![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1022 to 1046 of 8406. Go back in thread:
Posted by grace on October 27, 2002, at 21:13:55
In reply to Re: Question., posted by ANXIETY ANN on October 27, 2002, at 9:09:31
> > > I sent an earlier message which doesn't seem to appear asking what you all think of taking drug holidays to see if it alieviates the sexual side effects---I don'tknow if skipping one day would be enough to get it out of your system. Maybe, two? I assume you wouldn't have to rebuild again like when you first start taking it. What do you thinK?
> >
> > Id like to know about that myself..its nice they have viagara for men and forgot about the women. Hormone changes are hard enough. Zoloft was the only med I heard you could skip a day or 2 and I hated zoloft. These companies need to spend their profits coming up with a pill to ehnance your sexual drive and orgasms. It's like a catch 22 with antidepressants...feel better but feel bad about no more orgasms or very few, thats why I struggle with the idea of having to take them again. Sex and orgasms are a huge part of happiness and its annoying to not have them.
> >
> >
> Amen to that sister! I have been taking Lexapro for Anxiety (3wks) and although my anxiety is better, sex is disappointing. It is so frusrating to not complete the job (have an orgasm). Its like whats worse, no anxiety or no orgasim? It seems that there always has to be some trade off. This was one of the reasons I went off Effexor (that ans I gained 20 pounds). I think that all these anti-depressants must be made by people who never have sex! Thats my gripe for the day. Anxiety Ann
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I have been taking SSRI's for over two years now and I've been on various forms and other drugs on top of those to combat the sexual side effects, which have been extreme. I have been on Buspar, Wellbutrin, Gingko, etc. Two things were prescribed for me in addition to these others...one is Viagra (yes, I'm female)...I haven't actually taken any yet because in the meantime, my doc prescribed Claritin (see earlier posts) and that has helped. Maybe you can check into these solutions with your docs?? Problem is that Viagra is expensive and most insurance plans don't cover it, but if it helps, it could be worth it! Good luck!
Posted by grace on October 27, 2002, at 21:21:27
In reply to Re: Doesn't anyone like Lexapro, posted by wharfrat on October 27, 2002, at 11:04:24
> Myself having not been on antid's before have one dose left for tomarrow and Dr. appt. isn't till Wednesday. Got a sample to pick up tomarrow so I won't miss a day. I am doing so well I don't want to screw it up by missing one. Does anybody know if missing a dose is something to be concerned about? All the sick, dizzy, underwater feeling stuff is gone, but having the Big "O" is still difficult but not impossible. And yeah, If you stop for week or something and start again do you have to go thru the early side effects? What's the deal with SSRI's and this sexual side effect? Do these side effect go away eventually as well??
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm certainly not a doc, but I think it is okay if you miss one dose, it's probably not going to hurt you too much, but I think it should be something to try to avoid...I mean you're building up this chemical in your body and by "messing" with that, it's hard to say exactly what can happen. I mean I've missed a dose because I fell asleep and forgot or something and that was okay...I just took my regular dose the next day, but I certainly haven't done it on purpose and I wouldn't do it to get rid of the sexual side effects.....at least not without talking to my doc first. I have a feeling they don't go away that fast and you're probably doing yourself more harm than good.....just my .02 cents
Posted by meow mary on October 28, 2002, at 0:05:17
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by merlin on October 27, 2002, at 17:23:45
Many people have posted that they are taking 15 or 20mgs. Lexapro. I did not notice any effect on depression or anxiety at 10mgs after 3 weeks and my doctor said that most of his other patients didn't either, despite the big sell that 10mgs "should" be all you need. It was important for me to go slowly though, because of the side effects I experienced. And I'm not convinced yet that this is the med for me. Maybe you would do better to cut back at first (I'm not sure how long you've been on it) and work up slowly to deal with the side effects, or maybe you just won't end up liking the med. The side effects often end up being different for different people. But I just wanted to reassure you about the dosing-- it's not uncommon. Good luck.
Posted by wharfrat on October 28, 2002, at 8:44:10
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
I'm starting week 5 and have been doing fine, however yesterday my 9 year old boy and 4 of his little friends decided to come in the garage and ask me a million questions while I was working. The horrible heart pounding and lump in my throat was more than I could take, I thought I was going to explode. Is this normal after feeling so much better or am I not where I need to be yet? Anyone? Anyone?
Posted by mills on October 28, 2002, at 10:00:28
In reply to Re: Question., posted by maririp on October 27, 2002, at 11:11:24
well, for me, nothing helps with the sexual side effects, not drug holidays, viagra, gingko, yohimbe, wellbutrin, claritin, every herb thought by anyone to be an aphrodisiac, and i've tried them all, but i have no choice; i cannot live without an ssri; paxil saved my life; it literally gave me relief when i was at the end of my rope, and i am hoping that lexapro will be a good substitute with less s/e; it's not a great drug for me at this point; i take it for ocd/anxiety/depression, and it must take more for the ocd, because i am at 20 mg, and i feel i need more
> > > > I sent an earlier message which doesn't seem to appear asking what you all think of taking drug holidays to see if it alieviates the sexual side effects---I don'tknow if skipping one day would be enough to get it out of your system. Maybe, two? I assume you wouldn't have to rebuild again like when you first start taking it. What do you thinK?
> > >
> > > Id like to know about that myself..its nice they have viagara for men and forgot about the women. Hormone changes are hard enough. Zoloft was the only med I heard you could skip a day or 2 and I hated zoloft. These companies need to spend their profits coming up with a pill to ehnance your sexual drive and orgasms. It's like a catch 22 with antidepressants...feel better but feel bad about no more orgasms or very few, thats why I struggle with the idea of having to take them again. Sex and orgasms are a huge part of happiness and its annoying to not have them.
> > >
> > >
> > Amen to that sister! I have been taking Lexapro for Anxiety (3wks) and although my anxiety is better, sex is disappointing. It is so frusrating to not complete the job (have an orgasm). Its like whats worse, no anxiety or no orgasim? It seems that there always has to be some trade off. This was one of the reasons I went off Effexor (that ans I gained 20 pounds). I think that all these anti-depressants must be made by people who never have sex! Thats my gripe for the day. Anxiety Ann
> >
> LOL! Ann..you said it..and most antidressants do pack about 20 pounds on ya..I have found with lexapro tho my appetite is better I dont feel the need to pull a stool up to the frig! but orgasms are not easy to come by...I hate that more than I do my depression and anxiety..Why they dont make a new one as wonderful as lexapro without the sexual side effects is beyond me!
Posted by ANXIETY ANN on October 28, 2002, at 10:40:10
In reply to Week 5, posted by wharfrat on October 28, 2002, at 8:44:10
> I'm starting week 5 and have been doing fine, however yesterday my 9 year old boy and 4 of his little friends decided to come in the garage and ask me a million questions while I was working. The horrible heart pounding and lump in my throat was more than I could take, I thought I was going to explode. Is this normal after feeling so much better or am I not where I need to be yet? Anyone? Anyone?
Hi
I think its normal to feel anxiety once in a while even if you are taking meds. It takes a while for your body and mind to adjust to these new meds. My doc told me it could take up to 8 wks for full improvement. Do you take anything like adivan for the anxiety? Are you male or female? Im a woman and I know that even with Lexapro and adivan when I have PMS I still have bad days. Hang in there and don't be so hard on yourself. Ann
Posted by wharfrat on October 28, 2002, at 11:43:21
In reply to Re: Week 5, posted by ANXIETY ANN on October 28, 2002, at 10:40:10
Ann,
Thanks for the support. Lexapro is the first antidepressant I've ever taken and I'm on other meds. I'm a 41 year old male. My new doctor (Family Physician)Is trying them on me. After other Doc's have told me over the past five or six years that there's nothing wrong with me I'm just to uptight, need to relax and not let things bother me. Easy for them to say! My new Doc thinks from talking with him, that I have a case of mild depression (mild?). Looking at some web sites I think I might have general anxiety disorder. 9 out of 10 symptoms are me. Worry about everything, insomnia, weight loss, anxiety, restlessness, irritabilty and so on. And this is nothing new. My wife told me the other day that I'm reminding her of how I was when we met 18 years ago, Happy, funny, less irritable, angry etc. But I think I've had a problem since I was a kid and it's just gotten worse. Actually I think it's inherited. My Mom took valium for years and my Dad was such an ill tempered tyrant, that my sister got married just to get away & I could'nt hardly stay through High School. Dad got on Paxil a couple of years ago but I don't think he takes them like he should. He's happy on them and meaner than hell off them. Anyway, that's my story and I don't intend to stop Lexapro or missing a dose. Don't want to take a chance of slipping back to the oldself. Myself and my family don't like him.
Posted by mills on October 28, 2002, at 11:57:45
In reply to Re: Week 5, posted by wharfrat on October 28, 2002, at 11:43:21
hey whar, i relate to your story; i am 48 and until about ten years ago, i had never seen a psychiatrist or a psychologist, even though i had suffered from years of an obsessive compulsive introspection that absolutely sucked all my energy down to the bone; long story short, i got to the end of my rope a year and a half ago, and got on paxil; one of the hardest things i've ever been through, but it saved my life; it took me maybe 3 months to get leveled out, but it made me feel happy for the first time in 30 years; i got off of it because of the horrendous sexual side effects, and besides i thought, wow, i feel better, maybe i don't need it anymore (riiiiiiight); so, now i'm on lexapro, and so far it's not helping all that much, but i'm going to stick it out awhile longer, sexual side effects and all; hang in there
> Ann,
> Thanks for the support. Lexapro is the first antidepressant I've ever taken and I'm on other meds. I'm a 41 year old male. My new doctor (Family Physician)Is trying them on me. After other Doc's have told me over the past five or six years that there's nothing wrong with me I'm just to uptight, need to relax and not let things bother me. Easy for them to say! My new Doc thinks from talking with him, that I have a case of mild depression (mild?). Looking at some web sites I think I might have general anxiety disorder. 9 out of 10 symptoms are me. Worry about everything, insomnia, weight loss, anxiety, restlessness, irritabilty and so on. And this is nothing new. My wife told me the other day that I'm reminding her of how I was when we met 18 years ago, Happy, funny, less irritable, angry etc. But I think I've had a problem since I was a kid and it's just gotten worse. Actually I think it's inherited. My Mom took valium for years and my Dad was such an ill tempered tyrant, that my sister got married just to get away & I could'nt hardly stay through High School. Dad got on Paxil a couple of years ago but I don't think he takes them like he should. He's happy on them and meaner than hell off them. Anyway, that's my story and I don't intend to stop Lexapro or missing a dose. Don't want to take a chance of slipping back to the oldself. Myself and my family don't like him.
Posted by merlin on October 28, 2002, at 12:05:13
In reply to Re: Week 5, posted by mills on October 28, 2002, at 11:57:45
I dont understand if you were doing fine on Paxil why did your doctor swutch you to lexapro, and why did my doctor switch me if Celexa was doing the trick. I was doing fine on lexapro the first week so i thouight but now I am feeling pretty bad most of the time. Why are the Doctors switching everyone to Lexapro and it shows some drug stores are running out and waiting for shipments. are our doctors benefiting from switching us to Lexapro? and why switch us if we were doing fine on our old meds?
> hey whar, i relate to your story; i am 48 and until about ten years ago, i had never seen a psychiatrist or a psychologist, even though i had suffered from years of an obsessive compulsive introspection that absolutely sucked all my energy down to the bone; long story short, i got to the end of my rope a year and a half ago, and got on paxil; one of the hardest things i've ever been through, but it saved my life; it took me maybe 3 months to get leveled out, but it made me feel happy for the first time in 30 years; i got off of it because of the horrendous sexual side effects, and besides i thought, wow, i feel better, maybe i don't need it anymore (riiiiiiight); so, now i'm on lexapro, and so far it's not helping all that much, but i'm going to stick it out awhile longer, sexual side effects and all; hang in there
>
> > Ann,
> > Thanks for the support. Lexapro is the first antidepressant I've ever taken and I'm on other meds. I'm a 41 year old male. My new doctor (Family Physician)Is trying them on me. After other Doc's have told me over the past five or six years that there's nothing wrong with me I'm just to uptight, need to relax and not let things bother me. Easy for them to say! My new Doc thinks from talking with him, that I have a case of mild depression (mild?). Looking at some web sites I think I might have general anxiety disorder. 9 out of 10 symptoms are me. Worry about everything, insomnia, weight loss, anxiety, restlessness, irritabilty and so on. And this is nothing new. My wife told me the other day that I'm reminding her of how I was when we met 18 years ago, Happy, funny, less irritable, angry etc. But I think I've had a problem since I was a kid and it's just gotten worse. Actually I think it's inherited. My Mom took valium for years and my Dad was such an ill tempered tyrant, that my sister got married just to get away & I could'nt hardly stay through High School. Dad got on Paxil a couple of years ago but I don't think he takes them like he should. He's happy on them and meaner than hell off them. Anyway, that's my story and I don't intend to stop Lexapro or missing a dose. Don't want to take a chance of slipping back to the oldself. Myself and my family don't like him.
>
>
Posted by mills on October 28, 2002, at 12:13:59
In reply to Re: Week 5, posted by merlin on October 28, 2002, at 12:05:13
well, in my case, it was because i hated the sexual side effects, and lex holds out hope (as literally every new generation of ssri has since prozac came on the market) of producing less sexual side effects; i have doubts, but i am willing to switch in order to try to find a better medication; if lex is not it, i'll run, not walk, back to paxil
> I dont understand if you were doing fine on Paxil why did your doctor swutch you to lexapro, and why did my doctor switch me if Celexa was doing the trick. I was doing fine on lexapro the first week so i thouight but now I am feeling pretty bad most of the time. Why are the Doctors switching everyone to Lexapro and it shows some drug stores are running out and waiting for shipments. are our doctors benefiting from switching us to Lexapro? and why switch us if we were doing fine on our old meds?
>
>
> > hey whar, i relate to your story; i am 48 and until about ten years ago, i had never seen a psychiatrist or a psychologist, even though i had suffered from years of an obsessive compulsive introspection that absolutely sucked all my energy down to the bone; long story short, i got to the end of my rope a year and a half ago, and got on paxil; one of the hardest things i've ever been through, but it saved my life; it took me maybe 3 months to get leveled out, but it made me feel happy for the first time in 30 years; i got off of it because of the horrendous sexual side effects, and besides i thought, wow, i feel better, maybe i don't need it anymore (riiiiiiight); so, now i'm on lexapro, and so far it's not helping all that much, but i'm going to stick it out awhile longer, sexual side effects and all; hang in there
> >
> > > Ann,
> > > Thanks for the support. Lexapro is the first antidepressant I've ever taken and I'm on other meds. I'm a 41 year old male. My new doctor (Family Physician)Is trying them on me. After other Doc's have told me over the past five or six years that there's nothing wrong with me I'm just to uptight, need to relax and not let things bother me. Easy for them to say! My new Doc thinks from talking with him, that I have a case of mild depression (mild?). Looking at some web sites I think I might have general anxiety disorder. 9 out of 10 symptoms are me. Worry about everything, insomnia, weight loss, anxiety, restlessness, irritabilty and so on. And this is nothing new. My wife told me the other day that I'm reminding her of how I was when we met 18 years ago, Happy, funny, less irritable, angry etc. But I think I've had a problem since I was a kid and it's just gotten worse. Actually I think it's inherited. My Mom took valium for years and my Dad was such an ill tempered tyrant, that my sister got married just to get away & I could'nt hardly stay through High School. Dad got on Paxil a couple of years ago but I don't think he takes them like he should. He's happy on them and meaner than hell off them. Anyway, that's my story and I don't intend to stop Lexapro or missing a dose. Don't want to take a chance of slipping back to the oldself. Myself and my family don't like him.
> >
> >
>
>
Posted by CuriousJane on October 28, 2002, at 13:54:14
In reply to Re: Doesn't anyone like Lexapro, posted by merlin on October 27, 2002, at 11:12:26
I switched from 30mg of Celexa to 10mg of Lexapro on 10/9. It was my idea--not my docs, to see if my sex drive would come back.
I was fine for the first 4 days, but then started noticing anxiety, frustration and headaches starting on day 5. By day 9 I was a tense, stressed out mess--overreacting to everything. We (doc suggested) tried upping my dose to 15, but that just gave me more muscle tension. My jaw was sooo tight, the pain was awful. Back down to 10 after a few days, but I still had some muscle tension and I felt "flat." I switched back to Celexa on day 17 (I think) and after 3 days back on Celexa I feel like myself again. It just wasn't for me. My dad had a similar experience to mine, but he gave it 5 weeks before switching back.
Posted by ANXIETY ANN on October 28, 2002, at 14:39:17
In reply to Re: Week 5, posted by wharfrat on October 28, 2002, at 11:43:21
> Ann,
> Thanks for the support. Lexapro is the first antidepressant I've ever taken and I'm on other meds. I'm a 41 year old male. My new doctor (Family Physician)Is trying them on me. After other Doc's have told me over the past five or six years that there's nothing wrong with me I'm just to uptight, need to relax and not let things bother me. Easy for them to say! My new Doc thinks from talking with him, that I have a case of mild depression (mild?). Looking at some web sites I think I might have general anxiety disorder. 9 out of 10 symptoms are me. Worry about everything, insomnia, weight loss, anxiety, restlessness, irritabilty and so on. And this is nothing new. My wife told me the other day that I'm reminding her of how I was when we met 18 years ago, Happy, funny, less irritable, angry etc. But I think I've had a problem since I was a kid and it's just gotten worse. Actually I think it's inherited. My Mom took valium for years and my Dad was such an ill tempered tyrant, that my sister got married just to get away & I could'nt hardly stay through High School. Dad got on Paxil a couple of years ago but I don't think he takes them like he should. He's happy on them and meaner than hell off them. Anyway, that's my story and I don't intend to stop Lexapro or missing a dose. Don't want to take a chance of slipping back to the oldself. Myself and my family don't like him.Hi I can totally relate to your story. I was given Lexapro for extreme anxiety that started as a child. I started having full blown panic attacks in 1996 I too saw several docs who told me I needed to calm down (they should have a panic attack before they pretend to know what their talking about) I was put on xanax and was on that for 4 years but it didn't get rid of the generalized anxiety just the acute panic attacks. I am still in counseling and I take adivan for anxiety at least until I get adjusted to Lexapro. Anxiety does run in families my grandmother father and aunt all suffer from anxiety disorder. If your anxiety does not get better I would talk to your doc about maybe taking adivan to get you through. It soulds almost like what happened in the garage with the kids was the start of a panic attack. Did you feel like you had trouble breating , real nervous and dizzy ? Felt like you had to get out of there fast? All classic signs of panic. Talk to your doc if you like him or find on that specialzes in Anxiety and Depression. Good luck Ann
Posted by wharfrat on October 28, 2002, at 15:00:46
In reply to Re: Week 5 » wharfrat, posted by ANXIETY ANN on October 28, 2002, at 14:39:17
> > Ann,
> > Thanks for the support. Lexapro is the first antidepressant I've ever taken and I'm on other meds. I'm a 41 year old male. My new doctor (Family Physician)Is trying them on me. After other Doc's have told me over the past five or six years that there's nothing wrong with me I'm just to uptight, need to relax and not let things bother me. Easy for them to say! My new Doc thinks from talking with him, that I have a case of mild depression (mild?). Looking at some web sites I think I might have general anxiety disorder. 9 out of 10 symptoms are me. Worry about everything, insomnia, weight loss, anxiety, restlessness, irritabilty and so on. And this is nothing new. My wife told me the other day that I'm reminding her of how I was when we met 18 years ago, Happy, funny, less irritable, angry etc. But I think I've had a problem since I was a kid and it's just gotten worse. Actually I think it's inherited. My Mom took valium for years and my Dad was such an ill tempered tyrant, that my sister got married just to get away & I could'nt hardly stay through High School. Dad got on Paxil a couple of years ago but I don't think he takes them like he should. He's happy on them and meaner than hell off them. Anyway, that's my story and I don't intend to stop Lexapro or missing a dose. Don't want to take a chance of slipping back to the oldself. Myself and my family don't like him.
>
> Hi I can totally relate to your story. I was given Lexapro for extreme anxiety that started as a child. I started having full blown panic attacks in 1996 I too saw several docs who told me I needed to calm down (they should have a panic attack before they pretend to know what their talking about) I was put on xanax and was on that for 4 years but it didn't get rid of the generalized anxiety just the acute panic attacks. I am still in counseling and I take adivan for anxiety at least until I get adjusted to Lexapro. Anxiety does run in families my grandmother father and aunt all suffer from anxiety disorder. If your anxiety does not get better I would talk to your doc about maybe taking adivan to get you through. It soulds almost like what happened in the garage with the kids was the start of a panic attack. Did you feel like you had trouble breating , real nervous and dizzy ? Felt like you had to get out of there fast? All classic signs of panic. Talk to your doc if you like him or find on that specialzes in Anxiety and Depression. Good luck Ann
>
Thanks Ann, maybe it was a panic attack, I definitely had to get out of the situation, I've had trouble breathing and felt dizzy before. Sometimes without reason. Oh and I had said earlier that "I'm on other meds" I meant I'm on no other meds. I'll ask doc about the panic. Thanks
Posted by johnnylex on October 28, 2002, at 17:28:09
In reply to Re: Week 5, posted by wharfrat on October 28, 2002, at 15:00:46
I have finally run out of the Lexapro samples that my doctor gave to me. I now need to purchase Lexapro, but I am uninsured, so price is an issue. I live in South Florida and my local Walgreens, Eckerd and Winn-Dixie sell 30 tablets of 20mg Lexapro for $74.99, $75.29 and $69.95.
Does anyone know where I can find it cheaper?
By the way, I am hoping that the medication will make getting a job (which includes health insurance) a possibility.
Posted by TNgirl on October 28, 2002, at 17:48:33
In reply to Re: Question., posted by grace on October 27, 2002, at 21:13:55
> > > > I sent an earlier message which doesn't seem to appear asking what you all think of taking drug holidays to see if it alieviates the sexual side effects---I don'tknow if skipping one day would be enough to get it out of your system. Maybe, two? I assume you wouldn't have to rebuild again like when you first start taking it. What do you thinK?
> > >
> > > Id like to know about that myself..its nice they have viagara for men and forgot about the women. Hormone changes are hard enough. Zoloft was the only med I heard you could skip a day or 2 and I hated zoloft. These companies need to spend their profits coming up with a pill to ehnance your sexual drive and orgasms. It's like a catch 22 with antidepressants...feel better but feel bad about no more orgasms or very few, thats why I struggle with the idea of having to take them again. Sex and orgasms are a huge part of happiness and its annoying to not have them.
> > >
> > >
> > Amen to that sister! I have been taking Lexapro for Anxiety (3wks) and although my anxiety is better, sex is disappointing. It is so frusrating to not complete the job (have an orgasm). Its like whats worse, no anxiety or no orgasim? It seems that there always has to be some trade off. This was one of the reasons I went off Effexor (that ans I gained 20 pounds). I think that all these anti-depressants must be made by people who never have sex! Thats my gripe for the day. Anxiety Ann
> > --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> I have been taking SSRI's for over two years now and I've been on various forms and other drugs on top of those to combat the sexual side effects, which have been extreme. I have been on Buspar, Wellbutrin, Gingko, etc. Two things were prescribed for me in addition to these others...one is Viagra (yes, I'm female)...I haven't actually taken any yet because in the meantime, my doc prescribed Claritin (see earlier posts) and that has helped. Maybe you can check into these solutions with your docs?? Problem is that Viagra is expensive and most insurance plans don't cover it, but if it helps, it could be worth it! Good luck!
>> > hey! i'll tell you what's worse... no sex at all!! at least you all want and are having or attempting to have sex! count yourselves lucky! for the past 10 months i've been dealing with major depression(on top of fibromyalgia et al...) and haven't even wanted to have sex(guess it's lucky i'm single) i've had offers but i just wasn't interested. this is not normal by any means for me! i've been on lexapro now for 3 wks.,instead of prozac. i'm hoping that i will soon get back to my old social self and start having a life, again! instead of staying home alone all the time. and then, hopefully, i'll start being intrested in sex, again!!! :)
(i'm gonna cross my fingers and knock on wood and anything else i can think of, too, just in case~!!!) :)
Posted by merlin on October 28, 2002, at 18:27:32
In reply to Re: Doesn't anyone like Lexapro » merlin, posted by CuriousJane on October 28, 2002, at 13:54:14
Curious Jane
Many thanks from me to you. After reading your follow up post to mine and seeing how much of what you explain you were feeling on lexapro was the same for me. I called my Doctor and asked for an appointment today. My doctor switche on 10/18/02 from 40 MG of celexa to 20 MG of Lexapro the first four to five days were great. and then Wow! Like a bombshell hit, I had feelings and thoughts and concerns and fears after dealing with all these terrible feelings along with overeacting, to things worring about things that needed to get done and not acting on the not caring to do anything and started to get the feeling of wanting to hide inside my house and not go out. in the past 5 days my friends have had to try and force me to get out of the house. After reading your Post you made me call my doctor and go and see him right away. for the first time in the past five days when i walked through the door into the doctors areas where u get weighed and bloodpresure checked before see ing the doctor the doctor said to me carefull with him he is a magician he will make u dissapear. its the first time i felt safe and actually laughed a little bit in 5 days.
after talking to my doc in his office he could see I was suffering from something pretty bad.
He switched me to paxil said he would have prescribed that for me a long time ago would have been his first choice. but before i started seeing this Doctor my now retired Doctor took me off paxil a few years back saying it would be cheaper for me seeing i did not have insurance and Paxil was the same as Celexa just different side effects. My new doctr just shook his head. and said starttaking it and call him for anything if i have any problems.Lexapro is not for me.
Thanks goes out to Curious jane for waking me up from the tunnle Lexapro caused me to be in.
Goodluck to everyone else on Lexapro.
I know many of you are having great results its just definatly not for me.I wish everyone the best of Luck.
> I switched from 30mg of Celexa to 10mg of Lexapro on 10/9. It was my idea--not my docs, to see if my sex drive would come back.
>
> I was fine for the first 4 days, but then started noticing anxiety, frustration and headaches starting on day 5. By day 9 I was a tense, stressed out mess--overreacting to everything. We (doc suggested) tried upping my dose to 15, but that just gave me more muscle tension. My jaw was sooo tight, the pain was awful. Back down to 10 after a few days, but I still had some muscle tension and I felt "flat." I switched back to Celexa on day 17 (I think) and after 3 days back on Celexa I feel like myself again. It just wasn't for me. My dad had a similar experience to mine, but he gave it 5 weeks before switching back.
>
>
Posted by maririp on October 28, 2002, at 20:38:09
In reply to Re: Week 5 » wharfrat, posted by ANXIETY ANN on October 28, 2002, at 14:39:17
> > Ann,
> > Thanks for the support. Lexapro is the first antidepressant I've ever taken and I'm on other meds. I'm a 41 year old male. My new doctor (Family Physician)Is trying them on me. After other Doc's have told me over the past five or six years that there's nothing wrong with me I'm just to uptight, need to relax and not let things bother me. Easy for them to say! My new Doc thinks from talking with him, that I have a case of mild depression (mild?). Looking at some web sites I think I might have general anxiety disorder. 9 out of 10 symptoms are me. Worry about everything, insomnia, weight loss, anxiety, restlessness, irritabilty and so on. And this is nothing new. My wife told me the other day that I'm reminding her of how I was when we met 18 years ago, Happy, funny, less irritable, angry etc. But I think I've had a problem since I was a kid and it's just gotten worse. Actually I think it's inherited. My Mom took valium for years and my Dad was such an ill tempered tyrant, that my sister got married just to get away & I could'nt hardly stay through High School. Dad got on Paxil a couple of years ago but I don't think he takes them like he should. He's happy on them and meaner than hell off them. Anyway, that's my story and I don't intend to stop Lexapro or missing a dose. Don't want to take a chance of slipping back to the oldself. Myself and my family don't like him.
>
> Hi I can totally relate to your story. I was given Lexapro for extreme anxiety that started as a child. I started having full blown panic attacks in 1996 I too saw several docs who told me I needed to calm down (they should have a panic attack before they pretend to know what their talking about) I was put on xanax and was on that for 4 years but it didn't get rid of the generalized anxiety just the acute panic attacks. I am still in counseling and I take adivan for anxiety at least until I get adjusted to Lexapro. Anxiety does run in families my grandmother father and aunt all suffer from anxiety disorder. If your anxiety does not get better I would talk to your doc about maybe taking adivan to get you through. It soulds almost like what happened in the garage with the kids was the start of a panic attack. Did you feel like you had trouble breating , real nervous and dizzy ? Felt like you had to get out of there fast? All classic signs of panic. Talk to your doc if you like him or find on that specialzes in Anxiety and Depression. Good luck Ann
>HI..I also had full blown panic attacks..started in 1986, I most likely had anxiety since I was a child. I was even agoraphobic for a time. I was lucky my doc knew right away it was panic disorder. I have been on lexapro almost 2 months. I feel wonderful except i can tell already its going to ruin my orgasms. I also take xanax very rarely. I think what helped me more than anything on the panic disorder was a therapist who specialized in panic disorder. I learned allot about it and how not to fear it. I too had shortness of breath..the need to feel like I had to run to get away. I couldn't go into a store. I was dizzy, sweaty, and felt like I was outside of myself scared to death. the more you learn about your disorders the easier it gets to live with it.It also runs in my family..Mari
Posted by maririp on October 28, 2002, at 20:45:09
In reply to Re: Question., posted by TNgirl on October 28, 2002, at 17:48:33
> > > > > I sent an earlier message which doesn't seem to appear asking what you all think of taking drug holidays to see if it alieviates the sexual side effects---I don'tknow if skipping one day would be enough to get it out of your system. Maybe, two? I assume you wouldn't have to rebuild again like when you first start taking it. What do you thinK?
> > > >
> > > > Id like to know about that myself..its nice they have viagara for men and forgot about the women. Hormone changes are hard enough. Zoloft was the only med I heard you could skip a day or 2 and I hated zoloft. These companies need to spend their profits coming up with a pill to ehnance your sexual drive and orgasms. It's like a catch 22 with antidepressants...feel better but feel bad about no more orgasms or very few, thats why I struggle with the idea of having to take them again. Sex and orgasms are a huge part of happiness and its annoying to not have them.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > Amen to that sister! I have been taking Lexapro for Anxiety (3wks) and although my anxiety is better, sex is disappointing. It is so frusrating to not complete the job (have an orgasm). Its like whats worse, no anxiety or no orgasim? It seems that there always has to be some trade off. This was one of the reasons I went off Effexor (that ans I gained 20 pounds). I think that all these anti-depressants must be made by people who never have sex! Thats my gripe for the day. Anxiety Ann
> > > --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> >
> > I have been taking SSRI's for over two years now and I've been on various forms and other drugs on top of those to combat the sexual side effects, which have been extreme. I have been on Buspar, Wellbutrin, Gingko, etc. Two things were prescribed for me in addition to these others...one is Viagra (yes, I'm female)...I haven't actually taken any yet because in the meantime, my doc prescribed Claritin (see earlier posts) and that has helped. Maybe you can check into these solutions with your docs?? Problem is that Viagra is expensive and most insurance plans don't cover it, but if it helps, it could be worth it! Good luck!
> >
>
> > > hey! i'll tell you what's worse... no sex at all!! at least you all want and are having or attempting to have sex! count yourselves lucky! for the past 10 months i've been dealing with major depression(on top of fibromyalgia et al...) and haven't even wanted to have sex(guess it's lucky i'm single) i've had offers but i just wasn't interested. this is not normal by any means for me! i've been on lexapro now for 3 wks.,instead of prozac. i'm hoping that i will soon get back to my old social self and start having a life, again! instead of staying home alone all the time. and then, hopefully, i'll start being intrested in sex, again!!! :)
> (i'm gonna cross my fingers and knock on wood and anything else i can think of, too, just in case~!!!) :)
>
Hi..Its no fun to want or attempt to have sex only to end up frustrated. I have found that will all the antidepressants i have taken the price to pay was no orgasms or allot of weight gain. It is so nice to feel happy again with the help of lexapro but as Ann said what a trade off your sex life suffers. These are the reasons I usually do not stay on an antidepressant for long, however, as you get older and hormones change I find I may have to stay on them. Not all women can take hormone therapy. Good luck to you, and get out there and enjoy life :-)
Posted by Erin on October 28, 2002, at 21:36:10
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
I have been on Lexapro for about three to four weeks and feel so much better now. No Side Effects! I don't sleep all day any longer and feel great. After reading some of the responses to Lexapro I am scared that this will not last forever. Just went to my doctor today and raved about this new drug. Is there anyone out there that has experienced good results such as myself? If so could you let me know what your past and present experiences are?
Posted by Malcolm on October 29, 2002, at 2:13:41
In reply to Citalopram pharmacology, posted by dr. dave on August 20, 2002, at 15:22:46
> Although r-citalopram has some affinity to histamine (not 'histomine') receptors this does not mean it is 'inhibiting s-citalopram'. You cannot inhibit a molecule, you can only inhibit a process - which process involving s-citalopram is the r-citalopram/histamine receptor interaction inhibiting?
>
> The whole marketing of this drug seems to be based on sloppy science. I have no problem with Celexa, I prescribe it all over the place, but raising desparate people's hopes with woolly and wishful thinking I object to.Dr. Dave,
Those are "desperate" people, not "desparate" people.
--Mal
Posted by dr. dave on October 29, 2002, at 5:11:46
In reply to Re: Citalopram pharmacology » dr. dave, posted by Malcolm on October 29, 2002, at 2:13:41
> > Although r-citalopram has some affinity to histamine (not 'histomine') receptors this does not mean it is 'inhibiting s-citalopram'. You cannot inhibit a molecule, you can only inhibit a process - which process involving s-citalopram is the r-citalopram/histamine receptor interaction inhibiting?
> >
> > The whole marketing of this drug seems to be based on sloppy science. I have no problem with Celexa, I prescribe it all over the place, but raising desparate people's hopes with woolly and wishful thinking I object to.
>
> Dr. Dave,
>
> Those are "desperate" people, not "desparate" people.
>
> --MalThank you, I stand corrected.
David
Posted by shakingoscar on October 29, 2002, at 5:18:06
In reply to Re: Doesn't anyone like Lexapro » merlin, posted by CuriousJane on October 28, 2002, at 13:54:14
I gave it ten weeks for the lexapro to work after being on 60mg celexa for nearly a year. I really wish I hadnt switched - the full ten weeks I was up and down like a yoyo and unfortunately, mostly very down and anxious and VERY TENSE.
Lexapro? never again!
Posted by dr. dave on October 29, 2002, at 5:41:16
In reply to Re: Citalopram pharmacology » dr. dave, posted by Malcolm on October 29, 2002, at 2:13:41
I was interested to discover in the product monograph (page 22) on www.cipralex.com that one of the two initial US studies of Lexapro/Cipralex showed no statistically significant difference between escitalopram and placebo, nor citalopram and placebo.
What does this mean? I do think that escitalopram and citalopram are both effective, but that they are virtually identical in practice, and their benefit over placebo is a lot less than you might be led to believe by the rather feverishly optimistic marketing. Optimism about treatment for depression is good, but to treat depression realistically and seriously you need to have an accurate idea of what your tools can achieve.
Posted by mudbunny on October 29, 2002, at 6:12:17
In reply to Weighing (mudbunny), posted by bridgette on October 27, 2002, at 6:56:27
It sure is a battle. How is your eating habits? I will only eat 1 full meal a day and then only a snack in the night. I dont like to eat a full meal unless I know I can workout after the same day. I think I will gain weight if I dont. I wish I could stop. My therapist told me to get rid of my scale yea right. My husband got rid of my scale once and I just got a new one.I lost 70 pounds I was heavy my whole life now I am afraid of gainig it back. I want to have a baby but the weght issue is to much right now. Good luck and god bless. mudbunny
Posted by maririp on October 29, 2002, at 8:05:49
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Erin on October 28, 2002, at 21:36:10
> I have been on Lexapro for about three to four weeks and feel so much better now. No Side Effects! I don't sleep all day any longer and feel great. After reading some of the responses to Lexapro I am scared that this will not last forever. Just went to my doctor today and raved about this new drug. Is there anyone out there that has experienced good results such as myself? If so could you let me know what your past and present experiences are?
Hi..I have been on lexapro for about two months. I think its one of the best antidepressants I have ever taken. Its my first time back on one in 3-4 years. The first few days I experienced zombie like state and woke up feeling sad. Day 5 I woke up happy and its been great ever since. I do have a hard time with orgasms so we will see how that goes still too eary to tell if this will be a lasting side effect.
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.