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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 baracuda on April 9, 2003, at 14:28:29
im on day 2 of week 4 on lex.
and i have been seriously depressed these last few days. i feel so sad that its not working and im going to have to try another medicine - i loathe switching meds, it seems like my life stops for a month before i realize that it doesnt work either. its been almost a year that i have been trying to find the right med to pull me out of this horrible place...im so sad :(
Posted by janejj on April 9, 2003, at 16:48:58
In reply to loosing hope on lexapro, posted by baracuda on April 9, 2003, at 14:28:29
Baracuda, I feel really sad for you too, its crap when things don't work out like you hoped they would. I know some people would say you should give it another week or two, but at 4 weeks I guess you can pretty much tell.
Have you tried any of the other SSRI's ? I am currently taking celexa, on week 3 and didn't think it was working, but the last few days have been good for me. Although I know we all react differently to these meds.
What about a different type of AD like Wellbutrin or Effexor ?
I guess your best bet is just to go back to the doc, I really hope you find something that works for you....let us know how you're doing !
Janejj
Posted by jetfixer on April 10, 2003, at 6:48:34
In reply to loosing hope on lexapro, posted by baracuda on April 9, 2003, at 14:28:29
Hi,
I know you're losing hope regarding the lex, but I believe you owe it to yourself to give it at least another couple weeks. I think its pretty common to have to go 6 or 8 weeks or maybe a little more to get the full benefits of the med. It would be a waste to quit on it too early after you've put up with the side effects and such this long. I realize its hard, but tough it out another couple of weeks. Don't jump ship too early. Its obvious you don't want to have to switch to another medication, so give this one a chance......Good luck.....hang in there :o)
Posted by Bill L on April 10, 2003, at 9:11:32
In reply to loosing hope on lexapro, posted by baracuda on April 9, 2003, at 14:28:29
What dose are you on? Don't give up until you have tried at least 20 or 30 mg.
Posted by Dysfunk on April 10, 2003, at 12:45:38
In reply to loosing hope on lexapro, posted by baracuda on April 9, 2003, at 14:28:29
I was this way too and i upped my meds to 20 mg and it wasn't until about week 8 that I started to feel good. You can read my postings...just like you. It eventually did work for me. If you can stick it out, try.
Posted by lawrence S. on April 11, 2003, at 2:14:33
In reply to loosing hope on lexapro, posted by baracuda on April 9, 2003, at 14:28:29
I tried lexapro for 6 weeks and it did absolutely nothing. All the other ssri's helped at least some but the lexapro - nada! Could I suggest giving Sam-e a try at least in between medications switches. Not 100% sure if it's safe at to combine with everything, but I took it with luvox and it wasn't a problem. I recomend Nature Made found at Walmart.
Posted by baracuda on April 11, 2003, at 14:21:41
In reply to Re: loosing hope on lexapro, posted by lawrence S. on April 11, 2003, at 2:14:33
i havent posted in a couple of days because my stomach is running havoc!!! i dont know if its a s/e but i have had an upset tummy that will not give me a break! my diet has consisted of bananas and mylanta :(
anyone else have this happen to them at week 4? i dont have a fever so my doc says its probably a s/e
Posted by baracuda on April 11, 2003, at 14:33:09
In reply to Re: loosing hope on lexapro » baracuda, posted by Dysfunk on April 10, 2003, at 12:45:38
im going to keep at it - but im having a difficult time with staying awake. im averaging about 13 hours of sleep at night with a nap in between. i have a pdoc appt today to discuss the progress...i will tell him whats up but i have a feeling he might up the dosage. i hope i wont sleep for days!!! maybe he can prescribe something to wake me up?
so far the only benefit of the medication is that i dont crave sugar - and that is a plus! thanks for your input...
Posted by baracuda on April 11, 2003, at 14:34:46
In reply to Re: loosing hope on lexapro, posted by Bill L on April 10, 2003, at 9:11:32
im on 10 mgs - but even that has me sleeping waayy too much! does the sleepiness and stomach upset go away? i didnt start having the upset stomach until i started week 4...but the sleeping is the same - averaging about 14 hours a day...
Posted by Dysfunk on April 11, 2003, at 19:19:00
In reply to Re: loosing hope on lexapro dysfunk, posted by baracuda on April 11, 2003, at 14:33:09
It is so strange how the medicine effects us all so differently. I had trouble sleeping (falling asleep) and crave sugar and carbs so badly on Lex. You may want to talk to your doctor about the time of day you take your meds. Some people take it at night. Also, you can try a combo of meds. I am on Prozac too. I find Prozac to be energizing (yet I see others on the board said it makes them tired). We just have to be persistant and find a treatment that works for each of us. Good luck.
-dysfunk
Posted by baracuda on April 12, 2003, at 0:41:51
In reply to Re: loosing hope on lexapro dysfunk » baracuda, posted by Dysfunk on April 11, 2003, at 19:19:00
ok - im going to give it another month... my doc upped the dosage to 20 mgs, but im starting to feel like he is giving up on me - he seems to keep insisting that ritalin is the 'one' for me, but i refuse to take it anymore because it makes me drenched with sweat and that is just plain disgusting.
*sigh*
maybe i should consider a new pdoc - what do you guys think?
Posted by Bill L on April 14, 2003, at 12:41:02
In reply to up to 20 mgs of lex , posted by baracuda on April 12, 2003, at 0:41:51
I may have missed something you said in an earlier post. Your doc wants you to return to Ritalin? Were you on both Ritalin and an antidepressent before?
You said that Ritalin made you sweat. Other than that, did it work well for you? I never heard of anyone quitting Ritalin because of sweating. Are you sure it was the Rotalin making you sweat?
I can't speak for others but I know that if a medicine worked well for me and the only problem was excessive sweating, I would stay on the medication. I have always sweated a lot more than others, with or without medication.
Posted by baracuda on April 14, 2003, at 13:37:18
In reply to Re: up to 20 mgs of lex , posted by Bill L on April 14, 2003, at 12:41:02
yes the doc has me on both ritalin and AD. the problem with the sweating is that all my clothes would be soaking wet all the time - and it was interfereing with my work situation. i mean it was really really bad. and yes, it is the ritalin that makes me sweat because on the days that i dont take it i dont sweat.
Posted by Dysfunk on April 14, 2003, at 16:06:10
In reply to up to 20 mgs of lex , posted by baracuda on April 12, 2003, at 0:41:51
I would stick out this new dosage for as long as you can before you start switching again. It took about a month on the increased dosage for me to feel positive effects. Give it more time, and ask your doctor what the rush is?
Posted by Dysfunk on April 14, 2003, at 16:08:11
In reply to Re: up to 20 mgs of lex , posted by baracuda on April 14, 2003, at 13:37:18
I was given Ritalin to add in as needed for sexual responsiveness. I don't think it really worked for me. It was supposed to counteract the Prozac. I didn't feel any different. So, I guess there are times they are prescribed together.
Posted by Bill L on April 15, 2003, at 13:33:58
In reply to Re: up to 20 mgs of lex , posted by baracuda on April 14, 2003, at 13:37:18
It sounds like a major problem you are having is feeling tired. I take 20 mg Lexapro which works very well. Tiredness has been my main side effect. I read an article in Newsweek a few months a go about dark chocolate and at that time started eating about one ounce per day. I take it around 10 am. It gives me immediate energy which lasts all day. I have not gained weight because it makes me feel full. You might want to give it a try. This is an article I found on an internet search. It is not the Newsweek article but says some of the same things. The Newsweek article said that powdered cocoa losses its flavinoids when processed. Milk chocolate is diluted with milk. So dark chocolate candy is the best way to go.
Synonymous with passion, pleasure and gastronomic delight,
CHOCOLATE
it’s not just food, it’s , therapy.Easter was an occasion for many of us to nibble on an bit of chocolate. Like most people who watch what they eat, you probably have sworn off chocolate for the most part, and when you permit yourself to indulge, you do it with a guilty conscious. In part, you have good reason to feel this way, because most of the products on the market are made up of nothing but sugar and have very little cocoa content. Eating dark chocolate however (because it contains much less sugar and fatty substances and much more fiber than other kinds of chocolate), carries along true health benefits.
The protective effect of chocolate is linked to the presence of flavinoids. These substances, which are also found in red wine, favor good vascular circulation and inhibit the clumping of blood platelets. In other words, they reduce coagulation and aid blood flow. That’s not all, flavinoids in cocoa also act as antioxidants. In one part, they limit the oxidation of blood lipids, and in the other part, they also protect our arteries against arteriosclerosis and even protect our brain against the damaging effects of high blood pressure.
What’s more, cocoa is good for our teeth! That’s right, a group of researchers from CIRAD (Centre de coopération internationale de recherche agronomique pour le développement) from Montpelier, France, have just found evidence that cocoa helps to prevent tooth decay. In fact, cocoa contains three cavity-preventive substances: tannin (which contains polyhydroxyphenol, which inhibits the development of microbes), fluoride (which protects against cavities by protecting the enamel) and phosphates (which attacks the acids that are produced by sugar). It is impossible in this case to assume that being a chocoholic is a bad thing.
Do you know the song “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”? If yes, you can hum along with it to help melt away your last reservations about chocolate, for even if its psychological effects no longer need to be demonstrated, it is also an “anti mood-shattering” food. So you have one more good reason to eat chocolate. Thanks to modern science, the therapeutic and antidepressant effects of chocolate observed since the 17th century have now been explained. Chocolate contains tonic chemical substances, the main ones being theobromine, caffeine, phenylethylamine and serotonin, which stimulate the central nervous system, improve muscle performance and reflexes and combat stress and depression. They have a dynamic and euphoric effect.
Chocolate has a double action. As an object of delight and satisfaction, chocolate is related to a sense of reward. It is a treat that we offer ourselves just for the pleasure of it. This healthy self-indulgent act provokes the secretion of endorphin, giving a euphoric and calming effect, near to that of opium. Chocolate makes up for a lack of affection, disappointment and nervousness. It relieves the symptoms of all our troubles.
Chocolate contains:
Protein: Cocoa contains 8 essential amino acids in our daily diet.
Lipids: The fatty acids that make up cocoa butter help to reduce cholesterol levels.
Carbohydrate: This is sugar. The higher the cocoa content, the less sugar the chocolate contains. A concentration of 70% cocoa is practically a diet chocolate.
Fiber: the fiber content in 100 g of cocoa is the same as in 100 g of whole wheat bread.
Potassium: It contributes to muscle activity and cardiac metabolism.
Magnesium: It assures a balanced nervous system and regulates muscle activity. A deficiency leads to anxiety, fatigue, insomnia and constipation. The recommended daily allowance is 350 mg, 100 g of chocolate contains 300 mg.
Calcium: It plays a fundamental role in cell function and healthy of teeth and bones.
Phosphorus: It is one of the most important minerals in our body.
Sodium: 100 g of dark chocolate contains around 12 mg of sodium. Such a low amount of sodium makes it safe for people who are on a salt-free diet, however milk chocolate should be avoided by these people since it contains 100 mg of sodium per 100 g of chocolate.
an accomplice of love?Certainly…this reputation resurfaced most notably in the 18th century, but even during the Aztec period, cocoa was known to be a sexual stimulant. King Montezuma swilled 50 cups a day in order to gratify the women of his harem.
In 1624, a theologian condemned the consumption of chocolate in convents, on the pretext that the drink heats up passions and emotions. In addition, if we can believe the writings of Madame Hausset, Madame de Pompadour regularly imbibed gallons of chocolate to heat up the blood, despite that Louis XVth regularly accused her of being frigid.
It must be pointed out that back then, chocolate was laden with spices (hot pepper, peppercorns, cloves) which may explain the origin of its effects as a sexual stimulant.
To sum up, know that nine people out of ten like chocolate. The tenth person is lying.
Composition of chocolate per 100g
Carbohydrate 64g
Fat 22g
Protein 6g
Salt minerals 4g
Cholesterol 1mg
Vitamin A 0.02mg
Vitamin B 0.07mg
Vitamin B2 0.24mg
Vitamin PP 1.1mgSonia Faggion
Sources:
choco-club, le portail du chocolat
Club des croqueurs de chocolat
Posted by baracuda on April 15, 2003, at 22:58:54
In reply to Re: up to 20 mgs of lex , posted by Bill L on April 15, 2003, at 13:33:58
what a great article! thanks.
my doc increased my dosage to 20 mgs, and i cannot believe what a difference it is - while im still a bit 'zombie-ish' im much less tired than on 10 mgs. and this morning i actually woke up in a good mood and was able to look foward to the day. hopefully this is a good start to some relief up ahead.thanks so much for the support - all you guys have no idea how much it helps me!
This is the end of the thread.
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