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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by ednababish on March 29, 2004, at 10:28:11
In reply to Alcohol and Lexapro, posted by sideorder on March 29, 2004, at 10:18:40
Sideorder,
I'd leave it alone if I were you. Alcohol increases anxiety, disturbs your sleep, and undercuts the effects of an antidepressant. Although one glass of wine every few weeks or so would be okay, I know a lot of people who have to have two or three drinks every night--and you definitely won't get optimal effects from the lex if you are drinking even that "little bit" regularly. My doctor told me ONE glass of wine no more than once a week--quite emphatically. I have switched to once a week desserts. . . an all-around better use of my calories.
Edna
Posted by want info on March 29, 2004, at 10:36:08
In reply to Alcohol and Lexapro, posted by sideorder on March 29, 2004, at 10:18:40
hi ... edna my doctor told me quite the opposite ... that alcohol doesn't really interact with lexapro, aside from perhaps making you tired. i don't drink to excess on it, but i don't stop myself from having a drink or two if i am out to dinner or at a bar with friends.
emily
Posted by jlynne on March 29, 2004, at 11:40:36
In reply to Alcohol and Lexapro, posted by sideorder on March 29, 2004, at 10:27:03
My doctor told me I could have a couple beers, if I want. I haven't yet, because I am concerned about the depressant part of alcohol. I have read other posts of people who drink on A/D's, and they say that it helps them relax, so??? Up to you, I guess.
...jlynne
Posted by trucker on March 29, 2004, at 12:06:55
In reply to Alcohol and Lexapro, posted by sideorder on March 29, 2004, at 10:18:40
i wouldn't because it will be like ya didn't ever take the meds in the first place and that feeling will last for several days. are there other side effects??? probably! i only drank for an aniversary. one drink, and was down 3 or 4 days after words. really down!
trucker.////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
> I've been on Lex for about 2 weeks now...I feel allot better and the side effects have been minimal. I was wondering if it's O.K. to drink alcohol while taking Lexapro. I know it's not benificial to drink allot because that would be defeating the purpose of even taking Lexapro---and Lex has really curbed my craving and desire to drink in excess. But, my doctor really didn't discuss the matter with me and I was wondering if it's alright to drink moderately.
Posted by Gator on March 29, 2004, at 13:20:52
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
Hi everyone,
Hey, I've got a question. I have been on 10mgs since the begining of December and I am feeling good, about 75%. I have a doctors appt on a different thing on Wednesday and i am wondering if I should talk to him about a low dose of Wellbutrin. I feel like I don't want to up my dose of Lexapro because I do feel this good on the 10mgs. I feel like there is one last step to take to get to the "old" me again. Eveybody here has helped me sooo much and I would appreciate your opinions.
Thanks,
Gator
Posted by want info on March 29, 2004, at 13:51:03
In reply to Re: here we go on 20mg..., posted by KathrynLex on March 28, 2004, at 22:13:30
thanks k. i feel ok today. a bit jittery but not as disoriented as i've been feeling previously. i'm just praying this will work! i'm still taking tiny bits of xanax too. i dont know how long i should expect to wait to see results from the 20mg...emily
Posted by want info on March 29, 2004, at 13:52:45
In reply to Re: here we go on 20mg... » wantinfo, posted by trucker on March 28, 2004, at 12:40:16
hey trucker...you think it'll take 3 months to take effect? i was on 10 for about 6 weeks, 15 for 2, and now 20 for a few days. i was on paxil before this for 8 years! i feel like ive been waiting forever...:( emily
Posted by Magdalena on March 29, 2004, at 16:42:18
In reply to Re: here we go on 20mg... » trucker, posted by want info on March 29, 2004, at 13:52:45
hey em? you said you were on paxil for 8 years? how long did it take till you felt better and at what dose?
Magdalena
Posted by want info on March 29, 2004, at 16:46:59
In reply to Re: here we go on 20mg... » want info, posted by Magdalena on March 29, 2004, at 16:42:18
hey mag. i had major anxiety problems and was put on clonozepam first. i was then put on 20 mg paxil...didn't wean up or anything. it didn't take long for me to feel better, but to be honest it was a long time ago and i don't remember week-to-week. i'm so sorry! i'd say less than a month though...but i was also only 18 at the time (some think these ssri's take longer to take effect in older ppl) i know paxil gets a bad rap from some people but it was a miracle for me. i often think about going back to it, to be honest.
when my anxiety reappeared a few months ago, the doc's first idea was to go to 30mg paxil...and that caused MASSIVE anxiety. so i didn't do well going up. but 20 worked great.
hope it helped...emily
Posted by Magdalena on March 29, 2004, at 16:50:27
In reply to Re: here we go on 20mg... » Magdalena, posted by want info on March 29, 2004, at 16:46:59
yes it did, thanks emily.
:) so you are on lexapro now?
Posted by want info on March 29, 2004, at 16:57:28
In reply to Re: here we go on 20mg... » want info, posted by Magdalena on March 29, 2004, at 16:50:27
yep i am on lex now. the paxil just wasnt working as well anymore i dont think. my bro is on celexa and the doc thought i might respond well to lexapro since they're similar and my bro and i probably have similar brain chmistry. i weaned off paxil (less paxil, paxil & lex, just lex)...started on 10mg lex, then 15, just started 20...em
Posted by Magdalena on March 29, 2004, at 17:26:10
In reply to Re: here we go on 20mg... » Magdalena, posted by want info on March 29, 2004, at 16:57:28
how has the anxiety been since switching over? is it a noticable difference?
Magdalena
Posted by trucker on March 29, 2004, at 18:16:47
In reply to Re: Hey, Trucker . . . » trucker, posted by jlynne on March 29, 2004, at 13:25:45
i am alone accept for my pooches. they are my children now... my little boy (michael gordon) would have been 5 this year. i general do well with this but i tried to lower my dose of lex and i am also sick and the three don't go well at all. i just got back from the doc and she put me on z-pak and i am going to have to go back in two weeks for a fasting blood sugar and colesterol test. more things here than appartent she thinks. she also said (since she is a new doc to me, first visit) that my child lost could well be cysts on the ovaries which will cause ya still births and miscarrages and make it hard to get pregnant in the first place.
trucker////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
> I wish I knew what to say . . . I'm sorry you are in pain. Do you have anyone around to lean on? How old would your little boy be now?
>
> Do you know how to get to the Psycho-Social board? I have a feeling Dr. Bob is going to re-direct these messages soon (he wants to keep this board for medicine-type posts only). I will post a message on Psycho-Social for you, and we can start a new thread over there, okay?
>
> I am at work, so I may not get back to you till this evening.
>
> ...jlynne
Posted by trucker on March 29, 2004, at 18:20:34
In reply to Re: here we go on 20mg... » trucker, posted by want info on March 29, 2004, at 13:52:45
three months to get past the side effects. then you'll be in heaven....
trucker/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
> hey trucker...you think it'll take 3 months to take effect? i was on 10 for about 6 weeks, 15 for 2, and now 20 for a few days. i was on paxil before this for 8 years! i feel like ive been waiting forever...:( emily
Posted by wantinfo on March 29, 2004, at 18:42:09
In reply to Re: here we go on 20mg... » want info, posted by Magdalena on March 29, 2004, at 17:26:10
hey mag. i've not yet adjusted to the lex and am having some pretty bad anxiety...everyone says it will pass!!
Posted by sueds on March 29, 2004, at 21:36:51
In reply to Re: here we go on 20mg... » want info, posted by trucker on March 29, 2004, at 18:20:34
I don't mean to intrude, but I have no one else to discuss this with. I take Lexapro, Wellbutrin, and Gabitril and I'm doing better. But it's been so long since I"ve felt like "me" and I just try to get through each day. How do you guys make it??????
Sueds
Posted by mystic on March 29, 2004, at 21:42:59
In reply to Re: here we go on 20mg..., posted by sueds on March 29, 2004, at 21:36:51
Welcome Sueds...you are in the right place there are soooo many special people in here that you can talk about anything with..so welcome...how long have you been on the meds???...do you think that they make you feel better??..Do you always feel like you have to try to get through the day???...I have been on Lexapro 10mgs for 7 weeks and I still have my ups and downs..might increase but not sure yet....Let us know how we can help you...Take care...Mystic
Posted by trucker on March 29, 2004, at 21:47:01
In reply to Re: here we go on 20mg..., posted by sueds on March 29, 2004, at 21:36:51
one day at a time. i only take lex. i often wonder if all the drugs together are as easy to balance as one. whose to say what is enough of the one then add to the other and decrease the other. i have never heard of gabitril.
hang in there....
trucker///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
> I don't mean to intrude, but I have no one else to discuss this with. I take Lexapro, Wellbutrin, and Gabitril and I'm doing better. But it's been so long since I"ve felt like "me" and I just try to get through each day. How do you guys make it??????
> Sueds
Posted by sueds on March 29, 2004, at 21:56:16
In reply to RE: Sueds, posted by mystic on March 29, 2004, at 21:42:59
I guess you all are the only ones who know what a relief it is to have someone understand. You are a blessing to me already. I've been on meds for about 6 years. Diagnosed with ptsd and depressions. Lovely combination. I take 30 mgs of Lexapro, 300 mgs. of Wellbutrin and 30 mgs of Gabritil. Somehow I am functioning. I think I've taken every med on the market solo and in combos. This is the best so far, but I still am treading water.
Posted by calmlikeabomb on March 29, 2004, at 22:22:20
In reply to Re: here we go on 20mg... » sueds, posted by trucker on March 29, 2004, at 21:47:01
hey sueds, i'm with you on the new thing. i found this on google looking for something to address lexapro + vertigo.
my experience with SSRIs is limited to paxil, effexor and lexapro. i'm currently coming off 10mg lexapro, and am now not taking it after tapering off. (manic episodes in summer are heightened with SSRIs, so i will take it seasonally, in fall and winter, or least that's the plan. uncharted territory there. lamictal as a mood stablizer might help absent SSRI).
i'm suffering vertigo, and it's a nuisance. i'd love ANY advice or experience about the vertigo thing, particularly how long it lasts as a result of withdrawal.
my experience with lexapro by itself is decent. i came off paxil and that was extremely unpleasant. the vertigo was relentless and i had a terrible burning sensation on my left forearm (i scratched it so much i bled through my work shirt). and (yikes) suicidal thoughts.
so, coming off lexapro appears to not be as difficult as that. it's been 5 days of none of it, and, curiously, the vertigo is just setting in hardcore.
as for another aspect of this thread, weight gain is an issue with me. i'm used to being a lean 6'0" 170. i'm at about 200 now. if i diet hard i can only get down to 188. serious pain in the rear end. i'm hoping that will change. i'd also like to know if one's metabolism speeds up considerably after coming off, and perhaps how long will it take?
hope that helps some ... any help in return is appreciated.
peace+
p.s. if anyone is doing a seasonal thing, i would LOVE to hear about it ...
Posted by Nemo2 on March 29, 2004, at 22:35:20
In reply to muddled thinking, posted by kateincali on March 14, 2004, at 13:31:03
Kate,
I started Lex on Jan 9th and had the normal se's. Brain fog, jittery feelings, amped up in the morning, needed less sleep, needed less food, etc. After 4 weeks the se's backed off, but two important ones remained. Brain fog and jitteryness. I am 54 and have a big job. I have to be quick and smart and ready to learn lots of new stuff all the time. Lex did not allow me to do that. I tried to deal with being slower mentally and finally decided that I'd take a different tack. Very careful and healthy nutrition, lots of exercise and no SSRI's. I quit Lex cold 4 days ago and am going through the withdrawal symptoms that no one tells you about in this AD world. I'm trying to get back to the place I was when I started Lex and work on my anxiety and depression through a more natural approach. I've read other posts that tell me the withdrawal may take months. If that is truly the case, I don't know whether I can survive in my job, which would be a sad end to 25 years of success with a wonderful company. Nemo2
Posted by sexylexy on March 29, 2004, at 22:37:23
In reply to Re: here we go on 20mg..., posted by sueds on March 29, 2004, at 21:50:27
Hey Sueds,
Welcome to our lexapro family. I hope you find the information useful. I am not familiar with Gabitril what is that? You said you have PTSD and Depression. Though Depression can be chemical or biological, PTSD is only from experience, where a Congnitive Behavioral Therapist would come in very handy. You said you had tried all the drugs on the market, what about drugs with therapy. I am sure you probably have tried this combo but I am a therapist so figured I would put my two cents in. What sort of symptoms are you currently having? Sorry to be invasive, just want to help!!!
God Bless,
Lexy
Posted by sexylexy on March 29, 2004, at 22:42:48
In reply to Re: muddled thinking, posted by Nemo2 on March 29, 2004, at 22:35:20
Nemo,
Sorry to hear you decided against lexapro. I was like queen of the foggy brain when I started, almost quit many times, after about 5 to 6 weeks the fog was gone and now I am actually thinking very well, quick and clear. I hope the natural remidies help, get yourself a good Cognitive Behavioral Therapist and tell them your worries with depression and anxiety. They will be able to work on your depressive thoughts and give you coping skills for the future.
Good Luck, God Bless,
Lexy
Posted by jlynne on March 29, 2004, at 23:32:17
In reply to RE: Sueds, posted by sueds on March 29, 2004, at 21:56:16
You are very welcome here, Sueds:~)
Actually, most of us are making it through the day because of this board and each other. I am in my 7th wk on Lex, 2nd wk at 15mg. I take 1mg Lorazepam at night to help me sleep.
I, too, have tried just about everything on the market for depression over the years. This is only the second time I have been allowed to take something for the insomnia - the first time was 28 yrs ago. I hope I don't always need the Lorazepam, but I know it makes a difference (for me, anyway).I'm glad you found us:~) Hope you stick around!
...jlynne
Posted by jlynne on March 29, 2004, at 23:40:02
In reply to RE: Sueds » sueds, posted by jlynne on March 29, 2004, at 23:32:17
Have you found the Psycho-Social site yet?? Near the top of the messages, you will find a thread that starts with "Re: Too Much Drama". If you scroll down a ways, you will see a post from me to you . . . most everyone who posts on this site here also posts over there where we can be more "social". LOL
...jlynne
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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