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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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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
Posted by ed_uk on June 20, 2005, at 20:13:52
In reply to Re: Lexapro 40mg (success stories only please) » Chairman_MAO, posted by chess on June 20, 2005, at 19:05:40
Hi chess,
>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?
Clomipramine (Anafranil) could help OCD, PD and GAD.
~Ed
Posted by ed_uk on June 20, 2005, at 20:16:26
In reply to Re: Lexapro 40mg - relaxing AD's, posted by Jakeman on June 20, 2005, at 19:06:59
Hi Jake,
>But my experience and intuition about this drug is that while it may blunt anxiety it also blunts everything else.
Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad at a low dose eg. 5mg in the morning.
Do you think you're going to try gabapentin (Neurontin)? I think you mentioned it earlier.
Any chance you could reduce your Wellbutrin dose?
~Ed
Posted by Chairman_MAO on June 20, 2005, at 20:49:02
In reply to Re: Lexapro 40mg (success stories only please) » Chairman_MAO, posted by chess on June 20, 2005, at 19:05:40
Oh, my, no! SSRIs are NOT the only medications available! For the cluster of disorders you gave there is an easy "gold-standard" choice: Nardil (phenelzine).
See: http://www.socialfear.com/nardil_links.html
and www.socialfear.com.The MAOI diet is greatly exaggerated, and you can carry around medication in case of a hypertensive reaction. Please, do yourself a favor; try this drug (or another MAOI)! You will be thankful that you made the switch, trust me. SSRIs have virtually no beneficial effects in social phobia, as a matter of fact! Ordinarily, I am skeptical of sites that wax polemical, however this site is right-on.
As someone who used SSRIs and now uses MAOIs, please let me assure you that there is no comparison: Nardil lets me have the opportunity to have a life; SSRIs basically numbed my emotions. MAOIs induce a euthymic zest for life.
If your doctor refuses you Nardil, find a specialist who is comfortable prescribing it. You will find many people on this board who echo my sentiments.All the best,
--cm
Posted by Jakeman on June 20, 2005, at 21:15:57
In reply to Re: Lexapro 40mg - relaxing AD's » Jakeman, posted by ed_uk on June 20, 2005, at 20:16:26
> Hi Jake,
>
> >But my experience and intuition about this drug is that while it may blunt anxiety it also blunts everything else.
>
> Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad at a low dose eg. 5mg in the morning.
>
> Do you think you're going to try gabapentin (Neurontin)? I think you mentioned it earlier.
>
> Any chance you could reduce your Wellbutrin dose?
>
> ~Ed
>
Hi Ed, well it's a delicate balance act, as I'm sure you know. I'm only taking 150 mg of Wellbutrin, it seems it's giving me the minimum of get up and go. Which was why I was considering an ssri like lexapro or celexa that would hopefully act an antidepressant and also quell anxiety. But long past experiments with ssri's have been disapppointing over time. I had a short trial with gabitril which was calming at first then pooped out. I'm intrigued by the limited info available on Lyrica. Of course the new thing on the block always seems better. I'm not even sure if its available yet in the US. How about the UK? In the meantime I need to get back in a band and pound on some drums!~ Jake
Posted by chess on June 20, 2005, at 21:28:28
In reply to Re: Lexapro 40mg (success stories only please) » chess, posted by ed_uk on June 20, 2005, at 20:13:52
hi ed,
but isn't clomipramine just a tricyclic that blocks reuptake of serotonin much more than any other tricyclic does?, and therefore no different really than the SSRIs?> Hi chess,
>
> >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?
>
> Clomipramine (Anafranil) could help OCD, PD and GAD.
>
> ~Ed
Posted by ed_uk on June 20, 2005, at 21:58:30
In reply to Re: Lexapro 40mg - relaxing AD's, posted by Jakeman on June 20, 2005, at 21:15:57
Hi Jake,
>How about the UK?
Yes, Lyrica's been available in the UK for several months. Why not try Neurontin?
>In the meantime I need to get back in a band and pound on some drums!
Enjoy!
Kind regards
~Ed
Posted by ed_uk on June 20, 2005, at 22:02:35
In reply to Re: Lexapro 40mg (success stories only please) » ed_uk, posted by chess on June 20, 2005, at 21:28:28
Hi Chess,
Clomipramine blocks the reuptake of serotonin. Clomipramine's major metabolite blocks the reuptake of NE.
Clomipramine has several other actions too eg. it blocks certain serotonin receptors.I have known people to respond to clomipramine (for OCD) after SSRIs have failed.
How long have you been on Lexapro?
~Ed
Posted by chess on June 20, 2005, at 23:20:41
In reply to Re: Lexapro 40mg (success stories only please) » chess, posted by ed_uk on June 20, 2005, at 22:02:35
if it increases synapse amounts of SE and NE and blocks some SE receptors than that sounds like Remeron
i've been on lexapro for 5 months, is it helping?, i'm not even sure anymore, i still get panic attacks and my GAD and OCD are still persistent, my psy doc and primary doc both encourage me to continue it and that i should take more (i'm taking 30mg and they want me to increase it to 40mg)
> Hi Chess,
>
> Clomipramine blocks the reuptake of serotonin. Clomipramine's major metabolite blocks the reuptake of NE.
> Clomipramine has several other actions too eg. it blocks certain serotonin receptors.
>
> I have known people to respond to clomipramine (for OCD) after SSRIs have failed.
>
> How long have you been on Lexapro?
>
> ~Ed
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