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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by shadowmon on June 26, 2004, at 22:23:30
Hi,
I've been on lexapro for about 5 weeks now for GAD. Started out at 10 and I still had major problems with thoughts and anxiety, then went up to 15. That helped a little but I still had anxiety. I found myself getting depressed (which I am now) and the dr moved me up to 20. I take trazodone to sleep and that seems like the only time I am ok.
I can say that I am depressed now as well, while I was having the anxiety I used a lot of coping skills to help me out but now they don't even help. I am so exhausted and I just can't do it anymore
I have never had an appetite on the lexapro and well not much has changed. I still dont have any appetite.
How do you know if it's not working? I am having so much trouble with this, I wonder if I should go into the hospital? I can barely take care of myself. anyone help?
Posted by zeugma on June 26, 2004, at 22:31:13
In reply to how do you know if lexapro is not working, posted by shadowmon on June 26, 2004, at 22:23:30
It sounds like the Lexapro is counterproductive in your case, and you should try another AD. Virtually every AD except for Wellbutrin will work for GAD, so there are plenty of choices, including Remeron and the TCA's, which have the advantage of stimulating appetite and improving sleep (which can help a lot with the fatigue).
Also, if your primary dx is GAD, you could consider Buspar, which has very mild side effects at therapeutic doses, and can have a calming effect.
Posted by MGOLDW on June 27, 2004, at 10:29:17
In reply to Re: how do you know if lexapro is not working » shadowmon, posted by zeugma on June 26, 2004, at 22:31:13
Hi! Hang in there, it takes 6-8 weeks for the Lexapro to "kick in". At 5 weeks, you are in no position to know if the med is working or not. In fact, you may still be expirience some of the nasty side effects that should subside.
Good luck.
Posted by zeugma on June 27, 2004, at 22:03:01
In reply to Re: how do you know if lexapro is not working, posted by MGOLDW on June 27, 2004, at 10:29:17
At 5 weeks, you are in no position to know if the med is working or not>>
Not even a doctor is qualified to make a statement like this. You can say, "The med hasn't kicked in yet," or something like that, but telling someone who is taking a medication that they are "no position to know" what the drug is doing is not constructive.
Posted by Mariposa on June 28, 2004, at 8:55:07
In reply to how do you know if lexapro is not working, posted by shadowmon on June 26, 2004, at 22:23:30
> Hi,
>
> I've been on lexapro for about 5 weeks now for GAD. Started out at 10 and I still had major problems with thoughts and anxiety, then went up to 15. That helped a little but I still had anxiety. I found myself getting depressed (which I am now) and the dr moved me up to 20. I take trazodone to sleep and that seems like the only time I am ok.
>
> I can say that I am depressed now as well, while I was having the anxiety I used a lot of coping skills to help me out but now they don't even help. I am so exhausted and I just can't do it anymore
>
> I have never had an appetite on the lexapro and well not much has changed. I still dont have any appetite.
>
> How do you know if it's not working? I am having so much trouble with this, I wonder if I should go into the hospital? I can barely take care of myself. anyone help?At 5 weeks I experienced increased anxiety attacks and depression. Pdoc raised my dose from 5 to 10mg. I was very upset that the med had not started doing *something*, and I felt worse than when I started, I was very seriously considering just quitting, but with encouragement from people here I decided to give it at least 8 weeks like the literature says.
It actually was 9 weeks before I realized it was working. I was watching comedy show on tv, and started laughing, and suddenly realized I felt *much better*. I know it's tough, but I think you should hang in a little longer before you decide if Lex will work for you or not. Give it the full 8 weeks. I had a loss of appetite initially, but that's back to normal, it took several months though.
Best of luck!~~~8|8
Posted by shadowmon on June 28, 2004, at 21:01:25
In reply to Re: how do you know if lexapro is not working, posted by Mariposa on June 28, 2004, at 8:55:07
The dr put me on remeron to help tide to see if the lexapro will actually kick in. I was practically begging him to place me in the hospital because I feel so horrible. anyone have any experience with a remeron/laxapro mix?
I want to get my hopes, but I dont. I'm so scared.
Posted by LisaMichelle on June 28, 2004, at 22:27:12
In reply to how do you know if lexapro is not working, posted by shadowmon on June 26, 2004, at 22:23:30
Hi Shadowmon,
Thanks so much for your post. I, too, have been on Lexapro at 10mg for about 5 weeks and I'm not sure it's doing anything except making me tired. I go to my pdoc on Wednesday and I was not going to ask for an increase of dose but now I'm thinking maybe I should since I don't feel any of the effects. I'm still anxious, stressed, obsessive and feeling depressed. Everyone here says to wait 9-10 weeks to feel the full effects but my dose is so low I'm pretty sure an increase couldn't hurt.
Anyway, glad to know I have company and I hope you start feeling better soon.
Posted by vonnie on June 30, 2004, at 13:33:02
In reply to Re: how do you know if lexapro is not working, posted by LisaMichelle on June 28, 2004, at 22:27:12
Hi I was on Lexapro for 7 months and kept optimistic about it until the end. At first it seemed to help me but as my doc continued to increase the dosage (ended at 20mg) the worse i felt. I realized one day that maybe it was not working for me as I read my recent entries in my journal. I had never been so depressed. I gained about 25lbs which was devestating in the first place and all I wanted to do was sleep. I switched over to Wellbutrin, I feel soooo much better now. I just wish I wouldnt have waited so long to change. Give it a fair chance but dont wait as long as I did to give in..I could have felt better a long time ago. good luck
Posted by LisaMichelle on June 30, 2004, at 17:50:13
In reply to Re: how do you know if lexapro is not working, posted by vonnie on June 30, 2004, at 13:33:02
> Hi I was on Lexapro for 7 months and kept optimistic about it until the end. At first it seemed to help me but as my doc continued to increase the dosage (ended at 20mg) the worse i felt. I realized one day that maybe it was not working for me as I read my recent entries in my journal. I had never been so depressed. I gained about 25lbs which was devestating in the first place and all I wanted to do was sleep. I switched over to Wellbutrin, I feel soooo much better now. I just wish I wouldnt have waited so long to change. Give it a fair chance but dont wait as long as I did to give in..I could have felt better a long time ago. good luck
Vonnie,
After 6 weeks, my pdco just increased my dose of Lexapro from 10mg to 20mg.
I don't feel as depressed and I haven't gained any weight. He didn't think I needed to try 15mg - he said it wouldn't make a difference. Did you try 15 mg before 20mg and did you notice a difference each time you switched doses? How long did you think it worked for in the beginning? Glad you're liking the Wellbutrin - I wish it had worked for me.
Posted by vonnie on July 1, 2004, at 7:39:59
In reply to Re: how do you know if lexapro is not working, posted by LisaMichelle on June 30, 2004, at 17:50:13
LisaMichelle,
I think the lexapro worked for me maybe a couple of months but when the depression came back my doc increased my dosage. I think I went from 5 to 10 then to 20 and then to 30. I think I said 20 was my last dosage, but I meant 30. It was when I went to the 30 that everything fell apart. I could barely do anything, except sleep. I was so depressed. I took myself off it on my own but had to go see the doc when the withdrawl symptoms were too much for me. I should have just lowered my dosage and would have been fine, but I was desperate to try and get back to myself. My mom takes Lexapro too, and she loves it. So hang in there, give it a fair chance and see how it goes.
take care
Posted by shadowmon on July 5, 2004, at 0:52:39
In reply to Re: how do you know if lexapro is not working, posted by vonnie on July 1, 2004, at 7:39:59
>
>
> LisaMichelle,
>
> I think the lexapro worked for me maybe a couple of months but when the depression came back my doc increased my dosage. I think I went from 5 to 10 then to 20 and then to 30. I think I said 20 was my last dosage, but I meant 30. It was when I went to the 30 that everything fell apart. I could barely do anything, except sleep. I was so depressed. I took myself off it on my own but had to go see the doc when the withdrawl symptoms were too much for me. I should have just lowered my dosage and would have been fine, but I was desperate to try and get back to myself. My mom takes Lexapro too, and she loves it. So hang in there, give it a fair chance and see how it goes.
>
> take care
Well, I got put on remeron in addition to the lexapro because I didnt eat and I was still having anxiety. The remeron had helped in both areas, but I'm not sure about the lexapro. I still can tell the difference between night and day with how I feel, evenings are usually better and I still wake up with all kinds of wierd anxiety inducing things in my head. if I try to take a nap during the day too, I'm all tense and anxious. The dr. wants me to go up to 30 mg soon, but I'm doubting this drug for me. when I took paxil I was on an even keel all day. not so for the lexapro. has this happened to anyone?
Posted by JenStar on July 6, 2004, at 1:32:38
In reply to Re: how do you know if lexapro is not working, posted by shadowmon on July 5, 2004, at 0:52:39
Hey Shadowmon,
how's it going? Are you feeling any better these days? When I started Lexapro (10 mg/day) it took at least 4-5 weeks before I felt "good" again, and probably 3 mo. before I felt like I was myself again. Sometimes you do need to give it a lot of time to see the effects. It's too bad that it takes so long, but I think that stopping and starting multiple drugs in rapid succession can really confuse the brain, and in the end it takes longer to stabilize.About the dosage: Here's my experience with increasing my Lexapro dosage. I had been seeing a therapist and she recommended that I increase my dosage from 10 mg/day to 15 mg/day, so I did that. However, I felt "weird" on the 15 mg/day. It's hard to describe: it's almost like I got MORE anxious, I felt "off" somehow, I felt like I was taking steps backwards. It's possible that this was just the side-effects kicking in but I decided I didn't like the way the 15 mg/day made me feel, so I went back down to 10 mg/day. Then I felt good again, and also proud of myself for listening to my body and trusting myself over the therapist (who, I have to admit, I wasn't so keen on anyway!)
I guess my point it: Maybe your dosage is too high? 30 mg/day seems like a lot. Granted, I'm not an MD, but I read some studies on line that indicated that above 20 mg/day the therapeutic increases seemed to really diminish.
In any case, I hope you're feeling well. I'm rooting for you. :) Take care.
JenStar
Posted by shadowmon on July 6, 2004, at 2:11:27
In reply to Re: how do you know if lexapro is not working, posted by JenStar on July 6, 2004, at 1:32:38
> Hey Shadowmon,
> how's it going? Are you feeling any better these days? When I started Lexapro (10 mg/day) it took at least 4-5 weeks before I felt "good" again, and probably 3 mo. before I felt like I was myself again. Sometimes you do need to give it a lot of time to see the effects. It's too bad that it takes so long, but I think that stopping and starting multiple drugs in rapid succession can really confuse the brain, and in the end it takes longer to stabilize.
>
> About the dosage: Here's my experience with increasing my Lexapro dosage. I had been seeing a therapist and she recommended that I increase my dosage from 10 mg/day to 15 mg/day, so I did that. However, I felt "weird" on the 15 mg/day. It's hard to describe: it's almost like I got MORE anxious, I felt "off" somehow, I felt like I was taking steps backwards. It's possible that this was just the side-effects kicking in but I decided I didn't like the way the 15 mg/day made me feel, so I went back down to 10 mg/day. Then I felt good again, and also proud of myself for listening to my body and trusting myself over the therapist (who, I have to admit, I wasn't so keen on anyway!)
>
> I guess my point it: Maybe your dosage is too high? 30 mg/day seems like a lot. Granted, I'm not an MD, but I read some studies on line that indicated that above 20 mg/day the therapeutic increases seemed to really diminish.
>
> In any case, I hope you're feeling well. I'm rooting for you. :) Take care.
>
> JenStarI increased the dosage like the dr indicated, and today I felt some relief. I didnt feel as much free floating anxiety and stuff, but I'm not going to let my guard down. It was way worse when I was on 20 mg and not taking the remeron. I wasnt eating and the only time when I felt better was when I was sleeping. After the 20 and the remeron, I would still have some free floating anxiety the thoughts would roll around in my head for no abject reason and cause the body to react. This happened a lot as I was trying to rest to deal with the grogginess with the remeron. initially when I went on the 20 it worked (I was way much more worse then) but then it didnt work as much. I'm afraid of poop out. I've never had it before. I'll just have to see if it is pooping out and the free floating anxiety (I didnt have it today) comes back,
Posted by Xanablu on July 9, 2004, at 2:33:47
In reply to Re: how do you know if lexapro is not working, posted by shadowmon on July 6, 2004, at 2:11:27
Hi Shadowmon,
Sure hope Friday morning, or at least the day itself, will find you feeling a bit or even,perhaps, much better. We can hope...but I am with you, when it comes to expectations and 'auditioning' antidepressants. My best approach sounds a bit negative, but it always helped me. I tried quite a few before even getting close to 'normalcy', but I am female, and as I age I have found that my hormones are beginning to pretty much rule my life.(I am peri-menopausal---whooooo-hoooooa!)I know there will be more drs. and more 'refinement of my'mood control' as I go forward in life.So, my credo, after the first few failures (not to be negative, however-it can take me longer than most folks to respond, & maybe u are a slow responder, too)-so, I simply expect -nothing- to happen. I TRY to put it (the anxiety, depression, etc,) out of my mind as best I can. During less intense episodes I can watch videos, read a lot, and sleep.I am not very productive, altho reading, if you choose wisely is always healthy for your brain, and that mitigates one of my most viscious symptoms-guilt-----eeeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrr! It's like an angry animal that can easily make its dark den in my mind and ruin almost any good feelings I try to build up around me so I don't criticize myself 'til I'm , just, a soupy pile of dark drippy goo that sucks my extremeties so powerfully, I feel like I'm in quicksand. Remember those silly jungle movies , always starring Tarzan or zombies or intrepid explorers or WHATEVER---around some corner, there it always was----aaaaaaah-------quicksand, Yucko-scary!!!! person-eating slop just waiting for some poor slob(or gorgeous babe) T O ENTER---------But, I digress.
Luckily, my favorite place to read is in bed, and I have read myself into a stupor every night for yrs.-when my chronic depression was not too intense. I am glad to see you are trying Remeron. It did nothing for my depression, but at 30mgs. I had the sweetest sleep I have ever known. I took it at 10 pm, read til 10:30 or so, and then off to dreamland. And I could dream, which has always been a a rather creative side of myself that I enjoyed remembering and sometimes surprising myself by re-playing whatever content I might be able to actively recall next morning. Since I slept so well, it was easier to face a less than perfect day. I was 43, caring for my 1st child, 3 yrs old, and my mom who had Alzheimer's. But, I had atypical depression at that time, so, I was -constantly- eating...grazing at any opportunity, it was rather distracting and disturbing to my health, self-image (I'm petite) & interfered a bit with how well I took care of my significant others! But, to its credit, Remeron squelched a rather major anxiety problem I had, within only a week or 10 days!!! I just thought that it was normal to worry constantly and not be able to have much control over it or how much that anxiety exacerbated my problems w/chronic pain.
Wow-were my eyes opened. I now swear by Klonopin (I take the generic) and it really is necessary in order for my A-d to work effectively. Altho, I'm sure I wd've gained lots of weight on it had I continued it-REm.- (very bad for fibro-arthritis type stuff) it sounds like it shd. help you lots w/stimulating ur appetite. And u gotta have your body/brain fuel, no question.
After my Mom died, I had a major depressive episode, and I was taking Zoloft and clonazepam. I had no p-doc at the time, lost 30 lbs. in 6-7 weeks, etc. I was a non-reading, non-nothing mass of emptiness, lying on my parents' l.r. sofa (he, my sweetheart dad, had died 14 months earlier) just trying to form a sentence when my husband spoke to me. I cd. only respond to my little girl, who seemed preternaturally understanding of my fatigue and sadness. My dad, mom , and 15 yr old best friend boxer had all died within 16 months, I had known them lots longer than she had, so she understood my extreme reaction. She cried her own tears for the death of the pet boxer, mostly-they kept each other company for many hrs. while I tended to Mom. I believe Hannah, my dog, actually enjoyed Cynara, who was 3-4, putting her on her old red leash again, and slowly, interminably, it sometimes seemed, walking her aound and around and around the interior circumference of my mom's home. It was a blessing to me as well, because it was probably the only way I wd've been able to keep up with all 3 of them at the same time and maintain any sort of acceptable 'quality control' if u will.
I was serendipitously saved from my deep pit by a dr. a friend recommended-a therapist-who dx'd me correctly(finally, thank god!) as having ADD at the core of my life-long depression-with the addition of stimulents and a change to Effexor, along with clonazepam and proper pain control, I was ambulatory and slowly, but surely, moving forward for the first time in 30 yrs. Hopeful, and slowly began to upgrade my "Expect nothing" credo (which was never pessimistic, it just kept me from experiencing even worse depressions whenever any previous med had failed_I knew I had SOMETHING that was not mere depression-I simply could not convince any dr. to take me seriously enough, until I hit rock bottom).
AND, hunting for anything, much less any type of really compassionate and innovative dr. when you are Depressed, can feel like u are trying to move Mt. Everest with your pinky finger. I HAD been looking for several yrs, but complications and family responsibilities, plus my own ignorance really slowed me down.
Luckily, my father-in-law and bro-in-law gave my husband and I a COMPUTER- I never dreamed what a resource it wd. become for me. This very forum, which DR. Bob works diligently to keep on a consistently open, but 'civil' and safe level, to hang out, gather knowledge and support as to ur preference or problem, without having to wade thru the trash u might face on some other psych forums , allowed me to absorb
knowlegde, courage and some tools to finally be able to move forward and finally take my 1st leap into my much needed psychotherapy, w/some confidence and I will probably pursue therapy as a career in the future.It was of great interest to me in college, but I left college after 6 yrs., b/c, even with the gift of intelligence, a great family and a top 1% IQ, my brain was not under my own control. It was terribly depressing, I had no idea what was wrong w/me...so I finally just wandered away and into my first marriage...About lexapro, after being cocooned in the "Effexor Nest" for 9 months, I finally felt safe enuf , within myself, to control my emotions, my deep grief and I titrated off it and on to Lex 10mgs. I was NO longer 'cocooned', that's for sure! I was overwhelmed with the detritus of an ADD'er who had not tended to her self properly for yrs., in any way. I switched up to 20 mgs. and I was then able to have somewhat greater control over unwanted thoughts and ideas that cd. really wreck my forward movement.
That's how Lex subtly helps me stay emotional stronger and retain some semblance of self control, and remain hopeful.But, drugs don't do it all---ya gotta do the WORK yourself.But, it does help, and is a positive element in my 'cocktail'-no serious side effects either.
I still have serious dips, and I suspect I am soft bi-polar. But, I am going to try to wait until my husband and I separate (He's sick of this crazy stuff and feels he can't really help me any more-I understand). So I will be moving to a lg. city soon, to live w/my adorable, affluent, generous younger sister, her 3 kids (teens) and husband, until I b/c more stable and can figure out how to make some money. My ex- to- be will move there (same city) as well, which is great. He is a good father and I want my daughter to know that both her parents will always be there for her. I will seek further therapy there. I'm very frightened, but it is our best choice, 'specially for me, as I have no close family here to fall back on and interact with and just love.
I wish u the very best-it may take time--but there's so many med therapies and docs and alternatives, etc. out there--I know it is so scary and hard, but u deserve a better life---keep pushing for it, keep sleeping better and try to exercise just 20 minutes 3 times a week when u feel up to it. You will be amazed whata short walk and some sunshine can do for you. I'm not bragging, I hate the heat and must start exercising easily, but reg'ly- again-. It makes a tremendous difference, I know from past experience.
Wish me luck and
Good, good luck to you as well~xanablu
Posted by Xanablu on July 10, 2004, at 12:45:17
In reply to Re: how do you know if lexapro is not working » shadowmon, posted by Xanablu on July 9, 2004, at 2:33:47
Haven't read all the posts today. Sorry if u are worse-hope u are better. Just didn't want u to miss anypositive thoughts coming ur way today~~~~xanablu
Posted by shadowmon on July 11, 2004, at 0:53:53
In reply to shadowmon-did you read this???, posted by Xanablu on July 10, 2004, at 12:45:17
Yes, I did, thank you. I'm still struggling through this.... I am waiting for the dr's visit on monday.
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