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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 26. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by andyboy on March 26, 2002, at 6:56:26
Found this link- sounds just like a typical SSRI- all the same side effects:
http://www.healthscout.com/template.asp?ap=43&page=newsDetail&id=506465
Posted by colin wallace on March 26, 2002, at 8:36:49
In reply to New SSRI- Lexapro, posted by andyboy on March 26, 2002, at 6:56:26
Do we really need to be presented with yet another SSRI, amidst great fanfare? Prozac, Celexa, Effexor, Zoloft, blah, blah, blah.
Another (pitifully brief) 8 week trial of three moribund geriatrics, 2 of whom were force-fed brussels sprouts, one with Lexapro.Blah, BLAH...
One showed superior results over the sprouts...Yawn....(Not having a dig at you andyboy- just get tired of pharm. companies churning out the same ol' tune....)
Posted by andyboy on March 26, 2002, at 11:01:22
In reply to Re: New SSRI- Lexapro, posted by colin wallace on March 26, 2002, at 8:36:49
Posted by Bill L on March 26, 2002, at 12:48:43
In reply to New SSRI- Lexapro, posted by andyboy on March 26, 2002, at 6:56:26
Lexapro showed less side effects than Celexa in clinical trials, especially with daytime tiredness and sexual side effects. I think that it will be an excellent addition to an already good group of antidepressants.
> Found this link- sounds just like a typical SSRI- all the same side effects:
>
> http://www.healthscout.com/template.asp?ap=43&page=newsDetail&id=506465
Posted by colin wallace on March 26, 2002, at 13:16:53
In reply to Re: New SSRI- Lexapro, posted by Bill L on March 26, 2002, at 12:48:43
Exactly what is Lexapro....?
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/020124/nyth067_1.html
Okay, so maybe it wins, by a hairs breadth....
Posted by Lia Mason on March 28, 2002, at 0:25:33
In reply to New SSRI- Lexapro, posted by andyboy on March 26, 2002, at 6:56:26
Hi,
My pdoc attended a Lexapro "seminar"... I think it's a drug company thing. Anyway, he says less sedation but same problems with sexual side effects. I may try it anyway. Desperate...
L
Posted by Bekka H. on March 28, 2002, at 23:10:09
In reply to Re: New SSRI- Lexapro, posted by Lia Mason on March 28, 2002, at 0:25:33
Hi Lia,
Thanks for the information. Did your doctor say anything else about it? Is the degree of sedation the only difference between it and Celexa?
Bekka
Posted by Lia Mason on March 30, 2002, at 11:58:11
In reply to Re: New SSRI- Lexapro-Lia Mason, posted by Bekka H. on March 28, 2002, at 23:10:09
Hi Bekka,
No--I specifically asked about sedation and sexual dysfunction cuz those are my problems with most drugs. So, I didn't get any feel for its efficacy or how it might differ from celexa. I'll ask when next I see him, though.
L
Posted by OldSchool on March 31, 2002, at 20:08:32
In reply to New SSRI- Lexapro, posted by andyboy on March 26, 2002, at 6:56:26
The FDA approves Lexapro but wont approve the MAOI patch. What a bunch of shit. How typical...if it works they dont approve it. Im not coming down on anyone who likes Lexapro, Im just a tad cynical how the FDA has no problem approving an updated SSRI but wont approve really new, revolutionary antidepressant stuff like this MAOI patch. It really is bullshit.
Old School
Posted by Ritch on March 31, 2002, at 21:39:45
In reply to Re: New SSRI Lexapro...its Howdy Doody time, posted by OldSchool on March 31, 2002, at 20:08:32
> The FDA approves Lexapro but wont approve the MAOI patch. What a bunch of shit. How typical...if it works they dont approve it. Im not coming down on anyone who likes Lexapro, Im just a tad cynical how the FDA has no problem approving an updated SSRI but wont approve really new, revolutionary antidepressant stuff like this MAOI patch. It really is bullshit.
>
> Old SchoolYou have some very valid points. Pdocs are writing "off-label" anti-convulsants all the time for bipolar. Well....when it comes to life-threatening treatment-resistant seizures I think new AED's get a fairly consistent "green light" to the market, whereas "experimental" antidepressants for equally life-threatening depressive illness are probably way over-scrutinized. I think they could err more towards getting new meds on the market and not be so overly cautious. Let pdocs/patients weigh the risks/benefits.
Mitch
Posted by Bekka H. on March 31, 2002, at 22:08:45
In reply to Re: New SSRI Lexapro...its Howdy Doody time, posted by OldSchool on March 31, 2002, at 20:08:32
Im just a tad cynical how the FDA has no problem approving an updated SSRI but wont approve really new, revolutionary antidepressant stuff like this MAOI patch.
> Old School***********************************************
I agree. And it's probably a lot more doody than howdy.
Bekka
Posted by whitman on December 17, 2002, at 15:35:39
In reply to Re: New SSRI- Lexapro, posted by Bill L on March 26, 2002, at 12:48:43
Has anyone tried this med. and had feelings of anxiety and shakiness awhile after taking it?? I also take 400mg. of Wellbutrin 40 mg of Geodon and 600 mg of Trileptal and didn't have those problems until I added the Lexapro. I used to take Celexa and didn't have that either, although now even codeine makes me shakey and nervous.
Posted by MaryZee on January 26, 2003, at 13:09:58
In reply to Re: New SSRI- Lexapro, posted by whitman on December 17, 2002, at 15:35:39
Hi! Today I have switched from time released Prozac taken once a week to one l0mg Lexapro a day. Has anyone else made the switch from Prozac to Lexapro? Any thing I should look out for or expect with this change? Had taken prozac for 10 years and it no longer seemed to be working. So Doctor changed my medication at my last appointment. Would appreciate any info anyone can give me. Thank you :)
Posted by MaryZee on January 29, 2003, at 22:15:23
In reply to Re: New SSRI- Lexapro, posted by MaryZee on January 26, 2003, at 13:09:58
I have been on prozac for ten years. The last year on the time released pill. Five days ago switched from the time released prozac to Lexapro.
I'm very tired. Do feel less anxious. Has anyone else switched from Prozac to Lexapro and did it make you feel better? Please let me know!
I am nervous about changing after all these years but the Prozac did not seem to be working anymore.
Would really appreciate some feedback. I am new to this site. Thank you everyone.
Posted by proud mary on January 30, 2003, at 13:33:00
In reply to Re: New SSRI- Lexapro, posted by MaryZee on January 29, 2003, at 22:15:23
MaryZee,
I switched to lexapro from zoloft about a month ago and at first it was rough going. LOTS of sleeping needed and craved...and I was anxious and unsettled, but after about 21/2 weeks, it suddenly kicked in and I felt much better.
I was on zoloft for about 7 years and it pooped out on me, too. I loved my zoloft and so didn't have much faith in anything else, but have patience and I think it will work for you. If you responded that well for that long to Prosiac, I think this will do well for you, too. I started at 20 mg a day which seems a bit high compared to what others have said on this site (most talk about 10 mg) but I figured my pdoc must have a reason for that.
Hang in there, the sleepiness passes in about a week and then it just gets better and better.
Let us know!
Mary
Posted by MaryZee on January 30, 2003, at 13:54:32
In reply to for maryzee » MaryZee, posted by proud mary on January 30, 2003, at 13:33:00
Thank you for answering, Mary. I really appreciate it. I'm going to hang in there and keep taking the lexapro (10 mg). Hearing your experience makes me feel better - not so alone.
Also very glad that you are having good results with the Lexapro!! I'll keep in touch and please do the same. Good luck to all of us!!!
Posted by MaryZee on January 31, 2003, at 13:00:12
In reply to for maryzee » MaryZee, posted by proud mary on January 30, 2003, at 13:33:00
Hello Mary. This MaryZee. Thank you for your kind words. I am again asking for some assurances and insight. I am still taking the Lexapro 10mg once a day. Sunday will be only one week. But every day I become more and more tired and drousy. My husband says I look drugged. I find myself staring into space and really thinking about nothing. I was not weaned off of he prozac at all. Could that be a problem? Really do feel less anxious - in fact sort of feel like nothing could bother me. But also don't feel like doing anything. Just sort of relaxed and lazy. Did you feel any of these things? I'm going to stick with it because I can't go back to the Prozac. Doctor wants to hear how I'm doing after three weeks - but I'm calling him after two weeks. He's an internist.
Also, Mary, I'm having a hard time getting around these sites! Don't really know if you will get this. Kind of confused about how this site works.
If you see this, I would really appreciate a reply. Thank you! MaryZee
Posted by proud mary on February 2, 2003, at 9:06:13
In reply to Message for Proud Mary, posted by MaryZee on January 31, 2003, at 13:00:12
Dear MaryZee,
I am not sure about the "drugged effect." There will probably be other responses to your post from others who know more about that particular side-effect. The "don't care what's going one" thing might be "depersonalization" something I"ve read about here, but not experienced myself.
I think you should be under the care of a pdoc. Meds are their biz and it's just my personal thing that psych drugs should be managed by psych-drug docs.
At least your not feeling anxious! I'm having a different sort of effect these last two days--I'm very emotional and weepy! Nowhere near as "up" as I was last week, but not really depressed or anxious, either, just emotional.
There are bound to be bumps in the road as we experiment with these strong meds, so hang in there. Call your doctor anytime youfeel like you need the help, information or support.Oh, by the way, I have a heck of a time managing this message board, too! This is the first time I"ve participated in a message board and I find it confusing as hell. I think part of the problem is that no one really knows how to manage it and doesn't follow the threads so massages tend to end up in all sorts of places. So don't feel like the lone ranger. I found it helpful to check that box about being notified by e-mail of new postings and then when your e-mail box FILLS up with "new posting from psycobabble" you can click on any that seem to pertain to you and it will take you right there. Just play with it and you will find out how to get around. Thats what I did. Although I must say, I sometimes still cant get where I'm wanting to go...
Let me know what your doctor says and think about getting a psychiatrist. Some are better than others, but meds ARE their biz...
Good luck, let us know how you are doing...hopefully others who know more about the reaction you are having will respond, too.
Mary :>)
Posted by whitman on February 2, 2003, at 10:54:26
In reply to Re: Message for Proud Mary, posted by proud mary on February 2, 2003, at 9:06:13
PLEASE see a pdoc!!! My internest treated my depression for 2 years. Until I was so close to death that it took 5 hospitalizations and about 30 different meds to bring me out of it. And I learned through all of this that internests really don't know as much about mantal illness as they think. My internest is an excellent doctor, but she should have referred me after I didn't respond to the first couple of meds we tried. And don't give up on the first pdoc you see. They are not all great. It took me 3 to find the right one. But it makes such a difference in your treatment. Good luck.
Posted by pedr on March 24, 2003, at 7:34:57
In reply to Re: New SSRI- Lexapro-Lia Mason, posted by Bekka H. on March 28, 2002, at 23:10:09
Hi everyone,
I thought a nearly-there success story might introduce a few oft-overlooked options into the mix.In a nutshell I was very depressed (suicidal ideation, obsessive thinking, panic attacks etc.) for 5 years without knowing it was depression. Once I was diagnosed with depression I was put on paxil, trimipramine, sertraline and effexor XR, one after the other. None helped and most just gave me dreadful side-effects, especially when coming off the drug (derealization, depersonalisation, seeing things etc.). I also tried very hard with CBT (I took about 50 1-hour sessions) but it only helped to make me feel like I was at least doing _something_ to get out of the hell I was in.
Finally I sought private help and was started on Reboxetine and Wellbutrin (Zyban here in the UK). The Wellbutrin in particular gave me energy although I can only speculate on the synergy/interaction between the two drugs. I also started learning REBT which is a lesser known alternative to CBT. Things have slowly turned around over 3 years of intense practicing of REBT from wishing I was dead most of every day to feeling pretty ok 80% of the time and not-that-bad the other 20% of the time. I feel strong, resilient, flexible, motivated, into my work and am lucky enough to have found myself a lovely lass. All the things I firmly believed I'd never see again.
This post doesn't really belong on any one PB board as it's about the combination of meds and therapy so apols to the medication-only purists out there for choosing this board :0). I just thought it was worth highlighting a little-known option.
Cheers & good luck to everyone.
pete.
Posted by Ritch on March 24, 2003, at 8:31:26
In reply to Reboxetine + Wellbutrin + REBT = 90% better , posted by pedr on March 24, 2003, at 7:34:57
> Hi everyone,
> I thought a nearly-there success story might introduce a few oft-overlooked options into the mix.
>
> In a nutshell I was very depressed (suicidal ideation, obsessive thinking, panic attacks etc.) for 5 years without knowing it was depression. Once I was diagnosed with depression I was put on paxil, trimipramine, sertraline and effexor XR, one after the other. None helped and most just gave me dreadful side-effects, especially when coming off the drug (derealization, depersonalisation, seeing things etc.). I also tried very hard with CBT (I took about 50 1-hour sessions) but it only helped to make me feel like I was at least doing _something_ to get out of the hell I was in.
>
> Finally I sought private help and was started on Reboxetine and Wellbutrin (Zyban here in the UK). The Wellbutrin in particular gave me energy although I can only speculate on the synergy/interaction between the two drugs. I also started learning REBT which is a lesser known alternative to CBT. Things have slowly turned around over 3 years of intense practicing of REBT from wishing I was dead most of every day to feeling pretty ok 80% of the time and not-that-bad the other 20% of the time. I feel strong, resilient, flexible, motivated, into my work and am lucky enough to have found myself a lovely lass. All the things I firmly believed I'd never see again.
>
> This post doesn't really belong on any one PB board as it's about the combination of meds and therapy so apols to the medication-only purists out there for choosing this board :0). I just thought it was worth highlighting a little-known option.
>
> Cheers & good luck to everyone.
> pete.Pete, that's nice to hear that has worked for you-haven't seen one of your posts in awhile. Just a quick question or two-what doses of WB/Rebox are you on and what does REBT stand for and could you summarize what it is? Thanks in advance!
Posted by pedr on March 27, 2003, at 6:01:42
In reply to Re: Reboxetine + Wellbutrin + REBT = 90% better » pedr, posted by Ritch on March 24, 2003, at 8:31:26
> Pete, that's nice to hear that has worked for you-haven't seen one of your posts in awhile. Just a quick question or two-what doses of WB/Rebox are you on and what does REBT stand for and could you summarize what it is? Thanks in advance!
Ritch, sorry for the delay in replying and yes, it's been a while since I PB'd :0]
To answer your questions I'm on 8mg rebox and 300mg wellbutrin daily. They both gave me serious side-effects when I started them (rebox made me obsess suicidally for 2 weeks solid and zyban made everything look super-bright so I had to wear shades 24/7 ! :0] ) but now it's just the usual gastrointestinal probs.
REBT stands for Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy. Don't be put off by the somewhat flowery name of this therapy, it really is very practical, down-to-earth, logical and powerful. As I say, I liked CBT but it just didn't get to grips with my problems. REBT really gets to the root of things and uses logic to convince you to change your thinking. I cannot recommend it highly enough. For a good introduction go for any Windy Dryden book by Sheldon Press e.g. How to Accept Yourself, Overcoming Anger, Overcoming Anxiety.
Ritch, (&anyone else) if you have any more REBT questions please don't hesistate to ask. I endeavour to refrain from excessively singing its praises as I may come across like some kind of fanatic and put people off!
Cheers & all the best,
pete.
Posted by Ritch on March 27, 2003, at 22:16:39
In reply to wellbutrin and reboxetine: Stomach aches, posted by pedr on March 27, 2003, at 6:01:42
> > Pete, that's nice to hear that has worked for you-haven't seen one of your posts in awhile. Just a quick question or two-what doses of WB/Rebox are you on and what does REBT stand for and could you summarize what it is? Thanks in advance!
>
> Ritch, sorry for the delay in replying and yes, it's been a while since I PB'd :0]
>
> To answer your questions I'm on 8mg rebox and 300mg wellbutrin daily. They both gave me serious side-effects when I started them (rebox made me obsess suicidally for 2 weeks solid and zyban made everything look super-bright so I had to wear shades 24/7 ! :0] ) but now it's just the usual gastrointestinal probs.
>
> REBT stands for Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy. Don't be put off by the somewhat flowery name of this therapy, it really is very practical, down-to-earth, logical and powerful. As I say, I liked CBT but it just didn't get to grips with my problems. REBT really gets to the root of things and uses logic to convince you to change your thinking. I cannot recommend it highly enough. For a good introduction go for any Windy Dryden book by Sheldon Press e.g. How to Accept Yourself, Overcoming Anger, Overcoming Anxiety.
>
> Ritch, (&anyone else) if you have any more REBT questions please don't hesistate to ask. I endeavour to refrain from excessively singing its praises as I may come across like some kind of fanatic and put people off!
>
> Cheers & all the best,
> pete.Thanks for the response! I went to Amazon and checked out some things and went off on a tangent and found another interesting book: "Following Through" that relates to some of my troubles.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1575663481/drbobsvirte00-20
Posted by pedr on March 28, 2003, at 3:32:31
In reply to Re: wellbutrin and reboxetine: Stomach aches » pedr, posted by Ritch on March 27, 2003, at 22:16:39
Hi Ritch,
I checked the book out and it struck a chord with my omline game-playing. For example last night I was up till 2:30a.m. playing online, which isn't helpful as today at work I feel knackered. I frequently tell myself I'll stop at midnight but I never quite manage to - it's so bloody addictive!Perhaps I'll check that book out. This is in danger of becoming a non-meds conversation so we'd better watch it ! :0)
pete
Posted by manhattom on March 29, 2003, at 23:05:56
In reply to Re: wellbutrin and reboxetine: Stomach aches » pedr, posted by Ritch on March 27, 2003, at 22:16:39
regarding REBT, the form of CBT utilized by Albert Ellis, is quite effective in the short term relief of any number of psychopathologies.
if you live in New York, there is a friday night workshop at the Ellis Institute. it's $5, and you can watch (and even participate in) REBT, sometimes with Ellis himself! i HIGHLY recommend it for people who are curious about REBT.
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