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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by jimmygold70 on December 21, 2002, at 12:22:25
In reply to Tense Muscles: upper back, neck and jaw, posted by newuser2 on December 17, 2002, at 8:50:27
Switch to Paxil.
Jimmy
Posted by ayuda on December 21, 2002, at 12:22:51
In reply to Re: Question about Effexor, posted by jtc on December 20, 2002, at 23:04:51
> Hi everyone,
> I just had a question about Effexor XR. I am currently taking 75 mg once daily for about six months now and I have gained weight and seem to keep gaining weight. Has this happened to anyone else? I also take Klonopin, .5 mg at night for anxiety. I used to take Luvox for about three years and I am starting to think I should just go back on it. Last time I saw my psychiatrist he mentioned that I might try Lexapro but I don't think I want to try it after reading all the info about it. I am not really fond of Effexor either. I have tried many ADs in the past. My problem is GAD and anxiety, panic disorder and some depression. My 8 1/2 year old daughter has just been put on Effexor XR 37.5 mg a day. She has been taking it for about 4 weeks now because she has anxiety that is affecting her school work and her health. She worries about everything, even simple things. I guess she has inherited this from me. I am worried about her taking the Effexor and my husband and I thought it over before we agreed to let her try this. She has been seeing a psychologist as well as the psychiatrist who prescribed the Effexor for her. Her pediatrician even says she thinks the Effexor might be good for her to try. Has anyone had any similar situations like this with their young kids?
> Thanks for the input, JC
I gained 40 pounds since March, all on Effexor XR. In fact, since I've switched to Lexapro, I am having liposuction to get rid of the excess fat that was caused by the Effexor. I am 37 years old (almost 38), and female, and cannot live with this excess fat. I've always been in shape, and even though I gained a little bit of weight on Zoloft and Celexa (10 pounds over a years' time), NOTHING compares to what happened with Effexor. I was also completely nauseated, especially when my doctor took me up to 225mg -- I developed an ulcer after a month on 75 mg -- but my appetite was ravenous. I am so much happier on the Lexapro -- even though it doesn't help my anxiety as well as the Effexor, at least I am not constantly nauseated and burping, and I'm eating normally (even less than normal).
Posted by Sadsack on December 21, 2002, at 17:56:43
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin as a side dish orgasm problems, posted by mills on December 13, 2002, at 16:54:56
I've been unable to reach orgasm since the Lex 4 weeks ago. Sad, since when I was Depressed and unmedicated I could get there with a kind word from my husband....I'm at my peak and missing it! But the other symptoms are better, so that's good I guess.....So do you all think an addition of wellbutrin would fix this-is it worth a shot? Might it also help with the tense neck and shoulders?
Posted by EGR on December 21, 2002, at 20:27:46
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin as a side dish orgasm problems, posted by Sadsack on December 21, 2002, at 17:56:43
I'll let you guys know tomorrow. After getting off Wellbutrin and starting Lex (earlier this week), I had my first O since starting on meds (paxil to effexor to wellbuttin) 8 weeks ago. Today's my 6th day on Lex and the desire is sure there... I'm in a good mood too, so we'll see. ;-)
EGR (female, if you're interested)
Posted by comftnumb on December 21, 2002, at 20:48:13
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin as a side dish orgasm problems, posted by Sadsack on December 21, 2002, at 17:56:43
I took Effexor and Wellbutrin together for 4months and I still had the delayed orgasms caused by Effexor. Unfortunately, I don't think the Wellbutrin can erase the sexual side effects of an SSRI. If you aren't able to get orgasms after a few months you might consider just switching to Wellbutrin.
Posted by sageh1 on December 21, 2002, at 23:16:21
In reply to Re: lexapro 10mg, posted by cody on October 3, 2002, at 18:15:21
I've used Prozac before, and the only side-effect was switching off my libido. I've started taking Lexapro and (granted it's only been a couple of days) it seems to make me wired as all get-up. I mean all day wired. Makes my stomach feel a bit strange, kind of like I'm really hungry but not. Yeah, sounds strange, but I'm normally a pretty down sort of person...always tired. Maybe my doctor accidentally gave me speed :). Am I imagining this, or has anyone else experienced this. I'm gonna keep with it for a bit to see how it goes, but these couple days have been pretty strange.
Posted by BlackSheep on December 22, 2002, at 7:09:28
In reply to lexapro question for all, posted by johnj on December 18, 2002, at 11:12:41
Yes, the sleepiness you are experiencing is quite common and usually subsides within a week.
Posted by panicbutton on December 22, 2002, at 7:56:23
In reply to Re: lexapro 10mg, posted by sageh1 on December 21, 2002, at 23:16:21
> I've used Prozac before, and the only side-effect was switching off my libido. I've started taking Lexapro and (granted it's only been a couple of days) it seems to make me wired as all get-up. I mean all day wired. Makes my stomach feel a bit strange, kind of like I'm really hungry but not. Yeah, sounds strange, but I'm normally a pretty down sort of person...always tired. Maybe my doctor accidentally gave me speed :). Am I imagining this, or has anyone else experienced this. I'm gonna keep with it for a bit to see how it goes, but these couple days have been pretty strange.
I found that Effexor made me feel much the same way you are describing with Lexapro. I am now taking Lexapro at only a 5 mg. dose for anxiety attacks. I was supposed to switch to 10 mg. a day, but when I did, I felt agitated. I went back to 5 mg. a day and am doing well with it. It is interesting that different medications cause different side effects for nearly everyone. Perhaps a lower dose would cause less of the "wired" feeling you are having. I wouldn't change, however, without consulting the doctor who prescribed it for you. Good luck!
Posted by Romulus on December 22, 2002, at 15:11:49
In reply to Re: depakote, lexapro and back and neck pain, posted by EGR on December 21, 2002, at 10:33:23
> My dentist told me about the jaw clenching and teeth grinding s/e, but I didn't associate it with the neck/back. He also said that if I have a problem with dry mouth to let him know and he'll prescribe Rx toothpaste... something about saliva and bacteria. I don't have any problem sleeping and feel fantastic on 10mg... I'm supposed to increase to 20 today, but I don't see any reason to, so I'm not going to. The tightness seems to be lessening.
>
> EGRTo add my personal experience to the mix, I have had issues with teeth grinding and jaw and neck tightness for a long time, since long before I started an AD. My suspicion is that it often comes from agitation. I've had constant agitation and bottled up feelings for years, and it gets worse when I'm conscious of being on a powerful medication. Could it be that some of you are wary of side effects and therefore feel the tightness? I find that the tension goes away if I consciously change my mindset and relax my muscles--leading me to believe it's me not the medication.
Posted by Iolite on December 23, 2002, at 12:39:48
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
> [Posted by ggrrl on June 11, 2002, at 1:19:51]
>
> > Seems like there are a lot of people on here who have talked about Lexapro's improved side-effects, specifically that it has less tiredness and sexual side effects than Celexa. Some have said that it has the same side effects as Celexa. However most people are quoting from press releases - does anyone here know from experience (theirs or others')?
>
>
Yes. I switched from Celexa 80mg a day, to Lexapro 50mg a day.The Celexa caused a terrible fogginess. I felt like my eyes were crossed. That's the only side effect I had but it was extremely annoying. I was always in a sort of a daze.
Now on Lexapro my mind is sharp PLUS the added benefits of the decreased depression, which I had also been experiencing with Celexa.
I would say that the change was very beneficial for me, considering the Lexapro was just as effective as the Celexa but without the brain cloud.
Best of luck to everyone
Iolite
Posted by mills on December 23, 2002, at 13:12:38
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Iolite on December 23, 2002, at 12:39:48
Iolite, how long have you been on the 50 mg? I am going up to 40 mg soon, and may need to go higher myself.
> > [Posted by ggrrl on June 11, 2002, at 1:19:51]
> >
> > > Seems like there are a lot of people on here who have talked about Lexapro's improved side-effects, specifically that it has less tiredness and sexual side effects than Celexa. Some have said that it has the same side effects as Celexa. However most people are quoting from press releases - does anyone here know from experience (theirs or others')?
> >
> >
>
>
> Yes. I switched from Celexa 80mg a day, to Lexapro 50mg a day.
>
> The Celexa caused a terrible fogginess. I felt like my eyes were crossed. That's the only side effect I had but it was extremely annoying. I was always in a sort of a daze.
>
> Now on Lexapro my mind is sharp PLUS the added benefits of the decreased depression, which I had also been experiencing with Celexa.
>
> I would say that the change was very beneficial for me, considering the Lexapro was just as effective as the Celexa but without the brain cloud.
>
> Best of luck to everyone
> Iolite
>
Posted by Iolite on December 23, 2002, at 16:16:56
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? Iolite, posted by mills on December 23, 2002, at 13:12:38
Hi. I started the Celexa on Sept 11th, 2001 when all my co-workers were killed. Then it was combined with 2mg Ativan every day. The Celexa started at 60mg and quickly upped to 80mg. I remained there for a long time. About March of 2002 I snapped out of my grief stupor and went back to work, at a new job. That's when I realized that part of my grief stupor was actually the Celexa (interestingly enough, not the Ativan). I am still taking 2mg of Ativan every day and feel great, no side effects. But to remove the brain cloud my doctor swapped the Celexa 80mg for Lexapro 50 mg in one shot. Actually he told me to try 40mg if I didn't want to go all out with the 50mg.So it was a clean swap, you see? Impossible to say actually when I upped my dosage. However, I have steadily been on Lexapro and Ativan since late March 2002 with zero side effects.
How are you feeling on Lexapro? Is it helping you? How long have you been on it?Take care,
Iolite> Iolite, how long have you been on the 50 mg? I am going up to 40 mg soon, and may need to go higher myself.
>
>
>
> > > [Posted by ggrrl on June 11, 2002, at 1:19:51]
> > >
> > > > Seems like there are a lot of people on here who have talked about Lexapro's improved side-effects, specifically that it has less tiredness and sexual side effects than Celexa. Some have said that it has the same side effects as Celexa. However most people are quoting from press releases - does anyone here know from experience (theirs or others')?
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> > Yes. I switched from Celexa 80mg a day, to Lexapro 50mg a day.
> >
> > The Celexa caused a terrible fogginess. I felt like my eyes were crossed. That's the only side effect I had but it was extremely annoying. I was always in a sort of a daze.
> >
> > Now on Lexapro my mind is sharp PLUS the added benefits of the decreased depression, which I had also been experiencing with Celexa.
> >
> > I would say that the change was very beneficial for me, considering the Lexapro was just as effective as the Celexa but without the brain cloud.
> >
> > Best of luck to everyone
> > Iolite
> >
>
>
Posted by EGR on December 23, 2002, at 23:10:45
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? Iolite, posted by Iolite on December 23, 2002, at 16:16:56
My deepest condolences on your tremendous losses Iolite.
So you have absolutely no s/e with the Lexapro + Ativan? Is the Ativan supposed to counteract the Lexapro sse?
I discovered that I do have a sse on the Lexapro, but no where near as bad as with Paxil or Effexor. I've been on 10 mgs a week now.
Blessings on your holidays.
> Hi. I started the Celexa on Sept 11th, 2001 when all my co-workers were killed. Then it was combined with 2mg Ativan every day. The Celexa started at 60mg and quickly upped to 80mg. I remained there for a long time. About March of 2002 I snapped out of my grief stupor and went back to work, at a new job. That's when I realized that part of my grief stupor was actually the Celexa (interestingly enough, not the Ativan). I am still taking 2mg of Ativan every day and feel great, no side effects. But to remove the brain cloud my doctor swapped the Celexa 80mg for Lexapro 50 mg in one shot. Actually he told me to try 40mg if I didn't want to go all out with the 50mg.
>
> So it was a clean swap, you see? Impossible to say actually when I upped my dosage. However, I have steadily been on Lexapro and Ativan since late March 2002 with zero side effects.
>
>
> How are you feeling on Lexapro? Is it helping you? How long have you been on it?
>
> Take care,
> Iolite
>
> > Iolite, how long have you been on the 50 mg? I am going up to 40 mg soon, and may need to go higher myself.
Posted by Iolite on December 23, 2002, at 23:19:31
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? Iolite, posted by EGR on December 23, 2002, at 23:10:45
Thank you. No, no side effects with the Lexapro. This is amazing because I have had some awful side effects with Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, and Wellbutrin, and brain fog with Celexa. But the Lexapro is fabulous in that there are such nil effects that I was actually suspicious of receiving placebos!
The Ativan is not to counteract any effects from anything other than plain old anxiety. I have tremendous anxiety to such a degree and from so many sources that I suffer hair loss, weight loss/gain, sleeplessness, panic attacks, supraventricular tachycardias (12 in one year!), etc. Without the Ativan I am just a mess. In fact the more anxious I become, the more I suffer from allergies -- allergies to grasses, trees, dust, and many ordinary foods. I get "fish face" - that is I swell from inside my throat and up through my face until my eyes bulge out of their sockets. Very pretty!
Gruesome, this anxiety business, isn't it!!
Sleeping far from Seattle,
Iolite
> My deepest condolences on your tremendous losses Iolite.
>
> So you have absolutely no s/e with the Lexapro + Ativan? Is the Ativan supposed to counteract the Lexapro sse?
>
> I discovered that I do have a sse on the Lexapro, but no where near as bad as with Paxil or Effexor. I've been on 10 mgs a week now.
>
> Blessings on your holidays.
>
>
> > Hi. I started the Celexa on Sept 11th, 2001 when all my co-workers were killed. Then it was combined with 2mg Ativan every day. The Celexa started at 60mg and quickly upped to 80mg. I remained there for a long time. About March of 2002 I snapped out of my grief stupor and went back to work, at a new job. That's when I realized that part of my grief stupor was actually the Celexa (interestingly enough, not the Ativan). I am still taking 2mg of Ativan every day and feel great, no side effects. But to remove the brain cloud my doctor swapped the Celexa 80mg for Lexapro 50 mg in one shot. Actually he told me to try 40mg if I didn't want to go all out with the 50mg.
> >
> > So it was a clean swap, you see? Impossible to say actually when I upped my dosage. However, I have steadily been on Lexapro and Ativan since late March 2002 with zero side effects.
> >
> >
> > How are you feeling on Lexapro? Is it helping you? How long have you been on it?
> >
> > Take care,
> > Iolite
> >
> > > Iolite, how long have you been on the 50 mg? I am going up to 40 mg soon, and may need to go higher myself.
>
Posted by hok on December 24, 2002, at 10:09:51
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? Iolite, posted by Iolite on December 23, 2002, at 23:19:31
It's been impossible to work my way up to 10mg of Lexapro, even after 2 months of taking it. The anxiety I get from it is just too much stress. I've been at 5mg and although I still have some anxiety from it, it's still a good compromise of anxiety vs. mood effect.
I still contemplate going back to celexa. I had a much better mood effect with celexa at 20 mg (the supposed equivalent to Lexapro's 5mg), and with a lot less anxiety. However, I don't have as much daytime sleepiness and cravings with the Lex. I guess it's too much of a toss-up right now, so I'm going to give Lexapro another month and see the pros and cons better.
How many of you are in the same boat- in that celexa caused a better mood effect and less anxiety but that you're sticking with Lexapro because it is much more "functional" since it gives you less side effects (e.g., daytime sleepiness, cravings, etc.)? Would like to know whoe else is wrestling with this decision to switch back.
Posted by leslieg on December 26, 2002, at 12:54:07
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin as a side dish orgasm problems, posted by Sadsack on December 21, 2002, at 17:56:43
When I first started Lexapro, my ability to reach orgasim was greatly diminshed / almost non-existant. But now (8 weeks? later), it is almost back to normal. I think my desire is down a tad... From reading this board / what my pdoc has said / personal experience, it seems that all kinds of side effects can lessen with time -- the question is how much time does one give a side effect to go away. I'm not sure 4 weeks is enough time to go for adding another drug into the mix. Try waiting another month? Also, you may want to look into the timing -- if you take the lex in the evening and then attempt sex 2 hours later, that could make the side effects worse (IMO). If possible, try to time when you take the lex as far away as possible from when your husband is in the mood. (Ideally, take it after sex.)
Also, my jaw tension has eased some now too. At 4 weeks it was very noticable / annoying. Now it is just kinda in the background.
> I've been unable to reach orgasm since the Lex 4 weeks ago. Sad, since when I was Depressed and unmedicated I could get there with a kind word from my husband....I'm at my peak and missing it! But the other symptoms are better, so that's good I guess.....So do you all think an addition of wellbutrin would fix this-is it worth a shot? Might it also help with the tense neck and shoulders?
Posted by EGR on December 26, 2002, at 12:59:21
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin as a side dish orgasm problems » Sadsack, posted by leslieg on December 26, 2002, at 12:54:07
WOW!!! Thanks for the encouragement! I've only been on it ten days, so I'll just wait. Thanks again!!
Posted by leslieg on December 26, 2002, at 13:00:25
In reply to Re: lexapro 10mg, posted by panicbutton on December 22, 2002, at 7:56:23
My first week or so on Lexapro (5mg) had me very jittery and bouncing off the walls. It didn't help that I was also taking Provigil (a wake-up pill for narcoleptics). I stopped the Provigil, which helped, and then after a few more days I started needing to add it back (I did so at 1/2 dose for a few days). (I moved to 10 mg Lex after 6 days instead of the doc-recommended 4 days because of the jitteriness). So in answer to your concern, I think you should try a few more days (and stay off the coffee). If it stays just as bad, talk to your doc. But if you seem to be less jittery every day, take that as a good sign. (In fact, I've started taking my lex at night because now it makes me sleepy! Go figure.)
Leslie G.
> > I've used Prozac before, and the only side-effect was switching off my libido. I've started taking Lexapro and (granted it's only been a couple of days) it seems to make me wired as all get-up. I mean all day wired. Makes my stomach feel a bit strange, kind of like I'm really hungry but not. Yeah, sounds strange, but I'm normally a pretty down sort of person...always tired. Maybe my doctor accidentally gave me speed :). Am I imagining this, or has anyone else experienced this. I'm gonna keep with it for a bit to see how it goes, but these couple days have been pretty strange.
>
> I found that Effexor made me feel much the same way you are describing with Lexapro. I am now taking Lexapro at only a 5 mg. dose for anxiety attacks. I was supposed to switch to 10 mg. a day, but when I did, I felt agitated. I went back to 5 mg. a day and am doing well with it. It is interesting that different medications cause different side effects for nearly everyone. Perhaps a lower dose would cause less of the "wired" feeling you are having. I wouldn't change, however, without consulting the doctor who prescribed it for you. Good luck!
Posted by Tama on December 27, 2002, at 21:26:20
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
I have been on Lexapro for 5 weeks now. I sleep way too sound. I can't get up in the morning. Sometimes it seems like I am awake but can't move. I am very tired, have gained weight. I do seem to be less irritable and less anxious. Maybe the sleep side effects and weight gain are due to the winter season. I just hate being tired and wanting to sleep all the time.
Posted by newuser2 on December 30, 2002, at 6:11:50
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
I have been on Lexapro for 6 weeks. I am having night sweats every night that seem to be getting worse. I sweat only from my waist to my feet, no upper body sweating. Just wondering if this is normal. Is there a way to prevent this? Does anyone have any suggestions on how to sleep well at night in a bed of soggy sheets?
Please advise.
Posted by EGR on December 30, 2002, at 10:19:36
In reply to Night Sweats, posted by newuser2 on December 30, 2002, at 6:11:50
I have noticed that I'm starting to get night sweats, but so far they're not as bad as when I was on other drugs. I finally had another orgasm (yippee!!). It was a lot of work, but it happened, so maybe with time... Sat., after 12 days at 10, I went up to 20. Guess what? Last night (after that terrific, long awaited orgasm) I was awake practically the entire night! We'll just have to wait and see how this all plays out.
Posted by Dysfunk on December 30, 2002, at 19:41:25
In reply to Night Sweats, posted by newuser2 on December 30, 2002, at 6:11:50
Although I am on Effexor, I experience night sweats also. I sweat from head to toe. There doesn't seem to be a way to control the sweating-it is a lovely side effect. I have been keeping extra clothes near the bed and changing out of the wet ones when I awake in the middle of the night. Try and wear cotton and sleep with as few blankets as possible. Good luck.
Posted by Sadsack on December 30, 2002, at 20:07:47
In reply to Night Sweats, posted by newuser2 on December 30, 2002, at 6:11:50
Interestingly, I had terrible night sweats prior to starting the Lexapro (my doc says I am "peri-menopausal"-something I'd rather not think about!!) and now I don't have them at all! Go figure. The other side effects I have had seem to be fading some so let's hope your sweating does too!
Good Luck> I have been on Lexapro for 6 weeks. I am having night sweats every night that seem to be getting worse. I sweat only from my waist to my feet, no upper body sweating. Just wondering if this is normal. Is there a way to prevent this? Does anyone have any suggestions on how to sleep well at night in a bed of soggy sheets?
> Please advise.
Posted by Sadsack on December 30, 2002, at 20:19:38
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin as a side dish orgasm problems » Sadsack, posted by leslieg on December 26, 2002, at 12:54:07
Thanks so much for the advice! I have noticed just in the last few days that my neck and shoulders are less painful. They just burned for weeks-It was hard to even hold up my head. I found myself having to do relaxation exercises at night just to fall asleep. Once I am asleep, I am sleeping more soundly now so that's a plus-I used to wake up with every noise. I take the Lexapro in the morning and that is about as far away from sex as it gets. I am still waiting for the big "O". I'll hold on a bit longer and see if that gets better too. I'm on 20mg which seems like a better overall dose than the 10mg so far. I keep trying to remember to be grateful that so many symptoms are better instead of thinking about the side effects I'd rather not have. Everythings a trade off I guess. Thanks again.
> When I first started Lexapro, my ability to reach orgasim was greatly diminshed / almost non-existant. But now (8 weeks? later), it is almost back to normal. I think my desire is down a tad... From reading this board / what my pdoc has said / personal experience, it seems that all kinds of side effects can lessen with time -- the question is how much time does one give a side effect to go away. I'm not sure 4 weeks is enough time to go for adding another drug into the mix. Try waiting another month? Also, you may want to look into the timing -- if you take the lex in the evening and then attempt sex 2 hours later, that could make the side effects worse (IMO). If possible, try to time when you take the lex as far away as possible from when your husband is in the mood. (Ideally, take it after sex.)
>
> Also, my jaw tension has eased some now too. At 4 weeks it was very noticable / annoying. Now it is just kinda in the background.
>
>
>
> > I've been unable to reach orgasm since the Lex 4 weeks ago. Sad, since when I was Depressed and unmedicated I could get there with a kind word from my husband....I'm at my peak and missing it! But the other symptoms are better, so that's good I guess.....So do you all think an addition of wellbutrin would fix this-is it worth a shot? Might it also help with the tense neck and shoulders?
>
>
Posted by stanley4756 on December 30, 2002, at 20:29:15
In reply to Re: lexapro 10mg » panicbutton, posted by leslieg on December 26, 2002, at 13:00:25
I've had depression for 33 years. Most recently taking 200 mg of Serzone, and 120 mg of Celexa for depression and 90 mg of BuSpar for anxiety a day. My doctor has given me 10 mg samples of Lexapro, I used it for about 2 weeks and found that I was more tired than usual. I have cut back to 5 mg of Lexapro and feel fine. Even the sexual dysfunctions that I had with the above listed drugs aren't as bad. Which is GOOD news. I'm happy with Lexapro, wish I'd had it ages and ages ago.
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