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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by baracuda on March 29, 2003, at 22:22:15
ok so its been 2.5 weeks on lexapro and here is my input so far. i figured it would be easier to track the ups and downs on one thread.
things i like about lexapro:
1.the binge eating is gone. i get full and dont want to eat anymore after a meal.
2. my carb craving is gone
3. i dont get anxiety on the freeways anymore
4. i leave the house more.things i dont like about lexapro:
1. the jaw clenching during sleep
2. being SUPER sleepy in the morning
3. after about 2 hours from taking the med, i get a twitchy type of feeling
4. i feel real lethargic, even though im more active. does that make sense? i dont mind leaving the house, but i dont have the energy or desire to exercise.
5. im finally aware physically of the weight i have gained on prozac and i feel gross and unattractive now.
Posted by KRM123 on March 29, 2003, at 22:49:25
In reply to lexapro week 2-3, posted by baracuda on March 29, 2003, at 22:22:15
Hi Baracuda,
I am on week 2 and I am quitting because I can't stand the tiredness. I've seen everything improve except that and I can't tolerate it anymore. I feel pathetic not being able to work out. The Dr. gave me Provigil but still had that "on drugs" feeling and didn't like it, but it helped a little bit. It might help for you. As for me- I am a binge eater and could tell I was in control for awhile but now I can eat and eat and not get full. All I want is carbs. I also experienced this on Zoloft. It's like my anxiety gets worse. I think I am cursed with SSRI's. Lexapro was the third one I've tried- now I'm off to Effexor. Good luck and I hope the side effects go away! God Bless.
Posted by Okpolosi on March 30, 2003, at 8:03:17
In reply to Re: lexapro week 2-3, posted by KRM123 on March 29, 2003, at 22:49:25
Not sure you guys are giving Lex a chance to work. I'm into week 9 now and am just starting to feel like it's actually working.
My first few weeks were utter HELL with all the SE's. All have pretty much subsided now, still a little bit of jaw clenching.
I also experienced a dramatic increase in craving for carbs. Could not eat enough Chex Mix!!! I have had problems in the past with binge eating. But now I have to say that all seems to be under control and I have actually lost 6 pounds without trying or exercising.
Have been monitoring this board since I started the Lex, and seems some people get results almost right away. Myself, I felt very discouraged and thought about quitting many times, but stuck with it anyway. Now I am glad I did as it seems Lex is finally working for me.
Posted by Okpolosi on March 30, 2003, at 8:13:34
In reply to lexapro week 2-3, posted by baracuda on March 29, 2003, at 22:22:15
I also experienced the lethargy you speak of, and that side effect will go away. Some days all I wanted to do was sleep some more even though I had a good full night of sleep. Before Lex I was quite the insomniac and hardly ever felt like I'd had a good nite's rest. I just had to fight it, get up, and go to work. Once I got moving the tiredness subsided. Now into week 9 and don't feel like I'm fighting that any more. Jaw clenching is still there but much less noticeable.
Posted by male34 on March 30, 2003, at 10:18:03
In reply to lexapro week 2-3, posted by baracuda on March 29, 2003, at 22:22:15
3 months on 10mgs lex and small bit of diazapam, my traffic jam panics are gone also and things are slowly getting better but MAN! was i sleepy also getting outa bed was soooo slleeeepy,youlll get into the grove the weight will go like paxil weight came off me ,good luck move on stay strong
Posted by KRM123 on March 30, 2003, at 10:19:57
In reply to Re: lexapro week 2-3, posted by Okpolosi on March 30, 2003, at 8:03:17
Okpolosi- I know I'm probably not giving the Lex enough time, but I really don't see myself being this tired for 9 weeks! Maybe if I had nothing to do I could handle it. I just don't feel good about myself- very dragged down and pathetic. That doesn't help to get me out of my depression. I am a college student and need to be mentally awake to study. I'm not doing too good in classes right now becasue the whole month of March has been a trial and error period for me with the Well and Lex. Wow this is absolutely the lowest I've ever felt. I am about to try Effexor but most people are saying that the withdrawal side effects are pure hell...so it better work or I'm screwed! Taking summer classes and need to work. It is hard to keep hope and yes I am very impatient, but I have to find something that works!! Glad the Lex is working for you now!! God Bless.
Posted by TJO on March 30, 2003, at 10:27:03
In reply to Re: lexapro week 2-3, posted by KRM123 on March 29, 2003, at 22:49:25
> Hi Baracuda,
>
> I am on week 2 and I am quitting because I can't stand the tiredness.My tiredness on Lexapro did not begin to lift until the beginning of week 3. It hasn't started to work yet, though. I am taking 10mg.
- Scott
Posted by KRM123 on March 30, 2003, at 10:52:34
In reply to Re: lexapro week 2-3 » KRM123, posted by TJO on March 30, 2003, at 10:27:03
Thanks Scott for letting me know about the Lex...did your tiredness completely disappear?? Do you feel energized? I can't wait around for the tiredness to disappear. I haven't worked out in a long time and feel pathetic about myself. I know I should give it more time but am afraid of putting too much time into something it if there is something that can make me feel better. I hate starting over =(
Posted by SLS on March 30, 2003, at 11:59:19
In reply to Re: lexapro week 2-3 TJO, posted by KRM123 on March 30, 2003, at 10:52:34
> Thanks Scott for letting me know about the Lex...did your tiredness completely disappear?? Do you feel energized? I can't wait around for the tiredness to disappear. I haven't worked out in a long time and feel pathetic about myself. I know I should give it more time but am afraid of putting too much time into something it if there is something that can make me feel better. I hate starting over =(
Hi.
I would say yes, the tiredness has completely disappeared. I do not feel energized, nor do I feel fatigued. I am on day 16, and have been taking 10mg from the beginning. Yesterday was the first day that I was without fatigue or sleepiness. Now, if only the sh_t would work!
How much Lexapro are you taking?
Considering the significance of making a decision to stop a potentially effective drug, and considering that it seems to take at least two weeks for the tiredness to abate anyway, I guess it makes sense to hang in there until the end of week 3. I wish I had a crystal ball for you.
Good luck.
- Scott
Posted by cindy on March 30, 2003, at 19:22:54
In reply to Re: lexapro week 2-3, posted by Okpolosi on March 30, 2003, at 8:03:17
I just started on Lex after being on & off zoloft for a year. I also tried Effexor which gave me horrid migraes and a weird head feeling. The zoloft made me very tired and withdrawn, I also had no libido. Has anyone had any sexual dysfunction from taking Lex? I seem to have no interest in sex since being on meds. The good news is I am more alert and not as tired. I take xanax as well which helps me calm down and sleep. It is to early to tell if my panic/anxiety will stay at bay. Thanks.
Posted by Okpolosi on March 31, 2003, at 10:49:00
In reply to Re: lexapro week 2-3 Okpolosi, posted by KRM123 on March 30, 2003, at 10:19:57
> Okpolosi- I know I'm probably not giving the Lex enough time, but I really don't see myself being this tired for 9 weeks! Maybe if I had nothing to do I could handle it. I just don't feel good about myself- very dragged down and pathetic. That doesn't help to get me out of my depression. I am a college student and need to be mentally awake to study. I'm not doing too good in classes right now becasue the whole month of March has been a trial and error period for me with the Well and Lex. Wow this is absolutely the lowest I've ever felt. I am about to try Effexor but most people are saying that the withdrawal side effects are pure hell...so it better work or I'm screwed! Taking summer classes and need to work. It is hard to keep hope and yes I am very impatient, but I have to find something that works!! Glad the Lex is working for you now!! God Bless.
Everyone is different and we all seem to have different responses to these meds. I agree that if you are into week 9 and still feel tired Lex may not be the med for you. Yor Dr. is probably the best place to start...tell him/her what is going on and how you feel. It's possible that another med will work better, or a combination of meds, or even a different dosage. I know school is tough and probably not the best time to be experimenting...but if you hang in there and keep trying hopefully you will get good results in the long run.
Just DO NOT GIVE UP!!! I was so down, life was terrible, I fought with my dear hubby all the time, I just wanted to crawl under a rock and die. That was before - now I am doing better daily - have not fought w/better half in over a month and feel like I can start to function normally again.
BEST OF LUCK to you and my best wishes!!!!
Posted by baracuda on April 1, 2003, at 1:15:03
In reply to Re: lexapro week 2-3, posted by Okpolosi on March 30, 2003, at 8:03:17
yea i feel you on the carb craving!! i had it something terrible on prozac, but on lexapro i dont really want to eat anything - i too am a binge eater, and although this sounds crazy, im sad because i cant binge anymore - there is absolutely no fullfilment anylonger - all these years i wanted to stop and now i can, but i feel lost without it. *sigh*
ive lost 3 lbs so far this week again tho - i havent been able to go to the gym because of the tiredness, but i read someone on the board was mixing hydroxycut with lex to combat the sleepiness? do you think that might work? im anxious to have energy to go back to the gym...
Posted by baracuda on April 1, 2003, at 1:18:33
In reply to Re: lexapro week 2-3 TJO, posted by KRM123 on March 30, 2003, at 10:52:34
i dont know if this helps or not, but tomorrow will complete my 3rd week on lexapro and today /this morning i was not as sleepy as i have been ... and im able to stay up later as well. another thing that i have done is switch from taking my pill at night and take it early early in the morning like 5-6 am when i wake up for my bathroom break and then go back to sleep until 9 - that seemed to work this morning... i think its all about trial and error, but im going to give it the full trial because i DESPISE switching meds... i so hope this one is the one!
im sorry that your are going thru so much drama.///
Posted by baracuda on April 1, 2003, at 1:20:20
In reply to Re: lexapro week 2-3, posted by cindy on March 30, 2003, at 19:22:54
actually - my sex drive hasnt all the way come back - BUT i DID have a sex dream - which is something that im always welcoming - and never experienced on prozac - i only had nightmares on prozac HAHA!
my sex drive is the least of my concerns right now tho - i just want to not be depressed soooo terribly bad!
Posted by KRM123 on April 1, 2003, at 16:52:31
In reply to Re: lexapro week 2-3, posted by baracuda on April 1, 2003, at 1:15:03
how long have you been on the Lex?? Are you on 10mg. I was thinking about going down to 5mg. I don't know what to do!!
This is the end of the thread.
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