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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by lil' jimi on September 25, 2003, at 11:47:44
In reply to Re: Don't know what to do, posted by Shelly480 on September 25, 2003, at 2:13:06
hi Shelly480,
> Just know that you are not alone. I finally broke down and went to a Pdoc. My depression and Mania and anxiety are ruining my life. I Have been on Meds before but would stop taking them..
>
> I have to change my life and I can't do it without meds. I know that now. My Pdoc just put me on buspar and Lithium and Lexapro. I have never heard of Lexapro before. So I came to check out what others had to say. I have only been on the regiment for 2 days now so really can't say anything good yet. Except for this one thing that just knowing I have a way to bring my life back Makes me to start feeling better..
>
> I too am scared. But I must remember this is a one day at a time thing. If I look at it any other way then I will over whelm myself. I hope that I don't gain weight that is the last thing that I need. But if I do gain. and it gives me my life back then it will be well worth it..
>
> Hope you find peace
> Thanks
> Shelly480 >i just wanted to offer my encouragement and thank you for a really great post ... ...
... for all that you are suffering, you come here to offer your support to a fellow sufferer ... this happens here alot, but it always inspires me, and i thank you for it ... ... ...
... and you have a great atitude about facing your need(s) for medication, and not just letting yourself suffer in denial ... .... that can be a HUGH first step toward getting better... good for you and good for our loved ones ...
... you are to be congratulated
... Way to Go !! ...... and on your Second Day of lexapro ?
... awesome ... because of my SEs, i couldn't do anything on my 2nd day ... except that's when i found this message board ... been a lifeline to a drowning man ... i read the whole thread ... took me weeks ... wouldn't have made it without these folks here ... ...... i have been on lexapro 6 monhts, at 10 mg the last 5 months ... ... and i _can_ say some good things about it ... ... it has helped me (depressed) and it has helped and continues to help others with depression, anxiety disorders, bp, odc ... ... anything that needs more stable serotonin levels for relief
... for me, lexapro has helped me get my neurotransmitters back on their feet
... ... so i can get on with life and not feel like everything's impossible ...you face the all too real possibility of a few weeks of side-effects as your system adapts to lexapro ... ... these can be anywhere from severe (some folks can't tolerate their SEs) to nonexistent (some folks, not many, have no SEs) ... ... then there's the wild cards: your other meds ... ... these are not wild cards in any sense of like dangerous ... i mean in the sense that i have no information about them and or their effect on your lexapro ... ... some meds are specifically for the relief of lexapro SEs
... your Buspar in particular may very well help you get through the possibility of Temporarily increased epinephrine levels (the neurotransmitter epinephrine is also know as adrenaline, and can induce anxiety) which may be brought on by the adaptaions to lexapro's SSRI-effect ... ... which is a good thing in the long run, once our serotonin levels get raised and stabilized ... ...try reading as much of this lex thread as you up to, but don't let it freak you out too much ... ... just come here (please) and let us clear up any questions you have ... .... folks here want to help ... they helped me ... now i try to help too ... ... like you have ....
please post as much as you feel like ...
... it's good for us, if it's good for you ...take care,
~ jimp.s. all the adaptaion SEs should fade as your CNS adapts to the SSRI's effects ... mine went away in 2 weeks, more typical is like maybe 4 or 5 .... .... may i ask how much of these meds are your dosages?
~ j
Posted by lil' jimi on September 25, 2003, at 12:19:16
In reply to Day 19, posted by Peter on September 24, 2003, at 18:41:34
hey threre, Peter,
> Day 19 and I'm really not doing so well. Just very depressed and anxious. I don't understand this lex. Every other SSRI started working for me by the 2nd week. I don't mean to sound so impatient, but I'm just so sick of this waiting and not knowing if it will kick in at some point, or if I'm just a non-responder. And just thinking about the possibility that I won't respond at all to the lex gives me tons more anxiety and depression; I start feeling hopeless, since I've tried every med out there. >
ah, the lexapro users' defintion of eternity:
... Waiting For the Benefits to Kick In ...
... ... you have many a fellow sufferer who is on that train or has had that looooonnnnggg ride ...
... sorry thing are going so rough there ...
... lex is more than a little different than the other ssris, even different than it's mother, celexa ...> And then I start thinking about how awful it will be to have to withdraw from yet another pile of medications and put my body through all that again (I've been hopping from one 'cocktail' to the next for about 8 years). >
i am so sorry to read that your suffering this neurochemical/pharmacological juggling act for so long ... how horrible for you ...
... ... sometimes, anticipating possible misery can be as bad that the suffering, if it comes at all ... try to hang in there ...> I'm on vacation with my family, and I can't be pleasant around them, no matter how much I try. I think about what I'll do when I go back home to NY, and I feel hopeless. I'm a musician, but, because the majority of the last few years of my life has been spent trying to find ways to find relief from depression/anxiety, the social and occupational sides of my life have gone way downhill. I can't perform or compose anymore because of my mental illness; I've lost touch with all my friends. When is this going to end; I hate to sound so self-pitiesh and melodramatic, but when will I get my life back? >
getting lives back is hard work, but one step at a time here ... ... got to get those neurotransmitters to give you a chance ... they've let you down and have fought off your ADs to keep you there ... ... you try to take care of yourself while your neurochemistry heals up ...
> Now I feel guilty for not being grateful for all that I do have, like a supporting family, a roof over my head, etc. But, you know, it's so hard to be thankful when depression/anxiety are weighing you down. I'm sure you all can relate. I'm sorry for babbling on, but I just needed to vent. It's all so frustrating. >
aye, relate we do ... ... the guilt i feel from being depressed is as bad as the depression .... i have so much to help me ... but their love can't repair my neurotransmitters ... ... yet anyway ...
i live in austin ... ... we have a lot of muscians here ... ... write a song about lexapro ... maybe ?
("Oooo, I got those Lexaprooo Blooooo-zzzz , babayyy..... i got 'em baaaad, momma .... ")
maybe not ...
take care ,
~ jimp.s. ... lex will try to dehydrate you ....
... ... DO NOT LET IT !!
... like, if you even feel like you Might get thristy ? ... drink a quart of water ... try drinking as much water as possible ... see how it makes your lex feel ..
... then give us a report. please ?~ j
Posted by MandyJane on September 25, 2003, at 12:54:30
In reply to Re: Lexapro stop working??? » MandyJane, posted by Mariposa on September 24, 2003, at 20:19:26
> >I've increased to 20mg from 10. I called me dr. today to see what to do next. I've had a really bad week with this stuff.
I've been on Lexapro since March 2003. It seems to have stopped working. Or maybe I still have issues that need to be resolved that medication just won't help. I don't know. Any comments?
>
> I started Lex end of Feb.'03. started @5mg, went to 10mg at wk.5, went to 20mg at month 5. I also experienced a feeling that Lex quit working. On both occasions my pdoc increased dose. Is it possible that a dose increase might help you too?
>
> Best of luck!~~~8|8
Posted by Diva Blue on September 25, 2003, at 13:05:04
In reply to Shelly480, posted by lil' jimi on September 25, 2003, at 11:47:44
Hello all.
I have dealt w/ depression for about the last 15 yrs of my life (which is almost half my life...dont start doing math!). I have been on Zoloft (developed a tolerance) and then on Prozac (seems to help, but never quite made it to 100%), stopped Celexa b/c of headaches, turned down a scrip for Paxil CR (have you read THEIR website?!?!) and now I am about to start taking Lexapro. The one thing I liked about Celexa was I had less appetite (good for me..I am a little overweight). I am wondering...anyone on Lex...how does it affect your appetite? I am interested in hearing from anyone who switched from celexa to lexaprothanks
Posted by MickiBear on September 25, 2003, at 13:05:35
In reply to Re: Lexapro Withdrawal Dizziness » Micheke, posted by kayenna on July 26, 2003, at 22:53:18
I have been off Lexapro for about a week now and I am dying with the dizziness. Can anyone out there tell me how long it took before that stopped?
Posted by lil' jimi on September 25, 2003, at 13:56:38
In reply to Re: Lexapro stop working???, posted by MandyJane on September 25, 2003, at 12:54:30
hi MandyJane,
you've got a month on me .... i've been on lex since march ...
... really Really sorry it's not helping you now ...
... i am having to keep a list here ... let me see ...
... okay, we have
Galkeepinon
Banab
Sussus
maybe Mariposa, sorta
Patty
and now, you ...
... who have had relapse-like experiences later in your lexapro treatment ... ... well after any initial adaptaion SEs anyway ....... what dose are you taking now ?
... can you up your dose, as Mariposa suggests ?i am very sorry for your suffering and i very much appreciate you writing to us here about it ... ... we can use all of the reports we can get ...
lately i've begun to see suggestions of lexapro-"poop out"-syndrome here, but even with all of the cases here ... it would seem to be a very small class of our lex users ... ... _Not_ to say that every single one of us is anything less than precious ... because we all need each other here .... but, (imho), i feel that the evidence so far still does not support this as an universal lex syndrome because there are many users who have continued to be relieved at eight months and more ....
... here for all it's worth is My Own Theory about these lex-mid-treatment-relapses ....
... ... i think of our (individual) neurochemical/intrasynaptic dynamic equilibriums (equilibria?) in the abstract, as if it's an object, such as one of the solids from geometry, like a sphere or and ellipsoid ... ... whereas it is actually a resonating fluid composed of a jillion particles, each one being a neurotransmitter or one of their relatives ... all buzzing around on their uptake paths and their re-uptakes ...
... i envision lexapro as impacting this neurochemical cloud by changing these vibrations among the particles to improve the equilibrium ...
i just imagine (using the pictures i was trying to draw) that lexapro may achieve an early stable equilibrium only to have the system (cloud, object, solid, whatever) compensate for it after an interval , and then needing a higher dose to re-stabilize our neurotransmitter dynamics back up to their higher, recovered equilibrium ... ... with a to-be-hoped-for higher serotonin levels ....
try to hang in there
... ... actually to respond to your suggestion: ... i do not know about issues that medication won't help ... i know they won't help my financial issues, not directly anyway .... but when it comes to emotional disorders, i tend to think that folks will need neurotransmitter support to aid their recovery ... ...
thanks for posting!
TAKE CARE !!!
~ jim
Posted by KimberlyDi on September 25, 2003, at 14:11:16
In reply to Lexapro vs. Family, posted by Arrianna on September 24, 2003, at 14:47:25
I adore success stories! I experienced my profound life change on Effexor. It's wonderful to look at life without fear.
KDi in Texas
> 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
Posted by johnny b good on September 25, 2003, at 15:45:31
In reply to stopping Lexapro... doctor wants me to try Zoloft, posted by collegekid on August 31, 2003, at 22:19:21
Collegekid, sorry to hear about your side-effects.
I have had them as well but they have tapered to almost nothing as I am in day 34. Now if the Lex would just kick in I would be happy. About your issues with the abuse from the past, please get counseling for yourself and I would think sooner is better than later. These issues should be openly discussed with a professional who has had succes in dealing with the like. This is something that shouldn't be expected to remain dormant for a life time. If AD's help you to get through a difficult time in your life then good but I urge you to get into counseling as soon as possible and attack this issue from every angle. I have two grown daughters and this is the same advice that I would give them if they were in your shoes. Go girl.
Posted by Esmarelda on September 25, 2003, at 16:14:43
In reply to Don't know what to do , posted by txngrrl on September 24, 2003, at 18:58:08
Most of us cannot overcome it by willpower as I thought I should be able to. Take your Lex. It's a miracle drug. There are some bad times befor it gets better. It took me 5 -6 weeks on 10 mg and recently I had to up it to 15 mgs. Take care and hang in there. Your b/f doesn't know everything.
Posted by Tracie on September 25, 2003, at 16:52:02
In reply to Re: Don't know what to do , posted by mph-speedy on September 25, 2003, at 11:29:15
Ok, here's the deal. I just went to my dr a couple of days ago because I have been on Celexa for a year now. I have gained 20 POUNDS within the last 7 months alone!!!! She said she was going to switch me to Lexapro so I would hopefully stop gaining weight and have less of an appetite. I haven't started it yet, but from what I've read from all of you is that I can expect withdraw symptoms and dehydration. Also, I read on Lexapro's website that it is and MAOI. Is this true? If so, I don't want to take it. I'd rather just try and ween myself off of the celexa and deal with my anxiety and panic. Or, do you guys think it would be best to do that anyway and then go to the Lexapro?? All of your advice would be appreciated! Thank you in advance! ~Tracie
Posted by Shelly480 on September 25, 2003, at 20:20:24
In reply to Shelly480, posted by lil' jimi on September 25, 2003, at 11:47:44
Lil Jimi
Thanks for the Kind words and for the Information.
You asked about my dose's I take 30mg buspar and 900mg time release Lithium and Lex is 10 mg a day.
I do have to becareful when reading post cause I can adapt a S/E if I read about it too much. Like last night I was reading about headache's and I could of swore I was getting one. LOL. But today dont have one.
It has taken me a long time to come to terms with my Mental illness. I have done it with only the support of people like you and who post here and the support I have in my life.
I will write more later. I have to get to a meeting.
Shelly480
Posted by hog80ci on September 25, 2003, at 21:14:59
In reply to Don't know what to do , posted by txngrrl on September 24, 2003, at 18:58:08
I had to throw in my two cents worth. I just checked my calendar to find out how long I've been on Lexapro. It's been about 6 weeks and the positive effects have begun. They were so subtle I barely noticed them. Seems like I just started to feel better, less depressed and anxious.
I'm sorry your friend won't support your decision to take meds. I think some folks are a little frightened by the idea of soemone they know being on psych meds. Yes, there are side effects to all of them and unfortunately, it's a little hard to tell which ones you will experience. Most of them seem to be temporary. You will have to decide if they are worth it to you or not.
My experience with Lex involved pretty significant nausea for about two weeks. I also felt like I was on some kind of low grade speed. Both of those have passed now. I do still clench my jaw and need to be concious of that. There are some sexual side effects that seem to center around delayed ejaculation but it doesn't happen all of the time. Lex is taking the edge off of my depresion and I am glad about that.
I hope you will get the support you need. If not at home, then come to this site and vent away. We've all been there.
Take care
Jim
Posted by theo on September 25, 2003, at 22:43:24
In reply to Re: Don't know what to do , posted by hog80ci on September 25, 2003, at 21:14:59
When I tried Lex several months ago when it was the hot new SSRI, the doc just said start with 10mg, with this one you just start at that dose and no major side effects. Well after 6-8 weeks, I had to drop out because of continued nausea, stiff neck and tiredness. My pdoc talked me into tryin it again and start with just 2.5mg for 5 days then 5mg for ten days and if I feel the need, go to 10mg. Just made the jump to 5mg and still no nausea or tiredness, just a little agitation but nothing like before. Seems like Forest would label Lex's sample packs with new info stating dosage options, I bet there would be a lot lower drop out rate. There's actually info showing Lex to have a higher percent responders at 5mg and 20mg than 10mg for anxiety at 4 weeks and even 12 weeks. Kinda strange??
Posted by blkvettes on September 26, 2003, at 1:19:17
In reply to Starting Lex with low dose VS 10mg much better!, posted by theo on September 25, 2003, at 22:43:24
> When I tried Lex several months ago when it was the hot new SSRI, the doc just said start with 10mg, with this one you just start at that dose and no major side effects. Well after 6-8 weeks, I had to drop out because of continued nausea, stiff neck and tiredness. My pdoc talked me into tryin it again and start with just 2.5mg for 5 days then 5mg for ten days and if I feel the need, go to 10mg. Just made the jump to 5mg and still no nausea or tiredness, just a little agitation but nothing like before. Seems like Forest would label Lex's sample packs with new info stating dosage options, I bet there would be a lot lower drop out rate. There's actually info showing Lex to have a higher percent responders at 5mg and 20mg than 10mg for anxiety at 4 weeks and even 12 weeks. Kinda strange??
If shrinks were better trained and had some common sense they would start everyone off on a low dose and very slowly move it up. This problem exists on every board I go to!!!!! TAKE CARE!!!
WAYNE
Posted by blkvettes on September 26, 2003, at 1:23:55
In reply to Re: Lexapro Withdrawal Dizziness, posted by MickiBear on September 25, 2003, at 13:05:35
> I have been off Lexapro for about a week now and I am dying with the dizziness. Can anyone out there tell me how long it took before that stopped?
Quit cold turkey huh, not really a good idea. This could last a few days, maybe a week, maybe a month, its hard to tell!!!!! TAKE CARE!!!!!!!
Posted by blkvettes on September 26, 2003, at 1:37:20
In reply to Anyone have weight gain???, posted by Tracie on September 25, 2003, at 16:52:02
> Ok, here's the deal. I just went to my dr a couple of days ago because I have been on Celexa for a year now. I have gained 20 POUNDS within the last 7 months alone!!!! She said she was going to switch me to Lexapro so I would hopefully stop gaining weight and have less of an appetite. I haven't started it yet, but from what I've read from all of you is that I can expect withdraw symptoms and dehydration. Also, I read on Lexapro's website that it is and MAOI. Is this true? If so, I don't want to take it. I'd rather just try and ween myself off of the celexa and deal with my anxiety and panic. Or, do you guys think it would be best to do that anyway and then go to the Lexapro?? All of your advice would be appreciated! Thank you in advance! ~Tracie
Celexa and lexapro are both ssri's, lexapro is the new version of celexa. There is no guarantee you will lose weight. We are so different, this is all trial and error. My advice is if the celexa is working to join a gym and exercize like crazy. Watch what you eat and drink. Water, drink lots of water!!!!!! I have seen people get their disorders under control. Switch meds and their disorders come back and they are unable to get them under control again. Think carefully before you switch!!!!!!!! TAKE CARE!!!!!!
WAYNE
Posted by Shelly480 on September 26, 2003, at 4:10:51
In reply to Re: Don't know what to do, posted by blkvettes on September 25, 2003, at 3:50:25
Manic depressive. Yes they are kind of the same I think in a way. Except My Highs are very low and My Lows are extreme. I go from homicidial to suicidal. Mostly in the suicidal state.
They had me on well burtrin and Depakote while back and the well burtrin Made me extremly Angery. That when I stop taking Meds. Cause I rather be suicidal then Homicidal. I really hope that this Lex and lithium work. No angery feelings after day 3 so far so good.
Shelly480
Posted by Peter on September 26, 2003, at 6:51:42
In reply to re: Day 19 » Peter , posted by lil' jimi on September 25, 2003, at 12:19:16
Ok. Today is day 21.
Now, I don't want to jinx myself by saying this, but I think I'm beginning to feel the therapeutic effects; I feel like a cloud has been lifted (except I still wake up feeling foggy and hungover), many of my SE's have abated, I'm more energetic, etc.
Because I've been so depressed the last few weeks, I've been pretty socially avoidant and I've been isolating a lot. This is a rut that I get into often when I'm very symptomatic. And even though I think I might be beginning to feel better, I still get those feelings of anticipatory anxiety when faced with going out or meeting people. So the hard part now is pushing myself a bit to get out of my isolation so that I could see if the lex is helping my social anxiety. It's very tough for me to do. But, I guess I'll just take things one step at a time; the fact that my depression alone seems to be lifting is enough to celebrate about! I just hope I don't fall right back into depression again; this happened to me at the beginning of week 2 - I thought I was beginning to feel better, but it didn't stick - I ended up feeling awful again by the end of the same day. That's why I'm always afraid to admit to myself and others that I think I'm feeling better, because it might just be another 'deceiving improvement.' But enough of that. I've gotta stay positive, solidify in my mind that the damn med is beginning to work instead of second-guessing, and begin to look forward to the lex continuing to help with other areas of my illness, like social anxiety, etc. Let's hope this is really the beginning of getting better!
thanks,
Peter
Posted by MandyJane on September 26, 2003, at 7:33:35
In reply to re: Lexapro stop working??? » MandyJane, posted by lil' jimi on September 25, 2003, at 13:56:38
Thanks lil'jimi for the encouragement. I really appreciate it. I've upped my dose to 20mg. I don't know if I can up it any more than that. I have a call in to my dr. Its kind of strange to talk about all of this stuff with strangers. I can see that you guys are a big support to oneanother.
Yeah, I'm not expecting the financial issues to go away either. Unfortunately. I've felt more feelings of rejection from friends, jealousy, and insecurity than I used to. I don't know if they are related to the depression or are new things in friendships that I need to work through.
Posted by vandy on September 26, 2003, at 8:18:43
In reply to Starting Lex with low dose VS 10mg much better!, posted by theo on September 25, 2003, at 22:43:24
I think the side effects are well documented in the physician's information but the dossage is so patient specific that your suggestion might have unintended consequences. In my case, I started out with 20 mg. My only side effect was being tired and that disappeared. But even at 20 mg. it took a respectable period before I received benefits. Had I started out with a lower dose I would probably have quit for a different reason...lack of positive results. I shudder to think of that. I say prayers for Forest Labs and Lex. What should be happening is good counselling. Maybe they should give Dr. Bob's URL to all internet-enabled patients.
Posted by Esmarelda on September 26, 2003, at 9:27:03
In reply to cel vs lex weight, posted by Diva Blue on September 25, 2003, at 13:05:04
I am not near as hungry when taking Lexapro. I have lost about 5 pounds in 3 or so months since beginning Lexapro. Good luck!
Posted by Esmarelda on September 26, 2003, at 9:30:27
In reply to feeling a bit better?!, posted by Peter on September 26, 2003, at 6:51:42
YEAH PETER!!!! Glad you are feeling better. There will still be some low days, but hang in there! Congrats!
Posted by Peter on September 26, 2003, at 9:37:01
In reply to Peter, -gonna keep holding on, but need support, posted by McPac on September 24, 2003, at 18:35:09
> I've started Lexapro recently just like you and YES, I have definitely been very cold while on it! Hopefully that will get better soon. And these friggin Lexapro "jitters", geez, this stuff seems to cause anxiety and jitters in most folks...can't wait for that crap to wear off...what do they put in this stuff anyway?! Take care dude...I do say stick with it for awhile though, it should adjust eventually!
>>Hey McPac:
Just curious: Are you still feeling really cold on lex? I started today on a good note, feeling like my depression was lifting and my SE's were decreased. But Man! I've never been so freezing in my life. And the weather isn't cold! I'm wearing 3 layers and every slight breeze that hits me sends me shivering. What's up with that??
Posted by Esmarelda on September 26, 2003, at 9:40:45
In reply to Still Freezing! » McPac, posted by Peter on September 26, 2003, at 9:37:01
That's odd. At first, I sweat like a stuck pig on the stuff - haha! Just goes to show you it affects everyone different!
Posted by ginger C on September 26, 2003, at 9:46:31
In reply to Re: Lexapro stop working???, posted by MandyJane on September 25, 2003, at 12:54:30
My doctor put me on Lexapro about a year ago in conjunction with welbutrin and the combination has worked really well for me. I am a bipolar I
and we previously had a lot of trouble getting anti depressants to work.
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