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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by SLS on February 18, 2003, at 21:20:11
In reply to Re: 4 weeks and one day on lexapro » SLS, posted by Dysfunk on February 18, 2003, at 16:30:46
> Prozac is the only SSRI that I experienced a sense of relief on. I tried: Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Buspar, Paxil, Serzone, Effexor......I can't remember them all!
Hi Dysfunk.
I know the feeling.
What combinations have you tried?
Mood-stabilizers?
Stimulants?
Besides Prozac, did any other drug produce even the smallest partial improvement?
- Scott
Posted by NOTINSANEJUSTPPMD on February 18, 2003, at 23:47:47
In reply to Re: Lexapro and Wellbutrin SR » bridgette, posted by Leo Bostar on February 9, 2003, at 16:10:05
HI I have been suffering from Major Depression for about six years now. I tried Zolft for most of the time and just thought I was going to be a b tch for the rest of my life. I then last year was getting to be at my worst so they switched me to Paxil which was a major mistake I had severe reactions which almost killed me. I then was placed on Wellbutrin SR 150 twice a day and Zyprexa. I was on that combination until my Counselor take to a Psych. and he told her I needed to get off Zyprexa because it was the wrong med for me. I then started on 10mg of Lexpro with my Wellbutrin twice a day still. Within a few weeks my Doctor moved me to 20 mg. And my life has truly changed for the better. I have not experiance any major side effect. I had gained 55 pound by being on the Zyprexa. Since November I have lost 15 lbs and hopefully still losing. My sexual desire/libdo is starting to increase. Still having some orgasm problems but at least I am showing interest. I have another appt soon to go over meds and I might go up another 5 or so on Lexapro just to see if it does help more with the aniexty ( I can't spell sorry) I still have to take my Xanax once in a while for that. My husband states that I am almost a better person than when we married almost 9 years ago. I have been told that I have probably suffered some sort of depression my whole life. But this combination so far has really been great and I stress to everyone just to keep giving Lexapro a try it has been a GOD sent for me!! Thanks KP
Posted by male34 on February 19, 2003, at 8:59:39
In reply to lexapro, posted by skyeXX on February 18, 2003, at 10:57:35
> This is my first time on meds and IM kinda freaked out. This past year my mother died, my boyfriend almost got killed and due to depression/stress a lot of physical things happened to me.(back went out,rash etc) I havent been able to be "normal" since and have just started on lexapro. IM worried aobut having my personality changed and not being able to experiance emotions the same. Oh Also up until about 3 weeks ago I lived on coffee cigarettes and alcohol at night which I quit all at once on my own. Ive been on lexapro for 5 days now and the only side effect is being mildly dizzy. Does this drug hinder creativity, does it lame out emotions?
"""""""it will work give it weeks all will be clear ,get rough starter weeks then see if it works ,
Posted by male34 on February 19, 2003, at 9:15:11
In reply to Re: 4 weeks and one day on lexapro, posted by Hope Elisabeth on February 18, 2003, at 12:46:48
first off im anxiety person--3rd week now on 10mgs lexapro with daizaplam(spelling?) like avalium diazplam ,i was felling great but now seemed to drop down,anxiety and panic whats going on anyone else feel like this and did you get back to better staying on lex? any advice?
Posted by male34 on February 19, 2003, at 9:19:25
In reply to Re: 4 weeks and one day on lexapro » Dysfunk, posted by SLS on February 18, 2003, at 21:20:11
may sound funny but im an outdoor worker,warmer spring weather,etc.., we just got worse snow storm!in ten years my businees wont start now for a much longer time, im anxiuos and down about it ,could the weather actually cause me to have anxiety???
Posted by Chuck2112 on February 19, 2003, at 9:46:21
In reply to Re: 4 weeks and one day on lexapro, posted by SLS on February 18, 2003, at 16:07:50
> > i am doing much better than a week ago, i am going into week 5 here and feeling so much better and getting better every day...still a ways from the finish line though.....
>
>
> Hi Chuck.
>
> Forgive me if you've already addressed this question, but which SSRIs have you tried in the past, and what were your experiences with them? What about Effexor, Wellbutrin, and MAOIs?
>
> Thanks much!
>
>
> - Scott
Scott,
no i have never tried anything else before the lexapro. I will really have to give it another 2 or 3 weeks before I decide if its worth staying on. It has definitely helped me snap out of the low place i felt i had gotten to. But as far as it getting me back to my usual self, that remains to be seen.
Posted by NOTINSANEJUSTPPMD on February 19, 2003, at 10:19:41
In reply to lex was good now going bad again ,anyone, posted by male34 on February 19, 2003, at 9:15:11
You may want to check with your doctor and have your dose raised. I had the same thing happen in the beginning on 10 mg and now I am on 20 mg. I might look at 30 here soon just because of my aniexty still squeezes ( I can't spell sorry) in sometimes. But stick with it just keep checking in with your Doc. so that they can monitor you and bump you up if needed. Good Luck
Posted by Dysfunk on February 19, 2003, at 10:22:54
In reply to does weather effect us???, posted by male34 on February 19, 2003, at 9:19:25
I would say your reaction to the weather can cause you anxiety. If you like to work and keep busy and you know you won't be able to get back to it for a while, that can make you anxious. I suggest taking up something to keep you busy in the meantime- an indoor hobby? I got slammed with a huge snowstorm too and I was so ancy staying inside all day Monday. I ended up working out inside to calm me down a bit.
Posted by NOTINSANEJUSTPPMD on February 19, 2003, at 10:23:06
In reply to does weather effect us???, posted by male34 on February 19, 2003, at 9:19:25
Hi ! Yes in some cases, it really is what can stress you out like mines my sister and Grandma. I had to quit doing my husband books because it caused to much aniexty. So hey weather can cause it too in my book specially when our work depends on weather. (Were are Cutome home Builders in OR)
Posted by Chuck2112 on February 19, 2003, at 10:52:40
In reply to Re: 4 weeks and one day on lexapro » Chuck2112, posted by Dysfunk on February 18, 2003, at 16:28:32
> I guess that is something! i only knew that the Prozac was working for me when I dropped down and realized I was starting to feel worse than before. Like I said in other places on this board, it is hard to tell cause so many factors contribute to moods and physical ailments.
well i am sure that we also create an extra amount of anxiety by anticipating when and how the meds will work.....i guess the best thing i can think of is to try and keep your mind off of it all as much as you can, and just try to live, for better or for worse....try not to have to much of an opinion about how you feel...not that i am the best at this...but when i can acheive it it does help
Posted by Leo BoStar on February 19, 2003, at 20:35:10
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
Well, I made a lot of brave noise here about quitting Lexapro last week. Now I'm down to 10mg and getting scared. That's typical for me. A lot of hot air and bravado followed by wimping out.
Anyway, I can't climb a flight of steps without getting totally winded and having to sit down for a rest. My heart pounds like a triphammer for a few minutes until I can catch my breath and get up and move on. No sweats or numbness or anything like that - just out of breath with a pounding heart.
Anyone else experience this kind of sudden fatigue when withdrawing from Lexapro?
Posted by EGR on February 19, 2003, at 23:00:18
In reply to Re: lexapro, posted by male34 on February 19, 2003, at 8:59:39
IM worried aobut having my personality changed and not being able to experiance emotions the same. Oh Also up until about 3 weeks ago I lived on coffee cigarettes and alcohol at night which I quit all at once on my own. Ive been on lexapro for 5 days now and the only side effect is being mildly dizzy. Does this drug hinder creativity, does it lame out emotions?
Relax skyeXX. You'll be fine. You'll like the "new and improved" you. Your personality won't change, but your outlook will. You'll get to know the "real" you. You won't be afraid... you'll be "braver" in social situations... you'll be more willing to interact with people, etc. It WON'T lower your inhibitions or make you do things you don't want to do. I'm not sure how they work... they take some people more time than others and some have various side effects (mild) but others don't. The worst one seems to be a decreased ability to achieve an orgasm, but some claim that one goes away too.
Just relax, don't try to analyze it all, just heal.
EGR
Posted by EGR on February 19, 2003, at 23:04:17
In reply to Re: Lexapro and Wellbutrin SR » Leo Bostar, posted by NOTINSANEJUSTPPMD on February 18, 2003, at 23:47:47
Notinsane, etc...
I, too, take 20 mgs of Lexapro and 100 mgs of Wellbutrin SR. I can't take the Wellbutrin every day though because I get buzzing in my ears. So far, the Wellbutrin hasn't help me with my orgasms... probably because I don't take it every day. Do you/did you have buzzing in your head and did it go away? It drives me nuts! Thanks for your help.
EGR
Posted by NOTINSANEJUSTPPMD on February 20, 2003, at 0:46:46
In reply to Re: Lexapro and Wellbutrin SR » NOTINSANEJUSTPPMD, posted by EGR on February 19, 2003, at 23:04:17
I don't remember any ringing in my ear but I was pretty out of it when I first started on Wellbutrin and Zyprexa. So far everything now is fine :)
Posted by nails on February 20, 2003, at 2:53:29
In reply to Re: Switch from Prozac to Lexapro -, posted by gimlet on February 17, 2003, at 15:07:11
Hey gimlet, I can understand your leariness about psychiatrists. Mine told me for 11 years that he wasn't aware of antidep side-effects other than "sexual dysfunction". Since finding this site, I now realize that all of the "weird stuff" I'd been experiencing on antidep meds are common side-effects! You mention "bad past experience with medications". What meds were you taking? Any SSRI's? My doc switched me from Prozac to Lexapro 10 days ago because, although Prozac worked wonders for YEARS (with minimal side effects), it finally "pooped out" on me. So far, I feel no effect of the Lexapro (good or bad) but I think it's too early to judge. Of course, every med effects everyone differently. But from my own experience and from what I've read on this site, Prozac seems to have a positive effect on many people, but tends to lose its effect with time. (MY theory is that one's body tends to build a "tolerance" to anything over time). I don't think there's a definitive answer to your inquiry, but personally, I would try whatever the doc suggests until you feel better :o) Also, I think it's important to note: Many people will try a med for a week and draw a conclusion as to its effectiveness. Personally, I think it's only fair to give an antidep med at LEAST a month to start "working".
Posted by male34 on February 20, 2003, at 9:28:05
In reply to Re: Lexapro and Wellbutrin SR » NOTINSANEJUSTPPMD, posted by EGR on February 19, 2003, at 23:04:17
> Notinsane, etc...
>
> I, too, take 20 mgs of Lexapro and 100 mgs of Wellbutrin SR. I can't take the Wellbutrin every day though because I get buzzing in my ears. So far, the Wellbutrin hasn't help me with my orgasms... probably because I don't take it every day. Do you/did you have buzzing in your head and did it go away? It drives me nuts! Thanks for your help.
>
> EGR
88888888888i never to weelbutrin but i taKE LEX, BUZ IN EAR I HAD IT FADES AWAY DONT THINK ABOUT IT AND IF YOU LOOK ATITI ANOTHER WAY , START SAYING THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM ,IT WONT HURT YOU KEEP BUSY ITS HARD I KNOW BUT LIFE WILL START ROLLING SMOOTHLY KEEP GOING ON ABOUT YOUR DAILY DEEDS DONT THINK TO HARD ON SIDE EFFECTS SO SO WHAT.GOOD LUCK MY FRIEND
Posted by Dysfunk on February 20, 2003, at 11:19:09
In reply to Re: 4 weeks and one day on lexapro, posted by Chuck2112 on February 19, 2003, at 10:52:40
That is good advice....I guess if I wasn't a worrier, I wouldn't need anti-anxiety med to begin with! Therein lies the rub!...
Posted by Chuck2112 on February 20, 2003, at 12:26:07
In reply to Re: 4 weeks and one day on lexapro » Chuck2112, posted by Dysfunk on February 20, 2003, at 11:19:09
> That is good advice....I guess if I wasn't a worrier, I wouldn't need anti-anxiety med to begin with! Therein lies the rub!...
dysfunk,
yeah, i know there is paradox there, but i think with practice, it gets easier. what i think tends to get in the way is our preconceptions that we have as to how life should be experienced, and we cause ourselves much anguish unconsciously holding ourselves to some standard that really has no basis in reality....
one technique that helps me on some days is to just take in my environment, if i am driving i just look around me and make small little comments to myself about what i see, and try to make associations, like if i am driving and i see a barn, what automatically does that make me think of, oh it makes me think of that barn on that road where i grew up and from there i might start to think about the people who lived there, and from there about something i used to do with my friends and so on and so forth...
Posted by Sadsack on February 20, 2003, at 12:34:51
In reply to Re: LEX wieght gain anybody,or not? » ayuda, posted by EGR on February 12, 2003, at 22:26:40
Didn't you add Wellbutrin to the mix in hopes of decreasing the sse's? I was wondering if it's working. I am SSSOOOOOOO frustrated with the miniature o's instead of the BIG O'S.
Just looking for a brighter light at the end of the tunnel (although I am supremely grateful for the overall benefits of this wonderful drug).
Thanks for your input
Sadsack
Posted by male34 on February 20, 2003, at 13:04:58
In reply to Hey EGR, how's the Wellbutrin mix going?, posted by Sadsack on February 20, 2003, at 12:34:51
listen there are no answers ive been down this road before paxil, off it to much weight, now on LEX 3 weeks,ive got side effects again it all STINKS!,anxiety for me , best advice take it or sit and dwell and suffer, stop thinking about the side effects easirer said then done right? (your saying) hey im in your same boat second time around i was doing ok,then my mom dies winter kicks in my 3 kids are driving me up the wall snowed in 3 feet of snow,i cant work im a landscaper and now im dealing with a lot with side effects, (im sure theres worse than me or us ) but we got to stick with it SSRI's work great it just the start is rough! stay busy dont worry go out and keep going if your agoraphobic take small steps out further everytime ,listen its only a little tiny nerve impulse vs your big body ,you can conquer this thing that we cant see, or touch, "ya get it" its realy not there at all,think about what I said,progress your thoughts from "what ifs" to "who cares " you gotta get going every second you dwell on it it wins ,take your life back you and you friends and loved ones are waiting,now everybody get going dont dwell, side efects wont hurt you niether will your depression or anxiety,exercize,hobbies social outings snowed in go bowling go to mall,walk the dog,pray to your god,join the gym!i hoped this helped and do it now dont delay.
God bless good luck and keep the faith!MALE34
ps-if your on ssri's starting off with an additional relaxent pill is something you should ask your DR. ,im not a Dr. so ask him first,it will ease the side effects to start off.
Posted by EGR on February 20, 2003, at 23:22:21
In reply to Hey EGR, how's the Wellbutrin mix going?, posted by Sadsack on February 20, 2003, at 12:34:51
> Didn't you add Wellbutrin to the mix in hopes of decreasing the sse's?
Yep! That was the hope... the HOPE. I can have little o's with lots of concentration... if the moon is just right and Jupiter is to the left of Venus... BUT, like I was saying. I keep getting this awful buzzing in my head so I stop taking it for a few days. I decided to tough out the head buzzing and keep taking it for at least a month and see what happens. Life is MUCH better this way... with or without o's or O's.EGR
Posted by EGR on February 20, 2003, at 23:28:54
In reply to Re : Lexapro and Wellbutrin » EGR, posted by NOTINSANEJUSTPPMD on February 20, 2003, at 0:46:46
I haven't "seen" you in awhile. Is all fine and dandy, or are things really bad? Or are you just busy? I hope you're just too busy to post and not that you're having problems.
You're missed! :-)
EGR
Posted by NOTINSANEJUSTPPMD on February 21, 2003, at 10:33:08
In reply to Hey Bozeman!, posted by EGR on February 20, 2003, at 23:28:54
Hi EGR! I am actually pretty new to the board if this message was for me:) I have been suffering Major Depression now for over 6 years ( They say longer but I can say the last 6 have been the worse) LAst year in Feb. I completly crashed on Paxil ended up having Police here at my house and about to lose my kids and husband. Thank god for good people. I was told to go to my county mental health department to get check by professionals that handle mental health( I'd been seeing my OBGYN) My husband came with me and he was so upset to learn that it really was a illness I wasn't just a b tch. We then look for a good mental health doctor needless to say she SUCKED!! Because I was on Zyprex until November when I finally went to a new doc and she is WONDERFUL! She has me on the Well/Lex combo and so far so good. Lots of aniexty still. But if it gets to bad I take Xanax. Anyway thats my story in a nut shell. I am really enjoying this site. And getting to be in on some things. So I hope that you don't mindme! :) I just like to know I am not the only one with these issues. It really helps! GOD BLESS
Posted by EGR on February 21, 2003, at 11:33:36
In reply to My story in a Nut Shell (no PUN intented, maybe ;) » EGR, posted by NOTINSANEJUSTPPMD on February 21, 2003, at 10:33:08
Hi NOT...! (You have a much too long name! :-) )
Here's my scoop. I have been depressed off and on for about 20 years.. runs in the family. For the last 4 or so years I have been denying the fact that I needed meds... trying to do it with CBT kinds of stuff. Last fall I starting becoming VERY negative and ended up suicidal. My pastor (who is also my boss... I work at a church) ended up having to do an intervention and got me on meds. I SHOULD have gone inpatient but didn't. I was on 4 meds before landing on Lexapro around Dec. Started on 10 mgs and went to 20, then added the Wellbutrin for sse. I, too, love knowing that I'm not alone, that these side effects are "normal", that some go away... and that the support is out here.
Bozeman is an actual person on this site, but I'm glad to make your acquaintance too!
EGR
Posted by bozeman on February 21, 2003, at 23:12:12
In reply to Hey Bozeman!, posted by EGR on February 20, 2003, at 23:28:54
> I haven't "seen" you in awhile. Is all fine and dandy, or are things really bad? Or are you just busy? I hope you're just too busy to post and not that you're having problems.
>
> You're missed! :-)
>
> EGRHi EGR!!
Life has exploded (imploded a better word perhaps?) I've been venting over on social about my troubles (someone must have kidnapped my boyfriend, as there's a rabid wolverine in his place -- my kitty baby tried to die on me but I wouldn't let him -- luckily he's as tough as his mama ha ha -- etc ad nauseum.)
The *good* news is, I saw my doctor yesterday and we discussed (among other things) the difference in
*chemical* and *emotional* depression. She says it's perfectly normal and OK for someone going through all this to be upset (almost certain impending breakup of long-term relationship, etc, etc) but the point is to keep me from being chemically depressed so I can still have my coping skills. And she's right -- it feels completely different than the "crush-the-breath-out-of-you" depression I was fighting before the Lexapro. I'm sad and stressed, but it's from actual events, not from "anticipating/dreading" events, if that makes any sense.Like the impeding breakup. This is probably the first time in my life I've been able to sit and work through it in my mind without going to pieces. It's almost like we've already split, and I wish it didn't have to be so, but it is, and I can't change him. His way of dealing with issues is yell and then avoid/ignore, so they never get resolved. I've always known this about him, so I've always backed off and let him have his way. The biggest reason I started taking Lexapro is my doctor was concerned that I seemed to be forcing myself farther and farther back into a box (and it was slowly compressing me to a point where I would have eventually exploded.) She was right -- I was avoiding his anger by refusing to stand up to him. Since getting stable on Lexapro, I don't fear his anger (I'm not so rejection-sensitive :-) and I speak my mind. Don't pick fights, but don't back down if he picks one, either. So he's getting more and more unstable lately, (probably because he's insecure of my feelings since I'm verbally standing up to him) and that makes me very sad. I know he is just feeling threatened, but I can't change how he feels, only he can, and if being with me, who I *really* am, makes him feel threatened to that extent, then better that we make a clean break now. It makes me very sad but I can't change it. :-( Don't get me wrong, he's not violent and he would never hurt me. But he's violently opinionated, probably because he's insecure about his opinions, and he needs as much therapy as I've had to work through those issues. But he's waaaay to stubborn and obstinate to get it. So our impasse is permanent, it seems. I can't/ won't give up who I am, and he can't let go of the past without help, and he won't get help. Endgame. =-(
But at least I'm a different kind of sad -- it doesn't feel like the end of the world. I always wondered how people could break up and just go on with their lives -- not go into a screeching halt from grief. Now I know. Those people weren't clinically, chemically depressed. And, as much as I have always argued about it, I apparently have been for nearly thirty years, if not my entire life.
Hope everything is well in your world, my friend. Thanks for checking on me. I'll check back in when things calm down a bit.
bozeman
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