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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by jc12578 on August 23, 2003, at 8:56:08
In reply to re: jc12578, posted by lil' jimi on August 22, 2003, at 15:48:11
> hi jc12578,
>
> > well I have been more or less going through depression for more then 9 years since high school pretty much...about 3 years ago the crying and social withdrawal started...and I went in a got put on "the pills"....I have been on I think it's 6 different antidepressants and countless others to "help me metabolize them better"...so far with no success and some new and added symptoms to my depression...I have become bullemic and had several "successful"(don't know what that means...I am still alive) suicide attempts, plus I am into hurting myself...currently I am living with my mother and looking for a new psychologist cause I have yet to find one that I can even talk to....so thats that...phew...too much info
> >
>
> thanks for the additional info, but (if it's not too much?) i'll ask for some more detail ...
>
> ... which ADs have you tried?
> ... which ones for how long?
> ... which supplements were used with which ADs?
> ... what dosage and for how long were you on
lexapro?
> ... how did the other ADs compare with your lexapro experience?
>
> it sometimes helps to be able to put your experience into the context of your history ...
> thanks for your reply!
>
> best of luck!
> ~ jim
>
>
get ready for a lot of reading...since ~2001 I have been onElavil I worked up to 250 a day and was on it for like 2 months and my birth control was changed to Ortho Novum 1/50 cause specualted that it was a hormone imbalance and occasional progesterone/estrogen therapy along with that then
Zoloft Due to a pharmacy error I took too much and went really crazy...actually saw stuff crawiling on me...I was supposed to take 50 2x or half of a 100 2 times a day and the and the pharmicist put 200 2x's a day and when i questioned him he said the doc had it wrong and this was what the doc wanted...SO DEPRESSION RULE 1 WAS LEARNED...OBEY NO ONE BLINDLY AND TRUST YOUR JUDGMENT....cause when I went into the ER shaking and freaking out it was chalked off as a suicide attempt and the only person wong was me...so that ended that pill and a lot of my faith in the hope that medicine may be a way to help me..
Prozac was after that I was on that the longest almost a year...went from 20 daily to 120 in like 6 months daily and this is when stuff started getting added:
Ativan...to help the insomnia...didn't work 2 months on that
valium...same purpose I went up to 10 mg...stopped after 1 month
flexaril...I have no clue why that was added...took I think it was 50 a day and turned into a zombie for 2 months
*****
new doctor...more meds
got a new gen prac. and she added elavil back to mix 10 mg day for a month...then next month added klonopin...like 1mg 2 times a day...then I stopped sleeping so she added temeazepam twice a day...I think it was 25 each time...that didn't work so to that coctail she added trazadone 100 mg at bed time...I started gaining weight and so she puts me on zynthroid twice daily...2 multi vitamins, plus folic acid and an additional B compex daily...I was also still on the hormones and birth control plus migraine meds (phenorgan and fiornial as needed) plus nexium for my tummy...it was between 22 and 30 pills daily and then after I was a vegatable trying to wok on my masters she suggested I see a psych...which had not been suggested before as i am a member of an HMO (or so thats what I blame it on)...so I start seeing a doc and she switches the prozac for Effexor...was on that for a month and then put back on prozac the 120 mgs daily...Meanwhile I have a growing stock of pills and I keeps asking to be taken off of one or another and I tried quitting some on my own and got so sick.....so one night I took a handful of stuff and drove to the ER...hoping that they would see all of that stuff waas bad to have around...well they didn't and I went that next am and I was given refills of what I left at the ER and to replace what I took and I went home and took it all plus a bottle of tylenol...a friend/neighbor of mine came over to borrow milk and found me almost dead and called 911 and by some miracle I have yet to understand I lived without having my stomach pumped just a few days in the ICU and lots of charcoal later they realeased me and let me go with prescriptions for EVERYTHING AGAIN....I left the scrips at the hospital and moved in with my mom went to a doctor here and now have to pay for everything out of pocket cause HMO will not cover hospital here...even tho my doctors were total morons...and he put me on celexa for 2 months and then pharmacy didn't have it one month so I got lexapro instead and was told it was same and to basically take it and shut up...so I started on lexapro and stayed on that so as not to finish shutting down my body slowly and painfully...so I hope that answers all the questions...basically I feel like a victim of poor medicine and maybe not so much poor drugs...wow too much stuff...well now I am supposed to be on 30 of lexapro a day but I took myself off last week cold turkey cause I kept blacking out...I want to be put on something else 1 medication that dosen't make me black out as i need to be conscious to work on my PhDjc
Posted by hog80ci on August 23, 2003, at 9:31:28
In reply to Re: 1st week help???hog80ci, posted by Lex Poster Girl on August 22, 2003, at 19:30:09
Thanks Lex
I'm wondering if he started me on 10 because I'd already been on 75mg of effexor. He didn't make me wean off because he said the two drugs are similar. I'm trying to make myself eat even though it feels like everything stays at the bottom of my throat. Thanks again.
Jim
Posted by Lex Poster Girl on August 23, 2003, at 10:20:38
In reply to Re: 1st week help???hog80ci » Lex Poster Girl, posted by hog80ci on August 23, 2003, at 9:31:28
Hey Jim,
There have been a lot of horror stories about effexor withdrawl around here. I don't have any personal experience, but you may want to search for it. This stuff gets so complicated when you don't know if you're experiencing withdrawl from the previous drug or side effects from the new drug.
There is this protein shake thing that really physically active people use called Myoplex. I lost a lot of weight and nutrition before I started lex so, in addition to the side effects, I was probably malnourished, which does not help the mental stuff anymore than sleep deprivation. You can pick myoplex up at health food stores in several flavors and it is fairly easy to get and keep down. It is good that you are trying to eat - if you're not physically healthy, no drug is going to be much help.
Keep eating ;)
-Lex
Posted by Mariposa on August 23, 2003, at 11:48:59
In reply to Re: 10th week help???, posted by Lex Poster Girl on August 22, 2003, at 19:15:46
> Hmmm... I go away for a few days and things get so confusing around here. Perhaps I'm not savvy enough. I see that there is now a spelling link down there - I wonder if that had anything to do with my frustrated comment? Maybe Big Brother Bob really is watching us.
>
> On to the drug thing to make sure I don't get censored. I've been really fortunate on lex - very few and always mild side effects but, after reading the previous post, I realize that I have also had a lack of appetite or, at least, a lot of weight loss. My depression usually makes it difficult for me to eat but, now that I'm feeling better, I'm not sure why I'm still not interested in eating and still dropping weight. Overall, I feel really good, but others have begun to comment on my weight and a lot of my clothes don't fit.
>
> Any thoughts?
>
> -LexI have gone from a size 10 to size 6 since I started Lex. Into 6th mo., now @ 20mg. I was overweight anyway so I'm VERY happy w/this side effect!!! I don't seem to crave sweets and desserts as much any more, think about them but don't actually want to eat them. Also eat smaller portions and feel full. Had a physical and am in good health so I decided to buy some new clothes for the *new ME*. Shopping always does make me feel good!
Good luck to you!~~~8|8
Posted by Mariposa on August 23, 2003, at 12:10:01
In reply to Re: 1st week help???, posted by hog80ci on August 22, 2003, at 19:20:41
> This is my first week in Lex as well. Actually, today is day three and I am so nauseated I can't stand it. I'm grinding my teeth too. I started doing that on effexor. I really have to know if this sick stomach goes away. Doc put me on 10mg to start for seven days and then 20mg from then on. I sure am grateful to have stumbled upon this little group.
> JimA lot of people have had *better* results starting off @ 5mg, cut pill in half, for the first couple of weeks to get through the side effects. Also taking in the evening so you sleep (hopefully) through the side effects can help. The se's will usually begin to lessen and go away after 2-3 weeks. Many people have said (self included) that they really didn't notice a *difference* until 5 or 6 weeks. I am into month 6, now @ 20mg.
Keep us posted on your progress!~~~8|8
Posted by tm on August 23, 2003, at 12:34:33
In reply to Re: 1st week help???, posted by Mariposa on August 23, 2003, at 12:10:01
If I remember right didn't you recently go up on your dose. I sounds like your doing much better!! I have been on 20mg for at least four month and I am starting to feel the anxiety creeping back in, but no where near like I use to be be. Still doing what you told me, have a plan in the mornings and stick to it and it helps. If you did recently go up was there any talk of going higher than 20mg?
Thanks Tim
Posted by Mariposa on August 23, 2003, at 16:50:11
In reply to maraposa??, posted by tm on August 23, 2003, at 12:34:33
> If I remember right didn't you recently go up on your dose. I sounds like your doing much better!! I have been on 20mg for at least four month and I am starting to feel the anxiety creeping back in, but no where near like I use to be be. Still doing what you told me, have a plan in the mornings and stick to it and it helps. If you did recently go up was there any talk of going higher than 20mg?
>Yes, been @ 20mg about 10 days, I think. Somewhere in month 5 I started to feel what you are now describing. I asked my gyn doc (who psc'd it for PMDD) if I could up dose, he refused. Went to a pdoc, told him what was up, and he immediately upped my dose to 20mg. And I am feeling MUCH better, thanks for noticing! No talk of higher doses but I think I found a good pdoc who will work w/me.
Take Care!~~~8|8
Posted by tm on August 23, 2003, at 17:15:07
In reply to Re: maraposa?? » tm, posted by Mariposa on August 23, 2003, at 16:50:11
> > If I remember right didn't you recently go up on your dose. I sounds like your doing much better!! I have been on 20mg for at least four month and I am starting to feel the anxiety creeping back in, but no where near like I use to be be. Still doing what you told me, have a plan in the mornings and stick to it and it helps. If you did recently go up was there any talk of going higher than 20mg?
> >
>
> Yes, been @ 20mg about 10 days, I think. Somewhere in month 5 I started to feel what you are now describing. I asked my gyn doc (who psc'd it for PMDD) if I could up dose, he refused. Went to a pdoc, told him what was up, and he immediately upped my dose to 20mg. And I am feeling MUCH better, thanks for noticing! No talk of higher doses but I think I found a good pdoc who will work w/me.
>
> Take Care!~~~8|8
>
> I will be going to my pdoc on Sept.3, I will let you know what he suggests, he been pretty good to me. He suffers like we do so he knows how I feel. Thanks ~8/8.
Tim>
Posted by Doug in PA on August 23, 2003, at 19:10:11
In reply to Re: 10th week help???, posted by Mariposa on August 23, 2003, at 11:48:59
Well bless you all for loosing weight. I just wish it would work that way with me. I have really porked up during the last 10 weeks on Lex. Even if I skip one or two meals a day and really watch what I eat, I put on weight. I have gained 18 pounds in about 10 weeks. They say that fat people are happy but this fat person is not happy about this. I was 30 pounds overweight when I started Lex. Even the early stages when the Lex made me feel sick to even think of food, the pounds still went on. After supper I no longer go for a walk down the street, I roll like a ball. Seriously, has anyone else had a serious problem putting on weight with lex.
Doug in PA
Posted by hog80ci on August 23, 2003, at 19:34:44
In reply to Re: 1st week help??? hog80ci, posted by Lex Poster Girl on August 23, 2003, at 10:20:38
Thanks Lex. It's nice to be able to "talk" about this stuff. I'm trying not to complain too much either. I looked through the posts and saw a lot of people doing very well on this med. I'm hopeful that things will settle down eventually. It will be worth it if it helps me out of the hole I dug for myself after serzone burned out.
I'll check out the Myoplex. I think I saw it a GNC.
Take it easy.
Jim
Posted by pumpkin on August 23, 2003, at 20:00:40
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
Enjoy all your posts....
Posted by Treb on August 23, 2003, at 20:01:46
In reply to Re: 1st week help??? hog80ci, posted by hog80ci on August 23, 2003, at 19:34:44
Hi, I'm on day 9 of 10mg Lexapro. I've been a little wirey but the sore tempra mandibular joints from teeth clecnching has been the most annoying. I'm trying to relax my jaws.
I've been on Depakote for 19 mos at various dosages. Celexa was added to that initially - can't remember why I quit, I've been through so many. I went to Serzone, then Strattera, then Effexor and now Lexapro. I have tolerated it well compared to the Effexor. That stuff had me cranked up! I appreciate the comments and support here. I tried an intro last night and it went to the nether regions! Thanks, Treb
Posted by galkeepinon on August 23, 2003, at 20:22:16
In reply to Still reading, still hanging..., posted by pumpkin on August 23, 2003, at 20:00:40
hi pumpkin, so glad to see your post. I hope you're doing good? I'm glad you're at least reading stuff here:-) I really hope you're hanging in there~~~~~sounds like you are~~~I'm glad and wanted you to know:-)
galkeepinon> Enjoy all your posts....
Posted by galkeepinon on August 23, 2003, at 20:26:58
In reply to Re: 1st week help??? hog80ci, posted by Treb on August 23, 2003, at 20:01:46
Hi Treb:-) There was a great line of threads about the teeth clenching on Lexapro a few weeks back~maybe about a week and a half, hope you can read them. I just started my 4th week on Lexapro yesterday and I remember Day 9 very well~really I do!!! I honestly think I'm still clenching my jaws. Do you think it's because we are trying to fight the feelings we had before we had the Lexapro in our systems but the med or the chemicals/mechanisms actions in the med are preventing that from happening? Just a thought........lol
Take care and hang tough:-)> Hi, I'm on day 9 of 10mg Lexapro. I've been a little wirey but the sore tempra mandibular joints from teeth clecnching has been the most annoying. I'm trying to relax my jaws.
>
> I've been on Depakote for 19 mos at various dosages. Celexa was added to that initially - can't remember why I quit, I've been through so many. I went to Serzone, then Strattera, then Effexor and now Lexapro. I have tolerated it well compared to the Effexor. That stuff had me cranked up! I appreciate the comments and support here. I tried an intro last night and it went to the nether regions! Thanks, Treb
Posted by Treb on August 23, 2003, at 20:33:38
In reply to Re: 1st week help??? hog80ci » Treb, posted by galkeepinon on August 23, 2003, at 20:26:58
"Do you think it's because we are trying to fight the feelings we had before we had the Lexapro in our systems but the med or the chemicals/mechanisms actions in the med are preventing that from happening? Just a thought........lol"
That could well be it! Yes, I saw the teeth thread and that prompted me to start posting. One sometimes feels alone until they read of other's experiences. This is a big help! Thanks. Treb
Posted by galkeepinon on August 23, 2003, at 20:48:20
In reply to Re: 10th week help..., posted by Doug in PA on August 23, 2003, at 19:10:11
Hey Doug in PA, I'm sorry:( I wish the Lex was helping you lose. The SSRI Prozac did that to me, but I just started my 4th week on Lexapro and it may start to give me an appetite. I can't say I've lost a lot on Lexapro, so don't feel left out. (hug) ;) lol
These meds grrr lol can't live with em can't live without em sometimes............
hang in there:-) and I bet you don't *roll* down the street;) If you do, then I probably tumble, cuz I'm no skinny minny lol
> Well bless you all for loosing weight. I just wish it would work that way with me. I have really porked up during the last 10 weeks on Lex. Even if I skip one or two meals a day and really watch what I eat, I put on weight. I have gained 18 pounds in about 10 weeks. They say that fat people are happy but this fat person is not happy about this. I was 30 pounds overweight when I started Lex. Even the early stages when the Lex made me feel sick to even think of food, the pounds still went on. After supper I no longer go for a walk down the street, I roll like a ball. Seriously, has anyone else had a serious problem putting on weight with lex.
> Doug in PA
Posted by Layla on August 23, 2003, at 21:48:52
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
Here is a topic I have not seen on the thread, although I confess I have not read every post. My college-age daughter began taking Lexapro this spring and as far as I can tell responded quite well initially with few, if any, side effects. Unfortunately, however, in college she began drinking very heavily, although she tells me she cut back a lot this spring...when she instead began smoking pot...This summer at home she was drinking heavily at times, and/or smoking pot. Most recently, she has cut back her drinking a great deal (says she doesn't like it, which is consistent with what I've seen on the thread, but she still indulges now and then). She continues to smoke a (supposedly) moderate amount of pot pretty much daily.
Of course she tells me she is "in control," but I am quite worried. I come from an alcoholic background (although I personally have not had those problems), and so am particularly sensitive (hypersensitive??) to what appears to me to be alcoholic or chemically dependent behavior. Also, I worry about the interaction of the alcohol and/or pot with the Lexapro. Is it dangerous? Will it merely lessen the positive effect of the lex? She tells me that her original doc told her that he was not going to tell her that it was dangerous to smoke dope while on lex, but I suspect she underreported her consumption. I also wonder if the booze and dope contributed to the development of her depression??
Anyone have any experience with alcohol or pot with Lexapro? And yes, before anyone asks, we are working on counselling - she has agreed to go back into counselling, although I think she will continue to resist a diagnosis of chemical dependency, so that may or may not last.
Thanks for any feedback!
Posted by hog80ci on August 23, 2003, at 22:10:23
In reply to Re: Teeth Grinding on LexCarla, posted by Suzy on August 18, 2003, at 19:19:36
I'm clenching my jaw too. Started doing it on Effexor, switched to Lex and still do it. My pdoc asked if I was doing it in my sleep. I just looked at him...like I would know. I don't think I am though. I read somewhere chewing gum helps.
Just my opinion and I'm no expert but I don't think you are supposed to drink while on ADs. Not a good combination.
Take care
Jim
Posted by galkeepinon on August 23, 2003, at 22:14:18
In reply to Re: Teeth Grinding on LexCarla, posted by hog80ci on August 23, 2003, at 22:10:23
Jim, LOL~~this is too funny, I'm chewing gum for the first time in a looooonnnnnnng time and it's helping!!! It's so funny I read this right now!! I'm downloading something on my comp and this message popped up. Too funny!
Right.........like you know if your clenching your teeth in your sleep? LOL some docs........... ;)
Have a good night:-)
galkeepinon> I'm clenching my jaw too. Started doing it on Effexor, switched to Lex and still do it. My pdoc asked if I was doing it in my sleep. I just looked at him...like I would know. I don't think I am though. I read somewhere chewing gum helps.
>
> Just my opinion and I'm no expert but I don't think you are supposed to drink while on ADs. Not a good combination.
> Take care
> Jim
Posted by Mariposa on August 24, 2003, at 11:48:28
In reply to Re: Teeth Grinding on LexCarla » hog80ci, posted by galkeepinon on August 23, 2003, at 22:14:18
Into 6th mo. now @ 20mg. Still clenching some, it's the only se I still have. Remember early on waking up in the morning and my teeth REALLY hurt! I knew I was clenching in my sleep, I think that's why doc asked that Q. Now it's mild and teeth don't hurt. Chewing gum IS a big help.
Good luck to us all.~~~8|8
Posted by Arrianna on August 24, 2003, at 14:37:54
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Layla on August 23, 2003, at 21:48:52
Hi Layla! First, I'd just like to say that it's really nice to hear when moms are really concerned for their children's mental health and are there for them no matter what! (I've been through alot of stuff that my mom just couldn't handle).
Anyway, I haven't heard anything about the combination of smoking pot and Lex. But, have heard that it is dangerous to drink while on Lex. There's a warning on Lex that says not to drink while taking it. One can get pretty sick, I think.
The other question you asked is a mystery. It's one that's been questioned for some time. Alcohol and other drug taking can, and do, cause depression among other things. But, then, there's the other scope: was the chemical indulgence a result of some prior depression. Unfortunately, there's really not an answer. It's like asking if the chicken came before the egg.
As a recovering addict myself, it seems that your concerns are quite legitimate, especially since the disease has been in your family. Hopefully, she's just at the age where she's experimenting and there will real be no great harm. Yet, it's not something you want to take lightly, and I know your not. As a mother, you know best for your daughter. It sounds like you're handling it the right way: seeking help here and through counseling. It's a huge plus that she agreed to go to counseling as well. (Most don't) So, since she's willing to go, there's a better chance of it working!! It's great that you two have such a close and open relationship!!
I hope this helped in some way. I wish you two the best; and remember to take care of mom, too.
Good Luck,
Arrianna
Posted by honey74 on August 24, 2003, at 20:56:25
In reply to Re: 1st week help??? hog80ci, posted by Treb on August 23, 2003, at 20:33:38
I was totally feeling alone until I stumbled into this site. It's kind of difficult to get support at home, my husband thinks I can just snap out of it, and make everything okay again. I've beeen trying to do that for 3 months and finally I had to talk to my doctor about it. I was thinking about death every day and it was really starting to get me down. Doctor prescribed Lexapro and I'm on my 4th day now. My teeth are killing me...er, I mean, they are hurting really bad. :) I'm trying the gum thing, but my teeth hurt so much that I can only chew on one side. Thank you all for contributing to this site, I'll keep coming back. Was wondering if anyone else noticed blood in their stools during the first week. Trying not to panic, but I'm starting to worry.
> "Do you think it's because we are trying to fight the feelings we had before we had the Lexapro in our systems but the med or the chemicals/mechanisms actions in the med are preventing that from happening? Just a thought........lol"
>
> That could well be it! Yes, I saw the teeth thread and that prompted me to start posting. One sometimes feels alone until they read of other's experiences. This is a big help! Thanks. Treb
Posted by hog80ci on August 24, 2003, at 21:44:46
In reply to Re: 1st week help??? hog80ci, posted by honey74 on August 24, 2003, at 20:56:25
This is a good place to get support. I'm glad I found it too. It's not like I can go to work and say "Man, this new anti-dpressant I'm taking is making me sick to my stomach and I clench my jaw a lot too." I used to be one of the "you can just snap out of it" crowd too until I got my rear end royally kicked and had to admit that I was depressed. Wow.
Haven't noticed any blood. That might be something you want to have checked out.
Hang in there.
Jim
Posted by honey74 on August 24, 2003, at 21:52:26
In reply to Re: 1st week help??? hog80ci, posted by hog80ci on August 24, 2003, at 21:44:46
Thank you, I really appreciate you writing back. From what I can tell after reading many of the posts, after two weeks things should be better (I certainly hope so). I'm being treated for depression and anxiety, just waiting to see if this will do some neat magic trick for me, or if I'll have to try hard to 'snap out of it.'
Posted by theump on August 24, 2003, at 21:53:53
In reply to Re: 1st week help??? hog80ci, posted by Treb on August 23, 2003, at 20:33:38
It's been a while since my doc mentioned upping my dose. I put it off for a while, almost 2 weeks, because I was trying to start a new relationship and didn't want side-effects to get in the way.
Well, the new relationship didn't work out - which is okay, because I have a GREAT, supportive new friend out of it. But since I'm not working on that I decided yesterday to start 15mg. So 2 days on the 15mg and I haven't noticed any side-effects. I was lucky with 10mg and I hope I don't have problems with the increase either. I would think another 5 days will tell the true story.
Hey lil'Jimi, did you move your dose up yet?
The Ump aka - Renee
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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