![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 4040 to 4064 of 8406. Go back in thread:
Posted by Mariposa on August 21, 2003, at 18:49:56
In reply to 1st week help???, posted by El on August 21, 2003, at 18:13:36
> I have never taken any medication before. lex is my first after a tragically brief episode with paxil that only lasted a week. I take 10mg (lately i have been cutting it in half, if that's ok?) and I feel like someone is squeezing my head at the temples. And the feeling of lightheadedness never goes away. It started the day i took my 1st pill and its been like this for a few days now. I am taking it for panic attacks and depression, but this feeling is causing me to have anxiety attacks. Does the feeling of lightheadedness go away, and is it normal to feel like my head is being squished? if it does go away, WHEN???
> ElWhat you are going through are typical initial side effects that WILL go away. For many (myself included) week 2 was the worst. I started at 5mg, 10mg at 4 weeks (when the worst of the se's should be over), am now at 20mg into 6th month. Please don't let the se's discourage you, I almost quit at 4 weeks because of se's, but the good people here helped me through it.
Good luck and keep us posted on tour progress.~~~8|8
Posted by lil' jimi on August 21, 2003, at 19:37:49
In reply to MAYBE A LITTLE DEPRESSED, posted by BLKVETTES on August 21, 2003, at 8:21:32
hi Wayne!
> I have been fighting the flu for about a week. Started as a sore throat and runny nose and now has moved to my chest. No anxiety or chance of a panic attack. Just this slight depressed feeling. I cant for the life of me remember how I felt anytime I was sick before. Either my mind has been wiped clean of this or it was just something I never thought about. Im sure it is nothing and I will feel fine when the flu goes away. But every board I go to I read about poop out. I try to ignore it, but its hard not to think about. I also have things in my personal life that need to be addressed but refuse to deal with them at this time. I guess what I feel is nothing and would be considered normal for anyone.
> WAYNEsorry to hear you been suffering there ...
but i do think it's natural to feel bummed out when you're down with the flu:... ... my theory, er, the details ...
... virus hits body ... body calls in immune system ... immune system releases histamines ... ... histamines compromise neurotransmitters ... neurotransmitters cause the tired, achy, sore, stiff, i-think-i-better-lie-down feeling ... and they cause depressed of mood ... feeling down and tired promotes inactivity ... inactivity = rest ... you need your strenght to fight the flu... ... when i've had the flu, it made my brain too tired to remember things ... but it could inspire you to recognize and appreciate how it feels to have the flu, we should All be grateful for our health ... we should not take it for granted
... unless you can't do that because you're sick, of course ...
... ... you and i and everyone of our siblings-in-lexapro have to endure the fear of future poop out ... it haunts us ... we have to expect this to make us worry ... this can create another stressor, wearing down our neurotransmitters' equilibrium ... ... and if you got the flu, this causes more bummer effects ...(we're not going to bring up those things we ... i mean, i ... i mean ... you have been putting off ... ... they can add to my anxieties ... i mean your anxieties ... that won't make me ... i mean, you feel better, so ... let's just not mention it, okay?)
... ... add it all up and you are feeling DOWN, man ...
... ... you're only on those 7 little milligrams, man ... ... they can only do so much
... (you know best, but once you got well, i'd bump you up, bro!)... ... get lots of rest
... ... drink LOTS of fluids
... ... take some ibuprofen (motrin)
... ... give yourself some pampering, some treats ... ..... .... in a few days you'll feel better
.. .... hang in there and remember to ...
TAKE CARE!!!!
~ jimp.s.
*I*'m the funny one?!?!?? huh?
(i don't remember calling myself the clown man ... did i ? really?) ...
(well, i don't see folks laughing at me as a bad thing ... and clowns Are said to be crying on the inside)okay, let's let our public decide this!
hey, all you lex posters out there we need you to post your votes here in
our"Who's the Funny One ? Wayne (yes!) or Jim (no!) ?? " Survey !!
let's hear from you !
(wayne's the funny one!)
Posted by Doug in PA on August 21, 2003, at 19:59:05
In reply to 1st week help???, posted by El on August 21, 2003, at 18:13:36
Hi,
whether this is your first time or your 100th, everyone's body (and brain) acts differently. In that respect your are all alone...however you are far from being alone with your reasons for taking the meds. All of us have been through our own little version of hell. What side effects you have, may not be the same as anyone else. But we and you are having them. Barring some tragic effect like your nose falling off or you are so dizzy you can't stand up, try to stick it out for two months, which seems to be the magic number for a lot of ADs. Having said that, one caveat, keep your doctor informed as the weeks go by and the symptoms change. Also let them know what (ALL)OTC drugs you are taking. Some of them have really bad reactions with ADs...even small amounts of alchol or cold medication can knock you for a loop.
I seemed to get much worse when I switched to Lexapro but it started to get a little better after 6 weeks. "WHAT DID YOU SAY", SIX WEEKS THAT'S A LIFETIME. IT shure seems like it, but when the meds do cut in it seems like only a week or two.
Tomorrow call you doctor and explain the sympyoms. Most doctors will phone you back.
Best of luck from an other nut case who understands.Doug
========================================> I have never taken any medication before. lex is my first after a tragically brief episode with paxil that only lasted a week. I take 10mg (lately i have been cutting it in half, if that's ok?) and I feel like someone is squeezing my head at the temples. And the feeling of lightheadedness never goes away. It started the day i took my 1st pill and its been like this for a few days now. I am taking it for panic attacks and depression, but this feeling is causing me to have anxiety attacks. Does the feeling of lightheadedness go away, and is it normal to feel like my head is being squished? if it does go away, WHEN???
> El
Posted by hog80ci on August 21, 2003, at 20:15:52
In reply to re: new to Lexapro AND babbling... » hog80ci, posted by Arrianna on August 21, 2003, at 14:33:09
> Hey Hog! I totally hear ya'. I am also a recovering addict, and for some crazy reason, I had a tough time accepting help with medication. I thought it was a character defect and I should just be able to "fix it". Anyway, I'm really glad that you've also come to accept this. Another big step! The lexapro has really helped me- it's also allowed to work on my recovery and become aware of my real character defects. Have the people in your group been supportive? I was also scared to talk about it at first, but once I did, all I found was support and the knowledge that there's alot of people out there in the world of meds. Wish you the best of luck, and keep us posted on how your doing!
> ArriannaThanks for the words Arrianna. Once I started talking about it I found out that a lot of people in recovery are on meds. I'm in Arizona and at our state convention we had a work shop on recovery and mental illness. It was really encouraging to hear other addicts talk about being on ADs. Some people are still pretty hard core about no drugs at all but we're not all built the same way. I think I covered depression for years through my active addiction. Anyway, I'll stop rambling. Thanks again.
Jim
Posted by gamble on August 21, 2003, at 20:20:25
In reply to 1st week help???, posted by El on August 21, 2003, at 18:13:36
You have typical 1st week jitters. It will go away after about 4+ weeks. Believe me, it's worth the wait. See if your Dr. would prescibe .25mg of Alprazolam to get you through the first few weeks of side effects. It helped me a lot. Hang in there bud, the best is yet to come. Unfortunately, it's no pain, no gain. Good luck!!!!
Posted by BLKVETTES on August 21, 2003, at 20:25:59
In reply to re: maybe a LITTLE depressed and Who's Funny?, posted by lil' jimi on August 21, 2003, at 19:37:49
> hi Wayne!
>
> > I have been fighting the flu for about a week. Started as a sore throat and runny nose and now has moved to my chest. No anxiety or chance of a panic attack. Just this slight depressed feeling. I cant for the life of me remember how I felt anytime I was sick before. Either my mind has been wiped clean of this or it was just something I never thought about. Im sure it is nothing and I will feel fine when the flu goes away. But every board I go to I read about poop out. I try to ignore it, but its hard not to think about. I also have things in my personal life that need to be addressed but refuse to deal with them at this time. I guess what I feel is nothing and would be considered normal for anyone.
> > WAYNE
>
> sorry to hear you been suffering there ...
> but i do think it's natural to feel bummed out when you're down with the flu:
>
> ... ... my theory, er, the details ...
> ... virus hits body ... body calls in immune system ... immune system releases histamines ... ... histamines compromise neurotransmitters ... neurotransmitters cause the tired, achy, sore, stiff, i-think-i-better-lie-down feeling ... and they cause depressed of mood ... feeling down and tired promotes inactivity ... inactivity = rest ... you need your strenght to fight the flu
>
> ... ... when i've had the flu, it made my brain too tired to remember things ... but it could inspire you to recognize and appreciate how it feels to have the flu, we should All be grateful for our health ... we should not take it for granted
> ... unless you can't do that because you're sick, of course ...
>
> ... ... you and i and everyone of our siblings-in-lexapro have to endure the fear of future poop out ... it haunts us ... we have to expect this to make us worry ... this can create another stressor, wearing down our neurotransmitters' equilibrium ... ... and if you got the flu, this causes more bummer effects ...
>
> (we're not going to bring up those things we ... i mean, i ... i mean ... you have been putting off ... ... they can add to my anxieties ... i mean your anxieties ... that won't make me ... i mean, you feel better, so ... let's just not mention it, okay?)
>
> ... ... add it all up and you are feeling DOWN, man ...
> ... ... you're only on those 7 little milligrams, man ... ... they can only do so much
> ... (you know best, but once you got well, i'd bump you up, bro!)
>
> ... ... get lots of rest
> ... ... drink LOTS of fluids
> ... ... take some ibuprofen (motrin)
> ... ... give yourself some pampering, some treats ... ...
>
> .. .... in a few days you'll feel better
> .. .... hang in there and remember to ...
> TAKE CARE!!!!
> ~ jim
>
> p.s.
> *I*'m the funny one?!?!?? huh?
> (i don't remember calling myself the clown man ... did i ? really?) ...
> (well, i don't see folks laughing at me as a bad thing ... and clowns Are said to be crying on the inside)
>
> okay, let's let our public decide this!
>
> hey, all you lex posters out there we need you to post your votes here in
> our
>
> "Who's the Funny One ? Wayne (yes!) or Jim (no!) ?? " Survey !!
>
> let's hear from you !
>
> (wayne's the funny one!)Hi Jim, you are a trip bless your heart!!!!!!! I will try to resist talking about that one thing. Im doing ok, need to keep the fluids in me and stay on my routine. Im not depressed right this minute, I dont know!!!! Someone started calling me the clown man because of a story I put on a board. It was me comparing myself to clowns. I was suicidal at the time. But when I was better others started calling me the clown man. I kind of like it and may put it on my license plate. Oh well, no your a very interesting person. I picture you sitting on an old wooden porch. Little kids gathered around waiting for you to tell a story. Your a very entertaining sort of a person. I mean that in a good way. TAKE CARE!!!!!!!!
WAYNE>>>>>>>>>>> THANKS BY THE WAY!!!!!!
Posted by Arrianna on August 21, 2003, at 20:43:19
In reply to re: new to Lexapro AND babbling..., posted by hog80ci on August 21, 2003, at 20:15:52
No problem, Jim! I've been there as alot of us have. Also, feel free to ramble here as much as you need. It's good for us. As far as the hard core abstainers, they may not really understand. Lexapro, among other AD's are non-addictive; and are meant to better our physical make-up, not hurt it. So, don't worry about them! They may be next to join the world of meds. Again, hang in there and keep truckin' the road of recovery. Keep us posted on your progress. We're here for ya'.
Hugs,
Arrianna
Posted by lil' jimi on August 21, 2003, at 21:27:33
In reply to re: maybe a LITTLE depressed and Who's Funny?, posted by BLKVETTES on August 21, 2003, at 20:25:59
> > hi Wayne!
> >
> > > I have been fighting the flu for about a week. Started as a sore throat and runny nose and now has moved to my chest. No anxiety or chance of a panic attack. Just this slight depressed feeling. I cant for the life of me remember how I felt anytime I was sick before. Either my mind has been wiped clean of this or it was just something I never thought about. Im sure it is nothing and I will feel fine when the flu goes away. But every board I go to I read about poop out. I try to ignore it, but its hard not to think about. I also have things in my personal life that need to be addressed but refuse to deal with them at this time. I guess what I feel is nothing and would be considered normal for anyone.
> > > WAYNE
> >
> > sorry to hear you been suffering there ...
> > but i do think it's natural to feel bummed out when you're down with the flu:
> >
> > ... ... my theory, er, the details ...
> > ... virus hits body ... body calls in immune system ... immune system releases histamines ... ... histamines compromise neurotransmitters ... neurotransmitters cause the tired, achy, sore, stiff, i-think-i-better-lie-down feeling ... and they cause depressed of mood ... feeling down and tired promotes inactivity ... inactivity = rest ... you need your strenght to fight the flu
> >
> > ... ... when i've had the flu, it made my brain too tired to remember things ... but it could inspire you to recognize and appreciate how it feels to have the flu, we should All be grateful for our health ... we should not take it for granted
> > ... unless you can't do that because you're sick, of course ...
> >
> > ... ... you and i and everyone of our siblings-in-lexapro have to endure the fear of future poop out ... it haunts us ... we have to expect this to make us worry ... this can create another stressor, wearing down our neurotransmitters' equilibrium ... ... and if you got the flu, this causes more bummer effects ...
> >
> > (we're not going to bring up those things we ... i mean, i ... i mean ... you have been putting off ... ... they can add to my anxieties ... i mean your anxieties ... that won't make me ... i mean, you feel better, so ... let's just not mention it, okay?)
> >
> > ... ... add it all up and you are feeling DOWN, man ...
> > ... ... you're only on those 7 little milligrams, man ... ... they can only do so much
> > ... (you know best, but once you got well, i'd bump you up, bro!)
> >
> > ... ... get lots of rest
> > ... ... drink LOTS of fluids
> > ... ... take some ibuprofen (motrin)
> > ... ... give yourself some pampering, some treats ... ...
> >
> > .. .... in a few days you'll feel better
> > .. .... hang in there and remember to ...
> > TAKE CARE!!!!
> > ~ jim
> >
> > p.s.
> > *I*'m the funny one?!?!?? huh?
> > (i don't remember calling myself the clown man ... did i ? really?) ...
> > (well, i don't see folks laughing at me as a bad thing ... and clowns Are said to be crying on the inside)
> >
> > okay, let's let our public decide this!
> >
> > hey, all you lex posters out there we need you to post your votes here in
> > our
> >
> > "Who's the Funny One ? Wayne (yes!) or Jim (no!) ?? " Survey !!
> >
> > let's hear from you !
> >
> > (wayne's the funny one!)
>
> Hi Jim, you are a trip bless your heart!!!!!!! I will try to resist talking about that one thing. Im doing ok, need to keep the fluids in me and stay on my routine. Im not depressed right this minute, I dont know!!!! Someone started calling me the clown man because of a story I put on a board. It was me comparing myself to clowns. I was suicidal at the time. But when I was better others started calling me the clown man. I kind of like it and may put it on my license plate. Oh well, no your a very interesting person. I picture you sitting on an old wooden porch. Little kids gathered around waiting for you to tell a story. Your a very entertaining sort of a person. I mean that in a good way. TAKE CARE!!!!!!!!
> WAYNE>>>>>>>>>>> THANKS BY THE WAY!!!!!!
>hi Wayne!
words aren't good enough to tell you how welcome you are, man! ... you are a continuing inspiration to me and everyone on the lex thread ... absolutely, no joke!
... ... i have always taken everything you've written in the best possible way ... i love your picture of me on the porch!shouldn't you share the story you posted that got you titled The Clown Man?
... please?how about these other boards you go to? care to share the urls?
... ... sooooooooooooooo
... ... ... You're the "Clown Man" ... uh huh ...
... ... ... i hope it's not because you're keeping those tears inside, like some clowns do ... !all of which explains why ...
YOU'RE THE FUNNY ONE !!! ... (vote for Wayne!)... HA!take good care of yourself!
~ jimp.s. when you read posts, do you hear the poster's voice in your head?
.... <everyone's responses welcomed, please>
Posted by trucker on August 21, 2003, at 22:45:02
In reply to 1st week help???, posted by El on August 21, 2003, at 18:13:36
> I have never taken any medication before. lex is my first after a tragically brief episode with paxil that only lasted a week. I take 10mg (lately i have been cutting it in half, if that's ok?) and I feel like someone is squeezing my head at the temples. And the feeling of lightheadedness never goes away. It started the day i took my 1st pill and its been like this for a few days now. I am taking it for panic attacks and depression, but this feeling is causing me to have anxiety attacks. Does the feeling of lightheadedness go away, and is it normal to feel like my head is being squished? if it does go away, WHEN???
> El
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
my pdoc had me take it at night, to get thru the side effects. like you are experiencing. talk to your pdoc maybe they will have a method that will work for you.
take care.
good luck
trucker
Posted by galkeepinon on August 21, 2003, at 22:49:53
In reply to GALKEEPINON, MUSIC, LEXAPRO, posted by BLKVETTES on August 21, 2003, at 8:03:12
Hey WAYNE :-) *Oldies But Goodies* are the best ;) I found the song at a site and will download it-thanks so much! I've got to hear this!
Take care buddy:-)
galkeepinon> Hi there, the song I guess is an oldie but goodie. OUCH!!!!!! 1969 or 1970. Never seen it in the stores. You can find it on a download site or email me at blkvettes@aol.com I guess your doing ok, you seem to have plenty of energy!!!!!! Hang in there and take care!!!!!!!
> WAYNE
Posted by Dr. Bob on August 21, 2003, at 22:51:35
In reply to For the Psycho Babble site ;), posted by galkeepinon on August 21, 2003, at 0:53:54
> http://www.qnet.com/~pontius/smile/smilelmp_1%5b1%5d.htm
I don't mean to be a party pooper, but I'd like follow-ups not related to medication to be redirected to one of the other boards. In this case, to Psycho-Social-Babble. Here's a link:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20030818/msgs/252955.html
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by galkeepinon on August 21, 2003, at 22:52:39
In reply to Redirect: For the Psycho Babble site ;), posted by Dr. Bob on August 21, 2003, at 22:51:35
Posted by galkeepinon on August 21, 2003, at 22:54:13
In reply to Redirect: For the Psycho Babble site ;), posted by Dr. Bob on August 21, 2003, at 22:51:35
Posted by El on August 22, 2003, at 10:57:58
In reply to Re: 1st week help??? » El, posted by trucker on August 21, 2003, at 22:45:02
Thanks to all the people who answered my questions, it's great to have people to talk to about this. i don't know anyone else on these kinds of meds. thanks again
i would appreciate any more tips on taking lex.
El
Posted by Esmarelda on August 22, 2003, at 11:04:14
In reply to Re: 1st week help??? » El, posted by trucker on August 21, 2003, at 22:45:02
Just hang in there. It got worse for me in the first 5 -6 weeks before it got better. Now, I feel really good. I didn't have very many SE, just a little dizziness, some diarrhea, sleeplessness and major anxiety, sweating, but it was worth the wait. There are many of us out here who do and have shared your agony.
Posted by Arrianna on August 22, 2003, at 11:21:09
In reply to Re: 1st week help???, posted by Esmarelda on August 22, 2003, at 11:04:14
Along with Esmerelda and others, I'd encourage to hang in there as well. Don't get discouraged if you find more se's the 2nd week. I think my side effects were at their peak the 2nd week, and then eventually got so much better. It can be a rollercoaster ride, but the ride will smooth out. I came really close to quitting the lex during this time, but with the encouragement and help from others on the board, I got through it; and am so grateful I stayed on it.
Best Wishes,
Arrianna
Posted by lil' jimi on August 22, 2003, at 15:20:35
In reply to Re: Teeth Grinding on Lex. oldhand, posted by Suzy on August 20, 2003, at 19:27:15
hi Suzy,
> Thought about trying the teeth guard but don't seem to do it at night, mostly at work starting early afternoon. I take the Lex in the morning. Don't know if it is losing its affectiveness by afternoon or what but it is all I can do not to clinch my teeth. Of course can't drink that wine at work "wish I could" but maybe I'll try having a drink as soon as I get home in the afternoon. Thanks for that info. Can't imagine what I could do different in the daytime at work. Any ideas anybody???
>i have an experiment to try:
.... If you're not having sleep problems
.... you might try and see if taking lexapro at night lessens the daytime teeth clenching ... ..
.... if it then causes sleep-time clenching, you might be able to teeth guard then ...maybe?
take care,
~ jim
Posted by Flighty on August 22, 2003, at 15:40:25
In reply to Re: 1st week help???, posted by Arrianna on August 22, 2003, at 11:21:09
Hi, I'm new to the site...really like it alot. I've been on Lex 3 weeks now (10mg. Clinical Depression with an Generalized Anxiety Disorder (and boy am I in the middle of a great depression). I've been this way since adolescence, but never realized it myself or had anyone qualify it. Alcohol and co-dependency are the self medications I've used in the past. And I have a sibling that was on various ADs for 3+ years.
The only side effect I can blame directly on the Lex is dizziness (because so many of the other things I experience can be attributable to my mental unhealth- digestive problems, lack of appetite, anxiousness, etc). Hopefully, that will be the worst of it and it will go away in time!
Posted by lil' jimi on August 22, 2003, at 15:48:11
In reply to Re: jc12578, posted by jc12578 on August 21, 2003, at 0:50:48
hi jc12578,
> well I have been more or less going through depression for more then 9 years since high school pretty much...about 3 years ago the crying and social withdrawal started...and I went in a got put on "the pills"....I have been on I think it's 6 different antidepressants and countless others to "help me metabolize them better"...so far with no success and some new and added symptoms to my depression...I have become bullemic and had several "successful"(don't know what that means...I am still alive) suicide attempts, plus I am into hurting myself...currently I am living with my mother and looking for a new psychologist cause I have yet to find one that I can even talk to....so thats that...phew...too much info
>thanks for the additional info, but (if it's not too much?) i'll ask for some more detail ...
... which ADs have you tried?
... which ones for how long?
... which supplements were used with which ADs?
... what dosage and for how long were you on lexapro?
... how did the other ADs compare with your lexapro experience?it sometimes helps to be able to put your experience into the context of your history ...
thanks for your reply!best of luck!
~ jim
Posted by Lex Poster Girl on August 22, 2003, at 19:15:46
In reply to Re: 1st week help??? » Arrianna, posted by Flighty on August 22, 2003, at 15:40:25
Hmmm... I go away for a few days and things get so confusing around here. Perhaps I'm not savvy enough. I see that there is now a spelling link down there - I wonder if that had anything to do with my frustrated comment? Maybe Big Brother Bob really is watching us.
On to the drug thing to make sure I don't get censored. I've been really fortunate on lex - very few and always mild side effects but, after reading the previous post, I realize that I have also had a lack of appetite or, at least, a lot of weight loss. My depression usually makes it difficult for me to eat but, now that I'm feeling better, I'm not sure why I'm still not interested in eating and still dropping weight. Overall, I feel really good, but others have begun to comment on my weight and a lot of my clothes don't fit.
Any thoughts?
-Lex
Posted by hog80ci on August 22, 2003, at 19:20:41
In reply to Re: 1st week help??? » El, posted by Mariposa on August 21, 2003, at 18:49:56
This is my first week in Lex as well. Actually, today is day three and I am so nauseated I can't stand it. I'm grinding my teeth too. I started doing that on effexor. I really have to know if this sick stomach goes away. Doc put me on 10mg to start for seven days and then 20mg from then on. I sure am grateful to have stumbled upon this little group.
Jim
Posted by Lex Poster Girl on August 22, 2003, at 19:30:09
In reply to Re: 1st week help???, posted by hog80ci on August 22, 2003, at 19:20:41
Yes! Fear not my friend. Tell people you're pregnant (this is probably a better idea for men than women) and take a few days off. Almost everyone is nausious for a few days to a week and then it subsides. I'm at 20mg and never feel sick to my stomach anymore. Try to treat it like a normal stomach problem - lay off food with fat or anything really spicy. I found little to make it better, but paying attention to diet kept it from getting worse.
7 days doesn't seem like quite long enough to try on 10mgs. Seems like almost everyone around here is on less than 10. For most people, you revisit all the same side effects when you up the dose so you may want to talk to your doctor about giving your body a little more time to adjust to the 10 before upping the dose. This is also good because, in my experience, doctors have a lot of 10mg samples but no 20s.
Hang in there and rent some good movies for the weekend.
-Lex
Posted by Doug in PA on August 22, 2003, at 19:41:21
In reply to Re: 1st week help???, posted by hog80ci on August 22, 2003, at 19:20:41
Hi,
No matter what medication you take there are always side effects; some are good, most are bothersome. Your body has a unique chemistry and it may take days or weeks to adjust to this new chemical you are taking. Stick with it. The first few days (sometimes weeks) are the worst.
For me it was six long weeks before I thought that Lex was working for me. It took 10 days for my stomach to settle down. Each day gets a little better though. Give it a week then phone your doctor and let him know what is going on.
Doug in PA
Posted by trucker on August 22, 2003, at 21:56:20
In reply to Re: 1st week help???hog80ci, posted by Lex Poster Girl on August 22, 2003, at 19:30:09
> Yes! Fear not my friend. Tell people you're pregnant (this is probably a better idea for men than women) and take a few days off. Almost everyone is nausious for a few days to a week and then it subsides. I'm at 20mg and never feel sick to my stomach anymore. Try to treat it like a normal stomach problem - lay off food with fat or anything really spicy. I found little to make it better, but paying attention to diet kept it from getting worse.
>
> 7 days doesn't seem like quite long enough to try on 10mgs. Seems like almost everyone around here is on less than 10. For most people, you revisit all the same side effects when you up the dose so you may want to talk to your doctor about giving your body a little more time to adjust to the 10 before upping the dose. This is also good because, in my experience, doctors have a lot of 10mg samples but no 20s.
>
> Hang in there and rent some good movies for the weekend.
>
> -Lex/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
i am on 20mg of lex, been there for 3 or more months. i feel great. the beginning was rough however and i am glad i took it at night for several weeks. hang in there.
trucker
Posted by jc12578 on August 23, 2003, at 8:56:08
In reply to re: jc12578, posted by lil' jimi on August 22, 2003, at 15:48:11
> hi jc12578,
>
> > well I have been more or less going through depression for more then 9 years since high school pretty much...about 3 years ago the crying and social withdrawal started...and I went in a got put on "the pills"....I have been on I think it's 6 different antidepressants and countless others to "help me metabolize them better"...so far with no success and some new and added symptoms to my depression...I have become bullemic and had several "successful"(don't know what that means...I am still alive) suicide attempts, plus I am into hurting myself...currently I am living with my mother and looking for a new psychologist cause I have yet to find one that I can even talk to....so thats that...phew...too much info
> >
>
> thanks for the additional info, but (if it's not too much?) i'll ask for some more detail ...
>
> ... which ADs have you tried?
> ... which ones for how long?
> ... which supplements were used with which ADs?
> ... what dosage and for how long were you on
lexapro?
> ... how did the other ADs compare with your lexapro experience?
>
> it sometimes helps to be able to put your experience into the context of your history ...
> thanks for your reply!
>
> best of luck!
> ~ jim
>
>
get ready for a lot of reading...since ~2001 I have been onElavil I worked up to 250 a day and was on it for like 2 months and my birth control was changed to Ortho Novum 1/50 cause specualted that it was a hormone imbalance and occasional progesterone/estrogen therapy along with that then
Zoloft Due to a pharmacy error I took too much and went really crazy...actually saw stuff crawiling on me...I was supposed to take 50 2x or half of a 100 2 times a day and the and the pharmicist put 200 2x's a day and when i questioned him he said the doc had it wrong and this was what the doc wanted...SO DEPRESSION RULE 1 WAS LEARNED...OBEY NO ONE BLINDLY AND TRUST YOUR JUDGMENT....cause when I went into the ER shaking and freaking out it was chalked off as a suicide attempt and the only person wong was me...so that ended that pill and a lot of my faith in the hope that medicine may be a way to help me..
Prozac was after that I was on that the longest almost a year...went from 20 daily to 120 in like 6 months daily and this is when stuff started getting added:
Ativan...to help the insomnia...didn't work 2 months on that
valium...same purpose I went up to 10 mg...stopped after 1 month
flexaril...I have no clue why that was added...took I think it was 50 a day and turned into a zombie for 2 months
*****
new doctor...more meds
got a new gen prac. and she added elavil back to mix 10 mg day for a month...then next month added klonopin...like 1mg 2 times a day...then I stopped sleeping so she added temeazepam twice a day...I think it was 25 each time...that didn't work so to that coctail she added trazadone 100 mg at bed time...I started gaining weight and so she puts me on zynthroid twice daily...2 multi vitamins, plus folic acid and an additional B compex daily...I was also still on the hormones and birth control plus migraine meds (phenorgan and fiornial as needed) plus nexium for my tummy...it was between 22 and 30 pills daily and then after I was a vegatable trying to wok on my masters she suggested I see a psych...which had not been suggested before as i am a member of an HMO (or so thats what I blame it on)...so I start seeing a doc and she switches the prozac for Effexor...was on that for a month and then put back on prozac the 120 mgs daily...Meanwhile I have a growing stock of pills and I keeps asking to be taken off of one or another and I tried quitting some on my own and got so sick.....so one night I took a handful of stuff and drove to the ER...hoping that they would see all of that stuff waas bad to have around...well they didn't and I went that next am and I was given refills of what I left at the ER and to replace what I took and I went home and took it all plus a bottle of tylenol...a friend/neighbor of mine came over to borrow milk and found me almost dead and called 911 and by some miracle I have yet to understand I lived without having my stomach pumped just a few days in the ICU and lots of charcoal later they realeased me and let me go with prescriptions for EVERYTHING AGAIN....I left the scrips at the hospital and moved in with my mom went to a doctor here and now have to pay for everything out of pocket cause HMO will not cover hospital here...even tho my doctors were total morons...and he put me on celexa for 2 months and then pharmacy didn't have it one month so I got lexapro instead and was told it was same and to basically take it and shut up...so I started on lexapro and stayed on that so as not to finish shutting down my body slowly and painfully...so I hope that answers all the questions...basically I feel like a victim of poor medicine and maybe not so much poor drugs...wow too much stuff...well now I am supposed to be on 30 of lexapro a day but I took myself off last week cold turkey cause I kept blacking out...I want to be put on something else 1 medication that dosen't make me black out as i need to be conscious to work on my PhDjc
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.