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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by cmd on October 24, 2002, at 22:47:32
In reply to Re: How long does it take for Lexapro to go to work?, posted by Prima on October 24, 2002, at 20:01:28
HAS ANYONE EXPERIENCED, OR HEARD OF EXPERIENCING WEIGHT GAIN WITH LEXAPRO? I HAVE TRIED PAXIL WITH GOOD RESULTS EXCEPT FOR WEIGHT GAIN. I HAVEN'T TRIED CELEXA BEFORE EITHER. I HAVE HEARD A LOT OF SSRI'S CAUSE WEIGHT GAIN, HOWEVER, MY DR. SAYS SHE HASN'T HAD ANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THAT SIDE EFFECT WITH LEXAPRO. I DON'T KNOW WHICH IS WORSE, THE DEPRESSION OR THE WEIGHT GAIN! THANX, ANY RESPONSE IS APPRECIATED.
Posted by lmblec on October 25, 2002, at 0:01:47
In reply to Delayed effect of Lexapro (nm), posted by flwalk on October 24, 2002, at 13:14:16
been on it three weeks had 2weeks at 20 mgn reduced my anxiety but sleep all day- had to reduce to 15 mg
some of the anxiety came back
Posted by lmblec on October 25, 2002, at 0:12:21
In reply to Re: Does anyone notice they sleep more?, posted by Phyl on October 24, 2002, at 17:19:56
> I am on week 3 of Lexapro and I find that I am very tired at the end of the day and have been going to bed sometimes as early as 6:30!! And I sleep about six hours. At 1:00 or so, I take a Lorezepam so I won't stay up until morning. Is this happening to anyone else? During the day, I feel fine. I take only 5 mg. of the Lexapro.
if you are sleeping more on lexapro wait until you get to 20 mg - i sleep all day then and night then cant sleep the next-up 24 hrs- had to reduce it to 15 mg- and some of the anxiety came back- my doctor
put me on hold doing anything more lexapro- email me if you have anxiety/ocd and would like to get on prozac-if i can back on prozac this would be under control and a very low dose 10mg after one year
lmblec@aol.com- put prozac in subject area so i dont delete
Posted by lmblec on October 25, 2002, at 0:16:57
In reply to Re: Delayed effect of Lexapro, posted by flwalk on October 24, 2002, at 16:00:02
> I have been taking Lexapro for four weeks and have experienced no relief from depression and anxiety. Is there anyone out there that waited over four weeks (i.e., five or six weeks) before the medication went to work, i.e., "kicked-in"?
If you are taking a low dose 5/10 mg you wont get any relief- i had to go to 20 mg for anxiety to come down- but now i am sleeping all day- try and go uo slowly- that may help-- i may have to go off the drug
because of the sleeping
Posted by Jaycee on October 25, 2002, at 6:34:51
In reply to Re: How long does it take for Lexapro to go to work?, posted by Prima on October 24, 2002, at 20:01:28
I have been on Lexapro for about 3 weeks now. Switched from paxil to lex. Went through 2 weeks of hell, not sure if it was from paxil withdrawal or lex. Have had alot of migraines and don't feel as good as I did on paxil but I will give it another couple of weeks. Sleepiness is starting to ease some and I am starting to have more energy. I am holding out hope on lex, I hate being on the antidepressant roller coaster. I am grateful for sites like this.
Posted by mudbunny on October 25, 2002, at 7:38:36
In reply to Re: WEIGHT GAIN, posted by cmd on October 24, 2002, at 22:47:32
Hi, I have been on lexapro for 4 weeks and no weight gain at all. It is working well for me good luck.
Posted by Grace on October 25, 2002, at 11:30:46
In reply to Doesn't anyone like Lexapro, posted by bridgette on October 23, 2002, at 17:36:02
> I just hit 4 weeks and I think I am feeling less anxious, less angry and less irratible and believe me, I was losing patience, too. Does anyone out there have anything positive to say???? I also have energy and I think feel generally better and calmer.
========================================================================================================================================================================================================================================================================
I have been on Lexapro for exactly one week (switched from Celexa) and have no complaints. The first day was fine (went to 10mg), the second day was a little weird (went up to 15mg), but after that, I leveled off and have been fine all week. I haven't noticed any side effects besides what Celexa gave me and ma HOPING that after 6-8 weeks (maybe sooner) that some of those will go away (particularly tiredness).
Funny thing is that I tried a bunch of different stuff too and Celexa was the first thing that worked for me (I have anxiety disorder/panic attacks and mild depression). I'm keeping my fingers crossed, esp. since so many on here seem to have problems.
Posted by merlin on October 25, 2002, at 11:39:51
In reply to Re: WEIGHT GAIN, posted by mudbunny on October 25, 2002, at 7:38:36
My Doctor switched me from 40 mg clexa to 20 mg lexapro on 10/18/02 i feel good its like the lexapro started working right away. I notice an improvement compared to the the celexa. on Celexa I found myself taking naps in the middle of the day which really bothered me because i did not want to sleep but just became so tired and never knew why, no it seems like the celexa was making me take those afternoon naps. since i switched to lexapro I have not taken any afternoon naps at all. i do still encounter trouble sleeping at night. i do not beleive this is the medication.
Posted by Abacus on October 25, 2002, at 13:10:52
In reply to Re: Does anyone notice they sleep more?, posted by Phyl on October 24, 2002, at 17:19:56
Yes, I get sleepy too (am also only on 5 mg). I take the med before bed, which helps, but have taken naps from time to time as well. Lex has helped the depression though (in conjunction with Wellbutrin) -- even at my low dose.
Posted by Hardwired_56 on October 25, 2002, at 14:02:52
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
Switched from Paxil to Lexapro. I didn't like it at all. The Chronic Pain (migraine) physician really touted it's lack of side effects. Problem is the stuff just didn't work as well for me as Paxil. I didn't have the weight gain or sexual side effects some experience with Paxil. Just one man's opinion.
Posted by wharfrat on October 25, 2002, at 15:36:59
In reply to Re: Doesn't anyone like Lexapro » bridgette, posted by yeltom on October 23, 2002, at 20:31:38
I was diagnosed with mild depression Sept. 29th.
Have never taken antidepressants (prescribed anyway). Have felt on the verge of insanity for as long as I can remember, but Dr.'s always have told me I'm just high strung or stressed out and need to relax and forget about it. Finally found a Doc who did'nt treat me like someone just looking for some good drugs. Anyway back to the point. It's been almost four weeks on lexapro and I'm told by the people who know me I'm better. I do feel better. Early side effects were mild headache in the mornings, grinding teeth and spaced out feeling for the first week. No more side effects except for sexual. My wife doesn't seem to mind the extra time it takes. It can be frustrating, but hey, I wanted to strangle everybody from the lady with the screaming baby in the store to my kids. Now nothing upsets me. Is this how it feels to be normal?
Posted by Joe U on October 25, 2002, at 16:54:58
In reply to Re: Delayed effect of Lexapro, posted by flwalk on October 24, 2002, at 16:01:27
I've been taking Lexapro for about five weeks I beleive, started feeling alot better today---also take wellburtin and neurton
Posted by CuriousJane on October 25, 2002, at 17:50:03
In reply to Re: How long does it take for Lexapro to go to work?, posted by Jaycee on October 25, 2002, at 6:34:51
The headaches could be lexapro. I've had them but they seem to be easing (I am on day 15 of switching from Celexa).
In regards to getting off paxil--it can be a bitch. I didn't have too bad of a time (mild irritability and weird sensations in my head) but my cousin had an awful time going from Paxil to Prozac: horrible headaches, dizziness, etc. It took her a few weeks to feel better. My aunt also had a tough time cetting off Paxil.
Posted by Psychnut01 on October 25, 2002, at 17:51:35
In reply to Re: Delayed effect of Lexapro, posted by flwalk on October 24, 2002, at 16:01:27
It took over 3 weeks to really start kicking in. I have always had a problem with rage and social anxiety. With lexapro I have noticed that I dont at all. Socially I am fine and able to function at a whole new level. Things that would trigger the rage dont anymore. It is good to finally be able to move on in some areas of my life.
Posted by grace on October 26, 2002, at 0:39:53
In reply to Re: Doesn't anyone like Lexapro, posted by wharfrat on October 25, 2002, at 15:36:59
I'm glad to hear that you finally found a doc that listened to you and is helping you. It can be a big change to go from feeling weird all the time (whether it is severe moods, depression, anxiety, etc.) to go back to being "normal". Sometimes it seems like it's too good to be true, but I'm sure you'll have your moments (even on meds, I know I do sometimes). Just enjoy the life that you're living thanks to modern medicine and as long as you can deal with the side effects, keep at it. And don't forget "talk therapy" too - it makes a big difference to do both meds & therapy than just one or the other.
Posted by Kelli on October 26, 2002, at 9:06:56
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
I was just dianosed with Major Depression and put on Lexapro. My husband and I do not use birth control so there is the possiblity of getting pregnant. Is there any information about getting pregnant while taking Lexapro? Are there any known complications?
Posted by maririp on October 26, 2002, at 9:14:47
In reply to Re: Doesn't anyone like Lexapro, posted by grace on October 26, 2002, at 0:39:53
> I'm glad to hear that you finally found a doc that listened to you and is helping you. It can be a big change to go from feeling weird all the time (whether it is severe moods, depression, anxiety, etc.) to go back to being "normal". Sometimes it seems like it's too good to be true, but I'm sure you'll have your moments (even on meds, I know I do sometimes). Just enjoy the life that you're living thanks to modern medicine and as long as you can deal with the side effects, keep at it. And don't forget "talk therapy" too - it makes a big difference to do both meds & therapy than just one or the other.
Well said. I agree with you said and therapy along with meds is really the key. It wouldnt hurt everyone to have a little therapy :-)
Posted by bridgette on October 26, 2002, at 10:25:20
In reply to Re: Doesn't anyone like Lexapro, posted by wharfrat on October 25, 2002, at 15:36:59
I so related to what you said. I think the changes we are feeling are subtle (more subtle than we would like---but if we are having sexual side effects then something is working). I wish I could say NOTHING bothers me ----that is where I want to be, but I DO feel LESS botherd. I am at 4 weeks and 4 days and I'm still thinking about raising it to 15 mg---what do you all think about that to kick start it somemore???
> I was diagnosed with mild depression Sept. 29th.
> Have never taken antidepressants (prescribed anyway). Have felt on the verge of insanity for as long as I can remember, but Dr.'s always have told me I'm just high strung or stressed out and need to relax and forget about it. Finally found a Doc who did'nt treat me like someone just looking for some good drugs. Anyway back to the point. It's been almost four weeks on lexapro and I'm told by the people who know me I'm better. I do feel better. Early side effects were mild headache in the mornings, grinding teeth and spaced out feeling for the first week. No more side effects except for sexual. My wife doesn't seem to mind the extra time it takes. It can be frustrating, but hey, I wanted to strangle everybody from the lady with the screaming baby in the store to my kids. Now nothing upsets me. Is this how it feels to be normal?
Posted by bridgette on October 26, 2002, at 10:31:21
In reply to Pregnancy, posted by Kelli on October 26, 2002, at 9:06:56
I am hypersensitive about my weight and that is the first question I ask about any drug and I can safely say there is NO weight gain w/Lexapro. Granted, I still exercise aLOT and am extremely careful w/my diet. Actually, that's a whole other problem. I though maybe, I would *lighten up* on my eating disorder w/Lexapro, but that has not happened. Sometimes, I think we look for designer drugs to do it all.
Posted by Vann on October 26, 2002, at 13:41:43
In reply to Weight gain., posted by bridgette on October 26, 2002, at 10:31:21
I see some people on Lexapro have mentioned teeth grinding. After 2 weeks on 10 mg. daily I woke up with a sore tongue and some toothache. I wonder if I am biting my tongue at night. Has anyone else experienced this?
Posted by mudbunny on October 26, 2002, at 16:46:14
In reply to Weight gain., posted by bridgette on October 26, 2002, at 10:31:21
Hi, I know what you mean .I have a obssesion of weighing myself at least 10 times a day. I thought the lex would help it did a little but I am still weighing myself at least 5 times a day and workout an hour on the treadmil. I have been on it for 1 month and have not gain a pound good luck
Posted by wharfrat on October 26, 2002, at 17:33:50
In reply to Re: Doesn't anyone like Lexapro, posted by bridgette on October 26, 2002, at 10:25:20
Well, I say nothing bothers me anymore, but I still have my moments. Maybe I should say things don't bother me near as much. As far as going to a higher mg I don't know. I was given 10 mg and have taken 28 doses. I see Doc on Wednesday and I'll report to him how it's working. He kind of acted like he hadn't prescibed much of it since it came out. Thanks for the support.
Posted by Ward on October 26, 2002, at 17:57:31
In reply to Re: Doesn't anyone like Lexapro, posted by bridgette on October 26, 2002, at 10:25:20
Do you feel like you are making gradual progress, but just not as fast as you'd like? If you aren't making any progress or feel you are backsliding, then I'd go to 15mg. If you are slowly improving,
then I'd stay at 10mg. I was diagnosed with major depression on Sept. 19th, started on 10mg. Lexapro and first felt I was doing a little better after 1 week. Things were fair until the end of week 3, then I had four consecutive bad days and I felt I was really backsliding, so I went to 15mg. That has helped, but I'm still on a roller coaster of good days and bad days. Right now my biggest side effect is feeling tired most of the time, followed by feeling anxious sometimes. I'm hoping for a full week with no major bad days. I wish you success. Hang in there!> I so related to what you said. I think the changes we are feeling are subtle (more subtle than we would like---but if we are having sexual side effects then something is working). I wish I could say NOTHING bothers me ----that is where I want to be, but I DO feel LESS botherd. I am at 4 weeks and 4 days and I'm still thinking about raising it to 15 mg---what do you all think about that to kick start it somemore???
>
> > I was diagnosed with mild depression Sept. 29th.
> > Have never taken antidepressants (prescribed anyway). Have felt on the verge of insanity for as long as I can remember, but Dr.'s always have told me I'm just high strung or stressed out and need to relax and forget about it. Finally found a Doc who did'nt treat me like someone just looking for some good drugs. Anyway back to the point. It's been almost four weeks on lexapro and I'm told by the people who know me I'm better. I do feel better. Early side effects were mild headache in the mornings, grinding teeth and spaced out feeling for the first week. No more side effects except for sexual. My wife doesn't seem to mind the extra time it takes. It can be frustrating, but hey, I wanted to strangle everybody from the lady with the screaming baby in the store to my kids. Now nothing upsets me. Is this how it feels to be normal?
>
>
Posted by merlin on October 26, 2002, at 23:03:28
In reply to Dr. Switched me from Celexa to Lexapro, posted by merlin on October 25, 2002, at 11:39:51
Uh Oh....
Well in my earlier post shown below, things had been going fine. However, all day yesterday and last night into today was very very bad for me to the point of what I would call the verge of a breakdown. I did everything in my power to hold on with what little strength i had. things were not going the way they shold have I had a rebelious employee who i feel has worse problems than I, cause me sever stress and anxiety. I am still currently on 20 Mg of lexapro. but I feel that the past 48 hours when i needed Lexapro to help me the most. it did not. it felt like my lexapro medication went into hiding into a closet somewhere when i needed its effects and help the most.
on Celexa which i have taken for 2 years I never ever had these effects of the meds run and hide away on me. has anyone else encountered this? if so could it be that i have not been on it long enough? any help in answering these questions would be appreciated.> My Doctor switched me from 40 mg clexa to 20 mg lexapro on 10/18/02 i feel good its like the lexapro started working right away. I notice an improvement compared to the the celexa. on Celexa I found myself taking naps in the middle of the day which really bothered me because i did not want to sleep but just became so tired and never knew why, no it seems like the celexa was making me take those afternoon naps. since i switched to lexapro I have not taken any afternoon naps at all. i do still encounter trouble sleeping at night. i do not beleive this is the medication.
Posted by bridgette on October 27, 2002, at 6:49:33
In reply to Re: Doesn't anyone like Lexapro » bridgette, posted by Ward on October 26, 2002, at 17:57:31
I too, have some really good days (w/out my sad thoughts and fears) but other days where I do. What I wonder is if it's normal to have a good days then backslide for awhile, maybe pharrep could answer that. An interesting thing happened yesterday when I went to the pharmacy to p/u another month's prescription for Lexapro and they were ALL OUT. The pharmacist said it has really been moving. I asked if he had any any feedback, and of course he hasn't yet. By the way, he gave me 4 pills to hold me til the new shipment cam ein---I wonder too, what would have happned if I would have had to skip a few days? I read about people taking drug holidays to relieve sexual side effects. What about doing that???
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