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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by ayuda on November 17, 2002, at 21:18:44
In reply to Re: My experience with Lexapro...so far » Kairos, posted by oldhand on November 16, 2002, at 16:17:11
Kairos --
Did you gain any weight on the Effexor? I gained about 30 pounds in the 6 months I was on it, and only about 10 each with zoloft and celexa during about the same amount of time. I am praying that the massive weight gain slows down with the Lexapro. I really need to get the weight back off, but still have no energy or desire to work-out (and I was a work-out nut until I started on ADs two years ago). I am beginning to think that taking ADs will never get me back into the gym.I have a question about your statement about the sex drive, too. Mine had been overly active from my teens until my early-30s, and then poof!, it has been completely gone, even on the ADs. Especially on the ADs. Like you, I don't much care because there is no man in my life, and to tell the truth, I don't particularly want one because then I'd have to worry about the lack of sex drive (which brings me back to the weight gain -- doesn't bother me that I've lost the hour-glass figure, since I don't want anyone to be attracted to me anyhow). Anyway, I think there's a point here, but I've lost it. Maybe I just wanted to say that I know how you feel about that.
Based on what you wrote, I was thinking: do you ever feel like you're never going to feel good again, at least not for a long run? I keep wondering why my doctor is even trying all these drugs on me, if I'm just going to be changing ADs every 6 months for the rest of my life. Maybe the depression was better.
Anyhow, maybe it's just starting the Lexapro and getting off the Effexor that makes me say that. Did you have stomach problems with the Effexor? I've developed an ulcer from it.
Peace,
Ayuda> Wow, finally found the place to post. Have been on Lexapro for five days, weaning from Effexor which gave me panic/anxiety like I have never experienced. Before my short try of Effexor I was taking Celexa, and Remeron at night to help sleep. Seems to have pooped-out on me as have most things I have tried, Zoloft, Prozac, Welbutrin, Paxil, Serzone, etc., etc.
>
> Getting off heroin was easier than getting off the Effexor. This is my first day on the Lexapro alone and I have high hopes since I seem to have run the gamut of the SSRI's and was despairing. Though I have not slept well during this time I look forward to tonight and getting seven or eight hours of sleep instead of three. Have Trazadone to help and hope it will do so now that the Effexor is out of the picture. One good side of this whole experience is that I don't feel like eating and have begun to lose some of the 40 pounds gained on the Celexa-Remeron combination. Also don't feel like drinking alcohol which has to be good.
> As far as sex goes, with no husband or lover I will cross that bridge when/if I come to it.
> Sure am glad to have this place to read and contribute. Will look forward to hearing more as we all get more time under our belts with this new med.
Posted by ayuda on November 17, 2002, at 22:29:34
In reply to Re: My experience with Lexapro...so far, posted by ayuda on November 17, 2002, at 21:18:44
Sorry -- that last message should have been directed at oldhand. First I almost responded to the wrong message, now this.
Anyone else suffering from mental confusion?
Posted by oldhand on November 18, 2002, at 4:37:40
In reply to whoops, posted by ayuda on November 17, 2002, at 22:29:34
> Sorry -- that last message should have been directed at oldhand. First I almost responded to the wrong message, now this.
>
> Anyone else suffering from mental confusion?
ayuda:
Hi, as far as gaining weight on the Effexor I was not on it but for about two-three weeks and was nauseated the whole time. Drank alot of warm Coke and ice water and did not eat much so began to lose some.
My sex drive died before the anti-depressants I think. I was in a long term relationship in which the sex was just not satisfactory (for me) and as Germaine Greer says, "You can live without sex but BAD sex will make you crazy".(He He) That has been my motto for some time now.
Even with all the stops and starts of medication I have not really given up hope to feel better, though I do feel despair and wonder if I will ever feel like I used to feel. I have lost everything to this illness and will lose my house within the next few weeks, twenty years of employment and I end up on a disability retirement. But I am glad to have it and have the medical care to go with it, otherwise I picture myself a bag-lady on the street. I have the best friends in the world supporting me and praying for me and on the bad days I think of them to keep me going. I encourage you to do the same, try whatever is necessary and if that doesn't work, try something else and please keep me (us) "posted" (another silly joke).
Posted by cst on November 18, 2002, at 14:10:14
In reply to Re: Question for Pharmrep regarding Lexapro Anxiety, posted by ANXIETY ANN on October 8, 2002, at 13:28:48
re: question for pharmrep concerning somnolence. I take zyprexa for schizophrenia which i believed was caused by chronic insomnia. i recently tried celexa (50mg) and was pleased by the sleepiness it caused. The celexa didn't address the panic attacks, and gave me low libido, however, so my doc suggested lexapro. The lexapro cured the panic attacks and renewed my sexual interests, but i'm back to insomnia. To me, the insomnia is worse, so i lowered my dosage of lexapro to 2.5mg from 10mg. How low can i go on lexapro? i become very irritable when i am tired, and i can't fall asleep, even when exhausted. The celexa is the only medication which has worked for this. cst.
Posted by ayuda on November 19, 2002, at 15:00:31
In reply to Re: Question for Pharmrep regarding Lexapro Anxiety, posted by cst on November 18, 2002, at 14:10:14
> re: question for pharmrep concerning somnolence. I take zyprexa for schizophrenia which i believed was caused by chronic insomnia. i recently tried celexa (50mg) and was pleased by the sleepiness it caused. The celexa didn't address the panic attacks, and gave me low libido, however, so my doc suggested lexapro. The lexapro cured the panic attacks and renewed my sexual interests, but i'm back to insomnia. To me, the insomnia is worse, so i lowered my dosage of lexapro to 2.5mg from 10mg. How low can i go on lexapro? i become very irritable when i am tired, and i can't fall asleep, even when exhausted. The celexa is the only medication which has worked for this. cst.
I would also like info on Lexapro and insomnia. My shrink wants to get me off the Ativan, but even with it, I am having a lot of trouble getting and staying asleep. She (my doctor) isn't convinced that my insomnia is because of the ADs, and thinks that I am dependent on the Ativan. I would love nothing more than to get a good night's sleep on my own -- but if she takes me off the Ativan, I think I'll have to go to another doctor who will prescribe it, because my doctor isn't the one up all night and exhausted all day. I am a PhD student, I don't have time to waste on the mental confusion and exhaustion from the AD -- there's enough of that just connected to going to school!
Posted by Ward on November 19, 2002, at 15:25:01
In reply to Re: Question for Pharmrep regarding Lexapro Anxiety, posted by ayuda on November 19, 2002, at 15:00:31
My doctor prescribed Trazodone to help me sleep and it really has worked for me. I usually take 50 mg. about 2 hours before bedtime, if I'm really anxious I'll take 100 mg. Before I started taking Trazodone I was waking up every 1 to 1 1/2 hours in the night and dreaming vivid dreams in between. You might ask your doctor if he thinks Trazodone might work for you.
> > re: question for pharmrep concerning somnolence. I take zyprexa for schizophrenia which i believed was caused by chronic insomnia. i recently tried celexa (50mg) and was pleased by the sleepiness it caused. The celexa didn't address the panic attacks, and gave me low libido, however, so my doc suggested lexapro. The lexapro cured the panic attacks and renewed my sexual interests, but i'm back to insomnia. To me, the insomnia is worse, so i lowered my dosage of lexapro to 2.5mg from 10mg. How low can i go on lexapro? i become very irritable when i am tired, and i can't fall asleep, even when exhausted. The celexa is the only medication which has worked for this. cst.
>
> I would also like info on Lexapro and insomnia. My shrink wants to get me off the Ativan, but even with it, I am having a lot of trouble getting and staying asleep. She (my doctor) isn't convinced that my insomnia is because of the ADs, and thinks that I am dependent on the Ativan. I would love nothing more than to get a good night's sleep on my own -- but if she takes me off the Ativan, I think I'll have to go to another doctor who will prescribe it, because my doctor isn't the one up all night and exhausted all day. I am a PhD student, I don't have time to waste on the mental confusion and exhaustion from the AD -- there's enough of that just connected to going to school!
>
Posted by suevl on November 19, 2002, at 16:28:01
Has anyone found a good way to cut 10mg Lexapro in half? My pill-splitter makes them crumble. I'm one of those extremely drug-sensitive folks who can't tolerate full 10mg. of Lexapro -- could take only 5mg Celexa. And why can't Forest Labs do a decent job of scoring these pills, the way they do their Celexa? Or will I have to have them specially compounded? Any help, please!!
Posted by melinda on November 19, 2002, at 18:04:36
In reply to How to cut Lexapro?, posted by suevl on November 19, 2002, at 16:28:01
a knife works
-melinda
Posted by carpetbeetle on November 19, 2002, at 18:38:33
In reply to Re: Lexapro and flushing, posted by ANXIETY ANN on October 10, 2002, at 21:08:47
Have been on 10mg Lexapro for about 7 weeks. First three weeks withdrawing from Effexor were brutal. Blood pressure skyrocketed, etc., etc. That crap is poison. Now that I'm on Lexapro only have tons of energy, greatly increased libido, sleep all night, and feel great. Depression under control and I feel human again. Interested in doing things, not just sitting in a corner and smiling. From this persons point of view, I recommend it highly. Or, at least until they come up with something better.
Posted by Jaycee on November 19, 2002, at 18:50:32
In reply to Re: Lexapro and flushing, posted by carpetbeetle on November 19, 2002, at 18:38:33
This is my eighth week of lexapro after a couple weeks of hell from paxil withdrawal, I feel great. I too am sleeping better and have more energy. Less sexual side effects, depression and anxiety are better. It seemed like it took a while to work, but it was worth the wait.
Posted by kara lynne on November 19, 2002, at 19:55:21
In reply to Re: How to cut Lexapro?, posted by melinda on November 19, 2002, at 18:04:36
Posted by suevl on November 19, 2002, at 20:50:10
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
Has anyone had any success in cutting Lezapro pills in half? My pill splitter makes them crumble, and I'm one of those drug sensitive people who can't take more than 5mg. I was on 5mg Celeza, but at least those were nicely scored. Any suggestions?
Posted by Ritch on November 19, 2002, at 21:51:30
In reply to Cutting Lexapro pills?, posted by suevl on November 19, 2002, at 20:50:10
> Has anyone had any success in cutting Lezapro pills in half? My pill splitter makes them crumble, and I'm one of those drug sensitive people who can't take more than 5mg. I was on 5mg Celeza, but at least those were nicely scored. Any suggestions?
I always have used bare carpet razorblades or utility blades (box cutter blades) to snap pills into (by eyeballing them on a wooden butcher block). You have to watch your fingers a lot more closely! However, I have found them far superior to the cheapo pill splitters that are generally available. I haven't had experience trying to chop Lexapro pills, but Celexa pills were fairly easy to divide 10mg (half of 20mg tabs) into halves (of roughly 5mg). You could also use a pill crusher (those work fairly well, however), and make your own liquid. You will have to ask your pdoc about how to go about doing that. In my case I had to use small amounts of vodka (ethanol solvent) since citalopram isn't sparingly water soluble.
Posted by ayuda on November 19, 2002, at 22:00:34
In reply to Cutting Lexapro pills?, posted by suevl on November 19, 2002, at 20:50:10
> Has anyone had any success in cutting Lezapro pills in half? My pill splitter makes them crumble, and I'm one of those drug sensitive people who can't take more than 5mg. I was on 5mg Celeza, but at least those were nicely scored. Any suggestions?
Try taking them to the pharmacist and asking them to split the pills. I would think that pharmacists would have something better than the pill-splitters we can get on the market. At least it wouldn't hurt to ask.
Posted by ayuda on November 19, 2002, at 22:08:56
In reply to Re: Question for Pharmrep regarding Lexapro Anxiety » ayuda, posted by Ward on November 19, 2002, at 15:25:01
Ward -- thanks for that info. I've never heard of Trazadone, so I have a question: is it something that is considered to be habit-forming? I ask because that it the issue my doctor has with Ativan, and I don't want to bring up a drug that she's going to argue about.
From the recent posts, I am hoping to have as much success on Lexapro as some of the rest of you all.
> My doctor prescribed Trazodone to help me sleep and it really has worked for me. I usually take 50 mg. about 2 hours before bedtime, if I'm really anxious I'll take 100 mg. Before I started taking Trazodone I was waking up every 1 to 1 1/2 hours in the night and dreaming vivid dreams in between. You might ask your doctor if he thinks Trazodone might work for you.
>
> > > re: question for pharmrep concerning somnolence. I take zyprexa for schizophrenia which i believed was caused by chronic insomnia. i recently tried celexa (50mg) and was pleased by the sleepiness it caused. The celexa didn't address the panic attacks, and gave me low libido, however, so my doc suggested lexapro. The lexapro cured the panic attacks and renewed my sexual interests, but i'm back to insomnia. To me, the insomnia is worse, so i lowered my dosage of lexapro to 2.5mg from 10mg. How low can i go on lexapro? i become very irritable when i am tired, and i can't fall asleep, even when exhausted. The celexa is the only medication which has worked for this. cst.
> >
> > I would also like info on Lexapro and insomnia. My shrink wants to get me off the Ativan, but even with it, I am having a lot of trouble getting and staying asleep. She (my doctor) isn't convinced that my insomnia is because of the ADs, and thinks that I am dependent on the Ativan. I would love nothing more than to get a good night's sleep on my own -- but if she takes me off the Ativan, I think I'll have to go to another doctor who will prescribe it, because my doctor isn't the one up all night and exhausted all day. I am a PhD student, I don't have time to waste on the mental confusion and exhaustion from the AD -- there's enough of that just connected to going to school!
> >
>
>
Posted by Mr.Scott on November 20, 2002, at 1:30:00
In reply to Re: Question for Pharmrep regarding Lexapro Anxiety » Ward, posted by ayuda on November 19, 2002, at 22:08:56
Just an interesting note...My doctor said his rep is giving him free pill cutters with the stuff because it's hard to cut and my doc is giving them out to his patients.
So Pharmrep... if your around I'd suggest you have your marketing team donate some of their funds to pill cutters. Even if they must have the Forest or Lexapro logo on it, it will be a good cause and marketing all in one! Not to mention a much needed excuse to see your high prescribers.
Scott
Posted by mills on November 20, 2002, at 10:42:34
In reply to Cutting Lexapro pills?, posted by suevl on November 19, 2002, at 20:50:10
...or you guys could be really crazy like me and need 30 mg and have no pill cutting problems; i hate you people who talk about taking 2.5 mg; there, i said it...
> Has anyone had any success in cutting Lezapro pills in half? My pill splitter makes them crumble, and I'm one of those drug sensitive people who can't take more than 5mg. I was on 5mg Celeza, but at least those were nicely scored. Any suggestions?
Posted by Ward on November 20, 2002, at 11:13:02
In reply to Re: Question for Pharmrep regarding Lexapro Anxiety » Ward, posted by ayuda on November 19, 2002, at 22:08:56
ayuda - Trazodone is an antidepressant that has the main side effect of causing sleepiness. To find out more information about it, use the search engine www.google.com and type in Trazodone (it is spelled with an "o" in the middle). You'll find sites with all the information you can digest and some more besides. I did not find any warnings about it being habit forming. My doctor had me on Ativan for just a week before switching me to Trazodone. I hope this helps. Good luck!!
> Ward -- thanks for that info. I've never heard of Trazadone, so I have a question: is it something that is considered to be habit-forming? I ask because that it the issue my doctor has with Ativan, and I don't want to bring up a drug that she's going to argue about.
>
> From the recent posts, I am hoping to have as much success on Lexapro as some of the rest of you all.
>
> > My doctor prescribed Trazodone to help me sleep and it really has worked for me. I usually take 50 mg. about 2 hours before bedtime, if I'm really anxious I'll take 100 mg. Before I started taking Trazodone I was waking up every 1 to 1 1/2 hours in the night and dreaming vivid dreams in between. You might ask your doctor if he thinks Trazodone might work for you.
> >
> > > > re: question for pharmrep concerning somnolence. I take zyprexa for schizophrenia which i believed was caused by chronic insomnia. i recently tried celexa (50mg) and was pleased by the sleepiness it caused. The celexa didn't address the panic attacks, and gave me low libido, however, so my doc suggested lexapro. The lexapro cured the panic attacks and renewed my sexual interests, but i'm back to insomnia. To me, the insomnia is worse, so i lowered my dosage of lexapro to 2.5mg from 10mg. How low can i go on lexapro? i become very irritable when i am tired, and i can't fall asleep, even when exhausted. The celexa is the only medication which has worked for this. cst.
> > >
> > > I would also like info on Lexapro and insomnia. My shrink wants to get me off the Ativan, but even with it, I am having a lot of trouble getting and staying asleep. She (my doctor) isn't convinced that my insomnia is because of the ADs, and thinks that I am dependent on the Ativan. I would love nothing more than to get a good night's sleep on my own -- but if she takes me off the Ativan, I think I'll have to go to another doctor who will prescribe it, because my doctor isn't the one up all night and exhausted all day. I am a PhD student, I don't have time to waste on the mental confusion and exhaustion from the AD -- there's enough of that just connected to going to school!
> > >
> >
> >
>
>
Posted by kara lynne on November 20, 2002, at 11:14:02
In reply to Re: Cutting Lexapro pills?, posted by mills on November 20, 2002, at 10:42:34
...ahem, some of us are really crazy and wish we could stomach 30 mgs.
Posted by mills on November 20, 2002, at 11:46:45
In reply to Re: really crazy, posted by kara lynne on November 20, 2002, at 11:14:02
"count my blessings, name them one-by-one; count my blessings name them one-by-one..., la la la la...."
> ...ahem, some of us are really crazy and wish we could stomach 30 mgs.
Posted by pharmrep on November 20, 2002, at 12:03:07
In reply to Re: really crazy, posted by mills on November 20, 2002, at 11:46:45
1-...for those not sleeping well... do you take lex at night or in morning? I would suggest taking in morning, it might help.
2-...trazodone....might help if your dr says ok (lowest dose possible should do fine).
3-...possible probs w/ trazodone...only 1 in 10000, but look up priapism for the guys...it might look ok, but not a fun s/e.4-...breaking pills...good news and bad...bad=they are scored, but are pretty small and sometimes crumble...try a razor/non-serated knife on the score-line on a flat surface (press slowly/lightly until broken)
good= there are plans to make a 5mg pill (also scored) so titrating up will be easier (15mg vs going all the way to 20mg, and of course not having to chop up the 10mg, and also, for those who are very sensitive...getting a 2.5mg without having to use a microscope...hang in there folks and keep posting)
Posted by Roger Santiago on November 20, 2002, at 12:11:20
In reply to Re: really crazy, posted by mills on November 20, 2002, at 11:46:45
Celexa is the first SSRI Ant-dep., I could tolerate from 20mg to 40mg. However, after being
on Celexa 40mg at bedtime for slightly over 2 months, I have not noticed improvement of sleep patterns, "feeling good", appetite..... Its like a
dry drill. The only other ant-dep., I can tolerate
is trazodone at bedtime. Here again, after 6 weeks of taking 100mg to 150mg at bedtime for over 6 weeks, I feel no better. I have developed
daily anxiety with agoraphobia since starting the
Celexa and later taking the trazodone. I had a sample of Serzone 100mg., and was confident I would benefit and or tolerate it due to its close
chemical relation to trazodone. I was wrong . The serzone caused visual problems the day after with vertigo. What would be a way to manage the daily anxiety and agoraphobia ? I can not even go to the doctor , sit in the office then wait to be
seen due to the severity of this anxiety.
Posted by mills on November 20, 2002, at 12:22:29
In reply to Re: really crazy, posted by Roger Santiago on November 20, 2002, at 12:11:20
roger, sorry bro, sounds like you've got it rough; i feel for you; but do not hesitate to call your shrink though and get some help on your meds by phone; if they can't do that for you given your condition, then you need a new doc; hang in there; there's something out there for you
> Celexa is the first SSRI Ant-dep., I could tolerate from 20mg to 40mg. However, after being
> on Celexa 40mg at bedtime for slightly over 2 months, I have not noticed improvement of sleep patterns, "feeling good", appetite..... Its like a
> dry drill. The only other ant-dep., I can tolerate
> is trazodone at bedtime. Here again, after 6 weeks of taking 100mg to 150mg at bedtime for over 6 weeks, I feel no better. I have developed
> daily anxiety with agoraphobia since starting the
> Celexa and later taking the trazodone. I had a sample of Serzone 100mg., and was confident I would benefit and or tolerate it due to its close
> chemical relation to trazodone. I was wrong . The serzone caused visual problems the day after with vertigo. What would be a way to manage the daily anxiety and agoraphobia ? I can not even go to the doctor , sit in the office then wait to be
> seen due to the severity of this anxiety.
Posted by Roman on November 20, 2002, at 12:23:36
In reply to all-in-1 info for my lexapro friends, posted by pharmrep on November 20, 2002, at 12:03:07
I'm planning on talking with my doc about the switch due to daytime fatigue on Celexa 40 mg. I tried taking it a night, but it caused insomnia.
What do you all think? Is the switch a smart move?
I've been on Celexa for a few months and it helps with depression, but I can't continue this sleeping 12 hours a day and still feeling tired!
Also, what is the equivalent dose of Lexapro to 40 mg Celexa? I've read both 10 and 20 mg were correct.
Thanks for your input.
Posted by Mr.Scott on November 20, 2002, at 12:28:23
In reply to Re: really crazy, posted by Roger Santiago on November 20, 2002, at 12:11:20
Obviously I don't know your history, but have you considered another diagnosis such as bipolar II?
Frequently people with BP II become variously activated with AD's. Some develop agitation or anxiety while others develop a more clear manic activation. Regardless BP II's are generally depressed most of the time. Check out this one guys site www.psycheducation.org for more info.
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