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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by want info on March 15, 2004, at 9:07:59
In reply to Hi Emily, posted by kateincali on March 14, 2004, at 13:10:48
hi kate! im 26 now and had been on paxil since i was 18...ive always had anxiety and panic. my dad and bro have it too so i think it's partially inherited. ive been on lex for about 5 weeks and went from 10mg to 15mg last week. im still feeling majorly spaced and disoriented. it's pretty scary, especially at work. im holding out hope that things will get better soon...EM
Posted by want info on March 15, 2004, at 9:09:57
In reply to wantinfo, posted by jlynne on March 14, 2004, at 13:21:47
hi jlynne...sounds like we are at exactly the same spot...im now on my 6th day of the increase and feel the same way! last week i wore 2 diff shoes to work one day (they were similar...but still). i feel very spacy and am beginning to worry that this isnt the med for me...any advice?
Posted by kateincali on March 15, 2004, at 11:13:04
In reply to Re: Hi Emily » kateincali, posted by want info on March 15, 2004, at 9:07:59
> hi kate! im 26 now and had been on paxil since i was 18...ive always had anxiety and panic. my dad and bro have it too so i think it's partially inherited. ive been on lex for about 5 weeks and went from 10mg to 15mg last week. im still feeling majorly spaced and disoriented. it's pretty scary, especially at work. im holding out hope that things will get better soon...EM
>
Good morning Emily. I can totally relate to being spaced out on the meds, although I am taking a smaller dosage, so the intensity may differ. I've been procrastinating on taking the Lex this morning b/c I think so much clearer without it. I'm trying to squeeze a couple hours of good work in before taking it. I'm 24, so we are pretty close in age. I believe my panic attacks/anxiety is inherited as well. I have an aunt and uncle who get panic attacks especially when speaking in public. That's when this whole mess started for me.I hope that your day goes well...and that you don't feel too too badly. Thanks for sharing with me. -Kate
Posted by kateincali on March 15, 2004, at 11:17:40
In reply to to Kateincali, posted by Mrs. C on March 14, 2004, at 21:58:42
> Hi kate, hope it's okay to call you kate.
> When I first began Lexapro I felt very disoriented and spaced out. I am in my first year of college. Not quite grad school, but...I did extremely well on all of my finals that semester. I think I worked harder knowing that I felt out of it. My memory worked fine and so did my creativity. I wrote some great essays if I do say so myself! Good luck to you and don't let the self-doubt get to you. You can do it! Mrs. C
>
> P.S. These weird feelings go away quickly, you'll see.
Thanks for the encouraging words. It makes me feel a lot better hearing that you did quite well last semester on meds! I have been procrastinating taking Lex this morning, b/c right after I take it for a few hrs. I feel incredibly tired and "spacey." I'm trying to actually get some work accomplished with a clear head.Hope your day goes well. Thanks for sharing! -Kate
Posted by Magdalena on March 15, 2004, at 11:50:04
In reply to Magdalena-shopping/headaches, posted by jlynne on March 15, 2004, at 1:05:17
I dont know if this happens to some of you, but i feel 'safer' with some people more than others, but i dont know exactly why. Its like well i feel safer with my bestfriend (that makes sense) and with a couple of others, but for some reason i dont feel as safe when i am with my boyfriend. Maybe its like im afriad he will not think highly of me anymore if he knew how messed up i really am you know...:( i dont know. i also havent been with him for very long just over 6 months, i havent been able to get close to many people after i broke up with my exboyfriend who i was with for 5years. My anxiety and depression started when i was with this ex of mine and for a long time i thought it was because of him (he cheated on me and treated me badly) he also made me feel 'crazy' about this disorder cause at the time i had no idea what was happening to me.
I think maybe this insecurity stems from that, from being in a way ridiculed because of it. The one person in the world who'd i want to understand me and support me, tottaly was the one who caused me the most heartache.
Like Mystic said, i too believe that things happen for a reason and that we need to 'filter' the bad things out of our lives as hard as that can be, but in the end we will find what truely makes us happy and this will all be worth it.
"The love we give away is the only love we keep."
Elbert HubbardPeace and happiness to all of you.
Hope you all have a lovely day, i work afternoons tonite so i wont be back till well after 1am (eastern standard).
this is another quote a friend sent me the other day.;)
"If you are going through hell, keep going."
- Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965)hehe so true.
Posted by jlynne on March 15, 2004, at 11:51:01
In reply to Re: wantinfo » jlynne, posted by want info on March 15, 2004, at 9:09:57
Hi, Em . . . I guarantee it is the meds! I know about the shoe thing, too:) I'm just glad I only have my cat to take care of right now.
I think one thing that helps me is that I have mirrors all over my house, and I make it a point to check myself often (I wear a partial - front four teeth, and I am really afraid I will walk out without them some day).
Also, I write myself notes about EVERYTHING. I have a note on my kitchen counter to remind me to take my meds. I keep a log of when I take my pills, and I write down what strength. My Lex and Lorazepam look very much alike, so I keep them in separate places so that I won't accidentally take the wrong one at the wrong time. It got worse when I increased, so I am assuming it will get better as my body adjusts. Hang in there - I will, too. . . . jlynne
Posted by want info on March 15, 2004, at 12:39:35
In reply to Re: wantinfo » want info, posted by jlynne on March 15, 2004, at 11:51:01
hi jlynne...that's good to hear! what dose are you on now, and how long have you been on it? i think i mentioned i'm on my 5th week total and 6th day of 15mg. i just feel dizzy and spacey all the time...it's really disconcerting! xanax helps some but i still feel this way. and my pdoc thinks i should go to 20! im glad to know someone that understands is there :)
EM
Posted by Magdalena on March 15, 2004, at 12:49:10
In reply to Re: Magdalena-shopping/headaches, posted by mystic on March 15, 2004, at 6:43:13
Hi Mystic, thanks for the heads up, i have made a concious decision to not drink often while i am medicated. The sad thing was alcohol was how i self-medicated for so long before seeking professional help, i mean if i was going to a social event or even just to a friends house i needed to have a couple of drinks to hide the anxiety. As bad as that sounds its true, and so now i will drink responsibly if i do at all and i dont see me doing it more than 3 times a month.
I think its too soon to say if i will gain weight on this treatment but time will tell, im just glad summer is on its way cause i love being outdoors, im way more active in the summer than the winter.
oh i have also have a question to anyone out there who can give me insight about the birthcontrol pill and paxil. Is this an ok mix?, is anyone out there on birth control while taking a SSRI? My doctor wants me to start this month for bad cramps and well obviously so for contraceptive reasons too. :)
and Mystic you said you were on Paxil before? Was the weightgain the only negative side effect you had? i am also worried about the withdrawl when i do finally feel i am ready to get off of them.
Take care everyone and thanks for any insight.:)
Magdalena
Posted by want info on March 15, 2004, at 12:51:55
In reply to Re: Magdalena-shopping/headaches » mystic, posted by Magdalena on March 15, 2004, at 12:49:10
i was on paxil forever and took birth control with it. i also take it now with lex. no probs as far as i could see :) EM
Posted by jlynne on March 15, 2004, at 13:31:58
In reply to Re: wantinfo » jlynne, posted by want info on March 15, 2004, at 12:39:35
Em, I am near the end of my 5th week; increased to 15mg 5 days ago . . . jlynne
Posted by want info on March 15, 2004, at 13:35:14
In reply to Re: wantinfo » want info, posted by jlynne on March 15, 2004, at 13:31:58
so how are you feeling? im majorly spacey...its so annoying!!
Posted by jlynne on March 15, 2004, at 13:48:38
In reply to Re: wantinfo » jlynne, posted by want info on March 15, 2004, at 13:35:14
Em, same here. Worse since I upped the Lex. Am assuming it will get better as our bodies adjust. I write myself a lot of notes, and check the mirror a lot.
I'm on my way out right now. Keep posting!
...jlynne
Posted by want info on March 15, 2004, at 14:58:53
In reply to Re: wantinfo » jlynne, posted by want info on March 15, 2004, at 13:35:14
its so great to see someone else feels the same way...yet its been almost 6 wks and i feel like ive been spaced the whole time. shouldnt i have adjusted by now? next thing i know ill be going to work without pants or something...lol
Posted by Gator on March 15, 2004, at 16:31:21
In reply to Re: wantinfo » want info, posted by want info on March 15, 2004, at 14:58:53
Happy Monday to everyone,
I've been coming to this site since I started taking Lex 4 months ago. I read every day, but only post sometimes. I'm on 10mgs and doing good. I went out of town this weekend to my husbands Aunt's 90th birthday party. I had a blast with all of my husbands family. It felt good to be able relax and have fun!!
For all of you guys that have been around awhile...the incident my husband and I had in December...has been resloved. He got probation for a year and no alchol at all for the whole year. Since we have been able to be together again (Jan 5) things have been much better between us which helps my state of mind also. I always thought I was never good enough and everything that went wrong was my fault. But with Lex I have had the courage to stand up for myself and it feels really good.
Well, sorry this is so long. Thanks to everyone for all the support.
Take Care!!
Gator
Posted by Magdalena on March 15, 2004, at 17:31:44
In reply to Re: Magdalena-shopping/headaches » Magdalena, posted by want info on March 15, 2004, at 12:51:55
thanks EM;)
Posted by LynneDa on March 15, 2004, at 18:28:58
In reply to Hi everyone, posted by Gator on March 15, 2004, at 16:31:21
Well, boy did I miss a lot not being able to check in for a few days!!! Glad to see everyone found their way to social. Be prepared, this will be long cuz I have to catch up with all of you from the last 3 days :-).
For spaciness (Kate?) - have you tried any herbal remedies or vitamins/supplements? I take Omega 3 capsules and it seems to help me. Also, be sure you are taking a multi and maybe throw in some Vitamin B. That seems to help with the spaciness. Also, have you tried taking your AD at night?
Birth control pills - I've been on Lex and BCP and haven't found myself pregnant yet! I've heard varying things, that the interaction isn't as bad as antibiotics, but there could be a slight lessening in the BCP's effectiveness. Haven't got a definitive answer though.
Mystic - you sound great!!! One thing you may want to consider. I am told (& could be so wrong) that the meds help your brain make new pathways. So, would taking the Xanax regularly help your brain combat anxiety long term? Don't know, but it's a thought that maybe will help motivate you to take it when you need it:-).
Emily, you're sounding much better too! Hang in there and you're almost past the worst of the s/e's.
Gator - it is good to hear the ending to your story. I hope you and your husband can grow together through this.
In general, feeling better grows on you. If you sleep better, have more days without anxiety, start thinking more positively about yourself, have the energy to eat and care for yourself - it all just wraps into a big snowball that keeps growing as you push along your path!
I take 20mg - started at 10, upped after 2 months and have been at 20 for about 3 months. I'm in about the same time frame as Mrs. C. I believe. I still struggle with insomnia and bouts of down times before my period. I think I have some issues with anger and low self-esteem that I could deal with in therapy, but just haven't picked up the phone to make that call. I don't know if I have the energy yet to deal with all that therapy will dredge up.
I bought a treadmill this weekend and have used it twice - yesterday and this morning. Hoping that will help with the energy and insomnia.
I think for women, depression is hard because we are counted on in so many ways and our self-esteem is so wrapped in being that good caretaker. We often forget to care for ourselves or ask for help. I spent so much time in my first marriage caring for my ex with all his issues, I totally depleted myself. What I did was not good for him either.
JLynne (good name!) - your ex-husband clearly does not deserve you. Now that you are on your own and on the way to recovery, I know you will start discovering things about yourself you either forgot or never realized were there. Loneliness is hard, but a lonely marriage is even worse. Hang in there, give yourself some time to recover and be open to your true self!
I guess that's enough for one night! I'm glad you all are here and it is good to read your posts. Thanks for all your wisdom and support :-)
~ LynneP.S. I'm in St. Louis, Central time. Also, Mystic do be careful about your email address. I did that early on and I get the nastiest spam now. Truly offensive :-(.
Posted by LynneDa on March 15, 2004, at 18:37:48
In reply to Re: Hi, Magdalena, posted by magdalena on March 14, 2004, at 23:53:47
Magdalena -
I love how you ended your message - isn't that the truth:>> see what i cant understand is, some people take street drugs so they can feel like this, we take 'legal' drugs so that we dont. just a thought.;)
Be careful with alcohol and ADs though. From what I've read there are a few things to think about:
>Alcohol's a depressant and ADs are anti. You could really confuse your brain and make the depression worse!
>Alcohol can make you sleepy. ADs can make you sleepy. Not a good combo for driving (or just socializing).
>Alcohol can mess with your heart rate, as can ADs for some people.
>Alcohol makes you uninhibited & can impair your judgement. ADs make you feel better about yourself, less inhibited and, at the beginning, a little spacey. Could possibly not be a good combo when out in public!Just a few cautions to keep in mind. The heart thing is the scariest for me because I've felt it when I've had wine or a margarita.
Take care of yourself!
~ Lynne
Posted by LynneDa on March 15, 2004, at 18:45:09
In reply to Re: wantinfo » want info, posted by want info on March 15, 2004, at 14:58:53
Emily - I didn't really lose the spacy feeling until 8 or 9 weeks at 10mg. Then I upped to 20mg and I'm on week 11 at that dose - insomnia returned with the upping and so did spaciness & a few other minor s/e's, but not as bad. I feel like it's just now leaving again. There are so many things that determine your body's adjustment.
Mine took longer to adjust cuz of my insomnia, I believe. A friend of mine told me to have my thyroid and iron levels checked too, that those things being off-kilter can cause spaciness, among other things.
Also, your spaciness is probably not as noticeable as you think. I find I've put myself under a microscope since starting meds! Hang in there!!!
~ Lynne
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>its so great to see someone else feels the same way...yet its been almost 6 wks and i feel like ive been spaced the whole time. shouldnt i have adjusted by now? next thing i know ill be going to work without pants or something...lol
>
>
Posted by mystic on March 15, 2004, at 19:59:14
In reply to Re: Magdalena-shopping/headaches » mystic, posted by Magdalena on March 15, 2004, at 12:49:10
Hello Magdalena...Hope you had a good day..In answer to your question...Weight gain was a big problem as i gained quite a bit and the only other thing is I dont think that I cried for 5 years you are kindof just oblivous I think which with the anxiety problem was a good thing and it did work for me so that is a good thing...I did have a hard time getting off it was on 10mgs for 2 years and then the dr put me right on lex without changing so I think it made it even harder for that reason..I dont want to be discouraging becauase I really wouldnt have changed those years I was on it..it really did work..but needed to be on something different..I have since lost the weight and have very high cholesterol so really couldnt afford to stay on it...But good luck...Emily did you say that you are on Paxil and the Lexapro?...Mystic
Posted by mystic on March 15, 2004, at 20:04:03
In reply to Hi everyone, posted by Gator on March 15, 2004, at 16:31:21
Hey Gator..not familiar with you but good for you..glad that it is working and thanks for sharing appreciate it...Glad you life is going better...and we are all worthy of anything...we are alllllll special...and dont forget it...We are compasionate people..You take care of yourself..Mystic
Posted by mystic on March 15, 2004, at 20:09:51
In reply to Re: Hi everyone (long!) » Gator, posted by LynneDa on March 15, 2004, at 18:28:58
Lynne your back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...its sooo good to hear from you...you were missed.>!!!>>!>!..You sound really really good..and congratulations on being a new treadmill user it will help for sure it helps to sleep at night also..Its true I am feeling better and I'm glad just waiting for it to catch up with me...Still on the 10mgs and sticking with it for now..on 3 days without xanax but will take it if needed thanks for the input..!!!!...e-mail address I know but I just want to help people and dont want them to get lost...but will remember your advice for sure...Well thanks for the update it was great to hear from you..and have a great rest of the week...welcome home..!!!!>..mystic
Posted by mystic on March 15, 2004, at 20:12:01
In reply to RE: LYNNE, posted by mystic on March 15, 2004, at 20:09:51
Hello Mrs C...how are you doing today??>.good I hope...I'm feeling ok had a pretty good day and for that I'm very thankful for...so will run with it...Hope that your increase is still treating you good and talk to you soon...Mystic
Posted by Mrs. C on March 15, 2004, at 20:52:44
In reply to mrs. c re: OCD, posted by jlynne on March 14, 2004, at 23:04:49
Jlynne, my ocd began in my late twenties after I had a cervical cancer scare. I didn't actually have it but there was a chance that I did and I worried myself sick until the negative tests results came back. Ever since then I have obsessed over any bodily symptom.
I have only had one therapy session so far. My second is next week.
Thanks for your interest. It feels good to talk about it openly. I can't with anyone except my husband and my aunt, who also has OCD. I'd like to hear about yours when you are ready to share.
Mrs. C
Posted by Mrs. C on March 15, 2004, at 20:56:56
In reply to Mrs C., posted by kateincali on March 15, 2004, at 11:17:40
Kate, I also hesitated to take my lex in the beginning. I had such terrible jitters and anxiety and by the time that feeling wore off it was time to take another pill. But I am glad that I stuck with it because I am clearer now then I have ever been! Keep going, you won't be sorry. Mrs. C
Posted by Mrs. C on March 15, 2004, at 20:59:27
In reply to Hi everyone, posted by Gator on March 15, 2004, at 16:31:21
Good to hear from you again Gator and I'm so glad that everything is going well for you. Mrs. C
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