clients to have a feel for what works and what doesn't.
> >
> Hi leslieg,
> Thanks for your response. I am curious as to what problems you had while on Effexor and what were your withdrawal symptoms? I have thought about trying to go off of Effexor because I have been researching it on the internet and it sounds a little scary. That is why I am a little scared for my daughter to take it. For the most part it has helped me except for the weight gain and I also notice that if I miss a dose I start to feel lightheaded and really strange. I am on 75 mg and my daughter is on 37.5 mg. I don't need to gain any more weight though. I find myself eating all the time even when not hungry. My daughter lost 1 1/2 pounds since starting the Effexor three weeks ago and she is already thin enough. It seems like she is doing a little better since starting the Effexor. I will have to speak to her psychiatrist and get her advice about any other medications my child could try. Thanks so much for responding to my post.
> jtc
> >While I was on Effexor, I was taking it "once a day". Since I was very sleepy all the time, I would take it when I was up and about, which was definitely not the same time every day. But because Effexor has such a short half-life, it needs to be taken at the same time every day, or your body starts to go through withdrawal (I was not told this until too late!). I didn't realize that was what was causing my periodic dizziness and general feeling of un-wellness. I gained weight, but I had also stopped exercising and my eating had gone out of control. Although I weaned off over a 3-week period, when I finally stopped I had electrical sensations (I heard a buzz every time I moved my eyes), twitches, anxiety, weepiness, generally felt bad ... I can't remember all the symptoms. The twitches (I call them voluntary spasms), a funny non-physically-based limp and slurring words when I am tired are three things that started when I got off the Effexor which, 2.5 years later, I still have.
-- Leslie
Posted by looking for a life on December 10, 2002, at 17:14:40
In reply to Wellbutrin as a side dish » ANXIETY ANN, posted by me so tiny on December 10, 2002, at 3:04:43
> > Hi,
> > I was wondering what the purpose of
> > taking both Lexapro and Wellbutrin is?
>
> Wellbutrin works well as a complement to a lot of the SSRIs, prozac, paxil, celexa and lexapro. They boost Serotonin; WB boosts Norepinephrine and Dopamine. As others have posted:
>
> - sex: the ssri's tend to sabotage sexual drive. Wellbutrin tends to boost it back.
> - the ssri's tend to sedate you. WB tends to wake you up.
>
> As always, your milage WILL vary. The SEs you get will be a crapshoot.
>
> I got put on WB mainly for sexual; under Paxil, orgasms were virtually impossible. When it kicked in, I have to say I liked it - the AD effect was just different. Mostly I'd notice myself in a good mood despite the fact that I was totally angry just a little bit ago.
>
> On paxil alone, I'd end up taking like two naps a day, otherwise i'd get cranky. My insomnia, ugh, don't get me started. But, we experimented with taking various drugs in morning or evening. I now take them all in the morning. Maybe one light nap mid-day.
>
> I've also been sweating. Not sure if it's the paxil or WB.
>
> I too am being eased off of Paxil onto Lexapro. The paxil pooped out on me. Too early to tell, but I'm not encouraged by the anxiety that people are complaining about.
>I am on wellbutrin and it has been a consitant med for me for about 3 yrs. I sweat horribly and It is the Wellbutrin that causes it for me.
It does not get better either:O(
Posted by wharfrat on December 12, 2002, at 10:18:52
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
The sexual side effects are unbearable, I can't take it anymore. Not interested in taking other meds to counteract this. It's Bull***t. Someone let me know when the pharm companies pull their heads out and come up with something that does'nt have this side effect. They can send a man to the moon but blah blah blah, rant rant rant, rave rave rave!!!!!!!!!! AAAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHH!
Quite obviously not having a decent sex session in I don't know when is making me extremely IRRITABLE!!!!!!!!!
Sorry, I had to vent
Bye Ya'll
Wharf
Posted by Denise528 on December 12, 2002, at 10:52:41
In reply to Re: 15 weeks I've had it!!!, posted by wharfrat on December 12, 2002, at 10:18:52
Hi,
I don't mean to belittle the side effects that you are experiencing but I can't understand why if you were that depressed before taking the Antidepressant, do the sexual side effects of ADs bother you so much. I'd be satisfied with just feeling better regardless of sexual side effects or is it just a man thing?
Denise
Posted by newuser2 on December 12, 2002, at 11:06:39
In reply to Re: 15 weeks I've had it!!!, posted by wharfrat on December 12, 2002, at 10:18:52
Did the sexual side effects worsen with prolonged use or were the side effects immediately noticable? I have been on Lexapro for 3 weeks and have noticed mild sexual side effects, just wondering what's in store.
Thank you
Posted by wharfrat on December 12, 2002, at 11:19:35
In reply to Re: 15 weeks I've had it!!!, posted by Denise528 on December 12, 2002, at 10:52:41
Yeah, it's just a man thing. Always horny, can't think of anything else, that's the only thing we want. I'm not just some oversexed frat boy, I'm 41.
Sex with my wife of 17 years just so happens to be something very intimate and enjoyable for both of us (or it was). Now it's nothing, a emotionally detached existence, a monotone, mundane feeling. Don't get me wrong, lexapro has made me more bearable to be around (general anxiety disorder not necessarily depression). The early side effects have long since faded, but this one lingers on. I know there's more to life than sex, but love suffers without it that's all.
Can you understand?
Posted by wharfrat on December 12, 2002, at 11:32:46
In reply to Re: 15 weeks I've had it!!!, posted by newuser2 on December 12, 2002, at 11:06:39
> Did the sexual side effects worsen with prolonged use or were the side effects immediately noticable? I have been on Lexapro for 3 weeks and have noticed mild sexual side effects, just wondering what's in store.
> Thank youThe side effects started out mild (difficulty obtaining orgasm). Sex drive has not been effected at all. That's what's so frustrating about it. Can't finish the job, that's all. I don't know if your a male or female but I have read post in the past that it CAN be a problem for both sexes. Will it ever go away? I don't know. Will this happen to you? I hope not. I've never been on any other antidepressants and when doc decided to put me on one he suggested lexapro saying "the sexual side effects are supposed to be less with lexapro, than zoloft, paxil etc.)
I just don't know what to do.
Have you had any experience with any other antid's?
Thanks,
Wharf
Posted by TerryW on December 12, 2002, at 14:12:13
In reply to Re: 15 weeks I've had it!!! » newuser2, posted by wharfrat on December 12, 2002, at 11:32:46
I have been on Lexapro for almost 3 weeks and have experienced the same sexual side effects as Wharf - increased work to get to orgasm, but no diminishment of desire or erection. I was on Paxil 1-1/2 years ago and the sexual side effects of Paxil were a lot worse - no desire whatsoever (I felt like I had been neutered.), inability to maintain an erection and even more difficulty reaching orgasm. Triple bummer.
Anxiety Help - http://www.anxietyhelp.org/treatment/medication/cipralex.html - lists the sexual side effect of "ejaculation problems" under the category of "May not Subside Until Discontinuation." Bummer. Luckily, my fiancée is supportive and understanding.
When I was on Paxil, my psychiatrist prescribed Wellbutrin to help counteract Paxil's triple whammy sexual side effect. I recall that it helped some but did not return things to 100%. I am going to see how it goes on Lexapro for a bit longer. If the sexual side effect continues (which it seems like it will from Wharf's longer experience) I may try to get back on Wellbutrin or see what else my shrink recommends.
I have heard of people taking "holidays" from their medication as a way of temporarily getting past the sexual side effects. I have not tried this. A discussion with one's doctor would be prudent before trying this.
Good luck, everyone. Hopefully understanding wives/partners will help alleviate some of the frustrations.
Posted by deadbolt on December 12, 2002, at 21:23:57
In reply to Re: 15 weeks I've had it!!! » newuser2, posted by wharfrat on December 12, 2002, at 11:32:46
Ive been on lexapro for about 2 1/2 weeks. So far having trouble sleeping. sex wise seem pretty good, not as "frisky" but its still there. it seems it may have helped my anxiety but the depression still lingers.
Posted by ayuda on December 12, 2002, at 21:37:44
In reply to Re: 15 weeks I've had it!!!, posted by wharfrat on December 12, 2002, at 10:18:52
To tell you the truth, I've had a marked increase in my sex drive on Lexapro, the first in years. So I feel bad for anyone who is having problems -- I wish I had a man in my life now that I have a desire for one!
> The sexual side effects are unbearable, I can't take it anymore. Not interested in taking other meds to counteract this. It's Bull***t. Someone let me know when the pharm companies pull their heads out and come up with something that does'nt have this side effect. They can send a man to the moon but blah blah blah, rant rant rant, rave rave rave!!!!!!!!!! AAAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHH!
> Quite obviously not having a decent sex session in I don't know when is making me extremely IRRITABLE!!!!!!!!!
> Sorry, I had to vent
> Bye Ya'll
> Wharf
Posted by Stella1 on December 13, 2002, at 8:44:10
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
I've noticed that w/ Lexapro and Celexa I have a lot of breast soreness. Is this normal, is anyone else experiencing it?
Posted by newuser2 on December 13, 2002, at 8:47:39
In reply to Has anyone experience breast pain?, posted by Stella1 on December 13, 2002, at 8:44:10
NO, I have been on Lexapro for 19 days and have not had that experience. I haven't heard of that side-effect. You may want to check with your Doctor or Pharmacist.
Good Luck!
Posted by leslieg on December 13, 2002, at 10:10:17
In reply to Has anyone experience breast pain?, posted by Stella1 on December 13, 2002, at 8:44:10
> I've noticed that w/ Lexapro and Celexa I have a lot of breast soreness. Is this normal, is anyone else experiencing it?
Got on Lexapro 3 weeks after weaning my 16-month old baby. Been on Lexapro for 6-7 weeks now. Nothing at all unusual or unexpected happening "up top." I suppose it is possible that you are experiencing tenseness in your pec muscles (as many do get the side effect of tense shoulders, upper back, neck and / or jaw)?
Posted by kara lynne on December 13, 2002, at 12:18:29
In reply to Has anyone experience breast pain?, posted by Stella1 on December 13, 2002, at 8:44:10
Interesting, because I just noticed increased breast pain last night. I usually get it anyway mid-cycle, but it does seem more than usual. I really had it bad with Pamelor (tricyclic)--in fact it was one of the worst side effects. But I didn't think Lexapro affected the hormones in the same way. Of course you may want to see your doctor in any case, but I did want to let you know I was having a similar problem (don't know if it's the Lexapro or not).
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