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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Emme on December 12, 2004, at 22:30:37
almost 5 weeks in. 5 mg. this is not looking good. i am a zombie. this is too bad.
Posted by celticmom on December 13, 2004, at 6:59:19
In reply to Lexapro - intolerable apathy and tiredness, posted by Emme on December 12, 2004, at 22:30:37
Hi Emma - my DH was taking 20 mg of Lexapro for 5 weeks and didn't have a problem until his pdoc told him to increase it to 30 (due to break through anxiety). All of a sudden he became unbearably tired. To a point where he said he didn't feel like he could function. She told him to reduce it by 5 and that seems to have solved the problem.
But she also said that side effects could last up to 2 weeks when you increase dosages or start a new drug. So I would think if it hasn't gone away after 5 weeks, it's time for your pdoc to re-evaluate your script. Maybe ask if you could cut the 5 mg in half?
Posted by Mariposa on December 13, 2004, at 9:41:13
In reply to Re: Lexapro - intolerable apathy and tiredness, posted by celticmom on December 13, 2004, at 6:59:19
My DX - depression and PMDD
Currently on 30mg Lex, going into 20+mos.
I have some good news and some bad news....
Good news first - this is a side effect and eventually does go away.
Now for the bad news - IT TAKES TIME and effort on your part.
My experience ( and bear in mind we are all different and YMMV) - Started at 5mg, went to 10mg at wk.5, then 20mg month 5, 30 mg month 9.
Around 5th week started feeling like med wasn't going to work, had extreme anxiety and increased depression, pdoc raised dose to 10. Same thing again only not so bad at 5th month, again an increse. 9th month aniv. of Mom's death and the holidays and another increase. have been on 30mg since and doing very well.
Fatigue and that drag-butt I want to go to sleep in the middle of the day feeling - been there done that! I fought it with coffee and this technique that has served me well.....get your mind off it (because for me it was all in the mind and not in the body) by getting that stupid brain involved in a project either at work or at home. Do something to distract the brain and don't let it think it's tired or it will win! Once I got going that feeling evaporated and I actually felt energized! My husband even commented that I acted like I was on speed! I got ALOT of things done.
Not sure when it finally went away but I do not have this problem any more. I feel *normal* now and am very happy w/Lex.
Here's to your successes as well!!! Give it some more TIME as 5 weeks is just the very beginning of your body's adjustment to Lexapro.
Posted by MGOLDW on December 13, 2004, at 10:40:23
In reply to Re: Lexapro - intolerable apathy and tiredness, posted by Mariposa on December 13, 2004, at 9:41:13
Hi! 5 weeks is still to early for those nasty side effects to go away. Try to hang in there for another 3 to 5 weeks and see what happens.
Good luck.
Posted by Emme on December 13, 2004, at 20:34:39
In reply to Lexapro - intolerable apathy and tiredness, posted by Emme on December 12, 2004, at 22:30:37
Thanks for comments folks,
I think the next step will be to lower the dose in the hopes of an improvement. It's good to know the se's lessen, but I may need to bail in another week or so. I function briefly to work but am left even more weak and depleted and i can't afford any more unproductive time. Just writing these few sentences is a major effort.
em
Posted by ravenstorm on December 16, 2004, at 16:14:50
In reply to Re: Lexapro - intolerable apathy and tiredness, posted by Emme on December 13, 2004, at 20:34:39
For some people this side effect does not pass. My friend tried it for over seven months and the extreme fatigue never passed. On the other hand, some people have the effect pass by week eight. Sigh. I feel for you. Wish we all had crystal balls.
This is the end of the thread.
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