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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Spriggy on January 29, 2005, at 21:27:20
I've had a horrible experience here lately with Lexapro.
It reminded me that when I had a similar experience, was when I had been on Sam-E.Is it possible I just don't do well with my brain chemistry being messed with?
While on Sam-E, I suddenly went into the weirdest almost "insane" experience of my life. I did not sleep or eat for 3 days.. I could not collect my thoughts- it was as if my mind had been hijacked and I had no control over it.
I felt sooo bizarre.
I am doing the same thing now on Lexapro (and am weaning off).
Am I just super sensitive to chemicals or what?
** I also did this several years ago to an anti nausea medicine called Compazine**
Posted by Chris O on January 31, 2005, at 15:55:37
In reply to Sam-e Wigged me out, posted by Spriggy on January 29, 2005, at 21:27:20
Spriggy:
I've been reading some of your posts here, and it sounds like you're going through a really hard time.
I don't know how much Lexapro or SAM-e you took, but I've taken pretty high doses of both SAM-e (up to 2000mg/day) and Lexapro (up to 40mg/day), without experiencing many side effects. But that does not mean they don't affect your brain chemistry differently. Everyone is different with these meds and supplements. However, in light of the fact that you going through a horrible situation with your dad (I read your other posts), it sounds more like that is the cause of your distress, more so than the SAM-e or the Lexapro. It sounds like you would do better with the SSRIs/supplements that are "sedating" and not "activating." SAM-e is a more "activating" supplement like Wellbutrin, and can increase anxiety and mania, for those that are prone to those kinds of reactions. It sucks that your psychiatrist can't help you more in this area--perhaps if you share with him/her your reactions, he/she can get you on a better med to help you get through this tough time. I will be praying for you.Chris
Posted by mayajade on January 31, 2005, at 17:28:43
In reply to Sam-e Wigged me out, posted by Spriggy on January 29, 2005, at 21:27:20
If you have some bipolar tendencies (mood swings)you may experience hypomania or mania on SAM-e or St. John's Wort. This has happened to me in the past. Not sleeping or eating, mind racing...sounds like mania. You might want to discuss this with you doctor, because it's useful to know if you have a tendency to be pushed into mania by these treatments. The same thing may happen with an SSRI.
mayajade
Posted by Spriggy on February 1, 2005, at 14:44:15
In reply to Re: Sam-e Wigged me out, posted by mayajade on January 31, 2005, at 17:28:43
Here's the weird thing,
My father is severely bipolar, as was his mother (she committed suicide hers was so intense).I have NEVER exhibited any form of bipolar in my life up until trying these meds.
So either I am and am just on a lower scale of bipolar and these meds have activated it OR these meds have just simply given me symptoms of it even if I am not.
It's bizarre.
I've been on Lexapro for a month and have gotten MUUUUCh worse- completely unstable in my moods, I go from euphoric to utterly depressed in a matter of hours.
So I realize I have bipolar symptoms right now, but I never did before. I just had panic attacks.
Who knows. I am just at a loss. This is not me.
Posted by Chris O on February 1, 2005, at 17:08:51
In reply to Re: Sam-e Wigged me out, posted by Spriggy on February 1, 2005, at 14:44:15
Spriggy:
I've had a bad few days myself so I've been reading all the posts on many of the boards, including yours. I don't think the symptoms you are exhibiting are "weird" at all, considering your family history. I mean, my gosh, both your parents were bipolar, so I have to think this had some environmental or biological impact on you, whether it manifests itself now, or later. It seems like large stressors are the triggers for much mental illness; I know when I am under stress, my OCD and GAD get much, much worse. So, with the situation with your dad in the hospital, and the fact that you have two kids, it's no wonder your feeling so out of it right now. I have to think that your psychiatrist or doctor can match you with a med that can at least keep you balanced enough feeling to get through this hard time. It sounds like Lexapro is not the drug for your condition. I don't even think Lexapro is a very strong SSRI--I've been on it at 40mg/day for 6 months and it just does not do much for my anxiety and depression and panic. I hope your doctor is caring and patient enough to work with you; I know many are not. I will be thinking and praying for you.
Chris
> Here's the weird thing,
> My father is severely bipolar, as was his mother (she committed suicide hers was so intense).
>
> I have NEVER exhibited any form of bipolar in my life up until trying these meds.
>
> So either I am and am just on a lower scale of bipolar and these meds have activated it OR these meds have just simply given me symptoms of it even if I am not.
>
> It's bizarre.
>
> I've been on Lexapro for a month and have gotten MUUUUCh worse- completely unstable in my moods, I go from euphoric to utterly depressed in a matter of hours.
>
> So I realize I have bipolar symptoms right now, but I never did before. I just had panic attacks.
>
> Who knows. I am just at a loss. This is not me.
Posted by Spriggy on February 1, 2005, at 18:25:02
In reply to Re: Sam-e Wigged me out, posted by Chris O on February 1, 2005, at 17:08:51
Chris O,
Thanks for answering..
I will be praying for you- this is a tough battle to fight.
I tried Zoloft once (years ago) and Paxil, I had the "zombie" nothingness effect from both of those two but never felt insane and depression like I have with the Lexapro.
I think I am exceptionally sensitive to meds.
I also think such high stressors have made all this worse.
I sure hope for brighter days ahead.
Posted by Chris O on February 1, 2005, at 21:26:23
In reply to Re: Sam-e Wigged me out, posted by Spriggy on February 1, 2005, at 18:25:02
Hang in there! It really does sound like you're dealing with a lot right now. And, from the sound of it, you've dealt with a lot of difficult stuff in your past too, much without experiencing the kind of symptoms you are now, so that's a reason to think that you will get back to place of balance sometime soon. Perhaps reassuring yourself that you are not to be "blamed" for anything that is happening and surrounded by a loving God, something like that is helpful? I know one of my main triggers for anxiety and panic is feeling responsible for everything, ashamed of myself, beating myself up for things I can't control, etc. I don't know if this is what you are going through, I don't want to be presumptuous, but, again, hang in there, and I'll be praying for you.
Chris
> Chris O,
> Thanks for answering..
> I will be praying for you- this is a tough battle to fight.
>
> I tried Zoloft once (years ago) and Paxil, I had the "zombie" nothingness effect from both of those two but never felt insane and depression like I have with the Lexapro.
> I think I am exceptionally sensitive to meds.
> I also think such high stressors have made all this worse.
> I sure hope for brighter days ahead.
>
Posted by gromit on February 2, 2005, at 15:12:30
In reply to Re: Sam-e Wigged me out, posted by Spriggy on February 1, 2005, at 18:25:02
> I tried Zoloft once (years ago) and Paxil, I had the "zombie" nothingness effect from both of those two but never felt insane and depression like I have with the Lexapro.
I had almost no side effects from Lexapro until I went up to 20+ mg, and even then the only real effects were sleepiness and anorgasmia. With Zoloft the morning after my first (very small 12.5 mg?) dose I woke up and I felt like a different person, I felt evil, like my scary alter-ego had taken over my mind. It went away after a day or two but it was weird as hell. I would do what my old G.P. used to tell me, I'd say "it hurts when I do this" and he would say "well then don't do that". He never got tired of that joke but he was an older gentleman.
You will find something that works for you.
Rick
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