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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by thib on February 4, 2004, at 12:52:57
In reply to Lexapro dosage for anxiety?, posted by jake97tx on February 3, 2004, at 21:20:03
> Hi...
> I have pretty bad panic disorder with agoraphobia. I say 'bad' because I'm anxious throughout the day even at home. I've been on Paxil for 8 years and am currently battling withdrawal from that crap. PDoc put me on 10 mg of Lexapro a little over 5 weeks ago. I've noticed I am less prone to Panic Attacks (in fact I haven't had one!), but I'm still anxious throughout the day. So my question is, should I give it a little more time to kick in or increase my dosage? Or...is Lex even effective for anxiety?
> I am currently down to 2.5 mg of Paxil (the end of that nighmare is almost in sight!)
>
> Current Cocktail:
> 10 mg Lex
> 2.5 mg Pax
> .25mg x 3 Xanax
>
> Thanks. ;)hi jake
i'm taking lexapro for anxiety
i am in week 13 on 10mg
i didnt start feeling better till week 9
i feel more balanced; little things arent such a big deal; i even think kind thoughts of my wicked evil bossi think you should give it more time
from what i have read, it takes a little longer for it to help anxiety than it does depression
Posted by KathrynLex on February 4, 2004, at 12:58:05
In reply to Lexapro dosage for anxiety?, posted by jake97tx on February 3, 2004, at 21:20:03
Hi Jake,
I'm on lex for anxiety/depression. Like you I haven't had a single panic attack since starting lex. (It's fantastic!) But I still get a little anxious sometimes so my pdoc recently increased my dose from 10 mg to 20 mg. I'm going to be taking 15 mg for the next two weeks before going to 20 mg.
In my opinion lex is very effective for anxiety. But of course, meds are different for everyone. You might consider looking in to Klonopin or Lorazepam, both are good for anxiety. I hope you find a remedy for your anxiety soon.
K.
Posted by KathrynLex on February 4, 2004, at 13:06:31
In reply to women on Lex, any sexual side effects?, posted by Yogi on February 3, 2004, at 23:05:17
Hi Yogi,
My libido is still going strong, but I've encountered a strange side effect in that department. On days when I orgasm, I feel cranky and moody after instead of relaxed and happy. It's only been a few days since I had sex, but it's been several weeks since I climaxed because I'm afraid it will throw off my entire day. I recently increased my dose...maybe it will get better.
K.
Posted by sexylexy on February 4, 2004, at 13:10:19
In reply to The Coffee,The Hypocondriac and Me, posted by sexylexy on February 4, 2004, at 11:58:01
Hey Guys,
I just got out my handy DSM and read up on manic episodes. I am absolutley not manic but have had too much coffee! Sorry,
Lexy
Posted by KathrynLex on February 4, 2004, at 13:16:06
In reply to The Coffee,The Hypocondriac and Me, posted by sexylexy on February 4, 2004, at 11:58:01
Hi Lexy,
Like you, I've been drinking decaf because I hate how anxious it makes me feel. Although, a year ago I drank a pot of regular coffee each day. Now it makes me anxious. Go figure.
Anyway...while the coffee might have something to do with how happy you're feeling today, there is no doubt it my mind that you'll be feeling better very soon. Have you checked with your pdoc to see what he/she thinks about your lex dosage?
K.
Posted by sexylexy on February 4, 2004, at 14:03:27
In reply to Lexapro dosage for anxiety?, posted by jake97tx on February 3, 2004, at 21:20:03
My fellow lexaproers,
I read in an a post that it seems to take longer for the anxiety to go away than it does for the depression. I began to think about this and sitting here at work (Im a therapist) I took out one of the trust Becks Depression Inventory Scales and took it. I scored pretty low in the of the middle depressed range.
I honestly think what is keeping me from feeling better is the fear and anxiety that the good feeling may go away. Its like I have developed a phobia of depression. Can anyone relate or share some feelings on this with me, is this one of those things that works with "extinction" and goes away with time as you begin to feel more confident with yourself?
Its sad and funny that today I had a feeling of happiness and even though have never been manic,the feeling of happiness made me wonder if I were going crazy?
Would love to hear any of your revelations
Lexy
PS- Edna Babish.. hope you read this one, your post to one of my emails really gave me hope and made me examine the positives to know I too will "remember who I am"
Posted by BobYuma on February 4, 2004, at 16:58:24
In reply to Anxiety, Lexapro and a Revelation, posted by sexylexy on February 4, 2004, at 14:03:27
> > > My fellow lexaproers, I read in an a post that it seems to take longer for the anxiety to go away than it does for the depression. I began to think about this and sitting here at work (Im a therapist) I took out one of the trust Becks Depression Inventory Scales and took it. I scored pretty low in the of the middle depressed range.
I honestly think what is keeping me from feeling better is the fear and anxiety that the good feeling may go away. Its like I have developed a phobia of depression. Can anyone relate or share some feelings on this with me, is this one of those things that works with "extinction" and goes away with time as you begin to feel more confident with yourself?
Its sad and funny that today I had a feeling of happiness and even though have never been manic, the feeling of happiness made me wonder if I were going crazy? Would love to hear any of your revelations - Lexy
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >Hi, Lexy.
Researchers say that depression is learned. So that means that our body literally had to learn how to be depressed? Actually, after my own experience, I agree with this.Knowledge. Knowledge is our greatest weapon. I think I've written that before, but here I am again, saying the same thing. I think that once we know and understand that the depression we have is something that our body has "learned" -- and understand why our body was able to learn this -- then we are on the path to allowing our body to (pardon my grammar) "unlearn" the depression.
Most depression isn't due to chemical imbalance, or genetic factors, and low serotonin levels are a result, not a cause, of depression. This misunderstanding is the reason why drugs for depression miss the point, and treat the symptoms instead of the causes.
So what about the popular idea that depression is due to an unnatural chemical imbalance in the brain, and this 'imbalance' is the root cause of depression in so many people?
I guess it's possible, but it just doesn't make sense for the majority of cases. Look at the increase in depression over the past 50 years. Could our brain chemistry have change that much that quick?
This why I keep saying that "knowledge is our best weapon" .. and I'll keep on saying it.
If you know why you're depressed, good .. if you don't .. make it a point to find out why.By the way, friends, don't forget to laugh. Do you remember when Norman Cousins said you could laugh yourself to good health? Well, I think he's dead now ... But he knew what he was talking about when he was alive.
While we're on the subject ....
Two carrots were walking down the road one day when a car drove by and hit one of them. The other carrot took the injured carrot to the hospital. After examining him, the doctor came out to the waiting room and said:"I have good news and bad news. The good news is your friend will live. The bad news is, he'll be a vegetable the rest of his life."
Have a good evening, all.
BobYuma
Posted by Esmarelda on February 4, 2004, at 17:11:41
In reply to Re: Anxiety, Lexapro and a Revelation-- Lexy, posted by BobYuma on February 4, 2004, at 16:58:24
How does our body learn to be depressed?
Posted by ednababish on February 4, 2004, at 18:39:41
In reply to Anxiety, Lexapro and a Revelation, posted by sexylexy on February 4, 2004, at 14:03:27
Glad to hear it--it made me feel really good to have been able to help, and helps to know other people are struggling with this like I am.
Posted by BobYuma on February 4, 2004, at 19:31:53
In reply to Re: Anxiety, Lexapro and a Revelation-- Lexy » BobYuma, posted by Esmarelda on February 4, 2004, at 17:11:41
> > How does our body learn to be depressed?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
Hello, Esmarelda.
I don't have the researchers' answer to your question, although it's probably out there somewhere, but I do have my own experience to speak from, if I may.I never knew what depression really was, or what it felt like, until I was 42 years old. I mean it was alien to me as to how someone would come to find themselves in a state of depression, and I honestly believed that I was incapable of feeling depressed.
Then, for the first time in my 42 years of life, I lost a very close member of my family. It took eight months for the depression to fully set in, and another two months for the depression to turn into full blown panic attacks. Ten months after I lost my loved one, I was stuck squarely in the middle of a deep, life-altering depression.
I went to my doctor and she started me on Paxil. It was another year before, with the help of Paxil, I was able to pull myself out of the depressive state I was living in.
At that point I was fine, in fact, emotionally and physically I was perfect ... for three months. No medication, no depression, no panic, and no doctor visits.Then, out of the blue, I was suddenly facing another life-threatening illness of a close family member. This time it didn't take nearly a year for the depression and panic attacks to start up. Immediately, and I do mean 'immediately' my body responded to the situation with that old familiar feeling of depression and the hellish panic attacks. I knew that my body responded as it did because it had done this before -- my body had learned what depression was, and it wasn't going to take anywhere near ten months for the depression and panic to manifest itself this time ... it was, as I wrote, "immediate."
Your question was "how does our body learn to be depressed?" ... How do we learn to ride a bicycle? Or swim? We learn these things by doing them. As silly as it may sound to some, in my opinion, our body learns how to be depressed by being depressed.
I expect some to disagree with this, and that's fine, after all, all we have is our own experience to speak from.Take care.
BobYuma
Posted by Journeyman on February 4, 2004, at 22:31:30
In reply to Re: Anxiety, Lexapro and a Revelation -- Esmareld, posted by BobYuma on February 4, 2004, at 19:31:53
Everything has a purpose, including depression.
Based on my own emotional struggles, and I am now grateful for what they're teaching me, I'd like to make three suggestions for reading. I am convinced that depression damages our sense of self, and therefore necessarily warps our ability to relate fully and satisfyingly to others in ways which are mutually healthy and fun. At least that's been my experience. If it's been yours too, you might find some help in reading the following:
Reclaiming childlike joy - "Homecoming" by John Bradshaw and "Radical Acceptance" by Tara Brach, who looks at the reasons why and how we use depression as a coping mechanism.
Recreating Love Relationships - "Getting The Love You Want" by Harville Hendrix. Examines why we fall in love (for better or worse, it's a very natural process) and how to take that process and use it to remove the explosive crazyness that often develops between two people who are bewildered by how the love they'd formerly experienced has seemingly disappeared.
Dealing with the loss of a loved one - "Who Dies?" by Stephen and Ondrea Levine. Stephen Levine's job is to counsel patients who are facing their final year/weeks/days of living. He's learned a great deal about hanging on and letting go, both for those who are about to die, and for those who are left to deal with the loss (and eventual gain) of the inevitable. The style of writing doesn't make it the most riveting book, but the content (for me) more than makes up for it. [My father died 16 months ago, and I found the book to be a big help.]
May your days be filled with wonder and acceptance.
Journeyman
Posted by LynneDa on February 5, 2004, at 10:05:44
In reply to Learning Unlearning the Benefits of Depression, posted by Journeyman on February 4, 2004, at 22:31:30
Hi all ~
This is a very interesting discussion. I've read the Harville Hendrix book. Good stuff.When my ex-husband first was diagnosed with depression we did a lot of reading and of course counseling. What we were told was that depression is a progressive illness - gets worse without treatment. Getting worse means the chemicals keep going in the wrong direction and poor chemical balance alters behavior, as we all know!
I haven't really studied it any further & am certainly not a psychologist, but what that meant to me was that these new behaviors somehow perpetuate and learning is achieved through repeated behaviors. Our bodies will continue on the same chemical pathways until they are altered. Meds are great for breaking that cycle and allowing us to modify our depressed behaviors.
On a spiritual level, however, I agree with Richard that the things we are given in life are there to teach us something and they won't go away until we've learned the lessons we're supposed to learn. I guess I have to believe that or disease, dysfunction, loss, etc., would just seem too tragic for me to bear!
Peace to everyone on your personal journeys!
~ Lynne
Posted by Esmarelda on February 5, 2004, at 10:08:04
In reply to Re: Anxiety, Lexapro and a Revelation -- Esmareld, posted by BobYuma on February 4, 2004, at 19:31:53
That is really interesting. Actual studies do show that once a person has suffered from depression, they are more likely to have a recurrence. I, too, had a similar experience. Except when I was about 36 or 37 I started having occasional bouts of mild depression and tried several drugs, Paxil, Prozac, Effexor, Wellbutrin. None really seemed to work that well, but it was no big deal because the depression once somewhat transient and I could still function even with it. Last year, my dear beloved grandmother died. She was my rock. Within a couple weeks of that, I was in a severe depression where I couldn't get out of bed on many days and just slept all day long. Then, I had four other family members pass away (all of my grandmother's generation) until none in her generation were left. In the midst of all this, my house was broken into and my significant other bailed. I am not whining, I am just saying I went into a deep, fear inducing pit! Lexapro saved my life. I am still not totally out of it and it has been 10 months since the landslide started. I am now on Wellbutrin and Lexapro and also turned 42 this year. The combination of the 2 drugs really helped me. This depression stuff stinks!
Posted by sexylexy on February 5, 2004, at 10:08:47
In reply to Re: Anxiety, Lexapro and a Revelation -- Esmareld, posted by BobYuma on February 4, 2004, at 19:31:53
Bob~
I just wanted to say that a researcher could not have said it better. Our stories are similar, I learned the depression from the progesterone in a particular birth control pill. I like yourself, did not think I could have depression b/c no one in my family has it, and I have been though hard things which I have stood strong. The day I got off birth control, the depression went away, however, a week later a friend died unexpectedly, and thikning that those feelings were going to come back made me so anxious that I brought back those old feelings. Then after a week I was fine again, 3 weeks later again an incident occured that made me scared of being sad. I went to the Dr.s both and internalist and p-doc. They said that my body needed to forget depression and that medication would make this happen. So here I am planning to say on Lexapro for about a year to forget.
Good luck,
Thanks for sharing
Posted by SFgirl on February 5, 2004, at 11:46:20
In reply to Kathrynlex, posted by sexylexy on February 1, 2004, at 18:24:57
Just wondering if there are benfits from switching from Effexor to Lexapro?
Posted by little love-bug on February 5, 2004, at 15:06:40
In reply to Re: Ladies on lex. please respond!, posted by sip on January 23, 2004, at 13:35:05
I just currently stopped taking LEX I was on it for about 12 wks. I had a more intense bout of PMS as well. Terriblly moody and mean. I also found myself sexually excited but it took me the longest time to climax. I don't know if this is the way it will be for you ladies but just some things to watch for. Good luck keep us posted.
love-bug
Hi, my period was really late the first month I was on Lex (now I've been on it about 8 wks). I did notice that my PMS symptoms subsided considerably (usually PMS eats up 2 wks of my life: I'm emotional, depressed, cry a lot, super sensitive plus my breasts are sore and I'm very tired and eat everything in sight). This time I didn't have as many emotional symptoms (but I did worry Lex wasn't working because I was a little depressed). I craved foods, but when I finally got my period I was a little surprised because usually my PMS crescendoes and I know my period is about to start. Don't know if PMS will be back with a vengeance or if my period will be late again, but I think it definitely affects menstrual cycles.
Posted by JACEY on February 5, 2004, at 15:41:19
In reply to Anyone happy with Lexapro for OCD?, posted by Yogi on February 3, 2004, at 23:08:23
I TOO WANT TO KNOW ABOUT OCD AND LEXAPRO. MY HUSBAND HAS IN THE LAST YEAR BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH OCD. HE TOOK PAXIL FOR A YEAR & ONLY GOT WORSE, BUT 3WKS AGO HE STARTED LEXAPRO 10MGS THEN HIS DR UPPED TO 20MGS LAST FRIDAY. DOES ANYONE HERE HAVE OCD? AND IF SO HAS LEXAPRO HELPED IT? AND IF NOT LEXAPRO THEN HAS SOME OTHER DRUG HELPED YOU? I'M SEARCHING FOR SOME ANSWERS.
ANY INFO WOULD BE APPRECIATED.
THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR POSTS ABOUT WHAT TO EXPECT WITH TAKING LEXAPRO.
JACEY
Posted by Jayslace on February 5, 2004, at 16:05:14
In reply to Has anyone here switched from Effexor to Lexapro?, posted by SFgirl on February 5, 2004, at 11:46:20
Hi, I can tell you many benefits. I have no nightmares since changing from the E to the Lex. No wieght gain and no anger feelings. Those are pretty much the main things I can say. Effexor 150 mg daily did nothing for me. But, I then went off it cold turkey, and with the brain jolts, the tremors and horrible thoughts inside my head, I became suididal.
I came through all that though.
Lex is the best as far as I'm concerened.
Oh, and to my Klonipin for sleep buddies... I take it at 8pm. By 10:30p I'm in bed, and at 11 I'm asleep. At 7:30a I'm up. I have gone shopping and out to lunch with a freind today. It's 5pm now. No grogginess! I think I might have a solution finally!!
Peace and comfort to everyone!!
Ruthie
Posted by simus on February 6, 2004, at 1:06:27
In reply to Has anyone here switched from Effexor to Lexapro?, posted by SFgirl on February 5, 2004, at 11:46:20
> Just wondering if there are benfits from switching from Effexor to Lexapro?
I switched because Effexor (300mg) seemed to be loosing it's effectiveness for me after about 3 years. I am on 20mg of Lexapro now and doing better. Everyone's experience is different though.
Posted by Mrs C. on February 6, 2004, at 8:48:37
In reply to Re: Anyone happy with Lexapro for OCD?, posted by JACEY on February 5, 2004, at 15:41:19
Lexapro has been very effective for my OCD and resulting depression. Good Luck and let me know if you have any other questions. Mrs. C
Posted by KathrynLex on February 6, 2004, at 15:50:40
In reply to Re: Anyone happy with Lexapro for OCD?, posted by Mrs C. on February 6, 2004, at 8:48:37
Hi,
Today marks my 50th day on lexapro! (I've been increasing my dose to 20 mg. Have another 6 days of 15 mg left before going all the way up to 20 mg.)
I still get anxious sometimes. In crowded rooms or in movie theatres I become very anxious. My pdoc said that the increase will help with this. But I was wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience? Thanks!
K.
Posted by sexylexy on February 6, 2004, at 16:25:31
In reply to Anyone still anxious on Lexapro?, posted by KathrynLex on February 6, 2004, at 15:50:40
Hey K~
I am still sticking with 10mg and am starting to finally see some real improvement. I know what you what you mean by still getting anxious on lexapro. For me its not so much like a social anxiety, croweded rooms ect. For me, Lexapro has helped a lot with general anxiety (worring for a week before getting on a plane) but I am really anxious about not getting better or becoming depressed again. I know this may not be the information that you wanted but I know for me, any feedback helps. I hope you are feeling better on 15 then 20 really works for you. I know you said you had really good results on Prozac what was different and how did you feel. Also can you tell me a little about your depression/ anxiety. How long you have had it, is it in your family ect. Of course if these are too personal please feel free to ignore them but I am just intrested in everyone on this websites story.
Thanks!!
Lexy
Posted by KathrynLex on February 6, 2004, at 17:08:21
In reply to Re: Anyone still anxious on Lexapro? » KathrynLex, posted by sexylexy on February 6, 2004, at 16:25:31
Hi Lexy,
Thanks. I agree with you that any feedback helps.
Lexapro has helped with my general anxiety too, which has been very nice. But every once in a while something odd makes me anxious...like sitting in a movie theater or driving on the freeway. These things used to never make me anxious...but in the past year things have been different.
I moved away from my home state 2 yrs ago. While I was away my mom got cancer and a close friend of mine passed away. I was in a strange city with no support network, so I moved home several months after my friend died. But then I started getting anxious about strange things like I mentioned above, and this lead to panic attacks (a panic attack is one of the scariest things I've ever experienced and I wouldn't wish it on anyone) so I got on medication.
My pdoc said that the anxiety had also brought on depression. I hadn't really noticed it because I was so worried about everything else, but after being on lexapro I realize I had been quite depressed.
I also had a depressive episode in my mid-teens. That was when I started taking Prozac. (My father has suffered from depression for most of his life, but nobody else in my family has it.) Prozac was wonderful for me. I felt like getting out of bed again and going out with friends, classes were interesting and I stopped having mood swings. I took Prozac for 3 years. I took it for a year and half, went off for 6 months, went back on for another year and half (although it wasn't quite as effective as the first time) but then I stopped taking it again because I didn't want to be on meds my entire life.
I was off medications (and doing rather well!) for several years until I started having the panic attacks last year. Now I'm on Lexapro and it's starting to give me my life back. (Although, I'm still not up to 100%).
Now that I'm not as anxious/depressed, I plan to use lexapro as a tool to help me improve my life. I'm going to continue talk therapy, I've been exercising more and eating right, and I'm working on simplifying my life. These are additional tools I'll use to combat my anxiety/depression, and at some point in the future I won't need the lexapro anymore because I'll have so many other "tools" I can use instead. This is my goal.
Whew! What a long winded post. I hope this answers all of your questions Lexy.
Have you noticed any improvement on lex?
K.
Posted by sexylexy on February 6, 2004, at 18:43:26
In reply to Re: Anyone still anxious on Lexapro?, posted by KathrynLex on February 6, 2004, at 17:08:21
K~
You are a girl after my very own heart. I moved away from my home state two years ago as well to go to graduate school to be a clinical social worker of all things! I began my internship working in a critical care unit and doing greif counseling (like I have mentioned before, I was at one time rock hard). With the stress of working at the hospital, I began working out at 6am, I also began drinking coffee (black two cup each morning) I too began to have panic attacks (I agree the world "hell" comes to mind). For school I did a research study about coffee and panic attacks. From this I found the high correlation and discontinued coffee use, with this my panic attacks stopped. Besides that last year went off without a hitch.
When I returned to school this year, I left a boyfriend and my parents behind. I expected to be sad but started becoming depressed which came on as irritabilty, mood swings and extreme sadness. I still was alway functional, never spent the day in bed ect so I was not sure what was going on with me so I thought it was homesickness combined with a boyfriend 9 hours away in law school (again the word "hell" comes to mind). Well, then the story pretty much has to do with the birth control ect, ect. So now I am working on how to forget depression. Its not in my family nor have I ever had an episodes even though I have been though 4 major life changing events which may have brought one on.
Anyway, sorry for rambling on, its just nice to find someone to talk to about all this stuff, around my friends and family I try to act like nothing is wrong unless its really wrong.
Have a great weekend,
Lexy
Posted by sexylexy on February 6, 2004, at 19:00:47
In reply to Re: Anyone still anxious on Lexapro? » KathrynLex, posted by sexylexy on February 6, 2004, at 18:43:26
Hello All,
This is for my dear lexapro friends who are feeling *good*, *great*, *happy*, *content* and *excited about life* all the words that those of us who have ever been depressed long for.
Anyway, I believe my lex 10 mg is starting to "kick in". Today is the 1st day of week 7 for me. I just wanted to ask if anyone has experienced what I am dubbing "lexapro purgatory". The big difference that I noticed this week was that the "depression voice" you know that hateful voice inside your mind that tells you how bad everything is, has gone. This is wonderful because I feel that I am not having to "fight with myself". Please respond if this makes sense to you. Secondly that very physical feeling of sadness in my heart is mostly gone. Again this is really nice. However, I feel as though I am in purgatory, you know, not good but not bad. Better but not any of the magical words listed above.
So my question is does this happen to everyone before they start to feel good again. For 24 years my motto has been live, love, laugh be happy and serve the Lord. For the past few months it has been " I will survive". I would really like to see my motto change. Am I in transition or is this as good as it gets.
Thanks for all the support and please know that you ALL are in my prayers each night, together in prayer we can overcome depression
Lexy
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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