Posted by pharmrep on October 9, 2002, at 17:11:40
In reply to Lessen Side Effects - TAKE WITH FOOD, posted by ajen on October 9, 2002, at 15:26:04
> I was on Paxil 40mg a day for about a year and a half. I also had to take 12.5mg of Trazadone to get some restful sleep at night. I had horrible problems getting up in the morning. It caused some problems at work.
>
> A few weeks ago my doctor was finally willing to switch me to something else. He put me on 10mg Lexapro, and had me lower the Paxil 10mg every 4 days until I was off.
>
> The first time I tried to start taking the Lexapro, I stuck with it for 3 days. The side effects were awful. I constantly felt on the verge of throwing up, no appetite, and generally felt very out of it. It made work nearly impossible, I couldn't concentrate, I felt so crappy. So I decided, without talking to my doctor that I wasn't going to take Lexapro.
>
> Fortunately, I had a change of heart after discussing the situation with various family members. I went back on Lexapro and got in to see my doctor ASAP about side effects. He asked if I was taking the Lexapro with food. Nothing I read said to take it with food, so I didn't. He told me to try. I took his advice, and guess what? It actually WORKED!
>
> I'm now only on Lexapro. I have experienced more bruxism than usual, but I can deal with that. I have more energy, eventhough I'm still having issues getting out of bed. I'm going to try taking Lexapro in the morning.
>
> Oh yeah, my sex drive is much higher than it has been in a long time!
**** Im glad to hear its working for you. It is not supposed to be necessary to take Lexapro with food. Did you know that the s/e you mentioned are the same s/e for discontinuation syndrome? (you were lowering and stopping paxil at the time you started lexapro) the vomitting was the key. this is a very uncommon s/e for ad's, but a big one for discontinuation syndrome...which paxil has. It sounds like your'e past the "integration" stage...have you tried to take w/out food yet? test it w/out food and I bet you will find no difference. Good luck, and keep us posted. (ps Morning use will help)
poster:pharmrep
thread:109458
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021006/msgs/122963.html