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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Linny on December 30, 2003, at 18:23:32
In reply to Re: Excessive Sleepiness, posted by Mariposa on December 30, 2003, at 17:54:44
Help!! My wife of 5 years has been taking Lexapro
for about 9 months. Since that time she has
become downright mean. She has changed from
someone who was a joy to be around to someone
that is sarcastic, rude and unpleasant. I know
it's the drug. I can't talk to her about it because
she becomes defensive. Now I'm going to talk to
her Dr. or to our Atty for a divorce. Does anybody
know somebody that has taken Lexapro and has become
the wicked witch of the west. I love her so...
Linny
Posted by Mrs C. on December 30, 2003, at 19:00:29
In reply to Re: Excessive Sleepiness, posted by Mariposa on December 30, 2003, at 17:54:44
I also agree. Lex made me sleepy and wired at the same time(weird). But if I kept busy I felt much better.
Posted by Mrs C. on December 30, 2003, at 19:04:08
In reply to Wicked Witch of the West, posted by Linny on December 30, 2003, at 18:23:32
Hello,
I have been on lex for 2 months. I still have moments of crankiness that really freak me out but I would not call it "wicked". Perhaps your wife should try something else. Lex can be kinda stimulating. How does your wife feel? Why did she start lex in the first place? Let us know what happens.
Posted by CajunBelle on December 30, 2003, at 19:24:10
In reply to Wicked Witch of the West, posted by Linny on December 30, 2003, at 18:23:32
Hi
Im sorry things are not good with your wife.It very well may be the Lexapro causing her change in mood, or If she suffers from depression,It may also be from that as well.There are so many things to look at and consider that could be the culpret for her behavior.My advice is to talk to her dr about whats going on with her.I was on Prozac several years ago and had the same exp while on it..I would snap at the drop of a hat over little things..I noticed I would talk to my kids through my teeth,It made me very hostile...Im sure you truly love your wife.she may be very hard to live with right now,but depression/anxeity/any form of mental illness doesnt just affect those who have the illness but everyone around them as well...My husband has wanted to walk away so many times from our marriage because my depression has put such a tress on our relationship..but Thank God he has stuck by me and faught the battle with me...good Luck to you and I hope I have helped if even in some small way...Cajunbelle
Posted by MoodyDee on December 30, 2003, at 20:53:21
In reply to ??? about Side Effects (nm), posted by MoodyDee on December 30, 2003, at 20:33:51
Hi, I'm new to this board. Your comments are very helpful. Thanks for sharing. I've been on Lexapro 10mg since the end of September. I've increased the dosage to 20 mg. Lexapro is great at taking the edge off my anxiety however I'm still having mood swings (crying, overwhelming sadness, thoughts of death - not suicidal though). I also experience what someone described as a sense of disconnectedness or surrealness. I've been unable to have an orgasm for 3 months. Do these side effects last forever???
Posted by Interject79 on December 30, 2003, at 23:15:04
In reply to Wicked Witch of the West, posted by Linny on December 30, 2003, at 18:23:32
SSRIs can do that to some people. I've noticed it with myself and with several other people who I know take an SSRI...very unpleasant. On the brighter side, it usually goes away when the med is (safely) discontinued.
A bipolar-spectrum disorder would be something to consider, since they can be aggravated by SSRIs. Mood stabilisers can help with this. That said, some physicians might not recognize increased irritability as a normal side effect of the SSRI and mistakenly dx bipolar.
Non-prescription remedies for irritability have been best for me. Kava works really well, as does a product called Relora. I suspect if depression is still a major issue related mostly to biochemistry, a switch to one of the newer MAOIs could be helpful.
If she's ultra-defensive, it might help to have some 'proof', like postings from here or info. from other websites, journals, etc. I'm sure approach will be key. I know nothing about divorce, but I'd hope Lexapro wouldn't be responsible for such a painful experience.
Best wishes,
interject
Posted by Esmarelda on December 31, 2003, at 9:42:51
In reply to Re: Wicked Witch of the West, posted by Interject79 on December 30, 2003, at 23:15:04
I know that in the past some of you have mentioned taking Wellbutrin and Lex together. Why is this done? And, what does it relieve that the Lex alone does not cover. Over the holidays (and it may just be the holidays), I once again have not been feeling comfortable in my skin so I was thinking about talking to my doctor about trying the 2 together. I just wanted to find out what you all thought the advantage was. Thanks.
Posted by Quinn on December 31, 2003, at 10:50:21
In reply to Lexapro + Wellbutrin, posted by Esmarelda on December 31, 2003, at 9:42:51
I've been on Prozac + Wellbutrin for about 6 months. My PDoc has suggested substituting Lexapro for the Prozac because he thinks the Prozac has become less effective over time (I’ve been on Prozac for 15 years) and he thinks the Lex may be more stimulating (I’ve been feeling very fatigued lately).
I know a lot of people add Wellbutrin to their SSRI to try to offset sexual SEs. This may help some people, but the Wellbutrin made my sexual SEs worse. However, this may be specific to Wellbutrin’s interaction with Prozac, as they both affect isoenzyme CYP-2D6, which Lex does not.
My Wellbutrin was added as a substitute for Effexor, which I was on for about 3 months but doing poorly. The Effexor was added as a substitute for Desipramine, which I had been on for a few years before I started the Prozac.
Posted by evercare on December 31, 2003, at 10:53:58
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
I have been on Lexapro for almost a year. It takes forever to have an orgasm. I also get phases of irritability and restlessness and find it hard not to sleep all day if i can. I either feel like i should be doing something or asleep. Are these side effects or are they just me??
Posted by Esmarelda on December 31, 2003, at 11:01:06
In reply to Re: Lexapro + Wellbutrin, posted by Quinn on December 31, 2003, at 10:50:21
Thanks
Posted by Quinn on December 31, 2003, at 11:50:41
In reply to Re: Lexapro + Wellbutrin » Quinn, posted by Esmarelda on December 31, 2003, at 11:01:06
> Thanks
You’re welcome.
Besides the SE concern, another reason for augmenting an SSRI with Wellbutrin is that Wellbutrin is believed to affect the norapinephrine and dopamine systems, with no affect on seratonin, and thus be complimentary to the effects of the SSRI.
Posted by TerryS on December 31, 2003, at 12:33:05
In reply to Wicked Witch of the West, posted by Linny on December 30, 2003, at 18:23:32
Hey Linny,
My husband also takes Lexapro. However, he is a much nicer person on the Lexapro. There are some side effects that can make a person a little nasty, sleep distubances, headachs, sexual disfunction, etc. I don't know why she is taking Lex, but if she was misdiagnosed she may be having other reactions.
My husband has anxiety, OCD and depression. It's no picknick here, but I like him better when he is taking Lexapro.
Posted by Gaza on December 31, 2003, at 13:12:58
In reply to Wicked Witch of the West, posted by Linny on December 30, 2003, at 18:23:32
> Help!! My wife of 5 years has been taking Lexapro
> for about 9 months. Since that time she has
> become downright mean. She has changed from
> someone who was a joy to be around to someone
> that is sarcastic, rude and unpleasant. I know
> it's the drug. I can't talk to her about it because
> she becomes defensive. Now I'm going to talk to
> her Dr. or to our Atty for a divorce. Does anybody
> know somebody that has taken Lexapro and has become
> the wicked witch of the west. I love her so...
> Linny
It sounds like she's augmenting Lexapro with something else. That 'wicked' reaction is extremely rare.
Posted by JohnFromCalifornia on December 31, 2003, at 20:08:47
In reply to Excessive Sleepiness, posted by JacquieJ on December 30, 2003, at 16:49:38
> I have been on lex 20mg for about 3 weeks now. I am SOOO sleepy I find myself very demotivated... find myself more and more "antisocial" wanting to hibernate alone with my 2 golden retrievers ... I used to go to the gym 5x a week which I feel helped my dep/anx also but don't even feel like doing that. Any words of hope?
I'm going down the very same road. After two weeks I have to drag myself out of bed. Though middle-aged I'm a cyclist and my weekly riding went from 150 miles to zero.
Still, I'm going to stick it out. I figure the seratonin really must be coming back -- that chemical controls your sleep as well as your mood, so if it's affecting one area it may well affect the other.
One thing I've discovered is because I sleep so well these days, if I FORCE myself out of bed and get busy at something, my mental focus and energy level is actually quite high.
So I suggest you stick it out too, and hopefully side effects like sleepiness will give way to generally brighter and more placid state of mind.
Posted by reluctant on December 31, 2003, at 21:30:56
In reply to Lexapro + Wellbutrin, posted by Esmarelda on December 31, 2003, at 9:42:51
hi - i'm new here - i've posted elsewhere but there's a lot of activity here & i'm hoping to hear from some folks. My situation is sort of the reverse of yours, Esmarelda - I'm about to start on lexapro, switching from zoloft, already on bupropion 200mg/day. Has anyone else made the zoloft to lexapro switch? why? how's it going? zoloft was knocking me out & not doing much else . . . the hope is that the lexapro will do what the zoloft failed to do. Wellbutrin alone lifted my energy but didn't do as much as I'd hoped for my mood - also after several months I found that I was developing a bit of a temper. the zoloft took care of the temper, certainly, but I lost the energy & became super-sleepy & dumb as a post on some days. And my mood didn't really improve - though I didn't care as much. Yee-haw. Zoloft's worked for me in the past, without the side effects - I just generally brightened up - so my pdoc is hoping that another flavor of ssri will help get me out of the dark.
Esmarelda - You're adding wellbutrin to the ssri, which will hopefully provide a little spark as well as countereffect some of the side effects of the ssri. It often improves libido, is energizing - it works on dopamine, not serotonin, if i'm not mistaken. seeing as different people can have completely opposite side effects to the same drug, the whole thing really is a mystery. kind of medieval, really. maybe if you start taking your wellbutrin on the first new moon of the year, standing on your left foot & blindfolded, and wash it down with some eye of newt, everything will work out ok. or maybe your hair will fall out. Who knows?
All sarcasm aside - I'm really committed to beating this, and I know that medication can only do a fraction of the work - the rest has to be me. Next week I start regular, bi-weekly therapy (as opposed to every few months), something I've been putting off. The drugs (hopefully!) give you the wherewithal to undo the patterns that depression has built up in your mind, I think, rather than fix things altogether. It may be frustrating to keep going through these trials with medicine, but try to take some hope from the knowledge that, even though you may not be able to feel it now, the ability to get through this is in you - absolutely. The hard part is getting to a place where you can begin to feel that to be true.
Happy New Year.
Take care.
Posted by Oldhand on December 31, 2003, at 21:49:35
In reply to Lexapro + Wellbutrin, posted by Esmarelda on December 31, 2003, at 9:42:51
> I know that in the past some of you have mentioned taking Wellbutrin and Lex together. Why is this done? And, what does it relieve that the Lex alone does not cover. Over the holidays (and it may just be the holidays), I once again have not been feeling comfortable in my skin so I was thinking about talking to my doctor about trying the 2 together. I just wanted to find out what you all thought the advantage was. Thanks.
Hello Esmerelda,
Wellbutrin was added to Lexapro about three months ago for me. I was feeling very irritable and short tempered. Since I live with and try to help my elderly parents, I did not want it to continue. I have been taking Lexapro over a year and it has been a miracle drug for me. I take 20 mgs When the irritability bacame a problem my psychiatrist started me on 150mg of Wellbutrin XL. I currently take 300mg and I feel much better, more patient and able to reason.
I hope this is hel[ful to you, my reason for the WelLex combo.
Happy and peaceful New Year to all,
Shelley
Posted by ednababish on January 1, 2004, at 9:19:02
In reply to Re: Lexapro + Wellbutrin » Esmarelda, posted by Oldhand on December 31, 2003, at 21:49:35
I am wondering how much Lexapro most of you are taking, so please let me know. My psychiatrist pronounced me more depressed than I was admitting to myself the first visit; this second visit she said I needed more because I was still irratable and blue. I have been taking 10mg; she suggested 20mg, but I was concerned because two years ago 40mgs of Celexa was too much for me--I had a spell while teaching a collge class that I thought I was going to pass out. She then suggested 15mgs. Celexa and Lexapro have both made me jittery and a bit panicky until they have been levelled off in my system--but Celexa worked beautifully at 30 mgs two years ago. Any insights on this?
Posted by Mariposa on January 1, 2004, at 12:17:16
In reply to Re: Excessive Sleepiness, posted by JohnFromCalifornia on December 31, 2003, at 20:08:47
> > I have been on lex 20mg for about 3 weeks now. I am SOOO sleepy I find myself very demotivated... find myself more and more "antisocial" wanting to hibernate alone with my 2 golden retrievers ... I used to go to the gym 5x a week which I feel helped my dep/anx also but don't even feel like doing that. Any words of hope?
>
> I'm going down the very same road. After two weeks I have to drag myself out of bed. Though middle-aged I'm a cyclist and my weekly riding went from 150 miles to zero.
>
> Still, I'm going to stick it out. I figure the seratonin really must be coming back -- that chemical controls your sleep as well as your mood, so if it's affecting one area it may well affect the other.
>
> One thing I've discovered is because I sleep so well these days, if I FORCE myself out of bed and get busy at something, my mental focus and energy level is actually quite high.
>
> So I suggest you stick it out too, and hopefully side effects like sleepiness will give way to generally brighter and more placid state of mind.
>
>Have had the same experience....it's like the brain is sleepy but body is not...ignore brain, get moving and lethargy evaporates. I find Lex can be quite *energizing*.
Happy New Year everyone!~~~8|8
Posted by Mariposa on January 1, 2004, at 12:19:29
In reply to Average Lexapro dosage, posted by ednababish on January 1, 2004, at 9:19:02
> I am wondering how much Lexapro most of you are taking, so please let me know. My psychiatrist pronounced me more depressed than I was admitting to myself the first visit; this second visit she said I needed more because I was still irratable and blue. I have been taking 10mg; she suggested 20mg, but I was concerned because two years ago 40mgs of Celexa was too much for me--I had a spell while teaching a collge class that I thought I was going to pass out. She then suggested 15mgs. Celexa and Lexapro have both made me jittery and a bit panicky until they have been levelled off in my system--but Celexa worked beautifully at 30 mgs two years ago. Any insights on this?
Have been on Lex since Feb. w/good results, currently @20mg.~~~8|8
Posted by BobYuma on January 1, 2004, at 13:03:41
In reply to Average Lexapro dosage, posted by ednababish on January 1, 2004, at 9:19:02
> > > I am wondering how much Lexapro most of you are taking, so please let me know.> > >
Hello, Edna.
My doctor started me on 10 mg's of Lexapro one month ago, but told me that if I didn't think that the 10 mg's were doing the job, I could double the dosage.
However, I believe that 10 mg's is enough for me, because I haven't had any real depression since about the second day on Lex. Also, in the past few days I've started to get past the SE's, and that's one thing I'd hate to start back because of a higher doseage.
As a side note, I don't believe that my depression was nearly as "bad" as many people have, since it was caused by a particular incident. I think that [in most cases] we adapt ourselves to the various happenings of our lives and just learn to live with situations.
Take care of yourself, and good luck.
BobYuma
Posted by ginger C on January 1, 2004, at 16:22:35
In reply to Re: Lexapro + Wellbutrin » Esmarelda, posted by Oldhand on December 31, 2003, at 21:49:35
I have been on Lexapro and wellbutrin for over a year now. Lexapro works on seratonin levels and welbutrin they are noy reall sure exatcly how it works. I am taking 400mg welbutrin and 20mg Lex I have felt better on this combination than on any other meds they have tried
Posted by reluctant on January 1, 2004, at 16:30:39
In reply to Re: Lexapro + Wellbutrin, posted by ginger C on January 1, 2004, at 16:22:35
> I have been on Lexapro and wellbutrin for over a year now. Lexapro works on seratonin levels and welbutrin they are noy reall sure exatcly how it works. I am taking 400mg welbutrin and 20mg Lex I have felt better on this combination than on any other meds they have tried
that's good to hear! what had you tried before?
-r.
Posted by Neatfreak on January 1, 2004, at 17:12:18
In reply to Average Lexapro dosage, posted by ednababish on January 1, 2004, at 9:19:02
This is day 21 for Lexapro no side effects, and is it wishful thinking that perhaps my mood swings are as not as extream
Posted by BobYuma on January 1, 2004, at 17:38:32
In reply to Re: Average Lexapro dosage, posted by Neatfreak on January 1, 2004, at 17:12:18
> > >This is day 21 for Lexapro no side effects, and is it wishful thinking that perhaps my mood swings are as not as extream > >
Hi, Neat.
What amount is your dosage?
Posted by Alouette on January 1, 2004, at 18:26:28
In reply to Re: Lexapro - a TRUE test - and I passed!, posted by Mariposa on December 27, 2003, at 10:50:03
Hi All - I was on Effexor years ago (it helped my depression a lot but I hated the side effects); went off for a couple years; went on Prozac for a few years (ditto). I've been off antidepressants & doing well for about 1-1/2 years, but the last few months I've been swirling down, including loss of job. Two weeks + two days ago I went on Lexapro 10 mg a day. Yesterday was the first day I wasn't fantasizing about my own death - yay! (Don't worry - I'll never "off" myself because I have children, but when I'm depressed, sometimes it's a relief to think about suicide.) Today I'm a little glum again. Sleeping a lot, otherwise no side effects.
I sure would like to hear that there's hope that I'll feel a lot better soon on Lexapro -- especially since the side effects seem to be minimal.
Also, what are the hopes that my sex drive (which was actually way down even before I went on Lexapro) will ever return on Lexapro?
Thanks! Alouette
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