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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Akman on September 21, 2003, at 23:11:03
In reply to Re: SSRIs and Beyond » lil' jimi, posted by oldhand on September 21, 2003, at 20:41:26
I've been taking Lexapro for about 3 weeks and recently began experiencing a pervasive, hallucinatory smell of stale cigars (and I don't smoke either!) Before I start looking elsewhere for an explanation I thought I would ask if anyone else has experienced any olfactory side effects from taking Lexapro.
Posted by PHV on September 22, 2003, at 0:07:41
In reply to Olfactory side effects?, posted by Akman on September 21, 2003, at 23:11:03
> I've been taking Lexapro for about 3 weeks and recently began experiencing a pervasive, hallucinatory smell of stale cigars (and I don't smoke either!) Before I start looking elsewhere for an explanation I thought I would ask if anyone else has experienced any olfactory side effects from taking Lexapro.
Have you ever been a cigar smoker - or around other cigar smokers? The reason I ask, is that I seem to smell cigarette smoke fairly frequently recently- when no one is smoking around me. I gave up cig smoking years ago - but seem to be especially sensitive to its scent. I sometimes smell it in my house - when no one is smoking. Interesting to see if they might be related. Thanks for posting and good luck. I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks.Patty
Posted by galkeepinon on September 22, 2003, at 1:21:05
In reply to escitalopram, posted by lil' jimi on September 21, 2003, at 20:18:54
Hey jim :-) took the weekend off so to speak~not feeling too well. I hope you're doing great!!!!
Anyway......in answer to your questions from my perspective/stance,>>>>>anybody's presciber mention even half of these? Actually I did some research about the med before I went on it, BUT I was sooooo depressed that I was willing to give another SSRI a shot Ha!!! Glad I did:-)
>>>>>anyone get any of this lowdown from their pharmacist? My pharmacist was very unhelpful, thank God my pdoc had started me on Lex and gave me the 2 month samples. She was way more knowledgeable on Lex than my pharmacist was!!When I went and got the script filled, the pharmacist basically said here ya go..
Boy, aren't you grateful we have a brain to think with and computers to do research on ;)
LOL
Have A Great Week jim:-)> hello everyone,
>
> here are some of the basics about lexapro we can get from online ... ... of particular interest, we have the list of side effects ...
>
> anybody's presciber mention even half of these?
> anyone get any of this lowdown from their pharmacist ?
>
> have a good week,
> ~ jim
>
> this is from http://www.medicinenet.com/escitalopram/article.htm
>
> GENERIC NAME: escitalopram
>
> BRAND NAME: Lexapro
> DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Escitalopram is an oral drug that is used for treating depression. It is an antidepressant. It works by affecting neurotransmitters in the brain, the chemical messengers that nerves use to communicate with one another. Neurotransmitters are made and released by nerves and then travel to other nearby nerves where they attach to receptors on the nerves. Some neurotransmitters that are released do not bind to receptors and are taken up by the nerves that produced them. This is referred to as "reuptake."
>
> Many experts believe that an imbalance of neurotransmitters is the cause of depression. Escitalopram prevents the reuptake of one neurotransmitter, serotonin, by nerves, an action which results in more serotonin in the brain to attach to receptors. Chemically, escitalopram is very similar to citalopram. Both are in the class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a class that also includes fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil) and sertraline (Zoloft).
>
> PRESCRIPTION: Yes
>
> GENERIC AVAILABLE: No
>
> PREPARATIONS: White to off-white, round tablets of 5, 10, and 20 mg.
>
> STORAGE: Escitalopram tablets should be stored at controlled room temperature, 59-86°F (15-30°C.)
>
> PRESCRIBED FOR: Escitalopram is used to treat depression. Drugs in the SSRI class also have been studied in persons with obsessive-compulsive disorders, general anxiety disorders, and panic disorders.
>
> DOSING: The usual starting dose of escitalopram is 10 mg once daily. Benefit may not be seen until treatment has been given for up to 4 weeks. Escitalopram can be taken with or without food. Older and younger persons require similar doses.
>
> DRUG INTERACTIONS: All SSRIs, including escitalopram, should not be taken together with any drugs of the MAO (mono-amine oxidase) inhibitor-class of antidepressants, for example, isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), and procarbazine (Matulane). Such combinations may lead to confusion, high blood pressure, high fevers, tremor or muscle rigidity, and increased activity. This same type of interaction also may occur with selegiline (Eldepryl), fenfluramine (Pondimin), and dexfenfluramine (Redux). Tryptophan can cause headaches, nausea, sweating, and dizziness when taken with any SSRI. At least 14 days should elapse after discontinuing escitalopram before starting a MAO inhibitor.
>
> PREGNANCY: The safety of escitalopram during pregnancy and lactation has not been established. Therefore, escitalopram should not be used during pregnancy unless, in the opinion of the physician, the expected benefits to the patient outweigh the possible hazards to the fetus.
>
> NURSING MOTHERS: Escitalopram is excreted in human milk. Escitalopram should not be given to nursing mothers unless, in the opinion of the physician, the expected benefits to the patient outweigh the possible hazards to the child.
>
> SIDE EFFECTS: The most commonly-noted side effects associated with escitalopram are agitation or restlessness, blurred vision, diarrhea, difficulty sleeping, drowsiness, dry mouth, fever, frequent urination, headache, indigestion, nausea, increased or decreased appetite, increased sweating, sexual difficulties (decreased sexual ability or desire, ejaculatory delay), taste alterations, tremor (shaking), weight changes. Although changes in sexual desire, sexual performance and sexual satisfaction often occur as a result of depression itself, they also may be a consequence of the drugs used to treat depression. In particular, about one in 11 men given escitalopram report difficulties experiencing ejaculation.
>
> Some patients may experience withdrawal reactions upon stopping SSRI therapy. Symptoms may include dizziness, tingling, tiredness, vivid dreams, irritability, or poor mood. In order to avoid these symptoms, the dose of SSRI can be slowly reduced instead of abruptly stopped.
>
Posted by galkeepinon on September 22, 2003, at 1:24:23
In reply to Olfactory side effects?, posted by Akman on September 21, 2003, at 23:11:03
Yep~weird. I experienced this on Topamax also. But with the Lexapro, I found that cigarettes taste/smell like stale cigars. Maybe it will get me to quit!! Hehehe
> I've been taking Lexapro for about 3 weeks and recently began experiencing a pervasive, hallucinatory smell of stale cigars (and I don't smoke either!) Before I start looking elsewhere for an explanation I thought I would ask if anyone else has experienced any olfactory side effects from taking Lexapro.
Posted by theo on September 22, 2003, at 8:12:48
In reply to Re: SSRIs and Beyond » lil' jimi, posted by oldhand on September 21, 2003, at 20:41:26
I'm on 150mg of the new Wellbutrin XL after being on 150mg of the SR for a month. I can tell the XL version is much smoother for me than the SR, and it is suppose to be. I was actually quite surprised because when Glaxo released Paxil CR and I made the switch to it from regular Paxil within two days I was having diarreah cramps about four hours after taking it. Went back to regular Paxil immediately and called my doc and he said it made no sense. I called a pharmacist at Glaxo and she asked me if I was "lactose intollerant" which I am not but she said there is HEAVY LACTOSE in the CR coating and fillers which was causing problems with a lot of people. Anyway that was back in my Paxil days but when I saw the reduced size of the Wellbutrin XL and the similiar shape to the CR, I was fearful of the new coating but it's fine.
Anyway the main reason for the post is my pdoc suggested adding 5mg of Lex to my 150mg of Wellbutrin XL and I started low with 2.5mg yesterday and in a few days will go to 5mg. A few months ago I took Lex by itself for about six weeks but my general doc threw me a bag of samples and said "all you do is just start with 10mg." Well that didn't work so well and I quit because of the sides, so I'm slowly easing into the Lex this time. So far so good but keep me posted on your "WellPro Combo" progress and I will do the same.
Thanks,
Theo aka Ted
Posted by Kacy on September 22, 2003, at 9:13:15
In reply to Re: Olfactory side effects? » Akman, posted by galkeepinon on September 22, 2003, at 1:24:23
Maybe you have a more sensitive nose on the drug. Could you be smelling a lingering odor on some clothes in a closet that you wore somewhere around smokers, or from upholstery that had been subject to the smoke, or to the odor on walls in a room where people have smoked?
Posted by galkeepinon on September 22, 2003, at 15:23:55
In reply to Re: Olfactory side effects?, posted by Kacy on September 22, 2003, at 9:13:15
Hi Kacy, I laughed when I saw this because I was laughing at myself. I spray, spray, and spray, and then some LOL to get rid of this smokey stench!
I have, mmmmm,let's see, Lysol, a nice scent of Glade air freshner, and a Glade 'plug-in' in my wall to help with the smell. I wash my clothes and plop in 2 Bounce sheets too. All these things help me a lot with that nasty 'stench', just think what I'm doing to my lungs. YIKES.
I only smoke when I'm on the computer at night in my room, otherwise I smoke outside. But I got a HUGE headache today, so I need to lay off the cancer sticks for a while!!> Maybe you have a more sensitive nose on the drug. Could you be smelling a lingering odor on some clothes in a closet that you wore somewhere around smokers, or from upholstery that had been subject to the smoke, or to the odor on walls in a room where people have smoked?
>
>
Posted by galkeepinon on September 22, 2003, at 16:02:17
In reply to re: Gal, et al, posted by lil' jimi on September 20, 2003, at 2:28:02
Posted by lil' jimi on September 22, 2003, at 16:33:14
In reply to re: Gal~~~I'm drinking a ton of water jim:-):-) (nm) » lil' jimi, posted by galkeepinon on September 22, 2003, at 16:02:17
Posted by galkeepinon on September 22, 2003, at 18:07:52
In reply to Excellent !! How's it taste ? :-):-) 8^) (nm) » galkeepinon, posted by lil' jimi on September 22, 2003, at 16:33:14
Hey jim:-)
I just think that drinking a lot of water is essential with all these meds going in our systems!!!
It feels so refreshing to know that I can control somewhat the flushing of my kidneys.
Here's to 8 cups of water a day~~for EVERYONE:-)
Go Lexaproooooooooooooooo:-)
Posted by lil' jimi on September 22, 2003, at 19:20:31
In reply to Refreshing ahhhhhhhhh 2 more to go............. » lil' jimi, posted by galkeepinon on September 22, 2003, at 18:07:52
....
.... and _you_ have reminded _me_ to drink some more water ... ... !!so .....
Here's to Lexapro!
Hip! Hip!
Posted by galkeepinon on September 22, 2003, at 19:39:04
In reply to Re: Refreshing ahhhhhhhhh .... more to go....... » galkeepinon, posted by lil' jimi on September 22, 2003, at 19:20:31
> .... and _you_ have reminded _me_ to drink some more water ... ... !!
>
> so .....
>
> Here's to Lexapro!
> Hip! Hip!...................
...............
HOORAYYYYYYYYYY!!! Ha lol :-)
Posted by BLKVETTES on September 22, 2003, at 19:42:36
In reply to Excellent !! How's it taste ? :-):-) 8^) (nm) » galkeepinon, posted by lil' jimi on September 22, 2003, at 16:33:14
ALL WATER POSTS SHOULD BE REDIRECTED TO HA! I LOVE MY WATER HA! PHYCHO BABBLE LINK!!!!!!!
Posted by lil' jimi on September 22, 2003, at 20:35:56
In reply to Re: Excellent !! How's it taste ? :-):-) 8^), posted by BLKVETTES on September 22, 2003, at 19:42:36
Posted by lil' jimi on September 22, 2003, at 20:37:49
In reply to Re: Refreshing ahhhhhhhhh .... more to go....... » lil' jimi, posted by galkeepinon on September 22, 2003, at 19:39:04
Posted by galkeepinon on September 22, 2003, at 20:54:35
In reply to Hip ! Hip !! (nm) » galkeepinon, posted by lil' jimi on September 22, 2003, at 20:37:49
Posted by KimberlyDi on September 23, 2003, at 15:17:46
In reply to Re: Olfactory side effects? » Akman, posted by PHV on September 22, 2003, at 0:07:41
SSRI's sweating through your pores?
Hey, what's odd to me is that sometimes I smell the "stale cigarette" odor. But what's worse, my husband has accused me of either starting smoking or having an affair with someone who does. I don't and I haven't!!! But it's been a mystery to me!
KDi in Texas
> > I've been taking Lexapro for about 3 weeks and recently began experiencing a pervasive, hallucinatory smell of stale cigars (and I don't smoke either!) Before I start looking elsewhere for an explanation I thought I would ask if anyone else has experienced any olfactory side effects from taking Lexapro.
>
>
> Have you ever been a cigar smoker - or around other cigar smokers? The reason I ask, is that I seem to smell cigarette smoke fairly frequently recently- when no one is smoking around me. I gave up cig smoking years ago - but seem to be especially sensitive to its scent. I sometimes smell it in my house - when no one is smoking. Interesting to see if they might be related. Thanks for posting and good luck. I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks.
>
> Patty
>
Posted by Peter on September 23, 2003, at 19:22:36
In reply to Re: Lexapro side effects switching, posted by Luziluna on April 29, 2003, at 13:50:30
Hi all:
Just thought I'd touch base with all you fellow lexapro takers. Today was day 18 total (the first 6 days of treatment I took 5mg and then increased to 10mg on day 7, so it's been 12 days on 10mg).
The first 2 weeks I was seriously considering giving up because of all these crazy, sporadic, unexpected, severe SE's that would pop up out of the blue - feeling cold and flu-like, lethargy, 'mopey' disposition, dysphoria, irritability, stomach upset, urinary frequency, and the list goes on.
Even now I have not yet noticed any beneficial, therapeutic effects, but I'm just still holding on and remembering that a lot of you said it took 4-8 weeks to kick in. I was really considering throwing in the towel, purging my system for a while, and trying out an MAOI anti-depressant, which I've been considering for about a year now since it's been 8 years of one unsuccesful med 'cocktail' after the next (and the MAOI's seem to be the only class of drugs I've never tried for my depression/anxiety/ADHD.
But, I figured, even though I haven't had great succeses with the other SSRI's in the past, this one might really end up helping me if I just stick with it; and I want to thank you guys for encouraging side-effect riddled people like me to push on through with the med.
Another thing that helped my decision to stick with it for a few more weeks is that, after speaking with my pdoc today, we found that it's very possible that the other meds I'm taking - adderall and klonopin - are each, in their own ways, possibly hindering me from feeling tangible benefits from the lexapro, and the adderall especially could be worsening the lex SE's. I've used SSRI's + Stims together in the past with some success, but this is different; there's some wierd synergy for me between the lex and my moderate/high adderall dose (40mg); the adderall in itself acts sort of like a mood-dampener for me at higher doses; I believe it also gives me a whole slew of its own SE's, which are dort of unique in my case-intense back pains, zombie-like mood, social avoidance, exacerbation of depression. My pdoc said that it seems like the adderall is only beneficial for me (better focus and alertness) at LOWER doses. So he's having me decrease down to 30mg over the next week. He's also having me decrease my 3mg klonopin - I never took this much klonopin, but he told me to increase it up to 3mg about a month ago due to acute anxiety. Now, however, it's possible that the 2 daytime doses are putting a further 'dampener' on my mood and masking possible lex benefits. So he said I might notice an improvement over the next week from just decreasing those two other meds and sticking with the 10mg lex.
Finally, my doc said that my always feeling cold and flu-like is more likely because I AM ill - like I really do have a virus or bug, rather than it being intolerable SE's from the lex. Although this sucks, it's another reason why I dont have to just throw in the towel on the lex after having come this far.
Wish me luck! I need it(o:
I feel like crap, but not too much to say thanks for always being there, guys.
Peter
Posted by theo on September 23, 2003, at 20:08:27
In reply to UPDATE-gonna keep holding on, but need support, posted by Peter on September 23, 2003, at 19:22:36
I'm on my fourth day of taking 2.5mg of Lex with my Wellbutrin XL. From what you've experienced or read is this enough time to increase to 5mg? So far no side effects except a feel a little goofy off and on but no nausea and tiredness at all like before when I started at 10mg like the prescribing info says. Was kind of wondering what the usual gap between upping dose is.
Posted by Arrianna on September 23, 2003, at 20:32:19
In reply to UPDATE-gonna keep holding on, but need support, posted by Peter on September 23, 2003, at 19:22:36
Peter:
So glad to hear that you've decided to stick with the Lexapro and give it a chance!! You're almost there. Good for you.
I hope the changes of your med. doses will help with the side effects, and offer you the benefits of Lexapro. You've come a long way, so just keep on hanging in there.
Good Luck!
Arrianna
Posted by Arrianna on September 23, 2003, at 20:41:19
In reply to Re: Lexapro kicking in, posted by sussus on September 19, 2003, at 9:05:04
sus:
Wow! You've had alot of huge changes in your life! Exciting, yet scary, it sounds. Hopefully, the depression will lift for you as well as your anxiety.
Take it easy and keep us updated on the Lexapro.
Hoping this passes for you,
Arrianna
Posted by lil' jimi on September 23, 2003, at 21:06:22
In reply to lil' jimi, posted by theo on September 23, 2003, at 20:08:27
hi Ted,
your Wellbutrin - Lexapro combo is (as you know) beyond my experience and reading ... ... so, honestly, my guesses are pretty worthless ... ... just so long as you know
... ... here's my guesses anyway ...... i'd guess that your intuition is pretty close to right ... i'd want you to stay at a dosage for a week at least for your system to adapt ... ...
... However, it's my suspicion that Wellbutrin has already supported your NTs (dopamine, norepineprine and serotonin) to the point of providing protection, or cushion, or insulation against the initial SSRI SEs ...... but i'm just guessing ... ... your intuition, your internal sensibilities, can be a more accurate guide ... than anything i can offer ...
... so despite my lexapro-only trepidations ...
... ("Always:: start low and go slow!") ...
... i have more confidence in your assessment and feel like you can reasonably up your dose more quickly ... ... ... than i would anyway ...hope this was helpful ...
take care !
~ jim
Posted by lil' jimi on September 23, 2003, at 21:10:07
In reply to I'll double your one drink with 8 ;) hip hip hoora (nm), posted by galkeepinon on September 22, 2003, at 20:54:35
Posted by lil' jimi on September 23, 2003, at 21:52:52
In reply to UPDATE-gonna keep holding on, but need support, posted by Peter on September 23, 2003, at 19:22:36
just to reinforce Arrianna's encouragements here ...
you have been through heck there and it is admirable that you're commiting yourself to try to tough it out to get through the SEs so lex can get a chance ... way good ...
... but boy howdy are your combo's partners some heavy hitters there ... i can just see the adderall going round with the klonopin ... ... i can only envision the neurochemical tension on your CNS from having the Amphetamine pulling you one way and the Benzodiazepine pulling the opposite direction ... ...
... but it sounds like your pdoc knows his or her stuff and is working to give you good treatment ...
... we should expect that decreasing the doses of the adderall and the klonopin should decrease your system's stress ... ... and then lexapro may well see daylight for you ...i'm grateful to you for posting here for us ... ... we want to hear from you, please ...
i am grateful that your med combo has offered you some benefit and that your progress is offering more hope for the future ... ...
... we can not give hope enough credit ...
TAKE CARE !!
~ jim
Posted by Arrianna on September 24, 2003, at 14:47:25
In reply to re: arrianna » Arrianna, posted by lil' jimi on September 19, 2003, at 16:41:09
Hi all!
Just wanted to let ya' all know that my weekend with my family went great-went so much better than I could have ever expected!!
I owe it all to the miracle of Lexapro and our wonderful board here. Before Lex, I had such a difficult time connecting with my family. I had incredible anxiety around my family which was a huge issue for me.
This weekend was the first time in sooooo long that I truly felt a part of and connected with my family!! It was absolutely a joy. I know it's all because of the benefits of Lex! Lexapro has allowed me to be myself and not take things (life, myself) so seriously. So, we just had a fun time laughing and joking with one another. Oh yeah, we got my grandma all moved, too, which helped to take the focus off myself for a change. Lol. I am so grateful.
Thanks again for all your support. I haven't been posting that much this week because I just started a new job on Monday. I'm really enjoying it so far, but, it's a complete schedule change for me, so I've been exhausted by the time I'm done with work. I'm wondering if now would be a sensible time to change the time of my dose from early evening to mornings. What do you think??
Anyway, glad to be back. I missed the board when I was away!!
Arrianna
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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