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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 3960 to 3984 of 8406. Go back in thread:
Posted by carla on August 18, 2003, at 18:53:18
In reply to Teeth Grinding on Lex., posted by Suzy on August 18, 2003, at 18:37:59
The same thing happened to me.. i have been a teeth grinder for years but had it under control until i started lexapro.. i , too, switched back to 5mg.. I found that an motrin type med on a regular basis and heat really helped.. if you dont have a mouth splint.. just try one of the ones you buy in the sporting goods.. good luck..
Posted by Recumbent on August 18, 2003, at 19:03:59
In reply to Teeth Grinding on Lex., posted by Suzy on August 18, 2003, at 18:37:59
Seems there are more female than male users of Lex at this forum, so I may not quickly get an answer. If my question is offensive, please forgive me. After a few weeks I have seen my anxiety decrease and have generally been easier to live with. I've had something closely resembling acid reflux for the last week (but it seems to be getting better). One disturbing problem is the inability to ejaculate. My question; Will this sexual problem go away with time on Lex?
Posted by Suzy on August 18, 2003, at 19:19:36
In reply to Re: Teeth Grinding on Lex., posted by carla on August 18, 2003, at 18:53:18
Thanks for the info on mouth splints. Don't seem to have that problem much at night but do during the day... Don't know if I could wear it at work. I don't really want to go back down to 5 mg since I've been on 10 so I think I'll give it some more time. Also, does anyone have any experience with alcohol and Lex. I drank a few beers on Saturday and have felt really bad ever since. Is this common?
Posted by Doug in PA on August 18, 2003, at 19:26:55
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl Doug » Doug in PA, posted by galkeepinon on August 18, 2003, at 17:27:18
Hi,
I am on 10 mg of Lex. I tried therapy for about 5 years total. The last one was about 18 months ago. The more I went to therapy one-on-one the more i felt frustrated by the "nodding" heads of all the different Phd's. There is always that blank stare that shouts that they dont care about anything except that you dont run over your time limit. It is so impersonal. While I dont realisticly expect them to cry for me, I would hope that they have experienced Depression first hand and not just in a book. An inexperienced therapist can not truly understand from a book, just how paralising deep depression is. You are laying on the RR tracks, you see the train coming but you just cant move your ass and get up. I am tired of hearing "you can learn to live with it." I cant... but I do live with it only one day at a time.
Doug in PA
========================================> Hi Doug, I get this way too on the Lexapro-what dosage are you on? I call it moodiness with me anyway. On top of that, I'm a cancer.
> I can really relate to what you are saying-hope you feel better. Are you in therapy? Does anything seem to help you feel like you want to feel?
> \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
>
> > I am at the 2 month mark with Lex. There are days when I think that things are improving, then I get a day when everything goes wrong and my mood goes down the tubes. I call it reactive depression. When things go wrong in my technical job and I can't figure out a problem, my depression reacts to it and seems to come back. Self confidence goes out the window and I punish myself with negative thoughts, doubting that I was ever intelligent in my whole life. But then, on days when nothing goes wrong, things seem Okay.
> > ===============================
>
Posted by Lex Poster Girl on August 18, 2003, at 19:46:57
In reply to Re: Teeth Grinding on LexCarla, posted by Suzy on August 18, 2003, at 19:19:36
Good question. I was actually wondering about this myself. I'm not a compulsive drinker, but depriving myself of a glass of wine or a cocktail every now and again just seems like one more thing to deal with - and it's not as if I'm terribly social to begin with. My first bottle came with the bright yellow "DON"T DRINK ALCOHOL WHILE TAKING THIS MEDICATION" label and the second bottle had a milder reddish label stating, "Drinking alcohol while taking this medication may cause drowsiness, use caution." I haven't really changed my drinking habits since being on lex and haven't noticed much of a difference though I know that every drug, including alcohol, affects people differently. How did you feel worse? Did you try a lot of water?
Also, since I'm still new to this and the lingo, could someone enlighten me as to what (nm) means?
Thanks.
Posted by Lex Poster Girl on August 18, 2003, at 19:53:20
In reply to Re: Depression Screening Test Online, posted by BLKVETTES on August 18, 2003, at 18:05:38
Oh goodness Wayne, the Lex has really gone to your head - just like it has with mine ;) I know the online test told you that you were perfect in everyway, but I hope you'll stick around. Perhaps we can make you the "I have too been depressed" honorary therapist of the group - you've had a lot of helpful posts.
Lex
Posted by BLKVETTES on August 18, 2003, at 20:46:45
In reply to Re: Depression Screening Test Online, posted by Lex Poster Girl on August 18, 2003, at 19:53:20
> Oh goodness Wayne, the Lex has really gone to your head - just like it has with mine ;) I know the online test told you that you were perfect in everyway, but I hope you'll stick around. Perhaps we can make you the "I have too been depressed" honorary therapist of the group - you've had a lot of helpful posts.
>
> LexHi Lex, even though Im perfect in everyway and Ive been here for 6 or 7 months I guess I will stick around. NM means no message I believe, but then again I never asked either. TAKE CARE!!!
WAYNE
Posted by lil' jimi on August 18, 2003, at 21:09:25
In reply to Any BPD screening tests online you know of? :-) (nm) » lil' jimi, posted by galkeepinon on August 18, 2003, at 17:10:51
hi Gal Pal,
i thought i could find a screening test for anything ... ... maybe
.... but we just did the bi-polar screening, right?
.... so we're not wanting that Bi-Polar Disorder, BPD, now do we ... ?so ... i'm in guessing mode here ... er, Borderline Personality Disorder, BPD, this time ... maybe?
try
http://www.med.nyu.edu/Psych/screens/pds.html
http://depression.about.com/cs/bpd/
http://www.dr-bob.org/tips/split/Treatment-of-people-with-b.html
http://www.palace.net/~llama/psych/bpd.htmlwell, it looks to me like the only screening test available are not free online ... ...
... but from thse websites we could make our own test ... ... sorry i couldn't find one
... ... i bet someone does though!hope this helps!
did i get BPD right, anyway?TAKE CARE !!
~ jim
Posted by Arrianna on August 18, 2003, at 23:04:35
In reply to Male Lex user - (2) weeks into, posted by Recumbent on August 18, 2003, at 19:03:59
Hi! Since I'm female, I probably don't have the answer you're looking for. But, I have heard that to be a common problem among other male Lex users. I, myself, had problems with my libido for the first couple of weeks on Lex. It went down the tubes. But, like a miracle, it did come back for me. My side effects were at their peak around the 2nd week of Lex, and most of them have gone away. So, hang in there. It should get better.
Arrianna
Posted by Arrianna on August 18, 2003, at 23:10:26
In reply to Re: No Insurance. Where can I buy Lexapro cheap?, posted by tc0824 on August 18, 2003, at 14:25:18
Hi! Have you checked with your county about medical assistance? If you qualify for it, they will cover it. I've got health partners through med. assist. and so far, they've covered everything!
Good Luck,
Arrianna
Posted by Arrianna on August 18, 2003, at 23:15:46
In reply to Teeth Grinding on Lex., posted by Suzy on August 18, 2003, at 18:37:59
Hello. I don't have an answer for you, but also have the problem with teeth grinding. Been on 10 mg. of Lex for 5 weeks, and I think it's been a problem since day one. I guess I was just hoping it'd go away, so I'm also interested in knowing what can be done. Let me know if you find something that helps.
Thanks and Good Luck!
Arrianna
Posted by galkeepinon on August 19, 2003, at 0:53:31
In reply to re: Any BPD screening tests online? :- » galkeepinon, posted by lil' jimi on August 18, 2003, at 21:09:25
hi jimbo ;)
yep Borderline Personality Disorder-you got it right-I wish I had a million for a prize;) I'm sure you could use it. I know I could LOL
Anyway, thanks so much for the sites, I really appreciate it-you're very kind to do that!Gal
> hi Gal Pal,
>
> i thought i could find a screening test for anything ... ... maybe
> .... but we just did the bi-polar screening, right?
> .... so we're not wanting that Bi-Polar Disorder, BPD, now do we ... ?
>
> so ... i'm in guessing mode here ... er, Borderline Personality Disorder, BPD, this time ... maybe?
>
> try
> http://www.med.nyu.edu/Psych/screens/pds.html
> http://depression.about.com/cs/bpd/
> http://www.dr-bob.org/tips/split/Treatment-of-people-with-b.html
> http://www.palace.net/~llama/psych/bpd.html
>
> well, it looks to me like the only screening test available are not free online ... ...
> ... but from thse websites we could make our own test ... ... sorry i couldn't find one
> ... ... i bet someone does though!
>
> hope this helps!
> did i get BPD right, anyway?
>
> TAKE CARE !!
> ~ jim
Posted by mph-speedy on August 19, 2003, at 6:22:52
In reply to re: Any BPD screening tests online? :- » galkeepinon, posted by lil' jimi on August 18, 2003, at 21:09:25
> hi Gal Pal,
>
> i thought i could find a screening test for anything ... ... maybe
> .... but we just did the bi-polar screening, right?
> .... so we're not wanting that Bi-Polar Disorder, BPD, now do we ... ?
>
> so ... i'm in guessing mode here ... er, Borderline Personality Disorder, BPD, this time ... maybe?
>
> try
> http://www.med.nyu.edu/Psych/screens/pds.html
> http://depression.about.com/cs/bpd/
> http://www.dr-bob.org/tips/split/Treatment-of-people-with-b.html
> http://www.palace.net/~llama/psych/bpd.html
>
> well, it looks to me like the only screening test available are not free online ... ...
> ... but from thse websites we could make our own test ... ... sorry i couldn't find one
> ... ... i bet someone does though!
>
> hope this helps!
> did i get BPD right, anyway?
>
> TAKE CARE !!
> ~ jimSo now in addition to being depressed I'm paranoid, borderline, and dependent....Yikes!
speedy
Posted by OceanMist on August 19, 2003, at 6:48:20
In reply to re: wellbutrin and zyban » trucker, posted by lil' jimi on August 18, 2003, at 15:55:35
Thank you I appreciate you all looking this up for me, but I guess what I was wanting to know is....Has anyone had any experience with this? What does everyone else use for curbing SE.
I for one would like to be awake once in a while and have a love life again.thanks
Posted by Esmarelda on August 19, 2003, at 10:46:38
In reply to Male Lex user - (2) weeks into, posted by Recumbent on August 18, 2003, at 19:03:59
I am a female, but there are some earlier posts on this board which talk about the problem you seem to be having. It appears that it will go away after a while according to some of the guys! Good Luck!
Posted by lil' jimi on August 19, 2003, at 11:21:28
In reply to re: wellbutrin and zyban, posted by OceanMist on August 19, 2003, at 6:48:20
hi OceanMist!
> Thank you I appreciate you all looking this up for me, but I guess what I was wanting to know is....Has anyone had any experience with this? What does everyone else use for curbing SE.
> I for one would like to be awake once in a while and have a love life again.
>
> thanks
>... some folks, especially the newer folks, may not know ... (apologies if this is old news) ... but there is the main message board outside of our lex thread here ... ... we can go there by just clicking the link labeled "Psycho Babble" that is at the top of this page ... .... sorry to be repeating info you already know ...
... ... reason i mention this is just now i noticed that snowgirl has left this post "out there" on the main board:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030818/msgs/251795.html
in fact, i think this is for you:
wellbutrin and lexapro
Posted by snowgirl on August 18, 2003, at 8:40:48OceanMist,
I am currently on Zoloft and Wellbutrin. I have been considering changing to Lexapro because of weight gain on Zoloft.
However, I am concerned about the insomnia. I do not have insomnia with 50 mg of Zoloft in the evening. I take the Wellbutrin SR 150 mg in the morning. I cannot take Ambien so I don't know if I will make the switch now to Lexapro.
I have read that it is better to take the Wellbutrin in the morning. I recently talked to someone that takes Wellbutrin when she gets up and Lexapro at 2 p.m.
My son was prescribed Zyban, and it was the exact same pill that I receive as Wellbutrin.
I hope this helps.
Best wishes,
Snowgirl
take care,
~ jim
Posted by x_Ronda_x on August 19, 2003, at 11:31:19
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl Doug » galkeepinon, posted by Doug in PA on August 18, 2003, at 19:26:55
Hi .. I'm a newbie to this site, searching for answers.
I was switched three weeks ago from Celexa to Lexapro. Of course, I'm switched every time I go to the dr. Feels like a rollercoaster most of the time. I'm on 10 mg Lexapro, 150 Effexor-XR, 150 trileptal, and either I sleep all the time, or not at all. That's not even counting the Neuronton 4 times a day, and Xanax at night, if I'm awake long enough to take the rest of them. After three years, I'm really tired of this medicine-go-round. I just WISH they could find SOME combination that worked. Still on therapy, but I agree ... the head-nodding and vague reflections on what I say does little to help me find a way to get structure, direction, OR my life back.
Posted by lil' jimi on August 19, 2003, at 11:40:33
In reply to Male Lex user - (2) weeks into, posted by Recumbent on August 18, 2003, at 19:03:59
hi Recumbent,
(and thanks to Esmeralda for prompting me to get you this reply here ... Thanks, Esmeralda!)
Recumbent wrote us:
> Seems there are more female than male users of Lex at this forum, so I may not quickly get an answer. If my question is offensive, please forgive me. After a few weeks I have seen my anxiety decrease and have generally been easier to live with. I've had something closely resembling acid reflux for the last week (but it seems to be getting better). One disturbing problem is the inability to ejaculate. My question; Will this sexual problem go away with time on Lex?
>i'll bet you dollars to doughnuts it will!
(dating myself by using an expression which depends on doughnuts being preceived as very cheap ... ... these days that's nearly even odds!)Anorgasmia: ... the inability to orgasm ... ... i hear you brother! ... been there ... No Fun!
... but you're not having decreased libido, right?
... and no erectile dysfunction, right?
(a word of caution here :: Viagra can aggravate your suffering ... unless you need to treat ED, do not go there.)i went from normal sexual function to total anorgasmia within 2 days of starting lexapro ... Very Weird ... ... ... a week later i had fully recovered ...
... ... this is definitely an initial lex SE, which does eventually go away ... ... i'm betting it will for you too ...
let us hear how you are doing ... ... hang in there!
TAKE CARE !!
~ jim
Posted by lil' jimi on August 19, 2003, at 12:30:54
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl Doug, posted by x_Ronda_x on August 19, 2003, at 11:31:19
hi x_Ronda_x,
> I was switched three weeks ago from Celexa to Lexapro. Of course, I'm switched every time I go to the dr. Feels like a rollercoaster most of the time. I'm on 10 mg Lexapro, 150 Effexor-XR, 150 trileptal, and either I sleep all the time, or not at all. That's not even counting the Neuronton 4 times a day, and Xanax at night, if I'm awake long enough to take the rest of them. After three years, I'm really tired of this medicine-go-round. I just WISH they could find SOME combination that worked. Still on therapy, but I agree ... the head-nodding and vague reflections on what I say does little to help me find a way to get structure, direction, OR my life back.
>
>so you've gone from
celexa to lexapro while you're takingeffexor
trilepal
neuronton
xanaxand you've been going through the medication circus for 3 YEARS !! (???)
awesome, and AWFUL for you there ... sorry ...
but you're beyond me .. .... .. i don't begin to know what to offer you because
i've only been on lex for 5 months (i take 10 mg)...
it is the only AD i've ever had ...
... of your other meds, of the ones i've read about, i only know them by there reputations ... ...
so you need a lot better information than you can get from me ...... so here's my suggestion, while we are here in pBabble land:
go to the main message board (click the 'Psycho Babble' link at the top of the page);
post a new thread by clicking the "Start new thread" link at the bottom of the main message board page ;
write an attention grabbing subject line, the better to get the attention of folks with info ...
... maybe something like"lexapro, effexor, trileptal, neuronton PLUS xanax:: HELP!!"
... maybe ?
... and then hope someone like Larry Hoover or JrBecker ot Ron Hill reply with their expertise.... ... of course reading posts about your meds on the main message page could help and doing searches there may turn up some useful info also ...
sorry i don't have any answers for you!
good luck ... let us hear how you're doing .TAKE CARE !!!
~ jim
Posted by Arrianna on August 19, 2003, at 12:40:42
In reply to x_Ronda_x, posted by lil' jimi on August 19, 2003, at 12:30:54
Hi! I agree with and am like jim: I don't have any help or suggestions for you. But, I really feel for ya! It's got to be a struggle! I've been on Lex for 5 weeks, and it is also the only AD i've ever been on. So, I wish you the best and encourage you to follow jim's tips. Good Luck and Hang in There!
Arrianna
Posted by Simcha on August 19, 2003, at 13:48:18
In reply to Re: Teeth Grinding on Lex. » Suzy, posted by Arrianna on August 18, 2003, at 23:15:46
Hi All,
I've had teeth grinding much of my life. When my psyciatrist added Celexa (the precursor of Lexapro) the teeth grinding got worse.
This psychiatrist prescribed 1mg of Klonopin to take before I go to bed at night. This worked for over a year.
I moved to California and I had to get a new psychiatrist. This psychiatrist felt that using Klonopin was not the best treatment for the teeth grinding. He said that it interrupted my sleep architecture.
Therefore he prescribed Neurontin as I weened off of the Klonopin. Finally I have been maintained on 600mg of Neurontin before bed for the past 6 months or so.
My conclusions for me:
Klonopin works
Neurontin also worksAll, your mileage may vary. I don't know if what worked for me will work for you. Not all of us react the same way to the same medications.
Blessings,
Simcha> Hello. I don't have an answer for you, but also have the problem with teeth grinding. Been on 10 mg. of Lex for 5 weeks, and I think it's been a problem since day one. I guess I was just hoping it'd go away, so I'm also interested in knowing what can be done. Let me know if you find something that helps.
> Thanks and Good Luck!
> Arrianna
Posted by BLKVETTES on August 19, 2003, at 14:01:20
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl Doug, posted by x_Ronda_x on August 19, 2003, at 11:31:19
> Hi .. I'm a newbie to this site, searching for answers.
>
> I was switched three weeks ago from Celexa to Lexapro. Of course, I'm switched every time I go to the dr. Feels like a rollercoaster most of the time. I'm on 10 mg Lexapro, 150 Effexor-XR, 150 trileptal, and either I sleep all the time, or not at all. That's not even counting the Neuronton 4 times a day, and Xanax at night, if I'm awake long enough to take the rest of them. After three years, I'm really tired of this medicine-go-round. I just WISH they could find SOME combination that worked. Still on therapy, but I agree ... the head-nodding and vague reflections on what I say does little to help me find a way to get structure, direction, OR my life back.
>
>Hi there, curious what you are being treated for. On other boards there are a few others that take multiple meds. If you can think back do you feel better before all these meds or worse. If the answer is worse it seems time for you to get a 2nd or 3rd opinion especially if you have been with the same doctor all this time. I did not suffer as long as you have. But I had 2 meds back to back and way to much xanax at one time. The doc wanted me to take a new med. I said no way!!!!!!! I stopped all meds except for a little xanax. I had to know where I was without everything in me. I should have weaned myself off but went cold turkey. I regained everything I lost while taking the meds after about 30 days or so. But I realized I still was suffering with anxiety and depression and had to find the right med. I went to 2 different psychiatrists and got opinions and ended up on lexapro. It seems to me you are over medicated beyond belief. 3 years is a long time to be someones lab rat if its the same doctor and you keep getting worse. Mixing all those meds together is an experiment. May work for you but would not work for anyone else. There is no one here going to give you an answer for those meds you take because there is not one. Your doc gets lucky or you dont!!!! I hope you keep posting and tell us more. I wish you luck!!!
WAYNE
Posted by lil' jimi on August 19, 2003, at 14:14:39
In reply to Re: Depression Screening Test Online, posted by Lex Poster Girl on August 18, 2003, at 17:41:33
hi Lex Poster Girl and all of our lex pals,
i agree completely with this:
> This is thread is making me a little nervous. I think our little group is pretty into self analysis or we wouldn't be here giving one another support and suggestions. I've taken several of these tests and it seems that sometimes I'm bipolar, sometimes I'm not, sometimes I should call 911, and sometimes I should just spend a little more time smiling. I don't get such diverse answers because I'm inconsistent but because of the way these tests are written. It felt a bit like taking a Cosmo quiz. Everything was yes or no / cut and dry and, I think most of us agree that, depression is no where near that easy. I strongly agree with the follong comment
>
> "However, this screening is not a substitute for a complete clinical evaluation. You are advised to see your doctor or a mental health professional for a complete evaluation, as soon as possible."
>
> It's important to find a doctor you can trust and be open with and realise that health professionals use such questioneers for base information and not as a way to make a diagnosis.
>
> And, by the way, I am very content with my relationship with Lex. I worry slightly that she might not satisfy me the same way in the future that she does now but, for the time being, it's going quite well.
>i am glad that your lex is working for you, LPG ...
.... but what i wanted to emphasize here was your main point ...
... Please, folks, Don't let any of these online screening quizzes upset you ... please ...... any information we may get from any of these self-administered online screening tests should provide a focus for discussion with your doctor ... ...
... just consider them another component of our informed consent ... ... we must be as informed about our condition and our treatment as we can be, but that is so we may better assist and help direct our doctor in our recovery ...
... thank you for your support ...
... your mileage will definitely vary ...
... congratulations to Wayne (blkvettes) for being CURED ... i loved that! .... HA!and everyone
TAKE CARE !!!
~ jimand remember:
> "However, this screening is not a substitute for a complete clinical evaluation. You are advised to see your doctor or a mental health professional for a complete evaluation, as soon as possible."
really.
thanks!
~ j
Posted by Lex Poster Girl on August 19, 2003, at 15:02:02
In reply to All of these Online Screening Tests, posted by lil' jimi on August 19, 2003, at 14:14:39
I'm glad we all seem intelligent and well-informed enough to understand this.
On a different thread, reading these posts makes me wonder why, besides the persuasive - verging on demonic - nature of pharmaceutical companies, we are prescribed one medication over another? I've looked around the other babble pages and there seem to be commonalities, but I am really wondering why I was put on Lex first. I'm sure doctors know about the options and have pressure from several drug companies. I also know that a lot of people are being told to switch from Celexa to Lexapro, but does anyone know what, specifically makes someone a candidate for Lexapro as opposed to another drug?
Thanks,
Lex
Posted by Esmarelda on August 19, 2003, at 15:16:42
In reply to Re: All of these Online Screening Tests and...., posted by Lex Poster Girl on August 19, 2003, at 15:02:02
This is just my opinion - I first took an antidepressant in 1997 - Paxil. I only took it for about 3 or 4 months and was fine after that. I couldn't sleep on it, but it seemed to work fairly well. Then, in 1998, I had another occasion where they put me on Prozac and I took that for about 8 months. It worked way too well and I cared about nothing so I quit and was fine after that for a while. Then, in 2001 I had another situational occurence and they tried Effexor and another one or two drugs that did not work and made me feel like I had taken a bunch of hits of speed and then finally settled on Wellbutrin, which took the edge off, but I still had occasional depression. I quit the Wellbutrin after about 4 months. I started back on it in the Spring of 2002 and it did not work very well and they tried Remeron - well I got fat and was sleepy all the time so I just quit cold turkey and was okay until my Grandmother died a few months back. I started taking some left over Wellbutrin that really wasn't doing the trick and then went to a grief counselor -- she recommended Lexapro. Said it was new and seemed to really work for a lot of people. It is the best thing that I have ever been on. As I previously posted, it took a while to get here, but I am very happy with it. I think different meds just effect different chemistries differently. I also think it depends on the depth of the depression and the amount (if any anxiety) that is going along with the depression. I don't know JACK, but sometimes after you have been on something for a while, you just get numb to it and it doesn't work anymore.
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