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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by nicky847 on January 20, 2004, at 11:39:12
In reply to Week 5, posted by KathrynLex on January 19, 2004, at 21:30:37
Kathryn--
I hope you dont get the week 5 blues either! but if you do..I can attest to the fact that week 6 is much better...if it happens to you just ride it out and know that its just a temporary thing and you will resume making progress in a few days..
nick> I'm on day 31 of 10 mg lex. I've got my fingers crossed hoping that I don't encounter the "week 5 blues." For those of you who have experienced it, did it go away by week 6?
>
> K.
Posted by Steve3211 on January 20, 2004, at 12:12:03
In reply to Re: Mornings are so hard on lexapro, posted by hanging on on January 19, 2004, at 8:21:23
hanging on,
I am in the same boat. Mornings are awful and I am having a hard time bumping up from 5mg's because of se's. Anxiety is the worst and mostly caused by insomnia. Fears just seem to come in every type of disguise. Wake up around 4am most nights and then just doze, so I'm never feel fully at my best. I had a pretty good day however yesterday and do feel like I am slowly coming around. Do you find that the evenings are better? That you can eat and relax better then? Best-Steve
Posted by Steve3211 on January 20, 2004, at 12:26:35
In reply to weird lexapro ? please respond!, posted by sexylexy on January 20, 2004, at 9:35:48
> Hey Ya'll
> I have an odd question. I have been fighting this spaciness stuff since I have been on about 4 1/2 weeks. Its odd because it seems to not be around until I go somewhere with non natural light (ie a mall, target, grocery store) has anyone else noticed this and does it go away eventually. It like when I go to these places the spacey feeling comes back. HELP?
> LexyHey Lexy,
That is interesting. I always have a problem with light when I am depressed. I am similar to Kath in that I don't like artificial flurescent light very much or the light in malls and such. However I find that I feel better with a soft yellow light that you get from a regular bulb and a warm colored shade. I guess it just seems more cozy and secure to me. The first thing I do when I come down in the morning is turn on the lamps especially if it is cloudy or gloomy out. Best-Steve
Posted by hanging on on January 20, 2004, at 12:30:24
In reply to Re: Mornings are so hard on lexapro, posted by Steve3211 on January 20, 2004, at 12:12:03
Everyone,
Thanks for all your support. I continue to hang on and hope for improvement. The support is a big help.
Steve,
I have been at 10mg since day 5. On day 12 or so now. Past all the se's that I can tell. I take it at 5-6pm. I am better in the evening and can eat and relax then. In the morning I can't eat a thing.
C.
Posted by KathrynLex on January 20, 2004, at 12:34:03
In reply to Re: Mornings are so hard on lexapro, posted by Steve3211 on January 20, 2004, at 12:12:03
Hi Steve,
I just wanted to comment on some of the side effects you're experiencing. I'm on a slightly higher dose than you (10 mg of lex for 32 days now) but felt very similar to what you're describing when I first started on lex.
For the first 3 wks I woke up at 4 am every morning and had a great deal of trouble getting back to sleep. I had no appetite, and yes, it was impossible for me to wake up...I was constantly late for work.
Now that I'm in the middle of week 5, things have improved. I sleep through the night! I still wake up groggy, but it only takes me about half an hour to clear my head. I hope your mornings start to get better!
K.
Posted by tiredman on January 20, 2004, at 12:57:57
In reply to I'm just learning to do this..., posted by Missy K on January 18, 2004, at 7:16:39
I've posted a few times before, all about the same problem. I'm on my fourth
month of taking lexapro. It's been torture. I follow a pattern. I increase the
dose. Suffer the side effects for a week. Feel better for a week or so. Then it
stops working. I then increase the dose and the pattern repeats. I've done this
going from 2.5->5.0->7.5->10.0->15->20->25 (every time suffering a week of side
effects). It also feels like when it does poop out, I feel worse then I did in
the first place.I just started 25mg. My pdoc has said that if this doesn't work then we will
have to start experimenting with other drugs. I already take trazadone and
perphenazine to sleep.She says I am taking the largest dose of Lexapro of all her patients. Are any of
you taking over 25 mgs? I am getting scared.Thanks!
Posted by LynneDa on January 20, 2004, at 13:07:31
In reply to Getting desperate. What's the max lex I can take, posted by tiredman on January 20, 2004, at 12:57:57
Hi! Sorry to hear you are having such a time! Your body must be worn out from repeated side effect exposure!! Just to be sure I understand, are you upping the dosage then waiting 2 weeks to see if the new dosage is effective?
For personal reasons, I am curious as to how you gauge the new dosage's effectiveness? I upped to 20mg from 10mg about 4 weeks ago and I think I've improved, but am still having some feelings of depression and anxiety - not as bad as with no meds and not as bad as on 10mg. Part of my problem is lack of sleep - that makes everything seem worse!
I know this must be frustrating for you. It would be nice to find a solution that is not so hard on you!
~ Lynne
Posted by Missy K on January 20, 2004, at 13:27:03
In reply to Re: Mornings are so hard on lexapro, posted by KathrynLex on January 20, 2004, at 12:34:03
Hey,
I'm on day 11 and I've been experiencing the same problems, but they are getting a little better. I still can't eat in the morning, but I'm not dry heaving either. I still wake up at 4AM shaking, but I don't experience all out dread. I'm looking forward to the day I can sleep through the night again, but for now I just am thankful for each day I feel a little better. Stay as active as you can, and remember we're all here.
Posted by Steve3211 on January 20, 2004, at 13:32:50
In reply to Re: Mornings are so hard on lexapro, posted by hanging on on January 20, 2004, at 12:30:24
> Everyone,
>
> Thanks for all your support. I continue to hang on and hope for improvement. The support is a big help.
>
> Steve,
>
> I have been at 10mg since day 5. On day 12 or so now. Past all the se's that I can tell. I take it at 5-6pm. I am better in the evening and can eat and relax then. In the morning I can't eat a thing.
>
> C.Thats me all right. Cannot really eat well at all during the day and then ok in the evening. Sounds like we are on the same path. Stick with it and as was posted before as the depression lifts the mornings will improve. Best-Steve
Posted by Steve3211 on January 20, 2004, at 13:33:26
In reply to Re: Mornings are so hard on lexapro, posted by hanging on on January 20, 2004, at 12:30:24
> Everyone,
>
> Thanks for all your support. I continue to hang on and hope for improvement. The support is a big help.
>
> Steve,
>
> I have been at 10mg since day 5. On day 12 or so now. Past all the se's that I can tell. I take it at 5-6pm. I am better in the evening and can eat and relax then. In the morning I can't eat a thing.
>
> C.Thats me all right. Cannot really eat well at all during the day and then ok in the evening. Sounds like we are on the same path. Stick with it and as was posted before as the depression lifts the mornings will improve. Best-Steve
Posted by BobYuma on January 20, 2004, at 13:37:27
In reply to Week 5, posted by KathrynLex on January 19, 2004, at 21:30:37
> >I'm on day 31 of 10 mg lex. I've got my fingers crossed hoping that I don't encounter the "week 5 blues." For those of you who have experienced it, did it go away by week 6?
K. > > >
-------------------------------------------
Hi, K.
My week five went fine, after the first day. The first day was a real bummer, I was really lethargic and felt lousy, but after that, I really couldn't tell any difference
Good luck, and remember, the best is yet to come. BobYuma
Posted by Mariposa on January 20, 2004, at 13:38:24
In reply to Getting desperate. What's the max lex I can take, posted by tiredman on January 20, 2004, at 12:57:57
>
> I've posted a few times before, all about the same problem. I'm on my fourth
> month of taking lexapro. It's been torture. I follow a pattern. I increase the
> dose. Suffer the side effects for a week. Feel better for a week or so. Then it
> stops working. I then increase the dose and the pattern repeats. I've done this
> going from 2.5->5.0->7.5->10.0->15->20->25 (every time suffering a week of side
> effects). It also feels like when it does poop out, I feel worse then I did in
> the first place.
>
> I just started 25mg. My pdoc has said that if this doesn't work then we will
> have to start experimenting with other drugs. I already take trazadone and
> perphenazine to sleep.
>
> She says I am taking the largest dose of Lexapro of all her patients. Are any of
> you taking over 25 mgs? I am getting scared.
>
> Thanks!I currently take 20mg, but my pdoc told me I could go up if I felt I needed to. He said he had patients taking 30 and 40mg. The highest dose I have heard of is 100mg posted by *cletus2* on this board.~~~8|8
Posted by BobYuma on January 20, 2004, at 13:45:30
In reply to Getting desperate. What's the max lex I can take, posted by tiredman on January 20, 2004, at 12:57:57
> > I've posted a few times before, all about the same problem. I'm on my fourth month of taking lexapro. It's been torture. I follow a pattern. I increase the dose. Suffer the side effects for a week. Feel better for a week or so. Then it stops working. I then increase the dose and the pattern repeats. I've done this going from 2.5->5.0->7.5->10.0->15->20->25 (every time suffering a week of side effects). It also feels like when it does poop out, I feel worse then I did in the first place.
I just started 25mg. My pdoc has said that if this doesn't work then we will have to start experimenting with other drugs. I already take trazadone and perphenazine to sleep. She says I am taking the largest dose of Lexapro of all her patients. Are any of you taking over 25 mgs? I am getting scared. Thanks!
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >You don't have to be afraid. I've been on five different antidepressants, and out of those five, only two worked for me. If one doesn't work, that's why the other types and brands are there, to try out. Don't worry, you'll find one that works fine for you. I've never heard of anyone who couldn't be helped by at least one antidepressant. Take care and hang in there, the best is coming.
BobYuma
Posted by ednababish on January 20, 2004, at 13:52:21
In reply to Re: weird lexapro ? please respond!, posted by Steve3211 on January 20, 2004, at 12:26:35
Lexy--I have noticed (and also read) that panic syptoms can be aggravated by fluorescent lights--as migraine headaches can be triggered by the same. I've noticed that sodium arc lights are pretty nasty as well. I just chalk it up the notion that we're really messing with our basic biological ability to process stimuli with everything that we use that isn't natural. I noticed it too at first--just hang in there and soon you won't notice it as much.
Posted by Steve3211 on January 20, 2004, at 14:32:19
In reply to Re: Mornings are so hard on lexapro, posted by KathrynLex on January 20, 2004, at 12:34:03
> Hi Steve,
>
> I just wanted to comment on some of the side effects you're experiencing. I'm on a slightly higher dose than you (10 mg of lex for 32 days now) but felt very similar to what you're describing when I first started on lex.
>
> For the first 3 wks I woke up at 4 am every morning and had a great deal of trouble getting back to sleep. I had no appetite, and yes, it was impossible for me to wake up...I was constantly late for work.
>
> Now that I'm in the middle of week 5, things have improved. I sleep through the night! I still wake up groggy, but it only takes me about half an hour to clear my head. I hope your mornings start to get better!
>
> K.Kath,
I'm wondering if I should even attempt to adjust my dose. I seem to be doing better at 5mg than at 7.5 at am starting to hope that my depression is starting to lift. What do you guys think?
Steve
Posted by LynneDa on January 20, 2004, at 14:52:17
In reply to Re: Mornings are so hard on lexapro, posted by Steve3211 on January 20, 2004, at 14:32:19
Steve - If you're starting to see some improvement, can you hang in there a little longer at 5? It might be worthwhile to give it a couple more weeks. Good luck!
~ Lynne
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
> Kath,
> I'm wondering if I should even attempt to adjust my dose. I seem to be doing better at 5mg than at 7.5 at am starting to hope that my depression is starting to lift. What do you guys think?
> Steve
>
Posted by Mrs C. on January 20, 2004, at 15:10:41
In reply to Re: Anxious after 25 days? - Lexy, posted by Mrs C. on January 18, 2004, at 15:45:29
> Hey Guys,
> I have a question for you. Has anyone experienced a return of side effects once in awhile. Today and yesterday I have felt that old "wired" feeling that I had in the beginning. I have been on Lex now for three months and this is unexpected. Has anyone else had this happen? I'm worried about it so if anyone could reply I would be so grateful. Thanks. Mrs. CHi, it's me again. I was really hoping for a response from someone but I guess no one has experienced this. That scares me because usually there is someone who can relate. Bye for now. Mrs. C
Posted by LynneDa on January 20, 2004, at 15:20:25
In reply to Re: Anxious after 25 days? - Lexy, posted by Mrs C. on January 20, 2004, at 15:10:41
Hi Mrs. C. - I'm sorry no one replied yet . . . and you are such a congenial and helpful poster :-).
The wired, anxious feelings have come back for me off and on, but then I upped to 20mg at 10 weeks. I'm at 3 months as well. Like right now, I am tapping my foot so fast. I didn't even realize it!! I still can't sleep a full night. But, I think that's due to the dosage change.
I would guess a lot of things can bring side effects around again - your med stays the same chemical combo but your body doesn't as you cycle through a month, as your sleep patterns change, as your stressors change, diet alterations, etc. I can't tell you not to worry, cuz I would wonder too! Are you having any other s/e's or signs of your old worries/depression?
~ Lynne
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
> > Hey Guys,
> > I have a question for you. Has anyone experienced a return of side effects once in awhile. Today and yesterday I have felt that old "wired" feeling that I had in the beginning. I have been on Lex now for three months and this is unexpected. Has anyone else had this happen? I'm worried about it so if anyone could reply I would be so grateful. Thanks. Mrs. C
>
> Hi, it's me again. I was really hoping for a response from someone but I guess no one has experienced this. That scares me because usually there is someone who can relate. Bye for now. Mrs. C
Posted by winterbluez on January 20, 2004, at 15:25:30
In reply to Re: Mornings are so hard on lexapro, posted by KathrynLex on January 20, 2004, at 12:34:03
hello can anyone relate to this here?? besides seasonal depression and anxiety{winter and fall}
i have this thing going on where i feel like i always have to think positive thoughts and protect them by performing some sort of task or mental challenge. this cycle just goes on all day
and more and more anxiety results as the day goes on.i have to think of my newborn son or my family which makes me feel good, but in return i have to then verify in my mind somehow either by
reaffirming with a task or some compulsion that everything will be okay. i know this is some form of ocd but i don't have certain rituals or things i do,it's just like anytime i feel good or have a good thought i have to protect it with a compulsion or i feel like i've let myself and all the good in me down!!! i take paxil and xanax and these things help some but this just doesn't go away... can anybody relate?? sorry this is so long but this stuff is driving me crazy!!
Posted by KathrynLex on January 20, 2004, at 15:35:39
In reply to Re: Anxious after 25 days? - Lexy, posted by Mrs C. on January 20, 2004, at 15:10:41
Hi Mrs. C,
I'm sorry to hear that you're having trouble with lex right now. Have you discussed it with your pdoc, he might suggest adding something to your drug cocktail to help with the "wired" feeling. Or maybe your dose is too high.
Is there something else that might be causing you to feel "wired" like a change in your caffeine intake or unusually high stress levels? I only ask because I'm wondering if there wasn't something to trigger the "wired" feeling, or if it came on suddenly.
It's possible that you will start feeling normal again in a few days and what you're experiencing now is just a small glitch. I hope that's the case. In the meantime, call your pdoc to put your mind at rest. Please keep us posted on how you're doing, we all want you to be well.
K.
Posted by Mrs C. on January 20, 2004, at 15:42:18
In reply to Re: Anxious after 25 days? - Lexy, posted by LynneDa on January 20, 2004, at 15:20:25
Lynne, You have no idea how glad I am to hear from somebody! I still feel great and the "wired" feeling has subsided. It was around for a couple of days. I am expecting my period any day so maybe that has something to do with it! You're such an angel, you were the first person to ever reply to me when I first started on this board and you are always so welcoming to everyone who posts! Hope things are going okay with you too. Mrs. C
Posted by LynneDa on January 20, 2004, at 15:43:38
In reply to Re: Anxious after 25 days? - Lexy, posted by Mrs C. on January 20, 2004, at 15:42:18
Posted by Mrs C. on January 20, 2004, at 15:45:17
In reply to anyone relate to this??, posted by winterbluez on January 20, 2004, at 15:25:30
> hello can anyone relate to this here?? besides seasonal depression and anxiety{winter and fall}
> i have this thing going on where i feel like i always have to think positive thoughts and protect them by performing some sort of task or mental challenge. this cycle just goes on all day
> and more and more anxiety results as the day goes on.i have to think of my newborn son or my family which makes me feel good, but in return i have to then verify in my mind somehow either by
> reaffirming with a task or some compulsion that everything will be okay. i know this is some form of ocd but i don't have certain rituals or things i do,it's just like anytime i feel good or have a good thought i have to protect it with a compulsion or i feel like i've let myself and all the good in me down!!! i take paxil and xanax and these things help some but this just doesn't go away... can anybody relate?? sorry this is so long but this stuff is driving me crazy!!Yes, I can definetly relate! I am taking lex for OCD as well. My problem is always having to look up symptoms I have in fear of a serios illness. I would spend hours per day doing this when I was worried about something. Keep hanging on and taking your meds. You will get better, I have! Mrs. C
Posted by Steve3211 on January 20, 2004, at 16:05:23
In reply to Re: Anxious after 25 days? - Lexy, posted by Mrs C. on January 20, 2004, at 15:10:41
> > Hey Guys,
> > I have a question for you. Has anyone experienced a return of side effects once in awhile. Today and yesterday I have felt that old "wired" feeling that I had in the beginning. I have been on Lex now for three months and this is unexpected. Has anyone else had this happen? I'm worried about it so if anyone could reply I would be so grateful. Thanks. Mrs. C
>
> Hi, it's me again. I was really hoping for a response from someone but I guess no one has experienced this. That scares me because usually there is someone who can relate. Bye for now. Mrs. CMrs. C,
I can relate. I am only on 5 mg's for almost 4 weeks now and although the s/e's are not the same I still get some of them. I am having gastro intest problems and headaches and a little spacey. I think it just takes a while for our bodies to adjust. Anyone else experience different s/e's after being on Lexapro for a while? Thanks guys-Steve
Posted by Gator on January 20, 2004, at 16:28:52
In reply to Re: Anxious after 25 days?Mrs. C., posted by Steve3211 on January 20, 2004, at 16:05:23
Mrs. C,
I've been on Lex for 3 1/2 months and now and then I feel some small s/e's reappear too. Nothing real bad but my thought is that my body is readjusting. Usually a day or two later I feeling good again. So, I just let my body recallibrate itself and I'm ready for another 3000 miles!
Good Luck!
Gator
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