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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Peter on September 26, 2003, at 15:52:38
In reply to update, posted by Diva Blue on September 26, 2003, at 14:44:07
> Hello all...
>
> Hoping that Lex is going to work. Feel better today than I have in a while. SEs seem to be subsiding, although I am still cold...is it freezing in here??....>>I am on day 21, and I'm absolutely freezing with 3 shirts on! Other people are walking around in shorts! What is this?! How long have you been taking lex?
Posted by blkvettes on September 26, 2003, at 18:56:09
In reply to Re: Don't know what to do, posted by Shelly480 on September 26, 2003, at 4:10:51
> Manic depressive. Yes they are kind of the same I think in a way. Except My Highs are very low and My Lows are extreme. I go from homicidial to suicidal. Mostly in the suicidal state.
>
> They had me on well burtrin and Depakote while back and the well burtrin Made me extremly Angery. That when I stop taking Meds. Cause I rather be suicidal then Homicidal. I really hope that this Lex and lithium work. No angery feelings after day 3 so far so good.
>
> Shelly480Hi, I know the lithium is a wonder drug for some. Glad your doing ok so far. Im interested to see how your meds work together. TAKE CARE!!!!!
WAYNE
Posted by Diva Blue on September 26, 2003, at 19:55:13
In reply to Re: update » Diva Blue, posted by Peter on September 26, 2003, at 15:52:38
> > Hello all...
> >
> > Hoping that Lex is going to work. Feel better today than I have in a while. SEs seem to be subsiding, although I am still cold...is it freezing in here??....
>
> >>I am on day 21, and I'm absolutely freezing with 3 shirts on! Other people are walking around in shorts! What is this?! How long have you been taking lex?
>HI....actually, this is only day 4. This is the first day that I have felt human since I started. The first 3 days I thought I had the flu, with a headache, and body aches, and just feeling yucky. Today is better. Thank Goodness.
what other ADs have you taken? Are you on anything else now?
hope you stay warm!
diva
Posted by lil' jimi on September 26, 2003, at 20:30:59
In reply to re: Lexapro stop working???, posted by MandyJane on September 26, 2003, at 7:33:35
hi MandyJane,
> Thanks lil'jimi for the encouragement. I really appreciate it. >
you're most welcome ... ... that's what we're here for ...
> I've upped my dose to 20mg. I don't know if I can up it any more than that. >
others have been up to 30mg and beyond ... ... "you're mileage may vary "
> I have a call in to my dr. Its kind of strange to talk about all of this stuff with strangers. I can see that you guys are a big support to oneanother. >
odd, isn't it ? ... ... it can be much easier to confide anonymously with strangers, than to tell our most trusted friend ... sometimes ...
... it was weird ... once when our female folk were comparing their sexual response and lex's effeect on them there ... ... i wouldn't often (ever?) hear that sort of thing, but we shared (i had anorgasmia as one of my lex SEs ... went away in a week), and it was cool ... a little weird, but it's wonderful here most of the time ...> Yeah, I'm not expecting the financial issues to go away either. Unfortunately. I've felt more feelings of rejection from friends, jealousy, and insecurity than I used to. I don't know if they are related to the depression or are new things in friendships that I need to work through. >
friends can be a tough issue ... ... they can come with their own issues ... your psych issues could be triggers for their insecurities .... they could be posers faking friendship and bail out when they see they won't get anything ... ... some may be loving sensitive supporters who get overamped by their concerns for you ... ... and because we are havng emotional issues, we may be misintrepreting / misunderstanding / miscommunicating ... to where we think things are worse than they really are ... ... depression and anxiety can do that ...
... support of loved ones has been essential to my recovery ... ... you need some too ...
... good luck with your pals ...
... post when it can help you feel better
take care,
~ jim
Posted by lil' jimi on September 27, 2003, at 3:58:24
In reply to Re: Starting Lex with low dose VS 10mg much better!, posted by vandy on September 26, 2003, at 8:18:43
hi Vandy,
> I think the side effects are well documented in the physician's information but the dossage is so patient specific that your suggestion might have unintended consequences. In my case, I started out with 20 mg. My only side effect was being tired and that disappeared. But even at 20 mg. it took a respectable period before I received benefits. Had I started out with a lower dose I would probably have quit for a different reason...lack of positive results. I shudder to think of that. I say prayers for Forest Labs and Lex. What should be happening is good counselling. Maybe they should give Dr. Bob's URL to all internet-enabled patients. >
point very well taken ...
i agree with you completely ...
we have seen here so many people in distress from not titrating up slowly enough ... that we tend to err (with our advice) on the side of caution ... thus we may overcompensate ...... indeed, the one thing we have learned here is that all bets are off in the face of individual variation ... ... there are no single set of rules that apply to everyone ...
so, to titrate or not to titrate becomes another one of those judgment calls ...
although i would suggest
that it appears to me
that
... folks with anxiety disorders need to titrate up ("start low and go slow") much more than those with depression-only ...
... ... my reading of the thread implies folks sensitive to anxieties can have much lower endurance for lexapro's adaptaion SEs ... if only because they can induce and/or exacerbate anxiety symptoms ...... you sound like it's working for you ... presuming you're okay, i am glad for you ... especially with the great fortune to have found a med that is working for you ... ...
... and for me too
thanks for your post ... i liked your message very much ... really good input there ... ... much appreciated ...
Take Care !
~ jim
Posted by lil' jimi on September 27, 2003, at 4:04:35
In reply to re: to titrate OR not to titrate » vandy, posted by lil' jimi on September 27, 2003, at 3:58:24
of course, it is only titrating up which is at issue ...
.... we presume that titrating Down would be mandatory ... ... as it is with all ssris
Posted by Peter on September 27, 2003, at 6:25:14
In reply to Re: update, posted by Diva Blue on September 26, 2003, at 19:55:13
> > > Hello all...
> > >
> > > Hoping that Lex is going to work. Feel better today than I have in a while. SEs seem to be subsiding, although I am still cold...is it freezing in here??....
> >
> > >>I am on day 21, and I'm absolutely freezing with 3 shirts on! Other people are walking around in shorts! What is this?! How long have you been taking lex?
> >
>
> HI....actually, this is only day 4. This is the first day that I have felt human since I started. The first 3 days I thought I had the flu, with a headache, and body aches, and just feeling yucky. Today is better. Thank Goodness.
> what other ADs have you taken? Are you on anything else now?
> hope you stay warm!>>>Hi Diva:
I've taken every other SSRI and a bunch of meds from other classes (AC mood-stabilizers, stimulants, benzos, etc.). I am now taking klonopin and adderall in addition to lex. My pdoc said that my wierd SE's could be the lex in and of itself, or it could be a synergy between the adderall and the lex. The only way to find out and be able to accurately assess the efficacy of lexapro for me is to taper down the adderall. So this I shall proceed to do!
Hey-you stay warm too!! (o:
Peter
Posted by vandy on September 27, 2003, at 8:58:51
In reply to re: to titrate Up or not to titrate Up, posted by lil' jimi on September 27, 2003, at 4:04:35
> of course, it is only titrating up which is at issue ...
> .... we presume that titrating Down would be mandatory ... ... as it is with all ssrisTitrate, how I luv ya - how I luv ya
My dear sweet titrate
I'd give the world to see
SSRI's that never give SE's to me
Oh Titrate, Titrate
My dear sweet titrate
Unhappy face - I'll see you no more
Cuz that's what Lexapro is for!
Posted by lil' jimi on September 27, 2003, at 11:30:11
In reply to re: to titrate Up or not to titrate Up, posted by vandy on September 27, 2003, at 8:58:51
hey vandy,
you're outdoing yourself here ....
> > of course, it is only titrating up which is at issue ...
> > .... we presume that titrating Down would be mandatory ... ... as it is with all ssris
>
> Titrate, how I luv ya - how I luv ya
> My dear sweet titrate
> I'd give the world to see
> SSRI's that never give SE's to me
> Oh Titrate, Titrate
> My dear sweet titrate
> Unhappy face - I'll see you no more
> Cuz that's what Lexapro is for! <... i like this a lot ...
... we should judge antidepressants by their poetry ...
.... maybe a lex haiku.... we are open for submissions
~ jim
Posted by vandy on September 27, 2003, at 12:52:19
In reply to re: Lexapro Poetry » vandy, posted by lil' jimi on September 27, 2003, at 11:30:11
> hey vandy,
>
> you're outdoing yourself here ....
>
>
> > > of course, it is only titrating up which is at issue ...
> > > .... we presume that titrating Down would be mandatory ... ... as it is with all ssris
> >
> > Titrate, how I luv ya - how I luv ya
> > My dear sweet titrate
> > I'd give the world to see
> > SSRI's that never give SE's to me
> > Oh Titrate, Titrate
> > My dear sweet titrate
> > Unhappy face - I'll see you no more
> > Cuz that's what Lexapro is for! <
>
> ... i like this a lot ...
> ... we should judge antidepressants by their poetry ...
> .... maybe a lex haiku
>
> .... we are open for submissions
>
> ~ jim
>Pomes ya want
pomes I got
Yours for the clicking on
<A HREF="www.olmstead.net/poetry.html">Vandy's poetry</a> but I warn you, it's all mine and sounds like I do!Haiku?
Lexapro is good
When broken smiles need fixing
If given a chance.Will that do?
Posted by lil' jimi on September 27, 2003, at 14:41:25
In reply to re: Lexapro Poetry, posted by vandy on September 27, 2003, at 12:52:19
terrific !
and thanks ....
i'll just bet the folks on effexor aren't writing pomes to it ... .... !
here's mine ...
To Lexa
Oh,
Bliss!
Where is Thy
Sting ?<to be screamed during enduring SEs>
<and then while waiting for kick in>
<and then a moaned mantra, to ward off poop out>
~ jim
p.s. Hello to Everyone else?
... ... We NEED your submissions to our Lex Poetry tournament/festival, Please ...... we should be planning to get our team up for the Antidepressant Poetry Slam ... ... (!)
... ... (it could happen!)... ... HA!
take care !
~ j
Posted by lil' jimi on September 27, 2003, at 14:45:05
In reply to re: Lexapro Poetry, posted by vandy on September 27, 2003, at 12:52:19
hi vandy,
pBabble doesn't support HTML ...
but you can post links that will work by including all that "http://" prefix jazz with the url ...~ jim
Posted by Diva Blue on September 27, 2003, at 16:57:56
In reply to Re: update » Diva Blue, posted by Peter on September 27, 2003, at 6:25:14
Hey Peter,
and every one else!Day 5 of Lex. Good and Bad SEs are starting to fade. Was hoping that not being hungry thing was going to stick around. However, I do feel sleepier today than I have been. First 2 days, I was wired up like a stolen car. Took 2 tylenol PM and that ended all that.
Good thing is I havent cried and felt mopey for a week. Overall, I would say I am feeling better.(fingers crossed---dont want to jinx myself---perhaps I should start chanting mantra)
Hope you are doing well today too. talk to you soon, I hope.
Posted by Diva Blue on September 27, 2003, at 17:08:57
In reply to re: To Lexa ..., posted by lil' jimi on September 27, 2003, at 14:41:25
Lex-a-pro,
how I love thee so.
Although I could do w/o
being cold.The Hunger pains gone,
and my heart moving on,
oh Lex-a-pro,
How I love thee so.With friends to converse,
and poems to read,
starting to reverse
my agony creed.oh lexapro. lexapro
work for me, and I
will love you so.
***here is my submission---far from the high standard set here--but I had to add my 2 cents.
Posted by vandy on September 27, 2003, at 21:12:49
In reply to re: Lexapro Poetry » vandy, posted by lil' jimi on September 27, 2003, at 14:45:05
> hi vandy,
>
> pBabble doesn't support HTML ...
> but you can post links that will work by including all that "http://" prefix jazz with the url ...
>
> ~ jimYou mean like:
http://www.olmstead.net/poetry.html
the line in the middle of these three?
Posted by lil' jimi on September 27, 2003, at 21:51:02
In reply to re: Lexapro Poetry, posted by vandy on September 27, 2003, at 21:12:49
> > hi vandy,
> >
> > pBabble doesn't support HTML ...
> > but you can post links that will work by including all that "http://"; prefix jazz with the url ...
> >
> > ~ jim
>
> You mean like:
> http://www.olmstead.net/poetry.html
> the line in the middle of these three?precisely ... ... as you can see ... ...
... pBabble tried to make just the prefix into a link as well ...... i have read some of your writing, vandy
... ... impressive ...
... very touching ... moving ...
... i enjoyed it very much ... ...
... ... and very forthcoming of you ...
... thank you again
~ jim
Posted by lil' jimi on September 27, 2003, at 21:54:56
In reply to re: To Lexa ..., posted by Diva Blue on September 27, 2003, at 17:08:57
hi Diva,
i liked your poem !
> Lex-a-pro,
> how I love thee so.
> Although I could do w/o
> being cold.
>
> The Hunger pains gone,
> and my heart moving on,
> oh Lex-a-pro,
> How I love thee so.
>
> With friends to converse,
> and poems to read,
> starting to reverse
> my agony creed.
>
> oh lexapro. lexapro
> work for me, and I
> will love you so.
>
>
> ***here is my submission---far from the high standard set here--but I had to add my 2 cents.
>... and i appreciate your making this offering to our Lex Poetry collection ...
Thanks!
~ jim
Posted by Diva Blue on September 27, 2003, at 21:59:13
In reply to re: .. :Lex-a-pro: .., posted by lil' jimi on September 27, 2003, at 21:54:56
Thank you Jim, for being so accepting of my contribution. After sending it, there was a moment of anxiety....who am I to include myself in this group of people....what if they think I am an idiot....no one invited me here....yadda yadda yadda.
so, anyway. Your comments made me feel better.
thanks!
diva
Posted by vandy on September 27, 2003, at 22:06:53
In reply to re: .. :Lex-a-pro: .., posted by Diva Blue on September 27, 2003, at 21:59:13
> Thank you Jim, for being so accepting of my contribution. After sending it, there was a moment of anxiety....who am I to include myself in this group of people....what if they think I am an idiot....no one invited me here....yadda yadda yadda.
>
> so, anyway. Your comments made me feel better.
>
> thanks!
> diva
>YO DIVA!
Never forget:
YOU'RE UNIQUE
JUST LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE.Seriously, one of a kind can't be compared. You stand there incredible in your own right!
Keep them cards, letters and poetry coming!
Posted by lil' jimi on September 27, 2003, at 22:28:26
In reply to re: .. :Lex-a-pro: .., posted by Diva Blue on September 27, 2003, at 21:59:13
hey diva,
> Thank you Jim, for being so accepting of my contribution. >
you are more than welcome ...
> After sending it, there was a moment of anxiety....who am I to include myself in this group of people....what if they think I am an idiot....no one invited me here....yadda yadda yadda.
>
> so, anyway. Your comments made me feel better.
>
> thanks!
> diva
>... i am grateful to you for your contributions and i thank you for all of them ... your comments, your insights, your poetry ... thanks ...
... we all need all of the offerings we all may share ...
... it's what makes this a special place ...
... besides wanting the support and encouragement to endure our med(s) ...
... and that everybody IS welcome here ...... everyone comes here with their problems that brought them to lexapro ... and lexapro brought them here ....
... i feel like every post is implicitly addressed to each of us ... ... asking for any response at all ... no one wants to have no one reply to their posts .... ....
... and the value of the cumulative wisdom from our lex thread depends on our posters giving us everything they experience with la lex ... ...
... aye, and she can be a wicked harpy indeed, there ...
take care,
~ jim
Posted by oldhand on September 27, 2003, at 22:51:28
In reply to Re: cel vs lex weight » Diva Blue, posted by Esmarelda on September 26, 2003, at 9:27:03
> I am not near as hungry when taking Lexapro. I have lost about 5 pounds in 3 or so months since beginning Lexapro. Good luck!
Have been on Lexapro for 10 months now. Have lost over 40 pounds that I gained on a Celexa/Remeron combination. But I also quit drinking beer at the same time which accounts for some of the loss I'm sure.
I also am not so hungry and eat well. Best of luck and
Peace.
Posted by lil' jimi on September 27, 2003, at 22:59:16
In reply to Re: cel vs lex weight » Esmarelda, posted by oldhand on September 27, 2003, at 22:51:28
great to hear from you ...
i failed to greet you the last time you posted ...
... i missed you then ... not this time
... how long have you been on lex now ?and any other update there would be appreciated too ...
take care friend,
~ jim
Posted by oldhand on September 27, 2003, at 23:29:02
In reply to oldhand, posted by lil' jimi on September 27, 2003, at 22:59:16
> great to hear from you ...
> i failed to greet you the last time you posted ...
> ... i missed you then ... not this time
> ... how long have you been on lex now ?
>
> and any other update there would be appreciated too ...
>
> take care friend,
> ~ jim
Hi Jim.
Have been on Lexapro since November 2002. I still take 100mg of Trazodone at bedtime too.
I'm doing fine on the Lexapro at 20mg. The addition of the Wellbutrin XL about a week ago has also improved my sense of wellbeing but has some pretty discouraging SE's. The major one being diarrhea. I had experienced this with plain old Wellbutrin a couple of years ago and had to quit it. Hoped that the XL formulation wouldn't repeat the problem. Am also sweating alot again but that I can handle but I hate it when my legs fall asleep from being on the toilet too long (grin).
Am going to try to tough it out for another week or so in hopes my body adjusts.
Thanks for the holler and I am going to work on a pome!!
Posted by lil' jimi on September 28, 2003, at 2:56:25
In reply to Re: oldhand » lil' jimi, posted by oldhand on September 27, 2003, at 23:29:02
hi Oldhand,
you wrote:
> Have been on Lexapro since November 2002. I still take 100mg of Trazodone at bedtime too.
> I'm doing fine on the Lexapro at 20mg. The addition of the Wellbutrin XL about a week ago has also improved my sense of wellbeing but has some pretty discouraging SE's. The major one being diarrhea. I had experienced this with plain old Wellbutrin a couple of years ago and had to quit it. Hoped that the XL formulation wouldn't repeat the problem. Am also sweating alot again but that I can handle but I hate it when my legs fall asleep from being on the toilet too long (grin). >really sorry to hear you're suffering diarrhea ... ...
... diarrhea can cause dehydration ...
... lexapro can induce dehydration ...
... wellbutrin can induce dehydration ...
... dehydration can cause diarrhea ...i guess what i'm trying to say ...
(and i'm sorry, i didn't mean to make that so ominous there!)
... stay hydrated ... drink lots of water and juices ... ... which also means we take our vitamins ... can't get deficient .... and our electrolytes ... omega3s and magnesium, heard about them from larry hoover here ...but if you're not at least replacing the fluids you lose to diarrhea, then you're getting more dehydrated ... ... of course ....
> Am going to try to tough it out for another week or so in hopes my body adjusts. >
best of luck ... make sure your prescriber knows about your SEs ... ... they could have suggestions for the diarrhea maybe ...
> Thanks for the holler and I am going to work on a pome!! >
yeah, well, you know, it's my pleasure really ...
... can't help but become fond of folks we have suffered and shared with this long here ...
... it's always good for me to read your posts and i appreciate them ...i am impressed with what i've read about wellbutrin ... ... i would definitely want to try to give it every chance to work for you ...
... have you seen this link?
http://www.mentalhealth.com/drug/p30-b04.html#Head_1
... in case you felt like details ... bupripion being older, is much better studied than lexapro ... and it's in its own class ... it's the only aminoketone antidepressant ...i think we all struggle to find our therapeutic dose and optimum combo ... ... you moreso than i have ... ... it's tough to have our brain chemistry stirred up ... ... i admire your stamina through it ... ... hang in there !
... i am looking forward to that pome!
... i may have to write me an ode to a pome ...Take Care !
~ jim
Posted by oldhand on September 28, 2003, at 12:27:49
In reply to re: re: oldhand, posted by lil' jimi on September 28, 2003, at 2:56:25
> hi Oldhand,
>
> you wrote:
> > Have been on Lexapro since November 2002. I still take 100mg of Trazodone at bedtime too.
> > I'm doing fine on the Lexapro at 20mg. The addition of the Wellbutrin XL about a week ago has also improved my sense of wellbeing but has some pretty discouraging SE's. The major one being diarrhea. I had experienced this with plain old Wellbutrin a couple of years ago and had to quit it. Hoped that the XL formulation wouldn't repeat the problem. Am also sweating alot again but that I can handle but I hate it when my legs fall asleep from being on the toilet too long (grin). >
>
> really sorry to hear you're suffering diarrhea ... ...
> ... diarrhea can cause dehydration ...
> ... lexapro can induce dehydration ...
> ... wellbutrin can induce dehydration ...
> ... dehydration can cause diarrhea ...
>
> i guess what i'm trying to say ...
> (and i'm sorry, i didn't mean to make that so ominous there!)
> ... stay hydrated ... drink lots of water and juices ... ... which also means we take our vitamins ... can't get deficient .... and our electrolytes ... omega3s and magnesium, heard about them from larry hoover here ...
>
> but if you're not at least replacing the fluids you lose to diarrhea, then you're getting more dehydrated ... ... of course ....
>
> > Am going to try to tough it out for another week or so in hopes my body adjusts. >
>
> best of luck ... make sure your prescriber knows about your SEs ... ... they could have suggestions for the diarrhea maybe ...
>
> > Thanks for the holler and I am going to work on a pome!! >
>
> yeah, well, you know, it's my pleasure really ...
> ... can't help but become fond of folks we have suffered and shared with this long here ...
> ... it's always good for me to read your posts and i appreciate them ...
>
> i am impressed with what i've read about wellbutrin ... ... i would definitely want to try to give it every chance to work for you ...
> ... have you seen this link?
> http://www.mentalhealth.com/drug/p30-b04.html#Head_1
> ... in case you felt like details ... bupripion being older, is much better studied than lexapro ... and it's in its own class ... it's the only aminoketone antidepressant ...
>
> i think we all struggle to find our therapeutic dose and optimum combo ... ... you moreso than i have ... ... it's tough to have our brain chemistry stirred up ... ... i admire your stamina through it ... ... hang in there !
>
> ... i am looking forward to that pome!
> ... i may have to write me an ode to a pome ...
>
> Take Care !
> ~ jimOK, I slept on it and here's my contribution to the mix:
Lexapro,
Up from the depths I go
Climbing the mountain I slid down.
Forging the streams that once were torrents
I could not swim.Surfacing slowly I see
The light ahead of me
While I wrestle foes that once were
Monsters I could not tame.
Gonna keep fighting and winning. Peace,
Shelley
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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.
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