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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by jjana on May 8, 2003, at 13:42:39
In reply to Re: Is everyone gaining weight on the Lexapro!!!!!????, posted by mkvelocity on May 5, 2003, at 7:46:51
Hello out there,
I'm new to this board. I've been reading it for a while but this is the first time I've posted anything. My psychiatrist (pdoc?) just started me on Lexapro, and I'm in my third day. The first day I took 10mg, but that left me feeling So terrible, nauseous, out of it that I cut back to 5mgs the second day. I felt better, but this morning woke up with awful stomach cramps and diarrhea. I've also been having jaw clenching and muscle cramps.
Also, I'm taking it for anxiety and depression, and right now my anxiety is about 10 times worse than when I started.
Did anybody else out there suffer such severe side effects when you started Lexapro? If so, how long did they last, and did the drug end up helping you or not?
I'm trying to decide if I should call my pdoc (I'm getting the lingo down) and ask for something extra for the anxiety, but I feel almost too anxious to call him up. I used to be afraid to make phone calls, and that seems to have come back suddenly. I'd like to just wait it out, but I'm a college student with finals this week, and I don't know what to do. I feel totally incapacitated, sick, scared, UGH.
Sorry this is so long. Please, if anybody can offer me any comfort or advise, I'll be forever greatful. You all seem like such good friends and so supportive, I'd love to be part of your community.
Thanks for listening,
Jana
Posted by blkvettes on May 8, 2003, at 16:48:42
In reply to New to Lexapro and feeling awful, posted by jjana on May 8, 2003, at 13:42:39
> Hello out there,
>
> I'm new to this board. I've been reading it for a while but this is the first time I've posted anything. My psychiatrist (pdoc?) just started me on Lexapro, and I'm in my third day. The first day I took 10mg, but that left me feeling So terrible, nauseous, out of it that I cut back to 5mgs the second day. I felt better, but this morning woke up with awful stomach cramps and diarrhea. I've also been having jaw clenching and muscle cramps.
>
> Also, I'm taking it for anxiety and depression, and right now my anxiety is about 10 times worse than when I started.
>
> Did anybody else out there suffer such severe side effects when you started Lexapro? If so, how long did they last, and did the drug end up helping you or not?
>
> I'm trying to decide if I should call my pdoc (I'm getting the lingo down) and ask for something extra for the anxiety, but I feel almost too anxious to call him up. I used to be afraid to make phone calls, and that seems to have come back suddenly. I'd like to just wait it out, but I'm a college student with finals this week, and I don't know what to do. I feel totally incapacitated, sick, scared, UGH.
>
> Sorry this is so long. Please, if anybody can offer me any comfort or advise, I'll be forever greatful. You all seem like such good friends and so supportive, I'd love to be part of your community.
>
> Thanks for listening,
> JanaHi Jana, cutting back to 5 mg is not a bad idea. In fact I feel you should have started there. Try to hang in there if you can and see if the 5mg makes a difference over the next couple of days. Most side effects go away with time. I know you have a lot going on with school. A benxo such as xanax or klonopin may help but you dont want to take to much or get hooked on them. It would be good though if you called your doc and let them know what is going on. Good luck in school and hope it all works for you. TAKE CARE!!!!!!!!!
Posted by jjana on May 9, 2003, at 3:19:21
In reply to Re: New to Lexapro and feeling awful, posted by blkvettes on May 8, 2003, at 16:48:42
>
> Hi Jana, cutting back to 5 mg is not a bad idea. In fact I feel you should have started there. Try to hang in there if you can and see if the 5mg makes a difference over the next couple of days. Most side effects go away with time. I know you have a lot going on with school. A benxo such as xanax or klonopin may help but you dont want to take to much or get hooked on them. It would be good though if you called your doc and let them know what is going on. Good luck in school and hope it all works for you. TAKE CARE!!!!!!!!!
>
>Thanks for the advice and comforting words! I got in touch with my pdoc this morning, and he told me to just quit taking the Lexapro until finals are over. which was fine, except that i was a complete mess from the drug and just not taking it didn't fix anything. He was then out of the office until monday, so I ended up going to urgent care (which i found terribly embaracing) to beg for some anxiety drug until i can see my doctor on monday. and HURRAY he gave me a drug called Ativan which i'd never heard of, but love already. 20 minutes after i took the itty-bitty pill i felt better than i have in months. so anyway, when i go back to the pdoc, i will insist that i have something like ativan to help me out when i resume trying antidepressants.
oh, and i found a resource online that says that Lexapro can react badly with Prilosec. apparently my pdoc didn't know that, but i wonder if that's why i reacted so badly. i take prilosec daily for GERD.
i'd still like to hear about other experiences with Lexapro, especially the initial side effects you had and when they went away. i haven't totally given up on trying this drug again, but i do feel cautious about it.
THANKS!!!!
jana
Posted by Curlena on May 9, 2003, at 8:51:30
In reply to Re: New to Lexapro and feeling awful, posted by jjana on May 9, 2003, at 3:19:21
Paxil wore me out, tapered over two months and was placed on Wellbutrin. Now 12 days on Lexapro and wellbutrin and feel worse than ever. Depressed, angry, exhausted, feel like I have a wicked bad flu, sweat extensively every hour without fail, it wakes me at night.
Any help out there? I am on 10 mg daily
thanks
Posted by leeran on May 9, 2003, at 9:28:43
In reply to Re: New to Lexapro and feeling awful, posted by Curlena on May 9, 2003, at 8:51:30
About six weeks ago I started Lexapro at 10 mg. and weaned myself off of it after about four or five days, but I had mistakenly gone off of Wellbutrin.
Now, I'm at the fourteen day point at 5 mg. of Lexapro with 40 mg. Adderall XR, 150 mg. Wellbutrin SR and an Ambien at before bed.
For me, 10 mg. was way too much - in fact, for a few days I was even cutting the 10 mg. into quarters and taking 2.5.
Hope you start feeling better soon! I think some other people here had to adjust down from 10 mg. as well.
Posted by Okpolosi on May 9, 2003, at 9:50:58
In reply to Re: New to Lexapro and feeling awful » Curlena, posted by leeran on May 9, 2003, at 9:28:43
Newbies to Lexapro, please don't get discouraged with the bad side effects you are experiencing on Lex. I started on 5mg 3+ months ago. I posted a lot here since then about my own personal BAD experiences w/lex, and got a lot of support and encouragement from everyone here.
You can go back to previous periods and read all about it...or briefly I had just about every side effect, and the first 2-3 weeks were ABSOLUTELY AWFUL. Stayed home all second week w/flu-like symptoms, called in sick to work.
BUT....THESE SIDE EFFECTS ALL WENT AWAY. Have no side effects now, and have to say Lex has been a lifesaver for me.
Try to stick with it, it may take 8-9 weeks before you feel the good effects of Lex ( that's how long it took for me ).
BEST OF LUCK TO US ALL!
Posted by Okpolosi on May 9, 2003, at 10:04:36
In reply to New to Lexapro and feeling awful, posted by jjana on May 8, 2003, at 13:42:39
You sound just like I did 3 months ago....terrible side effects and wondering what was I doing!!! Got MORE anxious and depressed befor it got better. Took 9 weeks befor I had an indication Lex was going to work. Now I am glad I stuck with it...have not had an anxiety attack or depressive episode in a while. Also have not had any more custiomer complaints at work and have not had a screaming fight w/hubby, all of which were ruining my life befor Lex.
Hang in there and give it a chance to work for you too!!
Best of luck to you and all the rest of us, we're all in this together.
Posted by DC on May 9, 2003, at 10:07:40
In reply to Re: New to Lexapro and feeling awful, posted by Curlena on May 9, 2003, at 8:51:30
> Paxil wore me out, tapered over two months and was placed on Wellbutrin. Now 12 days on Lexapro and wellbutrin and feel worse than ever. Depressed, angry, exhausted, feel like I have a wicked bad flu, sweat extensively every hour without fail, it wakes me at night.
>
> Any help out there? I am on 10 mg daily
> thanksI am taking Wellbutrin (300mg daily) and Lexapro (20mg daily) at the same time also. I don't feel that awful but seem way too tired. I do know that when I decided to stop Paxil I felt TERRIBLE. I would wake up in the middle of the night with the sheets soaking wet from sweating so much. And had really weird dreams. I did read in the newspaper about a man suing the manufacturer due to similar side effects when discontinuing Paxil. Manufacturer claims Paxil is not habit or addictive forming. But I did experience a lot of what you just described, along with sort of a feeling of electricity moving thru my body. Almost like withdrawal systems from the Paxil. It did slowly cease and go away for me. Does anyone know if my extreme tiredness is because I am taking the Wellbutrin and Lexapro together at the very same time (same glass of water LOL). Should I seperate them and take each at different times? Did not have this problem when on Wellbutrin only. Not sure which, if I do seperate, I should take in the am and which one to take in the pm. Any suggestions???
DC
Posted by Okpolosi on May 9, 2003, at 10:12:55
In reply to Re: Long term effects of lexapro » nitowl17, posted by DC on May 8, 2003, at 8:47:09
> > I have been on lexapro for 7 months. I had to cut back from 10mg to 7.5 I couldn't stay awake after a month. I think I have now maxed out on it. I have had alot of stomach upset lately and can't get going in the morning. I was also taking ambien for sleep. I thought the stomach upset was coming from the ambien but I cut back on the ambien and stopped even but the stomach upset continues. Now I get a massive headache after lunch. Im in a jam.
>
> I have had the same problem with being extremely tired
> during the day since going from 10mg to 20mg of Lexapro.
> I have ambien for sleep also, but I am thinking of
> taking the Lexapro after work instead of taking it in
> the morning. As for the stomach upsets and headaches
> can't say that I have experienced those. The headaches
> I know are from coworkers and not the medication LOL.Best time of day to take Lex seems to vary by individual...I started taking it in the morning but found I was falling asleep just after dinner. Now I take it at 2-3PM and I don't get sleepy until 11PM my usual bedtime. Other people have posted that they take it right befor bed. I think it's a trail and error thing, try different times until you find what works best for you.
Posted by leeran on May 9, 2003, at 12:51:58
In reply to Re: New to Lexapro and feeling awful » Curlena, posted by DC on May 9, 2003, at 10:07:40
I take 20 mg. Adderall with 150 mg. of Wellbutrin at about 7:00 a.m. (both of these have stimulating actions which I definitely need during the daytime hours).
Another 20 mg. of Adderall at noon.
I've found that taking the Lexapro in the later evening seems to work best for me (taking it in the morning - even with Adderall) left me feeling zombie-like.
Then, around 11:00 or earlier I take Ambien.
Posted by blkvettes on May 9, 2003, at 14:21:09
In reply to Re: New to Lexapro and feeling awful, posted by jjana on May 9, 2003, at 3:19:21
> >
> > Hi Jana, cutting back to 5 mg is not a bad idea. In fact I feel you should have started there. Try to hang in there if you can and see if the 5mg makes a difference over the next couple of days. Most side effects go away with time. I know you have a lot going on with school. A benxo such as xanax or klonopin may help but you dont want to take to much or get hooked on them. It would be good though if you called your doc and let them know what is going on. Good luck in school and hope it all works for you. TAKE CARE!!!!!!!!!
> >
> >
>
> Thanks for the advice and comforting words! I got in touch with my pdoc this morning, and he told me to just quit taking the Lexapro until finals are over. which was fine, except that i was a complete mess from the drug and just not taking it didn't fix anything. He was then out of the office until monday, so I ended up going to urgent care (which i found terribly embaracing) to beg for some anxiety drug until i can see my doctor on monday. and HURRAY he gave me a drug called Ativan which i'd never heard of, but love already. 20 minutes after i took the itty-bitty pill i felt better than i have in months. so anyway, when i go back to the pdoc, i will insist that i have something like ativan to help me out when i resume trying antidepressants.
>
> oh, and i found a resource online that says that Lexapro can react badly with Prilosec. apparently my pdoc didn't know that, but i wonder if that's why i reacted so badly. i take prilosec daily for GERD.
>
> i'd still like to hear about other experiences with Lexapro, especially the initial side effects you had and when they went away. i haven't totally given up on trying this drug again, but i do feel cautious about it.
>
> THANKS!!!!
> jana
>
>Hi Jana, under the circumstances you probably did the best thing for now. The ativan is like I described you getting. Please dont take anymore than you need. It is a quick fix to your problem. I am glad you found relief though. I also have had the gerd, I have nexium, protonix and prevacid. Cant say if the gerd med you were taking was the problem. Maybe try the lexapro with another gerd med and start at 5mg amd see what happens. If it does not work for you please try some other med, but give it a fair chance. Dont even think the ativan is your cure. It is just covering up the real problem!!!! TAKE CARE!!!!
Posted by blkvettes on May 9, 2003, at 14:28:22
In reply to Re: New to Lexapro and feeling awful » Curlena, posted by DC on May 9, 2003, at 10:07:40
> > Paxil wore me out, tapered over two months and was placed on Wellbutrin. Now 12 days on Lexapro and wellbutrin and feel worse than ever. Depressed, angry, exhausted, feel like I have a wicked bad flu, sweat extensively every hour without fail, it wakes me at night.
> >
> > Any help out there? I am on 10 mg daily
> > thanks
>
> I am taking Wellbutrin (300mg daily) and Lexapro (20mg daily) at the same time also. I don't feel that awful but seem way too tired. I do know that when I decided to stop Paxil I felt TERRIBLE. I would wake up in the middle of the night with the sheets soaking wet from sweating so much. And had really weird dreams. I did read in the newspaper about a man suing the manufacturer due to similar side effects when discontinuing Paxil. Manufacturer claims Paxil is not habit or addictive forming. But I did experience a lot of what you just described, along with sort of a feeling of electricity moving thru my body. Almost like withdrawal systems from the Paxil. It did slowly cease and go away for me. Does anyone know if my extreme tiredness is because I am taking the Wellbutrin and Lexapro together at the very same time (same glass of water LOL). Should I seperate them and take each at different times? Did not have this problem when on Wellbutrin only. Not sure which, if I do seperate, I should take in the am and which one to take in the pm. Any suggestions???
> DC
Based on the complaints of lexapro making one tired, I would guess thats the problem. Try taking that one at a different late afternoon or early evening and see if that helps. You have to kind of play with the times and see what works. I have other thoughts but will keep them to myself since I am not a doctor. TAKE CARE!!!!!!!!
Posted by Donia on May 9, 2003, at 20:31:25
In reply to Re: New to Lexapro and feeling awful, posted by blkvettes on May 9, 2003, at 14:21:09
I agree with blkvettes about the ativan being a temporary medication. My sister is addicted to nerve pills. I did take xanax for a few months when I was first taking zoloft. The side effects of zoloft were bad for me and I could not sleep. I only took them when I needed them. I did like the way they made me feel, but I also knew they are very addictive.
Posted by vandy on May 9, 2003, at 22:45:09
In reply to Re: New to Lexapro and feeling awful » jjana, posted by Okpolosi on May 9, 2003, at 10:04:36
This thread is a Godsend! I am new to Lexapro as are many of those who've posted here. I'm taking 20 mg. It seemed at first as if it was a waste of time and money but gradually I've felt better. I am so grateful for those who encouraged patience. Now I'm starting to get some benefit. I must admit that I've dodged all the side effects mentioned except the perspiration. My wife and I are most pleased that one of the side effects discussed never showed up at all. BTW, she is taking 10 mg. and reports no side effects except a slight increase in propensity to perspire.
Posted by shoff on May 10, 2003, at 2:08:17
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
I started Lexapro a few days ago (no real effect yet) and my sleep patterns seems to be terrible since. Is this a common side effect?
Posted by Donia on May 10, 2003, at 10:33:35
In reply to How does Lexapro affect sleep, posted by shoff on May 10, 2003, at 2:08:17
Yes, lexapro kept me up the first month I was on it. It seemed like I couldnt sleep at night and then would sleep into the day. I started taking it in the evening around 5 or 6 pm and this helped. This side effect should go away, but you can talk to your doctor about it and get something for sleep for a while.
Posted by Okpolosi on May 10, 2003, at 11:39:40
In reply to Re: New to Lexapro and feeling awful » Okpolosi, posted by vandy on May 9, 2003, at 22:45:09
> This thread is a Godsend! I am new to Lexapro as are many of those who've posted here. I'm taking 20 mg. It seemed at first as if it was a waste of time and money but gradually I've felt better. I am so grateful for those who encouraged patience. Now I'm starting to get some benefit. I must admit that I've dodged all the side effects mentioned except the perspiration. My wife and I are most pleased that one of the side effects discussed never showed up at all. BTW, she is taking 10 mg. and reports no side effects except a slight increase in propensity to perspire.
I too experienced a lot of perspiration, mostly at night, but like most of the SE's, this also went away. Occasionally I still get a little sweaty during the day, only when I start working on something, not as bad as it was and it doesn't last very long.
I am only too glad to help out, so many people on this board gave me encouragement when I was SURE Lex was not going to work for me.
To everyone out there, struggling and suffering, please be patient as some meds take longer to work than you hope or expect.
GOOD LUCK TO US ALL!
Posted by Okpolosi on May 10, 2003, at 12:02:07
In reply to How does Lexapro affect sleep, posted by shoff on May 10, 2003, at 2:08:17
> I started Lexapro a few days ago (no real effect yet) and my sleep patterns seems to be terrible since. Is this a common side effect?
From monitoring this board and my own experience I would have to say YES.
I have been an insomniac most of my life ( back injury - car accident, plus STRESS!!! ). When I started Lex my insomnia got worse.
Have been on Lex almost 4 mos. and now I have to say that I have never slept so well!! I take it around 2-3PM, fall asleep around 11PM, and sleep soundly through the nite. Occasionally I am aware that I wake up in the early morning hours, but go right back to sleep.
For me the insomnia side effect went away after about 3 weeks, and now I have no problems in that area, in fact I have to say Lex has improved my "nite life"!
Posted by JaneB on May 10, 2003, at 15:17:15
In reply to Re: New to Lexapro and feeling awful, posted by blkvettes on May 9, 2003, at 14:21:09
Dont even think the ativan is your cure. It is just covering up the real problem!!!! TAKE CARE!!!!
>
>
Do you think that Lexapro is a cure??????Or is anyother AD a cure? Do not benzos and AD's both cover up the real problem?
Jane
Posted by JaneB on May 10, 2003, at 15:19:47
In reply to How does Lexapro affect sleep, posted by shoff on May 10, 2003, at 2:08:17
> I started Lexapro a few days ago (no real effect yet) and my sleep patterns seems to be terrible since. Is this a common side effect?
It sure was for me. Slept awful at night and couldn't stay awake in the daytime. Didn't matter when I took it either.
Jane
Posted by blkvettes on May 10, 2003, at 15:48:52
In reply to Re: New to Lexapro and feeling awful » blkvettes, posted by JaneB on May 10, 2003, at 15:17:15
> Dont even think the ativan is your cure. It is just covering up the real problem!!!! TAKE CARE!!!!
> >
> >
> Do you think that Lexapro is a cure??????Or is anyother AD a cure? Do not benzos and AD's both cover up the real problem?
> Jane
>
That is a very fair question and can be answered many ways. My case is a chemical imbalance, which I believe in. The benzo just gives temporary relief, where as my AD gives me 24 hour relief as it balances the chemicals in my brain. There are also all kinds of depression. Maybe a person that has been abused or lost a loved needs therapy and this will work for them. I guess in some cases of anxiety a benzo may be all a person needs. I had severe panic attacks and the benzo only gave me reief if I took a lot of it. It does help with my anxiety, but I would prefer not to take it. There is so much that researchers dont know about the brain itself. I guess everything comes down to the doctor and hoping he gives the right med or therapy for the right illness and the right dose for the meds themselves. I have had 4 pdocs in less than 6 months. If they cant answer simple questions about the meds that I know from the internet, I move on. But benzos can create new problems if abused. I like your thought on this subject and hope others jump in. I am a very curious person and read a lot on this illness and love to hear peoples thoughts on the subject. I hope you are well!!!! TAKE CARE!!!
Posted by nitowl17 on May 10, 2003, at 15:51:12
In reply to New to Lexapro and feeling awful, posted by jjana on May 8, 2003, at 13:42:39
> Hello out there,
>
> I'm new to this board. I've been reading it for a while but this is the first time I've posted anything. My psychiatrist (pdoc?) just started me on Lexapro, and I'm in my third day. The first day I took 10mg, but that left me feeling So terrible, nauseous, out of it that I cut back to 5mgs the second day. I felt better, but this morning woke up with awful stomach cramps and diarrhea. I've also been having jaw clenching and muscle cramps.
>
> Also, I'm taking it for anxiety and depression, and right now my anxiety is about 10 times worse than when I started.
>
> Did anybody else out there suffer such severe side effects when you started Lexapro? If so, how long did they last, and did the drug end up helping you or not?
>
> I'm trying to decide if I should call my pdoc (I'm getting the lingo down) and ask for something extra for the anxiety, but I feel almost too anxious to call him up. I used to be afraid to make phone calls, and that seems to have come back suddenly. I'd like to just wait it out, but I'm a college student with finals this week, and I don't know what to do. I feel totally incapacitated, sick, scared, UGH.
>
> Sorry this is so long. Please, if anybody can offer me any comfort or advise, I'll be forever greatful. You all seem like such good friends and so supportive, I'd love to be part of your community.
>
> Thanks for listening,
> JanaThings went pretty well to start off with but I'm now getting a continual upset stomach and loss of appetite. I take nexium for gerd so I stopped that . That didn'nt seem to help so I tried to back off ambien that didn't seem to help (or a least didn't completely fix it) so now I'm backing off the Lexapro at least for a while to see if I can get on top of this. Lexapro seems to be the source of the problem . I will post later to let others know the results.
Hang in there, Nitowl
Posted by Suziq4 on May 10, 2003, at 19:16:38
In reply to Re: Cost of Lexapro » Suziq4, posted by Dysfunk on May 5, 2003, at 12:38:01
> What is so frustrating is when you are switching over to a new medication and have to keep buying different mgs of the same medicine. I was on Effexor for a while and had 3 diff scripts for when I was increasing the dosage and when I was withdrawing. Plus, I am on Prozac (generic- finally). Of course we want relief, so we do it, but do our $180/hr shrinks realize all this trial and error is costly to us patients???
I don't think any of the healthcare professionals give and the drug companies give two hoots about us and prescription cost! I have insurance and I think that $17 a month is alot of money. My Pdoc didn't even offer me a free sample.
Posted by Donia on May 10, 2003, at 21:27:09
In reply to Re: New to Lexapro and feeling awful » vandy, posted by Okpolosi on May 10, 2003, at 11:39:40
for armpit sweat, I use Certain Dry antiperspirant. I can only find it at one drug store in town. It can be a little irritating at first but it works for me. I have had the armpit sweating problem for the past few years on or off medication. I hope this helps.
Posted by Donia on May 10, 2003, at 21:31:50
In reply to Re: New to Lexapro and feeling awful » jjana, posted by nitowl17 on May 10, 2003, at 15:51:12
I have taken zoloft in the past and now lexapro. The first month on both, my anxiety was worse. It was a side effect for me and did go away. On the zoloft I took xanax for a while as I was in such bad shape anyway by the time I went to the doc for meds. This time I just toughed it out. The side effect of increased anxiety wasnt as bad with the lex though.
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