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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by bigpopper on December 24, 2006, at 17:15:22
How do you know when to quit your SSRI. This is my first round of any AD. I am on 10 mg of Lexapro. It was tough during the 30 day startup. Now I feel "OK", but not myself. I have been on Lex for 3 months. I would like to stop taking soon, but not sure when or how. I just feel kinda funny all the time. Not bad, just odd.
Posted by Maxime on December 25, 2006, at 15:33:52
In reply to When to quit Lexapro (SSRI)?, posted by bigpopper on December 24, 2006, at 17:15:22
> How do you know when to quit your SSRI. This is my first round of any AD. I am on 10 mg of Lexapro. It was tough during the 30 day startup. Now I feel "OK", but not myself. I have been on Lex for 3 months. I would like to stop taking soon, but not sure when or how. I just feel kinda funny all the time. Not bad, just odd.
If you aren't happy with the side effects, you might want to try another SSRI. How about Prozac?
Can you describe how you feel "odd"? Are able to show emotion? Does it make you feel suicidal? Or is it something physical?
Maxime
Posted by bigpopper on December 25, 2006, at 17:25:32
In reply to Re: When to quit Lexapro (SSRI)? » bigpopper, posted by Maxime on December 25, 2006, at 15:33:52
I feel dull and distant. I have this funny feeling in my stomach most all the time. I also have bad anxiety at times for no reason. I started feeling like this earlier this year, before Lexapro. Once I started Lex these symtoms were 100 times worse. Then they kind of got better after 30 days. Now, I am like before Lex or still worse.
Posted by Phillipa on December 25, 2006, at 22:37:56
In reply to Re: When to quit Lexapro (SSRI)?, posted by bigpopper on December 25, 2006, at 17:25:32
In my opinion only have you added a benzo and is the med releaving your depression? Love Phillipa
Posted by elanor roosevelt on December 25, 2006, at 22:53:40
In reply to Re: When to quit Lexapro (SSRI)? » bigpopper, posted by Phillipa on December 25, 2006, at 22:37:56
add a benzo
try waiting a few hours after you wake until you take the lexapro
Posted by bigpopper on December 26, 2006, at 8:56:26
In reply to Re: When to quit Lexapro (SSRI)?, posted by elanor roosevelt on December 25, 2006, at 22:53:40
I do take xanax as needed, but am scared of getting addicted. My Dr. told me to not worry soo much about benzo. I have been taking .5-1 mg per day. Now I do not know if the problem is the Lex or if I just want the xanax? I have gone a few days without xanax to make sure I am not addicted.
I have found myself thinking about how I feel all the time, 24/7. Even when I am listing to someones elses tell a story, I am thinking about how I am thinking???? If I try to take a nap on the weekend, I will dose off then immediately wake up in a panic like I just got caught doing something wrong. Very weird.
I am not sure if this is depression or anxiety related (I am new to all of this). I would suspect anxiety due to xanax making me feel better though.
Can Lexapro increase anxiety throughout treatment, say too much stimulation? I am not sure what to do!
Posted by jimmygold70 on December 26, 2006, at 11:25:30
In reply to Re: When to quit Lexapro (SSRI)?, posted by bigpopper on December 26, 2006, at 8:56:26
WHat you desribe might be mixed bipolar II resulting from the drug, or just that it is completely ineffective.
I would recommend switching to another SSRI (say Zoloft) and take benzodiazpeines as needed.
J
Posted by bigpopper on December 26, 2006, at 15:23:28
In reply to Re: When to quit Lexapro (SSRI)? » bigpopper, posted by jimmygold70 on December 26, 2006, at 11:25:30
What would I expect to happen if I decided that this is NOT the drug for me and I just quit taking it? I have not taken Lex today to see what will happen. It has been 36 hours (not very long) since I took my 10 mg. dose. I have not noticed anything yet.
Has anyone quit SSRI and felt better than before??
Posted by Phillipa on December 26, 2006, at 19:05:09
In reply to Re: When to quit Lexapro (SSRI)?, posted by bigpopper on December 26, 2006, at 15:23:28
I've always felt better without an ad. Love Phillipa
Posted by bigpopper on December 27, 2006, at 13:49:50
In reply to Re: When to quit Lexapro (SSRI)? » bigpopper, posted by Phillipa on December 26, 2006, at 19:05:09
It has been a little more than 2 days since I have taken Lexapro and nothing bad yet. I was planning on taking 5mg or so if SE's got bad, but I seem to feel better. I am less anxious, which is surprising. Is all hell going to break loose in a few more days or is there a chance that I will do better without Lex?
I have been on 10mg. for 3 months.
Posted by Phillipa on December 27, 2006, at 18:45:07
In reply to Re: When to quit Lexapro (SSRI)?, posted by bigpopper on December 27, 2006, at 13:49:50
Don't know. If a lot of stress it might come back but how long were you depressed? And is this your first depression. I think that means a lot. Love Phillipa
Posted by bigpopper on December 27, 2006, at 21:44:03
In reply to Re: When to quit Lexapro (SSRI)? » bigpopper, posted by Phillipa on December 27, 2006, at 18:45:07
As you may remember, I was the guy that was on Luracet and steriods for a minor medical procedure. The "depression/anxiety" started once I quit those medicines. I had complete breakdown and did not know what was wrong. The Dr. said I was suffering from depression and started Lexapro. I think the Lex + the withdrawal from Luracet and anxiety left from steriods just about killed me!
My Dr. keeps wanting me stay on Lex, but I have been feeling horrible. So, long story short I was feeling depressed for 1 week before lexapro and 3 months after lexapro.
Posted by elanor roosevelt on December 27, 2006, at 22:34:04
In reply to Re: When to quit Lexapro (SSRI)?, posted by bigpopper on December 27, 2006, at 21:44:03
coming off steroids can also trigger depression
often people feel better just after they stop a med
you should check with your doctor and decide on your next AD should you need italways have a back-up plan
that's my new motto with medsif your doctor tells you to get back to lexapro tell him no
Posted by Big Popper on December 28, 2006, at 9:25:41
In reply to Re: When to quit Lexapro (SSRI)? » bigpopper, posted by Maxime on December 25, 2006, at 15:33:52
Another day and I still feel good. No anxiety like I was having. Actually feel much better.
Over 3 days since stopping. Should I have noticed any side effects yet? If I have not had any yet, is is possible that I will be fine?????????
Posted by bigpopper on December 28, 2006, at 20:45:39
In reply to Re: When to quit Lexapro (SSRI)? » bigpopper, posted by Phillipa on December 27, 2006, at 18:45:07
I talked to a nurse friend of mine today. She said that it may be 2 weeks before I notice withdrawals.?? Does that sound right?
I was hoping that after 4 days, I would already see some withdrawals if they were going to be bad.
Posted by Phillipa on December 28, 2006, at 21:36:26
In reply to Re: When to quit Lexapro (SSRI)?, posted by bigpopper on December 28, 2006, at 20:45:39
I would think so too. Call a pharmacist and ask how long the med stays in your system . I've done that before and they usually can tell you. Good luck I hope they stay away. Love Phillipa
Posted by elanor roosevelt on December 29, 2006, at 20:00:49
In reply to Re: When to quit Lexapro (SSRI)? » bigpopper, posted by Phillipa on December 28, 2006, at 21:36:26
i would watch more for early signs of the depression returning
i used to get a number of "good" AD-free months inbetween meds
very productive times
so enjoy
This is the end of the thread.
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