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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by galkeepinon on August 30, 2003, at 20:54:34
In reply to Re: so sleepy » melley, posted by Mariposa on August 30, 2003, at 20:49:40
Posted by galkeepinon on August 30, 2003, at 20:56:20
In reply to Re: so sleepy » melley, posted by Mariposa on August 30, 2003, at 20:49:40
I totally agree here-good ole trial and error
:-) hasn't it always been that way with our meds? LOL We'll all get there guys:-)
Sending positive vibes!!!!
> >
> >
> > I know someone on here commented on the sleepiness. I have been very sleepy since being on the lexapro and upping it to 10 mg from 5. Has anyone had this problem and had it go away?
>
> You might also try changing the time you take dose. I started in the morning, fell asleep @ 7PM. Moved to afternoon and that worked for a while, then in the evening. Now at 6mos. and am back to taking at 8AM....trial and error, and waiting for my body to get used to the meds.
>
> The initial *sleepyness/insomnia* side effect usually goes away after 4-5 weeks, but everyone is different!!!
>
> Good luck~~~8|8
>
Posted by hog80ci on August 30, 2003, at 22:58:51
In reply to Re: so sleepy » melley, posted by Mariposa on August 30, 2003, at 20:49:40
That's good to know:-) I'm not sleepy. I feel wired all the time. Reminds me of using cheap speed back in the day... thanks for the info.
Take care
Jim
Posted by trucker on August 31, 2003, at 0:00:57
In reply to Re: SHAY AND LEXAPRO, posted by BLKVETTES on August 30, 2003, at 18:24:25
> Hi Trucker, that must have been real hard dealing with all that on your own. Like you say we all have a story or two. None of them happy ones. My oldest daughter is due within 30 days and the baby is turned the wrong way. She will get the latest picture here soon. If the baby has not turned I guess they do a c-section. Of course I worry about everything that could go wrong. Just my nature I guess!!!!!! I notice a lot of us that suffer have humor. I guess its our way of masking pain. You take care TRUCKER!!!!!!!!!
> WAYNE//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
I UNDERSTAND THIS WELL, FOR YEARS PEOPLE THOUGHT I WAS THE HAPPIEST INDIVIDUAL IN THE WORLD. YOU COULD BASICALLY HAND ME A PILE OF DOG SH-T AND I'D SMILE AT YA AND ASK WHERE YA WANTED IT. I DON'T HAVE ANY CLOSE FRIENDS DO TO OCCUPATION AND OF COURSE MY HANG UPS. PEOPLE GET TOO CLOSE AND REALIZE THERE IS SOMETHING DIFFERENT ABOUT ME. BECAUSE I'M LIKE A ROCK. NOT EASILY SHAKEN "SO THEY THINK." I DON'T ALLOW THEM TO GET CLOSE. BECAUSE I DON'T WANT HURT ANY MORE. IF YOU READ ABOUT MY CHILDHOOD YOU WOULD KNOW WHAT I MEAN. ONE THING AFTER A NOTHER. LEX MAKES ME FEEL MORE LIKE I USE TO BEFORE MY MIND AND BODY CRASHED. I CAN THINK AND FUNCTION. AND HAVE JOYFUL SEX TOO... WE JUST DON'T LET ANY ONE GET TOO CLOSE SO THEY CAN'T SEE OUR PAIN AND WEAKNESS. AND IN THE END WE HURT OURSELVES BECAUSE WE ARE ALWAYS LONLY.
TRUCKER
A VERY LONELY JOB... NOT FOR SEX OR DRUGS OR ANY THING. JUST SOME ONE TO TALK TO AND PEOPLE YOU ENJOY BEING NEAR.
Posted by BLKVETTES on August 31, 2003, at 8:09:44
In reply to Re: SHAY AND LEXAPRO » BLKVETTES, posted by trucker on August 31, 2003, at 0:00:57
> > Hi Trucker, that must have been real hard dealing with all that on your own. Like you say we all have a story or two. None of them happy ones. My oldest daughter is due within 30 days and the baby is turned the wrong way. She will get the latest picture here soon. If the baby has not turned I guess they do a c-section. Of course I worry about everything that could go wrong. Just my nature I guess!!!!!! I notice a lot of us that suffer have humor. I guess its our way of masking pain. You take care TRUCKER!!!!!!!!!
> > WAYNE
>
> //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
> I UNDERSTAND THIS WELL, FOR YEARS PEOPLE THOUGHT I WAS THE HAPPIEST INDIVIDUAL IN THE WORLD. YOU COULD BASICALLY HAND ME A PILE OF DOG SH-T AND I'D SMILE AT YA AND ASK WHERE YA WANTED IT. I DON'T HAVE ANY CLOSE FRIENDS DO TO OCCUPATION AND OF COURSE MY HANG UPS. PEOPLE GET TOO CLOSE AND REALIZE THERE IS SOMETHING DIFFERENT ABOUT ME. BECAUSE I'M LIKE A ROCK. NOT EASILY SHAKEN "SO THEY THINK." I DON'T ALLOW THEM TO GET CLOSE. BECAUSE I DON'T WANT HURT ANY MORE. IF YOU READ ABOUT MY CHILDHOOD YOU WOULD KNOW WHAT I MEAN. ONE THING AFTER A NOTHER. LEX MAKES ME FEEL MORE LIKE I USE TO BEFORE MY MIND AND BODY CRASHED. I CAN THINK AND FUNCTION. AND HAVE JOYFUL SEX TOO... WE JUST DON'T LET ANY ONE GET TOO CLOSE SO THEY CAN'T SEE OUR PAIN AND WEAKNESS. AND IN THE END WE HURT OURSELVES BECAUSE WE ARE ALWAYS LONLY.
> TRUCKER
> A VERY LONELY JOB... NOT FOR SEX OR DRUGS OR ANY THING. JUST SOME ONE TO TALK TO AND PEOPLE YOU ENJOY BEING NEAR.Hi Trucker, thats one of the things Im grateful for is the return of my sense of humor. Yes it does protect me. Yes Im afraid to let people get to close to me for reasons you explain. You dont let people get close you cant get hurt right. Thats kind of sad though. Even on the computer I feel myself connecting with someone and I have to push myself away. I think if we keep going back and forth like this we will be redirected to psycho babble search for a friend match. LOL
WAYNE
Posted by Mariposa on August 31, 2003, at 9:40:52
In reply to Mariposa-you have such helpful posts :-) really do (nm) » Mariposa, posted by galkeepinon on August 30, 2003, at 20:54:34
Thanks so MUCH!!! It is so nice to be appreciated.....and I really feel I owe it to *the board* because all the great people here really helped me, feel like I should give back as good as I get!!!
:-} Hope you are doing well (as well as can be expected, right??) and hang in there....!!!
~~~8|8
Posted by jc12578 on August 31, 2003, at 9:43:38
In reply to so sleepy, posted by melley on August 30, 2003, at 20:22:28
OK so I have been catching up after my week of torture(mostly self inflicted)...I am having horrible withdrawls from the lex...I have constant chills and my head is killing me...switching back to celexa...because I yelled at my psych till he said ok...not going to be on that poison..
ANYWAYS...as I am reading through these posts I am looking at the dosages that you all are on...and I am wondering if there is a reason why I got started out at 30 mgs of lex a day when I see that most of you are on from 5-20...I know I am fat I weigh like 250...does that have something to do with it or is there some other reasons that I get such high doses...maybe I am being paranoid but is my condition more serious then they tell me or something...I mean I went up to 120 on the prozac...and i can NEVER get a straight answer from my psych...He thinks he is too smart for the world even tho my IQ is over 190 (GEEZ!!! I really despise that man...every session he says stuff like it's so nice to see that people have IQ's close to his..he's given me an IQ test twice...I really don't care that I can take tests well I just want to be normal again and not wake up every morning thinking I should be dead...OK gotta stop getting angry)..thank god he is leaving soon...anyone have any advice answers...would really appreciate it
Posted by BLKVETTES on August 31, 2003, at 10:37:52
In reply to Lexapro dosage questions? Why was I taking so much, posted by jc12578 on August 31, 2003, at 9:43:38
> OK so I have been catching up after my week of torture(mostly self inflicted)...I am having horrible withdrawls from the lex...I have constant chills and my head is killing me...switching back to celexa...because I yelled at my psych till he said ok...not going to be on that poison..
>
>
> ANYWAYS...as I am reading through these posts I am looking at the dosages that you all are on...and I am wondering if there is a reason why I got started out at 30 mgs of lex a day when I see that most of you are on from 5-20...I know I am fat I weigh like 250...does that have something to do with it or is there some other reasons that I get such high doses...maybe I am being paranoid but is my condition more serious then they tell me or something...I mean I went up to 120 on the prozac...and i can NEVER get a straight answer from my psych...He thinks he is too smart for the world even tho my IQ is over 190 (GEEZ!!! I really despise that man...every session he says stuff like it's so nice to see that people have IQ's close to his..he's given me an IQ test twice...I really don't care that I can take tests well I just want to be normal again and not wake up every morning thinking I should be dead...OK gotta stop getting angry)..thank god he is leaving soon...anyone have any advice answers...would really appreciate itHi there, the wonderful world of shrinks!!!!!! Why are you on 30mg because your genius shrink is an ################ You pick a word because we are to be civil on this board. I had 4 shrinks in a few months. The reason why is because the first couple of meds were killing me. Good old allergic reactions of course the shrinks were telling me this will all go away. Family members would say the doctor said this and the doctor said that. What happened to me is very rare and not worth going into. But I ended up in the hospital and recovered. Started educating myself on everything I could find on the web. My favorites have over a 100 links on 3 screen names. I started asking simple questions that they should know answers to. Guess what they did not know crap. Did you know that a lot of doctors dont believe there are withdrawal symptoms. Some if you ask about side effects will just say they never heard that before. I will say this until I die for almost everyone you start at a low dose and work your way up. No doctor and no one knows what the right dose will be. People I chat with and get emails from weigh as much as you. I know antibiotics weight is considered when you are given a dose. But these meds are for the brain and most of the brain they still know nothing about. Im not sure weight is considered but this is possible. Women weighing 120 or so are taking 20mg. Dont know what my IQ is, but I do have some common sense!! I would have left that moron genius shrink of yours long ago. Second and third opinions are great if you have the resources. Bad thing is so many dont have the insurance or money and have to rely on a clinic or family doctor. I just hope and pray they get lucky!!!! I think I should stop here because I may say something I really regret even though I believe it would be true!!!!!! Hey, none of my anger is directed at you, its directed at shrinks and our society!!!! I wish you luck!!!!!! GOD BLESS!!!!!!!!
WAYNE
http://panicdisorder.about.com/features/blmed1.htm
Posted by Mariposa on August 31, 2003, at 10:39:36
In reply to Re: so sleepy, posted by hog80ci on August 30, 2003, at 22:58:51
> That's good to know:-) I'm not sleepy. I feel wired all the time. Reminds me of using cheap speed back in the day... thanks for the info.
> Take care
> JimYes I agree, was never much of a fan of *ups*, but that's how I felt too. Thankfully that feeling was another in the LONG list of se's that have gone away. Don't know if you've gone back in the thread, but somewhere in there I put several posts about that *speed* feeling because I was going nuts cleaning the house (toothbrush on my hands and knees cleaning in the corners!!!, etc.) and all kinds of yard work. My husband commented about it, so I know it was unusual. At least I put it to good use and got a LOT done!!!
How long have you been on Lex? I'm @20mg and into 6th month. Doing so MUCH better than I was at the beginning of the year!!! And it was a pretty horrible beginning.....had spent the month of Dec. moving into mother-in-law's house (diabetic 70yr. old, fell and broke hip) to take care of her. Jan. 1st, New Years's day and my Birthday, she had a terrible diabetic reaction and died while my husband and I tried to bring her out of it!!! Add in to that, I work for KMART, in a store that may be included in the next round of closings!
Despite all that, I'm keeping it *together* w/the help of Lex and encouragement from all the great people here.
Best of luck to us all.~~~8|8
Posted by Mariposa on August 31, 2003, at 10:59:49
In reply to Lexapro dosage questions? Why was I taking so much, posted by jc12578 on August 31, 2003, at 9:43:38
> OK so I have been catching up after my week of torture(mostly self inflicted)...I am having horrible withdrawls from the lex...I have constant chills and my head is killing me...switching back to celexa...because I yelled at my psych till he said ok...not going to be on that poison..
>
>
> ANYWAYS...as I am reading through these posts I am looking at the dosages that you all are on...and I am wondering if there is a reason why I got started out at 30 mgs of lex a day when I see that most of you are on from 5-20...I know I am fat I weigh like 250...does that have something to do with it or is there some other reasons that I get such high doses...maybe I am being paranoid but is my condition more serious then they tell me or something...I mean I went up to 120 on the prozac...and i can NEVER get a straight answer from my psych...He thinks he is too smart for the world even tho my IQ is over 190 (GEEZ!!! I really despise that man...every session he says stuff like it's so nice to see that people have IQ's close to his..he's given me an IQ test twice...I really don't care that I can take tests well I just want to be normal again and not wake up every morning thinking I should be dead...OK gotta stop getting angry)..thank god he is leaving soon...anyone have any advice answers...would really appreciate itI can't believe this!!! The literature, and drug co. both recommend a 10mg dose of Lex, and claim that *there is no significant difference* at 20mg. I was told by gyn doc to start at 5mg, which I did, and went to 10mg week 4. After a few mos., I started feeling *bad* again and asked to be raised to 20mg. Gyn doc refused, said 10mg was max dose!! Had to go to a pdoc to get the 20mg!! I agree that many of these so-called *professionals* are just bumbling idiots!
Starting at 30mg seems like madness to me, the se's at 5mg were so bad for me I can't even imagine what they would be like @30!!!!
I think you need a new doc, why is he so concerned about your IQ? It really seems to me you have been *misstreated*!!!
Posted by lil' jimi on August 31, 2003, at 11:12:19
In reply to Re: Mariposa-you have such helpful posts :-) really do » galkeepinon, posted by Mariposa on August 31, 2003, at 9:40:52
greetings to all of our lex thread readers and posters !
Mariposa writes:
> Thanks so MUCH!!! It is so nice to be appreciated.....and I really feel I owe it to *the board* because all the great people here really helped me, feel like I should give back as good as I get!!!
>
> :-} Hope you are doing well (as well as can be expected, right??) and hang in there....!!!
>
> ~~~8|8 .... >for our newer lexapro users who want a GREAT testimonial for the benefits of lexapro ....
.... i highly recommend reading the past posts to our lex thread by "Okpolosi"
... and you will get to watch as she transforms into our Mariposa ....... here's how:
load the lex thread to your browser by clicking the link for :
>> Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl
>> Posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
>> [Posted by ggrrl on June 11, 2002, at 1:19:51]
at http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020609/msgs/109458.html
...then do a "find" search with your browser using "Okpolosi" the search term ....
... (i think her 1st post was Re: Lexapro side-effects okpolosi 3/2/03 at http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030301/msgs/205250.html)... anyway, Mariposa has continued to be an ongoing inspiration here and i am personally grateful to call her my friend ... ...
she HAS been a great support for our lex cafe here and she gives great postings .... i'm her fan ...
... can you tell?TAKE CARE!!
~ jim
Posted by Mariposa on August 31, 2003, at 11:40:44
In reply to re: Okpolosi metamorphisizes into Mariposa, posted by lil' jimi on August 31, 2003, at 11:12:19
Number 1 CHEERLEADER!!! Thanks for the *testimonial*, as you can tell the 20mg has been good to me! Had a dry spell there for a bit as the 10mg gradually did less and less for me, I would read posts regularly, but just couldn't bring myself to be *social*, not feeling up to snuff.
Which once again raises concerns about the *poop-out* we've discussed before....still a BIG concern for me as I watched myself improve only to start backtracking again, and now improving at the higher dose. Will the same thing happen in a couple of months??? Will going to 30mg at that time have the same effects??? Just more stuff to worry about!!!
Hope we all continue to improve.~~~8|8
Posted by postpartum mama on August 31, 2003, at 12:02:44
In reply to Lexapro side-effects , posted by dr dave on August 28, 2002, at 3:15:33
Hey everyone,
This is my first post, but I've visited the site a few times, researching side effects and withdrawal symptoms for the various anti-depressants and anti-anxiety meds. Your comments were instrumental in my choosing to make a recent switch (3 weeks ago) from Zoloft to Lexapro.
Just wanted to share that I am doing fairly well with the Lexapro. I was on Zoloft for 1 1/2 years (75 mg/day) for major postpartum depression & anxiety but recently switched to Lexapro because I couldn't stand the sexual side effects of the Zoloft (nonexistent libido, inability to achieve orgasm). I am still taking 1.5 mg/day of klonopin for anxiety.
The most notable side effects I've experienced so far with Lexapro are nausea and severe headaches. The headaches improved when my pdoc reduced my dosage from 10 mg/day to 5 mg/day. Still struggling with nausea; however, I also take birth control pills which contribute to the nausea. The nausea "cure" seems to be eating a small snack in order to keep my belly full.
No apparent issues with weight gain, though I have always had to work hard to keep weight off (I'm only 5'1", with a muscular build but a tendency to get a tummy pooch). I am dieting & exercising and have lost 15 pounds in the past few months (10 lbs to go to reach pre-pregnancy weight of 123!).
Since the Lexapro, I feel less depressed than I have for a long time, and my husband says he really notices a positive difference in my personality--as if the "old me" is back. I have more energy and more interest in life, and am noticing a gradual return of my libido! Hooray!
Hopefully I will continue to do well on Lexapro and will be able to start decreasing the Klonopin soon. Of course, someday I hope to be off EVERYTHING and be my old self again.
Good luck to everyone in this terrible game of mood instability, drug cocktails, and intolerable drug side effects.
Peace.
Posted by Mariposa on August 31, 2003, at 12:59:36
In reply to Re: Lexapro side-effects , posted by postpartum mama on August 31, 2003, at 12:02:44
Your nausea should begin to lessen and go away. I found that drinking lots of water helped me. The headaches too should be going away shortly, if they are an se. I took OTC for mine and that seemed to work. I think it was a very good idea to cut back to 5mg until your body gets used to the Lex, then go back up to 10mg.
It sounds like you are already beginning to feel the *benefits* of Lex and things should just get better from here.
Best of luck to you and keep us posted on your progress.~~~8|8
Posted by cortez on August 31, 2003, at 13:09:17
In reply to Re: Lexapro side-effects , posted by postpartum mama on August 31, 2003, at 12:02:44
To lexapre rep. Has anyone reported being dizzy when starting lexapre. i just started within the last week on 1/2 of 10 mg= 5mg,Thanks
Posted by lil' jimi on August 31, 2003, at 13:12:30
In reply to re: Okpolosi metamorphisizes into Mariposa » lil' jimi, posted by Mariposa on August 31, 2003, at 11:40:44
hi Mariposa!
great to have you back !
grateful to hear you're doing better ... i've missed you ...
so glad to read your posts ... ...i understand completely that if your neurotransmitters aren't up for posting, then you just aren't going to feel like posting ...
i am so sorry to hear about the circumstances of your mother-in-law's death ... ... you have my sympathies for your experience from that tragedy ... ... i was present when my father-in-law died from lung cancer ... but we had already had to have given up hope for him when he went ...
... of course, stresses like those and your job insecurity compound the burden on your neurotransmitters and the suppport your lexapro can give you ....
... ... i think that jc12578 may have a point about body weight being a consideration in lex dosage levels ... ... i wonder if it doesn't require blood level concentrations to be raised to minmum targets to be able to get the CNS to receive the expected med dose ... particularly across the blood-brain barrier ... and i wonder ... that our circulatory system's contents are like a sponge soaking up the lex we put in ... so that our bigger sponges end up with lower concentrations than our smaller sponges on the same dose .... ... ????
... how CAN a 90 pounder and a 270 pounder get similar CNS levels on the same , say, 20 miillgrams ???
<<< ... these days it's just any excuse for jim to justify him getting more, isn't it? ... ... HA!>>
... coursin' there's another reason some of us read our sweet Mariposa's posts here ... ... i'm sorry to admit this ... but you _are_ our "canary in the coal mine" now that you've suffered this dry spell of yours (ours?) ... at least for the waynes and jims who are dependng on lex and have to be vigilant for reports of "poop out" ...
so your cheerleader is going to always be cheering for you, babe ... hang in there ... and always ...
... TAKE CARE !!!
~ jim
Posted by galkeepinon on August 31, 2003, at 13:14:51
In reply to Re: Mariposa-you have such helpful posts :-) really do » galkeepinon, posted by Mariposa on August 31, 2003, at 9:40:52
Posted by galkeepinon on August 31, 2003, at 13:19:59
In reply to Lexapro dosage questions? Why was I taking so much, posted by jc12578 on August 31, 2003, at 9:43:38
Whoooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa-you started out at 30mg!!! That is a very high dose! What was your doc thinking?-I know that's what YOU'RE probably thinking!
Wow. Without going into anymore-I truly believe for your sake, try finding another doc~or communicate to him how you are feeling first and tell him that you feel like he/she isn't listening to you~you deserve it, and his remarks are not helping you. Remember, this is your life, and your body, and you pay him (well insurance maybe)but still...........
Also, what about going down to 5mg Lexapro again?
Take care!!!
> OK so I have been catching up after my week of torture(mostly self inflicted)...I am having horrible withdrawls from the lex...I have constant chills and my head is killing me...switching back to celexa...because I yelled at my psych till he said ok...not going to be on that poison..
>
>
> ANYWAYS...as I am reading through these posts I am looking at the dosages that you all are on...and I am wondering if there is a reason why I got started out at 30 mgs of lex a day when I see that most of you are on from 5-20...I know I am fat I weigh like 250...does that have something to do with it or is there some other reasons that I get such high doses...maybe I am being paranoid but is my condition more serious then they tell me or something...I mean I went up to 120 on the prozac...and i can NEVER get a straight answer from my psych...He thinks he is too smart for the world even tho my IQ is over 190 (GEEZ!!! I really despise that man...every session he says stuff like it's so nice to see that people have IQ's close to his..he's given me an IQ test twice...I really don't care that I can take tests well I just want to be normal again and not wake up every morning thinking I should be dead...OK gotta stop getting angry)..thank god he is leaving soon...anyone have any advice answers...would really appreciate it
Posted by OnTheRoad on August 31, 2003, at 13:29:01
In reply to I feel the same way-I try! :-) (nm) » Mariposa, posted by galkeepinon on August 31, 2003, at 13:14:51
To All-
New here, been readin with y'all for a full week now. Only fair to make an introduction.
I'm a textbook Case Study in depression. Onset in '81 when my wife left. Hit rock bottom, finally "gave in" to the "crutch" of meds. Those were the bad old days, my new friends, and them were some WICKED side effects. The SSRIs are a whole new planet.
I tried 'em all, found Effexor is the one for me. Been on it forever, and I'll take it to the day I die.
As for ay bias that may appear, I'm an open book, only too eager to share. I write ads for a major pharmaceuitical company...and their product didn't work for me. I'm sellin' nothin but the promise of brighter tomorrows to people near rock bottom.
Which brings me to you.
My own brother is now in a serious battle for his sanity, but his problem is OCD. I pushed and pushed and got him to see a doc, The Rx he got was Lexapro and I'm trying to stay on top...and I truly need YOUR help.He's been on it a week at 10mg and he's ready to quit...and I'm hammering away, telling him the effects aren't kickin in yet.
What IS kickin' in are side effects...or perhaps his own subliminal battle to "avoid crutches". We've all been there.
HIS COMPLAINTS seem new to me-- Dry mouth and constipation. Reminds me of those nasty old days. Can anyone shed some light?
Many thanks, and I apologize for the long-winded intro. But this seems to be a civil and supportive group.
-OnTheRoad
Posted by BLKVETTES on August 31, 2003, at 14:31:39
In reply to Re: Learnins 'bout Lexapro , posted by OnTheRoad on August 31, 2003, at 13:29:01
> To All-
>
> New here, been readin with y'all for a full week now. Only fair to make an introduction.
>
> I'm a textbook Case Study in depression. Onset in '81 when my wife left. Hit rock bottom, finally "gave in" to the "crutch" of meds. Those were the bad old days, my new friends, and them were some WICKED side effects. The SSRIs are a whole new planet.
>
> I tried 'em all, found Effexor is the one for me. Been on it forever, and I'll take it to the day I die.
>
> As for ay bias that may appear, I'm an open book, only too eager to share. I write ads for a major pharmaceuitical company...and their product didn't work for me. I'm sellin' nothin but the promise of brighter tomorrows to people near rock bottom.
>
> Which brings me to you.
> My own brother is now in a serious battle for his sanity, but his problem is OCD. I pushed and pushed and got him to see a doc, The Rx he got was Lexapro and I'm trying to stay on top...and I truly need YOUR help.
>
> He's been on it a week at 10mg and he's ready to quit...and I'm hammering away, telling him the effects aren't kickin in yet.
>
> What IS kickin' in are side effects...or perhaps his own subliminal battle to "avoid crutches". We've all been there.
>
> HIS COMPLAINTS seem new to me-- Dry mouth and constipation. Reminds me of those nasty old days. Can anyone shed some light?
>
> Many thanks, and I apologize for the long-winded intro. But this seems to be a civil and supportive group.
>
> -OnTheRoadHi there I had constipation and a dry mouth also. These are very common complaints with all kinds of meds. It all went away dont remember how long it took though. Have him buy something to move things along. Check with the pharmacist to make sure it is safe though with his med. We preach drink a lot of water here also. Sounds like what he is complaining about are very minor side effects. TAKE CARE!!!!
WAYNE
Posted by hog80ci on August 31, 2003, at 14:34:54
In reply to Re: so sleepy » hog80ci, posted by Mariposa on August 31, 2003, at 10:39:36
I'm getting a lot done around my house too. That actually feels pretty good because I really let a lot of things slide when I was in the "hole". I've been on Lex for 11 days, just went up to 20mg last Weds. I tell myself over and over that the ends justify the means in this case.
Sounds like you had a lot going on. It's good to know we can make it through stuff like that and not come apart at the seams. I'm retiring after 24+ years in the Air Force and there are a lot of feelings around that. It's really the only life I've ever known. Went through a divorce a while back then a pretty painful relationship. I don't do so well with abandonment. I agree with you...the support around here is great. I like reading about how people are "making it" every day. It also helps to know I'm not the only one who struggles, know what I mean?
Take care
Jim
Posted by postpartum mama on August 31, 2003, at 15:49:11
In reply to Re: Lexapro side-effects » postpartum mama, posted by Mariposa on August 31, 2003, at 12:59:36
> Your nausea should begin to lessen and go away. I found that drinking lots of water helped me. The headaches too should be going away shortly, if they are an se. I took OTC for mine and that seemed to work. I think it was a very good idea to cut back to 5mg until your body gets used to the Lex, then go back up to 10mg.
>
> It sounds like you are already beginning to feel the *benefits* of Lex and things should just get better from here.
>
> Best of luck to you and keep us posted on your progress.~~~8|8Thanks for the water tip--I do try to drink tons of water since I live in the desert, but more is always better! I hadn't made the connection that water might help w/nausea.
I was actually hoping to stay at the lower 5 mg. dose for a while...which brings up the perennial question about body weight & dosages. When I saw the post about the person who started on 30 mg I couldn't believe it, even if he is a big guy! I'm sure there's also a relationship between the severity of one's condition and the dose, but still, 30 mg sounds intense! My first day on just 5 mg of Lex (overlapping with Zoloft for a few days) I was so hyped out I couldn't sit still for 2 seconds. My thoughts were racing, the world was totally surreal, I almost couldn't even work! 10 cups of espresso would have been more relaxing.
If I am a relatively small person, wouldn't it follow that 5 mg of Lex might be enough for me? My symptoms have improved SOOOOO much since the first nightmarish days of the postpartum crash that I was hoping to begin tapering off all drugs someday soon. However, I guess I'll know soon if 5 mg of Lex is enough by monitoring my mood.
Posted by galkeepinon on August 31, 2003, at 16:17:28
In reply to Re: Lexapro side-effects , posted by cortez on August 31, 2003, at 13:09:17
Hi, I had a little bit of dizziness when I first started Lexapro about 5 weeks ago. I actually bumped into a wall in my home. It went away very fast. I do not get dizzy anymore.
Good luck, I think 5mg is a great way to start:-)> To lexapre rep. Has anyone reported being dizzy when starting lexapre. i just started within the last week on 1/2 of 10 mg= 5mg,Thanks
Posted by postpartum mama on August 31, 2003, at 17:17:01
In reply to Re: Lexapro side-effects » cortez, posted by galkeepinon on August 31, 2003, at 16:17:28
Now that I've done some more reading on various psychobabble threads, I thought I'd toss in some more data on my experiences with SSRI side effects.
Stats: Female, age 39, married, one baby girl age 15 mos
Diagnosis: Severe postpartum depression & anxietyI had a problem with jaw clenching, sexual dysfunction, diarrhea, dizziness, and vertigo during most of my time on Zoloft (15 mos). I could never tell if the jaw clenching was from anxiety or from the meds. The clenching did get better with time and lots of conscious relaxation. The sexual side effects were by far the worst SE, thus causing me to switch to Lexapro.
Now that I'm on Lexapro (3 weeks now), the jaw clenching is not really an issue but I have major muscle tension, especially around the neck and back of the head, which gives me terrible headaches.
Unlike many others, Lexapro does not make me sleepy, it makes me hyperactive. I take it with food in the early a.m., then take Klonopin in order to get to sleep at night.
In sum, for me, here are the SEs of the two SSRIs I've tried:
Zoloft = loss of libido, inability to achieve orgasm, jaw clenching, diarrhea
Lexapro = nausea, muscle tension, headaches, itchiness
Both: dizziness, vertigo
I think that's it! I'm hoping the Lexapro SEs will diminish soon and that new ones will not emerge...
Posted by postpartum mama on August 31, 2003, at 17:24:23
In reply to SIDE EFFECTS AND BREAST FEEDING, posted by blkvettes on March 3, 2003, at 13:22:57
I realize that the breastfeeding post is from March 2003, but I wanted to put in my two cents just in case someone new reads the thread.
From what I understand, Zoloft is considered the "safest" anti-depressant to use when breastfeeding. I took it while breastfeeding for 8 months and so far have not seen any ill effects on my daughter (she's 15 months now, fingers are crossed!). In my case, I gambled that the benefits of early breastfeeding would outweigh the risks of transmitting Zoloft & Klonopin on to my daughter via breastmilk. My pdoc and I both agreed that taking NOTHING while breastfeeding was not an option since my postpartum depression & anxiety were so severe.
I would not use Lexapro while breastfeeding since it is still so new. I agree that weaning would be preferable, especially with an older baby.
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