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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by miss salsa on September 20, 2004, at 13:42:02
Hello. I have been lurking around this board for about a month. I just wuld like to share my experience, and kind of hang out for awhile to get me through yet another episode of depression.
I am 45 and this is my 3rd round since age 40.
I have tried Paxil, Serzone, Celexa, Zoloft, Remeron and Lexapro. Each had their own variety and severity of side effects. I am very prone and get about all the wonderful side effects that these meds can dish out.
My latest has got me on the Lexapro path (again).
I like many others whom have gone thru more than one bout hate the start up side effects. I fight going on any antidepressant for this reason. But as always, I eventually have to stop the torment of the deep dark hole. There is no climbing out without the help of these meds (for me).
I also suffer from GAD, making these meds even more of a treat in the beginning.
I startd Lex last week @ 2.5 mg---told you I hate the side effects!
Still, the first day on this low dose it started, the wired, sick, out of it is all coming back. Luckily, I have a bit of Klonopin to help during the first few weeks.
Today is one week. Still at 2.5. After a rough first week, yesterday I saw the light at the end of the tunnel. It was dim, yet I saw it. This morning, I awoke with some anxiety, it is Monday, but I thought oh, no. Yet I got up and it has been my best day yet.
I guess the point of my posting is, the meds will work. They are sometimes brutal starting up, which is cruely ironic. Something you need to work fast, and painlessly most times is just the opposite.
BUT, they are short lived. I think most pdocs start people out WAY to high. I wonder if they have ever tried the so called "theraputic" dose of one of these drugs the first day...I bet not.
My trivial 2.5 mg may sound like a joke. However, besides 4 days of not feeling the greatest, I feel very good today. In a few days I will go up to 5mg, and quite frankly probably stay there.
Just insight from a person who really understands where many of you are coming from.
``miss salsa``
Posted by Bill LL on September 21, 2004, at 12:41:35
In reply to Lexapro and other experiences, posted by miss salsa on September 20, 2004, at 13:42:02
It's very helpful to read of the experience of others. Thanks! Give us an update of your progress at some point.
Posted by Steve3211 on September 21, 2004, at 17:27:01
In reply to Lexapro and other experiences, posted by miss salsa on September 20, 2004, at 13:42:02
I have been in some big dark holes myself. I am very impressed with Lexapro and agree that docs may sometimes start people out to high. I started at 2.5, have been to 5 and 7.5 and hover somewhere in between. I also am very sensitive to meds. I think people sometimes jump to quickly to the conclusion that they need a higher dosage of their meds. No med is perfect and sometimes it is a confidence booster to just ride out the bumps. Of course I describe only mild bumps here. If it is more than that then obviously other measures are needed. Hmmm does this make sense??
Best-Steve
Posted by Catgirl on September 21, 2004, at 19:21:01
In reply to Lexapro and other experiences, posted by miss salsa on September 20, 2004, at 13:42:02
I think Lexapro really can work, once you get past the side effects (which were really bad for the first few days).
Now the only remaining side effect is the fatigue. I'm tired during the day and want to stay up too late at night! Still, it beats the depression and anxiety.
Posted by Mariposa on September 25, 2004, at 10:12:12
In reply to Re: Lexapro and other experiences, posted by Catgirl on September 21, 2004, at 19:21:01
> I think Lexapro really can work, once you get past the side effects (which were really bad for the first few days).
> Now the only remaining side effect is the fatigue. I'm tired during the day and want to stay up too late at night! Still, it beats the depression and anxiety.Fatigue for me wound up being something my lazy brain was trying to pull on me.....I felt it, felt extremely tired like I had to nap all the time. But it was all a smoke screen....if I got involved w/projects at work and ignored the fatigue, it would soon evaporate and I actually felt *energized* from Lex. May not be the samr for you, but it's something to consider???
Good luck!~~~8|8
Posted by Catgirl on September 25, 2004, at 22:06:56
In reply to Re: Lexapro and other experiences, posted by Mariposa on September 25, 2004, at 10:12:12
> > I think Lexapro really can work, once you get past the side effects (which were really bad for the first few days).
> > Now the only remaining side effect is the fatigue. I'm tired during the day and want to stay up too late at night! Still, it beats the depression and anxiety.
>
> Fatigue for me wound up being something my lazy brain was trying to pull on me.....I felt it, felt extremely tired like I had to nap all the time. But it was all a smoke screen....if I got involved w/projects at work and ignored the fatigue, it would soon evaporate and I actually felt *energized* from Lex. May not be the samr for you, but it's something to consider???
>
> Good luck!~~~8|8
>
>I'm the same way! When I am doing something that is boring at work, I struggle to stay awake and can't ignore the fatigue. But if I am doing something more interesting or interactive, it's not as bad. I dread this coming week, because I have 2 and a half days of training to sit through. How am I going to stay awake?!?!
Oh, and I try to avoid caffeine because it adds to the anxiety.
Posted by Mariposa on September 26, 2004, at 14:26:39
In reply to Re: Lexapro and other experiences » Mariposa, posted by Catgirl on September 25, 2004, at 22:06:56
>
> I'm the same way! When I am doing something that is boring at work, I struggle to stay awake and can't ignore the fatigue. But if I am doing something more interesting or interactive, it's not as bad. I dread this coming week, because I have 2 and a half days of training to sit through. How am I going to stay awake?!?!
>
> Oh, and I try to avoid caffeine because it adds to the anxiety.Hate to say this, but I DO drink lots of coffee! It has really helped and I LOVE coffee, but it does not sound like an option for you. Maybe some of the other posters will have better suggestions???
This is the end of the thread.
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