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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Sapphira on December 23, 2003, at 12:54:44
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
hi all, i had my six week check-up last week and my Dr. was very pleased with my progress. i'm only taking 5 mg at this point and she said to continue with it as i am very sensitive to meds. she said that maybe the 5 is all i will ever need but to increase it if i feel it is necessary. i told her about the horrible s/es i had and that they have all disappeared now. i feel a bit 'punk' right before my period, but she said that that is normal even with the lex.
as a side note, by BP is up (moderately) BUT it was up before i started the lex, so she told me it is most likely related to stress, the fact that i've gained 12 pounds since last spring or heredity as my mom has it and my daddy did too. she did not put me on meds yet, but is waiting to see if it will come down once i start jazz dancing again and lose the weight. i quit dancing when the depression hit.
holiday hugs to all of you. i never would have stuck it out with the lex if it weren't for your encouragement.
happy holidays,
sapphira
Posted by LynneDa on December 23, 2003, at 12:59:45
In reply to My six week check-up, posted by Sapphira on December 23, 2003, at 12:54:44
Hi Sapphira - Congratulations on your good check-up! Sounds like things are going well for you on the Lex. You're right, the support here is wonderful. Happy Holidays to you too!
~ Lynne
Posted by tiredman on December 23, 2003, at 14:13:31
In reply to Once more into the breech my friends..., posted by tiredman on December 19, 2003, at 14:05:04
I feel sooo bad. When it was working I felt good but the higher dose just doesn't seem to be working. Just in time for Christmas. It's so hard to be all happy for my kids and feel like crying. Christmas shopping was torture. I can't wait until it's all over. Maybe the Lex will kick in by then.
-Tiredman
>
> First, let me say thanks to all that contribute to this forum. I don't post very much, but I do continue to read.
>
> I started Lex about two months ago. I started at 2.5 mg because I am sensitive to meds. I felt good for a few days and then it stopped working. I increased my dose to 5. It worked for about a week and then stopped. Then 7.5 , 10, and 15. Each increase lasted longer. At fifteen I had been feeling good for more then two weeks. I thought I had it made but it pooped out a few days ago. My pdoc says that she has not seen this before. I seem to metabolize Lex very fast. I just upped it to 20 and am waiting for it to kick in.
>
> I feel terrible. Not just because I am depressed, but because I will always know that it's just a matter of time before the lex stops working. Even worse, it's without a warning. I went to my company Christmas party last night. It was OK while I was stuffing my face, but when I watched people on the dance floor I suddenly felt very, very sad. Like I was never going to be allowed a good time again.
>
> My wife and I are both suffering from a trauma and maybe we will always feel this way. I sure was hopeful when it seemed that lex was going to work for me. I know that for some people anti-depressants stop working after a period of years but have any
> of you had this problem with lex?
>
> Thanks!
> tiredman
Posted by Bill LL on December 23, 2003, at 15:18:37
In reply to Re: Upping my Lex dosage - nervous! » LynneDa, posted by Esmarelda on December 23, 2003, at 10:29:11
You take 20 mg Lexapro? that's nothin. I take 30, and doing very well. Some take 40.
Posted by Esmarelda on December 23, 2003, at 15:25:24
In reply to Re: Upping my Lex dosage - nervous!, posted by Bill LL on December 23, 2003, at 15:18:37
That's good to know in case I need to go up in the future. I think it's a great drug.
Posted by Journeyman on December 23, 2003, at 16:12:48
In reply to Re: Upping my Lex dosage - nervous! » nemo kitty, posted by LynneDa on December 23, 2003, at 10:33:31
LynneDa:
Your postings here are a wonderful addition to the site. They're supportive, encouraging, honest, and helpful. Thanks for all you add.
Now, I would like to venture to encourage you. You wrote that you would like to get to that point where you feel like your old self and can cope and handle life without anger or sadness...I wish you a world of luck in your pursuit of happiness and contentment, but it would be good for us to remember that sadness and anger are essential emotions that are as vital to our wellbeing as happiness and joy. We experience them because they are good barometers of our mental health.
While all of us who read/write on this bulletin board have had more than our share of feeling sad and angry, they are healthy responses to many of life's situations.
I dont' wish to sound patronizing - I just don't want you to set yourself up, thinking that as long as you are having those feelings, you're somehow not normal or okay. Based on your postings, you're obviously a compassionate, caring, and nurturing individual.
Have a wonderful day LynneDa. You really are an important part of this community.
Richard
Posted by Journeyman on December 23, 2003, at 16:25:00
In reply to Symptoms, posted by Forbidden on December 23, 2003, at 10:50:42
Forbidden,
Given everything you've gone through in the last year, it's no wonder you're stressed out. After the loss of a loved one, moving is the highest event on the stress scale. You've also gotten married (huge adjustment). Add to that mix the fact you have an infant ( = sleep deprivation, a whole new identity adjustment, an enormous new responsibility, potential new conflicts with your spouse over raising your daughter, etc.) and the fact that you've not only left your old job but are starting a new business - man, your stress level is literally off the charts!
Seems quite natural that you'd obsess about your health. It's probably your subconscious rubbing up next to the latent realization that you've got two other people depending on you now (one of them, whose very life depends on you).
If you're not getting regular exercise, eating well, and seeing a therapist, these options might be helpful to get you through what is clearly a year of herculean emotional/physical output.
All the best with your journey.
Journeyman
Posted by Journeyman on December 23, 2003, at 16:32:25
In reply to My six week check-up, posted by Sapphira on December 23, 2003, at 12:54:44
Hi Sapphira:
Hope your trip to AZ over Thanksgiving went well. Am glad too that your 6-week checkup went well.
Have a wonderful Christmas and give yourself the gift of doing 30 minutes of jazz dance. You'll feel better and it will burn off probably 300-400 calories.
I'll do a little jazz move to your continued progress.
Journeyman
Posted by COOP on December 23, 2003, at 18:01:39
In reply to Upping my Lex dosage - nervous! » Esmarelda, posted by LynneDa on December 23, 2003, at 9:55:11
I went from 10 to 20mg. The 20 did a job on me so I tried 10 am and 10 pm. It still had bad Se on me so I cut one pill in half and took 15mg in the morning. The SE were less and only took a week to get use to it. I decided on staying with 15mg since it got the job done. I am in my 7th week and feeling pretty good most of the time.
Joel> Hi! I've been on 10mg of Lex for 2 months and am not feeling as good as I'd like, depression-wise -altho anxiety is gone. My p-doc gave me scrip for 20 mg. I am nervous about s/e's starting again so I think I'll wait til after Christmas day.
>
> But, my question is, what about taking 10mg in the a.m. and then 10 mg in p.m. Has anyone tried that while upping their dose? How bad are the s/e's while you up your dose?
>
> Thanks!!
> ~ Lynne
Posted by Forbidden on December 23, 2003, at 18:37:01
In reply to Re: Symptoms » Forbidden, posted by Journeyman on December 23, 2003, at 16:25:00
Strange, when I see someone else type all of the stuff I have/had going on, it seems to all of a sudden make sense.. :)
Thanks for the encouragement, Journeyman - it is much appreciated. I am very glad that I found this board, it sure beats looking up brain tumor symptoms on other websites... :))
Posted by Mrs C. on December 23, 2003, at 21:23:04
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro?, posted by Kim B. on December 23, 2003, at 6:51:24
> Anyone out there notice an increase in their anxiety when starting Lex? I am going on week 2 on 5mg and my panic attacks are almost daily, is this normal? Will they subside eventually? Any suggestions to help me in the meantime?
Hi, Yes my anxiety was increased when I first began taking lex. It has gotten much better since about my 4th week on lex. Hang in there and you will see results. Good luck.
Posted by Mrs C. on December 23, 2003, at 21:32:27
In reply to Symptoms, posted by Forbidden on December 23, 2003, at 10:50:42
> Hi all, I am new to this board. I have recently been prescribed Lexapro - on my 6th day now.
>
> My major symptom is being lightheaded, it' almost constant now and has lasted for about 8 months (2 weeks after my baby girl was born!). I went and had a physical, all was normal. Ever since this started I began almost obsessing about my health, thinking I haved a brain tumor, etc..... I am constantly reading about symptoms, etc and waiting for new symptoms to pop up - it reallly interferes w/ daily life.
>
> This past year my wife and I have gotten married, had a baby, sold our house, bought another house, changed jobs and started a new company.
>
> I guess what I am asking is anyone else feeling like I am, and do you think the Lexapro can help?
>
> Thanks in advance.Oh my gosh you sound just like me! I was not feeling light headed, I was feeling nervous all the time. I constantly worried about symptoms I was having. I've imagined cancer of just about every body organ, lupus, heart problems, you name it I've imagined thatI've had it. I would spend hours looking through medical books, internet searching, etc. Lex has helped tremendously with this and I feel like a new person. Less anxious, less irritated by life's challenges and much happier. I still have some bad days but nothing like before. I have been on lex for about 2 months! Keep with it and I hope you feel better soon. Please keep me posted because it is so comforting to chat with someone else who has felt like me.
>
Posted by jane47 on December 24, 2003, at 5:59:17
In reply to Re: Symptoms, posted by Mrs C. on December 23, 2003, at 21:32:27
> > Hi all, I am new to this board. I have recently been prescribed Lexapro - on my 6th day now.
> >
> > My major symptom is being lightheaded, it' almost constant now and has lasted for about 8 months (2 weeks after my baby girl was born!). I went and had a physical, all was normal. Ever since this started I began almost obsessing about my health, thinking I haved a brain tumor, etc..... I am constantly reading about symptoms, etc and waiting for new symptoms to pop up - it reallly interferes w/ daily life.
> >
> > This past year my wife and I have gotten married, had a baby, sold our house, bought another house, changed jobs and started a new company.
> >
> > I guess what I am asking is anyone else feeling like I am, and do you think the Lexapro can help?
> >
> > Thanks in advance.
>
> Oh my gosh you sound just like me! I was not feeling light headed, I was feeling nervous all the time. I constantly worried about symptoms I was having. I've imagined cancer of just about every body organ, lupus, heart problems, you name it I've imagined thatI've had it. I would spend hours looking through medical books, internet searching, etc. Lex has helped tremendously with this and I feel like a new person. Less anxious, less irritated by life's challenges and much happier. I still have some bad days but nothing like before. I have been on lex for about 2 months! Keep with it and I hope you feel better soon. Please keep me posted because it is so comforting to chat with someone else who has felt like me.
> >
>
> Happy holidays all. I too thought my kids were going to die, that I might have cancer and I was looking at the worst case senario possible in every situation. Lex (10mg) helped me sooo much. I am going on week 9 and those thoughts have subsided. I enjoy life instead of obsessing about death. All side effects have subsided although I don't sleep well without trazadone. Have a peaceful and happy holiday.
....Jane
Posted by Neatfreak on December 24, 2003, at 6:35:09
In reply to Re: Symptoms, posted by Forbidden on December 23, 2003, at 18:37:01
This is my 13th day on Lexapro, my days seem to alternate between feeling near normal and the way I feel today. At least if I am on shcedule Christmas day should be ok
Posted by LynneDa on December 24, 2003, at 9:17:22
In reply to For LynneDa, posted by Journeyman on December 23, 2003, at 16:12:48
Richard - Thank you so much for your message . . . it gave me warm fuzzy feelings all over :-). You are right and not at all patronizing! I definitely don't want to eliminate all negative emotions - I'm sort of a drama queen and have always lived off my emotions, for better or worse. I just want to be able to control them a bit more and not feel controlled by them.
I used to be a very Pollyanna, rose-colored glasses person - a bit naive, too, but I liked the world I lived in, no harm really came to me from it! Now, I'm so negative and dark and cynical. I'm sure some of that is just getting older (I'm 40, divorced, re-married). But I want that lightness back!
Maybe that's why I'm nervous about upping my dosage - my expectations may be a little out of line. I discussed this a bit with my p-doc and he said just try it and see what happens!
Thanks again for your thoughtful advice . . . it is truly appreciated!! Have a wonderful holiday. I wish all of you the very best life can give you!!!
~ Lynne
Posted by LynneDa on December 24, 2003, at 9:50:26
In reply to Lexapro side effects ?, posted by Neatfreak on December 24, 2003, at 6:35:09
Neatfreak - Something about your post tickled me - about being on schedule for Christmas!! I'm sorry you're feeling poorly today. I do the same thing though, hoping the meds will be there for me during certain times. Hang in there, it will level out. Are you taking the Lex at the same time every day? Maybe you will need to up your dose a tad if it seems so uneven. Just remember, you won't feel like this forever!!!
Happy Holidays!
~ Lynne
Posted by LynneDa on December 24, 2003, at 9:51:58
In reply to Re: How do I do this?, posted by bruce_w6 on December 24, 2003, at 9:47:08
Bruce - post your message on the psycho-babble administration section and someone there (Dr. Bob himself?) will answer your question. I honestly don't know myself! Good luck!
~ Lynne
Posted by Neatfreak on December 24, 2003, at 12:23:01
In reply to Re: Lexapro side effects ?, posted by LynneDa on December 24, 2003, at 9:50:26
You know I try to take it at the same time but I never do, guess i need a bell or alarm clock to set. You seem to know how to work with your problems I will get there. My dose is 10mg and there is about 1 month before I go back to work
Thanks and you have a good Holiday
Posted by Scribbler on December 24, 2003, at 14:11:28
In reply to Re: My six week check-up » Sapphira, posted by Journeyman on December 23, 2003, at 16:32:25
Greetings, Journeyman -- I'm the one who went to AZ over Thanksgiving and it was a great trip. No problems flying or dealing with relatives; everything was fine. Getting along wonderfully with Lexapro at 10 weeks and so relieved to be more relaxed...occasionally need 2.5 mg of Valium to deal with especially anxious moments but that's becoming less often, sometimes just a reaction to my old habit of depending on that to carry me through.
Happy Holidays to all who helped me get this far! I like this "new me," and could not have found her without your encouragement. May we all have a wonderful, peaceful New Year.
Posted by Forbidden on December 24, 2003, at 18:23:23
In reply to Re: Symptoms, posted by Mrs C. on December 23, 2003, at 21:32:27
Yes, it is good to hear from people in similar situations - that's for sure!
Every little symptom I get - upset stomach, lightheaded, etc.... I assume the worst, and go look it up on the Internet. This is a BIG mistake, because doing that can scare you even more - it's a horrible cycle.
I am on day 7 now of lex, and I think I am feeling a bit better, but still freak out sometimes.
Posted by Neatfreak on December 25, 2003, at 9:59:52
In reply to Re: Symptoms, posted by Forbidden on December 24, 2003, at 18:23:23
This is day 14 on Lexapro 10 mg, and somewhere beneath this fog of depression I see a ray of light
Posted by Sapphira on December 25, 2003, at 10:44:36
In reply to Re: My six week check-up » Journeyman, posted by Scribbler on December 24, 2003, at 14:11:28
thanks, scribbler, for clearing that up. i know i didn't go to AZ, but it would have been nice.
i haven't been posting lately as all of a sudden i quit getting posts. i had to confirm my e-mail addy and sort of re-register.
anyway, here i am. holding my own. i'm thinking that after the holidays i'll up my dosage to 7.5. life is too darn stressful. if it's not my mother, it's my husband!! when is someone going to take care of me!!??? instead i seem to be the caregiver and the person that is relied upon to be there. it's not easy.
hope everyone is enjoying their day.
sapphira
Posted by KathrynLex on December 25, 2003, at 15:40:51
In reply to Re: Lexapro side effects ? » LynneDa, posted by Neatfreak on December 24, 2003, at 12:23:01
I have found that it really helps to take lex at the same time every day. I still experience some weird side effects, but at least I know when they are going to hit me. For example, I know that 2 hrs after I take the drug is when I'll begin to feel light headed and that lasts for about an hour etc...
Posted by KathrynLex on December 25, 2003, at 15:44:01
In reply to Re: Symptoms, posted by Forbidden on December 24, 2003, at 18:23:23
I'm on day 6 of 10 mg of Lex and have found that I still freak out a little bit too. From reading other posts it sounds like that goes away within a couple of weeks. It sounds like such a long time to wait, but I keep trying to tell myself that the time will fly by!
Posted by BobYuma on December 25, 2003, at 18:06:31
In reply to Fog, posted by Neatfreak on December 25, 2003, at 9:59:52
> This is day 14 on Lexapro 10 mg, and somewhere beneath this fog of depression I see a ray of light
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Hello, Neatfreak.
I read what you wrote three times, and it became a greater joy each time I read it.
I'm on day 21 with Lexapro, and you can trust that the fog of depression has a very bright light beneath it.
My sincere hopes that your brighter days will arrive very, very soon.
BobYuma
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