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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Doug in PA on June 29, 2003, at 9:44:02
In reply to Re: Lexapro side-effects, posted by dr. dave on June 19, 2002, at 4:41:27
I switched from Paxil (30mg)to Lexapro (10 mg) 3 weeks ago.
During that time my "condition" seems to have worsened. I spend a lot of time in bed and have gained 10 pounds. On Paxil my mood was consistantly at a 7 out of 10 scale (10 being happy) on Lexapro I am down to a 4 with occasional non-intentional suicide thoughts. Other than that no serious side effects sexual or otherwise.
Posted by Doug in PA on June 29, 2003, at 10:57:12
In reply to Gingko Biloba and Fogginess2BorNot2B..., posted by CarrieL on June 24, 2003, at 16:54:24
> One thing I have found to really help with "the fogginess" is Gingko Biloba, a natural herb that you can buy at any drug store. What it does is increases blood flow to the brain and helps you think much more clearly. It really does work... and a lot of people use it, particulary students. For example, the first time I used it, I accidentally took 2 capsules at once (rather than just the one), and I found myself lying there, creating mathematical equations in my head and then solving them over and over.. lol. (I was taking an algebra class at the time). But, to be sure, the NORMAL dose of it will have no such effect. Also, for anxiety, the herbs "Kava Kava" or "Valerian Root" may help. Valerian Root is actually what the drug Valium is derived from. (hence, the "Val.."). I would talk to your doctor about the possiblities of using herbs to counteract the side effects of Lexapro. They've done wonders for me :) Best wishes !!! (sorry for such a long post)
HEART PATIENTS BEWARE! I am taking blood thinners for heart desease and high blood pressure and my doctor told me to NOT TAKE Gingko Biloba since it would be like overdosing on my thinners. If you are taking simular meds you may want to think twice before taking Gingko.
Posted by BLKVETTES on June 29, 2003, at 11:48:04
In reply to Lexapro side-effects for me, posted by Doug in PA on June 29, 2003, at 9:44:02
> I switched from Paxil (30mg)to Lexapro (10 mg) 3 weeks ago.
> During that time my "condition" seems to have worsened. I spend a lot of time in bed and have gained 10 pounds. On Paxil my mood was consistantly at a 7 out of 10 scale (10 being happy) on Lexapro I am down to a 4 with occasional non-intentional suicide thoughts. Other than that no serious side effects sexual or otherwise.Hi there, do you think some of the problem is getting the paxil out of your system and the initial side effects of the lexapro. Going by my experience this has to be at least a 4 week adjustment. I hope things improve soon for you. TAKE CARE!!!!
Posted by Doug in PA on June 29, 2003, at 12:44:38
In reply to Re: Lexapro side-effects for me, posted by BLKVETTES on June 29, 2003, at 11:48:04
Thanks for the support. Living alone I don't get much of that. You try and hide it from the world. If only I could get motivated. My house looks like crap and I just cant get off my butt to clean it even though I hate it. It is like I am handcuffed to the chair or bed. Hopefully this will pass.
Doug in PA
Posted by BLKVETTES on June 29, 2003, at 13:03:42
In reply to Re: Lexapro side-effects for me » BLKVETTES, posted by Doug in PA on June 29, 2003, at 12:44:38
> Thanks for the support. Living alone I don't get much of that. You try and hide it from the world. If only I could get motivated. My house looks like crap and I just cant get off my butt to clean it even though I hate it. It is like I am handcuffed to the chair or bed. Hopefully this will pass.
>
> Doug in PAHi there, I hope you feel better soon. When in bed do you watch tv. I had this routine when things were bad that I would do one thing during the commercials. Like just load the dishwasher or something like that. Just do a little at a time and dont let everything overwhelm you. In fact I still do things during the commercials. I know its hard when your not motivated and you feel like crap. A shower does wonders if you can. Makes you feel a little better. Just try to do one or two things a day until you get the place cleaned up. Hang in there!!!!
WAYNE
Posted by Freaked Out Cat on June 29, 2003, at 15:09:17
In reply to Re: Lexapro side-effects for me, posted by BLKVETTES on June 29, 2003, at 13:03:42
I've been on 10 mg. Lex since mid May, 2003. I experience daily migrane-like headaches, mostly at the base of my head...sometimes on top of head. I walk in my sleep CONSTANTLY, and broke my toe two weeks ago. I sleep over 12 hours a day, mostly to compensate for the nightly walking episodes. I have very little energy...feel like a slug. Also, I have tremors so bad that I can barely write. Otherwise, things are going better with my panic attacks and depression. I still do not leave my house much, so it's hard to tell.
Hope someone else is doing better!
Posted by Office_LB on June 29, 2003, at 15:42:54
In reply to Re: Lexapro side-effects for me, posted by BLKVETTES on June 29, 2003, at 13:03:42
> > Thanks for the support. Living alone I don't get much of that. You try and hide it from the world. If only I could get motivated. My house looks like crap and I just cant get off my butt to clean it even though I hate it. It is like I am handcuffed to the chair or bed. Hopefully this will pass.
> >
> > Doug in PA
>
> Hi there, I hope you feel better soon. When in bed do you watch tv. I had this routine when things were bad that I would do one thing during the commercials. Like just load the dishwasher or something like that. Just do a little at a time and dont let everything overwhelm you. In fact I still do things during the commercials. I know its hard when your not motivated and you feel like crap. A shower does wonders if you can. Makes you feel a little better. Just try to do one or two things a day until you get the place cleaned up. Hang in there!!!!
> WAYNE
>
>
That's great advice. I do this to this day. Especially on Sundays when I am watching NASCAR or Football. THat is my day to just lay on the couch but I try to get the odd household chore done too.
Posted by BLKVETTES on June 29, 2003, at 17:43:00
In reply to Re: Lexapro side-effects for me, posted by Freaked Out Cat on June 29, 2003, at 15:09:17
> I've been on 10 mg. Lex since mid May, 2003. I experience daily migrane-like headaches, mostly at the base of my head...sometimes on top of head. I walk in my sleep CONSTANTLY, and broke my toe two weeks ago. I sleep over 12 hours a day, mostly to compensate for the nightly walking episodes. I have very little energy...feel like a slug. Also, I have tremors so bad that I can barely write. Otherwise, things are going better with my panic attacks and depression. I still do not leave my house much, so it's hard to tell.
>
> Hope someone else is doing better!Hi there, your post concerns me greatly. Did you have any of these problems before the lexapro. The tremors sound like me on another med. I suggest a trip to see your pdoc and really have a good talk with them. GOOD LUCK!!!
WAYNE
Posted by lil' jimi on June 29, 2003, at 21:44:25
In reply to Re: FREAKED OUT CAT, posted by BLKVETTES on June 29, 2003, at 17:43:00
hey Freaked Out Cat,
woo, and i thought i'd heard of every lex SE! ... a broken toe!! .. ... Ouch!! .. can you walk in shoes yet? .. .... ... i broke my big toe once ... ... that hurts .. .. i feel for you ...
... ... and i agree with Wayne, your SEs are as severe as any i've read here .... they defintely need to be checked out by your md ... ... and if Wayne is right about other meds being involved, you should also check with your pharmacist, too .. ... ...
so you've been on 10mg for about a month ... ... ...
> > I've been on 10 mg. Lex since mid May, 2003. I experience daily migrane-like headaches, mostly at the base of my head...sometimes on top of head. I walk in my sleep CONSTANTLY, and broke my toe two weeks ago. I sleep over 12 hours a day, mostly to compensate for the nightly walking episodes. I have very little energy...feel like a slug. Also, I have tremors so bad that I can barely write. Otherwise, things are going better with my panic attacks and depression. I still do not leave my house much, so it's hard to tell.
> >
> > Hope someone else is doing better!
>
> Hi there, your post concerns me greatly. Did you have any of these problems before the lexapro. The tremors sound like me on another med. I suggest a trip to see your pdoc and really have a good talk with them. GOOD LUCK!!!
> WAYNE
>between the tremors and migraines, you are way due to shake down your doc for some help / suggestions/ treatment ... .... ... that combination of ses just implies neurology to me in a way that demands expert assessment ... ... if i were you i'd call tonight, but at least 1st thing in the morning ... ... .... if it is the lexapro, you are going to want to have your case followed Very closely ... ... don't mean to scare you, but it sounds that serious ...
please continue to post and let us know how you are doing ... .... hang in there ... and
TAKE CARE !!!
~ jim
Posted by McPac on June 30, 2003, at 20:16:24
In reply to re: Bad Lex SEs for FREAKED OUT CAT!, posted by lil' jimi on June 29, 2003, at 21:44:25
I'm trying to switch from Zoloft to Lexapro.....my GP has instructed me to START OUT on the Lexapro at 20 mg/day........from reading a few posts on the Babble board, THAT dosage sounds too high!!!! I've read a few posts saying to start out slowly, like 5 mg/day.........also, reading about these crummy panic-type feelings that many get makes me leary....okay, question please, what is the equivalent Lexapro-to-Celexa dose? (Is it 10 mg of Lexapro = 40 mg of Celexa??)........I took ONE Celexa pill (20 mg, it was one of my mom's) about a week ago just to see what kind of reaction I might get from Celexa; it made me a little tired, if anything...is THAT any indication of what Lexapro may be like also for me, since Lex is really the same thing as Celexa? THANK YOU to any and all that responds!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by BLKVETTES on June 30, 2003, at 20:37:42
In reply to Just Starting on Lexapro....20 mg/day to START????, posted by McPac on June 30, 2003, at 20:16:24
> I'm trying to switch from Zoloft to Lexapro.....my GP has instructed me to START OUT on the Lexapro at 20 mg/day........from reading a few posts on the Babble board, THAT dosage sounds too high!!!! I've read a few posts saying to start out slowly, like 5 mg/day.........also, reading about these crummy panic-type feelings that many get makes me leary....okay, question please, what is the equivalent Lexapro-to-Celexa dose? (Is it 10 mg of Lexapro = 40 mg of Celexa??)........I took ONE Celexa pill (20 mg, it was one of my mom's) about a week ago just to see what kind of reaction I might get from Celexa; it made me a little tired, if anything...is THAT any indication of what Lexapro may be like also for me, since Lex is really the same thing as Celexa? THANK YOU to any and all that responds!!!!!!!!!!
Hi there, glad your doing your homework on the meds. The patient needs to be very involved and educate ones selve. Also you know everyone reacts differently to the meds. My opinion is that doctor would never get me start any med but at a low dose. You start low and as you get comfortable with the med you move up slowly. But thats between you and the doc. I guess you could say the celexa and lex are similar. Some switch from the celexa and like it better and some dont. Being tired and having an upset stomach are the 2 biggest complaints. Are you still taking the zoloft? If not did you just quit? There may be some withdrawl that you will go through. Its best to come off it slowly. Sometimes this board gets slow but questions do get answered. TAKE CARE!!!!
WAYNE
Posted by McPac on June 30, 2003, at 20:46:10
In reply to Re: Just Starting on Lexapro....20 mg/day to START????, posted by BLKVETTES on June 30, 2003, at 20:37:42
Hi Wayne!
"Are you still taking the zoloft?"
>>>>>>>>Yes, I haven't started the Lex yet nor have I begun the Zoloft taper.
"There may be some withdrawl that you will go through. Its best to come off it slowly".
>>>>>>>>>>>Wayne, will I STILL get Zoloft withdrawal IF I take the Lex at the same time that I'm tapering the Z (will the Lex NEGATE the Z withdrawal)?
Posted by lil' jimi on June 30, 2003, at 20:58:47
In reply to Just Starting on Lexapro....20 mg/day to START????, posted by McPac on June 30, 2003, at 20:16:24
hi McPac,
what do you think your gp is thinking? ... SOP is to start 10mg , which as you mention is pretty steep for a lot of folks here, me included ... .. ... would your gp have a reason to believe your med resistant ... or something?
as you have probably read, starting off slow is believed (around here anyway) to lessen the impact of those potential lex start-up SEs ... .... ... my way of looking at it is your md's rx is a target, suggestion and we work our way up to it any way we can .... If we can ... .... Everybody is so different with this stuff; each of us has to just feel our way through .... some folks do best on 2 1/2 mg, a lot of folks like 5mg ..... i've been at 10 for 2 mos. now, and we can expect some people need 30 or 40mg ...
.... ... so how does a doc know before you try? ... ... they can't! ... ...... and, yes siree, be prepared for the POSSIBILITY (probablity?) of lex-induced initial anxiety SE ... ... it can happen ... .... if you're prone to anxiety, the standard treatment is to use benzo supplementation to get you over the adaptaion SEs ... heh! ... like i know what the heck "standard" treatment is! ... ....let's try: "i have read about this often here" ... (that's more like it!)
and i read all of the old posts debating the celexa-to-lex equivalency .... i seem to remember the pharm rep post that 10 to 40 exchange rate .. never had any AD other than lex ...
so what happened with your zoloft?
i have read some of your posts, but i can't recall your dx / sx / history / story / other meds?
TAKE CARE !!! ! ! !!!!! (hey! to wayne o' the 'vettes!)
~ jim> I'm trying to switch from Zoloft to Lexapro.....my GP has instructed me to START OUT on the Lexapro at 20 mg/day........from reading a few posts on the Babble board, THAT dosage sounds too high!!!! I've read a few posts saying to start out slowly, like 5 mg/day.........also, reading about these crummy panic-type feelings that many get makes me leary....okay, question please, what is the equivalent Lexapro-to-Celexa dose? (Is it 10 mg of Lexapro = 40 mg of Celexa??)........I took ONE Celexa pill (20 mg, it was one of my mom's) about a week ago just to see what kind of reaction I might get from Celexa; it made me a little tired, if anything...is THAT any indication of what Lexapro may be like also for me, since Lex is really the same thing as Celexa? THANK YOU to any and all that responds!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by prodgirl on June 30, 2003, at 21:03:53
In reply to Just Starting on Lexapro....20 mg/day to START????, posted by McPac on June 30, 2003, at 20:16:24
20mg seems a little high...I started out at 10mg. Other than the initial "buzz" I got when my body was getting used to Lexapro, I never felt anything. It was great, until it pooped out on me.
Good Luck!
Posted by vandy on June 30, 2003, at 21:12:58
In reply to re: 20 mg/day to START? » McPac, posted by lil' jimi on June 30, 2003, at 20:58:47
Hi, All!
I've noticed all the dossage discussion and thought to myself, "I was give an initial of 20mg from the get-go." But I'm 6' 4" and weigh 270 pound and the doc mentioned those numbers when he wrote the script.
Posted by BBoo on June 30, 2003, at 21:26:01
In reply to Re: Lexapro side-effects for me, posted by Office_LB on June 29, 2003, at 15:42:54
Hi, I'm new and have enjoyed reading all the support y'all give to each other. I was trying to quit Lexapro over the last 2 weeks because my insurance quits paying for it tomorrow. (I also take 3 other meds.) I have felt so horrible-dizzy, "floaty," panicky, fuzzy, just strange-that I finally called my dr. back and asked him to put me back on it today. I'll figure out something about the $$ or try to come off V-E-R-Y slowly. I only take 10mg. The things we do just to survive!... Thanks for listening.
Posted by CarrieL on June 30, 2003, at 21:42:23
In reply to Re: Lexapro side-effects for me, posted by Freaked Out Cat on June 29, 2003, at 15:09:17
Hi there. Curiously, had you ever sleepwalked BEFORE the Lexapro??? I have been on 10 mg's for about 6 months, and until I started taking multi-vitamins "religiously", it was making me really sluggish, too. But now, it seems my only SE is my skin breaking out now and then. Other than that, I'm quite happy with it.
You say you get 12 hours of sleep??? That's really way too much, even if the sleep IS broken by your sleepwalking. I've noticed that if I get more than 9 hours of sleep, I am really tired that day. It's like my body was too use to sleeping and can't wake up, and then your circadian rhthym is whacked. If I were you, I'd consider setting your alarm clock to get only 8 or 9 hours of sleep for a few nights and see if you start feeling better. Believe it or not, it IS possible to get too much sleep. Also, you might want to consider the multi-vitamins...
Best of luck !!!
Posted by lil' jimi on June 30, 2003, at 21:51:49
In reply to Re: Just Starting on Lexapro....20 mg/day to START????, posted by prodgirl on June 30, 2003, at 21:03:53
hi prodgirl,
you're the only lex poop out i've read about ...
> 20mg seems a little high...I started out at 10mg. Other than the initial "buzz" I got when my body was getting used to Lexapro, I never felt anything. It was great, until it pooped out on me.
>how long did you do lex / when did it poop out on you ??
was 10mg the most you took?
what AD do you use now?
how are you doing?
thanks for your post!!
i would appreciate any details about your lex poop out, Please? Pretty Please?
... ... please post again!
Thank You !!TAKE CARE !!!!
~ jim
Posted by lil' jimi on June 30, 2003, at 21:55:49
In reply to re: 20 mg/day to START?, posted by vandy on June 30, 2003, at 21:12:58
Posted by lil' jimi on June 30, 2003, at 22:03:23
In reply to Re: Lexapro side-effects for me, posted by BBoo on June 30, 2003, at 21:26:01
hi BBoo,
sorry to hear your having such trouble ... ... it can be hard to quit an SSRI ... i appreciate your post ... thanks!
... ... so why would your insurance quit covering your lexapro?take good care of yourself and let us hear from you!
~ jim
Posted by McPac on June 30, 2003, at 22:36:03
In reply to re: 20 mg/day to START? » McPac, posted by lil' jimi on June 30, 2003, at 20:58:47
hi McPac,
>>>>>>>Hi Jim!
... SOP is to start 10mg
>>>>>>>JUST took 10 mg Lex only minutes ago...I'm starting at 10 mg NOT 20!
as you have probably read, starting off slow is believed (around here anyway) to lessen the impact of those potential lex start-up SEs
>>>>>>>>>>Makes sense to me.
... and, yes siree, be prepared for the POSSIBILITY (probablity?) of lex-induced initial anxiety SE
>>>>>>>>>> I hear ya!
and i read all of the old posts debating the celexa-to-lex equivalency .... i seem to remember the pharm rep post that 10 to 40 exchange rate ..
>>>>>>>>>>I still need to find that kind of info out.
so what happened with your zoloft?
>>>>>>>Zoloft (at higher doses, which I needed) caused bad anger/temper problems for me (at lower doses it was much better but I needed a higher dose...thus, the switch to a different med)
i have read some of your posts, but i can't recall your dx / sx / history / story / other meds?
>>>>>>>>>>>OCD and Depression for SURE (possibly a tad of bipolar?)
TAKE CARE !!! ! ! !!!!!
>>>>>>>>>You take care too!!
Posted by lil' jimi on June 30, 2003, at 22:41:49
In reply to Re: Just Starting on Lexapro....20 mg/day to START????, posted by McPac on June 30, 2003, at 20:46:10
hi McPac,
i guess Wayne's busy .... which should be a good thing!
> Hi Wayne!
>
> "Are you still taking the zoloft?"
>
> >>>>>>>>Yes, I haven't started the Lex yet nor have I begun the Zoloft taper.
>
> "There may be some withdrawl that you will go through. Its best to come off it slowly".
>
> >>>>>>>>>>>Wayne, will I STILL get Zoloft withdrawal IF I take the Lex at the same time that I'm tapering the Z (will the Lex NEGATE the Z withdrawal)?.... ... so i thought i'd give it a shot for you:
(disclaimer: this is ONLY from what i've read ... i have never had zoloft.)
... ... the posts have complaints from folks trying to come from another ssri to lex and they're having to fight BOTH initial lex SEs AND ssri withdrawals ("wds"?) ... ... some folks have had a real rough time ... some like jackie (2beornot2benuts) just had too hard a time to handle and had to quit lex ... some like mariposa (Hola, Chica?) can make it through the ses and do great ... ... so i'm inclined to answer your question, no.... .. .. but i have never really understood why it is that we should Not be able to get the relief you suggest from mutually tapering ssris .... ... or just staying on one while getting onto the 2nd before quitting the 1st ... it would seem to make sense ... the posts seem to fail to document this success ....
however ... a Much higher percentage of our poster are going to be users with problems (looking for help) and fewer posters post their success stories ... so it is Not Impossible that it is happening out there somewhere ... ...
... man, i hope it works for you !!
TAKE CARE !!!!! (always an homage to bro. wayne!!)
~ jim
Posted by lil' jimi on June 30, 2003, at 23:07:40
In reply to lil jimi, re: 20 mg/day to START?, posted by McPac on June 30, 2003, at 22:36:03
> hi McPac,
>
> >>>>>>>Hi Jim!
>
> ... SOP is to start 10mg
>
> >>>>>>>JUST took 10 mg Lex only minutes ago...I'm starting at 10 mg NOT 20!
>
> as you have probably read, starting off slow is believed (around here anyway) to lessen the impact of those potential lex start-up SEs
>
> >>>>>>>>>>Makes sense to me.
>
> ... and, yes siree, be prepared for the POSSIBILITY (probablity?) of lex-induced initial anxiety SE
>
> >>>>>>>>>> I hear ya!
>
> and i read all of the old posts debating the celexa-to-lex equivalency .... i seem to remember the pharm rep post that 10 to 40 exchange rate ..
>
> >>>>>>>>>>I still need to find that kind of info out.
>
> so what happened with your zoloft?
>
> >>>>>>>Zoloft (at higher doses, which I needed) caused bad anger/temper problems for me (at lower doses it was much better but I needed a higher dose...thus, the switch to a different med)
>
> i have read some of your posts, but i can't recall your dx / sx / history / story / other meds?
>
> >>>>>>>>>>>OCD and Depression for SURE (possibly a tad of bipolar?)
>
> TAKE CARE !!! ! ! !!!!!
>
> >>>>>>>>>You take care too!!
>
thanks, man!when my start up lex SEs hit me, i went ocd, in my own way ... ... ... i read every post in this thread from june 2002 ... took me a week of my "spare" time ... (we have a 4 yr old boy) .... i learned a lot ... and now i feel like i've been on lex 20 years! .. ... ha! ... .... it has really only been 3 1/2 months ....
to research specific details though, you can:
1) click on the thread link
" Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl Dr. Bob 6/11/02" at http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020609/msgs/109458.html
so that you get the entire thread in one window;
2) click your edit menu in your browser and
select "Find in This Page" ... this will open a little dialog box
3) then enter a search term like "celexa"
and each time you click "Find" you should get another post with 'celexa' in its subject line.hope this helps
good luck!!
~ jim
Posted by McPac on June 30, 2003, at 23:37:49
In reply to re: how to get specific lex thread info » McPac, posted by lil' jimi on June 30, 2003, at 23:07:40
Posted by BLKVETTES on June 30, 2003, at 23:47:16
In reply to re: Lexapro , insurance won't cover? » BBoo, posted by lil' jimi on June 30, 2003, at 22:03:23
> hi BBoo,
>
> sorry to hear your having such trouble ... ... it can be hard to quit an SSRI ... i appreciate your post ... thanks!
> ... ... so why would your insurance quit covering your lexapro?
>
> take good care of yourself and let us hear from you!
> ~ jimI had to fight about a month for my insurance to cover it. The reason being it cost more than other meds because its new. They wanted me to try something else first. It was like hello, I have already been on 2 other meds. TAKE CARE!!!
WAYNE
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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