![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 2962 to 2986 of 8406. Go back in thread:
Posted by donna king on May 18, 2003, at 19:58:27
In reply to Re: side effects :(, posted by oregon on May 16, 2003, at 17:17:04
I just started taking Lexapro (10 mg) and feel so anxious- like I could jump out of my own skin. Feel like I could have a panic attack. I was anxious to begin with and the dr. thought this would help. Also have a lot of nausea and stomach problems. Does this subside or do I need to contact my dr?
Posted by lil' jimi on May 18, 2003, at 20:17:53
In reply to Re: Weight Gain, posted by Jst4me on May 18, 2003, at 19:13:03
hi jst4me,
welcome and thanks for your contribution to this lex thread .... i am deeply indebted to the folks who have posted on this board and i am glad to have you join us.
weight gain on lex has be an ongoing concern here and the last informal inquiry on this issue a couple weeks ago seemed, to me, to show a large majority with no weight effects from lex, while there was a minority who suffered this side effect ....... which is no real comfort to those with weight gain ...
i suggest using the psycho-babble search engine to mine the archives perhaps using the terms "lexapro, weight".
just a few days ago i posted i had just noted an unexplained weight gain which remains unresolved.
thanks again for your posts and give us your update soon,
~ jim
Posted by lil' jimi on May 18, 2003, at 21:11:47
In reply to Re: side effects :(, posted by donna king on May 18, 2003, at 19:58:27
hi donna,
welcome to the lexapro thread.
> I just started taking Lexapro (10 mg) and feel so anxious- like I could jump out of my own skin. Feel like I could have a panic attack. I was anxious to begin with and the dr. thought this would help. Also have a lot of nausea and stomach problems. Does this subside or do I need to contact my dr?
you sound just like i felt my first days on lex ...
see: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030514/msgs/227348.htmthere are many stories of how these kind of initial adaptation side effects will subside with time ... this takes weeks: as little as one or as many as 9 or 10 for some .... for most, about 4 to 6 weeks.
reading this whole thread from almost a year ago now was very worthwhile for me ..... for you i might recommned reading the posts from blkvettes .... wayne is a personal inspiration for me
and, speaking of wayne,
TAKE CARE !!!!!!!!
~ jim
Posted by lil' jimi on May 19, 2003, at 1:02:08
In reply to Re: side effects :(, posted by donna king on May 18, 2003, at 19:58:27
> I just started taking Lexapro (10 mg) and feel so anxious- like I could jump out of my own skin. Feel like I could have a panic attack. I was anxious to begin with and the dr. thought this would help. Also have a lot of nausea and stomach problems. Does this subside or do I need to contact my dr?
hi again donna,
if you feel a need to contact your doctor,
by all means do so.
she or he may well want to be informed of the extent of your side effects
and may even offer treatment for them, especially in the case of anxiety.and contacting the doc, in itself, may help to relief some of your anxiety.
these side effects may subside, but decide whether you want to talk to your doctor based on whether it will make you feel better about your situation.
take care,
~ jim
Posted by blkvettes on May 19, 2003, at 2:10:11
In reply to Re: side effects :( » donna king, posted by lil' jimi on May 19, 2003, at 1:02:08
Hey Jim, your doing a great job with the posts. Everyone else is sitting back and watching you work!!!!!!! TAKE CARE!!!!!!!
WAYNE
Posted by dizzy lizzy on May 19, 2003, at 9:53:26
In reply to Re: side effects :( » donna king, posted by lil' jimi on May 19, 2003, at 1:02:08
Does anyone know about side effects when coming off Lexapro altogether. I been off for about 2 weeks after being on just 5mg for a long ime. I'm so dizzy all the time. Does anyone know how long this will last?
Posted by lil' jimi on May 19, 2003, at 10:00:55
In reply to LIL JIMI AND LEXAPRO, posted by blkvettes on May 19, 2003, at 2:10:11
Posted by lil' jimi on May 19, 2003, at 10:04:22
In reply to LIL JIMI AND LEXAPRO, posted by blkvettes on May 19, 2003, at 2:10:11
Posted by blkvettes on May 19, 2003, at 10:12:47
In reply to Re: side effects :(, posted by dizzy lizzy on May 19, 2003, at 9:53:26
> Does anyone know about side effects when coming off Lexapro altogether. I been off for about 2 weeks after being on just 5mg for a long ime. I'm so dizzy all the time. Does anyone know how long this will last?
Hi, were you dizzy before lexapro at all. Just judging by what I have gone through with other meds the worst should be over soon. The next couple of weeks should be better. Try looking up old posts with a search here. You might find something!!! GOOD LUCK!!!!
Posted by lil' jimi on May 19, 2003, at 10:57:33
In reply to Re: side effects :(, posted by dizzy lizzy on May 19, 2003, at 9:53:26
hi liz,
sorry to hear you are suffering the dizzies there:
> Does anyone know about side effects when coming off Lexapro altogether. I been off for about 2 weeks after being on just 5mg for a long ime. I'm so dizzy all the time. Does anyone know how long this will last?
first, let me emphasize how little i actually know about your situation and encourage you to contact your doctor about your symptoms to see what he/she says, suggests ....
after all, somebody put you on lexapro; they should help you get off of it or at least offer warning(s) about, and support for, how to quit....
well, they should have anyway.(that's going to be my new disclaimer here..... we want to have these doctors earn their money! Heh!)
that said (and i do mean it), now i may offer a few (very few) suggestions:
try drinking more water and/or that electrolyte-balancing sports drink stuff .... besides fighting dehydration, it is helpful to give your electrolytes support during a transition to or from an SSRI like lex.... generally, pushing fluids should benefit your intersynaptic environment and help you to metabolize residual lexapro from your system.
suggestion numero two-oh:
while checking in with your doc, ask if it might help you to use some of those scopolamine-based transdermal patches to help control your temporary vertigo .... definitely want to get your doctor's feedback on this one because we never know what drug interactions might be possible ..... of course checking with your pharmacist is a smart move here too ... doing both gets us more of that confirming validation that we can all use as much of as we can get.suggestion tres:
although with just 5mg to start with, this approach would be uncommon, but you might ask your doc about what is called "titrating down", which i take to mean weaning us off our medication by decreasing the doseage by small progressive steps.
... so maybe you would take 2.5mg for a week and then 1.25mg for a week, et cetera ....i wouldn't think you should have much more of these vertigo side effects to go, after only being on 5mg and having been off for 2 weeks already ... i would be surprised if it lasted another week, but this thread on lexapro is, if anything, a testimony to the wide range of individual variation.... as has been said here many times, "Your Mileage May Vary"!
i hope that some or any of this helps (helped) .... good luck! and thank you for coming to our little lexapro party ... sorry you won't be staying .... hope you are doing better and everything works out for you ..... come on back by anytime and give us an update when you can!
TAKE CARE!!!! (hey, wayne?)
~ jim
Posted by okpolosi on May 19, 2003, at 12:27:39
In reply to Re: Feeling anxious on Lexapro - lil jimi » Okpolosi, posted by lil' jimi on May 18, 2003, at 12:49:19
> hey there, okpolosi,
> how's it going?
>
> > I have also had some problems in the weight area...that business w/period and gaining 5 lbs over a weekend!!!
> >
> > Since starting Lex I have lost 10lbs. Those 5 I gained went away almost as fast as I gained them.
> >
> > Though I still crave carbs and I feel Like I eat much worse than I used to ( more quantity, and also more "bad" stuff ), I have still lost the weight.
> >
> > So far I kind of like it because I feel I look better, but I have had several people at work comment on it in a concerned manner ( "are you sick?" ).
> >
> > For now I will continue, and will try to eat BETTER.
>
>
> oddly for me, is that i had/have not changed my diet nor exercise .... if anything, i have been eating better quality food .... i was surprised when they weighed me at my doc's, although the gain did match up with my sense that my pants are snugger. ..... i'm going to go with a water-retention theory for now ....maybe? (?)
>
> it worries me that your weight loss evokes such concern from observers .... please be sure to let us know about changes in this situation .... i just don't want you becoming sick .... i'll bet you have seen your doctor lately? .... and everything's okay? .... well, at least 'internal medicine' okay?
>
> we continue, as always, to depend on you to take care of our okpolosi for us ..... please.
>
> by the bye, i take a whole shipload of supplements .... how about you?
>
> take good care of yourself!!!!
> ~
>
> jimYes I do take a truckload of all kinds of supplements. And I have been to the DR and everything checks out OK. He said it would be a concern if I continue to lose, and suggested I eat better (which I already knew). I really have not lost more than the 10lbs, which came off through week 9, (now at 4mos.), so I think my weight has stabilized.
Posted by okpolosi on May 19, 2003, at 12:40:35
In reply to Re: side effects :(, posted by donna king on May 18, 2003, at 19:58:27
> I just started taking Lexapro (10 mg) and feel so anxious- like I could jump out of my own skin. Feel like I could have a panic attack. I was anxious to begin with and the dr. thought this would help. Also have a lot of nausea and stomach problems. Does this subside or do I need to contact my dr?
The first few weeks on Lex can be very trying.....lots of side effects....but the good news is that they usually will all lessen and go away with time. Your Dr should have told you it may take 6-8 weeks before you get any "benefits" from Lex, and things may get worse before they get better.
Weeks 4-5 for me were the worst....lots of anxiety and increased depression, but this board gave me the encouragement I needed to stick with it.
Hang in there, we're all pulling for you.
Posted by mister U on May 19, 2003, at 14:12:43
In reply to Re: side effects :( » donna king, posted by okpolosi on May 19, 2003, at 12:40:35
I have the answer. Start taking Clarocet and taper off all your mentall illness meds including ADD & ADHD meds. I've been on it for 3 days and I notice it's working oh so well. I just want you all to feel better. This is a guarantee by the way!
Posted by lil' jimi on May 19, 2003, at 14:12:57
In reply to Re: Feeling anxious on Lexapro - lil jimi, posted by okpolosi on May 19, 2003, at 12:27:39
hi okpolosi!
great to hear back from you!
thanks for your reply to my reply to ....:> > hey there, okpolosi,
> > how's it going?
> >
> > > I have also had some problems in the weight area...that business w/period and gaining 5 lbs over a weekend!!!
> > >
> > > Since starting Lex I have lost 10lbs. Those 5 I gained went away almost as fast as I gained them.
> > >
> > > Though I still crave carbs and I feel Like I eat much worse than I used to ( more quantity, and also more "bad" stuff ), I have still lost the weight.
> > >
> > > So far I kind of like it because I feel I look better, but I have had several people at work comment on it in a concerned manner ( "are you sick?" ).
> > >
> > > For now I will continue, and will try to eat BETTER.
> >
> >
> > oddly for me, is that i had/have not changed my diet nor exercise .... if anything, i have been eating better quality food .... i was surprised when they weighed me at my doc's, although the gain did match up with my sense that my pants are snugger. ..... i'm going to go with a water-retention theory for now ....maybe? (?)
> >
> > it worries me that your weight loss evokes such concern from observers .... please be sure to let us know about changes in this situation .... i just don't want you becoming sick .... i'll bet you have seen your doctor lately? .... and everything's okay? .... well, at least 'internal medicine' okay?
> >
> > we continue, as always, to depend on you to take care of our okpolosi for us ..... please.
> >
> > by the bye, i take a whole shipload of supplements .... how about you?
> >
> > take good care of yourself!!!!
> > ~
> >
> > jim
>
> Yes I do take a truckload of all kinds of supplements. And I have been to the DR and everything checks out OK. He said it would be a concern if I continue to lose, and suggested I eat better (which I already knew). I really have not lost more than the 10lbs, which came off through week 9, (now at 4mos.), so I think my weight has stabilized.i really do appreciate your reassurances, and Congratualtions on your (healthy!) weight loss....
and your plan to eat better ..... (yeah!)(i'm being cheerleader today (!)... can you tell? (!!)! ... sorry!) !!
tonight i am going to write down what all i am taking supplement-wise,
and post it here and see if folks want to compare notes.you made my day by letting us know you're not any kind of internal-medicine-like ill .... and i thank you!
Thanks!
~ jim
Posted by riffraff on May 20, 2003, at 8:46:29
In reply to Re: Lexapro, posted by teriwynn on January 11, 2003, at 20:33:04
Initially, I went to the doc for a physical. I am a 30 year old male and was experiencing back pain, pain in my groin, trouble getting to sleep and digestion problems. I thought that it wouldn't be a bad idea to get a physical. I've almost never had health insurance or been to a doctor, and thought that it would be a good idea to get checked out. As it turns out, I was having panic attacks and was presribed clonazepam. The clonozepam was great for getting me to sleep, but was leaving me hung-over, lathargic, and depressed the next day, so I went back to the doc, who then put me on Lexapro. I haven't started taking it yet and I don't think I will. Fuck all this. I don't think that, for me, it is worth risking all these side-affects so many of ya'll are describing and then becoming dependent on some drug to keep me from becoming depressed. I don't know that I have a chemical imbalance like many of you have described. No body ever took any fluid sample from me and then came back and said, "here, see, you have a chemical imbalance." My doctor never even used the words, "chemical imbalance" He just said, "take this drug." At first, he mentioned paxel. When I told him that I had heard some bad things about paxel, he said that he wanted to put me on lexapro. He said that it was, basically, the same drug as paxel, prozac, etc. When I asked him, "why then do you seem to be pushing this particular drug," he said, "because it's the latest, greatest thing." I don't trust these people. Fuck it.
Posted by leeran on May 20, 2003, at 9:30:27
In reply to Thank You All -To Hell With This!, posted by riffraff on May 20, 2003, at 8:46:29
"My doctor never even used the words, 'chemical imbalance" He just said, "take this drug.'"
Ahhhhh, if only there was such a test . . .
The closest thing I've ever heard of to a "test" is the brain imaging that's done at the Amen Clinic in Newport Beach.
My mother (years of being depressed) has lamented the lack of testing so often over the years. It would be so nice to wrap up this pain in a nice clinical package.
Good luck with your decision!
Posted by blkvettes on May 20, 2003, at 11:51:58
In reply to Thank You All -To Hell With This!, posted by riffraff on May 20, 2003, at 8:46:29
> Initially, I went to the doc for a physical. I am a 30 year old male and was experiencing back pain, pain in my groin, trouble getting to sleep and digestion problems. I thought that it wouldn't be a bad idea to get a physical. I've almost never had health insurance or been to a doctor, and thought that it would be a good idea to get checked out. As it turns out, I was having panic attacks and was presribed clonazepam. The clonozepam was great for getting me to sleep, but was leaving me hung-over, lathargic, and depressed the next day, so I went back to the doc, who then put me on Lexapro. I haven't started taking it yet and I don't think I will. Fuck all this. I don't think that, for me, it is worth risking all these side-affects so many of ya'll are describing and then becoming dependent on some drug to keep me from becoming depressed. I don't know that I have a chemical imbalance like many of you have described. No body ever took any fluid sample from me and then came back and said, "here, see, you have a chemical imbalance." My doctor never even used the words, "chemical imbalance" He just said, "take this drug." At first, he mentioned paxel. When I told him that I had heard some bad things about paxel, he said that he wanted to put me on lexapro. He said that it was, basically, the same drug as paxel, prozac, etc. When I asked him, "why then do you seem to be pushing this particular drug," he said, "because it's the latest, greatest thing." I don't trust these people. Fuck it.
Hi there, please dont use that 4 letter word. Others are sensitive to this word for they have sexual dysfunction. Just mentioning this word could depress them!!!! JUST KIDDING!!!!! But you will get a scolding for this, like you care at this point. Maybe you could cut back on your benzo some and you wont feel like you have a hangover the next day. Well I hope all does go well for you, I really mean that. But if things get worse consider the lexapro and start at a low dose and move up as you get more comfortable!!! GOOD LUCK!!!!
Posted by vandy on May 20, 2003, at 18:37:05
In reply to Thank You All -To Hell With This!, posted by riffraff on May 20, 2003, at 8:46:29
If I could offer some thoughts from personal experience: Whenever I found myself saying "F&%*K It" I have frequently found it to be a bad decision. In my case it was the next step that made it bad. For me the next step was to withdraw, leave, walk away, etc. without communication to the other party. This may not apply to you. I hope not. If it doesn't your next step would be to share these feelings exactly with the doc. Tell the doc you don't appreciate the superficial treatment you suspect you're getting and ask for a full explanation. It seems to me a common theme among these messages in this Lexapro thead is that although there are side effects that we might experience at first, these side effects diminish in influence in time. The good response from the drug is worth putting up with the temporary inconvenience if any and it's also worth the wait. That's what I took from the discussion. I sure hope you don't abandon something which may help you because you're confused and frustrated.
Posted by pumpkin on May 20, 2003, at 20:08:00
In reply to Thank You All -To Hell With This!, posted by riffraff on May 20, 2003, at 8:46:29
Dear Riffraff,
I also take Klonopin (clonozepam), but for me,
it doesn't "cause" depression- it settles me, and
helps me to think, because of the anxiety.On the other side- I take Lex for the depression.
I could be depressed or not, and still have
anxiety (panic) attacks. Everything could be
going fine in life, enjoying whatever- and "bam"
a panic attack out of no where! It can be a
two fold problem- related or not, to each other.I don't know the "why's" to your doctors decision(s). I guess he did an evaluation when you went
in, and came to his conclusions of how to try to
help you, to the best of his human ability.
I don't know your history, but were you having
any problems with depression before you went to the docs? It's o.k. to be honest on this board,
we try to help as best as we can- even though
we aren't doctors.It would be nice to have easy testing. There would be ALOT of spared pain if the medical
profession could take a "vial" of something to
test. Especially if the "vial" didn't hurt either, but unfortunately our mind tells us
differently!I can understand that you are upset. I don't think that there is one person on here that hasen't "been there". Some, more than others.
Confussion, frustration, anger, etc... Give
yourself some time to hash this over.Feel free to write to us, and keep us informed as
to how you are doing. If you decide that Lex is
for you- great, but if not, keep in touch anyway.
We really do care, and will try to help as best
we can. Take care, think things over awhile, and
drop us a line when you can.
Posted by lil' jimi on May 20, 2003, at 21:08:01
In reply to Thank You All -To Hell With This!, posted by riffraff on May 20, 2003, at 8:46:29
hey there, riffraff,
and we thank you, for posting to our (really, dr. bob's) message board/lexapro thread ....
> Initially, I went to the doc for a physical. I am a 30 year old male and was experiencing back pain, pain in my groin, trouble getting to sleep and digestion problems. I thought that it wouldn't be a bad idea to get a physical. I've almost never had health insurance or been to a doctor, and thought that it would be a good idea to get checked out. As it turns out, I was having panic attacks and was presribed clonazepam. The clonozepam was great for getting me to sleep, but was leaving me hung-over, lathargic, and depressed the next day, so I went back to the doc, who then put me on Lexapro. I haven't started taking it yet and I don't think I will. Fuck all this. I don't think that, for me, it is worth risking all these side-affects so many of ya'll are describing and then becoming dependent on some drug to keep me from becoming depressed. I don't know that I have a chemical imbalance like many of you have described. No body ever took any fluid sample from me and then came back and said, "here, see, you have a chemical imbalance." My doctor never even used the words, "chemical imbalance" He just said, "take this drug." At first, he mentioned paxel. When I told him that I had heard some bad things about paxel, he said that he wanted to put me on lexapro. He said that it was, basically, the same drug as paxel, prozac, etc. When I asked him, "why then do you seem to be pushing this particular drug," he said, "because it's the latest, greatest thing." I don't trust these people. Fuck it.
i can hear what you're feeling .... more than a little angry myself ... the rage ....
got to keep it from family,
from work ....only one way to know how lex will effect you ....
all the clinical studies,
all the statistics,
and
all of the anecdotes and stories you read here,
do not mean a thing,
when
compared to trying it.(btw, for as much as we are all adults here (maybe not?) and we can all handle adult vocabulary and all .... here at bob's webspace we have to observe a higher level of civility because "we do not want to offend anyone" is like one of the rules .... so, like i'm just letting you know that you may expect some commentary from management and that's just the nature of the order of psycho-babble ... anyway these are the kinds of things which are discussed at psycho-babble administration ..... i think it might be legal to use * creatively, such as sh*t , f*ck or, of course, c*nn*ngl*ng*s, for heavens' sake ... ... please consider this the gentlest warning i could manage, thanks)
even if there was a statistically significant population of optimally responsive lex users (who never post here because would never have the need), that too would not be any reason to think your response would be one way or the other.
hey, it's a crap shoot ... for some, lex turns the key that gives them back their life ..... for some it's poison ..... for you ? ........ . who knows ?
whether you decide to take your prescription or not, i'd like you to continue to post here, please .... i mean, no one has to take anything, to post messages here .... if you felt like talking sometime, folks here listen.
~ jim
Posted by riffraff on May 21, 2003, at 0:00:18
In reply to Re: Thank You All -To Hell With This!, posted by pumpkin on May 20, 2003, at 20:08:00
Hey, Pumpkin -
Thanx. Ya, I probably have a history of depression, bein' that, when it's all laid out, sometimes it can seem like I've had a pretty depressing history. But, I've done pretty well really. There's just a lot of old, residual stuff that's been throwing itself at me lately all at once and I want to deal with it, confront it with my own head. I don't trust these doctors who seem so quick to medicate every little thing. I haven't gotten suicidal or anything. I don't feel ready to take any more pills and put myself through figuring out which expensive, designer drug cocktail will work best for me. The anxiety is hard and I don't understand it, which, of course makes me more anxious, but I think that, with some support, I could get through without a lot of drugs. Thanx. Take Care.
Posted by bluzbrat on May 21, 2003, at 0:32:38
In reply to Re: Thank You All -To Hell With This!, posted by pumpkin on May 20, 2003, at 20:08:00
Hi! First of all, let me say that I am THRILLED to have found this site! I just spent the last couple of hours trying to read all the posts... unfortunately, I couldn't actually get them all up - or I was too impatient (dial-up h*ll)!
Brief (as possible - HA! I'm rather hyperverbal, and excessively parenthetical so I do apologize for the lengthy post! I really did try to keep it short!) background:
*Diagnosed with clinical depression about 2/3rds of the way through my undergrad (started 4 years out of high school). First med was Prozac. It worked, but the constant sweating drove me nuts and once I was stabilized after several months, I quit taking it (on my own)...
*Not-so-slowly sunk back into the major funk, put back on Prozac with closer follow up. This time when the sweats made me crazy and I was still SO difficult to awaken (regardless of how much I had slept), the doc had me try Effexor, which worked pretty well... for awhile. But I started experiencing an increasingly flat affect. No natural emotional highs or lows. And my tactile senses (especially my fingertips) went all wonky... to where I couldn't really feel. So I took myself off those too...not necessarily smart, I know...
*Many months later, having finished my undergrad but still in school for a teacher cert. program, I started seriously sinking again. I was in group therapy (for survivors of child sexual abuse) at student counseling services and they had an awesome doc who came once a week for meds. After consulting with him, we decided I should try Zoloft, which I've now been on for almost 10 years!
It seemed to work pretty well for me and I didn't seem to have any significant side effects... for a long time...
I was up to 100mg/day, 150mg/day during the week covering the few days before I started my period and the first few days of it. LADIES! TAKE NOTICE! Many meds are tested mostly on men, and those that are tested on women often don't take into account their menstrual cycles! If part of your depression tends towards PMDD, talk to your doctor about increasing your dosage during that week each month! It can make a HUGE difference! I know that for me, if I don't up my dosage then, it's like I haven't taken any at all and I crash... badly!
*Then, at the ripe old age of 32, I was (finally!) diagnosed with ADHD. It had been masked pre-K - 12th due to the facts that a)in the days when I was growing up, it was thought to mainly effect boys, and if you weren't literally climbing the walls, it wasn't really considered a possibility, and b)my giftedness. I was instead labelled a daydreamer, innovator, bored, unchallenged, unmotivated, etc.
So I started on Dexedrine. Now, I had self-medicated off and on over the years with recreational drugs, food, etc., but had never developed a drug addiction (other than nicotine - a stimulant - go figure!) - THANK G-D! But here I was being prescribed pharmaceutical speed at a relatively low dose (especially for my size), and not abusing it! Not even tempted to!
THE LIGHTS CAME ON!!! THE FOG LIFTED!!! WHOOOOOOP!!!
I was able to focus more appropriately, etc. Life as I knew it changed drastically for the better. And as an added bonus, I quit eating for stimulation (which I hadn't ever consciously realized I was doing before) and could actually tell when I was truly hungry and when I was satiated! I dropped an estimated 80 lbs. over the course of that first year, and boy did I need to! I felt great! Mind you, I was by no means a "skinny-minnie" at that point (lowest recorded weight back then was 218), but at a relatively healthy weight for my height and bone structure (picture large-boned, naturally muscular, German-Russian farm stock with middle-eastern curves) and steadily increasing my physical activity level again!
Meds on their own weren't the answer, though. Lots of research and guided- and self-education have also helped tremendously. It's nowhere near perfect, but neither is life.
About 2 years ago, I realized that I was experiencing Zoloft's dreaded sexual side effect. For a multi-orgasmic woman - this was a seriously frustrating problem.
*New home, new job, new doctor, new meds. And lots of changes in lifestyle...not all of them good. Physical activity level curtailed due to working 12-17 hour days and driving, instead of walking, to and from work...
The new doc kept me on the dex at first, but we lowered the Zoloft to 50mg/day (75mg/day on those days), and added Wellbutrin. BONUS BONANZA! Helped to cut down on my now 20-year long pack-a-day habit! BUT - (there always seems to be that BUT!) I experienced the dreaded side-effect of losing an excessive amount of my hair! FORGET THIS! I dropped the Wellbutrin with his blessing and just kept the Zoloft at the lowered dosage.
*We tried Ritalin - I felt too jittery and the metabolism rate was not stable enough. That is, the crash in focus-ability was intolerable.
*So we tried Adderall, which I've been on now for over a year. It seems to work pretty well.
*After some major crises caused by work and stress related migraines, I no longer stay at work for 12-17 hours. They took my keys away! :-) (Hey, at least they can't complain that I'm not a hard worker or dedicated!) I've put back on about 40 lbs. of that original ~80 lb. loss over the past two years or so, though. And I'm having some other problems... the lows often creep back into my life, especially when I'm stressed, overworked, etc. Sometimes the lows whack me in the back of my head like a 2x4. I find myself sleeping excessively, especially on weekends. It's not unheard of for me to not set foot outside my door from the time I get home at the end of the week until I leave to go back to work on Monday morning, save for perhaps one night out or one afternoon doing laundry at a friend or family-member's house. I try to rationalize a lot of it away by saying that I'm just overworked, overstressed, and tired, but I know that that's not the whole picture. The big D is also a culprit.
*Having read through many of the posts, I realize that the night sweats I've been experiencing off and on for quite some time now are probably a side-effect of the Zoloft - though they may also be hormonally caused as I am now 37 and perimenopause is far from unheard-of in my genes!
*I'm also still VERY often quite hard to awaken, virtually always late for everything (MAJOR, MMAAJJOORR PROBLEM!), often hyperemotionally sensitive, clutter my environments despite desperately wanting order, etc., all of which I realize only contributes to the depression... or, as (I think) Lee mentioned in one of her posts, AD/HD often masks itself and/or contributes to and/or actually causes depression, especially since we ADDers tend to negatively self-talk because we don't fit society's mold and are frustrated at our failed attempts to do so.
*Recently, a very close friend who has been on virtually every med known with little to no success FINALLY - in the deepest darkest pit she'd seen for over 10 years, found a doctor and therapist that she absolutely loves. Like me, she is a survivor of child sexual abuse and has struggled with depression, insomnia (I havn't mentioned this previously, but it is also a problem for me), and hypersomnia. She probably also has ADHD and is definitely gifted, but the ADHD has never been addressed. She started taking Lexapro and has experienced the wonders of crawling out of the pit of dispair to start rebuilding her life again. She also takes a low dose of Seraquel about an hour before she needs to go to sleep. She has started losing the excess weight and is functioning really well... she can go to sleep at night, she gets up without the major fogginess in the morning, goes to work at her new job, is rebuilding a family and social life, and is thrilled with the results.
*** What this all boils down to is this: Is there anyone out there who can relate to where I'm at right now? I'm considering asking my doc about trying Lexapro, but have been on the Zoloft for so long that I'm scared. I can't afford to start experiencing some of the horrid withdrawal effects I've been reading about, nor the possible initial effects of the Lexapro. I can't afford to start missing work again like I was for a while there when I was was overextending myself and had no life outside of work. But I also don't want to up the Zoloft again, especially if it's only going to increase the night sweats and affect my sexual functioning. And I don't feel like I can continue to live in this not quite full-blown depressed state. And I can't gain any more weight, but would really like to lose some again... not because I want to impress anyone, but for my own sense of well-being and comfort.
Feedback will be greatly appreciated! I'm at my wit's end here and don't know what to do!
Thanks! If you made it all the way through my posting to this point, then you either really care or you just have a purient interest; but in either case, you've made it this far and have earned a hearty CONGRATULATIONS! (And no, prizes will not be awarded for the most succint responses! ;-D)
Be well. Love and light to all,
da bluzbrat
Posted by leeran on May 21, 2003, at 1:15:22
In reply to New poster - looking for advice and info, posted by bluzbrat on May 21, 2003, at 0:32:38
"I experienced the dreaded side-effect of losing an excessive amount of my hair!"
Do you think this was from Wellbutrin? I have my reasons for asking (namely, a brush that fills up with hair on a daily basis).
I'm on Adderall, too - glad to hear it's working for you!
Given the fact that I have ADD AND early menopause, I was able to (at this late hour) just skim your post - however, I did notice the words "self medicate," something I did for years with phentermine, as much for the sense of well-being as the weight loss.
Light bulbs flashed for me as well when I realized that I actually NEED stimulants (and have a psychiatrist's blessing to be on them).
"the lows often creep back into my life, especially when I'm stressed, overworked, etc. Sometimes the lows whack me in the back of my head like a 2x4" - - - good description!
Oh yeah - re: Lexapro - so far, in my case - no weight gain (but I'm also taking 40 mg. of Adderall per day and 150 mg. of Wellbutrin), oh yeah, and Spironolactone as well for acne (yet another "thing" that's broken "on me").
This is a great board - it sure has helped me through some rough times. Welcome and keep posting!
Lee
Posted by Okpolosi on May 21, 2003, at 11:36:26
In reply to Re: Thank You All -To Hell With This! , posted by riffraff on May 21, 2003, at 0:00:18
> Hey, Pumpkin -
> Thanx. Ya, I probably have a history of depression, bein' that, when it's all laid out, sometimes it can seem like I've had a pretty depressing history. But, I've done pretty well really. There's just a lot of old, residual stuff that's been throwing itself at me lately all at once and I want to deal with it, confront it with my own head. I don't trust these doctors who seem so quick to medicate every little thing. I haven't gotten suicidal or anything. I don't feel ready to take any more pills and put myself through figuring out which expensive, designer drug cocktail will work best for me. The anxiety is hard and I don't understand it, which, of course makes me more anxious, but I think that, with some support, I could get through without a lot of drugs. Thanx. Take Care.So often it really helps to know you are not alone....many people here feel the same way you do....the DRs are using us like ginea pigs and don't really care, etc.
We are all here for the same reason, support and encouragement from our peers. I agree w/previous posters on this thread, don't give up, tell your DR how you feel, and if he/she won't listen, try another DR if it's possible. I know sometimes that is hard (small town w/only 2 DRs like me).
Whatever you decide it can be a long and painful road...just know that we all care and are here for you!!!
Posted by oregon on May 21, 2003, at 12:44:49
In reply to Thank You All -To Hell With This!, posted by riffraff on May 20, 2003, at 8:46:29
There are no easy fixes, for this medication I know you do feel worse before you feel better. I think everyone would like to be med free. In a way stating the Hell with this is saying the Hell with you :( . I am not a Dr., I don't know your situation. But this board gave me strength to stay with the medication and I continue to feel better everyday. But I was very, very depressed, anxiety attacks making my world very small and lonely. There is a great group of people here that care about you, lots of support.
Maybe we will meet again some day.
Take Care and Good Luck Sharon
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