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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 25 of 25. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Jayslace on February 12, 2005, at 16:27:15
Hi everyone!
My neurologist is treating me for depression. I told him that my Lexapro was working great but the price had gone up from $40 every 3 months to $100 every three months. But I was ok with that because I liked how Lexapro 20mg was helping. I also take Trazadone 100mg at night to help me sleep.
In the mean time my husband looked up up on the net to see when my Lexapro would get here (we do online ordering with our insurance) and we found out my Dr. switched me to Celexa without even telling me this!
I'm going to call him Monday, but what do you all think?
And how do you like Celexa?
By the way, it's only going to cost me $20 every three months! Yipppee for that ! LOL
Have a great night!
Ruthie
Posted by Nixon on February 12, 2005, at 17:40:59
In reply to Dr. Switching me from Lexapro to Celaxa, posted by Jayslace on February 12, 2005, at 16:27:15
> Hi everyone!
> My neurologist is treating me for depression. I told him that my Lexapro was working great but the price had gone up from $40 every 3 months to $100 every three months. But I was ok with that because I liked how Lexapro 20mg was helping. I also take Trazadone 100mg at night to help me sleep.
> In the mean time my husband looked up up on the net to see when my Lexapro would get here (we do online ordering with our insurance) and we found out my Dr. switched me to Celexa without even telling me this!
> I'm going to call him Monday, but what do you all think?
> And how do you like Celexa?
> By the way, it's only going to cost me $20 every three months! Yipppee for that ! LOL
> Have a great night!
> Ruthie
>
>
Hi,
I took lexapro for about a year and it worked pretty well. It is expensive. I found it good for DP but in my case a lower dose of Prozac helps more with anxiety/panic. Anyway, you would have to take 4 20mg celexas for 1 20mg lexapro. I know lexapro is pure form celexa and when I compared I noticed a few minor side effects with the celexa not much. Although Lexapro is expensive, at a 4 to 1 ratio how much different could the cost be. Good Luck. JN
Posted by ed_uk on February 12, 2005, at 17:49:10
In reply to Re: Dr. Switching me from Lexapro to Celaxa, posted by Nixon on February 12, 2005, at 17:40:59
>Although Lexapro is expensive, at a 4 to 1 ratio how much different could the cost be.
It's a myth. Escitalopram is only twice as potent as citalopram.
>I liked how Lexapro 20mg was helping
You would probably find 40mg Celexa to have a similar effect.
Ed.
Posted by Nixon on February 12, 2005, at 17:52:30
In reply to Re: Dr. Switching me from Lexapro to Celaxa, posted by ed_uk on February 12, 2005, at 17:49:10
Wow I did not know that. When i took 10mg of Lexapro the Doc told me it was equivalent to 40mg Celexa. Sorry for the wrong information. Interesting. JN
Posted by ed_uk on February 12, 2005, at 18:08:30
In reply to Re: Dr. Switching me from Lexapro to Celaxa, posted by Nixon on February 12, 2005, at 17:52:30
>When i took 10mg of Lexapro the Doc told me it was equivalent to 40mg Celexa.
This misleading info was actually provided by the manufacturer! It came from a clinical trial which suggested that 10mg Lexapro had similar AD activity to 40mg Celexa, this is hardly suprising however since 40mg Celexa is no more effective than 20mg Celexa in the majority of patients (in the short term).
Celexa contains 2 chemicals: escitalopram and R-citalopram. Escitalopram is now sold on its own under the brand name Lexapro. 20mg Celexa consists of 10mg escitalopram (Lexapro) and 10mg R-citalopram. R-citalpram has very little pharmacological activity. 10mg Lexapro is therefore equivalent to 20mg Celexa.
Regards,
Ed.
Posted by Nixon on February 12, 2005, at 18:18:45
In reply to Re: Dr. Switching me from Lexapro to Celaxa » Nixon, posted by ed_uk on February 12, 2005, at 18:08:30
Hi Ed,
Yes, your explanation makes sense. Have they changed the official equivalency ratio? Thanks, JN
Posted by ed_uk on February 12, 2005, at 18:52:55
In reply to Re: Dr. Switching me from Lexapro to Celaxa, posted by Nixon on February 12, 2005, at 18:18:45
Hi :-)
>Have they changed the official equivalency ratio?
I don't think it was ever really intended to be an official equivalency ratio, although it was widely treated as such.
When Celexa's patent was about to run out, the manufacturer was busily trying to convince the world that Lexapro was a superior product- they didn't convince me though! Anyway, citalopram is available as a perfectly good generic, which has the advantage of being significantly cheaper than Lexapro.
Ed.
Posted by Nixon on February 12, 2005, at 19:00:52
In reply to Re: Dr. Switching me from Lexapro to Celaxa, posted by ed_uk on February 12, 2005, at 18:52:55
Ed,
Will you do me a favor and read my post on No Motivation. I would value your opinion.
Posted by TomV on February 13, 2005, at 21:50:59
In reply to Re: Dr. Switching me from Lexapro to Celaxa ED, posted by Nixon on February 12, 2005, at 19:00:52
I took 30 mgs Celexa for approx 4 months, with almost no improvement (I have treatment resistent depression with PTSD). Now she wants me to try Lexapro. Is this a waste of my time? I've tried a lot of SSRI's; none worked, so I'm very skeptical.
Tom
Posted by theo on February 13, 2005, at 22:43:28
In reply to Re: Dr. Switching me from Lexapro to Celaxa » Nixon, posted by ed_uk on February 12, 2005, at 18:08:30
So how can I take 20mg Celexa with no problems while 10mg Lexapro makes me anxiety ridden and agitated?
Posted by Jayslace on February 13, 2005, at 23:02:48
In reply to Re: Dr. Switching me from Lexapro to Celaxa » ed_uk, posted by theo on February 13, 2005, at 22:43:28
My big worry is, do I taper off of the Lexapro, before going on the Celaxa?
I run out of the Lexapro in 3 days. That's why we reordered it. But when the insurance company called it into the Dr. that's when he ordered the Celexa. So, tomorrow, Celexa 2Omg gets delivered. I have no orders to do anything else.
And how we found out about this was by checking the online insurance info. The doctors office never called me. Geez, huh?
I'm disabled after brain tumors removed, and a pulmonary embolism caused me to die for 5 min. I have cognitive dysfunction problems. And epilepsy.
On Topamax 200mg Bid. Desyrel 100mg at night for insomnia . And Ativan .5mg for anxiety during the day.(take that ONLY when I need it. I refuse to be a social druggie. ) And of course for now , I take Lexapro 20 mg daily.
I appreciate all you people for your help!
And by the way, I'm having major problems with depression this past month. No suicidal ideations, fortunately, just having flashbacks from my 11 hour brain surgery, death ,not being able to be the nurse I was for 14 beautiful years, can't read past a paragraph because I can't comprehend that darn meanings, can't drive over 20mins without losing total concentration (yea, none of my doctors have taken my license away yet, c an you believe that!!? ) But, I have to say, I am smart and wise enough to no my limits, so I make sure I do not drive when I am very tired, or just am not concentrating good at all.
Oh , I could go on and on, but this is not the right forum to do it at. Sorry.
Good health to you all!
Ruthie
Posted by ed_uk on February 14, 2005, at 8:56:18
In reply to Doc switching me to Lex after Celexa failure, posted by TomV on February 13, 2005, at 21:50:59
>I took 30 mgs Celexa for approx 4 months, with almost no improvement (I have treatment resistent depression with PTSD). Now she wants me to try Lexapro. Is this a waste of my time? I've tried a lot of SSRI's; none worked, so I'm very skeptical.
Has your pdoc suggested any other options?
Ed.
Posted by ed_uk on February 14, 2005, at 8:59:28
In reply to Re: Dr. Switching me from Lexapro to Celaxa » ed_uk, posted by theo on February 13, 2005, at 22:43:28
Hi,
>So how can I take 20mg Celexa with no problems while 10mg Lexapro makes me anxiety ridden and agitated?
I'm sorry, I don't know. Perhaps R-citalopram is actually doing something helpful, it could have pharmacological activities that we don't know about yet.
Ed.
Posted by ed_uk on February 14, 2005, at 9:08:32
In reply to Re: Dr. Switching me from Lexapro to Celaxa, posted by Nixon on February 12, 2005, at 17:40:59
Hi,
>And of course for now , I take Lexapro 20 mg daily.
I think it would be best to call your neurologist and ask for his/her advice. If I were you, I'd probably transfer on to 40mg/day Celexa the day after taking your last dose of Lex. I don't think tapering off Lexapro would be helpful.
>Good health to you all!
Thanks! :-)
Regards,
Ed.
Posted by Bill LL on February 14, 2005, at 9:17:59
In reply to Dr. Switching me from Lexapro to Celaxa, posted by Jayslace on February 12, 2005, at 16:27:15
It's a tough question. I have taken both Celexa and Lexapro and had great success with both of them. If I were you, I would definitely stay with the Lexapro since it was working well. Call your doctor and ask him to change the prescription back to Lexapro.
Celexa and Lexapro are different and it's not easy to determine what dose of Celexa would be right for you. Although 20 mg Lexapro has the same ingredient as 40 mg Celexa, that does not necessarily mean a 2 to 1 ratio in efficacy. That's because Celexa has a second ingredient that may compete for receptor sites on nerve cells.
When I switched, I went from 60 mg Celexa to 20 mg Lexapro and it seemed about the same. The only difference was that I felt a little bit less tired.
> Hi everyone!
> My neurologist is treating me for depression. I told him that my Lexapro was working great but the price had gone up from $40 every 3 months to $100 every three months. But I was ok with that because I liked how Lexapro 20mg was helping. I also take Trazadone 100mg at night to help me sleep.
> In the mean time my husband looked up up on the net to see when my Lexapro would get here (we do online ordering with our insurance) and we found out my Dr. switched me to Celexa without even telling me this!
> I'm going to call him Monday, but what do you all think?
> And how do you like Celexa?
> By the way, it's only going to cost me $20 every three months! Yipppee for that ! LOL
> Have a great night!
> Ruthie
>
>
Posted by TomV on February 14, 2005, at 9:43:57
In reply to Re: Doc switching me to Lex after Celexa failure » TomV, posted by ed_uk on February 14, 2005, at 8:56:18
> >I took 30 mgs Celexa for approx 4 months, with almost no improvement (I have treatment resistent depression with PTSD). Now she wants me to try Lexapro. Is this a waste of my time? I've tried a lot of SSRI's; none worked, so I'm very skeptical.
>
> Has your pdoc suggested any other options?
>
> Ed.
>Yes, she suggested I go to a treatment resistent depression center downtown run by a highly reputable local University. In other words, she's out of ideas. I've been with her for a while, and she's tried hard, so I'm thinking real hard about her suggestion.
Tom
Posted by ed_uk on February 14, 2005, at 10:28:44
In reply to Re: Doc switching me to Lex after Celexa failure » ed_uk, posted by TomV on February 14, 2005, at 9:43:57
Hi Tom :-)
>Yes, she suggested I go to a treatment resistent depression center downtown run by a highly reputable local University.
I honestly think that would be a good idea. Is anything holding you back from doing that?
Ed.
Posted by Jayslace on February 14, 2005, at 11:24:20
In reply to Re: To Jayslace, posted by ed_uk on February 14, 2005, at 9:08:32
>
> I think it would be best to call your neurologist and ask for his/her advice. If I were you, I'd probably transfer on to 40mg/day Celexa the day after taking your last dose of Lex. I don't think tapering off Lexapro would be helpful.Thank you for that advice! I called him first thing this morning. Left a message with his nurse and she said that that he did give permission for me to take the Celexa 20mg. But that she will let him know my concerns.
I just got back from having my Brain MRI . Time for a nice nap, I would say.
You all are just wonderful people!
Health and friendship,
Ruthie
> Thanks! :-)
>
> Regards,
> Ed.
Posted by TomV on February 14, 2005, at 11:49:47
In reply to Re: Doc switching me to Lex after Celexa failure » TomV, posted by ed_uk on February 14, 2005, at 10:28:44
> Hi Tom :-)
>
> >Yes, she suggested I go to a treatment resistent depression center downtown run by a highly reputable local University.
>
> I honestly think that would be a good idea. Is anything holding you back from doing that?
>
> Ed.Yes, the idea of handing over my life and health to a profession that I'm extremely skeptical of. I can just imagine what they'd ask me to try. I've drawn the line on meds like lithium, and AP's. I just don't want to roll the dice on my physical health with these types of meds. I'm certain I'd get a healthy argument from many posters here that these meds could be helpful, but I really don't want any part of them.
I guess the bottom line is, going to the center means trying things I've been reluctant to do.
Tom
Posted by ed_uk on February 14, 2005, at 12:01:30
In reply to Re: To Jayslace, posted by Jayslace on February 14, 2005, at 11:24:20
Hiya!
>I called him first thing this morning. Left a message with his nurse and she said that that he did give permission for me to take the Celexa 20mg. But that she will let him know my concerns.
Good luck :-) Let us know how you do.
Ed.
Posted by ed_uk on February 14, 2005, at 12:05:15
In reply to Re: Doc switching me to Lex after Celexa failure » ed_uk, posted by TomV on February 14, 2005, at 11:49:47
Hi Tom,
>Yes, the idea of handing over my life and health to a profession that I'm extremely skeptical of.
Are you worried about the side effects of lithium, APs etc?
I suppose you've tried clomipramine (Anafranil).
What country do you live in btw?
Best,
Ed.
Posted by TomV on February 14, 2005, at 13:36:39
In reply to Re: Doc switching me to Lex after Celexa failure » TomV, posted by ed_uk on February 14, 2005, at 12:05:15
> Hi Tom,
>
> >Yes, the idea of handing over my life and health to a profession that I'm extremely skeptical of.
>
> Are you worried about the side effects of lithium, APs etc?Yes, I'm worried about side effects and long term health effects (movement disorders, thyroid, diabetes risk of new AP's, etc).
> I suppose you've tried clomipramine (Anafranil).The old, original TCA OCD med? If that's the one, yes, but a very short trial. One of the few meds I couldn't tolerate for more than a few days, I believe.
> What country do you live in btw?
USA
Posted by ed_uk on February 14, 2005, at 14:05:18
In reply to Re: Doc switching me to Lex after Celexa failure » ed_uk, posted by TomV on February 14, 2005, at 13:36:39
Hi Tom,
>Yes, I'm worried about side effects and long term health effects (movement disorders, thyroid, diabetes risk of new AP's, etc).
If you tried a new drug and obtained great benefit, you might be willing to accept the risks. If you obtained little or no benefit, you could discontinue the medication after a few weeks. Most of the serious side effects occur after long-term use. Less commonly, serious side effects can occur after short-term use though, as I'm sure you know.
>> What country do you live in btw?
>USALol, I thought so! The existence of a local treatment-resistant depression centre was highly suggestive.
>The old, original TCA OCD med?
Yes.
>One of the few meds I couldn't tolerate for more than a few days, I believe.
What side effects did you have? Do have any idea what dose you started treatment at?
Ed.
Posted by TomV on February 15, 2005, at 21:20:14
In reply to Re: Doc switching me to Lex after Celexa failure » TomV, posted by ed_uk on February 14, 2005, at 14:05:18
> Hi Tom,
>
> >Yes, I'm worried about side effects and long term health effects (movement disorders, thyroid, diabetes risk of new AP's, etc).
>
> If you tried a new drug and obtained great benefit, you might be willing to accept the risks. If you obtained little or no benefit, you could discontinue the medication after a few weeks. Most of the serious side effects occur after long-term use. Less commonly, serious side effects can occur after short-term use though, as I'm sure you know.I guess I'm worried most about a serious side effect developing that may not reverse (i.e a movement disorder), or that I find something that works and I'm forced to give it up because of some serious health issue.
> >> What country do you live in btw?
> >USA
>
> Lol, I thought so! The existence of a local treatment-resistant depression centre was highly suggestive.
>The real laugher was being fired by my Pdoc because she couldn't help me... that is one scary thought!
> >The old, original TCA OCD med?
>
> Yes.
>
> >One of the few meds I couldn't tolerate for more than a few days, I believe.
>
> What side effects did you have? Do have any idea what dose you started treatment at?
>Typical TCA side effects, complete mental fog, constipation, etc. I wasn't taking very much or for very long, but it was too difficult to get over the hump.
Thanks Ed,
Tom
>
Posted by ed_uk on February 16, 2005, at 7:20:21
In reply to Re: Doc switching me to Lex after Celexa failure » ed_uk, posted by TomV on February 15, 2005, at 21:20:14
Hi,
>The real laugher was being fired by my Pdoc because she couldn't help me... that is one scary thought!
I really think you should accept the referal, you can't be sure what they'd suggest unless you go. Btw, are you interested in 'alternative' treatments, perhaps Larry Hoover would be able to help- you could ask for help on the alternative board.
Best of luck,
Ed.
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