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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by KathrynLex on February 6, 2004, at 17:08:21
In reply to Re: Anyone still anxious on Lexapro? » KathrynLex, posted by sexylexy on February 6, 2004, at 16:25:31
Hi Lexy,
Thanks. I agree with you that any feedback helps.
Lexapro has helped with my general anxiety too, which has been very nice. But every once in a while something odd makes me anxious...like sitting in a movie theater or driving on the freeway. These things used to never make me anxious...but in the past year things have been different.
I moved away from my home state 2 yrs ago. While I was away my mom got cancer and a close friend of mine passed away. I was in a strange city with no support network, so I moved home several months after my friend died. But then I started getting anxious about strange things like I mentioned above, and this lead to panic attacks (a panic attack is one of the scariest things I've ever experienced and I wouldn't wish it on anyone) so I got on medication.
My pdoc said that the anxiety had also brought on depression. I hadn't really noticed it because I was so worried about everything else, but after being on lexapro I realize I had been quite depressed.
I also had a depressive episode in my mid-teens. That was when I started taking Prozac. (My father has suffered from depression for most of his life, but nobody else in my family has it.) Prozac was wonderful for me. I felt like getting out of bed again and going out with friends, classes were interesting and I stopped having mood swings. I took Prozac for 3 years. I took it for a year and half, went off for 6 months, went back on for another year and half (although it wasn't quite as effective as the first time) but then I stopped taking it again because I didn't want to be on meds my entire life.
I was off medications (and doing rather well!) for several years until I started having the panic attacks last year. Now I'm on Lexapro and it's starting to give me my life back. (Although, I'm still not up to 100%).
Now that I'm not as anxious/depressed, I plan to use lexapro as a tool to help me improve my life. I'm going to continue talk therapy, I've been exercising more and eating right, and I'm working on simplifying my life. These are additional tools I'll use to combat my anxiety/depression, and at some point in the future I won't need the lexapro anymore because I'll have so many other "tools" I can use instead. This is my goal.
Whew! What a long winded post. I hope this answers all of your questions Lexy.
Have you noticed any improvement on lex?
K.
Posted by sexylexy on February 6, 2004, at 18:43:26
In reply to Re: Anyone still anxious on Lexapro?, posted by KathrynLex on February 6, 2004, at 17:08:21
K~
You are a girl after my very own heart. I moved away from my home state two years ago as well to go to graduate school to be a clinical social worker of all things! I began my internship working in a critical care unit and doing greif counseling (like I have mentioned before, I was at one time rock hard). With the stress of working at the hospital, I began working out at 6am, I also began drinking coffee (black two cup each morning) I too began to have panic attacks (I agree the world "hell" comes to mind). For school I did a research study about coffee and panic attacks. From this I found the high correlation and discontinued coffee use, with this my panic attacks stopped. Besides that last year went off without a hitch.
When I returned to school this year, I left a boyfriend and my parents behind. I expected to be sad but started becoming depressed which came on as irritabilty, mood swings and extreme sadness. I still was alway functional, never spent the day in bed ect so I was not sure what was going on with me so I thought it was homesickness combined with a boyfriend 9 hours away in law school (again the word "hell" comes to mind). Well, then the story pretty much has to do with the birth control ect, ect. So now I am working on how to forget depression. Its not in my family nor have I ever had an episodes even though I have been though 4 major life changing events which may have brought one on.
Anyway, sorry for rambling on, its just nice to find someone to talk to about all this stuff, around my friends and family I try to act like nothing is wrong unless its really wrong.
Have a great weekend,
Lexy
Posted by sexylexy on February 6, 2004, at 19:00:47
In reply to Re: Anyone still anxious on Lexapro? » KathrynLex, posted by sexylexy on February 6, 2004, at 18:43:26
Hello All,
This is for my dear lexapro friends who are feeling *good*, *great*, *happy*, *content* and *excited about life* all the words that those of us who have ever been depressed long for.
Anyway, I believe my lex 10 mg is starting to "kick in". Today is the 1st day of week 7 for me. I just wanted to ask if anyone has experienced what I am dubbing "lexapro purgatory". The big difference that I noticed this week was that the "depression voice" you know that hateful voice inside your mind that tells you how bad everything is, has gone. This is wonderful because I feel that I am not having to "fight with myself". Please respond if this makes sense to you. Secondly that very physical feeling of sadness in my heart is mostly gone. Again this is really nice. However, I feel as though I am in purgatory, you know, not good but not bad. Better but not any of the magical words listed above.
So my question is does this happen to everyone before they start to feel good again. For 24 years my motto has been live, love, laugh be happy and serve the Lord. For the past few months it has been " I will survive". I would really like to see my motto change. Am I in transition or is this as good as it gets.
Thanks for all the support and please know that you ALL are in my prayers each night, together in prayer we can overcome depression
Lexy
Posted by Yogi on February 7, 2004, at 6:16:14
In reply to Re: Anyone happy with Lexapro for OCD?, posted by JACEY on February 5, 2004, at 15:41:19
Hi Jacey, I've had OCD for at least 33 years. I tried Paxil and Zoloft and the side effects of both were terrible and they did not help my OCD. I took Prozac 20 mg for many years and it helped me tremendously. I called it a Miracle drug. Notice I say, helped not cured. Then a few years back when my prozac got switched to generic, I noticed a difference. Although, I'm told by many that there is no significant differences in a generic drug, I beg to differ. I did have problems with the generic Prozac. It still helped my OCD though. I quit everything last October just to see how I'd be without anything. That was a big mistake. I've tried several natural alternatives and nothing is helping so far. My doctor prescribed Lexapro and I'm scared to take it. I've read a lot about it on this site. Some things are very positive but a lot of the information doesn't sound so good. It sounds all to familiar to the horrible things I experienced with Zoloft and Paxil. I'm considering one last natural treatment. That is St. Johns Wort. If it doesn't work, I'll probably go back on real Prozac and never quit. Good luck to you and your hubby. OCD is really tough. My heart goes out to others who suffer. I've read of so many people that suffer with OCD and other depressions and illnesses associated with chemical imbalances. I just wish everyone could be cured.
Posted by ednababish on February 7, 2004, at 10:45:07
In reply to Lexapro Purgatory please respond!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, posted by sexylexy on February 6, 2004, at 19:00:47
Lexy--you are on your way. That pesky voice has to shut up. It is not silenced so much as it gets quieter and then you can stop listening to it because you don't need to. Like I said, those things that really fret you stop doing it so much. Never having been a terribly happy person myself, I'm on week eight this time on Celexa/Lexapro and I've just started to feel better myself. I know it doesn't mean that unconditionally happy days are here again, but the silencing of the critical voices in my head means that I can concentrate on bigger and better things. Enjoy not having that voice--it IS a major step in your treatment.
Best of wishes and prayers for you,
Edna Babish
Posted by vandy on February 7, 2004, at 11:08:00
In reply to Lexapro Purgatory please respond!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, posted by sexylexy on February 6, 2004, at 19:00:47
You nailed it! "Lexapro Purgatory" is not being fair to Lexapro or it's being too generous to depression -- the true culprit -- but it's a fair representation of the feeling. Bless you for giving it a name so we can help others in the reference. I'm so pleased for you and your progress. Now the good news.....It Gets Better.
There's one more step before heaven but it's a good one. You'll start noticing good things. The cloud that depression generated to hide the good things in your life is one of the early victims of Lex as it melts the ice crystals from which the dark clouds are made. It's still up to you to look for the good stuff but you're much more likely to see it now. It will get progressively easier but it helps if you keep looking. Congratulations and God Bless you. Thank you very much for the prayers. You have mine as well.
> Hello All,
> This is for my dear lexapro friends who are feeling *good*, *great*, *happy*, *content* and *excited about life* all the words that those of us who have ever been depressed long for.
> Anyway, I believe my lex 10 mg is starting to "kick in". Today is the 1st day of week 7 for me. I just wanted to ask if anyone has experienced what I am dubbing "lexapro purgatory". The big difference that I noticed this week was that the "depression voice" you know that hateful voice inside your mind that tells you how bad everything is, has gone. This is wonderful because I feel that I am not having to "fight with myself". Please respond if this makes sense to you. Secondly that very physical feeling of sadness in my heart is mostly gone. Again this is really nice. However, I feel as though I am in purgatory, you know, not good but not bad. Better but not any of the magical words listed above.
> So my question is does this happen to everyone before they start to feel good again. For 24 years my motto has been live, love, laugh be happy and serve the Lord. For the past few months it has been " I will survive". I would really like to see my motto change. Am I in transition or is this as good as it gets.
> Thanks for all the support and please know that you ALL are in my prayers each night, together in prayer we can overcome depression
> Lexy
Posted by Dr. Bob on February 7, 2004, at 14:59:35
In reply to Learning Unlearning the Benefits of Depression, posted by Journeyman on February 4, 2004, at 22:31:30
> Based on my own emotional struggles, and I am now grateful for what they're teaching me, I'd like to make three suggestions for reading...
Thanks for the suggestions, but I'd like to redirect follow-ups regarding books to Psycho-Babble Books. Here's a link:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/books/20030426/msgs/310577.html
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by nottoosoupy on February 7, 2004, at 20:33:05
In reply to Re: Lexapro Purgatory please respond!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, posted by vandy on February 7, 2004, at 11:08:00
Is anyone here hypothyroid and on Lex? I have noticed a lot of people here describe being tired while taking Lex. I have found the tiredness on Lex to be very similar the tiredness I felt before I knew I was hypothyroid. I am wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience or if anyone has become hypothyroid after being on Lex. I have not yet been rechecked for my thyroid levels because I am thinking it is the Lex, not the thyroid but am interested in what you all have to say. I am very tired all the time and sleep a lot. I have been on Lexapro for a little over a month. Thanks!! I appreciate the opportunity to ask questions in a forum like this!
Posted by stay at home mom on February 7, 2004, at 20:35:11
In reply to Re: Ladies on lex. please respond!, posted by little love-bug on February 5, 2004, at 15:06:40
Hey love bug, I just stopped Remeron which I could orgasm more times that I had the energy for. But , I just started Lex 5mg 2 days ago and I was still able to get my groove on but it did take longer.
I was hoping that it was just one of those times until I read this.
I'll keep my fingers crossed ( but nothing else ) and report more later.
Posted by vandy on February 7, 2004, at 22:22:55
In reply to Hypothyroid and Lex?, posted by nottoosoupy on February 7, 2004, at 20:33:05
You raise an excellent point and one I think merits further medical investigation. I'd have my thyroid level checked. Perhaps your PCP will do you a referral under the circumstances. If I were your doc I'd sure want to know. Interaction of drugs is a question mark at best and any indication that sheds light is worth pursuing. Thanks for your vigilance and connective thinking.
> Is anyone here hypothyroid and on Lex? I have noticed a lot of people here describe being tired while taking Lex. I have found the tiredness on Lex to be very similar the tiredness I felt before I knew I was hypothyroid. I am wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience or if anyone has become hypothyroid after being on Lex. I have not yet been rechecked for my thyroid levels because I am thinking it is the Lex, not the thyroid but am interested in what you all have to say. I am very tired all the time and sleep a lot. I have been on Lexapro for a little over a month. Thanks!! I appreciate the opportunity to ask questions in a forum like this!
Posted by T34 on February 8, 2004, at 11:06:47
In reply to Re: Ladies on lex. please respond! » little love-bug, posted by stay at home mom on February 7, 2004, at 20:35:11
I have been on Lexapro for awhile and have absolutely no sex drive (desire) and am mostly anorgasmic. I am 34 yo, but was noticing a difference even before I started the Lexapro. It all began when I had children. I think some people are just blessed with more hormones that help them to maintain a healthier sexlife. Or maybe the marriage/ relationship is the key. My husband and I get along, but we definately have our stresses. Also, I had a huge sexual drive in my twenties. So age is also a factor. My point is: I don't think EVERYONE that takes Lexapro is doomed to orgasmic Hell. Maybe there are some fortunate ones who have: enough hormones, a sexy, compassionate lover, and few distractions to help them overcome the Lexapro. Enjoy, there'll be many of us envious, I'm sure.
Posted by KathrynLex on February 8, 2004, at 19:11:43
In reply to Lexapro Purgatory please respond!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, posted by sexylexy on February 6, 2004, at 19:00:47
Hi Lexy,
Are you still feeling like you're in "Lexapro Purgatory." (I like your name for it!) I know exactly what you mean. The anxiety/depression is gone and you would think that it would lead to feeling great, but it hasn't...not yet. Not for me.
I have found that there are brief moments during the day when I feel good, but it only lasts for a few minutes. I'm hoping those moments will get longer and longer until they take up my entire day! I hope you've had a good weekend. Please let us know how you're doing.
K.
Posted by sexylexy on February 8, 2004, at 21:30:56
In reply to Re: Lexapro Purgatory please respond!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, posted by KathrynLex on February 8, 2004, at 19:11:43
Hi~
Do you all feel depression more in one side of your body? I seem to feel my depression in the left side of my brain more. That is where the "depression voice" seemed to come from as well. It is also where I felt spacy when I had my hellacious 3 weeks on Zoloft, and where I had my not as severe fog on lexapro. Does anyone relate? Though most of the fog has lifted it seems as if the left side of my brain still is not as "sharp" or my memories are not as "vivid" from this side of my brain. Please tell me you all know what I am talking about.
Posted by funnybunny on February 8, 2004, at 23:24:38
In reply to left sided depression?, posted by sexylexy on February 8, 2004, at 21:30:56
i felt that way i took zoloft i felt better but felt like it only worked on one side of the brain. then my doctor put me on Effexor xr which works with 2 parts of the brain and not just 1 like zoloft lexapro etc.. so i took Effexor and i noticed a difference right away my right side of my brain and left side was great
Posted by sexylexy on February 9, 2004, at 9:28:58
In reply to Re: left sided depression?, posted by funnybunny on February 8, 2004, at 23:24:38
Hey Ya'll ,
It seems like when I first started lexapro I had a ton of questions and now that I am starting to feel a little better, the questions are a coming back in full force.
So my question today, is...(drum roll) As you all have begun to "recover" from depression, have you noticed yourself more likely to cry at things. For example, today I heard a song which made me tear up or yesterday saw a scene on TV which made me cry a little. Its a very different cry from that of the deep depression cry (you know the one that actually hurts so bad you can feel your soul break), it is a much calmer, quiet cry, almost feels like a release. So I am wondering is this a part recovery. Has anyone else felt this way, do you eventually toughen up?
PS... I know its not a PMS thing...
Thanks, love and blessings,
Lexy
Posted by LynneDa on February 9, 2004, at 9:40:43
In reply to Re: Hypothyroid and Lex?, posted by vandy on February 7, 2004, at 22:22:55
I think the thyroid needs to be checked with those symptoms, although during your first month on Lex you will be tired - that's definitely a s/e.
My primary care doc said that while I'm on Lex he will do blood work to check my thyroid and hormone levels every 6 months. Before I went on Lex, I was thoroughly checked out for hypothyroidism, anemia, diabetes and a bunch of other culprits for the symptoms I was having - just to be sure there were no underlying physical reasons for my depression, besides the PMDD diagnosis. It was quite relieving to have everything checked out. I hope everyone's doctors do that for them.
~ Lynne
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>You raise an excellent point and one I think merits further medical investigation. I'd have my thyroid level checked. Perhaps your PCP will do you a referral under the circumstances. If I were your doc I'd sure want to know. Interaction of drugs is a question mark at best and any indication that sheds light is worth pursuing. Thanks for your vigilance and connective thinking.
>
> > Is anyone here hypothyroid and on Lex? I have noticed a lot of people here describe being tired while taking Lex. I have found the tiredness on Lex to be very similar the tiredness I felt before I knew I was hypothyroid. I am wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience or if anyone has become hypothyroid after being on Lex. I have not yet been rechecked for my thyroid levels because I am thinking it is the Lex, not the thyroid but am interested in what you all have to say. I am very tired all the time and sleep a lot. I have been on Lexapro for a little over a month. Thanks!! I appreciate the opportunity to ask questions in a forum like this!
>
>
Posted by ednababish on February 9, 2004, at 10:16:18
In reply to Recovery and Release, posted by sexylexy on February 9, 2004, at 9:28:58
Lexy,
I used to cry a lot because everything was so overwhelming--and it seemed like every emotion got bunched up and channel into one ineffective emotional release. Now the crying, when it does happen (which is a lot less frequently) is from a simple, not a complex, emotional response. What I do find is I laugh pretty hard at things I used to find a bit silly or stupid. I also find myself not sceond-guessing myself, which is wonderful. Sounds to me like you're right on track.
Edna Babish
Posted by sexylexy on February 9, 2004, at 11:16:11
In reply to Re: Recovery and Release, posted by ednababish on February 9, 2004, at 10:16:18
Edna,
Wow! That sounds wonderful, I cannot wait to have the confidence to not second guess myself or have to ask, is that the depression or me talking. I am also glad to know that the laughter will come back, that is what makes me really happy. I do feel as though things are getting better which is wonderful. You have been a great support for me. I do wonder though, how many mgs are you on, for how long and what is your depression story? If these things are too personal please forgive me, I am just interested and glad to know that the sun is shining for you again!
Lexy
Posted by KathrynLex on February 9, 2004, at 17:33:25
In reply to Re: Recovery and Release » ednababish, posted by sexylexy on February 9, 2004, at 11:16:11
Hi,
I'm starting my 8th week on Lexapro and I feel so flat. It's strange. My boyfriend ruined a new $40 sweater by putting it through the wash (I told him a thousand times not to wash it) and I just can't summon a reaction one way or the other. Ordinarily I'd either be angry or think it was funny - the sweater shrunk to about half it's original size and looks like it was made for a doll. But like I said, I didn't really have a reaction.
It's a huge relief not to feel anxious or depressed, but I only feel really happy for brief moments during the day. I'm trying not to get discouraged, especially since I'm in the middle of increasing to 20 mg. I know it will take a while for my body to adjust...I guess I could just use a little bit of encouragement. Sorry, this sounds like an echo of Lexy's earlier post about "Lexapro Purgatory." (Hey, at least I have company.)
K.
Posted by Mrs. C on February 9, 2004, at 17:48:02
In reply to Feeling Flat on Lexapro, posted by KathrynLex on February 9, 2004, at 17:33:25
Dear K, You're fine. Relax and try to stop reading so much into your reactions to things. You are feeling less depressed and anxious right? The emotions will come back and believe me it will be soon. I do remember feeling "numb" before I actually began to have normal feelings again. Those include anger, sadness, joy, patience, stress, etc. All the normal feelings of life. I am just able to handle them better with Lex and what a relief! Keep the faith dear! Mrs. C
Posted by Mrs. C on February 9, 2004, at 17:49:27
In reply to Re: Lexapro Purgatory please respond!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, posted by ednababish on February 7, 2004, at 10:45:07
Right on Edna!!! Mrs. C
Posted by Mrs. C on February 9, 2004, at 17:56:29
In reply to Re: Lexapro Purgatory please respond!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, posted by vandy on February 7, 2004, at 11:08:00
Lexy, Yeah!!! I am so happy for you. You are almost there! Yes, I did feel what you are feeling before I actually felt the Lex "kick in". I also know what you mean by "fighting with yourself". I had this inner voice always telling me "something isn't right, you should be worrying about something" which resulted, of course, in me finding something to worry about! That voice is gone and I am finally able to enjoy my life again without the constant worry. Sometimes, very rarely and usually right before my time of the month that voice tries to get to me again. I say "tries to" because I am now able to fight it and win! I hope that you continue to improve, I know you will! Mrs. C
Posted by sexylexy on February 9, 2004, at 19:16:35
In reply to Feeling Flat on Lexapro, posted by KathrynLex on February 9, 2004, at 17:33:25
Hey K~
It is nice to know that we are not alone. I have not really had emotional flatness but definitley felt like "huh, another day, not depressed but not happy just kind a floating there" I bet this is your version of Lexapro Purgatory. I hope it gets better soon.
At this point I am glad I stayed at 10mg, felt pretty good today, I would say that I am running at about 75-80%. This is nice because I felt BAD on Friday. I hope all goes well for you and you start seeing some improvement very soon.
Lexy
Posted by Pfinstegg on February 9, 2004, at 22:19:37
In reply to Re: Hypothyroid and Lex?, posted by LynneDa on February 9, 2004, at 9:40:43
I don't know whether Lex contributes to hypothyroidism, but I think it would be good to have regular check-ups for your thyroid values- T3, T4 and TSH. I do it every 3 months, as I' m also hypothyroid. Taking Cytomel in addition to Synthroid made a big difference in getting the depression under control. I did take Lexapro for about 8 months, but have now been off for a month. I think it was the most acceptable AD I have taken, but it certainly wiped out my sex life, and also left me feeling sort of flat. But if I get a recurrence of severe depression, Lex is the one I would go to first. The endocrinologist I go to had to be pressured a bit by me to add Cytomel when I first saw him 18 months go, but when I went back for a real check-up last week, he had changed a lot: he's now checking carefully for depression, and, if it's there, he gives the combination type thyroid replacement. When I was taking Lex, I was never tired.
Pfinstegg
Posted by bill-bob on February 10, 2004, at 1:07:02
In reply to Feeling Flat on Lexapro, posted by KathrynLex on February 9, 2004, at 17:33:25
K-
I was somewhat flat for awhile but I feel mostly out of that phase now (after about 9 weeks on Lex). I'm only on 10 mg and don't feel a need to go higher since pretty much all of the depressive symptoms are gone. In fact, I feel reasonably normal enough (aside from sexual se's) that sometimes I wonder why I'm taking the pill each day - but thinking about not taking them does give me anxiety!
I'm curious why you are going to 20 mg. Was the 10 mg dose not working for you? I'm just wondering if your feeling of flatness is perhaps due to too much Lex???
B-B
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