![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1979 to 2003 of 8406. Go back in thread:
Posted by mlj 123 on February 5, 2003, at 18:57:23
In reply to Re: Lexapro has been very good for me, posted by sussus on February 4, 2003, at 20:19:48
Ive been on it 3 months now. things are much better. no panic attacks since Ive started it
Posted by mlj 123 on February 5, 2003, at 19:07:07
In reply to Re: Lexapro side-effects, posted by nhg on February 4, 2003, at 21:04:09
Tight muscles are also a main side effect from anxiety as well as acid reflux and irritable bowel syndrome. I lost 20 pounds from aniety/panic and the mustle spasms in my neck were horrible. The doc says its all anxiety. This is before any medicine Ive taken. The Old Chinese believe acid reflux only is caused from harmony being out of balance in your soul. They belive if you can heal within yourself you can heal your stomach problems. ....Just a book I read about acute axiety. However Im not Chinese I do see that my severe stomach/mustle spasms have subsided.
Posted by mlj 123 on February 5, 2003, at 19:12:44
In reply to New lex user, posted by Chuck2112 on February 5, 2003, at 11:21:23
Your story is a very fimilar one. good luck. glad your feeling better.
Posted by EGR on February 5, 2003, at 19:16:45
In reply to Re: Changing time of Lex -- EGR » EGR, posted by bozeman on February 3, 2003, at 21:54:54
I had that happen to me at Christmas time and it was scary. That's why I went ahead and increased my dosage. In retrospect, I probably would be okay at 10. I'm thinking about decreasing to 15 but want to wait until I've been on 20 for two full months. I don't have any trouble sleeping either... except for last night and I think that's more because I had 3 sick kids. I noticed that on the days I don't take the Wellbutrin, I'm sleepier during the day. So far, still haven't been able to test it on the sse (my husband left town when I got back... :-( ) But soon! Take care and don't get scared of feeling "normal".
EGR
Posted by Theona on February 5, 2003, at 21:32:46
In reply to New lex user, posted by Chuck2112 on February 5, 2003, at 11:21:23
> I am new to anti-d's. I am self diagnosed as having general anxiety disorder. This seems to have been building ever since I had a child while trying to finish college some years ago. 3 years ago i was divorced, happily i might add, and i noticed a difference in my behavior when I had trouble making ordinary conversation with old friends, i just thought i was growing different. Well i got fed up with it and dedided to work on my skills, and started pushing myself into more social situations and trying to get outside myself. I made some progress, but always felt something holding me back and couldnt figure out what it was. Shortly after, I fell into a slump that I didnt recognize as depression or anxiety, i thought it would pass. Well it didnt, finally i did the same and decided again to work through it, and again made progress, but was always held back, this time though things got real bad. I was finding myself with aching back, aching legs, just tensse all the time with no real reason to be.
>
> I would sometimes get sweaty hands, didnt want to do anything. Had a hard time even forcing myself out the house, and sometimes just drove around town aimlessly, just looking for relief in anything. Never came. So i looked up anxiety and saw the symptoms and realized that this was my problem, so i tried to solve it on my own....didnt happen.....
>
> So i went to the doctor and he gave me some lexapro to try out.....
>
> I have been on it for 16 days now....i am feeling much better, i actually cooked a nice dinner last night, enjoyed the movie i watched, and put some clothes up.....
> i still feel a little detached, I was feeling detached before taking it too, it comes and goes in waves.....
> i have trouble getting to sleep sometimes, but once i fall asleep i stay asleep....
> no nauseous feeling or any other side affect, except with vision sometimes, not too bad though...
> i hoping it starts to work a little bit better in the next week or two, i feel a little better today....i take 10 mg a day
>
> to people who have experiences with this, do anti-d's help releive the detached feeling and depersonalized feelings that accompany anxiety and depression, and how for those feelings to start to subside?From Theona:
I am seeing your note about being self-diagnosed, and I guess I'm concerned about your not having supportive therapy along with the medication, if I am understanding you correctly. The medications can relieve physical symptoms, but it's really hard to be objective about complex behaviors we have developed to cope with the symptoms for so long. Even an amicable divorce is a trauma in life, and traumas can make existing tendencies worse. Getting guidance on the healing process can insure a more steady climb out of the hole. When we are alone, very alone, it is hard to see what we are doing that's odd or different, except what's pronounced.
I've done the medication route without therapy in the past, but recovery was not lasting. I thought if the high anxiety and chronic depression were gone, I'd get on with life. But when symptoms returned when I'd go off and on medications, I didn't have a "plan," so to speak. I want to make steady progress. I know I don't see myself objectively. So I am in my 3rd week, working with a cognitive behavioral therapist, an am surprised, already, to learn how little I have been dealing with feelings because I have been "coping" on my own for so long. Additionally, the therapist works closely with a medicating psychiatrist so that my dosage and effectiveness of Lexapro can be evaluated.
Before, I have worked with my famiily doctor, who is brilliant, funny, concerned, and just the best. But these drugs for depression, anxiety and conditions like OCD are not his daily bread.
I would have diagnosed myself as primarily having high anxiety, too, 4 years ago, but now I know it's OCD. Getting a good, professional diagnosis can mean getting the right help, holistically, and getting better in a lasting way.
I hear all of you say, "I want to feel normal." Me too. Now, on Lexapro for a week, I am not having side effects, but I moved to it from being on Celexa for 4 months. On Lexapro, I no longer have 2 hours of nausea a day. It still remains to be seen if the dose is right for the anxiety and obsessing. The compulsions are reducing. I am working more even-paced throughout the day at work. I suspect I will eventually be moved to 20mg of Lexapro.
How do they know when you are on too high a dose of an SSRI? What happens?
Theona
Posted by Shan on February 5, 2003, at 23:07:24
In reply to Re: New lex user, posted by Theona on February 5, 2003, at 21:32:46
I was on Prozac for about 6 months at 40 mg and then I began feeling depressed, argumentative again so my PCP switched me to Lexapro. I've been on it for 2 weeks and have had night sweats twice, the only side effects of Prozac were headaches that went away after a month, and insomnia. I don't have the upbeat mood that I had when I began Prozac, and I'm not sure I'm getting the results I want from Lexapro. I'm not sure I'm giving it the time it deserves or if I should switch to a higher dose. If you have any insight on this-please let me know-thanks
Posted by bozeman on February 6, 2003, at 0:54:46
In reply to Re: Changing time of Lex -- EGR » bozeman, posted by EGR on February 5, 2003, at 19:16:45
Posted by Chuck2112 on February 6, 2003, at 9:39:39
In reply to Re: New lex user, posted by Theona on February 5, 2003, at 21:32:46
>
> From Theona:
>
> I am seeing your note about being self-diagnosed, and I guess I'm concerned about your not having supportive therapy along with the medication, if I am understanding you correctly. The medications can relieve physical symptoms, but it's really hard to be objective about complex behaviors we have developed to cope with the symptoms for so long. Even an amicable divorce is a trauma in life, and traumas can make existing tendencies worse. Getting guidance on the healing process can insure a more steady climb out of the hole. When we are alone, very alone, it is hard to see what we are doing that's odd or different, except what's pronounced.
>
> I've done the medication route without therapy in the past, but recovery was not lasting. I thought if the high anxiety and chronic depression were gone, I'd get on with life. But when symptoms returned when I'd go off and on medications, I didn't have a "plan," so to speak. I want to make steady progress. I know I don't see myself objectively. So I am in my 3rd week, working with a cognitive behavioral therapist, an am surprised, already, to learn how little I have been dealing with feelings because I have been "coping" on my own for so long. Additionally, the therapist works closely with a medicating psychiatrist so that my dosage and effectiveness of Lexapro can be evaluated.
>
> Before, I have worked with my famiily doctor, who is brilliant, funny, concerned, and just the best. But these drugs for depression, anxiety and conditions like OCD are not his daily bread.
>
> I would have diagnosed myself as primarily having high anxiety, too, 4 years ago, but now I know it's OCD. Getting a good, professional diagnosis can mean getting the right help, holistically, and getting better in a lasting way.
>
> I hear all of you say, "I want to feel normal." Me too. Now, on Lexapro for a week, I am not having side effects, but I moved to it from being on Celexa for 4 months. On Lexapro, I no longer have 2 hours of nausea a day. It still remains to be seen if the dose is right for the anxiety and obsessing. The compulsions are reducing. I am working more even-paced throughout the day at work. I suspect I will eventually be moved to 20mg of Lexapro.
>
> How do they know when you are on too high a dose of an SSRI? What happens?
>
> Theona
>
>Theona,
I really appreciate your post and your wisdom/concern. I do plan to seek some counseling, but right now, I have things in my life that need my attention, and I think that without the meds I either wont address them or wont do it with the attention it needs. I am already starting to find myself getting back to my former self, I just am wondering how much more better I can expect to feel.I am pretty aware of myself and my feelings, and am pretty sure that as I became a father I forgot about myself, and just need help getting it back. This anxiety and depression runs in my family, so its not just about counseling either.
So my plan is to first get myself to a state where I can deal effectively with things, and slowly see what counseling can do for me.
So my question is this....
I have been on the LExapro for 2-1/2 weeks and I am each day feeling a touch better, but feel I need to feel just a little bit better, and than I will feel comfortable just conversing and joking with my coworkers again. So with these drugs, does it generally work like this whereas you slowly start feeling bettter, and how much better....I want a normal flow of thoughts like I am used to.....
Posted by Chuck2112 on February 6, 2003, at 9:51:14
In reply to Re: New lex user-Theona --Anyone!!!!, posted by Chuck2112 on February 6, 2003, at 9:39:39
I want to say that I dont ever have panic attacks...and do fairly well considering how I feel, I usually joke and have fun at work and go out on weekends, go to parties meet and talk to new people....but I just have trouble being totally at ease while doing it....so when it gets to one on one conversation is when I sometimes choke up or zone out.....i just dont relax....i have actually managed to meet and start seeing a girl in the past 2 months....luckily we can not see each other on a daily basis which gives me time to work through some of this....
any thoughts?????
Posted by greeneyes on February 6, 2003, at 10:09:50
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
Today is my 9th day on lexapro(5mg) and I have absolutely NO appetite. I have to remind myself to pick up a snack here and there, but I still just choke that down because I am not hungry. Anyone else go through that? If so, for how long? I move up to 10mg this weekend, and I'm just hoping that the increase doesn't make this worse! Thanks for any input
greeneyes
Posted by MaryZee on February 6, 2003, at 14:27:22
In reply to Re: Lexapro side-effects, posted by tanguerey on January 28, 2003, at 12:43:13
> > I took celexa for four months and have been on lexapro for six months since I switched. I find lexapro to work better. Celexa caused severe insomnia for me; however, lexapro does not. The side-effects from lexapro are a little different though: I find that I have a very decreased sex drive with lexapro. I also find that I am a little lazier on lexapro (I think the proper way to define this is 'amotivational syndrome').
> >
> > The important thing to remember is that everyone has different brain chemsitry: a single person's reaction to a drug does not define that drug's effects/side-effects.
>
>
> I'm switching from Effexor to Lexapro. I developed high blood pressure and had to switch. Also, I've had chest pains. Someone posted that they developed an ulcer. I would be interest to know what it felt like. I've been to a cardiologist and the heart seems OK. Pains are centered. Could this be an esophogeal ulcer?
>
> Any input would be appreciated. Chest pains are scary.
>
> Tanguerey
>Hi! I've been on Lexpro for two weeks. The last two days have started having "chest pains". Sort of feels like something "punching" me (not hard) in the chest. Have had all heart tests three months ago and got an o.k. Have mitral valve prolapse and mild heart murmor - but everything else was fine. Also, today for the first time since starting Lexpro I feel very weepy. And the constant sleepiness has not improved. I was on Prozac for ten years and was switched to Lexapro.
No weaning from Prozac - just stopped it and started taking Lexapro. Anyone have any positive comments on Lexapro? Is it worth hanging in there with this medication? Not so sure :( Would appreciate any advice everyone!!!!!
Posted by Chuck2112 on February 6, 2003, at 15:02:05
In reply to No appetite????, posted by greeneyes on February 6, 2003, at 10:09:50
> Today is my 9th day on lexapro(5mg) and I have absolutely NO appetite. I have to remind myself to pick up a snack here and there, but I still just choke that down because I am not hungry. Anyone else go through that? If so, for how long? I move up to 10mg this weekend, and I'm just hoping that the increase doesn't make this worse! Thanks for any input
>
> greeneyes
I have not had that problem. I have been on Lex for 17 days now. It has helped a bit but am still waiting for it to kick up a notch. Hope it happens soon.
Posted by greeneyes on February 6, 2003, at 15:28:22
In reply to Re: No appetite????, posted by Chuck2112 on February 6, 2003, at 15:02:05
> > Today is my 9th day on lexapro(5mg) and I have absolutely NO appetite. I have to remind myself to pick up a snack here and there, but I still just choke that down because I am not hungry. Anyone else go through that? If so, for how long? I move up to 10mg this weekend, and I'm just hoping that the increase doesn't make this worse! Thanks for any input
> >
> > greeneyes
>
>
> I have not had that problem. I have been on Lex for 17 days now. It has helped a bit but am still waiting for it to kick up a notch. Hope it happens soon.
>I'm the same with noticing that it has helped a bit-and I emphasize "bit"- with the anxiety. I'm actually noticing the appetite thing more than the anxiety relief so... we'll see after my increase
Posted by Chuck2112 on February 6, 2003, at 15:40:15
In reply to Re: No appetite???? » Chuck2112, posted by greeneyes on February 6, 2003, at 15:28:22
> > > Today is my 9th day on lexapro(5mg) and I have absolutely NO appetite. I have to remind myself to pick up a snack here and there, but I still just choke that down because I am not hungry. Anyone else go through that? If so, for how long? I move up to 10mg this weekend, and I'm just hoping that the increase doesn't make this worse! Thanks for any input
> > >
> > > greeneyes
> >
> >
> > I have not had that problem. I have been on Lex for 17 days now. It has helped a bit but am still waiting for it to kick up a notch. Hope it happens soon.
> >
>
> I'm the same with noticing that it has helped a bit-and I emphasize "bit"- with the anxiety. I'm actually noticing the appetite thing more than the anxiety relief so... we'll see after my increase
What is going to be the increase?
I am taking 10mg, I have tried taking it at several times throughout the day, so far I think the best time for me has been at around 7pm.
Here is my basic daily run through. Today was the first day I was able to get up easily, but i didnt exactly jump up either. When I get to work I am usually fine. My main problem is that the anxiety keeps me from being able to relax and just be "here". So conversation with others is sparse at best. This is usually better until about 11am or lunch time, than from about lunch through 5pm i seem to hit a slump, and in the evening i seem to be much better. I dont know why, are there peak times for medicines like these? I wouldnt imagine there is except maybe for the first few weeks. Anyhow, I am trying to be impatient.
Posted by Chuck2112 on February 6, 2003, at 15:42:33
In reply to Re: No appetite????-daily run through, posted by Chuck2112 on February 6, 2003, at 15:40:15
i meant to say i am trying to not be impatient
Posted by greeneyes on February 6, 2003, at 17:13:12
In reply to Re: No appetite????-daily run through, posted by Chuck2112 on February 6, 2003, at 15:40:15
> > > > Today is my 9th day on lexapro(5mg) and I have absolutely NO appetite. I have to remind myself to pick up a snack here and there, but I still just choke that down because I am not hungry. Anyone else go through that? If so, for how long? I move up to 10mg this weekend, and I'm just hoping that the increase doesn't make this worse! Thanks for any input
> > > >
> > > > greeneyes
> > >
> > >
> > > I have not had that problem. I have been on Lex for 17 days now. It has helped a bit but am still waiting for it to kick up a notch. Hope it happens soon.
> > >
> >
> > I'm the same with noticing that it has helped a bit-and I emphasize "bit"- with the anxiety. I'm actually noticing the appetite thing more than the anxiety relief so... we'll see after my increase
>
>
> What is going to be the increase?
> I am taking 10mg, I have tried taking it at several times throughout the day, so far I think the best time for me has been at around 7pm.
> Here is my basic daily run through. Today was the first day I was able to get up easily, but i didnt exactly jump up either. When I get to work I am usually fine. My main problem is that the anxiety keeps me from being able to relax and just be "here". So conversation with others is sparse at best. This is usually better until about 11am or lunch time, than from about lunch through 5pm i seem to hit a slump, and in the evening i seem to be much better. I dont know why, are there peak times for medicines like these? I wouldnt imagine there is except maybe for the first few weeks. Anyhow, I am trying to be impatient.
>
I'm going from 5 mg to 10 mg. My doc suggested that I take mine by 9am, which I have been doing. I usually jump right out of the bed, but have been having some trouble in the mornings. I get up, get the kids going, and then take the med. I have "sinking" spell sometime around 11am or so. But, when I pop out of that, I'm ready to go. I feel extremely productive during the afternoon and early evening hours, but I still have so much anxiety that I must take something(ambien) to actually get to sleep. Probably the sleep meds that are keeping me from getting going in the mornings. Guess it's just a trade off until this stuff really gets going...
Posted by Donia on February 6, 2003, at 20:22:34
In reply to Re: No appetite????, posted by Chuck2112 on February 6, 2003, at 15:02:05
Yes, I am not having an appetite either. I have been on lexapro for 3 weeks and still not much of an appetite. I only weigh 115lbs so I dont want this side effect either. I also had this problem when I was on zoloft. It lasted a month or so and then I started gaining weight. All together on zoloft, I went from 102lbs to 125lbs, with my normal weight then being 108lbs. I hope I get some appetite back but dont want to gain again. As long as I stop at around 125 I will be ok. I stopped taking the zoloft so I dont know if my weight would have kept going up or not.
Posted by Leo Bostar on February 6, 2003, at 20:54:55
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
My dose was increased from 10mg to 20mg after I reported no therapeutic effect. When I started each dose, I felt extremely uncomfortable for 2-3 days (anxiety, confusion, headaches). After that, nothing much happened.
Now it's been over a month, and I still don't feel anything at all after adjusting to the new dose.
Does this drug actually do anything? If so, what?
Posted by missinglynxx on February 6, 2003, at 23:49:57
In reply to Now on 20mg, still no therapeutic effect, posted by Leo Bostar on February 6, 2003, at 20:54:55
> My dose was increased from 10mg to 20mg after I reported no therapeutic effect. When I started each dose, I felt extremely uncomfortable for 2-3 days (anxiety, confusion, headaches). After that, nothing much happened.
>
> Now it's been over a month, and I still don't feel anything at all after adjusting to the new dose.
>
> Does this drug actually do anything? If so, what?
>
>
>
Leo , you will do well. BUT remember sometimes it takes 5 weeks to feel the improvement. dont most medications for any illness, take 4 weeks to really Kick In? Hang in there, buddy
Posted by josh85 on February 7, 2003, at 0:23:57
In reply to Re: Now on 20mg, still no therapeutic effect, posted by missinglynxx on February 6, 2003, at 23:49:57
I just glanced at this board....I've been on lexapro for a few months now..
I'm at 10 mg.When I first started the medication I didn't transition very well. I was on suicide watch for 72 hours while I was adjusting to it. After that everything seemed to be returning to normal.
When I was on celexa I had HUGE problems with being tired, on lexapro I feel like I don't have to sleep (it's the exact opposite...)..I'm becoming slightly insomniatic.
I'm being treated for hypo-manic depression so I've noticed that lexapro controls swings much better than celexa (which did nothing for it).
Additionally I had significant weight gain with Celexa and I have noticed that this has stopped with lexapro, though I have a stronger appetite.
All in all I think that lexapro works well with me...but hey every drug reacts differently to everyone
Posted by josh85 on February 7, 2003, at 0:28:26
In reply to Re: Lexapro side-effects, posted by MaryZee on February 6, 2003, at 14:27:22
> > > I took celexa for four months and have been on lexapro for six months since I switched. I find lexapro to work better. Celexa caused severe insomnia for me; however, lexapro does not. The side-effects from lexapro are a little different though: I find that I have a very decreased sex drive with lexapro. I also find that I am a little lazier on lexapro (I think the proper way to define this is 'amotivational syndrome').
> > >
> > > The important thing to remember is that everyone has different brain chemsitry: a single person's reaction to a drug does not define that drug's effects/side-effects.
> >
> >
> > I'm switching from Effexor to Lexapro. I developed high blood pressure and had to switch. Also, I've had chest pains. Someone posted that they developed an ulcer. I would be interest to know what it felt like. I've been to a cardiologist and the heart seems OK. Pains are centered. Could this be an esophogeal ulcer?
> >
> > Any input would be appreciated. Chest pains are scary.
> >
> > Tanguerey
> >
>
My parents have MVP...so I know SOMETHING about it
my mom constantly complains of chestpains..but her heart literally stopps for a few seconds because of her mvpshe's not on any SSRI's but she's taken a lot of medications in her life...are you only on lexapro or could it be from another medication? like from something to counteract high blood pressure?
Posted by Chuck2112 on February 7, 2003, at 9:07:58
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
ok, so if you read my past few messages you'll get the idea of where I am at in battling this thing.
so for today, I want to say I feel a little better than yesterday....able to focus more, less agitated, and a little more like myself...it seems that each day I am on it this past week it keeps bringing me up a notch each day...so that gives me hope....i still have a little further to go so I am keeping my fingers crossed.....still the only side affect I am experiencing is having trouble going to sleep at night...however once asleep i stay asleep but once I wake up, I am up...you know how sometimes you wake before you have to and you go back to sleep for another hour just to enjoy it, well i cant seem to do that anymore, once awake, i stay awake, so i havent taken any of the usual mid-day naps that are so nice on sunday afternoons....but hey, i can do without those to feel better....
so all in all, this medicine seems to slowly be lifting me up....
Posted by hope2003 on February 7, 2003, at 16:12:49
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by teriwynn on January 8, 2003, at 10:50:37
I hope you are still checking the messages on this board,as I am referring to one of yours dated 8th of January:
1-I consider your message a friendly&constructive one,in general and for me,in special ; I am due to start weaning off Effexor(300mg/day) targeting to start Lexapro administration and I am also on Carbamazepine(400mg),being dx as a Bipolar2
2-I would like now to ask you a couple of questions,knowing that though all of us are differently reacting to the different meds,but some of us can find similarities worth to be taken into account and be discussed with our doctors:
a)besides Depakote,have you tried any other M.S.(Lamictal etc.) ?
b)can you imagine taking Effexor(while weaning off slowly)together with Lexapro(trying to minimize the withdrawal problems and assure min.of time not being covered by any AD)
c)are you taking occasionally Klonopin etc.?
d)have you enjoyed ,while still being on Effexor,at least the anti-anxiety effect(Effexor being "strong"for this problem) and are you considering Lexapro powerful in this sens the sane?
e)have you faced any sexual s/e while being on Effexor and not facing them now,as being already on Lexapro?
f)have you ever been on Celexa ? what is now your successful dosage for Lexapro ?
waiting with interest to your(ar anyone capable talking from his own experience) reactionbe well continuously
HOPE2003
=============================================
> I have taken antidepressants for two years now. Most recently, I came off of Effexor and was switched to Lexapro. I was experiencing a lot of queasiness and nausea on Effexor and was experiencing major mood swings, so I just stopped taking the drug without my doctor's guidance. I went from 350 mg to 0 mg cold turkey. BIG MISTAKE. I thought I was going to die. I sunk into a major depression, felt nauseous and sick all the time. My doctor put me back on the Effexor at the same time as prescribing Lexapro. Then I gradually weaned off Effexor. Lesson one: you have to wean off Effexor. Lesson two: don't self medicate or stop taking your prescribed drugs. Lesson three: if a drug isn't working, try another. I've followed this string of messages and I can tell you that there is not ONE miracle drug that works for everyone. For some unexplained reason, certain SSRI's work well for certain people. And even then, an SSRI that works well for one person can suddenly stop working for no reason at all. I was on Zoloft for over a year and it worked well and then suddenly, it just wasn't doing it for me.
>
> As for Lexapro, it's been working great for me. I've been taking it for about three months now. It's working without any major side effects. I did experience some slight nausea in the very beginning, but that could have been coming off of the Effexor too. I am also on Depakote as I am BiPolar, so that could be it too.
>
> I have a couple of final comments for all of you.
>
> Stick with it; there is a solution if you'll give yourself enough time to find it.
>
> Use message boards like this to help you understand that others have been or are in the same situation and gain strength from that, but do not allow others and their stories to dictate your actions: leave that to your doctors.
>
> Understand that people like pharmrep, who I believe was forced to stop using this message board when someone sent a message to the FDA, are gathering information that will help with future solutions. Was he disseminating information about his drug? Yes. But I found his advice to be good -- usually directing us to check with our doctors. And remember that it was Dr. Bob who started this board. Dr Bob uses this board as a means to gather information from us, the patients. In doing so, he has offered advice repeatedly. Without knowing any of us (or our conditions) personally, why isn't he being charged with treating patients improperly. Long and short of it: the internet should be seen only for what it is -- a source of information that can be used by anyone. When we start censoring people like pharmrep, the information is bound to be more biased than it was when it was an open forum.
>
> To those of you suffering with any mental disorders, I wish you luck. Keep trying. It's taken me over two years, but I am living proof that there is a light at the end of the rainbow.
Posted by Kathii on February 7, 2003, at 16:26:26
In reply to Re: No appetite????, posted by Donia on February 6, 2003, at 20:22:34
> Yes, I am not having an appetite either. I have been on lexapro for 3 weeks and still not much of an appetite. I only weigh 115lbs so I dont want this side effect either. I also had this problem when I was on zoloft. It lasted a month or so and then I started gaining weight. All together on zoloft, I went from 102lbs to 125lbs, with my normal weight then being 108lbs. I hope I get some appetite back but dont want to gain again. As long as I stop at around 125 I will be ok. I stopped taking the zoloft so I dont know if my weight would have kept going up or not.
>I have periods when I just don't want to eat, so I have a nutritional supplement drink (like Ensure) to make sure I get the vitamins and calories I need to maintain my weight. I would stay away from the "diet" drinks - you want something that a doctor would actually recommend for meal supplements.
I've been on Lexapro for about 4 weeks (started at 5mg, increased to 10mg) and have actually noticed an increase in my appetite - my stomach starts growling at 11:30! So you may want to try to ride it out and see if the effects change.
Posted by EGR on February 7, 2003, at 20:18:20
In reply to Re: Now on 20mg, still no therapeutic effect, posted by missinglynxx on February 6, 2003, at 23:49:57
Just give it time. It affects some of us quicker than others. They told me to wait 4 weeks to see how it would work. How long has it bee since you doubled your dose?
EGR
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