![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 2403 to 2427 of 8406. Go back in thread:
Posted by BarbaraS on March 23, 2003, at 19:17:35
In reply to Re: atypical depression » Leo BoStar, posted by Dr. Bob on March 23, 2003, at 18:17:53
Hi everyone,
I've been on Lexapro for about 4 weeks and am so tired that it's sometimes hard to get motivated. Has anyone else had this side effect and then it went away? I want to stay on the med longer but am concerned about my productiveness.
Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks!
Posted by blkvettes on March 23, 2003, at 19:25:41
In reply to Lexapro and tired, posted by BarbaraS on March 23, 2003, at 19:17:35
Hi there, I think everyone has been tired on the med. Have you tried taking at different times, it worked for me. Are you taking 10mg. This side effect will probably lessen as time goes on. TAKE CARE!!!!!!!!
Posted by pumpkin on March 23, 2003, at 19:30:07
In reply to Re: atypical depression » Leo BoStar, posted by handmemymidol on March 23, 2003, at 17:48:19
Hey guys,
I was on Nardil (MAOI) for a few months before
Lexapro.I can only tell alittle about my experience
because of my possible diagnosis (Bi-Polar).
As I stated in an earlier post- I have a major
problem with depression/panic attacks. If I
take an anti-depressant- I get hyper. Off an
anti-depressant, I get major depression.
I told my doctor that I was alittle hyper when
I started taking the MAOI. He uped my depakote
because my moods were weird, and my family kept
me "in check". He uped my dosage of Nardil
again. Again, I got hyper! My depakote was uped
too. This kept up until I couldn't sleep at all!
I decided that I wanted off. I had enough! My
depakote level was seriously high (I came down
on this too). I was told that Nardil couldn't
make you hyper- but check the "side effects".
Yes, it can. Yes, it did! I didn't have alot
of problems with the diet part. I didn't have
much choice at the time. I did at times want
pizza, and cheese, but my doctor told me to "try"
just alittle of some other certain foods. Alittle
was the key. If I was to get a headache- he told
me to stop. For the large part, I did stick to
the diet. I didn't want to "test", and have to
pay at a local hospital! I can honestly say that
Nardil did help me to "feel" better, but I was
always going- never getting sleep or rest! I
think more or less- it's my condition or diagnosis! So, I'm learning what works with
what, and what else may have to be used to calm
me. If nothing else has helped- you may want to
try an MAOI. The only thing you have to loose
is time. I really don't remember any great
"side effects" that I went through either except
hunger, and thirstyness?, and my hyper problems.
Maybe there is a site which would help, like this
one for Lex. Good luck!Meanwhile, has, or is anyone having problems with
headaches on Lex? Let me know. Tomarrow will
mark my two full weeks. I have a doctors appointment, and I'm sure he will up it alittle.
Will I feel more side effects, or has the med
worked in my system long enough? I'm on 5 mg.
at this time.
Posted by handmemymidol on March 23, 2003, at 19:47:55
In reply to MAOI's, posted by pumpkin on March 23, 2003, at 19:30:07
Yep, I had headaches too. They subsided after about 2 weeks or so. I believe several others on here had them as well.
Posted by lil' jimi on March 23, 2003, at 22:20:13
In reply to Re: atypical depression, posted by handmemymidol on March 23, 2003, at 17:43:36
> Hi Ann and everyone else, especially the females (sorry guys) when I think about this stuff, crying spells etc, I have to wonder how much of it might just be hormonal changes? Does anyone have any thoughts about this? Maybe it is just me in denial that there is something wrong with my BRAIN, that I would rather think that it is a haywire uterus. lol
> Any input would be appreciated :)
>
>
Hello to Handme, Ann, everyone and especially the women folk
(with a nod to our blkvette, as well:
good to hear from you blk.):
this abstract from this study seems germane to your question, Handme:
http://www.biopsychiatry.com/sersadcarb.htmwhat do you think?
love,
~ jimp.s. to blk:
you sir, are a hero.
to confess your sufferings to our benefit takes more masculine strenght than 20 tons of testosterone-driven "macho" mutants.
way to go.
hang in there.
peace be with us everyone.
Posted by ayuda on March 23, 2003, at 22:46:18
In reply to Re: atypical depression, posted by lil' jimi on March 23, 2003, at 22:20:13
> > Hi Ann and everyone else, especially the females (sorry guys) when I think about this stuff, crying spells etc, I have to wonder how much of it might just be hormonal changes? Does anyone have any thoughts about this? Maybe it is just me in denial that there is something wrong with my BRAIN, that I would rather think that it is a haywire uterus. lol
> > Any input would be appreciated :)
> >
> >
> Hello to Handme, Ann, everyone and especially the women folk
> (with a nod to our blkvette, as well:
> good to hear from you blk.):
> this abstract from this study seems germane to your question, Handme:
> http://www.biopsychiatry.com/sersadcarb.htm
>
> what do you think?
>
> love,
> ~ jim
>
> p.s. to blk:
> you sir, are a hero.
> to confess your sufferings to our benefit takes more masculine strenght than 20 tons of testosterone-driven "macho" mutants.
> way to go.
> hang in there.
> peace be with us everyone.
A couple of months ago, I saw an article on CNN.com concerning depression and early menopause. Here is the link to my post concerning it:http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030113/msgs/135814.html
I don't know if (1) that is what you were talking about, or (2) the article is still there, but it may be some information you find helpful.
Posted by Donia on March 23, 2003, at 23:35:52
In reply to Re: atypical depression, posted by handmemymidol on March 23, 2003, at 17:43:36
I have to agree some of this is hormonal. Look at what happens to girls when we start puberty. We go from daddys little girls to raging maniacs. Then in our twenties we are usually on a roller coaster of having kids. In my case close to 30 I started having endometriosis and awful PMS. then we get to menopause. It seems something hormonal is always going on with us. No wonder we are crazy!!
Posted by Donia on March 23, 2003, at 23:37:35
In reply to Re: atypical depression, posted by Donia on March 23, 2003, at 23:35:52
hey maybe this is what is wrong with the men too. We are making them crazy with us!! lol Or maybe they just help make us crazy! no offense.
> I have to agree some of this is hormonal. Look at what happens to girls when we start puberty. We go from daddys little girls to raging maniacs. Then in our twenties we are usually on a roller coaster of having kids. In my case close to 30 I started having endometriosis and awful PMS. then we get to menopause. It seems something hormonal is always going on with us. No wonder we are crazy!!
Posted by lil' jimi on March 23, 2003, at 23:43:31
In reply to Re: atypical depression, posted by annlanka on March 23, 2003, at 18:08:00
> > Hi Ann and everyone else, especially the females (sorry guys) when I think about this stuff, crying spells etc, I have to wonder how much of it might just be hormonal changes? Does anyone have any thoughts about this? Maybe it is just me in denial that there is something wrong with my BRAIN, that I would rather think that it is a haywire uterus. lol
> > Any input would be appreciated :)
> >
> Hey lol,
> well, i tried to convince myself forever like 1 year (ok, maybe not forever) that it was hormonal. But after consecutive crying spells and irritability and exhaustion for weeks in a row, i dont rule out the hormonal hypothesis, however, i do believe there is more to it. Maybe thats what those guys over at forest labs are trying to figure out. does anyone know- do guys have crying spells? just curious..
> anne
> >
>
>anne, i have.
and i think 'vette's url encourages your hypothesis.there's got to be a tug of war between the neurotransmitters' levels and hormones' levels to see which is going to dominate which ...
we get to be their battle field.i could stand to cry more. it's been a while.
~ jim
Posted by lil' jimi on March 24, 2003, at 0:12:24
In reply to MAOI's, posted by pumpkin on March 23, 2003, at 19:30:07
> Meanwhile, has, or is anyone having problems with
> headaches on Lex? Let me know. Tomarrow will
> mark my two full weeks. I have a doctors appointment, and I'm sure he will up it alittle.
> Will I feel more side effects, or has the med
> worked in my system long enough? I'm on 5 mg.
> at this time.pumpkin, i've had headaches too, but i Think they have only been when i needed to eat or hadn't drank enough water.
i have been on 5mg for 2 1/2 weeks.
my theory is we get SEs whenever we upset our seratonin levels and make them have to re-stabilize.
the consensus is this can take 4 to 8 weeks.i'd like to hear from the longest-term users:
Has anyone been on lex since it came out 9/2002? How you doing?
Has anyone with more than 8 months of use had any other SEs develop?
Any later-developing SEs at all, anyone?Thanks and Take Care,
~ jim
Posted by sjb on March 24, 2003, at 10:17:09
In reply to Re: atypical depression, posted by handmemymidol on March 23, 2003, at 17:43:36
Definately worse in the winter, before my period and since I've become older. Never used to have any PMS problems other than excessive oil/breakouts on face. I'm sure the hormones are all over the place. I, too, sometimes just can't stop crying and I feel so pathetic and wimpy. It's like a part of me is looking down at me and just saying, "Stop it", but I can't.
However, I'm not sure about the solution - hormone therapy can be dicey.
Posted by ANXIETY ANN on March 24, 2003, at 10:42:52
In reply to Carb cravings, posted by Donia on March 21, 2003, at 20:05:06
> Hi all, I think the carb craving thing is a side effect. I had that on zoloft, after being on it for about 4 months, I started craving Lucky Charms cereal. My hubby would stop on the way home from work and get me a box. A box would last me about 21/2 days. It was crazy, I would carry the stupid box around in the living room! He told his work buddy about it and he didnt believe him until he walked in our house and there were the lucky charms beside of me. I went from 102lbs to 125lbs in 5 to 6 months on zoloft. I saw a little booklet in the grocery store by the counter about SSRI's and carb craving but didnt pick it up as I was already off the zoloft when I saw it. I also believe I read these meds can affect our sugar levels and it seems I read they may even cause a temporary type of diabetes. I didnt pay much attention to the info because I thought I would never take these meds again. I guess the craving and eating too much sugar might alter our sugar levels. I am hoping the cravings dont hit with lexapro. I have been on a little over two months and so far, so good. I am sleeping too much but am not anxious or as depressed.
hi Donia,
Its been a while since I posted on this site. I have been on Lexapro for about 6 months. I am taking Lexapro for Anxiety and panic as well as some depression. Before Lexapro i took effexor for about 1 year. while I was on effexor I went from 125 to 140lbs which made me more depressed because no matter how much I exercised or how little i ate i couldn't lose weight. Now its starting again with Lexapro. I got back down to 123lbs but since Ive been on Lexapro i've gained about 5 lbs in 6 months not only that but I have terrible cravings for sugar (my favorite is mentos; I eat them packs at a time!)I can't take any of the weight loss meds(anything over the counter with caffiene) because it makes my anxiety much worse. I guess what I'm complaning about is this: Its too bad that it seems as though we have to trade being less anxious or depressed for being chubby or fat. It doesn't seem a very good trade off does it?
ANXIETY ANN
Posted by pumpkin on March 24, 2003, at 10:46:58
In reply to Re: atypical depression, posted by sjb on March 24, 2003, at 10:17:09
I've been catching up to the last few posts.
Just went to my doctors, and he switched my Lex
from the night to mornings. Kept my depakote
at the same level, until my appointment next
week.Talking about "stressors"- my mom is in critical
care in the hospital, plus all the other
"circumstances", plus- yes, I believe about
our dear "womanly" hormones too! Bottom line
for me is that I still feel the same before and
after it all! If anything, the circumstances
keep me focused somewhat off my own personal
"drama", and more on the needs of others. The
Lord and I have the "silent" times mostly when
everyone else is asleep! We are quite certain
however, that I am Bi-Polar, and that it is
genetic-although it's "covered" by alcohol in
my ancestors. Maybe one step closer? What a
ride! I just took my Lex., and I'm so tired
again! Gotta work around. Later guys...
Posted by KRM123 on March 24, 2003, at 10:50:33
In reply to Lexapro and tired, posted by BarbaraS on March 23, 2003, at 19:17:35
I've been on Lex for only a week now and am so tired- I sleep all the time and when I'm not sleeping I feel very depressed and unmotivated to do anything! I can't exercise and feel worthless. I don't know how much longer I can live like this. Please help!
Posted by blkvettes on March 24, 2003, at 11:31:19
In reply to Is it, or isen't it..., posted by pumpkin on March 24, 2003, at 10:46:58
Sorry about your mom pumpkin, prayers go out to you and your family. Hang in there and take care!!!
Posted by baracuda on March 24, 2003, at 11:54:45
In reply to Carb cravings, posted by Donia on March 21, 2003, at 20:05:06
i find that my carb cravings have slowly been curbed - sometimes i still crave them, but when i actually eat them the satisfaction isnt the same on lex as it was on prozac. on prozac i would just eat the whole thing - whatever it was that i was eating. on lex - i take a few bites and think 'this isnt really meeting my needs'
but i find that its really really hard to wake up. im sleeping much more and its not the same as depression sleep -- its more like the bed feels soooooo comfortable that i dont want to get out.
today is day 12
Posted by baracuda on March 24, 2003, at 11:57:06
In reply to Re: day two on lex...and im so tired. » lil' Jimi, posted by SLM on March 21, 2003, at 20:55:14
so far i have lost weight on lex - but i DO feel bloated. its confusing. i feel really sluggish and puffy.
Posted by baracuda on March 24, 2003, at 13:28:15
In reply to 5 WEEKS HELP PLEASE!!!!!!!!!, posted by blkvettes on March 22, 2003, at 20:38:06
that happened to me on prozac - my doc said that it probably 'wasnt the right med for me' because you should have more good days than bad days? im not sure, and it confuses me too.
i find with lexapro tho so far my days seem to be a bit more steady - not quite great days, and not quite horrific days, but rather, some regular days.
does that make sense?
Posted by baracuda on March 24, 2003, at 13:37:47
In reply to Re: atypical depression, posted by annlanka on March 23, 2003, at 12:30:05
i have been diagnosed with atypical depression since i was a kid.
its just part of my identity now - its no big deal because i dont really know any other way to be. i mean i hope i can get better, but if i dont, it wont be any different than anything else i know.
Posted by annlanka on March 24, 2003, at 14:15:20
In reply to Re: atypical depression, posted by baracuda on March 24, 2003, at 13:37:47
hey baracuda-
sorry you have had to suffer so long. What meds have you been on since you were diagnosed. What are you main symptoms? Has anything worked better than others for your illness?anne
Posted by baracuda on March 24, 2003, at 14:28:30
In reply to Re: atypical depression, posted by annlanka on March 23, 2003, at 18:08:00
i used to blame my depression on being a female - it was just a 3 week long pms session with 1 week of actually messed up - so in essence, it was every day i was suffering from something.
i dont thinnk it matters what it is, if something is wrong its just wrong...
Posted by BarbaraS on March 24, 2003, at 21:35:15
In reply to Re: Barbara are you still tired?, posted by KRM123 on March 24, 2003, at 10:50:33
Hi,
Yes, I'm still tired and feeling pretty lazy. It seems to have gotten a little better over the last couple of weeks, but I am thinking about cutting my 5 mg in half, which may be too little to have any effect. The good part is that the depression and anxiety seems to have lifted and I've had some days where I feel really good. My therapist suggested drinking some tea with caffeine to get a perk, so I might try that as well. Good luck, and keep me posted on how you are doing.
Barbara
Posted by BarbaraS on March 24, 2003, at 21:45:54
In reply to Re: Barbara are you still tired?, posted by BarbaraS on March 24, 2003, at 21:35:15
Hi everyone,
My therapist thought I might want to switch from Lexapro to Wellbutrin because of the consistent side effects that I've had. Has anyone done that, or been on Wellbutrin before? What side effects have you had? I hate having to start a different med again, so I'm trying to hang in there with Lexapro.
Thanks for any help you can offer.
Barbara
Posted by KRM123 on March 24, 2003, at 22:16:19
In reply to Re: Barbara are you still tired?, posted by BarbaraS on March 24, 2003, at 21:35:15
Thanks for getting back to me Barbara. I am still feeling depressed and unmotivated. Today was my 9th day so I think I should give it some more time, but I hate feeling so unmotivated. I used to work out everyday and I can barely get myself out of the house to take a walk. I don't know how much longer I can live like this. I hope things get better.
Good luck to you and hope you feel better. Thanks for keeping me posted =)
Posted by Krissy P on March 24, 2003, at 22:54:38
In reply to Lexapro to Wellbutrin - Please advise, posted by BarbaraS on March 24, 2003, at 21:45:54
Go forward in thread:
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.