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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by sideorder on April 23, 2004, at 8:43:31
I've been taking Lex for almost six weeks now and it's giving me a new lease on life. I'm less neurotic and nervous---my stressed out feeling has decreased and it's really helped with GAD (I primarily suffered from social anxiety disorder)---not to mention it's helped keep the depression blues and manic moods at bay somewhat. All of this has given me a newfound confidence and made life more full and rewarding to me (it's amazing to feel half way "normal" for once in my life). I've never been on any med like this in my life (I'm in my early 40's) but have suffered from all of the things mentioned above since I was 11 or so. Not to mention I've had my bouts with alcohol abuse (Lex also helped quell my crazing for drinking massive amounts of alcohol and reduced impulsive behavior). I had always been hesitant to try any meds because of all the stories of bad sexual side effects. Hey, we all have our problems---but I refuse to sacrifice a healthy sex life with my girlfriend for anything. Lexapro has given me no sexual side effects (hooray!)...but here's the sad part---2 weeks into taking Lex I started having really severe diarrhea and gastro problems. I thought I possible had a stomach virus or mild food poisioning but it hasn't let up. I posted on Psycho-Babble and got responses from several people who have had the same problem on Lex. The clinical trials showed the percentage rate for this at a fairly low rate---I guess I'm just one of the lucky ones. I've spoke to my doctor and he suggested me stopping the Lex to see if my gastro functions go back to normal and agreeded it might possibly be the Lex though it's rare that it causes this. There's is really nothing else it could be (?) because before taking Lex I never had this problem. ANYWAY---if Lex is the culprit, then does anyone have any suggestions on what might be an alternative med to take that would give me the same wonderful results (with NO sexual SE and hopefully no gastro SE)? What about wellbutrin or effexor. I've mangaged in life up till now without any medication like this and I guess I can again---but, feeling halfway confident in social situations, being free from debilitating anxiety and not having to deal with my bouts of deep depression and manic moods has been nice. I work in advertising design and it's very high stress and deadline oriented---after being on Lex people even noticed how well I was handling things (remaining calm and composed, etc.). I've rambled long enough. I'm sure I'll be discussing all of this with my doctor in the next few days (esp. if my digestive functions go back to normal after stopping Lex)...but wanted the feedback of people out there who have some experience with taking these meds and suffer from some of the same problems as me. All the post replies I've received have really been insightful and given me food for thought. Why is it that everything that feels good has to be bad for you (with the exception of sex---but even that can be hazardous to your health in certain situations). I'm really bummed-out---I knew it was too good to be true damn-it! See ya Lex---now back to my crazy world! Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated.
Posted by Sad Panda on April 23, 2004, at 16:39:45
In reply to Having to Stop Taking Lex:(---Sugg. for Alt. Meds?, posted by sideorder on April 23, 2004, at 8:43:31
> I've been taking Lex for almost six weeks now and it's giving me a new lease on life. I'm less neurotic and nervous---my stressed out feeling has decreased and it's really helped with GAD (I primarily suffered from social anxiety disorder)---not to mention it's helped keep the depression blues and manic moods at bay somewhat. All of this has given me a newfound confidence and made life more full and rewarding to me (it's amazing to feel half way "normal" for once in my life). I've never been on any med like this in my life (I'm in my early 40's) but have suffered from all of the things mentioned above since I was 11 or so. Not to mention I've had my bouts with alcohol abuse (Lex also helped quell my crazing for drinking massive amounts of alcohol and reduced impulsive behavior). I had always been hesitant to try any meds because of all the stories of bad sexual side effects. Hey, we all have our problems---but I refuse to sacrifice a healthy sex life with my girlfriend for anything. Lexapro has given me no sexual side effects (hooray!)...but here's the sad part---2 weeks into taking Lex I started having really severe diarrhea and gastro problems. I thought I possible had a stomach virus or mild food poisioning but it hasn't let up. I posted on Psycho-Babble and got responses from several people who have had the same problem on Lex. The clinical trials showed the percentage rate for this at a fairly low rate---I guess I'm just one of the lucky ones. I've spoke to my doctor and he suggested me stopping the Lex to see if my gastro functions go back to normal and agreeded it might possibly be the Lex though it's rare that it causes this. There's is really nothing else it could be (?) because before taking Lex I never had this problem. ANYWAY---if Lex is the culprit, then does anyone have any suggestions on what might be an alternative med to take that would give me the same wonderful results (with NO sexual SE and hopefully no gastro SE)? What about wellbutrin or effexor. I've mangaged in life up till now without any medication like this and I guess I can again---but, feeling halfway confident in social situations, being free from debilitating anxiety and not having to deal with my bouts of deep depression and manic moods has been nice. I work in advertising design and it's very high stress and deadline oriented---after being on Lex people even noticed how well I was handling things (remaining calm and composed, etc.). I've rambled long enough. I'm sure I'll be discussing all of this with my doctor in the next few days (esp. if my digestive functions go back to normal after stopping Lex)...but wanted the feedback of people out there who have some experience with taking these meds and suffer from some of the same problems as me. All the post replies I've received have really been insightful and given me food for thought. Why is it that everything that feels good has to be bad for you (with the exception of sex---but even that can be hazardous to your health in certain situations). I'm really bummed-out---I knew it was too good to be true damn-it! See ya Lex---now back to my crazy world! Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated.
>
>Hi,
There is a far chance that other SSRI's would do the same thing with the exception of Paxil. You could try adding another drug to Lexapro if it is helping you so much. Remeron has slowed my bowels down a great deal & eliminated nausea caused by Effeor for me, but it's very sedating. A low dose of the very anti-muscarinic TCA Amitriptyline added to your Lexapro might help too. A temporary solution may be a short course of a drug like Lomitol. It is an opiate type drug with scopalamine & is guaranteed to stop your problem, but not something that can be taken long term. The only other option I can think of is to eat a lot of fiber.
Cheers,
Panda.
Posted by zenclearer on April 23, 2004, at 20:46:25
In reply to Re: Having to Stop Taking Lex:(---Sugg. for Alt. Meds? » sideorder, posted by Sad Panda on April 23, 2004, at 16:39:45
Is Celexa still available? Perhaps the weaker (non-isomer) form might be better for you.
Also, people with IBS say that calcium carbonate (not citrate) helps diarreah. Perhaps it might help past some initial phase, after which the GI effects subside.
Posted by Mariposa on April 24, 2004, at 16:48:44
In reply to Re: Having to Stop Taking Lex:(---Sugg. for Alt. M, posted by zenclearer on April 23, 2004, at 20:46:25
had same problem w/lex, lasted about 5-6 mos., but body eventually quit fighting the lex and now back to normal in that dept. May consider toughing it out w/OTC remedies until body adjusts.~~~8|8
Posted by witzkey on April 24, 2004, at 22:20:04
In reply to Having to Stop Taking Lex:(---Sugg. for Alt. Meds?, posted by sideorder on April 23, 2004, at 8:43:31
I love Lexapro and have the same problem. I have diahrrhea all day. I stopped taking it today, but I still have the diahrrhea. I never had severe diahrrhea like this before. It's horrible.
Posted by Phil on April 25, 2004, at 8:06:03
In reply to Having to Stop Taking Lex:(---Sugg. for Alt. Meds?, posted by sideorder on April 23, 2004, at 8:43:31
sideorder(I like that), I would think long and hard before stopping a clean med like Lexapro without trying to treat the GI stuff every way I could.
It sounds like an extremely effective drug for you so try to treat the SE's if you can.
Take a look at your diet, caffeine intake, etc.
A med that works that well and allows for sex is VERY hard to find.
If you take it in the morning, switch to night. The very low dose of Amitriptyline may work but I'd try ginger to Tagamet before stopping Lex.Phil
Posted by shadows721 on April 26, 2004, at 2:09:35
In reply to Having to Stop Taking Lex:(---Sugg. for Alt. Meds?, posted by sideorder on April 23, 2004, at 8:43:31
I had trouble for months, but they went away. I agree with the others about trying GI medications. Boy, you are really lucky in the sex dept with this med. It paralyzed me in the sex dept.
Posted by joslynn on April 27, 2004, at 13:39:18
In reply to Having to Stop Taking Lex:(---Sugg. for Alt. Meds?, posted by sideorder on April 23, 2004, at 8:43:31
This isn't med-related, but I totally hear you about your industry. I do something similar. It can be brutal, especially for people like us, but so often, creative people also have mood disorders, so it's a catch-22.
This is the end of the thread.
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