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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by anonymous13 on November 15, 2003, at 4:24:44
I barely got a prescription for lexapro this evening for Anxiety Attacks (panic disorder) and will start taking it tomorrow morning at 10mg. I am sensitive with meds and notice that in all the threads that there is different side effects. Is 10mg alot? I start work this Monday (2 days from now) and was off for 2 weeks. I dont want to go back to work and start having these panic attacks again. How fast does lexapro work for anxiety?
Posted by sac on November 15, 2003, at 9:10:16
In reply to Lexapro, posted by anonymous13 on November 15, 2003, at 4:24:44
I was on Lexapro about a year ago and I was hesitant to start at 10mgs. so I split the tablet and took 5 mgs. for several days. At that time, I was switching over from Prozac. I liked the initial sedative effects I got from the Lexapro. For me it was more calming than Prozac. Unfortunately, I had to discontinue it after 6 months because I had trouble with feeling drowsy all the time. However, it may work very well for you. Everyone is different but I found it to be more calming that some of the other SSRI's and I liked it in the beginning.
> I barely got a prescription for lexapro this evening for Anxiety Attacks (panic disorder) and will start taking it tomorrow morning at 10mg. I am sensitive with meds and notice that in all the threads that there is different side effects. Is 10mg alot? I start work this Monday (2 days from now) and was off for 2 weeks. I dont want to go back to work and start having these panic attacks again. How fast does lexapro work for anxiety?
Posted by Meehee on November 15, 2003, at 9:22:20
In reply to Lexapro, posted by anonymous13 on November 15, 2003, at 4:24:44
I take 10mg Lex for depression but as a result I too have anxiety. I have only had mild panic attacks like three times while driving and one night of really bad panicky feelings for a few hours. And a good full week of deep depression and thats out of four weeks on this stuff and that is comparing to ten years of living with axiety attacks just about on a daily basis. So I would say its working but I also have PMDD and the attacks while driving and the bad night where during the week before my period. But everyone is different and from what Ive read the med can make you feel a little anxious at first because you feel a little different and think about it. Its chemically altering you. And other then the PMS, I havent felt like this in ten years and the first week, I was like ok am Im going to get anxious because the comfortable feeling felt new and odd. But I was like hey just enjoy. I also think you cant rely soley on a med to stop the panic. Maybe at first but Im taking advantage of this time and Im trying the whole medication, exercise daily, and positive thoughts thing. Its seems to be working we'll see. Talk to me in a few weeks before my period I'll probably have nothing nice to say.
Posted by panic_attack on November 15, 2003, at 10:05:22
In reply to Re: Lexapro, posted by Meehee on November 15, 2003, at 9:22:20
anonymous13.. I would definately start at 5mg's. I started at 10mg and was in Bed for a week. I couldnt move I was so tired. So I am now on 5 mg and will stay on 5 mg. It works just fine for me. I suffer with anxiety/panic attacks. Good Luck,.
Posted by Mariposa on November 15, 2003, at 13:14:38
In reply to Lexapro, posted by anonymous13 on November 15, 2003, at 4:24:44
I started at 5mg and in retrospect I wish I had started at 2.5mg (quarter the pill). I had terrible se's and spent week 2 in bed. Started in Feb., currently doing well at 20mg.
There's a lot of good info and answers to most of your questions in previous periods, I highly recommend going back and reading the *old* threads for all newbees.
Good luck to us all!~~~8|8
Posted by marlar on November 15, 2003, at 14:11:04
In reply to Lexapro, posted by anonymous13 on November 15, 2003, at 4:24:44
> I barely got a prescription for lexapro this evening for Anxiety Attacks (panic disorder) and will start taking it tomorrow morning at 10mg. I am sensitive with meds and notice that in all the threads that there is different side effects. Is 10mg alot? I start work this Monday (2 days from now) and was off for 2 weeks. I dont want to go back to work and start having these panic attacks again. How fast does lexapro work for anxiety?
I started on Lexapro this week also. Doc started me on 5 mg but unable to tolerate with nausea, "fogginess" in head. I cut to 2.5 mg(quarter of pill) last night and my nausea is much improved. Im sure over time I will tolerate better and will be able to increase dosage. I was started on Lex for anxiety as well...we can take this journey together as we are both just starting...I heard you dont see results for a couple of weeks. Good Luck!
Posted by Mariposa on November 15, 2003, at 15:42:58
In reply to Re: Lexapro, posted by marlar on November 15, 2003, at 14:11:04
My se's were pretty much gone by end of 4th week, but did not actually feel benefits until week 9. For others it didn't take quite that long. Would have to say give it at least 6 to 8 weeks befor you decide if it is working or not.
Best of luck and keep us posted!~~~8|8
Posted by dms777smd on November 16, 2003, at 12:24:20
In reply to Re: Lexapro- anonymous13, posted by panic_attack on November 15, 2003, at 10:05:22
I know what you're talking about.I started on 10 mg and I felt very tired for about two weeks.It did subside though.It is helping my panic and depression and I think I'll be on it for a while.I'm just kind of scared of the withdrawals.I've only been on it for a couple months,but I didn't take it for five days one time,and I felt like shit.Very weird,so I took it again and I felt fine.I really don't want to get addicted to anything again.
Posted by marlar on November 17, 2003, at 17:20:15
In reply to Re: Lexapro, posted by marlar on November 15, 2003, at 14:11:04
> > I barely got a prescription for lexapro this evening for Anxiety Attacks (panic disorder) and will start taking it tomorrow morning at 10mg. I am sensitive with meds and notice that in all the threads that there is different side effects. Is 10mg alot? I start work this Monday (2 days from now) and was off for 2 weeks. I dont want to go back to work and start having these panic attacks again. How fast does lexapro work for anxiety?
>
> I started on Lexapro this week also. Doc started me on 5 mg but unable to tolerate with nausea, "fogginess" in head. I cut to 2.5 mg(quarter of pill) last night and my nausea is much improved. Im sure over time I will tolerate better and will be able to increase dosage. I was started on Lex for anxiety as well...we can take this journey together as we are both just starting...I heard you dont see results for a couple of weeks. Good Luck!
>
>
Anybody have headaches with Lexapro??
Posted by Mariposa on November 20, 2003, at 12:46:43
In reply to Re: Lexapro, posted by marlar on November 17, 2003, at 17:20:15
> >
> Anybody have headaches with Lexapro??
>Yes, for the first 2 weeks. Took OTC remedies until they went away.~~~8|8
Posted by Mariposa on November 20, 2003, at 12:51:36
In reply to Re: Lexapro- anonymous13 » panic_attack, posted by dms777smd on November 16, 2003, at 12:24:20
> I know what you're talking about.I started on 10 mg and I felt very tired for about two weeks.It did subside though.It is helping my panic and depression and I think I'll be on it for a while.I'm just kind of scared of the withdrawals.I've only been on it for a couple months,but I didn't take it for five days one time,and I felt like shit.Very weird,so I took it again and I felt fine.I really don't want to get addicted to anything again.
I don't think Lex is *addictive*, rather your body adjusts to having Lex in it, and to suddenly take it away will surely cause a reaction. If you want to stop taking Lex, you would probably have better results weaning off slowly.~~~8|8
Posted by dms777smd on November 20, 2003, at 19:14:08
In reply to Re: Lexapro- anonymous13 » dms777smd, posted by Mariposa on November 20, 2003, at 12:51:36
> > I know what you're talking about.I started on 10 mg and I felt very tired for about two weeks.It did subside though.It is helping my panic and depression and I think I'll be on it for a while.I'm just kind of scared of the withdrawals.I've only been on it for a couple months,but I didn't take it for five days one time,and I felt like shit.Very weird,so I took it again and I felt fine.I really don't want to get addicted to anything again.
>
> I don't think Lex is *addictive*, rather your body adjusts to having Lex in it, and to suddenly take it away will surely cause a reaction. If you want to stop taking Lex, you would probably have better results weaning off slowly.~~~8|8
>
Then what is *adiction* really?I mean I was badly addicted to alcohol before,and when my body didn't have it,I went through major withdrawals.Lexapro is an SSRI,and I've been on a couple before but that was when I was Drinking a lot and it just caused very bad reactions.But anyway,Ive read about all these people that have been on them for a while(like Paxil in particular)and when they stop,they describe symtoms that sound very much the same as the hell I went through with alcohol withdrawals.Some instances even sound close to the D.T.s.It just scares me.I,,,,And everybody else i think,want something to totally stop the panic and depression.But I know there is no miracle drug that works without the side effects and addiction.Wish there was though.
Posted by Mariposa on November 20, 2003, at 22:06:14
In reply to Re: Lexapro- anonymous13 » Mariposa, posted by dms777smd on November 20, 2003, at 19:14:08
> > > I know what you're talking about.I started on 10 mg and I felt very tired for about two weeks.It did subside though.It is helping my panic and depression and I think I'll be on it for a while.I'm just kind of scared of the withdrawals.I've only been on it for a couple months,but I didn't take it for five days one time,and I felt like shit.Very weird,so I took it again and I felt fine.I really don't want to get addicted to anything again.
> >
> > I don't think Lex is *addictive*, rather your body adjusts to having Lex in it, and to suddenly take it away will surely cause a reaction. If you want to stop taking Lex, you would probably have better results weaning off slowly.~~~8|8
> >
> Then what is *adiction* really?I mean I was badly addicted to alcohol before,and when my body didn't have it,I went through major withdrawals.Lexapro is an SSRI,and I've been on a couple before but that was when I was Drinking a lot and it just caused very bad reactions.But anyway,Ive read about all these people that have been on them for a while(like Paxil in particular)and when they stop,they describe symtoms that sound very much the same as the hell I went through with alcohol withdrawals.Some instances even sound close to the D.T.s.It just scares me.I,,,,And everybody else i think,want something to totally stop the panic and depression.But I know there is no miracle drug that works without the side effects and addiction.Wish there was though.
>I associate the term addiction with a desire for the drug mentally as well as physically. I do not desire to take Lex, I don't want to take anything. I don't think drugs are the answer.
But for the time being, I can function as a normal hard working individual and a caring and considerate spouse, thanks to Lex. Without it I am a raving a**hole.~~~8|8
Posted by Mariposa on November 21, 2003, at 10:25:41
In reply to Re: Lexapro- anonymous13 » dms777smd, posted by Mariposa on November 20, 2003, at 22:06:14
>
>Lexapro is an SSRI,and I've been on a couple before but that was when I was Drinking a lot and it just caused very bad reactions.But anyway,Ive read about all these people that have been on them for a while(like Paxil in particular)and when they stop,they describe symtoms that sound very much the same as the hell I went through with alcohol withdrawals.Some instances even sound close to the D.T.s.It just scares me.I,,,,And everybody else i think,want something to totally stop the panic and depression.But I know there is no miracle drug that works without the side effects and addiction.Wish there was though.
> >
>
>I just wanted to emphasize again that from reading posts here, it seems it is not a good idea to stop cold turkey. Did the posters you refer to w/bad withdrawals stop all at once? Posters who have successfully stopped claim the best way is to taper off VERY slowly, taking a while to wean off by cutting back little by little. Best of luck ~~~8|8
This is the end of the thread.
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