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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Jakeman on June 19, 2005, at 13:37:57
In reply to Re: Lexapro 40mg (success stories only please) » Jazzed, posted by ed_uk on June 19, 2005, at 11:10:31
> Hi Jazzy,
>
> I don't take Lexapro. I take Celexa 60mg - it does make me sleepy :-(
>
> ~EdHey Ed, any particular reason that you chose Celexa over Lexapro? From what I've read, the two are almost indentical in their make-up, efficacy and side effects. One difference in the US is that Lexapro is much more expensive.
~ Jake
Posted by Jazzed on June 19, 2005, at 13:47:23
In reply to Re: Lexapro 40mg (success stories only please) » Jazzed, posted by ed_uk on June 19, 2005, at 11:10:31
> Hi Jazzy,
>
> I don't take Lexapro. I take Celexa 60mg - it does make me sleepy :-(
>
> ~EdGotta wake up b4 that wedding Eddie boy! LOL
Oh, BTW, did you read my post about the herb Damiana for libido? You can also try Maca. I take both, and both good for men and women.Jazzy
Posted by ed_uk on June 19, 2005, at 16:52:05
In reply to Re: Lexapro 40mg (success stories only please) » ed_uk, posted by Jakeman on June 19, 2005, at 13:37:57
Hi Jake,
>.....any particular reason that you chose Celexa over Lexapro?
My pdoc doesn't prescribe Lexapro - he likes to stick with the older meds that he's familiar with. In fact, the hospital pharmacy probably doesn't even stock Lexapro. Most UK docs are the same, new drugs rarely gain popularity overnight like they do in the US. It's illegal to advertise prescription drugs to the general public and NHS pharmacists put pressure on docs to prescribe generic drugs. My pdoc seems to be scared that escitalopram (Lexapro, Cipralex) will turn out to have some serious side effects, not sure why - I don't think he realises that it is very similar to citalopram (Celexa, Cipramil).
I take generic citalopram. I have tried the brand name: Cipramil (ie Celexa) - it seemed just the same as the generic.
>From what I've read, the two are almost indentical in their make-up, efficacy and side effects.
Yes. Celexa (citalopram) consists of 2 chemicals: R-citalopram and escitalopram. Escitalopram is the active drug, R-citalopram probably doesn't do that much, not in most people anyway.
Lexapro contains escitalopram but no R-citalopram.
Some scientists have suggested that R-citalopram might oppose the therapeutic effects of escitalopram - this conclusion is based on animal experiments. Others have suggested that R-citalopram might cause side effects such as drowsiness. Although this is possible, and might be true for some people, most of citalopram's side effects are probably due to escitalopram. Although Lexapro may be advantageous for a few people, many would probably do just as well on Celexa.
>One difference in the US is that Lexapro is much more expensive.
In the UK, Cipramil (Celexa) and Cipralex (Lexapro) are exactly the same price! The reason for this is that doctors have be very skeptical about the alleged advantages of Lexapro and have continued to prescribe Celexa. Lundbeck, the manufacturer, wants to encourage docs to start prescribing Lexapro because citalopram is now available as a generic.....whereas escitalopram is not.
For some reason, generic citalopram is actually slightly MORE expensive that brand name Cipramil in the UK! Most pharmacies seem to be dispensing the generic though, I expect the price of the generic will come down substantially over the next few years.
Anyway, all UK National Health Service prescriptions cost £6.50. Whatever drug you get, at whatever quantity, you always pay £6.50. So.....it doesn't really matter to me how much my meds cost!! The meds are paid for through taxes, most people are exempt from prescription charges and pay nothing. I'm not exempt though so I have to pay £6.50 :-(
Kind regards,
Ed.
Posted by ed_uk on June 19, 2005, at 16:53:09
In reply to Re: Lexapro 40mg (success stories only please) » ed_uk, posted by Jazzed on June 19, 2005, at 13:47:23
Hi Jazzy!
>did you read my post about the herb Damiana for libido?
Saw it! I might try it. Thank you :-)
Kind regards,
Ed.
Posted by Phillipa on June 19, 2005, at 18:28:25
In reply to Re: Lexapro 40mg (success stories only please) » Jazzed, posted by ed_uk on June 19, 2005, at 16:53:09
Celexa made me feel so tired I could barely move. Lexapro had a totally different effect on me. I think I went storming off down the driveway. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by ed_uk on June 19, 2005, at 18:40:06
In reply to Re: Lexapro 40mg (success stories only please), posted by Phillipa on June 19, 2005, at 18:28:25
Perhaps R-citalopram really is sedating! I know alienatari found that Celexa made him much more tired than Lexapro did. Weird.
Ed xxx
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on June 19, 2005, at 20:14:30
In reply to Re: Lexapro 40mg (success stories only please) » Emily Elizabeth, posted by chess on June 19, 2005, at 5:24:40
> how long have you been taking 40mg?
about 1 yr
> and for what?
I take it for major depression and GAD
> is it helping?
I think it has helped some, but not completely. I have a very difficult to treat depression which is complicating things. I have added on a number of other things in addition to the lex and I'm still not all the way there. But, I have heard that a lot of people have done well on it. Hope you do too!
EE
Posted by Jazzed on June 19, 2005, at 22:22:24
In reply to Re: Lexapro 40mg (success stories only please) » Jazzed, posted by TerraJo on June 19, 2005, at 10:58:34
> i'm only at 10mg still, but it does make me sleepy so i take it at bedtime. i've lost 7 pounds. never hungry.
Thanks Ed,
I'm thinking of seeing about going back on it. I took it for a very short time, and the sleepiness I didnt like. Now on Xanax, which might be worse. Does the Lex. make you feel less emotion? I thought it made me feel like I didn't really care, but I really wasn't on it long enough to tell.
Jazzy
Posted by Jakeman on June 19, 2005, at 22:23:41
In reply to Re: Lexapro 40mg (success stories only please) » Jakeman, posted by ed_uk on June 19, 2005, at 16:52:05
Hi Ed,
The pharmaceutical companies here really push the newer, more expensive non-generic drugs. There's the TV commericals showing joyous people running through fields of daisies.., drs. offices have coffee mugs and note-pads imprinted with something like "wellbutrin xl" and of course free samples to get you started. It's quite bizarre.
I'm looking for something to combine with Wellbutrin to take the edge off and hopefully help with insomnia. I've tried Celexa some time ago with Wellbutrin and it provided no anti-anxiety or calming effect. I suspect Lexapro would be the same with me. Perhaps something like Neurontin or Lyrica would be appropriate, since they are supposed to improve stage 3/4 sleep. I'm just wary of the freaky side effects that some people report.
Thanks for the info.
best regards ~Jake
Posted by Jazzed on June 19, 2005, at 22:24:06
In reply to Re: Lexapro 40mg (success stories only please) » TerraJo, posted by Jazzed on June 19, 2005, at 22:22:24
Posted by TerraJo on June 19, 2005, at 22:53:30
In reply to Re: Lexapro 40mg (success stories only please), posted by Jakeman on June 19, 2005, at 22:23:41
jake- i take wellbutrin and just added the lexapro. i love the wellbutrin and have been on it a couple years. just added the lexapro because of life stress. we'll see. if i get emotionally numbed out (all SSRI's so that to me) i'll probably drop it. klonopin's been a great addition.
Posted by TerraJo on June 19, 2005, at 22:54:30
In reply to Re: Oops sorry Terra Jo - about last post! (nm) » Jazzed, posted by Jazzed on June 19, 2005, at 22:24:06
Posted by Jakeman on June 19, 2005, at 23:07:19
In reply to Re: Lexapro 40mg (success stories only please), posted by TerraJo on June 19, 2005, at 22:53:30
> jake- i take wellbutrin and just added the lexapro. i love the wellbutrin and have been on it a couple years. just added the lexapro because of life stress. we'll see. if i get emotionally numbed out (all SSRI's so that to me) i'll probably drop it. klonopin's been a great addition.
TerraJo, I hope you keep us posted. I've gotten that numbed out effect too from SSRI's, hopefully that's something the Wellbutrin will help ameliorate. I take Konopin too, off and on, in the evening.
good luck ~Jake
Posted by TerraJo on June 19, 2005, at 23:13:38
In reply to Re: Lexapro 40mg (success stories only please) » TerraJo, posted by Jakeman on June 19, 2005, at 23:07:19
jake. you might consider the generic buproprion. it costs me $10/mo. and there is a big difference between the XL and SR and the immediate release. play around with it a little. i couldn't take the XL and the SR. i have to take the immediate release.
and get off caffeine if you haven't already.
wellbutrin doesn't make me buzz at all anymore. smooth sailing. but i take 75mg (the lowest dose) and spread it out 5 times a day (sounds hard, but it's not) that lowest dose keeps me calm and does it just right. been doing this for a couple years. the immediate release also comes in 100 mg tabs.
Posted by Jakeman on June 19, 2005, at 23:28:58
In reply to slight diversion from lex topic to wellbutrin-, posted by TerraJo on June 19, 2005, at 23:13:38
> jake. you might consider the generic buproprion. it costs me $10/mo. and there is a big difference between the XL and SR and the immediate release. play around with it a little. i couldn't take the XL and the SR. i have to take the immediate release.
>
> and get off caffeine if you haven't already.
>
> wellbutrin doesn't make me buzz at all anymore. smooth sailing. but i take 75mg (the lowest dose) and spread it out 5 times a day (sounds hard, but it's not) that lowest dose keeps me calm and does it just right. been doing this for a couple years. the immediate release also comes in 100 mg tabs.TerraJo, Good ideal. I may suggest changing next visit. I used to take one 150 mg SR in the morning. At my last visit the pdoc wrote the script for XL rather than SR for some reason...I guess by mistake. I thought what the heck I'll try the XL. I think I like the shorter acting versions better..the XL may be aggravating my insomia. Like you say, may have to play around with it.
~Jake
Posted by ed_uk on June 20, 2005, at 11:15:10
In reply to Re: Lexapro 40mg (success stories only please), posted by Jakeman on June 19, 2005, at 22:23:41
Hi Jake,
>drs. offices have coffee mugs and note-pads imprinted with something like "wellbutrin xl"........
Same here ;-)
>and of course free samples to get you started.....
We don't get any of those!
>I've tried Celexa some time ago with Wellbutrin and it provided no anti-anxiety or calming effect.
What dose did you take? I take 60mg.
Kind regards
~Ed
Posted by Jakeman on June 20, 2005, at 12:14:14
In reply to Re: Lexapro 40mg (success stories only please) » Jakeman, posted by ed_uk on June 20, 2005, at 11:15:10
> Hi Jake,
>
> >drs. offices have coffee mugs and note-pads imprinted with something like "wellbutrin xl"........
>
> Same here ;-)
>
> >and of course free samples to get you started.....
>
> We don't get any of those!
>
> >I've tried Celexa some time ago with Wellbutrin and it provided no anti-anxiety or calming effect.
>
> What dose did you take? I take 60mg.
>
> Kind regards
>
> ~EdHi Ed,
Seems like I tried 20 mg then 40 mg. I'm one of those people who tend to get wired rather than sedated on SSRI's.
~Jake
Posted by ed_uk on June 20, 2005, at 12:55:28
In reply to Re: Lexapro 40mg (success stories only please) » ed_uk, posted by Jakeman on June 20, 2005, at 12:14:14
Hi Jake,
Have you ever tried a higher dose of amitriptyline?
~Ed
Posted by Jakeman on June 20, 2005, at 15:18:00
In reply to Re: Lexapro 40mg (success stories only please) » Jakeman, posted by ed_uk on June 20, 2005, at 12:55:28
> Hi Jake,
>
> Have you ever tried a higher dose of amitriptyline?
>
> ~EdHi Ed- I went up to 50 mg for a while and had some problems with lethergy and brain fog during the day. Might be worth another try, maybe 37.5.
~Jake
Posted by Chairman_MAO on June 20, 2005, at 15:25:07
In reply to Lexapro 40mg (success stories only please), posted by chess on June 18, 2005, at 23:47:35
IMHO, if you're at 30mg and not getting results, it is time to abandon the class of SSRIs altogether and try some antidepressants that actually work for you.
Posted by ed_uk on June 20, 2005, at 16:09:46
In reply to Re: Lexapro 40mg (success stories only please) » ed_uk, posted by Jakeman on June 20, 2005, at 15:18:00
Hi Jake,
Perhaps you should get a prescription for the 10mg amitriptyline tablets. What do you think?
~Ed
Posted by Jakeman on June 20, 2005, at 16:34:50
In reply to Re: Lexapro 40mg (success stories only please) » Jakeman, posted by ed_uk on June 20, 2005, at 16:09:46
> Perhaps you should get a prescription for the 10mg amitriptyline tablets. What do you think?
Hi Ed, That's a good ideal, especially since I'm taking such small doses. I have an appointment with the sleep dr. in two weeks and we'll be re-evaluating everything, including the CPAP machine that I will begin using soon that's supposed to help me get some stage 3/4 sleep.
~Jake
Posted by ed_uk on June 20, 2005, at 17:14:36
In reply to Re: Lexapro 40mg (success stories only please) » ed_uk, posted by Jakeman on June 20, 2005, at 16:34:50
Hi Jake,
>That's a good idea, especially since I'm taking such small doses.
If you find amitriptyline relaxing, perhaps you could take 5-10mg in the morning and 20mg in the evening...........or something similar.
~Ed
Posted by chess on June 20, 2005, at 19:05:40
In reply to Re: Lexapro 40mg (success stories only please) » chess, posted by Chairman_MAO on June 20, 2005, at 15:25:07
well, my main issue(s) are GAD/PD/OCD, and i thought only the SSRIs are good for all of those, is there another med that is good for all of those and not an SSRI? Thanks!
> IMHO, if you're at 30mg and not getting results, it is time to abandon the class of SSRIs altogether and try some antidepressants that actually work for you.
Posted by Jakeman on June 20, 2005, at 19:06:59
In reply to Re: Lexapro 40mg (success stories only please) » Jakeman, posted by ed_uk on June 20, 2005, at 17:14:36
> Hi Jake,
>
> >That's a good idea, especially since I'm taking such small doses.
>
> If you find relaxing, perhaps you could take 5-10mg in the morning and 20mg in the evening...........or something similar.
>
> ~EdHi Ed,
That's worth a try. But my experience and intuition about this drug is that while it may blunt anxiety it also blunts everything else. Ideally I need something that will remove the internal agitation while preserving cognitive acuity. I experience similar problems with benzodiazapines. That's why I've been looking at alternatives such as Lyrica. But then that class of drugs brings about other issues as well.
~Jake
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