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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by BLKVETTES on July 23, 2003, at 19:00:10
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? Skin crawl, posted by pasdenom on July 23, 2003, at 18:10:14
> Doug and all,
> I, too, have experience the "skin crawl" feeling, which I used to call "feeling kicky," because of an uncontrollable urge to move my legs. I have interpreted it to be RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome) exacerbated by Lexapro. I have experienced RLS on and off since my first pregnancy, but never nightly like this. Is skin crawl feeling mostly in your legs and mostly while you are sitting or laying down? If so, it probably is drug-induced RLS. What helps me is stretching, walking around, taking muscle relaxants or valium, occasionally.
> Maybe Lexapro causes this in me and something different in you all.
> Hope this helps.Hi there, I had the restless leg thing also. The worst was at night when trying to sleep. It took months for this to be tolerable for me. Xanax helped a lot!!!!!!! I still get it sometimes but this is probably because of some anxiety or to many sodas!!! But Its nothing like it was and I sleep better than I have my whole life. TAKE CARE!!!!
WAYNE
Posted by Rich B on July 23, 2003, at 20:58:28
In reply to Re: Lexapro Withdrawal Dizziness, posted by bookgurl99 on July 22, 2003, at 19:50:14
Thanks all repliers. To update Michele and everyone else as well. Last Wednesday, I went back on a half a pill (5 mg) because I could not stand the dizziness. Right away the dizziness went away. I took a half a pill for 2 days and then a quarter pill for 3 days. No dizziness whatsoever. I stopped it on Monday and felt just an inkling of dizziness that evening. Yesterday and today (Wednesday) I have been dizzy but not as bad as when I went full blown cold turkey. Today, however, was much worse than Tuesday. However, I have been very depressed and anxious today and depression was not my problem at all before. I have a reason though. I am in the process of trying to move a friendship with a lady friend into something more. Well, as is normal in this type of situation, I am very anxious and if anything I do to advance the process does not succeed, I take it as a sign that she is not and will not be interested in me that way and I am heading toward failure. That is kind of normal for me because of experience, but it just seems much more intensified. Like 2 weeks ago when I went cold turkey, I am very tired kind of melancholy. Well, its full-blown depression and out of control anxiousness. One side of me wants to ride it through and just suffer a little longer to get it over with. Another side of me says that I am crazy to be trying to get off this stuff right now with what is going on in my life. If I have a few more days like this one, I’ll have to. Now get this. I am going out of town with a bunch of friends Saturday into Sunday and if I am still dizzy on Saturday, I’ll have to take it because it will ruin my fun and also I am driving. To make matter worse, this lady friend is one of the seven who is going on this trip with me. How is THAT for a nerve-racking weekend??? I think I will try to gut it out another day or two and see what happens. Come Fri or Sat if the situation is not much better, I’ll have go back to a quarter pill for a while. Wish me luck.
Rich B
P.S. Is tiredness a withdrawal symptom? How about depression?
Posted by bookgurl99 on July 23, 2003, at 21:27:42
In reply to Re: Lexapro Withdrawal Dizziness, posted by Rich B on July 23, 2003, at 20:58:28
Rich,
Feeling tired or depressed can both happen. Sometimes you can feel more depressed (temporarily) than you did before! But luckily, this often clears up in a few months.
books
Posted by bookgurl99 on July 24, 2003, at 7:49:26
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
Well, I started 2 days ago. Still at the 5 mg dose. (small!)
First things I've noticed -- it really does have milder SE's than Celexa. Felt tired the first day; switched to night, haven't had a problem. Also, on Celexa (which I quit after a week), I _immediately_ developed SSRI sweatiness/lack of libidio. Not there on the lex.
Felt weird yesterday, like my brain wanted to go into a migraine. Took the lex, few hours later the feeling was gone. Maybe it will work for these migraines.
Have to say it seems good.
Posted by BLKVETTES on July 24, 2003, at 8:12:41
In reply to First few days on Lexapro, posted by bookgurl99 on July 24, 2003, at 7:49:26
> Well, I started 2 days ago. Still at the 5 mg dose. (small!)
>
> First things I've noticed -- it really does have milder SE's than Celexa. Felt tired the first day; switched to night, haven't had a problem. Also, on Celexa (which I quit after a week), I _immediately_ developed SSRI sweatiness/lack of libidio. Not there on the lex.
>
> Felt weird yesterday, like my brain wanted to go into a migraine. Took the lex, few hours later the feeling was gone. Maybe it will work for these migraines.
>
> Have to say it seems good.Hi there, with some people 5mg has done the trick. Others have had to go to 20mg. I take about 7mg and have been for a long time. Take your time in moving up the dose. Do it slowly and you may hit the perfect dose on the way up. TAKE CARE!!!
WAYNE
Posted by Micheke on July 24, 2003, at 14:28:56
In reply to Re: Lexapro Withdrawal Dizziness, posted by Rich B on July 23, 2003, at 20:58:28
Rich,
Since my last post I was forced back to a 5mg dose of the lex. I was having a hard time driving cause every time I moved my eyes I got dizzy. Dizziness disappeared about 2 hours after I took it. I took the 5mg for a couple of days and now I'm on my 2nd day of 2.5mg. I think I'll stay on this till my fiance gets back from his trip. I don't know about you but going back and forth through this withdrawal is certainly enough to make me anxious and depressed. I felt like a failure for giving in to the meds and going back on. The truth is that I couldn't function with the dizziness the way it was. Feels like a perpetual merry go round. Gives me a headache and makes me very cranky. I'm doing great right now, we'll see what happens at the next step.Anyway, sounds as if you have the potential for a great trip. Try to just have fun and not worry too much about a blossoming relationship while you're away. Take things as they come. I try to remind myself that when things are right they happen naturally. Let us know how things went when you get back :)
-Michele
Posted by mph-speedy on July 24, 2003, at 18:49:29
In reply to Re: First few days on Lexapro, posted by BLKVETTES on July 24, 2003, at 8:12:41
Have been reading Lexapro thread with interest. First time user of AD - have been on 10mg Lexapro for one month. Minor side effects (thirst, insomnia) do not outweigh benefits so far. Almost immediate positive effect being lifted out of overwhelming anger, depression, and paranoia. Where to go from here? Any thoughts?
Posted by BLKVETTES on July 24, 2003, at 19:16:51
In reply to Re: First few days on Lexapro, posted by mph-speedy on July 24, 2003, at 18:49:29
> Have been reading Lexapro thread with interest. First time user of AD - have been on 10mg Lexapro for one month. Minor side effects (thirst, insomnia) do not outweigh benefits so far. Almost immediate positive effect being lifted out of overwhelming anger, depression, and paranoia. Where to go from here? Any thoughts?
Hi there, glad the lex is working for you and those side effects should go away in time. Do you feel you should be getting more out of it. Is that what you mean by any thoughts? POST BACK IF YOU DO!!!! TAKE CARE!!!!
WAYNE
Posted by Dissociative Jane on July 25, 2003, at 10:19:59
In reply to Re: First few days on Lexapro, posted by BLKVETTES on July 24, 2003, at 19:16:51
I was prescribed Lexapro because when I was tapering off Effexor, I developed some "strange feelings" (dizziness, and more). My pdoc had me take it for 2 weeks. During the 2 weeks I felt fabulous almost instantly...but when the Lexapro RX ran out my pdoc said just to continue taking my Wellbutrin which I take 2 x's per day.
I must admit,
I was feeling a little dissapointed about not taking Lexapro, but didn't want to sound a like a "Med Lover" to my pdoc so, I never said anything further until about 1 month later.
I had my appointment with my pdoc and told him that there was something about Lexapro that really made me feel GOOD...."awake, alert,mentally energized"....so, he prescribed it to me. I now take Wellbutrin SR 150mg 2x's per day and Lexapro 10mg every day. I'm on day 3 of Lexapro and feel like I'm on speed....I love this feeling.
Posted by Heidi8 on July 25, 2003, at 11:07:20
In reply to Re: First few days on Lexapro...Feel Good!, posted by Dissociative Jane on July 25, 2003, at 10:19:59
I am glad you are doing well. I sent an earlier post and it did not appear, so apologize if ultimately this is a duplicate.
I would appreciate some advice. I also began Lexapro 2 days ago ( 11pm dosage), starting with a quarter pill- 2.5mg. I barely slept and woke with a sick, heavy, headache and dizziness that would not abate, despite taking some Aleve late in the afternoon. I cut the dose to 1.2 last night ( took about 7 pm) . I slept, but woke with that same headache, almost like a post concussion headache I once head, where I felt like my head was 10 lbs. heavier on one side and twisted around.
I have a terrible track record with trying SSRI's and am very concerned. I have tried the SSRI's to deal with a depression precipitated by high dose progesterone to treat hyperplasia.
I would welcome any advice or thoughts whether the headaches will abates. The progesterone side effects are barely manageable and I do not think I can deal with the headache on top of it. I don't want the cure to be worse than the problem...if you know what I mean. thanks in advance...
Posted by BLKVETTES on July 25, 2003, at 11:12:14
In reply to Re: First few days on Lexapro...Feel Good!, posted by Dissociative Jane on July 25, 2003, at 10:19:59
> I was prescribed Lexapro because when I was tapering off Effexor, I developed some "strange feelings" (dizziness, and more). My pdoc had me take it for 2 weeks. During the 2 weeks I felt fabulous almost instantly...but when the Lexapro RX ran out my pdoc said just to continue taking my Wellbutrin which I take 2 x's per day.
> I must admit,
> I was feeling a little dissapointed about not taking Lexapro, but didn't want to sound a like a "Med Lover" to my pdoc so, I never said anything further until about 1 month later.
> I had my appointment with my pdoc and told him that there was something about Lexapro that really made me feel GOOD...."awake, alert,mentally energized"....so, he prescribed it to me. I now take Wellbutrin SR 150mg 2x's per day and Lexapro 10mg every day. I'm on day 3 of Lexapro and feel like I'm on speed....I love this feeling.Hi there, glad your feeling good on the lexapro. It does affect some people that way that speed feeling. I used to take speed years and years ago. Are you able to sleep at night? Just be aware in the coming weeks if your still feeling good. Cant argue with feeling good!! Im happy for you!!!!
WAYNE
Posted by lil' jimi on July 25, 2003, at 11:13:49
In reply to First few days on Lexapro, posted by bookgurl99 on July 24, 2003, at 7:49:26
hi books,
which other meds have you used, besides celexa?
... glad to read that lex has worked for you so far ... ... usually it takes a while before it gets so helpful ... looking forward to your updates ... ... please keep us posted.
TAKE CARE!!!
~ jim
Posted by lil' jimi on July 25, 2003, at 11:31:03
In reply to Re: First few days on Lexapro...Feel Good!, posted by Heidi8 on July 25, 2003, at 11:07:20
hi Heidi8,
certainly, you want to check with your doctor about these SEs to see what is suggested ...
although your possible med interactions are completely beyond me (i have only taken lex and all of my SEs went away in less than 2 weeks),
let me ask,
"How much water do you drink a day?"
and
"Can you drink more water? ...
... or that sport drink, electrolyte enhancing drink type stuff ...i have found i get thirsty since i have been on lex, and learned this is a CLUE (!) that i am dehydrating and should drink more water ... i like mine with a slice of lime, mmmmmmm!
this has helped my headaches ... .. ... i think it's helping my sinuses ... ... which helps my head ...
just a thought ... hope it might help ...
TAKE CARE !@!!
~ jim
Posted by lil' jimi on July 25, 2003, at 11:43:26
In reply to Re: First few days on Lexapro...Feel Good!, posted by Dissociative Jane on July 25, 2003, at 10:19:59
hi Dissociative Jane,
... thanks for your post!
.. .. love these encouraging positive lex posts!ah, yes, the Lexapro Speed Buzz ... ... i had that some at first .. ... still get a little of it ... some folks have compared this to the "hyper mania" that the BP folks suffer ...
... and again we have you guys getting these nearly instantaneous benefits from lex ... .. ... for Months, Wayne and i have been telling the new lex users that it takes so long for the lex benefits to kick in ... now y'all come along and ruin everything!!
HA!
NOT!.... ... really trying to kid us there ...
it really is wonderful that you are benefiting from lex so soon ... please, please keep us (me?) posted!TAKE CARE !!!
~ jim
Posted by maxumus on July 25, 2003, at 11:53:07
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
has anyone tried valium instead of anti-depresents for anxiety? i'm looking for an alternative because of the sexual side effect.I've been taking paxil and Zanax for over a month.It seems paxil has taking away my anxiety but also zap other emotions like sense of humor,motivation ect.ect.Is Lexapro that much different than paxil?
Posted by BLKVETTES on July 25, 2003, at 12:12:57
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by maxumus on July 25, 2003, at 11:53:07
> has anyone tried valium instead of anti-depresents for anxiety? i'm looking for an alternative because of the sexual side effect.I've been taking paxil and Zanax for over a month.It seems paxil has taking away my anxiety but also zap other emotions like sense of humor,motivation ect.ect.Is Lexapro that much different than paxil?
Hi there, valium is in a sense kind if like xanax. Some people get by just taking xanax or another benzo. A month on paxil is not very long. A lot of times those side effects go away. I could not handle the paxil or zoloft but have done great on lexapro. You just dont know what might work until its tried. GOOD LUCK!!!
WAYNE
Posted by mph-speedy on July 25, 2003, at 12:13:02
In reply to Re: First few days on Lexapro, posted by BLKVETTES on July 24, 2003, at 19:16:51
Background is did not even realize it was depression until almost had a "melt down". On the Lexapro have started feeling like my old happy self and recognize that the behavior I was attibuting to others either didn't exist (on their part) or was in reaction to my own disfunction. Where do I go from here is - am I to stay on ADs forever, or should I just go with the flow and not worry about it for now? Family history is - grandmother institutionalized for pychotic behavior after post partum depression. Father alcoholic. Son is bi-polar.
Looking back, I believe I've had bouts of depression before but was untreated.
Posted by BLKVETTES on July 25, 2003, at 12:22:13
In reply to lexapro w/ progesterone for hyperplasia » Heidi8, posted by lil' jimi on July 25, 2003, at 11:31:03
> hi Heidi8,
>
> certainly, you want to check with your doctor about these SEs to see what is suggested ...
>
> although your possible med interactions are completely beyond me (i have only taken lex and all of my SEs went away in less than 2 weeks),
>
> let me ask,
> "How much water do you drink a day?"
> and
> "Can you drink more water? ...
> ... or that sport drink, electrolyte enhancing drink type stuff ...
>
> i have found i get thirsty since i have been on lex, and learned this is a CLUE (!) that i am dehydrating and should drink more water ... i like mine with a slice of lime, mmmmmmm!
>
> this has helped my headaches ... .. ... i think it's helping my sinuses ... ... which helps my head ...
>
> just a thought ... hope it might help ...
>
> TAKE CARE !@!!
> ~ jimHi Jim, glad to see you posting. Since my disorder I have been drinking a lot more water than I ever have. Im also a soda drinker which I have cut back on since this started. But somedays I wake up feeling like crap and realize I have been neglecting the water and also a vitamin I take. This water thing I believe is very important also. TAKE CARE!!!!
WAYNE
Posted by BLKVETTES on July 25, 2003, at 12:32:22
In reply to Re: First few days on Lexapro, posted by mph-speedy on July 25, 2003, at 12:13:02
> Background is did not even realize it was depression until almost had a "melt down". On the Lexapro have started feeling like my old happy self and recognize that the behavior I was attibuting to others either didn't exist (on their part) or was in reaction to my own disfunction. Where do I go from here is - am I to stay on ADs forever, or should I just go with the flow and not worry about it for now? Family history is - grandmother institutionalized for pychotic behavior after post partum depression. Father alcoholic. Son is bi-polar.
>
> Looking back, I believe I've had bouts of depression before but was untreated.Hi there, sorry about your family!!! Must have been hard growing up and it must be hard dealing with your son. But its great that your feeling good. I read about statistics and one shows that someone who quits their meds in the 1st 3 years 2 out of 3 will relapse. With your family history its one heck of a risk if the lexapro continues to work for you. I have no plans whatsoever in quitting my med. Its to much of a risk for me. As long as you dont feel drugged and your on the right dose why risk it. You feel normal right? You just take something to feel that way. Nothing wrong with that!!!! TAKE CARE!!!
WAYNE
Posted by lil' jimi on July 25, 2003, at 12:42:18
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by maxumus on July 25, 2003, at 11:53:07
hi maxumus,
my wife-sweetie took paxil for a few years about a decade ago ... bad, very bad ... no one ever mentioned side-effects at all to her ... ... now we are still trying to find her libido! .... very hard on us ... especially because we had no idea about paxil SEs ... sad ...
whereas, i have been on lex 4 1/2 months now ...
... zero weight gain ...
... **improved** sexual satisfaction ... (hey, my lil' wifey!) ...... ... and i am much less depressed ... did have some start-up SEs, but they went away ...
personally, IMHO, i would not even compare lex to paxil ...
and as Wayne says,
TAKE CARE!!!!
~ jimp.s. thanks for your post ... post back soon!
~ j
Posted by lil' jimi on July 25, 2003, at 13:06:49
In reply to Re: First few days on Lexapro, posted by mph-speedy on July 25, 2003, at 12:13:02
hi mph-speedy,
you posted:
> Background is did not even realize it was depression until almost had a "melt down". On the Lexapro have started feeling like my old happy self and recognize that the behavior I was attibuting to others either didn't exist (on their part) or was in reaction to my own disfunction. Where do I go from here is - am I to stay on ADs forever, or should I just go with the flow and not worry about it for now? Family history is - grandmother institutionalized for pychotic behavior after post partum depression. Father alcoholic. Son is bi-polar.
>
> Looking back, I believe I've had bouts of depression before but was untreated... ... .. again, it is wonderful to read here about folks getting good relief from lexapro ... ... love your "Benefits out-weigh the SEs" attitude .... .... great to hear it is working for you!
... ... and i hear you about the where do you go now ... ... like, do i take this from now on? ... ...
(i have read that the average time of ssri use is 11 months ... ... more recently i read it is 3 years ...)
for my part, these are non-issues for me ... (unless "poop out" occurs) .... .... since it is working for us now, i recommend enjoying the new perspective ... and learning about ourselves,
("Hey, is this what it's like to not be depressed?") ... ... and accepting that we may need help from meds ... for however long ...... diabetics need meds ... ... epileptics need meds ... and our depression(s) may be biochemical or neurochemical dysfunctions for which we may need meds ... ... Especially, if they can make life worth living ... ... hang in there ... and try to let us know how you are doing, Please ...
TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOURSELF!!
~ jim
Posted by lil' jimi on July 25, 2003, at 13:46:38
In reply to Re: lexapro w/ progesterone for hyperplasia, posted by BLKVETTES on July 25, 2003, at 12:22:13
hey Wayne!
> > hi Heidi8,
> >
> > certainly, you want to check with your doctor about these SEs to see what is suggested ...
> >
> > although your possible med interactions are completely beyond me (i have only taken lex and all of my SEs went away in less than 2 weeks),
> >
> > let me ask,
> > "How much water do you drink a day?"
> > and
> > "Can you drink more water? ...
> > ... or that sport drink, electrolyte enhancing drink type stuff ...
> >
> > i have found i get thirsty since i have been on lex, and learned this is a CLUE (!) that i am dehydrating and should drink more water ... i like mine with a slice of lime, mmmmmmm!
> >
> > this has helped my headaches ... .. ... i think it's helping my sinuses ... ... which helps my head ...
> >
> > just a thought ... hope it might help ...
> >
> > TAKE CARE !@!!
> > ~ jim
>
> Hi Jim, glad to see you posting. Since my disorder I have been drinking a lot more water than I ever have. Im also a soda drinker which I have cut back on since this started. But somedays I wake up feeling like crap and realize I have been neglecting the water and also a vitamin I take. This water thing I believe is very important also. TAKE CARE!!!!
> WAYNE
>
>i'm thinking that the folks with the dizziness SE may also benefit from more water too ... ... for me, lexapro really demands a LOT of good liquids (less soft drinks) for it to realize its maximum benefits ... ... LOTS of water ... and of course a good diet (lots of fruit and vegetables!) and outdoor exercise with that *SUNSHINE* you recommended before ... ...
... and patiencethanks for your welcome back ... good to be back and great to hear you there, ol' pal!
***TAKE CARE*** !!!
~ jim
Posted by mph-speedy on July 25, 2003, at 14:15:52
In reply to Re: First few days on Lexapro, posted by BLKVETTES on July 25, 2003, at 12:32:22
Wayne -
That's a helpful statistic, and of course you're right - feeling normal is a great thing! Thanks..will be in touch.
Posted by vandy on July 25, 2003, at 15:17:36
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by maxumus on July 25, 2003, at 11:53:07
Of course, I can't speak for others but for me Paxil took away the spark. I was considerably less depressed but I was also flat as a pancake. No up and no downs make for a dull boy. Lex seems to let me be me but skip the lion's share of my depression.
Posted by Capri on July 25, 2003, at 18:10:06
In reply to Re: First few days on Lexapro...Feel Good!, posted by Heidi8 on July 25, 2003, at 11:07:20
Hi,
From my experience....Lexapro gave me a tremendous headache for the first 10 days (in fact all SSRI's I've tried do). I also could not sleep at night. I took a Klonopin to offset that problem.
I'm on Lex now 4 weeks. I just increased my dosage from 5 mg to 7.5 mg. I have an awful headache today just from that mild increase. I know if will go away though. I sleep fine at night without any Klonopin. Just noticed though that I'm getting an increased appetite which I'm not liking at the moment.
Hang in there. I'm sure the headache and dizziness will go away in a few more days!
Capri
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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