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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by McPac on August 27, 2003, at 13:26:45
In reply to re: Advice:Relax, Read the Thread, Hang in There!, posted by koko on August 26, 2003, at 15:46:25
"I did not have any side effects from taking Celexa for (on and off) 3 years."
>>>>>>>>> Koko, why did you switch from Celexa to Lexapro if you had no side effects on Celexa?
ALSO, important question, Lex makes many anxious (like me---irritable, anxious)......did you feel differently on Celexa? How so? I'd like to try to switch TO Celexa. Thanks!
Posted by koko on August 27, 2003, at 13:41:08
In reply to Koko, Read the Thread, Hang in There!, posted by McPac on August 27, 2003, at 13:26:45
Hi McPac,
I did take Celexa for 3 years on and off. I would typically stop taking it after about a year---just to see if I still needed it. And, of course, I did. So back on I would go. I took my last break from Celexa about 3 months ago. I recently started feeling anxious. That is anxious to the point that breathing exercises wouldn't work because I would convince myself that I couldn't catch my breath and was about to suffocate, or something else equally unreasonable. But Celexa would take about 30-45 days to get into my system and even start working. And it would be a good 4-5 months for full effect. So my Doctor suggested Lex as it is, as he put it, "quicker". Now, I'm 3 days into it and hate the SE's. But, I'm willing to give it a chance. Celexa caused me zero side effects. It was like taking asprin...I didn't feel anything. (Which could be why I'd figure I didn't need it anymore and try to quit.) But, I also didn't panic. If you do switch, I think you'll find it an easy transition...but one which will need time to take effect. Good luck!
Posted by McPac on August 27, 2003, at 14:30:21
In reply to Re: why move from Celexa, posted by koko on August 27, 2003, at 13:41:08
Koko,
so Celexa was much 'milder' to you huh?
Lex gives you anxiety but Celexa didn't right?
THAT's what I was looking for---someone who took BOTH and DID get the anxiety from Lex BUT NOT from Celexa.....thank you! I want the MILDER one (and it seems like Celexa is milder for most folks). Some doctors act like they are identical as to how they make you feel (like they are interchangable), only they'll say that Lex has less side effects...hah, seems like it has MORE side effects to me, esp. the anxiety....koko, is Lex more activating for you...does it give you more anxious energy? I don't want anxious energy myself. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by lil' jimi on August 27, 2003, at 14:44:43
In reply to re: Thanks, Gal !--should have made it more clear, posted by koko on August 27, 2003, at 12:38:13
hey Koko!
(well, i _thought_ i had just posted this, but apparently i had some brain fade and something else happened ... ... ... ?)
anyway, this is what you posted (with my replies):
> Hey Jimbo...still here, you didn't scare me away. >Yeah!
> I'm just too nauseous to type anything. Just kiddin', it isn't that bad. (So I keep telling myself ;o)....) But here I am day 3 and counting. >
i remember that my 3rd through 6th days were really rough, though i didn't have nausea ...
> BTW, did you suggest taking this with food or without? >
this implies a better approach than what i suggested ... which was to separate meals from your lex as much as possible ... my _theory_ being that lex causes nausea and the further you take it from meals the better ....
... however! ... could your lexapro dose be provoking nausea _Because_ it upsets your digestion when taken on an empty stomach?
... got to weigh each of these considerations and try to get a feel for which applies in your case ...
... i believe that one of the side effects of lexapro (part of the neurological adaptation) is (can be) to aggravate the digestion, independent of the presence of food in the stomach ... ... so to minimize the trauma to the digestion of meals, i'd try to separate meals from lex ...
... but as my "However" comment above says, there are other considerations ... play it by ear and do what works best for you ...
... here in this land of lexapro users we learn one thing for sure .... we are all individuals ... !
> Again, great forum. I've actually laughed out loud sitting at my desk. (As if my co-workers didn't think I was weird enough...) >
now you have made me happy! <Smile Emoticon Here!!>
i Love it when our posters get to laugh!
co-workers! ... what are we going to do with them? ... ... HA!thanks for your post and for posting back!
TAKE CARE ! ! ! !!!
~ jim
Posted by McPac on August 27, 2003, at 14:56:13
In reply to koko, Re: why move from Celexa, posted by McPac on August 27, 2003, at 14:30:21
Anyone.
Lex sure seems to cause more anxiety, jitteriness than Celexa (from the posts I've read)...I haven't tried Celexa...Lex made me anxious, irritable....anybody here think Celexa is better for someone like me...I NEED the anti-dep effect BUT DON'T want the med that will cause anxiety....is Celexa better in THAT way (milder)? THANKS!!!!!!!!!
Posted by galkeepinon on August 27, 2003, at 15:35:07
In reply to Less Anxiety w/ Celexa than Lex??? Re: why move , posted by McPac on August 27, 2003, at 14:56:13
Hey McPac:-) I took Celexa and as you know I'm on Lex now. For me, I haven't experienced any anxiety on EITHER one, but I'm on week 4 of Lex. Celexa worked well for me, but I was in such a dire need for something to work quick that my doc thought Lex would be the better choice right now.
As for you, I honestly think giving Celexa a fair shot would be great and you may be very, very surprised! Celexa didn't give me ANY anxiety whatsoever, and it helped my depression tremendously, but so did my boyfriend at the time;) LOL---but remember, this is just my experience with Lex and Celexa. If Lex turns out not to be the med for me-which I think it will for a while-back on Celexa I go. One more thing too, remember that Lexapro has all the inactive ingredients of Celexa taken out of it which makes Lexapro more potent-that's why you may had experienced such anxiety on the Lexapro.
Good luck, my friend:-)> Anyone.
>
> Lex sure seems to cause more anxiety, jitteriness than Celexa (from the posts I've read)...I haven't tried Celexa...Lex made me anxious, irritable....anybody here think Celexa is better for someone like me...I NEED the anti-dep effect BUT DON'T want the med that will cause anxiety....is Celexa better in THAT way (milder)? THANKS!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Mariposa on August 27, 2003, at 15:41:55
In reply to Re: koko !---catching up..I got lost in the thread, posted by koko on August 27, 2003, at 12:53:22
> OK, I think I'm getting the hang of this now...
> I'm sitting here trying to decide if I should take another 10 mg and get the SE's done and over with or if I should go down to 5. And how would I carve out 7.5? Cut in half and then again in another half? My concern, which Lil Jim touched on, is what if I avoid the SE's now just to experince them in another month or 2...what to do, what to do...? Avoidence doesn't normally work well for me. Then I'll just fixate on the SE's that are waiting for me later on when I go back to 10mg, which will create anxiety for the future, which in turn will make me question if the SE's at 5 mg are any better or not, and then I'll doubt the whole cutting down to begin with, and maybe panic about that...Hum....That may not neccessarily be the case.... I started at 5mg and had TERRIBLE se's, so bad I seriously considered quitting, went to 10mg around week 4, with very mild, in comparison, side effects. Went from 10mg to 20mg about 2 weeks ago (into month 6) with just the slightest bit of diziness for a couple of days.
Of course we are all different,and it seems that trial is the best way to find out.
Best of luck!~~~8|8
Posted by hog80ci on August 27, 2003, at 19:04:12
In reply to Re: Lexapro - increased dose » Mariposa, posted by galkeepinon on August 26, 2003, at 22:47:51
Hi all
I go up to 20mg tomorrow. I've been pretty jittery on 10. I keep telling myself to be patient and not to flush it all down the toilet. Reading your posts always helps. thank you.
Jim
Posted by oldhand on August 27, 2003, at 21:32:38
In reply to Re: Lexapro is a NO for me!! » completelypsycho, posted by trucker on August 26, 2003, at 16:59:06
Take heart! I had the worst withdrawal from Effexor of any one of the meds I have taken. Only got up to 75mg as it raised my blood pressure. Tried to stop cold turkey and had some of the same symptoms you describe. Spent days in agony, muscle and brain zaps, anxiety, panic, etc, etc. My humble opinion is you are withdrawing from the Effexor rather than having SE's from Lexapro. Get ahold of your doc!. and good luck.
Posted by JCServant7 on August 27, 2003, at 22:16:24
In reply to Re: why move from Celexa, posted by koko on August 27, 2003, at 13:41:08
Well, isn't it best to wean off one drug before switching to another? I mean, my doctor is weaning me off Remeron and I am on 10 mg Lex and 30 mg Remeron.. in about two weeks, I go down to 15 mg Remeron. A slow wean, but he thinks it is best. I am feeling very tired during the day, and it's probably because of the two drugs at once. Can't wait to get off the Remeron. I've gained over 40 lbs and want it all off now! :-)
Steve
Posted by McPac on August 27, 2003, at 23:34:19
In reply to Re: Less Anxiety w/ Celexa than Lex??? Re: why move » McPac, posted by galkeepinon on August 27, 2003, at 15:35:07
"One more thing too, remember that Lexapro has all the inactive ingredients of Celexa taken out of it which makes Lexapro more potent-that's why you may had experienced such anxiety on the Lexapro".
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Yes, I think that's it exactly.....I'm actually one of those people that DON'T want a very activating drug because that usually spells bad trouble for me....I like and need the less activating, more mild feeling med...hopefully Celexa will be milder....take care Gal!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by galkeepinon on August 28, 2003, at 0:15:33
In reply to Gal, Anxiety w/ Celexa than Lex??? Re: why move, posted by McPac on August 27, 2003, at 23:34:19
Let's hope Celexa is the one for you and will work as the milder one:-) Are you going to start it? Or have you already?
Good luck:-)
Take Care!> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Yes, I think that's it exactly.....I'm actually one of those people that DON'T want a very activating drug because that usually spells bad trouble for me....I like and need the less activating, more mild feeling med...hopefully Celexa will be milder....take care Gal!!!!!!!!!!!!
> "One more thing too, remember that Lexapro has all the inactive ingredients of Celexa taken out of it which makes Lexapro more potent-that's why you may had experienced such anxiety on the Lexapro".
>
Posted by galkeepinon on August 28, 2003, at 1:17:16
In reply to Re: koko !---catching up..I got lost in the thread, posted by koko on August 27, 2003, at 12:53:22
Hi koko, how you hanging in there? Don't expect the SE!! LOL try not to anyway. I always worried about the side effects a lot. I was scared to start this Lexapro because it was a med I had never been on before. It turned out, I didn't die, and it seems to be doing great so far (crossing fingers)
Breathe in............out...............in.........out:-)
Hang in there and keep us posted.> OK, I think I'm getting the hang of this now...
> I'm sitting here trying to decide if I should take another 10 mg and get the SE's done and over with or if I should go down to 5. And how would I carve out 7.5? Cut in half and then again in another half? My concern, which Lil Jim touched on, is what if I avoid the SE's now just to experince them in another month or 2...what to do, what to do...? Avoidence doesn't normally work well for me. Then I'll just fixate on the SE's that are waiting for me later on when I go back to 10mg, which will create anxiety for the future, which in turn will make me question if the SE's at 5 mg are any better or not, and then I'll doubt the whole cutting down to begin with, and maybe panic about that...Hum....
Posted by lil' jimi on August 28, 2003, at 5:48:07
In reply to Re: Lexapro - increased dose, posted by hog80ci on August 27, 2003, at 19:04:12
hey Jim ~
> Hi all
> I go up to 20mg tomorrow. I've been pretty jittery on 10. I keep telling myself to be patient and not to flush it all down the toilet. Reading your posts always helps. thank you.
> Jimjust wanted to say ...
Hang In There, pardner!!take care,
~ jimp.s. how's the Harley doing, man ?
Good luck with the 20 !
Posted by koko on August 28, 2003, at 9:20:57
In reply to Re: koko !---catching up..I got lost in the thread » koko, posted by galkeepinon on August 28, 2003, at 1:17:16
Thanks Gal! That really helps. And you are right, I get so caught up focusing on the SE's that I may be making them worse than they would be otherwise. But this forum helps, and reading about everyone's experiances help. And most of all, knowing that everyone else seems to have experienced this or some SE's simular to this and lived!...that helps too.
So, I'll keep reading and hope that they get better soon. Today is day 4! So far, I've stuck to taking the full 10mg. I'll keep you posted...
Thanks again and I wish everyone a happy and productive Thursday!
Posted by shay on August 28, 2003, at 12:41:33
In reply to Re:(Re: Lexapro and Hitachi) to leeran » leeran, posted by lil' jimi on April 12, 2003, at 20:08:06
I have never been on any medications for depression but feel like I've had some level of depression pretty much since I was a little girl. I've tried some for a few days but couldn't stand how they made me feel. I don't feel like I have major depression so I'm always leary of starting something because of side effects, I don't want to feel worse, since I've also dealt with anxiety. I read some of these posts and wonder if it's even worth getting into taking Lexapro, which I got samples of yesterday. The doc told me to break in half and take 5mg. I'm worried though because I do drink socially and don't want to feel all "wacked out" and "weird." Like I said, no one would even think of me as depressed but I am sometimes. And sometimes it's really bad and sometimes not. I never not do anything or not go anywhere and work a 9-5 so what should I do... I feel like I read these posts and I want to read something like "Lexapro makes me feel great, I'm so happy now, it definitely worked so well!!!!!!" And I'm not reading this, am I going to feel happy and normal or what??? Any suggestions or help... I don't want to be on something for the rest of my life and feel worse. I already feel tired and sad sometimes, w/o feeling sick and weird. Anyone???? Also, I haven't had counseling but wonder if this is more what I should do or if this low dose will be ok for me??? The docs never listen to my symptoms so I don't know who to ask for advice. You all seem to know best! :) Thanks!
Posted by Esmarelda on August 28, 2003, at 12:51:36
In reply to New User to any type of med., posted by shay on August 28, 2003, at 12:41:33
Now, Lexapro worked great, I feel wonderful, not quite yet 100% - still a little tired in the mornings. I have been on it for about 11 weeks. It got worse before it got better. It took about 5 weeks to really feel better. I truly did get more anxious and depressed before it started working and I don't know whether it was the Lex or just the deepening of the depression to start with. I didn't have side effects that bothered me that much. Some sleeplessness, but I have insomnia without AD. I had a little diarrhea at first and felt nauseated, but that was okay because I needed to lose a couple extra lbs. anyway. It also made me sweat alot, but that seems to have resolved. If you are depressed and anxious, I would recommend it in the long run. Apparently, most AD take a while to work anyway. I also drink alcohol (which is very bad for depression by the way). Nonetheless, I feel better when I don't drink, but it does not make me whacked out or anything. In fact, I can't tell any difference when I drink with or without the Lexapro. I think drinking blocks the effectiveness of the drug about 40% or something like that - I have been told. I hope my experience helps you!
Posted by Mariposa on August 28, 2003, at 13:07:52
In reply to New User to any type of med., posted by shay on August 28, 2003, at 12:41:33
There are many positive posts here in previous periods, and several regular posters who are doing *better* on Lex, myself included. You sound like and echo of myself a little more than 6 mos. ago. I had never taken any meds, didn't think I really needed them, was scared of the side effects, didn't think the med would help ME, but I knew I could not continue living in the same manner, was affecting job, marriage, life!
I started @ 5mg, had the most horrible first 2 weeks, called in sick to work all of 2nd week I felt so bad. But all the SE's went away by week 4. Then I started to worry that Lex would not work because I didn't think I was getting *better*, and I spiraled into a pretty deep depression. I seriously considered just quitting, but got a lot of encouragement from the great people here and decided to stick with it. Dr upped dose to 10mg, and around week 8 I suddenly realized that I was *better* and had been for a while. As someone else said, it was like all of a sudden a lite came on.
Then somewhere in 5th month I started to feel *low* again, like all those old feelings coming back. It took a while but I got in to see a pdoc (because gyn doc who initially psc'd Lex for PMDD refused to let me take more than 10mg) and he upped dose to 20mg. Been @ 20mg about 2 weeks and feeling *better* again.
Please don't get discouraged right from the start, I would go through those first 2 weeks all over again to get the relief I've had from depression! Keep us posted on your progress!~~~8|8
Posted by koko on August 28, 2003, at 13:10:30
In reply to New User to any type of med., posted by shay on August 28, 2003, at 12:41:33
Hi Esmeralda,
Speaking solely off of personal experience; I felt no side effects from Celexa, but I do with Lex. However, I think that they will go away after about two weeks from what I hear. I also am never "not doing anything". So, I can completely understand your concern. However, even with the SE's from Lex, I'm still able to function at work and socially. I'm sure if I didn't have such acute anxiety (which is what prompted me to take the medication to begin with) I would be able to "function" even better. As it is, I will tend to fixate on my SE's. Even still, I'm hoping that Lex will get me to that "I'm happy, I feel great, I don't have to worry about an embarrassing panic attack" point quicker than Celexa did.
However, I wouldn't be afraid to try the Lex if I were you. And if you have a bad day, stop and ask your doctor about Celexa.
You don't need to feel the way you are for the rest of your life, and it seems as if you are on the right track.
Good luck.
Posted by Mariposa on August 28, 2003, at 13:14:38
In reply to Re: New User to any type of med., posted by Esmarelda on August 28, 2003, at 12:51:36
I din't address the alcohol in my other post, but I too am a social drinker (whiskey, beer) and it has not seemed to affect me adversely. I know Alc. contributes to depression, and I have cut back since starting Lex ( a *good* se? ) but like Esmeralda, I don't have any reactions between the 2.
Posted by Mariposa on August 28, 2003, at 13:24:32
In reply to Re: New User to any type of med., posted by Mariposa on August 28, 2003, at 13:14:38
INSOMNIA!!! My biggest FOE in the depression battle!!! And Lex has *CURED* me!!!
Had been an insomniac most of my adult life, never getting a full nite's sleep, wake up at 3-4AM and never able to go back to sleep. Some nights, no sleep AT ALL, just toss and turn and worry about getting up and going to work. In short...miserable because I was tired all the time.
But now I sleep soundly through the nite and don't rouse until the alarm goes off, occasionally wake up, but roll over and go right back to sleep. It has done wonders for that *i'm a witch because I got no sleep* feeling!!!
Good luck to all of us!~~~8|8
Posted by krystol on August 28, 2003, at 13:40:02
In reply to New User to any type of med., posted by shay on August 28, 2003, at 12:41:33
I started lex 10mg approx 2 1/2 months ago and from day 2 I have been feeling great...I was dx w/depression (post partum)...the only SE's I've noticed since posting is I haven't been able to have an orgasim (((help)))...other than that, this is my first AD, I have no major complaints...
Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by koko on August 28, 2003, at 13:50:19
In reply to Re: New User to any type of med., posted by krystol on August 28, 2003, at 13:40:02
This brought up a really good point...One of the other reasons that I decided to switch to Lex is because I heard that the sexual SE's were reportedly less than with Celexa. Has anyone else experienced any sexual side effects from Lex, positive or negitive?
Posted by shay on August 28, 2003, at 14:04:13
In reply to Re: New User to any type of med., posted by krystol on August 28, 2003, at 13:40:02
You guys are so nice! :) I really appreciate all of the feedback! I definitely want to give this a try and don't want to feel like I do anymore. I'm tired of feeling like I don't think like "normal people" and I hoping my feelings of lonliness will subside! I get really down and a lot of times for no reason so I'm going to give it a try. If I feel sick, I feel sick, it is worth it. I just hope I don't have to call off work, not an option! :) Sooooo... I'll let you guys know how I do, wish me luck! (I get anxiety just thinking about starting, guess part of the problem to solve! :) )
Posted by galkeepinon on August 28, 2003, at 14:07:40
In reply to Re: koko !---catching up..I got lost in the thread, posted by koko on August 28, 2003, at 9:20:57
>>>>> Thanks again and I wish everyone a happy and productive Thursday!>>>Right back at ya!!!:-)
Thanks Gal! That really helps. And you are right, I get so caught up focusing on the SE's that I may be making them worse than they would be otherwise. But this forum helps, and reading about everyone's experiances help. And most of all, knowing that everyone else seems to have experienced this or some SE's simular to this and lived!...that helps too.
> So, I'll keep reading and hope that they get better soon. Today is day 4! So far, I've stuck to taking the full 10mg. I'll keep you posted...
> Thanks again and I wish everyone a happy and productive Thursday!
>
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