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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by calmlikeabomb on March 29, 2004, at 22:22:20
In reply to Re: here we go on 20mg... » sueds, posted by trucker on March 29, 2004, at 21:47:01
hey sueds, i'm with you on the new thing. i found this on google looking for something to address lexapro + vertigo.
my experience with SSRIs is limited to paxil, effexor and lexapro. i'm currently coming off 10mg lexapro, and am now not taking it after tapering off. (manic episodes in summer are heightened with SSRIs, so i will take it seasonally, in fall and winter, or least that's the plan. uncharted territory there. lamictal as a mood stablizer might help absent SSRI).
i'm suffering vertigo, and it's a nuisance. i'd love ANY advice or experience about the vertigo thing, particularly how long it lasts as a result of withdrawal.
my experience with lexapro by itself is decent. i came off paxil and that was extremely unpleasant. the vertigo was relentless and i had a terrible burning sensation on my left forearm (i scratched it so much i bled through my work shirt). and (yikes) suicidal thoughts.
so, coming off lexapro appears to not be as difficult as that. it's been 5 days of none of it, and, curiously, the vertigo is just setting in hardcore.
as for another aspect of this thread, weight gain is an issue with me. i'm used to being a lean 6'0" 170. i'm at about 200 now. if i diet hard i can only get down to 188. serious pain in the rear end. i'm hoping that will change. i'd also like to know if one's metabolism speeds up considerably after coming off, and perhaps how long will it take?
hope that helps some ... any help in return is appreciated.
peace+
p.s. if anyone is doing a seasonal thing, i would LOVE to hear about it ...
Posted by Nemo2 on March 29, 2004, at 22:35:20
In reply to muddled thinking, posted by kateincali on March 14, 2004, at 13:31:03
Kate,
I started Lex on Jan 9th and had the normal se's. Brain fog, jittery feelings, amped up in the morning, needed less sleep, needed less food, etc. After 4 weeks the se's backed off, but two important ones remained. Brain fog and jitteryness. I am 54 and have a big job. I have to be quick and smart and ready to learn lots of new stuff all the time. Lex did not allow me to do that. I tried to deal with being slower mentally and finally decided that I'd take a different tack. Very careful and healthy nutrition, lots of exercise and no SSRI's. I quit Lex cold 4 days ago and am going through the withdrawal symptoms that no one tells you about in this AD world. I'm trying to get back to the place I was when I started Lex and work on my anxiety and depression through a more natural approach. I've read other posts that tell me the withdrawal may take months. If that is truly the case, I don't know whether I can survive in my job, which would be a sad end to 25 years of success with a wonderful company. Nemo2
Posted by sexylexy on March 29, 2004, at 22:37:23
In reply to Re: here we go on 20mg..., posted by sueds on March 29, 2004, at 21:50:27
Hey Sueds,
Welcome to our lexapro family. I hope you find the information useful. I am not familiar with Gabitril what is that? You said you have PTSD and Depression. Though Depression can be chemical or biological, PTSD is only from experience, where a Congnitive Behavioral Therapist would come in very handy. You said you had tried all the drugs on the market, what about drugs with therapy. I am sure you probably have tried this combo but I am a therapist so figured I would put my two cents in. What sort of symptoms are you currently having? Sorry to be invasive, just want to help!!!
God Bless,
Lexy
Posted by sexylexy on March 29, 2004, at 22:42:48
In reply to Re: muddled thinking, posted by Nemo2 on March 29, 2004, at 22:35:20
Nemo,
Sorry to hear you decided against lexapro. I was like queen of the foggy brain when I started, almost quit many times, after about 5 to 6 weeks the fog was gone and now I am actually thinking very well, quick and clear. I hope the natural remidies help, get yourself a good Cognitive Behavioral Therapist and tell them your worries with depression and anxiety. They will be able to work on your depressive thoughts and give you coping skills for the future.
Good Luck, God Bless,
Lexy
Posted by jlynne on March 29, 2004, at 23:32:17
In reply to RE: Sueds, posted by sueds on March 29, 2004, at 21:56:16
You are very welcome here, Sueds:~)
Actually, most of us are making it through the day because of this board and each other. I am in my 7th wk on Lex, 2nd wk at 15mg. I take 1mg Lorazepam at night to help me sleep.
I, too, have tried just about everything on the market for depression over the years. This is only the second time I have been allowed to take something for the insomnia - the first time was 28 yrs ago. I hope I don't always need the Lorazepam, but I know it makes a difference (for me, anyway).I'm glad you found us:~) Hope you stick around!
...jlynne
Posted by jlynne on March 29, 2004, at 23:40:02
In reply to RE: Sueds » sueds, posted by jlynne on March 29, 2004, at 23:32:17
Have you found the Psycho-Social site yet?? Near the top of the messages, you will find a thread that starts with "Re: Too Much Drama". If you scroll down a ways, you will see a post from me to you . . . most everyone who posts on this site here also posts over there where we can be more "social". LOL
...jlynne
Posted by KathrynLex on March 30, 2004, at 11:03:51
In reply to Trucker . . ., posted by jlynne on March 29, 2004, at 23:40:02
Hi Guys,
I'm currently taking 100 mgs of Wellbutrin (on top of 15 mgs Lex) and will be increasing to 150 mgs on Wednesday. Prior to taking Wellbutrin I was feeling a tad tired and flat on lex, and that seems as if it's been going away little by little since I started Wellbutrin. The side effects have been pretty minimal since I started out at a very low dose of 50 mgs.
I hope this info helps those of you who might be experiencing similar problems on Lexapro.
K.
Posted by Mariposa on March 30, 2004, at 11:22:13
In reply to Trucker . . ., posted by jlynne on March 29, 2004, at 23:40:02
Haven't heard from Wayne or lil' jim in a while. I still come here and read all the posts. Up to 30mg now and this past *period* was not fun...PMS and fights w/hubby....I have a pdoc appt late April, and will probably ask to increase, AGAIN!!!
So glad to hear YOU are doing well!!!~~~8|8
Posted by jlynne on March 30, 2004, at 12:00:12
In reply to Trucker . . ., posted by jlynne on March 29, 2004, at 23:40:02
Posted by Gator on March 30, 2004, at 15:22:56
In reply to Lex and Wellbutrin Update, posted by KathrynLex on March 30, 2004, at 11:03:51
KathrynLex,
Thanks for your info. I am going tomorrow to see the doctor and will ask him if he thinks the Wellbutrin will be beneficial for me. Thank you KathrynLex for responding to my question.
Gator
Posted by wantinfo on March 30, 2004, at 17:28:11
In reply to Re: muddled thinking, posted by Nemo2 on March 29, 2004, at 22:35:20
hey nemo. i am younger than you are but i understand exactly what you mean about the job thing. there are days i feel so anxious i dont even know how i will get through the day. i am only 26 but i have a fairly high-powered job as well in a very competitive environment. have you tried xanax? when i do have anxiety problems at work i find that .25 mg can be VERY beneficial. emily
Posted by wantinfo on March 30, 2004, at 17:29:54
In reply to RE: Sueds, posted by sueds on March 29, 2004, at 21:56:16
hey guys...im on my 3rd day of 20 and feel pretty good. some minor anxiety last night but .25 xanax worked for it. does anyone on 20 have advice? how long til you noticed a difference in your anxiety/depression?
thanks
emily
Posted by mystic on March 30, 2004, at 18:27:24
In reply to Re: muddled thinking » Nemo2, posted by wantinfo on March 30, 2004, at 17:28:11
EM...I think you are on your way to feeling better..You are starting to give good advise to people that is a very good sign..haha...Hope you are doing good on your increase you sound like it...Take care Mystic
Posted by Nemo2 on March 30, 2004, at 21:29:47
In reply to Re: muddled thinking, posted by sexylexy on March 29, 2004, at 22:42:48
Thanks for the good wishes Lexy. You are a doll.
Emily, my wife uses half doses of Xanax once in a while when her relationship with her 20 year old son reaches warp speed and vibrating. She has had very good results. I have not tried it. I took a different approach and have lined myself up in a different responsibility in the same company. I used to manage 200 people and now am back over on the National Accounts side in a sales job. No people to hire, fire, discipline and so on. I tool a large cut in pay but have no concerns with that fact. I want to have fun at work and reduce the anxiety level. I'll keep the Xanax idea in the wings as a good one to consider in the future, regardless. Nemo2
Posted by JeffK on March 30, 2004, at 23:34:01
In reply to re: Wellbutrin and Lexapro » lil' jimi, posted by gail_jo on September 2, 2003, at 1:20:49
Hi everyone!
I am a 23 year old male who suffers from depression/anxiety. I have been on quite a few meds already, which kind of sucks being I'm still pretty young. The newest meds that I've been put on are Lexapro 20mg plus Wellbutrin 150mg. I was on Lexapro 20mg for about 2 months and noticed minimal effect. I had days where I felt good, but most of my days were dreary. Motivation was so hard to find. I'm a student, so there were things I HAD to get done, but it was such a chore to do them. I upped my dose to 30mg for a while without my Dr's approval and thought it was starting to work, but then I realized I wasn't feeling the way I felt I should feel. Life shouldn't seem like such a bitch all the time. I recently saw my pdoc and added 150mg of Wellbutrin with only the 20mg of Lexapro. I've only been on it a couple days, so it's too soon to say anything. I felt a little edgy today, but its nothing unbearable.I would like to hear from anyone who has taken this combo of meds. I've seen that most people taking Wellbutrin are at least on 300mg. Does anyone think 150mg is too low of a dose to even notice an affect?
Posted by mystic on March 31, 2004, at 6:45:40
In reply to Re: muddled thinking, posted by Nemo2 on March 30, 2004, at 21:29:47
Nemo...Good for you for realizing that sometimes your health and well being is better than wealth...You have to learn to destress and you have found a way..Take care...And you should come and visit us over at the redirected lexaproers site which is more for social personal babble..Take care...Mystic
Posted by KathrynLex on March 31, 2004, at 11:48:51
In reply to re: Wellbutrin and Lexapro, posted by JeffK on March 30, 2004, at 23:34:01
Hi Jeff,
I'm taking 15 mgs of Lexapro with 100 mgs of Wellbutrin. I've only been on Wellbutrin for about a week (I'm going to increase to 150 mgs tomorrow) and it's really helped with the low motivation.
If you haven't already tried Prozac, I strongly recommend that you do. In my experience it's a terrific med.
Best of luck to you!
K.
Posted by Gator on March 31, 2004, at 12:39:03
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
Hi everyone,
I just got back from the doctor and he said he wants me to increase my dose of Lex instead of adding the Wellbutrin. I start 15mgs tonight and in a couple of weeks go to 20mgs. Hopefully the S/E's will be minor. Wish me luck...
Gator
Posted by want info on March 31, 2004, at 12:52:38
In reply to Lex and not Wellbutrin, posted by Gator on March 31, 2004, at 12:39:03
hi gator. i went to 15mgs about 2 weeks ago and just started 20 a few days ago. my doc has also been very adamant about increasing the lex rather than trying another med. i think we would all like to see results more quickly than we can expect with this med. those who have had the best results, at least on this board, seem to be those who've been on it the longest. people struggle for the first few months (i know i have been, but im trying to stick with the lex!)
in other news, did you go to univ of fl by any chance (bc of your name?)
EM
Posted by trucker on March 31, 2004, at 13:30:44
In reply to Re: Lex and not Wellbutrin » Gator, posted by want info on March 31, 2004, at 12:52:38
HEY FOLKS I HAVE BEEN ON LEX FOR 1 YEAR + I FEEL GREAT AS LONG AS I DON'T FORGET TO TAKE MEDS OR START TAKING THEM AT DIFFERENT TIMES OF THE DAY YOU SHOULD ALWAYS TAKE AT SAME TIME OF DAY... GET INTO A ROUTINE AND STAY THERE. 3 MONTHS AND YOU WILL BE PASSED ALL THE SE'S AND IT WILL BE WORTH IT... THAT IS MY TWO CENTS... HOPE YOU STICK IT OUT... I AM ON 20MG OF LEX....
TRUCKER///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
> hi gator. i went to 15mgs about 2 weeks ago and just started 20 a few days ago. my doc has also been very adamant about increasing the lex rather than trying another med. i think we would all like to see results more quickly than we can expect with this med. those who have had the best results, at least on this board, seem to be those who've been on it the longest. people struggle for the first few months (i know i have been, but im trying to stick with the lex!)
> in other news, did you go to univ of fl by any chance (bc of your name?)
> EM
Posted by Gator on March 31, 2004, at 13:36:29
In reply to Re: Lex and not Wellbutrin » Gator, posted by want info on March 31, 2004, at 12:52:38
EM,
I've been on the Lex since October and I have been feeling pretty good, but still have times of deep sadness and increasing anxiety. So I do need a boost. The reason I asked for Wellbutrin was my Mom is on Paxil and Wellbutrin and does well on the combo. You were only on 15mgs for 2 weeks? The dr. told me to go up to 20mgs when I felt ready. I guess I will have to see how it goes. Gator is a nick name that I married into. My last name is Gates and all of my husbands friends called him gator since they were in high school. Now I'm know as Mrs. Gator to all of our friends and my kids are called little gators. We have Gator on our license plates and I get the question of all time of the Fl connection.
Take Care!!Gator
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> hi gator. i went to 15mgs about 2 weeks ago and just started 20 a few days ago. my doc has also been very adamant about increasing the lex rather than trying another med. i think we would all like to see results more quickly than we can expect with this med. those who have had the best results, at least on this board, seem to be those who've been on it the longest. people struggle for the first few months (i know i have been, but im trying to stick with the lex!)
> in other news, did you go to univ of fl by any chance (bc of your name?)
> EM
Posted by KathrynLex on March 31, 2004, at 14:01:00
In reply to Lex and not Wellbutrin, posted by Gator on March 31, 2004, at 12:39:03
Hi Gator,
Good luck with the increase. When I went from 10 mgs to 15 mgs the side effects were pretty minimal. It made me slightly more tired than usual and felt a little out of it, but other than that I didn't have any problems. The side effects wore off pretty quickly.
I hope it works out for you.
K.
Posted by Gator on March 31, 2004, at 14:09:44
In reply to Re: Lex and not Wellbutrin, posted by KathrynLex on March 31, 2004, at 14:01:00
Thanks K,
I think everything will go o.k. The fact that it is spring, getting warmer and everything is turning green will be a big pick-me-up too. Spring is my favorite time of the year!
Gator
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> Hi Gator,
>
> Good luck with the increase. When I went from 10 mgs to 15 mgs the side effects were pretty minimal. It made me slightly more tired than usual and felt a little out of it, but other than that I didn't have any problems. The side effects wore off pretty quickly.
>
> I hope it works out for you.
>
> K.
Posted by bride2be on March 31, 2004, at 16:05:08
In reply to Re: here we go on 20mg... » want info, posted by Magdalena on March 29, 2004, at 16:42:18
well, i was doing great the past couple of days. probably b/c i went out of town with my fiance! a much needed vacation! :). anyways, today is not so good, i feel a little angry and alot of anxiety! did anyone else go through spells in the beginning of good and bad days? i go to the doc on april 20th, i wonder if she will up me? any opinions are welcomed! pleeeease! thanks guys. i love yall so much!
Posted by want info on March 31, 2004, at 16:10:13
In reply to Day # 10... advice please????, posted by bride2be on March 31, 2004, at 16:05:08
hey bride...day 10!!! so normal...i am at almost 8 weeks and still get those spells. im just starting out at 20mg (started on 10, then went to 15). 10mg is not that much. i feel MUCH better on 20...but you may want to wait it out. also if it is your time of the month lex tends to lose its effectiveness around then. id hang in there. these things can take up to 3 months to take full effect...emily
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