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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by galkeepinon on September 22, 2003, at 19:39:04
In reply to Re: Refreshing ahhhhhhhhh .... more to go....... » galkeepinon, posted by lil' jimi on September 22, 2003, at 19:20:31
> .... and _you_ have reminded _me_ to drink some more water ... ... !!
>
> so .....
>
> Here's to Lexapro!
> Hip! Hip!...................
...............
HOORAYYYYYYYYYY!!! Ha lol :-)
Posted by BLKVETTES on September 22, 2003, at 19:42:36
In reply to Excellent !! How's it taste ? :-):-) 8^) (nm) » galkeepinon, posted by lil' jimi on September 22, 2003, at 16:33:14
ALL WATER POSTS SHOULD BE REDIRECTED TO HA! I LOVE MY WATER HA! PHYCHO BABBLE LINK!!!!!!!
Posted by lil' jimi on September 22, 2003, at 20:35:56
In reply to Re: Excellent !! How's it taste ? :-):-) 8^), posted by BLKVETTES on September 22, 2003, at 19:42:36
Posted by lil' jimi on September 22, 2003, at 20:37:49
In reply to Re: Refreshing ahhhhhhhhh .... more to go....... » lil' jimi, posted by galkeepinon on September 22, 2003, at 19:39:04
Posted by galkeepinon on September 22, 2003, at 20:54:35
In reply to Hip ! Hip !! (nm) » galkeepinon, posted by lil' jimi on September 22, 2003, at 20:37:49
Posted by KimberlyDi on September 23, 2003, at 15:17:46
In reply to Re: Olfactory side effects? » Akman, posted by PHV on September 22, 2003, at 0:07:41
SSRI's sweating through your pores?
Hey, what's odd to me is that sometimes I smell the "stale cigarette" odor. But what's worse, my husband has accused me of either starting smoking or having an affair with someone who does. I don't and I haven't!!! But it's been a mystery to me!
KDi in Texas
> > I've been taking Lexapro for about 3 weeks and recently began experiencing a pervasive, hallucinatory smell of stale cigars (and I don't smoke either!) Before I start looking elsewhere for an explanation I thought I would ask if anyone else has experienced any olfactory side effects from taking Lexapro.
>
>
> Have you ever been a cigar smoker - or around other cigar smokers? The reason I ask, is that I seem to smell cigarette smoke fairly frequently recently- when no one is smoking around me. I gave up cig smoking years ago - but seem to be especially sensitive to its scent. I sometimes smell it in my house - when no one is smoking. Interesting to see if they might be related. Thanks for posting and good luck. I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks.
>
> Patty
>
Posted by Peter on September 23, 2003, at 19:22:36
In reply to Re: Lexapro side effects switching, posted by Luziluna on April 29, 2003, at 13:50:30
Hi all:
Just thought I'd touch base with all you fellow lexapro takers. Today was day 18 total (the first 6 days of treatment I took 5mg and then increased to 10mg on day 7, so it's been 12 days on 10mg).
The first 2 weeks I was seriously considering giving up because of all these crazy, sporadic, unexpected, severe SE's that would pop up out of the blue - feeling cold and flu-like, lethargy, 'mopey' disposition, dysphoria, irritability, stomach upset, urinary frequency, and the list goes on.
Even now I have not yet noticed any beneficial, therapeutic effects, but I'm just still holding on and remembering that a lot of you said it took 4-8 weeks to kick in. I was really considering throwing in the towel, purging my system for a while, and trying out an MAOI anti-depressant, which I've been considering for about a year now since it's been 8 years of one unsuccesful med 'cocktail' after the next (and the MAOI's seem to be the only class of drugs I've never tried for my depression/anxiety/ADHD.
But, I figured, even though I haven't had great succeses with the other SSRI's in the past, this one might really end up helping me if I just stick with it; and I want to thank you guys for encouraging side-effect riddled people like me to push on through with the med.
Another thing that helped my decision to stick with it for a few more weeks is that, after speaking with my pdoc today, we found that it's very possible that the other meds I'm taking - adderall and klonopin - are each, in their own ways, possibly hindering me from feeling tangible benefits from the lexapro, and the adderall especially could be worsening the lex SE's. I've used SSRI's + Stims together in the past with some success, but this is different; there's some wierd synergy for me between the lex and my moderate/high adderall dose (40mg); the adderall in itself acts sort of like a mood-dampener for me at higher doses; I believe it also gives me a whole slew of its own SE's, which are dort of unique in my case-intense back pains, zombie-like mood, social avoidance, exacerbation of depression. My pdoc said that it seems like the adderall is only beneficial for me (better focus and alertness) at LOWER doses. So he's having me decrease down to 30mg over the next week. He's also having me decrease my 3mg klonopin - I never took this much klonopin, but he told me to increase it up to 3mg about a month ago due to acute anxiety. Now, however, it's possible that the 2 daytime doses are putting a further 'dampener' on my mood and masking possible lex benefits. So he said I might notice an improvement over the next week from just decreasing those two other meds and sticking with the 10mg lex.
Finally, my doc said that my always feeling cold and flu-like is more likely because I AM ill - like I really do have a virus or bug, rather than it being intolerable SE's from the lex. Although this sucks, it's another reason why I dont have to just throw in the towel on the lex after having come this far.
Wish me luck! I need it(o:
I feel like crap, but not too much to say thanks for always being there, guys.
Peter
Posted by theo on September 23, 2003, at 20:08:27
In reply to UPDATE-gonna keep holding on, but need support, posted by Peter on September 23, 2003, at 19:22:36
I'm on my fourth day of taking 2.5mg of Lex with my Wellbutrin XL. From what you've experienced or read is this enough time to increase to 5mg? So far no side effects except a feel a little goofy off and on but no nausea and tiredness at all like before when I started at 10mg like the prescribing info says. Was kind of wondering what the usual gap between upping dose is.
Posted by Arrianna on September 23, 2003, at 20:32:19
In reply to UPDATE-gonna keep holding on, but need support, posted by Peter on September 23, 2003, at 19:22:36
Peter:
So glad to hear that you've decided to stick with the Lexapro and give it a chance!! You're almost there. Good for you.
I hope the changes of your med. doses will help with the side effects, and offer you the benefits of Lexapro. You've come a long way, so just keep on hanging in there.
Good Luck!
Arrianna
Posted by Arrianna on September 23, 2003, at 20:41:19
In reply to Re: Lexapro kicking in, posted by sussus on September 19, 2003, at 9:05:04
sus:
Wow! You've had alot of huge changes in your life! Exciting, yet scary, it sounds. Hopefully, the depression will lift for you as well as your anxiety.
Take it easy and keep us updated on the Lexapro.
Hoping this passes for you,
Arrianna
Posted by lil' jimi on September 23, 2003, at 21:06:22
In reply to lil' jimi, posted by theo on September 23, 2003, at 20:08:27
hi Ted,
your Wellbutrin - Lexapro combo is (as you know) beyond my experience and reading ... ... so, honestly, my guesses are pretty worthless ... ... just so long as you know
... ... here's my guesses anyway ...... i'd guess that your intuition is pretty close to right ... i'd want you to stay at a dosage for a week at least for your system to adapt ... ...
... However, it's my suspicion that Wellbutrin has already supported your NTs (dopamine, norepineprine and serotonin) to the point of providing protection, or cushion, or insulation against the initial SSRI SEs ...... but i'm just guessing ... ... your intuition, your internal sensibilities, can be a more accurate guide ... than anything i can offer ...
... so despite my lexapro-only trepidations ...
... ("Always:: start low and go slow!") ...
... i have more confidence in your assessment and feel like you can reasonably up your dose more quickly ... ... ... than i would anyway ...hope this was helpful ...
take care !
~ jim
Posted by lil' jimi on September 23, 2003, at 21:10:07
In reply to I'll double your one drink with 8 ;) hip hip hoora (nm), posted by galkeepinon on September 22, 2003, at 20:54:35
Posted by lil' jimi on September 23, 2003, at 21:52:52
In reply to UPDATE-gonna keep holding on, but need support, posted by Peter on September 23, 2003, at 19:22:36
just to reinforce Arrianna's encouragements here ...
you have been through heck there and it is admirable that you're commiting yourself to try to tough it out to get through the SEs so lex can get a chance ... way good ...
... but boy howdy are your combo's partners some heavy hitters there ... i can just see the adderall going round with the klonopin ... ... i can only envision the neurochemical tension on your CNS from having the Amphetamine pulling you one way and the Benzodiazepine pulling the opposite direction ... ...
... but it sounds like your pdoc knows his or her stuff and is working to give you good treatment ...
... we should expect that decreasing the doses of the adderall and the klonopin should decrease your system's stress ... ... and then lexapro may well see daylight for you ...i'm grateful to you for posting here for us ... ... we want to hear from you, please ...
i am grateful that your med combo has offered you some benefit and that your progress is offering more hope for the future ... ...
... we can not give hope enough credit ...
TAKE CARE !!
~ jim
Posted by Arrianna on September 24, 2003, at 14:47:25
In reply to re: arrianna » Arrianna, posted by lil' jimi on September 19, 2003, at 16:41:09
Hi all!
Just wanted to let ya' all know that my weekend with my family went great-went so much better than I could have ever expected!!
I owe it all to the miracle of Lexapro and our wonderful board here. Before Lex, I had such a difficult time connecting with my family. I had incredible anxiety around my family which was a huge issue for me.
This weekend was the first time in sooooo long that I truly felt a part of and connected with my family!! It was absolutely a joy. I know it's all because of the benefits of Lex! Lexapro has allowed me to be myself and not take things (life, myself) so seriously. So, we just had a fun time laughing and joking with one another. Oh yeah, we got my grandma all moved, too, which helped to take the focus off myself for a change. Lol. I am so grateful.
Thanks again for all your support. I haven't been posting that much this week because I just started a new job on Monday. I'm really enjoying it so far, but, it's a complete schedule change for me, so I've been exhausted by the time I'm done with work. I'm wondering if now would be a sensible time to change the time of my dose from early evening to mornings. What do you think??
Anyway, glad to be back. I missed the board when I was away!!
Arrianna
Posted by MandyJane on September 24, 2003, at 15:21:54
In reply to Re: 10th week help..., posted by Doug in PA on August 23, 2003, at 19:10:11
I've been on Lexapro since March 2003. It seems to have stopped working. Or maybe I still have issues that need to be resolved that medication just won't help. I don't know. Any comments?
Posted by McPac on September 24, 2003, at 18:35:09
In reply to UPDATE-gonna keep holding on, but need support, posted by Peter on September 23, 2003, at 19:22:36
I've started Lexapro recently just like you and YES, I have definitely been very cold while on it! Hopefully that will get better soon. And these friggin Lexapro "jitters", geez, this stuff seems to cause anxiety and jitters in most folks...can't wait for that crap to wear off...what do they put in this stuff anyway?! Take care dude...I do say stick with it for awhile though, it should adjust eventually!
Posted by Peter on September 24, 2003, at 18:41:34
In reply to Hanging in there ! YEAH!! » Peter , posted by lil' jimi on September 23, 2003, at 21:52:52
Day 19 and I'm really not doing so well. Just very depressed and anxious. I don't understand this lex. Every other SSRI started working for me by the 2nd week. I don't mean to sound so impatient, but I'm just so sick of this waiting and not knowing if it will kick in at some point, or if I'm just a non-responder. And just thinking about the possibility that I won't respond at all to the lex gives me tons more anxiety and depression; I start feeling hopeless, since I've tried every med out there. And then I start thinking about how awful it will be to have to withdraw from yet another pile of medications and put my body through all that again (I've been hopping from one 'cocktail' to the next for about 8 years). I'm on vacation with my family, and I can't be pleasant around them, no matter how much I try. I think about what I'll do when I go back home to NY, and I feel hopeless. I'm a musician, but, because the majority of the last few years of my life has been spent trying to find ways to find relief from depression/anxiety, the social and occupational sides of my life have gone way downhill. I can't perform or compose anymore because of my mental illness; I've lost touch with all my friends. When is this going to end; I hate to sound so self-pitiesh and melodramatic, but when will I get my life back? Now I feel guilty for not being grateful for all that I do have, like a supporting family, a roof over my head, etc. But, you know, it's so hard to be thankful when depression/anxiety are weighing you down. I'm sure you all can relate. I'm sorry for babbling on, but I just needed to vent. It's all so frustrating.
Posted by txngrrl on September 24, 2003, at 18:58:08
In reply to Hanging in there ! YEAH!! » Peter , posted by lil' jimi on September 23, 2003, at 21:52:52
Ahhh. I have tried to conquer my anxiety now for over a year and have finally given up and went to the doctor who I have been to before, when i was younger. Anyway, I was more than willing to try this Lexapro when he prescribed it. Anyway, I got home and my ever so supporting bf is VERY against me taking this b/c he thinks anything can be overcome with willpower, but anyway, he showed me these sites where about 20 people posted that really bad things happened to them when they were taking this, including massive weight gain. Anyway, I know taht with all medications there are risks of side effects, and i was just wondering if anyone on here has had any adverse side effects that were severe and were constant. If someone would respond that'd really help me. I'm just scared now and don't really know what to do. Thanks.
~scared but willing~
Posted by Mariposa on September 24, 2003, at 20:19:26
In reply to Lexapro stop working???, posted by MandyJane on September 24, 2003, at 15:21:54
> I've been on Lexapro since March 2003. It seems to have stopped working. Or maybe I still have issues that need to be resolved that medication just won't help. I don't know. Any comments?
I started Lex end of Feb.'03. started @5mg, went to 10mg at wk.5, went to 20mg at month 5. I also experienced a feeling that Lex quit working. On both occasions my pdoc increased dose. Is it possible that a dose increase might help you too?
Best of luck!~~~8|8
Posted by Mariposa on September 24, 2003, at 20:28:50
In reply to Don't know what to do , posted by txngrrl on September 24, 2003, at 18:58:08
> Ahhh. I have tried to conquer my anxiety now for over a year and have finally given up and went to the doctor who I have been to before, when i was younger. Anyway, I was more than willing to try this Lexapro when he prescribed it. Anyway, I got home and my ever so supporting bf is VERY against me taking this b/c he thinks anything can be overcome with willpower, but anyway, he showed me these sites where about 20 people posted that really bad things happened to them when they were taking this, including massive weight gain. Anyway, I know taht with all medications there are risks of side effects, and i was just wondering if anyone on here has had any adverse side effects that were severe and were constant. If someone would respond that'd really help me. I'm just scared now and don't really know what to do. Thanks.
>
> ~scared but willing~There are a lot of people here that are doing well on Lex, myself included. I had a lot of side effects to begin with, all are gone now. If you are willing to spend a little time reading previous periods, there are a lot of *success* stories here. As far as weight gain, some people gain some lose, myself I lost 10lbs. and they never came back, I needed them off anyway.
Please do not be scared, and give it a try. I used to be one of those people that thought if you're depressed just snap out of it....until it happened to me!! It may not be possible to just snap out of a chemical imbalance!!!
Good luck to you!~~~8|8
Posted by johnny b good on September 24, 2003, at 20:56:14
In reply to Re: PAXIL toLexapro and back to Paxil, posted by leedsman on September 20, 2003, at 18:45:50
Hi Leedsman, I too have had success with Paxil. I decided to try something different after gaining some weight and problems with sexual S/E's. My doc switched me from regular Paxil to the time released variety to see if it would help with the S/E's. I had to go up 10 mgs in dose to keep the same effect. After several weeks on the time release stuff the anxiety started to creep back in. So I was switched back to regular Paxil and within a few days the problems went away. I know that the time release form of Paxil is effective or it would never have hit the market. It just didn't work in my case. I am currently in my 5th week of Lex and my doc just upped my dosage from 10mgs to 20 mgs yesterday. I have had a terrific headache for most of the day. I am looking forward to better days. Good luck with the Pax.
Posted by Shelly480 on September 25, 2003, at 2:13:06
In reply to Re: Don't know what to do » txngrrl, posted by Mariposa on September 24, 2003, at 20:28:50
Just know that you are not alone. I finally broke down and went to a Pdoc. My depression and Mania and anxiety are ruining my life. I Have been on Meds before but would stop taking them..
I have to change my life and I can't do it without meds. I know that now. My Pdoc just put me on buspar and Lithium and Lexapro. I have never heard of Lexapro before. So I came to check out what others had to say. I have only been on the regiment for 2 days now so really can't say anything good yet. Except for this one thing that just knowing I have a way to bring my life back Makes me to start feeling better..
I too am scared. But I must remember this is a one day at a time thing. If I look at it any other way then I will over whelm myself. I hope that I don't gain weight that is the last thing that I need. But if I do gain. and it gives me my life back then it will be well worth it..
Hope you find peace
Thanks
Shelly480
Posted by blkvettes on September 25, 2003, at 3:50:25
In reply to Re: Don't know what to do, posted by Shelly480 on September 25, 2003, at 2:13:06
>
>
> Just know that you are not alone. I finally broke down and went to a Pdoc. My depression and Mania and anxiety are ruining my life. I Have been on Meds before but would stop taking them..
>
> I have to change my life and I can't do it without meds. I know that now. My Pdoc just put me on buspar and Lithium and Lexapro. I have never heard of Lexapro before. So I came to check out what others had to say. I have only been on the regiment for 2 days now so really can't say anything good yet. Except for this one thing that just knowing I have a way to bring my life back Makes me to start feeling better..
>
> I too am scared. But I must remember this is a one day at a time thing. If I look at it any other way then I will over whelm myself. I hope that I don't gain weight that is the last thing that I need. But if I do gain. and it gives me my life back then it will be well worth it..
>
> Hope you find peace
> Thanks
> Shelly480Hi I noticed the lithium, were you diagnosed as bipolar or manic depression which are kind of the same in a way. TAKE CARE!!!!!!
WAYNE
Posted by mph-speedy on September 25, 2003, at 11:29:15
In reply to Don't know what to do , posted by txngrrl on September 24, 2003, at 18:58:08
> Ahhh. I have tried to conquer my anxiety now for over a year and have finally given up and went to the doctor who I have been to before, when i was younger. Anyway, I was more than willing to try this Lexapro when he prescribed it. Anyway, I got home and my ever so supporting bf is VERY against me taking this b/c he thinks anything can be overcome with willpower, but anyway, he showed me these sites where about 20 people posted that really bad things happened to them when they were taking this, including massive weight gain. Anyway, I know taht with all medications there are risks of side effects, and i was just wondering if anyone on here has had any adverse side effects that were severe and were constant. If someone would respond that'd really help me. I'm just scared now and don't really know what to do. Thanks.
>
> ~scared but willing~I say try it. I had very good experience with feeling better right away .... have been on for two months + and continue to improve. Had lost weight before Lex and have lost another 5 lbs. since being on it. I think because I overeat when I'm depressed it's had this good effect. Less craving for carbs as well. You will have to drink ALOT of water. I have been very thirsty and as a result spend a bit of time in the bathroom, but well worth it.
speedy
Posted by lil' jimi on September 25, 2003, at 11:47:44
In reply to Re: Don't know what to do, posted by Shelly480 on September 25, 2003, at 2:13:06
hi Shelly480,
> Just know that you are not alone. I finally broke down and went to a Pdoc. My depression and Mania and anxiety are ruining my life. I Have been on Meds before but would stop taking them..
>
> I have to change my life and I can't do it without meds. I know that now. My Pdoc just put me on buspar and Lithium and Lexapro. I have never heard of Lexapro before. So I came to check out what others had to say. I have only been on the regiment for 2 days now so really can't say anything good yet. Except for this one thing that just knowing I have a way to bring my life back Makes me to start feeling better..
>
> I too am scared. But I must remember this is a one day at a time thing. If I look at it any other way then I will over whelm myself. I hope that I don't gain weight that is the last thing that I need. But if I do gain. and it gives me my life back then it will be well worth it..
>
> Hope you find peace
> Thanks
> Shelly480 >i just wanted to offer my encouragement and thank you for a really great post ... ...
... for all that you are suffering, you come here to offer your support to a fellow sufferer ... this happens here alot, but it always inspires me, and i thank you for it ... ... ...
... and you have a great atitude about facing your need(s) for medication, and not just letting yourself suffer in denial ... .... that can be a HUGH first step toward getting better... good for you and good for our loved ones ...
... you are to be congratulated
... Way to Go !! ...... and on your Second Day of lexapro ?
... awesome ... because of my SEs, i couldn't do anything on my 2nd day ... except that's when i found this message board ... been a lifeline to a drowning man ... i read the whole thread ... took me weeks ... wouldn't have made it without these folks here ... ...... i have been on lexapro 6 monhts, at 10 mg the last 5 months ... ... and i _can_ say some good things about it ... ... it has helped me (depressed) and it has helped and continues to help others with depression, anxiety disorders, bp, odc ... ... anything that needs more stable serotonin levels for relief
... for me, lexapro has helped me get my neurotransmitters back on their feet
... ... so i can get on with life and not feel like everything's impossible ...you face the all too real possibility of a few weeks of side-effects as your system adapts to lexapro ... ... these can be anywhere from severe (some folks can't tolerate their SEs) to nonexistent (some folks, not many, have no SEs) ... ... then there's the wild cards: your other meds ... ... these are not wild cards in any sense of like dangerous ... i mean in the sense that i have no information about them and or their effect on your lexapro ... ... some meds are specifically for the relief of lexapro SEs
... your Buspar in particular may very well help you get through the possibility of Temporarily increased epinephrine levels (the neurotransmitter epinephrine is also know as adrenaline, and can induce anxiety) which may be brought on by the adaptaions to lexapro's SSRI-effect ... ... which is a good thing in the long run, once our serotonin levels get raised and stabilized ... ...try reading as much of this lex thread as you up to, but don't let it freak you out too much ... ... just come here (please) and let us clear up any questions you have ... .... folks here want to help ... they helped me ... now i try to help too ... ... like you have ....
please post as much as you feel like ...
... it's good for us, if it's good for you ...take care,
~ jimp.s. all the adaptaion SEs should fade as your CNS adapts to the SSRI's effects ... mine went away in 2 weeks, more typical is like maybe 4 or 5 .... .... may i ask how much of these meds are your dosages?
~ j
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