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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by LA on January 29, 2003, at 20:33:14
In reply to Re: Lexapro sex drive, weight gain, dreams, posted by bozeman on January 27, 2003, at 23:09:39
> My two cents (more or less) worth:
>
> SEX DRIVE: It returns :-) I suspect it left me in the first place because my brain was getting stimuli from other sources again, besides just sex (no more anhedonia -- is that how you spell that?) and my brain was trying to pay attention to all different kinds of recently re-discovered stimuli. "Sexual" stimuli are now only one kind of stimuli of many different sources, so no longer getting all my brain's attention. Eventually, biology overrruled, and my sex drive returned. Orgasmic difficulties, I suspect, resulted from difference in the way I process norephinephrine while on the SSRI, oxytocin, DMT, etc. I'm not a biochemist, just someone looking for answers, so who knows if I'm on the right track, or full of it? :-)
>
> WEIGHT GAIN?: I've lost weight, I suspect for many reasons. I'm sleeping better, so I'm not so tired -- so I don't have to eat for energy so I can keep moving when exhausted. Don't have to eat to provide some, any, stimuli to my (no longer) anhedonic brain, since I'm getting other stimuli now. My metabolism has increased, since my brain -- the "orchestrator" of everything else -- is once again communicating with the rest of my body in a way the rest of me can understand and obey. My healing time is reduced 80% or more, my thinking is faster, sleep is sounder, nerves are not fried and raw, migraines are gone, humor has returned, desire to pursue hobbies, exercise, etc. have returned.
>
> DREAMS: Mine got more vivid, definitely. I think it's the same reason as above -- my brain was flat missing something that it needed to communicate with the rest of me. Dream deprivation is, to your mind, like sleep deprivation is to the body. When you're deprived of it, and you get a chance to make up for it, your body will take a LOT of it to try to compensate for what it's missed.
>
> All three of these seem to point to a similar factor -- that my neurotransmitters were drastically underfunctional in at least one area, and various parts of me were starving for what they were missing (many more physical areas I haven't listed here -- those who have read any of my other posts will have seen some of them.) My response to these three areas seems to me to follow a similar pattern that is specific to how my particular chemistry disorder manifested. It will affect other people differently, though!! I think that, if we had enough information and could see clearly enough, we would see that while it affects each of us a little differently (or a lot), it affects any one person *similarly* in many areas. Those who get sleepless on Lexapro, also tend to get more agitated, and the diarhhea/bowel disturbances, and the headaches, right? Or am I wrong? For some like these, it seems to be an OVER-stimulating effect -- for others a LEVEL-ing effect (can handle stress better, don't go to pieces, not afraid of confrontation, blood pressure normalizes, etc.) -- but I needed an UP-effect, but not in the "stimulant" sense, just in the sense of giving my body a kick in the pants in all the areas it was laying down on me. That could explain why so many of us respond to it so differently.
>
> I just hope it lasts because I haven't felt this good in many years. Having never taken SSRI's before Lexapro, I don't know what to expect -- many have experienced "poop-out" and I pray every night that I will become well enough to make it on my own, without the SSRI, before this can happen to me. Giving up myself, after having re-captured myself, would be worse than having never found myself again, I think.
>
> Anyway, I hope that makes sense. Think I put in two bits worth instead of two cents worth, sorry. =-DSo glad that you are feeling good.
Please tell me how long you have been on Lexapro and at what dose? I know it's different for everyone but .........
LA
Posted by Cathi on January 30, 2003, at 17:00:21
In reply to Re: help changing son from Paxil to Lexapro, posted by lcg4 on January 29, 2003, at 11:12:16
My daughter, who has a 504 at her high school has been on Paxil for 6 years. In all that time her condition has never gotten better and has, in fact gotten MUCH worse. She just came out of the hospital 2 days ago for raging and feelings of wanting to kill herself. All this has come about from a small problem way back in 4th grade of having anxiety about going to school. I'm convinced that the never ending parade of drugs has crippled her. The following website gives some chilling stories: http://members.aol.com/atracyphd/
Read for yourself, and then make an informed decision. Me? I'm going to save my daughter.
Posted by donia on January 30, 2003, at 17:14:01
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
Has anyone else experienced the lump in throat feeling? I am in week two on 10 mg. Started the first week on 5mg. I am also sweating more. The lump is driving me crazy though.
Donia
Posted by bozeman on January 30, 2003, at 20:34:06
In reply to Re: Lexapro sex drive, weight gain, dreams, posted by LA on January 29, 2003, at 20:33:14
> > . . . That could explain why so many of us respond to it so differently.
> >
. . . . Giving up myself, after having re-captured myself, would be worse than having never found myself again, I think.
> >
> > Anyway, I hope that makes sense. Think I put in two bits worth instead of two cents worth, sorry. =-D
>
> So glad that you are feeling good.
> Please tell me how long you have been on Lexapro and at what dose? I know it's different for everyone but .........
> LA
>
>
5 mg at bedtime for 8 days, then 10 mg at bedtime since. I've been on Lexapro about 4 months. The first thing I noticed was, after a couple of weeks or so, I could think straight again and my head didn't hurt (which had hurt more or less constantly for many years.) It was *several* weeks later that I realized I actually felt like doing something after work other than going straight home and collapsing.It actually works better if I take it a couple of hours before bed. Then I don't wake up during the night. Sounds backward, I know, but it works better that way.
Good luck to you --
bozeman
Posted by pickychicky2001 on January 30, 2003, at 21:37:20
In reply to Re: Lexapro sex drive, weight gain, dreams » LA, posted by bozeman on January 30, 2003, at 20:34:06
Well, I have been on 10 mg of Lexapro for 7 days, and so far, so good. I have gone a whole week without any temper tantrums, and that is what I am hoping to avoid. I sure hope I don't gain much weight, since I have always been overweight anyway. I have to say I am soooooooooo glad I found this board, and so is my mother. She suffers from the exact same things I do--mostly the temper/anxiety. She just started the Effexor, and is worried about insomnia and weight gain.
Posted by bozeman on January 30, 2003, at 22:04:52
In reply to Re: Changing time of Lex » EGR, posted by bozeman on January 17, 2003, at 20:48:24
How are you feeling since you switched your Lexapro to PM? What did your pdoc say about the change?
Hope it's going well for you.
Posted by Marialee on January 31, 2003, at 2:16:12
In reply to Re: Lexapro side-effects » dr. dave, posted by Ritch on June 19, 2002, at 9:11:56
Hi, i havent really read anything bad about Lexapro, maybe i havent looked or researched enough yet. But i do have a question, and i hope someone can give me a little help. I have been taking 10mg. , of celexa fo about a year and a half now, went to my doctor because of the weight gain and fatigue and Noooooo sex drive problems, He gave me Lexapro and said to take it in place of my celexa that night whch i TOOK at 900pm. , 10 mg of it. I felt a bit odd so i went to bed. I woke up the next day feeling pretty good, was sitting at the table reading the morning paper, and got so dizzy i had to lay down it continued to get worse till i couldnt stand it i had to crawl to get to another rom cuz of the whole room spinning it was the most horrible feeling. My med doctor told me it might be bad case of vertigo he gave me something called antivert i took one pill and slept the whole day when i woke up i was alot better and the next day it was gone i took my celexa instead tht night what i dont understand is that everyone i know says they have no side effects like this or bad reactions like this the docotr who gave me the Lexapro said to just take half of it but i didnt i was afraid then but my md. said when i told him the other doctor put me on it without weening form celaxa that that was the reson why i got like that he said his drug reps told him and his nurses not to give Lexapro to anyone taking celexa. i dont know who to believe im scared to death to try it again and i thought this was goingt to be the pill for me i thought it was gong to save my 15 yr marriage i have no sex drive and went from a size 3 to a size 9 in a yr. im very depressed about theses things and was hoping Lexapro would help . Please anyone out there if you have had this experience with Lexapro PLEASE REPLY My med doctor the one who didnt give me the Lexapro said its to coincedental for it to have been an acute case of severe vertigo since it went away within 24 hrs and changing back to the celxa but others say it could not have been the Lexapro cuz there are no side effects. i dont know who to believe. can someone help. ?? sorry this is so long. Lisa N.Y. My email is JoeLee1436@aol.com or Marialee123@yahoo.com
Posted by proud mary on January 31, 2003, at 8:33:39
In reply to Re: Lexapro sex drive, weight gain, dreams » LA, posted by bozeman on January 30, 2003, at 20:34:06
Lisa,
I would be leery of a doctor who gets his information about prescribing meds from their drug rep. I think anyone prescribing potent meds (as we all know these are) should be doing a little research before they start prescribing them to their patientst. Alas, in a perfect world...I don't blame you for being frightened, but, there is an answer and you can clear all this up and start taking it the right way and start feeling better. You need to see your pdoc and discuss this with him.
I've always been weaned from one SSRI before starting another, at least for a couple of days...my experience is NOT that extensive, though. I can offer you this; I was weaned from zoloft, began taking 20 mg of lexapro and in about two weeks began feeling human again and even started having my sex drive make an appearence, orgasms and all! I would assume that because Celexa is such a close cousin (sister, really) of Lexapro, if you are weaned off properly and still to the lex for a period of time it will help you and you will shake off any initial side-effects.
I am NOT an expert on this, though. Is there any way you can look it up on yourown? or get advice from another pdoc?
It IS scary the way some of these doctors seem to play around with us, I mean let THAT doctor endure a day of being so dizzy that they can't stand up! Bet then he'd do his research!
Anyone else got any advice to offer? I just want to try to support you and let you know that I think you are on the right road but had some bad advice from the guys you are supposed to be able to trust!
Hang in there and find some answers on your own, if need be. Would the guide to prescription medicines be helpful? Lexapro is so newly out that it might not be on the books, yet, but I"m sure there is something at the library or on line where you can find these things out....Good luck and let us know!
Mary
Posted by lcg4 on January 31, 2003, at 9:55:57
In reply to Re: help changing son from Paxil to Lexapro, posted by Cathi on January 30, 2003, at 17:00:21
Cathi,
I'm so sorry to here about the troubles with your daughter. My son has been on paxil since August of 2002. It has been a touch time getting the dosage right but we found that the low dosage seems to work for him and keep his anxiety at bay. It's a scary time and I know the withdrawals of getting off the medication can be worse than the medication itself. Unfortunately, sometimes you don't have a choice but to keep them on the meds so they can function in everyday life. I'd much rather have him off of all meds but we can't do that right now or the panic attacks come back. We are hoping with therapy and time he will be able to get off of it someday and be okay. Keep in touch if you want to. I understand what you're going through. lcg4@aol.com Linda
Posted by mikal on January 31, 2003, at 14:14:37
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
I went on Lexapro 3 weeks ago 10mg... it has been an absolute savior. I haven't had a panic attack in about 18 days, this stuff started working fast. At first it seemed to disconect the full blown anxiety which would start with the racing heart from the horrible thinking that ended up, for lack of better words, making me feel crazy, sweaty and diconected from my self. I could still feel the impulse to go into panic but the restults were far less severe. Over the past couple of weeks, especially in the last 3-5 days I have noticed that my thinking has changed. I'm not focused on "what if's." Not thinking about the "what-ifs" has given me the ability to feel happiness. When you're so controlled by "what if this is the big one" it is impossible to embrace anything but horror. My panic has not only subsided; I have realized that life can be happy and good.
I was always a person who felt "blue," and I couldn't pick out why I would get into so many "funks." I've been mildly depressed for so long that I came to understand it as my reality, because it was. I was sceptical of drugs as therapy for this "kind of thing," but will never be again. My doctor has really been patient with me as my panic and anxiety increased over the past months, I made many trips for heart check-ups, aches and pains. I don't focus on a dry patch of skin anymore manking it into a new disease, it is a dry patch of skin and lotion seems to work well, and if it's not a dry patch of skin I have the freedom to not obsess about it, I can deal with it without falling to pieces.Panic, Anxiety, Depression are debilitating, no ifs ands or buts. There is no reason to stop searching if something isn't working or to stop if something is... I hope the best for everybody who stops by these boards, this has helped change my life in so many ways.
Posted by Dysfunk on January 31, 2003, at 15:25:00
In reply to Lump in throat, sweating, posted by donia on January 30, 2003, at 17:14:01
YES! I have the lump in my throat. I also got the hiccups the first few days, which I believe is related. I can't find a comfortable position for my neck to be in as to not get the lump feeling.
As far as sweating- Effexor had me sweating from every pore-especially brow. Lex has just my pits with 2 big pools. It sucks! I actually went clothes shopping yesterday and chose the colors of tops based on which would be less-likely to show wetness. Isn't that terrible? I hope it is worth it.
Posted by Dysfunk on January 31, 2003, at 15:30:49
In reply to Re: Lexapro sex drive, weight gain, dreams, posted by proud mary on January 29, 2003, at 9:50:04
Proud Mary:
Thanks for the words of encouragement. I am about to go into my 3rd week and so far nothing! I am sweating a lot and have had lots of nervousness- not sure if it is considered panic-attacks. I will give it more time.
Thanks to everyone for their input!
Dysfunk.
Posted by donia on January 31, 2003, at 18:23:32
In reply to NO MORE PANIC ATTACKS =), posted by mikal on January 31, 2003, at 14:14:37
Your message about panic and depression describes me exactly! I got a bruise a few weeks ago on my leg and couldnt immediatly determine where it came from and was having panic attacks over it. Of course later I remembered getting out of my husbands truck and hitting it on the door. I am on week two and feel better but hope to feel a little better as I am taking it longer. Thanks for the info.
Donia
Posted by donia on January 31, 2003, at 18:25:40
In reply to Re: Lump in throat, sweating- YES!, posted by Dysfunk on January 31, 2003, at 15:25:00
I dont know what to do about the lump in throat feeling but it is subsiding a bit. I notice when I drink pepsi alot it feels worse and if I drink water it is somewhat better. For the armpit sweating I use Certain Dry antipersperant. I can only find it at a drug store called Andersons in my home town. It works if you are not too sensitive. It burns for a little while after I put it on but goes away.
Rachel
Posted by piscesmoon7 on January 31, 2003, at 20:14:40
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
HELLO EVERYONE!
I am a brand new user to LEXAPRO and it is my absolute first SSRI i have ever taken and i am feeling SOOOOO much better then i have ever felt in well over 10 years!!!
I know the drug is fairly new to the market & have wondered if anyone out there has found the best on-line pharmacy that actually offers it at a more affordable price!
I have no medical insurance & want to be able to keep this medicine in my life so i can once again enjoy & participate in life up to it's positive optimum!
THANK YOU!
Posted by EGR on January 31, 2003, at 20:15:16
In reply to Re: Changing time of Lex -- EGR, posted by bozeman on January 30, 2003, at 22:04:52
BOZEMAN!!
GREAT to hear from you! I've been out of town and just got back. I'm am doing excellently taking the Lexapro at night. I'm not groggy in the morning and I have no trouble staying awake at night.
My doc gave me 100 mgs of Wellbutrin to take in the morning to see if it helps with the sse, but since I've been gone, I haven't had a chance to "test" it.
How are things going with you?
EGR
> How are you feeling since you switched your Lexapro to PM? What did your pdoc say about the change?
>
> Hope it's going well for you.
Posted by mlj 123 on January 31, 2003, at 20:34:23
In reply to Re: Changing time of Lex -- EGR » bozeman, posted by EGR on January 31, 2003, at 20:15:16
Do anyone have any advice about taking Lexepro for panic attacks. I just started it after having tried so many thing that make me sick and unable to sleep.
Posted by mikal on January 31, 2003, at 23:23:50
In reply to Help finding best least expensive source LEXAPRO, posted by piscesmoon7 on January 31, 2003, at 20:14:40
> HELLO EVERYONE!
>
> I am a brand new user to LEXAPRO and it is my absolute first SSRI i have ever taken and i am feeling SOOOOO much better then i have ever felt in well over 10 years!!!
>
> I know the drug is fairly new to the market & have wondered if anyone out there has found the best on-line pharmacy that actually offers it at a more affordable price!
>
> I have no medical insurance & want to be able to keep this medicine in my life so i can once again enjoy & participate in life up to it's positive optimum!
> THANK YOU!I know you're looking for an answer to where to find it for cheap (sorry I can't help.) I just want to say that I understand exactly what you said about feeling better. I started taking it 3 weeks ago, it was my first anti-dep. of any kind, and I feel wonderful. I promise to reply again to this message if I hear of a less expensive route for you.
Thanks.
Posted by mikal on January 31, 2003, at 23:32:56
In reply to Re: coping with panic attacks, posted by mlj 123 on January 31, 2003, at 20:34:23
> Do anyone have any advice about taking Lexepro for panic attacks. I just started it after having tried so many thing that make me sick and unable to sleep.
>
Keep giving Lexapro a chance to work for you. I cannot understate how much it helped with the panic anxiety. I'm v. lucky that the only side affect I seem to get is a slightly groggy initial hour or two after taking, but not enough to inhibit daily activity or work, just enough to throw some exsessive yawning and slight mental lapse (which could be from being me... =).)As for advice, I take it with food (works for me.) I take it with a an Omega-3 fish oil pill (I try to get at least 3 in a day.) There may be a link to Omega-3 and depression/anxiety stuff, check web or this site for more info.
I hope you do well on Lex.
Posted by mlj 123 on February 1, 2003, at 12:13:28
In reply to NO MORE PANIC ATTACKS =), posted by mikal on January 31, 2003, at 14:14:37
> I went on Lexapro 3 weeks ago 10mg... it has been an absolute savior. I haven't had a panic attack in about 18 days, this stuff started working fast. At first it seemed to disconect the full blown anxiety which would start with the racing heart from the horrible thinking that ended up, for lack of better words, making me feel crazy, sweaty and diconected from my self. I could still feel the impulse to go into panic but the restults were far less severe. Over the past couple of weeks, especially in the last 3-5 days I have noticed that my thinking has changed. I'm not focused on "what if's." Not thinking about the "what-ifs" has given me the ability to feel happiness. When you're so controlled by "what if this is the big one" it is impossible to embrace anything but horror. My panic has not only subsided; I have realized that life can be happy and good.
> I was always a person who felt "blue," and I couldn't pick out why I would get into so many "funks." I've been mildly depressed for so long that I came to understand it as my reality, because it was. I was sceptical of drugs as therapy for this "kind of thing," but will never be again. My doctor has really been patient with me as my panic and anxiety increased over the past months, I made many trips for heart check-ups, aches and pains. I don't focus on a dry patch of skin anymore manking it into a new disease, it is a dry patch of skin and lotion seems to work well, and if it's not a dry patch of skin I have the freedom to not obsess about it, I can deal with it without falling to pieces.
>
> Panic, Anxiety, Depression are debilitating, no ifs ands or buts. There is no reason to stop searching if something isn't working or to stop if something is... I hope the best for everybody who stops by these boards, this has helped change my life in so many ways.>Everything you said is exactley what Ive been thru. Im so funny about having to take medicine and it took so many unencouraging trips to the doctor trying to blame this on anything but anxiety/panic. I thought I was dying of everything. My doctor was so supportive when I pleaded that this was not who I was. But she always would just suggest medicine for anxiety and I would feel so insulted. But one panic attack to many just finnaly caused me to admit to myself that I had a problem. One big problem. I didnt even realize how much my life was changing. I felt like my heart was racing every morning when I woke up just because I feared having another panic attack that day. This web site has really touched me and shown me that Im not alone. That people really do understand what it feels like when life as you know it starts falling apart and you lose your confidence in everyday life.
Posted by Phyl on February 1, 2003, at 15:07:55
In reply to Re: Lexapro side-effects » Ritch, posted by Marialee on January 31, 2003, at 2:16:12
Marialee: I am on Lexapro but I cut it in half. I have never taken any other meds other than Lexapro. I have been on it for 3 months. About a week ago, I had severe dizziness, with the room spinning. At one point, I had to hold onto the door frame to keep from falling. I had to keep my head very still or things would go whirling by. When I called my doctor, he said he didn't believe it was from Lexapro but that it was an inner ear virus which threw off my equilabrium. He might have been right because I
was almost normal the next day...just a tiny bit of nausea. And the vertigo has not returned. Sometimes things happen which would have happened without the meds, but we feel they are responsible. I hope your situation turns out to be like mine and that it has nothing to do with the med. Good luck.
Posted by Donia on February 1, 2003, at 15:33:23
In reply to Re: Vertigo - Marialee, posted by Phyl on February 1, 2003, at 15:07:55
I once had a spell of vertigo, I can tell you it was awful!! I was under a great deal of stress as a few weeks before my 2 year old son was stung by wasp and almost died. I had never seen anything like it before in my life. As a result of the trauma I developed depression or post traumatic stress. I walked to the mailbox one morning feeling ok and when I got back the room was spinning. I went to lay down and took my son with me and it was worse. He was getting afraid as young as he was. He knew something was wrong. I called the ambulance and a neighbor took my son. I was on my period and had used a tampon and thought for sure I had the toxic syndrome you get from it. The doc at the emergency room said it was an inner ear problem. I never had it again. I was not on medication. I went to my family doctor and he said it was probably due to my high stress and depression and put me on zoloft for a month. As with the meds, stopping celexa and immediately taking lexapro should not be a problem. They are basically the same med without the inactive isomer in it.
Donia
Posted by syringachalet on February 1, 2003, at 22:25:10
In reply to Re: Help finding best least expensive source LEXAPRO » piscesmoon7, posted by mikal on January 31, 2003, at 23:23:50
Hello piscesmoon,
Unfornately, LEXAPRO is only availabe in the USA. I have check several online pharmacys and I have only found one--drugstore.com--to be as low a price as I have been able to find.
I have also had several clients who take LEXAPRO 10mg and I have asked that the MD order them 20mg tabs and have the patient to break the scored tablet in half as soon as they arrive to extend the same dose with half the cost.
If anyone else has other options, please let me know.
Also you might want to contact drugsfree.com and pharmacare.com to see if you qualify for drug company samples. ( The forms are a pain but hey, if they canhelp.. go for it...
Hope this helps.
syringachalet
Posted by piscesmoon7 on February 2, 2003, at 10:29:28
In reply to Re: Help finding best least expensive source LEXAPRO, posted by syringachalet on February 1, 2003, at 22:25:10
HELLO syringachalet & fellow friends!!!
THANKS SO MUCH for your responses to my post & especially the info & link to DRUGSTORE.COM because i have found that their price for LEXAPRO is at least 30%-35% less than i could find & research myself up to this point! I was truly hoping i could find some kind of less expensive source & pricing so i wouldn't be "priced" right out of my own mental health & well-being!
Also, THANKS SO MUCH for the amazing hint & advice re: getting the 20mg prescription to be halved into 10mg to extend the quantity & lessen my financial burden with keeping stocked up. My DOC is truly the BEST & GREATEST and do not foresee a problem with him obliging that request as we try to solve this "MAGICAL MEDICAL MYSTERY TOUR" i have been on for for way TOO many years!
I also plan to be a very frequent, honest, & informative message poster to this board as i have this drug going through my system for a longer period of time to share all my personal PROS & CONS with it. It's just SOOO amazing to have the desire for positive thoughts in my brain again, postive actions with my body again, & all in hopes to live the most authentic & fulfilling life my soul can possibly desire here on this earth!!!
lovingly,
PISCESMOON7
Posted by lostsailor on February 2, 2003, at 11:41:09
In reply to Re: Help finding best least expensive source LEXAPRO, posted by piscesmoon7 on February 2, 2003, at 10:29:28
even cheaper. my ins does not cover lexapro yet. I asked doc why he said its just that its new and fully gives away in sample packs to all in similar situation. have you mentioned cost to doc???? Usually they have a full storeroom of samples of the "newer" meds.
good luck with all,
~tony
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