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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by me so tiny on December 18, 2002, at 6:03:19
In reply to Re: Lexapro and Wellbutrin Anxiety Ann, posted by Kairos on December 14, 2002, at 5:02:02
> I'm really getting sick of the whole deal here. My sex drive is NON-existant - now that's a FIRST.
A problem, but maybe it can be dealt with.
> My jaw is clenched MOST of t he time - I SLEEP ALL the time and this is Lexapro??
That sounds bad. The idea is to feel better, not worse, after you add it all up. And the first several weeks are more chaotic so let the dust settle. Talk with your pdoc.
There are plenty of other AD's to try - each with different SE's so shop around. Zoloft is pretty different maybe. Wellbrutrin might do the opposite of what you're suffering. No kidding - there's about a dozen ADs that are modern and safe and common, in several categories. some more common than others. Each human has different chemistry and you can't guess the side effects till you give it a spin for a month.
Posted by Ritch on December 18, 2002, at 9:10:07
In reply to Tense Muscles: upper back, neck and jaw, posted by newuser2 on December 17, 2002, at 8:50:27
> I have been on Lexapro for 4 weeks. I am still experiencing terrible tightness in my upper back, neck and jaw. Does this s/e eventually subside? It is very uncomfortable. I have tried relaxation techniques and massage, but nothing seems to rid this problem. Does anyone have any information or advice? Please respond.
> Thank you!
>SSRI's can trigger a variety of motor/muscular side effects (restless legs, TMJ, etc.). Some of it is the initial increased anxiety they often can provoke which may fade with time (with reduced anxiety). Sometimes they are persistent. You can add something to help reduce it such as buspar or a benzodiazepine. Sometimes a switch to a different SSRI alleviates the problem. Sometimes a switch to a non-SSRI med is necessary if it is persistent and very annoying.
Posted by EGR on December 18, 2002, at 9:58:23
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by pro4man on December 17, 2002, at 18:48:57
I switched to Lexapro on Monday...10mgs and I move up to 20 on Friday. I haven't noticed any side effects other than a dry mouth and a little drowsiness maybe (but since I didn't sleep for the two weeks I was on Wellbutrin, maybe I'm just catching up!). I'm hoping that it's true that the sexual one doesn't happen with this.
Posted by mills on December 18, 2002, at 10:11:08
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by EGR on December 18, 2002, at 9:58:23
I'm up to 30 mg, and have been on that dose for almost 2 months, having switched from Paxil because of the sexual side effects; lex is not as effective as paxil, but it also doesn't absolutely destroy my sexual experience like paxil did, so it's not a bad trade off; i am about to go to 40 mg; does anyone else here take that much?
> I switched to Lexapro on Monday...10mgs and I move up to 20 on Friday. I haven't noticed any side effects other than a dry mouth and a little drowsiness maybe (but since I didn't sleep for the two weeks I was on Wellbutrin, maybe I'm just catching up!). I'm hoping that it's true that the sexual one doesn't happen with this.
Posted by Cletus2 on December 18, 2002, at 10:51:29
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by mills on December 18, 2002, at 10:11:08
> I'm up to 30 mg, and have been on that dose for almost 2 months, having switched from Paxil because of the sexual side effects; lex is not as effective as paxil, but it also doesn't absolutely destroy my sexual experience like paxil did, so it's not a bad trade off; i am about to go to 40 mg; does anyone else here take that much?
>
>
>
> > I switched to Lexapro on Monday...10mgs and I move up to 20 on Friday. I haven't noticed any side effects other than a dry mouth and a little drowsiness maybe (but since I didn't sleep for the two weeks I was on Wellbutrin, maybe I'm just catching up!). I'm hoping that it's true that the sexual one doesn't happen with this.
>
>
Hi mills. Everyone is different so if you feel you need to go up to 40 mgs and your doctor agrees then you should proceed. I started out on 20 mgs and gradually increased to my current dosage of 80 mgs of Lexapro a day. Each time I increased, I felt great for about a week but then it would eventually fade away. Now that I am at 80 mgs I finally seem to have leveled off and feel great! It took a while to get there but it has been almost 3 weeks now on 80 mgs and it is nice and consistent. I took 100 mgs of Celexa for nearly a year and thought it was a good drug but it caused a little drowsiness and some minor sexual problems. With Lexapro, the drug feels more "clean" than its parent Celexa and I have no real side effects to speak of. Quite refreshing. I too was a little wary of increasing to such a high dose, but as my doctor says "finding the right dose for a medicine is just like trying to find the right jacket to fit you, not everyone wears the same size..." well, it was something to that effect. Anyway, good luck in finding the right dosage for yourself. Take care!
Posted by mills on December 18, 2002, at 11:08:22
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Cletus2 on December 18, 2002, at 10:51:29
wow, 80mg; i'm encouraged that i can go up a bit and not worry about it, with the pdoc's involvement, of course; i thought i was alone at 40mg, with everyone on the board here saying they have night sweats at 2.5 mg and such, and the largest pill size being 20mg; it has occurred to me though that maybe my need for more has to do with how sort of "entrenched" and untreated my condition (i.e. obsessiveness/angst/social anxiety/panic/depression) has been (25 + years without treatment--makes me tired thinking about it); anyway, thanks for the response
> > I'm up to 30 mg, and have been on that dose for almost 2 months, having switched from Paxil because of the sexual side effects; lex is not as effective as paxil, but it also doesn't absolutely destroy my sexual experience like paxil did, so it's not a bad trade off; i am about to go to 40 mg; does anyone else here take that much?
> >
> >
> >
> > > I switched to Lexapro on Monday...10mgs and I move up to 20 on Friday. I haven't noticed any side effects other than a dry mouth and a little drowsiness maybe (but since I didn't sleep for the two weeks I was on Wellbutrin, maybe I'm just catching up!). I'm hoping that it's true that the sexual one doesn't happen with this.
> >
> >
> Hi mills. Everyone is different so if you feel you need to go up to 40 mgs and your doctor agrees then you should proceed. I started out on 20 mgs and gradually increased to my current dosage of 80 mgs of Lexapro a day. Each time I increased, I felt great for about a week but then it would eventually fade away. Now that I am at 80 mgs I finally seem to have leveled off and feel great! It took a while to get there but it has been almost 3 weeks now on 80 mgs and it is nice and consistent. I took 100 mgs of Celexa for nearly a year and thought it was a good drug but it caused a little drowsiness and some minor sexual problems. With Lexapro, the drug feels more "clean" than its parent Celexa and I have no real side effects to speak of. Quite refreshing. I too was a little wary of increasing to such a high dose, but as my doctor says "finding the right dose for a medicine is just like trying to find the right jacket to fit you, not everyone wears the same size..." well, it was something to that effect. Anyway, good luck in finding the right dosage for yourself. Take care!
>
Posted by johnj on December 18, 2002, at 11:12:41
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by mills on December 18, 2002, at 11:08:22
Did you all have lots of anxiety on lexapro? I took it for a few days but the sleepiness was terrible. Did that fade too?
Posted by mills on December 18, 2002, at 11:28:00
In reply to lexapro question for all, posted by johnj on December 18, 2002, at 11:12:41
you know, what's weird to me is that we all have such different experiences on this stuff; i take lexapro partly to rid me of anxiety (angst), and so i can't imagine it causing me more; as far as sleepiness, i have had no sleepiness at all on lexapro or paxil; i had terrible night sweats from beginning to end on paxil and only had night sweats for about 2 weeks on lexapro
> Did you all have lots of anxiety on lexapro? I took it for a few days but the sleepiness was terrible. Did that fade too?
Posted by ayuda on December 18, 2002, at 11:53:49
In reply to lexapro question for all, posted by johnj on December 18, 2002, at 11:12:41
> Did you all have lots of anxiety on lexapro? I took it for a few days but the sleepiness was terrible. Did that fade too?
I came off of Effexor XR, which is excellent for me for depression and anxiety, to go onto Lexapro, so I've had an increase in my anxiety, but I think that is because Effexor was just so much better at taking care of it than Lexapro. Since I normally suffer from high anxiety (another movie reference for those who care), I've found the Lexapro to be pretty good at taking care of it, though not as good as the Effexor.
Do you normally suffer from anxiety? There may be a difference between those of us who naturally suffer from it and people who experience it from the ADs.
As for sleepiness, I have personally gotten so accustomed to insomnia, sleepiness, etc., that I can't even differentiate if it's due to the meds or not. I'm taking Trazodone at night to help me sleep, so I am kind of groggy in the mornings from that.
Posted by EGR on December 18, 2002, at 14:04:24
In reply to Re: lexapro question for all » johnj, posted by ayuda on December 18, 2002, at 11:53:49
I had night sweats with Paxil, Effexor and Wellbutrin... but so far NOT with Lexapro. I thought I was in heaven on Paxil untilt he sex thing happened, so I'm really looking forward to Lexapro.... 80 mgs?... that seems far from the 20 I'm about to head to. I guess I hope my GP will let me go that high if needed....
Posted by wharfrat on December 18, 2002, at 16:06:58
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
Oh what a tangled web we weave! Am going to see my doc about putting me on Wellbutrin to see if it will help with the sexual side effects of Lexapro. I'm sure he will do it because he's been nagging me about smoking since I started going to him. He really was disappointed when he got my blood work back and gave me a physical (41 years old by the way)and found no reason to say "smoking is going to kill you". Good cholesterol good, Bad cholesterol good, white cells good, red cells good, kidneys good, liver good, heart good, stress test good, anxiety and depression BAD!!.Lexapro good, sexual side effects BAD!! So now the choice is down to two of the only things that I really enjoy. Sex and cigarettes (That sounds pretty pathetic does'nt it?) So my question is, I've heard that wellbutrin just makes you not want to smoke anymore. What if I don't want to quit smoking but just want my sex life back? Is this like what they gave young Alex on A Clockwork Orange? Will I retch at the thought of a cigarette? Won't I be able to have a cigarette after sex? Oh the pain!! Has anyone used Wellbutrin just to quit smoking? What are the side effects? Will I be wired out? Will I be Zombie?
Help!!!!
Wharf
P.S.Happy Holidays
Posted by mills on December 18, 2002, at 16:24:53
In reply to Cigarettes or Lexapro, Wellbutrin Sex?, posted by wharfrat on December 18, 2002, at 16:06:58
oh, how i wish it were that simple for me; i wish I could have fun with the sex and enjoy a good cigarette afterwards; but these ssri's make it almost impossible to have any fun, although i'm still holding out hope for lex; ah, just the thought of a nice smoke after sex...! but i digress; the wellbutrin is definitely supposed to curb your need for the demon of nicotine, but i wouldn't know personally, because i am apparently terribly allergic to wellbutrin, so i guess all i can have is the smoke; i would rather have your dilemma; what have you got to lose, right?
> Oh what a tangled web we weave! Am going to see my doc about putting me on Wellbutrin to see if it will help with the sexual side effects of Lexapro. I'm sure he will do it because he's been nagging me about smoking since I started going to him. He really was disappointed when he got my blood work back and gave me a physical (41 years old by the way)and found no reason to say "smoking is going to kill you". Good cholesterol good, Bad cholesterol good, white cells good, red cells good, kidneys good, liver good, heart good, stress test good, anxiety and depression BAD!!.Lexapro good, sexual side effects BAD!! So now the choice is down to two of the only things that I really enjoy. Sex and cigarettes (That sounds pretty pathetic does'nt it?) So my question is, I've heard that wellbutrin just makes you not want to smoke anymore. What if I don't want to quit smoking but just want my sex life back? Is this like what they gave young Alex on A Clockwork Orange? Will I retch at the thought of a cigarette? Won't I be able to have a cigarette after sex? Oh the pain!! Has anyone used Wellbutrin just to quit smoking? What are the side effects? Will I be wired out? Will I be Zombie?
> Help!!!!
> Wharf
> P.S.Happy Holidays
Posted by sebastian on December 18, 2002, at 19:13:55
In reply to Cigarettes or Lexapro, Wellbutrin Sex?, posted by wharfrat on December 18, 2002, at 16:06:58
I don't think it will make you stop smoking. I haven't found one yet that makes me stop smoking even nicorette.
Posted by AnelizeDarkEyes on December 18, 2002, at 20:04:50
In reply to Re: Tense Muscles: upper back, neck and jaw » newuser2, posted by Ritch on December 18, 2002, at 9:10:07
I found this post very interesting because I, too, am experiencing this particular phenomenon. I find it interesting that I have taken several of the other SSRI's (Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Celexa, Effexor) and have not experienced this phenomenon. I have chronic severe major depression which tends to be somewhat recalcitrant towards meds. After 3 years on Zoloft, my last year at 250mg, I have had two relapses in the last 4 months. So far, I have been on 10 mg of Lexapro for 9 days, and will be increased to 20 at the end of the week. Each day I've been on this stuff I've had the tension headache, neck, jaw pain thing going on. My other meds are 300mg of Topamax for mood stability and 75mg of Seroquel at night for sleep. They never have given me any trouble before. Frankly, I haven't had a headache in I don't know how long..Of course I'm going to have a little chat with my doctor about this, but I thought I'd throw this into the mix, and see if anyone ELSE is experiencing this phenomenon...
Posted by EGR on December 18, 2002, at 20:30:30
In reply to Re: Tense Muscles: upper back, neck and jaw » Ritch, posted by AnelizeDarkEyes on December 18, 2002, at 20:04:50
Well now, that IS interesting, because now that you've mentioned it, YES, my neck, jaw and shoulders/upper back have been tense... I never linked it to the lex. Let me ask all you veterans this... I've just been using a therapist and my GP... and I don't think my GP is well versed in this stuff because it seems to me that she's quick to switch meds. Would you guys recommend me finding a pdoc or sticking with the GP and maybe making med suggestions to her?
Posted by AnelizeDarkEyes on December 18, 2002, at 20:46:57
In reply to Re: Tense Muscles: upper back, neck and jaw » AnelizeDarkEyes, posted by EGR on December 18, 2002, at 20:30:30
My personal feelings on the subject...with my issues. No-one better than a GOOD...no GREAT psycho-pharmacologist, and a great therapist. But I suppose that depends on your disorder, etc.
Posted by Ritch on December 18, 2002, at 22:09:29
In reply to Re: Tense Muscles: upper back, neck and jaw » AnelizeDarkEyes, posted by EGR on December 18, 2002, at 20:30:30
> Well now, that IS interesting, because now that you've mentioned it, YES, my neck, jaw and shoulders/upper back have been tense... I never linked it to the lex. Let me ask all you veterans this... I've just been using a therapist and my GP... and I don't think my GP is well versed in this stuff because it seems to me that she's quick to switch meds. Would you guys recommend me finding a pdoc or sticking with the GP and maybe making med suggestions to her?
I would hang in there with the GP for awhile, precisely because she is willing to make some med changes, especially if you are being treated for uncomplicated typical unipolar depression (which isn't severe). You could get stuck with a pdoc that will force you to wait out three full months on an AD that is flopping, which could be worse than switching too frequently. As far as the muscle tension issues go-you may as well just pick your poison with the SSRI's. I get a different muscle thing with every one of them. Right now, I find the Effexor stiff-neck-upper back muscle thing preferable to the other muscle sfx variations on other serotonergics.
Posted by Kairos on December 19, 2002, at 0:03:56
In reply to Re: Lexapro and Wellbutrin » Kairos, posted by me so tiny on December 18, 2002, at 6:03:19
Nothing personal here - but a MONTH? Between you, me, the pdoc and the fencepost - is anyone questioning the reality of these drugs??? I mean a MONTH! A MONTH of possible sleepiness to the point of falling asleep as I drive or type a post here or even knitting!
I am so discouraged - Is the "cure" worse than the problem?
I haven't had a intimate session with my mate in FOREVER - and what does the pdoc say? "Well that will work out when the right dose is achieved".
I asked my pdoc about changing meds to say Wellbutrin - he says to cut the Lex in half. No switches - so anohter three weeks here I come *damned near in tears here due to the high levels of frustration a nd negative impacts on my job and life in general!*
Guys - these drugs are . . . . highly questionable in my mind. I know that they work to some extent because my anxiety has all but disappeared - but I cannot tolerate the other aspects !
Kairos
Posted by Kairos on December 19, 2002, at 0:23:22
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by pro4man on December 17, 2002, at 18:48:57
Pro4Man
And this was Lex? It is an Anti-Depressant - but MY Docs states it is for anxiety? Is there someone else that you can get a second opinion from?
Kairos
Posted by luray on December 19, 2002, at 0:30:44
In reply to Re: Anyone taking lexapro for GAD?, posted by celesteloveage on November 1, 2002, at 12:42:25
i was on celexa for three to four years, and was relieved of my depression for some time, though i had sexual side effects, and was still tired all the time. within the last six months, the fatigue got worse, i get huge moodswings, and still have sse's. i was recently (2 weeks ago) switched to lexapro, and have had one big headache since. i have been weaning myself off of it, because my pc agreed to swith me to something else, can't remember the name. was wondering if anyone else experienced the headaches, and if lexapro causes the sse's also.
Posted by EGR on December 19, 2002, at 8:40:52
In reply to Re: Lexapro and Wellbutrin, posted by Kairos on December 19, 2002, at 0:03:56
> Nothing personal here - but a MONTH? Between you, me, the pdoc and the fencepost - is anyone questioning the reality of these drugs??? I mean a MONTH! A MONTH of possible sleepiness to the point of falling asleep as I drive or type a post here or even knitting!
>
> I am so discouraged - Is the "cure" worse than the problem?
>
> I haven't had a intimate session with my mate in FOREVER - and what does the pdoc say? "Well that will work out when the right dose is achieved".
>
> I asked my pdoc about changing meds to say Wellbutrin - he says to cut the Lex in half. No switches - so anohter three weeks here I come *damned near in tears here due to the high levels of frustration a nd negative impacts on my job and life in general!*
>
> Guys - these drugs are . . . . highly questionable in my mind. I know that they work to some extent because my anxiety has all but disappeared - but I cannot tolerate the other aspects !
>
> KairosI'm with you Kairos! I think we're all guinea pigs for the pharmcos. Is it better to be "hulking out" than crying all day? Is it better to get no enjoyment out of sex than not want it? Is it better to sleep all day or stay awake all night because of drugs or because of the depression? I'm not sure at this point... I'm going to hang in a while longer... 6 months maybe... and see what happens, but I gotta believe this stuff is doing "bad things" to our bods as well. EGR
Posted by markmn on December 19, 2002, at 9:08:15
In reply to Re: lexapro question for all » johnj, posted by ayuda on December 18, 2002, at 11:53:49
Hi Mills,
Why did you switch from Effexor to Lexapro if Eff worked so well for you? I'm just wondering because I'm considering switching from Lex to Effexor.
Thanks,
Mark
Posted by mills on December 19, 2002, at 9:58:25
In reply to Question for MILLS, posted by markmn on December 19, 2002, at 9:08:15
I switched from Paxil (not Effexor) to Lexapro, and the reason was the sexual side effects only.
> Hi Mills,
>
> Why did you switch from Effexor to Lexapro if Eff worked so well for you? I'm just wondering because I'm considering switching from Lex to Effexor.
>
> Thanks,
> Mark
Posted by ayuda on December 19, 2002, at 10:07:36
In reply to Cigarettes or Lexapro, Wellbutrin Sex?, posted by wharfrat on December 18, 2002, at 16:06:58
> Oh what a tangled web we weave! Am going to see my doc about putting me on Wellbutrin to see if it will help with the sexual side effects of Lexapro. I'm sure he will do it because he's been nagging me about smoking since I started going to him. He really was disappointed when he got my blood work back and gave me a physical (41 years old by the way)and found no reason to say "smoking is going to kill you". Good cholesterol good, Bad cholesterol good, white cells good, red cells good, kidneys good, liver good, heart good, stress test good, anxiety and depression BAD!!.Lexapro good, sexual side effects BAD!! So now the choice is down to two of the only things that I really enjoy. Sex and cigarettes (That sounds pretty pathetic does'nt it?) So my question is, I've heard that wellbutrin just makes you not want to smoke anymore. What if I don't want to quit smoking but just want my sex life back? Is this like what they gave young Alex on A Clockwork Orange? Will I retch at the thought of a cigarette? Won't I be able to have a cigarette after sex? Oh the pain!! Has anyone used Wellbutrin just to quit smoking? What are the side effects? Will I be wired out? Will I be Zombie?
> Help!!!!
> Wharf
> P.S.Happy Holidays
I have never used Welbutrin, though my nephew did and his mom and step-dad are smokers, and it drove him crazy -- he would holler about their smoking all day long (and he's just a kid).However, I am an ex-smoker (quit cold-turkey 12 years ago), and I don't think it is a bad idea to quit anyhow. Even if you are healthy, life is just much better without it. And you figure out what to do after sex other than have a cigarette.
Posted by sleepyhead on December 19, 2002, at 18:06:58
In reply to Re: Question for MILLS, posted by mills on December 19, 2002, at 9:58:25
I have just be prescribed Lexapro 10mg for insomnia. I have no other symptoms of depression, anxiety, OCD, or social dysfunction. I have read the complaints about lack of sexual drive, but I would gladly give up sex to get a good night's sleep.
My question is: Does it make any sense to treat insomnia with Lexapro? One of the potential side effects is insomnia. Any opinions?
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