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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 4172 to 4196 of 8406. Go back in thread:
Posted by koko on August 28, 2003, at 13:10:30
In reply to New User to any type of med., posted by shay on August 28, 2003, at 12:41:33
Hi Esmeralda,
Speaking solely off of personal experience; I felt no side effects from Celexa, but I do with Lex. However, I think that they will go away after about two weeks from what I hear. I also am never "not doing anything". So, I can completely understand your concern. However, even with the SE's from Lex, I'm still able to function at work and socially. I'm sure if I didn't have such acute anxiety (which is what prompted me to take the medication to begin with) I would be able to "function" even better. As it is, I will tend to fixate on my SE's. Even still, I'm hoping that Lex will get me to that "I'm happy, I feel great, I don't have to worry about an embarrassing panic attack" point quicker than Celexa did.
However, I wouldn't be afraid to try the Lex if I were you. And if you have a bad day, stop and ask your doctor about Celexa.
You don't need to feel the way you are for the rest of your life, and it seems as if you are on the right track.
Good luck.
Posted by Mariposa on August 28, 2003, at 13:14:38
In reply to Re: New User to any type of med., posted by Esmarelda on August 28, 2003, at 12:51:36
I din't address the alcohol in my other post, but I too am a social drinker (whiskey, beer) and it has not seemed to affect me adversely. I know Alc. contributes to depression, and I have cut back since starting Lex ( a *good* se? ) but like Esmeralda, I don't have any reactions between the 2.
Posted by Mariposa on August 28, 2003, at 13:24:32
In reply to Re: New User to any type of med., posted by Mariposa on August 28, 2003, at 13:14:38
INSOMNIA!!! My biggest FOE in the depression battle!!! And Lex has *CURED* me!!!
Had been an insomniac most of my adult life, never getting a full nite's sleep, wake up at 3-4AM and never able to go back to sleep. Some nights, no sleep AT ALL, just toss and turn and worry about getting up and going to work. In short...miserable because I was tired all the time.
But now I sleep soundly through the nite and don't rouse until the alarm goes off, occasionally wake up, but roll over and go right back to sleep. It has done wonders for that *i'm a witch because I got no sleep* feeling!!!
Good luck to all of us!~~~8|8
Posted by krystol on August 28, 2003, at 13:40:02
In reply to New User to any type of med., posted by shay on August 28, 2003, at 12:41:33
I started lex 10mg approx 2 1/2 months ago and from day 2 I have been feeling great...I was dx w/depression (post partum)...the only SE's I've noticed since posting is I haven't been able to have an orgasim (((help)))...other than that, this is my first AD, I have no major complaints...
Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by koko on August 28, 2003, at 13:50:19
In reply to Re: New User to any type of med., posted by krystol on August 28, 2003, at 13:40:02
This brought up a really good point...One of the other reasons that I decided to switch to Lex is because I heard that the sexual SE's were reportedly less than with Celexa. Has anyone else experienced any sexual side effects from Lex, positive or negitive?
Posted by shay on August 28, 2003, at 14:04:13
In reply to Re: New User to any type of med., posted by krystol on August 28, 2003, at 13:40:02
You guys are so nice! :) I really appreciate all of the feedback! I definitely want to give this a try and don't want to feel like I do anymore. I'm tired of feeling like I don't think like "normal people" and I hoping my feelings of lonliness will subside! I get really down and a lot of times for no reason so I'm going to give it a try. If I feel sick, I feel sick, it is worth it. I just hope I don't have to call off work, not an option! :) Sooooo... I'll let you guys know how I do, wish me luck! (I get anxiety just thinking about starting, guess part of the problem to solve! :) )
Posted by galkeepinon on August 28, 2003, at 14:07:40
In reply to Re: koko !---catching up..I got lost in the thread, posted by koko on August 28, 2003, at 9:20:57
>>>>> Thanks again and I wish everyone a happy and productive Thursday!>>>Right back at ya!!!:-)
Thanks Gal! That really helps. And you are right, I get so caught up focusing on the SE's that I may be making them worse than they would be otherwise. But this forum helps, and reading about everyone's experiances help. And most of all, knowing that everyone else seems to have experienced this or some SE's simular to this and lived!...that helps too.
> So, I'll keep reading and hope that they get better soon. Today is day 4! So far, I've stuck to taking the full 10mg. I'll keep you posted...
> Thanks again and I wish everyone a happy and productive Thursday!
>
Posted by krystol on August 28, 2003, at 14:16:06
In reply to Re: New User to any type of med., posted by koko on August 28, 2003, at 13:50:19
As far as the sexual side effects go that is the only one I have...I am always ready freddy when it comes time to do the do!!!(((ha!ha!ha!)))...it get's a little frustrating when you can't get yours and he does (((oooooohhh!!!)))but this is better than when it was down to zero with the depression...i guess i got an even trade...i've read in previous post that this too shall pass...with me when????(((hehehehe!!!)))
Posted by Esmarelda on August 28, 2003, at 14:48:55
In reply to Re: New User to any type of med., posted by krystol on August 28, 2003, at 13:40:02
> I started lex 10mg approx 2 1/2 months ago and from day 2 I have been feeling great...I was dx w/depression (post partum)...the only SE's I've noticed since posting is I haven't been able to have an orgasim (((help)))...other than that, this is my first AD, I have no major complaints...
> Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!Krstol - that was not a problem except for total lack of desire the first month or so. Hopefully, your SE will resolve :)
Posted by Esmarelda on August 28, 2003, at 14:55:43
In reply to Re: New User to any type of med., posted by shay on August 28, 2003, at 14:04:13
Shay - I think you will be fine. I have been intermittantly depressed for about 4-5 years now with no real event setting it off. Just didn't feel like facing the world some days. I never liked the thought of taking medicine. But, this last go around had life events that literally threw me to the ground, shook me around and then kicked my butt. I had to do something -- I could not even get out of bed 2-3 days a week and cried all the time. Not to mention the anxiety/panic attacks. I could barely even get out of bed to let my dogs out. I feel "almost normal" now after 10 weeks. I never had to call in sick from side effects - just the overwhelming depression, itself. I think you will be fine if Lex is something your body likes. I am doing great on it. In fact, just got back from my therapist and really didn't even have anything to talk to her about. Yee ha!!!!
Posted by lil' jimi on August 28, 2003, at 15:06:52
In reply to Re: New User to any type of med., posted by shay on August 28, 2003, at 14:04:13
hi Shay,
> You guys are so nice! :) I really appreciate all of the feedback! I definitely want to give this a try and don't want to feel like I do anymore. I'm tired of feeling like I don't think like "normal people" and I hoping my feelings of lonliness will subside! I get really down and a lot of times for no reason so I'm going to give it a try. If I feel sick, I feel sick, it is worth it. I just hope I don't have to call off work, not an option! :) Sooooo... I'll let you guys know how I do, wish me luck! (I get anxiety just thinking about starting, guess part of the problem to solve! :) ) >
>... i want to suggest/ advise that you try to get your doctor to allow you some benzo support for your anxieties, for _while_ you are working through the lexapro start up SEs ...
... my impression (i do not have anxiety issues) from reading this thread, is that folks who are fighting anxiety can and do have the worst time with these intial lex SEs ... of the folks who start lexapro but have to quit, many of them have anxiety issues and can not endure the increased anxiety from lex's initial SEs ... ... because lex does seem to make anxiety worse before it gets better .. .... .. not so surprising when you consider (my speculation here) lex is trying to rearrange our neurochemistry which gets destabilized as our system struggles to adapt to out new (and Improved!) serotonin levels ...... i mention this because, although i had no anxiety symptoms, my lexapro adaptation SEs included a dozen or so panic attack episodes ... ... which is to say lexapro Can get us wound up pretty good before things settle down ...
i was fortunate that all of my SEs lasted less than 2 weeks ... and i am doing fine now, these nearly 6 months since i started lex ...
... it seems like the regular treatment for anxiety is a supplement to the lex from the benzo family, such as xanax ...
... ... you know, i got this friend Wayne (BLKVETTES) and he has the inside line on anxiety ... ...we're going to want to give him a shout and let you have the benefit of his experience ... he's our anxiety/lexapro poster child ... (And he's the funny one! ... Not me!)
HA!
take care!!
~ jim
Posted by shay on August 28, 2003, at 15:29:41
In reply to re: New User » shay, posted by lil' jimi on August 28, 2003, at 15:06:52
> hi Shay,
>
> > You guys are so nice! :) I really appreciate all of the feedback! I definitely want to give this a try and don't want to feel like I do anymore. I'm tired of feeling like I don't think like "normal people" and I hoping my feelings of lonliness will subside! I get really down and a lot of times for no reason so I'm going to give it a try. If I feel sick, I feel sick, it is worth it. I just hope I don't have to call off work, not an option! :) Sooooo... I'll let you guys know how I do, wish me luck! (I get anxiety just thinking about starting, guess part of the problem to solve! :) ) >
> >
>
> ... i want to suggest/ advise that you try to get your doctor to allow you some benzo support for your anxieties, for _while_ you are working through the lexapro start up SEs ...
> ... my impression (i do not have anxiety issues) from reading this thread, is that folks who are fighting anxiety can and do have the worst time with these intial lex SEs ... of the folks who start lexapro but have to quit, many of them have anxiety issues and can not endure the increased anxiety from lex's initial SEs ... ... because lex does seem to make anxiety worse before it gets better .. .... .. not so surprising when you consider (my speculation here) lex is trying to rearrange our neurochemistry which gets destabilized as our system struggles to adapt to out new (and Improved!) serotonin levels ...
>
> ... i mention this because, although i had no anxiety symptoms, my lexapro adaptation SEs included a dozen or so panic attack episodes ... ... which is to say lexapro Can get us wound up pretty good before things settle down ...
>
> i was fortunate that all of my SEs lasted less than 2 weeks ... and i am doing fine now, these nearly 6 months since i started lex ...
>
> ... it seems like the regular treatment for anxiety is a supplement to the lex from the benzo family, such as xanax ...
>
> ... ... you know, i got this friend Wayne (BLKVETTES) and he has the inside line on anxiety ... ...we're going to want to give him a shout and let you have the benefit of his experience ... he's our anxiety/lexapro poster child ... (And he's the funny one! ... Not me!)
>
> HA!
>
> take care!!
> ~ jim
>
>Thanks for your advice! I definitely should get in touch with your buddy! :) I have taken Xanax for my attacks but haven't had any full blown anxiety attacks for over 2 yrs. now. It's more like a nervous tension I deal with. Usually I drink a tea I have that helps me sleep, relaxes me so I guess I have that to fall back on. That's usually why I quit other meds before because of the bad attacks I would have. Panic attacks are the worst and I wouldn't wish them on anybody! Thanks for the warning, I'm going to ask my doc about Xanax since I don't have any and definitely am going to keep a supply of my tea around! :)
Posted by lil' jimi on August 28, 2003, at 15:45:46
In reply to re: New User, posted by shay on August 28, 2003, at 15:29:41
hi again Shay,
> > hi Shay,
> >
> > > You guys are so nice! :) I really appreciate all of the feedback! I definitely want to give this a try and don't want to feel like I do anymore. I'm tired of feeling like I don't think like "normal people" and I hoping my feelings of lonliness will subside! I get really down and a lot of times for no reason so I'm going to give it a try. If I feel sick, I feel sick, it is worth it. I just hope I don't have to call off work, not an option! :) Sooooo... I'll let you guys know how I do, wish me luck! (I get anxiety just thinking about starting, guess part of the problem to solve! :) ) >
> > >
> >
> > ... i want to suggest/ advise that you try to get your doctor to allow you some benzo support for your anxieties, for _while_ you are working through the lexapro start up SEs ...
> > ... my impression (i do not have anxiety issues) from reading this thread, is that folks who are fighting anxiety can and do have the worst time with these intial lex SEs ... of the folks who start lexapro but have to quit, many of them have anxiety issues and can not endure the increased anxiety from lex's initial SEs ... ... because lex does seem to make anxiety worse before it gets better .. .... .. not so surprising when you consider (my speculation here) lex is trying to rearrange our neurochemistry which gets destabilized as our system struggles to adapt to out new (and Improved!) serotonin levels ...
> >
> > ... i mention this because, although i had no anxiety symptoms, my lexapro adaptation SEs included a dozen or so panic attack episodes ... ... which is to say lexapro Can get us wound up pretty good before things settle down ...
> >
> > i was fortunate that all of my SEs lasted less than 2 weeks ... and i am doing fine now, these nearly 6 months since i started lex ...
> >
> > ... it seems like the regular treatment for anxiety is a supplement to the lex from the benzo family, such as xanax ...
> >
> > ... ... you know, i got this friend Wayne (BLKVETTES) and he has the inside line on anxiety ... ...we're going to want to give him a shout and let you have the benefit of his experience ... he's our anxiety/lexapro poster child ... (And he's the funny one! ... Not me!)
> >
> > HA!
> >
> > take care!!
> > ~ jim
> >
> >
>
> Thanks for your advice! I definitely should get in touch with your buddy! :) I have taken Xanax for my attacks but haven't had any full blown anxiety attacks for over 2 yrs. now. It's more like a nervous tension I deal with. Usually I drink a tea I have that helps me sleep, relaxes me so I guess I have that to fall back on. That's usually why I quit other meds before because of the bad attacks I would have. Panic attacks are the worst and I wouldn't wish them on anybody! Thanks for the warning, I'm going to ask my doc about Xanax since I don't have any and definitely am going to keep a supply of my tea around! :)
>Wayne posts here just about everyday as "BLKVETTES"... ... which how we got to be friends ... but he is probably busy at the other boards he visits ... ...
.... .... anyway, there are 2 ways to access his insights:
1) click on the link by ggrrl from june of 2002 that's at the top of the lex links ... this will load the whole lex thread to your browser's window ... then look for "blkvettes"'s posts ... they'll be in the last 6 months ...
OR
2) post to Wayne here ... which is how i'm about to give him a "shout" for us ... ... ... like now~ jim
Posted by galkeepinon on August 28, 2003, at 15:47:58
In reply to New User to any type of med., posted by shay on August 28, 2003, at 12:41:33
Hi shay, You need to find a doctor that will listen to you!!!! I'm so glad you got a lot of replies to your post so far:-) Sometimes, at first, especially if you have never taken medications for depression, they can make you feel 'weird' or 'sick' or just plain 'blah'. I took my first antidepressant in 1995. (Prozac) *You say that sometimes your depression is sometimes bad and sometimes it's not*-there could be many reasons for that-PMS LOL, simple, normal mood swings, or if you want an infamous label-bipolar 1 or 2-but a doctor, of course, would be the best one to make that diagnosis.
Medications don't usually change one's personality-in my opinion. I was told this by all my doctors and I have experienced it. Through all the meds I have been on-and that's pretty much all of them!, my personality has never changed. What has changed though, is like you said, I've gotten side effects, some good and some not so good. The not so good ones can always be dealt with or coped with-usually. When I first started on medication, I started on a low dose of meds in conjunction with therapy-good idea. But only you can decide what's best for you.
***You need to find a doctor that will listen to you-I should have put this first, I just did :-)
You may not have to be on a medication for the rest of your life' either, it may be that you need it to get you through whatever it is you are going through that is causing you these feelings right now in your life.
Please keep us posted and I wish you the best!> I have never been on any medications for depression but feel like I've had some level of depression pretty much since I was a little girl. I've tried some for a few days but couldn't stand how they made me feel. I don't feel like I have major depression so I'm always leary of starting something because of side effects, I don't want to feel worse, since I've also dealt with anxiety. I read some of these posts and wonder if it's even worth getting into taking Lexapro, which I got samples of yesterday. The doc told me to break in half and take 5mg. I'm worried though because I do drink socially and don't want to feel all "wacked out" and "weird." Like I said, no one would even think of me as depressed but I am sometimes. And sometimes it's really bad and sometimes not. I never not do anything or not go anywhere and work a 9-5 so what should I do... I feel like I read these posts and I want to read something like "Lexapro makes me feel great, I'm so happy now, it definitely worked so well!!!!!!" And I'm not reading this, am I going to feel happy and normal or what??? Any suggestions or help... I don't want to be on something for the rest of my life and feel worse. I already feel tired and sad sometimes, w/o feeling sick and weird. Anyone???? Also, I haven't had counseling but wonder if this is more what I should do or if this low dose will be ok for me??? The docs never listen to my symptoms so I don't know who to ask for advice. You all seem to know best! :) Thanks!
Posted by lil' jimi on August 28, 2003, at 15:53:19
In reply to New User to any type of med., posted by shay on August 28, 2003, at 12:41:33
hi Wayne,
Shay needs the low down on anxiety, for lex users ....
please, Sir!(Wayne's the funny One!)
~ jim>>>>>>
> I have never been on any medications for depression but feel like I've had some level of depression pretty much since I was a little girl. I've tried some for a few days but couldn't stand how they made me feel. I don't feel like I have major depression so I'm always leary of starting something because of side effects, I don't want to feel worse, since I've also dealt with anxiety. I read some of these posts and wonder if it's even worth getting into taking Lexapro, which I got samples of yesterday. The doc told me to break in half and take 5mg. I'm worried though because I do drink socially and don't want to feel all "wacked out" and "weird." Like I said, no one would even think of me as depressed but I am sometimes. And sometimes it's really bad and sometimes not. I never not do anything or not go anywhere and work a 9-5 so what should I do... I feel like I read these posts and I want to read something like "Lexapro makes me feel great, I'm so happy now, it definitely worked so well!!!!!!" And I'm not reading this, am I going to feel happy and normal or what??? Any suggestions or help... I don't want to be on something for the rest of my life and feel worse. I already feel tired and sad sometimes, w/o feeling sick and weird. Anyone???? Also, I haven't had counseling but wonder if this is more what I should do or if this low dose will be ok for me??? The docs never listen to my symptoms so I don't know who to ask for advice. You all seem to know best! :) Thanks!
>>>>>
Posted by galkeepinon on August 28, 2003, at 15:53:31
In reply to Re: New User to any type of med., posted by shay on August 28, 2003, at 14:04:13
Posted by galkeepinon on August 28, 2003, at 15:56:40
In reply to Re: New User to any type of med., posted by Esmarelda on August 28, 2003, at 14:55:43
>>>>In fact, just got back from my therapist and really didn't even have anything to talk to her about. Yee ha!!!!<<<<
Esmarelda!!! Isn't that a good sign? :-):-)
I'm glad to hear you sound like you're doing good!
Take Care!
Shay - I think you will be fine. I have been intermittantly depressed for about 4-5 years now with no real event setting it off. Just didn't feel like facing the world some days. I never liked the thought of taking medicine. But, this last go around had life events that literally threw me to the ground, shook me around and then kicked my butt. I had to do something -- I could not even get out of bed 2-3 days a week and cried all the time. Not to mention the anxiety/panic attacks. I could barely even get out of bed to let my dogs out. I feel "almost normal" now after 10 weeks. I never had to call in sick from side effects - just the overwhelming depression, itself. I think you will be fine if Lex is something your body likes. I am doing great on it. In fact, just got back from my therapist and really didn't even have anything to talk to her about. Yee ha!!!!
Posted by Esmarelda on August 28, 2003, at 16:03:35
In reply to Re: New User to any type of med. » Esmarelda, posted by galkeepinon on August 28, 2003, at 15:56:40
Thanks to you Gal, and all the other posters, for the wonderful information. I think part of it is truly realizing that you are not in this alone and there are others (unfortunately) who feel the same way you do. I always felt I should just be able to snap out of it. IT DON'T WORK THAT WAY, huh?
Posted by galkeepinon on August 28, 2003, at 16:25:34
In reply to Re: New User to any type of med., posted by Esmarelda on August 28, 2003, at 16:03:35
And thanks to you:-) I'm so glad we're not alone in this-it helps us ALL so much! yes.
Nope-we can't just snap out of it-despite what people who don't walk in our shoes think. ;)
I wish it were that easy though..................
> Thanks to you Gal, and all the other posters, for the wonderful information. I think part of it is truly realizing that you are not in this alone and there are others (unfortunately) who feel the same way you do. I always felt I should just be able to snap out of it. IT DON'T WORK THAT WAY, huh?
Posted by lil' jimi on August 28, 2003, at 16:25:45
In reply to Re: New User to any type of med., posted by koko on August 28, 2003, at 13:50:19
hi Koko!
now you wrote:
> This brought up a really good point...One of the other reasons that I decided to switch to Lex is because I heard that the sexual SE's were reportedly less than with Celexa. Has anyone else experienced any sexual side effects from Lex, positive or negitive?
>now i have never had celexa (nor any t'other ADs), so i don't know about them and i haven't read enough posts about celexa's SEs to shake a stick at ... ...
...
... however, you asked about lex sex SEs ... (you asked, okay?) ... (you're friend ~jim thinks everyone's sick from hearing me post about this ... so my old posts may amuse you (?))... anyway, i have had both negative and positive effects from lexapro ...
first the negative:
maybe 5 or 6 days of anorgasmia (inability to orgasm) ... these were like days 2 through 7 ... (or maybe 3 through 9?) ... anyway, very very early on ... and it went away completely ...
which bring us to ...the positive:
... once i recovered from the anorgasmia ... things got ... better ... a lot better ... a whole lot better ...understand that to begin with i had experienced NO problems ... no problems with libido; no erectile dysfunction; and i had never imagined anorgasmia before ....
... and now everything is as good as it ever was ... except my orgasmic response has been improved ... ... a LOT ... dramatically ... much better
... ... when i had never imagined it Could be "better" ... ... but it is like a new experience now ... way different ...... you had to ask ... ( !! ) ... but my experience is not typical ... ... ... i have asked for lex users' feedback about this and i have found only a few who had negative responses and many of them were also on other meds ... and i found a few who had positive responses as well .. ....
that's my story ...
TAKE CARE!!
~ jim
Posted by koko on August 28, 2003, at 16:40:56
In reply to re: New User(s) re: sexual SEs » koko, posted by lil' jimi on August 28, 2003, at 16:25:45
Posted by lil' jimi on August 28, 2003, at 17:05:44
In reply to Re: New User to any type of med., posted by Esmarelda on August 28, 2003, at 16:03:35
hi Esmarelda,
> Thanks to you Gal, and all the other posters, for the wonderful information. I think part of it is truly realizing that you are not in this alone and there are others (unfortunately) who feel the same way you do. I always felt I should just be able to snap out of it. IT DON'T WORK THAT WAY, huh? >
>no they do not work that way ... you Are so right!
it is like we could stomp and shout at our neurotransmitters all day and night and night and day
... ... but they do they Listen ??
NO!... but if our neurotransmitters want our attention?
... all they have to do is just whisper
... just once
... and we are on the floor crying our guts out and praying for mercy!when neurotransmitters talk, every Body listens
... ... and neurotransmitter don't 'talk'
... they swear !peace,
~ jim
Posted by Esmarelda on August 28, 2003, at 17:10:26
In reply to re: New User » Esmarelda, posted by lil' jimi on August 28, 2003, at 17:05:44
Love, Peace and Happiness to you, Jim!
I think your funny! LOL
Posted by lil' jimi on August 28, 2003, at 20:11:33
In reply to re: New Userjim, posted by Esmarelda on August 28, 2003, at 17:10:26
Posted by trucker on August 28, 2003, at 20:20:46
In reply to Re: koko !---catching up..I got lost in the thread, posted by koko on August 28, 2003, at 9:20:57
SEE IF YOU CAN TAKE IT AT NIGHT FOR THE FIRST MONTH OR SO, THAT WAY THE SIDE EFFECTS OCCUR WHILE YOU ARE SLEEPING AND YOU DON'T REALIZE THEM AS MUCH. THIS IS WHAT I DID FOR A MONTH AND IT WORKED WELL FOR ME!!!
TAKE IT EASY
TRUCKER
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////> Thanks Gal! That really helps. And you are right, I get so caught up focusing on the SE's that I may be making them worse than they would be otherwise. But this forum helps, and reading about everyone's experiances help. And most of all, knowing that everyone else seems to have experienced this or some SE's simular to this and lived!...that helps too.
> So, I'll keep reading and hope that they get better soon. Today is day 4! So far, I've stuck to taking the full 10mg. I'll keep you posted...
> Thanks again and I wish everyone a happy and productive Thursday!
>
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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