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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jessers11581 on March 22, 2005, at 16:46:15
So get this. My doctor had one of his nurses leave an urgent message on my cell phone requesting that I call the clinic. When I did, she said that he would like to urge me NOT to make the icrease to 20 mg. of Lexapro and to remain at 10 mg. (I was actually taking 15, but he didn't know that). He seems to be spooked by something. Why would he reccommend that I do this? During my last appointment, I was complaining a great deal about extreme apathy, low sex drive, and various other SSRI side effects that I CAN'T FREAKING STAND. So maybe he thinks that this will help? Anyway, I took 10 mg. last night just to see. This is what I'm experiencing today: mild "zappiness", difficulty concentrating, spinning thoughts, minor forgetfulness (which is fairly normal for me), obsessive picking and chewing, and tension (in head and jaws). HOWEVER, I also feel like I have more motivation, more impulse control (particularly over eating sugar), more energy, and a slight increase in libido. Of course, it's also a sunny day, and I always do better on sunny days. But anyway, what do you guys think? I have an appointment to see an actual psychiatrist on the 28th (I haven't been to one in over 2 years). So I'll be really interested to see what she thinks about Lexapro. Is it possible that the more negative effects that I'm experiencing right now will subside as my body adjusts to the lower dose? Because I'd really LIKE to be on a lower dose and would love to be able to function at 10 mg. I don't know. I feel very confused right now. I'm sure this message is very disjointed, much like my mind is at the current moment. Oh well! Any input?
Posted by ed_uk on March 22, 2005, at 17:04:07
In reply to lowering the Lexapro--10 mg., posted by jessers11581 on March 22, 2005, at 16:46:15
Hi J,
>extreme apathy, low sex drive...
Since these may be side effects, you may feel better on a lower dose.
Like I said, 20mg Lex would probably prevent you from having any withdrawal symtoms from the Celexa HOWEVER if you've been having side effects it may be in your best interests to decrease- this might be better in the long run.
If I were you, I'd stay at 15mg until the withdrawal symptoms resolve (zaps etc) -and then I'd reduce to 10mg. What do you think?
Ed.
Posted by Chris O on March 22, 2005, at 17:24:30
In reply to lowering the Lexapro--10 mg., posted by jessers11581 on March 22, 2005, at 16:46:15
An urgent call for increasing Lexapro 5mg? Sounds bizarre to me. For me (and I don't know all of your symptoms, so take this with a grain of salt), I found Lexapro to be very, very weak. An increase of 5mg would do little, if anything, for my anxiety and panic. It was only at the highest dose--40mg, that I experienced some benefit. At 10mg, it was just, like, barely working. I didn't have any sexual side effects from Lexapro, even at 40mg, while I did with Celexa at 20mg (anorgasmia, deadening of sexual interest). I would think a higher dose of Lexapro would make the withdrawal zappiness go away, but..that's just me. My sense is that...your doctor doesn't have enough experience with these meds...a psychiatrist would definitely be a better bet. Regular doctors, in my experience with anti-depressants, many times, they are prescribing from limited working knowledge.
Anyway, hope that helps.
Chris
Posted by Phillipa on March 22, 2005, at 17:44:36
In reply to Re: lowering the Lexapro--10 mg. » jessers11581, posted by Chris O on March 22, 2005, at 17:24:30
Sounds like the "brain zaps" that occurr when you withdraw from an AD. This happened when I took paxil and started to cut down. My regular doc said to take the full dose which was only l0mg and then to gradually cut down. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by jessers11581 on March 22, 2005, at 18:34:39
In reply to Re: lowering the Lexapro--10 mg., posted by Phillipa on March 22, 2005, at 17:44:36
Thank you all for your responses. I think I may have to move back up to the 15 mg. dose. I just feel kindof...I don't know. Awkward. Does anybody ever get that when they're either low on serotonin or trying to wean off an SSRI? I'm having trouble communicating and interacting with people (even my boyfriend!). And I feel like I'm dyslexic everytime I write anything because I keep getting letters switched around. Or I leave out words, etc. It's like, I just can't think straight or something. Is this typical? Will it go away eventually? I think I'd rather have the side effects than have to deal with my mind not functioning up to par. Anyway, that's my input. Thanks again!
Posted by Chris O on March 22, 2005, at 18:40:02
In reply to Re: lowering the Lexapro--10 mg., posted by jessers11581 on March 22, 2005, at 18:34:39
Jessers:
I don't want to assume too much because I don't know all of your symptoms. But could what you're experiencing just be the result of anxiety/panic?
I know my anxiety produces a myriad of symptoms, basically anything goes when it comes to my GAD and panic. I've produced every kind of physical symptom imaginable. That's one of the reasons I hate this disease so much...I can never tell if something's really wrong with me or not! Anyway, when I weaned off Lexapro, the brain shocks definitely made me feel "off" for a while. That sounds like what you are experiencing.Good luck,
Chris> Thank you all for your responses. I think I may have to move back up to the 15 mg. dose. I just feel kindof...I don't know. Awkward. Does anybody ever get that when they're either low on serotonin or trying to wean off an SSRI? I'm having trouble communicating and interacting with people (even my boyfriend!). And I feel like I'm dyslexic everytime I write anything because I keep getting letters switched around. Or I leave out words, etc. It's like, I just can't think straight or something. Is this typical? Will it go away eventually? I think I'd rather have the side effects than have to deal with my mind not functioning up to par. Anyway, that's my input. Thanks again!
Posted by jessers11581 on March 22, 2005, at 20:47:54
In reply to Could it just be anxiety/panic? » jessers11581, posted by Chris O on March 22, 2005, at 18:40:02
Chris--I think that this definitely has something to do with it. Have you ever convinced yourself that there was something seriously physically wrong with you, like that you had some illness or disease? I'm constantly trying to explain my symptoms (which are often quite physical in nature) by assuming that I have candidiasis, or a toxic liver, or parasites, or mercury poisoning from my metal fillings, you name it. It just never ends. I'm a SEVERE hypochondiac...or am I? I know exactly what you mean about never knowing if there's really something wrong. It absolutely sucks and it's wasted a LOT of my time and money. And I'm still not sure that there ISN'T something physically wrong. It's extremely frustrating. But anyhow, I'm definitely going to go back to 15 mg. tonight and see how that goes. Thanks for your support! :)
> Jessers:
>
> I don't want to assume too much because I don't know all of your symptoms. But could what you're experiencing just be the result of anxiety/panic?
> I know my anxiety produces a myriad of symptoms, basically anything goes when it comes to my GAD and panic. I've produced every kind of physical symptom imaginable. That's one of the reasons I hate this disease so much...I can never tell if something's really wrong with me or not! Anyway, when I weaned off Lexapro, the brain shocks definitely made me feel "off" for a while. That sounds like what you are experiencing.
>
> Good luck,
> Chris
>
> > Thank you all for your responses. I think I may have to move back up to the 15 mg. dose. I just feel kindof...I don't know. Awkward. Does anybody ever get that when they're either low on serotonin or trying to wean off an SSRI? I'm having trouble communicating and interacting with people (even my boyfriend!). And I feel like I'm dyslexic everytime I write anything because I keep getting letters switched around. Or I leave out words, etc. It's like, I just can't think straight or something. Is this typical? Will it go away eventually? I think I'd rather have the side effects than have to deal with my mind not functioning up to par. Anyway, that's my input. Thanks again!
>
>
Posted by Phillipa on March 22, 2005, at 21:00:25
In reply to Re: Could it just be anxiety/panic?, posted by jessers11581 on March 22, 2005, at 20:47:54
Sounds a little like my OCD. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Chris O on March 23, 2005, at 1:58:03
In reply to Re: Could it just be anxiety/panic?, posted by jessers11581 on March 22, 2005, at 20:47:54
<Have you ever convinced yourself that there was something seriously physically wrong with you, like that you had some illness or disease?>
Oh, gosh, this is like the story of my life. I've probably imagined I had every kind of disease since I was little. Cancer, heart attack, liver toxicity, kidney failure, ruptured disk, infection in limb leading to amputation, eisonmyalgia syndrome (from l-typtophan), tumor, blah, blah, blah, it just goes on and on. And for me, if it's not physical, then it becomes spiritual. Or then it becomes economic. I know that, for me, the root of my GAD is a complete, or a profound feeling of insecurity growing up around my mom. That and the fact that she "rewarded me" emotionally for being sick, dependant. The worst part of this is...I have exposed myself to so much unnecessary radiation from x-rays from testing my worries. However, I have had enough "real health problems" to always keep me thinking in the back of my mind, "Is this real or is it my GAD?" A safe bet is it's my GAD, but...my mind usually, subconsciously, does not go in that direction. It's like it was programmed into me and subverts my will. I continue to hope and to do my best. I probably should be some med all the time, but I just hate meds so much...I worry that they hurt my body even more than my worrying. So, all I can say is: Oh, the friggin' joys of an anxiety disorder.
Sincerely,
Chris
Posted by jessers11581 on March 23, 2005, at 6:47:02
In reply to Oh, the joys of an anxiety disorder! » jessers11581, posted by Chris O on March 23, 2005, at 1:58:03
Posted by jessers11581 on March 23, 2005, at 6:49:45
In reply to Re: Could it just be anxiety/panic?, posted by Phillipa on March 22, 2005, at 21:00:25
> Sounds a little like my OCD. Fondly, Phillipa
Yeah, I definitely have OCD as well as GAD. I'm sure it's a combination of both.
This is the end of the thread.
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