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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 32. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by LeLeBug on January 11, 2004, at 20:56:03
I just started Lexapro three days ago. I am also on Wellbutrin. So far I'm pretty sleepy. I feel like when I first take the Lexapro at night that it makes my heart race almost like I'm having a panic attack. Then it subsides and I can fall asleep. Does this happen to anyone else? Will it go away? I hope things get better. Thanks.
Posted by KathrynLex on January 11, 2004, at 22:13:32
In reply to Just started Lexapro..., posted by LeLeBug on January 11, 2004, at 20:56:03
Hi LeLe,
How long does it take for the rapid heart rate to go away? If it starts immediately after you take it, it might not be the drug. It could be that you're simply nervous about taking it. (I was.)
While I didn't experience an increase in my heart rate, the first week or so that I was on Lex I did notice an increase in my anxiety. This went away about the third week.
You might want to check with your doc about the heart rate if it continues past the first week. I hope you find that it goes away soon!
K.
Posted by Bill LL on January 13, 2004, at 12:22:29
In reply to Just started Lexapro..., posted by LeLeBug on January 11, 2004, at 20:56:03
Your experience is very common and it will go away.
Posted by lelebug on January 18, 2004, at 11:06:13
In reply to Just started Lexapro..., posted by LeLeBug on January 11, 2004, at 20:56:03
Thanks for the feedback. I really appricate it. The racing heart seems to have stopped. But now I am experiencing being tired all the time. I'm sure this will go away too.
Posted by KathrynLex on January 18, 2004, at 12:59:21
In reply to Re: Just started Lexapro..., posted by lelebug on January 18, 2004, at 11:06:13
Hi LeLe,
I'm glad to hear that you're no longer having trouble with your irregular heart beat. You'll probably feel tired for the next week or two, in my case it was about a week. But at least you can look forward to all of your side effects subsiding after which you'll feel pretty good!
K.
Posted by lelebug on January 18, 2004, at 13:26:21
In reply to Re: Just started Lexapro..., posted by KathrynLex on January 18, 2004, at 12:59:21
K-
I'm about 9 days into taking lex, so far I feel pretty normal. Other than when my heart would race.No real ups or downs, like I said if nothing else I'm sleepy. After the full effects (4-6 weeks) will I start to feel "good". Have you experienced a better mood since you've been on it? Thanks for helping me with my questions.LeLe
Posted by KathrynLex on January 18, 2004, at 18:26:10
In reply to Re: Just started Lexapro..., posted by lelebug on January 18, 2004, at 13:26:21
LeLe,
It's taken about 5 weeks for me to feel a significant improvement in my mood. But I do feel "good." There are still days where I'm a little down but it's much easier to deal with.
If your experience is anything like mine, you'll start feeling a bit better by the end of week 3 and notice that you're feeling good by week 5. These meds effect everyone differently, but I'm very pleased with the results I've had on Lexapro.
I hope you start feeling better soon. Depression and/or anxiety is a tough battle.
K.
Posted by Wildman on January 19, 2004, at 12:28:46
In reply to Re: Just started Lexapro..., posted by KathrynLex on January 18, 2004, at 18:26:10
I think I'm at about week #5 of Lexapro (10mg/day) and while my initial experience was quite positive, I'm starting to have second thoughts. During the first week, I experienced the racing heart and other discomfort, but Ativan helped that. I then went through a phase where I felt great. Now I am lethargic and tired most of the time even though I have been getting plenty of rest. I do have occasional anxiety during the late afternoon, which I have taken 1mg of Ativan to help with.
When does the Lex "plateau"? I thought I'd be home free by now, but am wondering where this is going to go. I was so excited about the Lex initially, but now am worried...
Posted by Mariposa on January 19, 2004, at 12:42:59
In reply to Re: Just started Lexapro..., posted by Wildman on January 19, 2004, at 12:28:46
> I think I'm at about week #5 of Lexapro (10mg/day) and while my initial experience was quite positive, I'm starting to have second thoughts. During the first week, I experienced the racing heart and other discomfort, but Ativan helped that. I then went through a phase where I felt great. Now I am lethargic and tired most of the time even though I have been getting plenty of rest. I do have occasional anxiety during the late afternoon, which I have taken 1mg of Ativan to help with.
>
> When does the Lex "plateau"? I thought I'd be home free by now, but am wondering where this is going to go. I was so excited about the Lex initially, but now am worried...Don't be worried...It seems many who post here (including myself) have experienced this.
I started at 5mg and around end of 4th week I started feeling a return of symptoms (depression and several anxiety ATTACKS) and a doubt about Lex and seriously thought about quitting.
Discussed w/pdoc and he upped dose to 10mg and that really helped me. I then continued to improve and around week 9 I was feeling much improved and could tell the Lex was working.
Please try NOT to get discouraged, many of us have been there and know it's really tough, but the end results have really been worth it for me.
Keep thinking positive thoughts, drink LOTS of water, come here often for support and hopefully you to will get good results.~~~8|8
Posted by Wildman on January 20, 2004, at 11:44:42
In reply to Re: Just started Lexapro... » Wildman, posted by Mariposa on January 19, 2004, at 12:42:59
Mariposa,
Thank you for your kind words of encouragement!
I feel much better today, and I'm wondering if the Seroquel (25mg) that I take occasionally had anything to do with it. I took 25mg last night at 8PM and then finally zonked out at 9:30.
My pdoc gave me the Seroquel when we were working on my sleep patterns (before I started the Lex) and I find that if I take it once or twice per week it does seem to level my moods out just a bit. If I take it three nights in a row, I get really "flat" feeling, but if I limit it to 1x or 2x per week it helps.
I have meds to help when I get anxious/panicky (1mg of Ativan works for me) but nothing when I get really down. I don't want to get in the habit of "having" to take something when I'm not feeling right (don't want to develop any bad habits and I know that meds are definately not the answer for every negative feeling that comes my way).
It's interesting reading the Lexapro posts here. It seems that about 10 of us started taking it at about the same time - early December. Dr. Bob could have an entire forum dedicated to this substance!
Mariposa, I promise I won't get discouraged, but I will discuss all this when I see the pdoc on 2/6/04. I'm so new at this pdoc thing (seen him 3x so far) and since I was doing so well with the Lex at visit #3 we only spent half of the hour talking about my issues. The rest we spent talking about our favorite music (which I guess helped him gauge my depression since I do love music and hadn't really been listening to much lately - which I hadn't realized until he asked me). He's a talented guitarist and we do have a lot in common - it's easy to turn half of the hour into a BS session (but then again I don't know what to expect in terms of conversation with a pdoc).
I don't know how I should "direct" the next session with him (even if that's a reasonable "approach"). How do you handle the sessions? I'm not nervous about talking to him (he's great) but I want to make sure that I am getting the most for my hard-earned money).
-Wildman
Posted by Mariposa on January 20, 2004, at 13:56:32
In reply to Re: Just started Lexapro..., posted by Wildman on January 20, 2004, at 11:44:42
> Mariposa,
>
> Thank you for your kind words of encouragement!
>
> I feel much better today, and I'm wondering if the Seroquel (25mg) that I take occasionally had anything to do with it. I took 25mg last night at 8PM and then finally zonked out at 9:30.
>
> My pdoc gave me the Seroquel when we were working on my sleep patterns (before I started the Lex) and I find that if I take it once or twice per week it does seem to level my moods out just a bit. If I take it three nights in a row, I get really "flat" feeling, but if I limit it to 1x or 2x per week it helps.
>
> I have meds to help when I get anxious/panicky (1mg of Ativan works for me) but nothing when I get really down. I don't want to get in the habit of "having" to take something when I'm not feeling right (don't want to develop any bad habits and I know that meds are definately not the answer for every negative feeling that comes my way).
>
> It's interesting reading the Lexapro posts here. It seems that about 10 of us started taking it at about the same time - early December. Dr. Bob could have an entire forum dedicated to this substance!
>
> Mariposa, I promise I won't get discouraged, but I will discuss all this when I see the pdoc on 2/6/04. I'm so new at this pdoc thing (seen him 3x so far) and since I was doing so well with the Lex at visit #3 we only spent half of the hour talking about my issues. The rest we spent talking about our favorite music (which I guess helped him gauge my depression since I do love music and hadn't really been listening to much lately - which I hadn't realized until he asked me). He's a talented guitarist and we do have a lot in common - it's easy to turn half of the hour into a BS session (but then again I don't know what to expect in terms of conversation with a pdoc).
>
> I don't know how I should "direct" the next session with him (even if that's a reasonable "approach"). How do you handle the sessions? I'm not nervous about talking to him (he's great) but I want to make sure that I am getting the most for my hard-earned money).
>
> -WildmanI really don't have that much experience either....have only been on Lex coming up on 1 year, no other meds now, nor have I ever taken meds before. Was initially px by gyn doc, who gave me Lex for PMDD. Had to see pdoc to get dose raised from 10mg (which is the max gyn doc would let me have) to 20mg, and have only seen pdoc twice. Remember they are just people too and will *goof off* if you let them. You should deffinitely get your money's worth as they ARE expensive, aren't they! Try to address all your feelings, fears, questions, suggestions, problems, comments about things you have read or heard, if conversation begins to drift to more *pleasant* things, remember to streer it back to your treatment, prescriptions, symptoms, etc.
But if your course through initial Lex *trip* is like mine, it will get better from here out. Now don't be expecting to wake up one morning and everything is different....it doesn't work that way. I was going along, waiting and hoping...and waiting...and week 8 went by...into week 9, sitting on couch w/hubby watching TV, something funny happens and I LAUGH, I mean really laugh and I feel GOOD, and that's when it hits me - HEY! It's working!! And probably has been for a couple of days, and I just didn't realize it! Just let it happen.~~~8|8
Posted by naiad on January 21, 2004, at 18:47:17
In reply to Re: Just started Lexapro... » Wildman, posted by Mariposa on January 20, 2004, at 13:56:32
Hi,
I am new to this board ( have posted on Babble psychology) and was just prescribed Lexapro, 10mg. Today was only my second pill and boy am I grateful for all of the posts. If I didn't have company with others who have had these s/e's I would be terrified. I feel soooo jumpy and wired. It's 8pm and I've been up since 3am and I don't even feel sleepy. Very, very weird. My pdoc did not tell me to anticpate this -- just that there is some incidence of gastric distress (not for me yet) and possibly some dimunition of libido.
Some people here have suggested Tylenol PM for sleeping. Pros? Cons? I hate the idea of taking a sleeping aide but might reconsider.
Thanks!
Posted by KathrynLex on January 21, 2004, at 19:39:59
In reply to Re: Just started Lexapro... » Mariposa, posted by naiad on January 21, 2004, at 18:47:17
Hi Naiad,
Welcome to the lexapro family!
The first few weeks on lex you might feel a little strange, but rest assured, it WILL go away. The wired feeling you have is very common, makes you want to stay away from coffee for a while, doesn't it?
Insomnia is another side effect that most people encounter. I'm on day 33 of 10 mg lex and didn't sleep well until last week! But, my anxiety/depression have improved so much that it has been worth it to tolerate the slightly uncomfortable side effects.
Report anything you think is "strange" about the way you feel and I guarentee someone on this board has experienced the same thing. You're not alone in your adjustment to lex, there are a lot of wonderful and supportive people here.
So, take a deep breath, relax and let the lex do its job. In a few weeks you'll feel much better!
K.
Posted by naiad on January 22, 2004, at 12:10:37
In reply to Re: Just started Lexapro..., posted by KathrynLex on January 21, 2004, at 19:39:59
Thanks. This is day 3 and I feel much more normal today, actually really good. I woke up at 1:45 am and couldn't get back to sleep so finally took some Tylenol PM then woke up at 7am. Perfect. But I feel like I can't do that every night. Do I just live with the insomnia?
Posted by KathrynLex on January 22, 2004, at 12:41:16
In reply to Thanks..today is better » KathrynLex, posted by naiad on January 22, 2004, at 12:10:37
Hello Naiad,
I'm glad to hear you're feeling better! In my experience, the insomnia goes away eventually. It will take 4 or 5 weeks, hopefully less, before you start sleeping through the night. But in the meantime, there's always Tylenol PM. If you're uncomfortable with taking it, try a night without it. You might find that you only stay awake for about an hour before drifting back to sleep. Insomnia is uncomfortable to deal with but like I said, you should be sleeping better in a few weeks. So, that gives you something else to look forward to in addition to better mental health.
K.
Posted by Mariposa on January 22, 2004, at 16:25:53
In reply to Re: Just started Lexapro... » Mariposa, posted by naiad on January 21, 2004, at 18:47:17
> Hi,
>
> I am new to this board ( have posted on Babble psychology) and was just prescribed Lexapro, 10mg. Today was only my second pill and boy am I grateful for all of the posts. If I didn't have company with others who have had these s/e's I would be terrified. I feel soooo jumpy and wired. It's 8pm and I've been up since 3am and I don't even feel sleepy. Very, very weird. My pdoc did not tell me to anticpate this -- just that there is some incidence of gastric distress (not for me yet) and possibly some dimunition of libido.
>
> Some people here have suggested Tylenol PM for sleeping. Pros? Cons? I hate the idea of taking a sleeping aide but might reconsider.
>
> Thanks!Welcome to the board. What you describe are typical Lex se's, they will taper off and go away. Insomnia is also a side effect, I took TylenolPM for it. However, I feel Lex has *cured* my insomnia. Have been on it for almost 1 year, currently @20mg.
Before Lex I was a terrible insomniac, one of the major contributing factors to my depression. Since I have been on Lex I sleep soundly through the night, and if I do wake, I go right back to sleep in minutes. I used to toss and turn, racing thoughts would NOT let me rest, if I did fall asleep I would invariably wake around 3AM and lie awake until my alarm went off.
So I would have to say I am thankful for Lexapro, it has allowed me to finally REST!
Best of luck!~~~8|8
Posted by femenist on January 22, 2004, at 21:47:48
In reply to Just started Lexapro..., posted by LeLeBug on January 11, 2004, at 20:56:03
I've been on 10mg of Lexapro for 12 weeks and I still feel down, not so much anxious but not happy, blue--I went up to 20mg and I started feeling my jaw tightening up (especially during sleep) my face could crack-felt like TMJ--should I go back up to 20mg or stay at 10mg--has anybody had this side effect? The head felt like it was in a tight grip or something--but I want to increase it to feel happier--any advice would be greatly appreciated--thanks Fem
Posted by Mariposa on January 22, 2004, at 22:40:12
In reply to Re: Just started Lexapro..., posted by femenist on January 22, 2004, at 21:47:48
> I've been on 10mg of Lexapro for 12 weeks and I still feel down, not so much anxious but not happy, blue--I went up to 20mg and I started feeling my jaw tightening up (especially during sleep) my face could crack-felt like TMJ--should I go back up to 20mg or stay at 10mg--has anybody had this side effect? The head felt like it was in a tight grip or something--but I want to increase it to feel happier--any advice would be greatly appreciated--thanks Fem
I still have slight clenching, one year in Feb., currently @20mg. ~~~8|8
Posted by femenist on January 22, 2004, at 23:01:32
In reply to Re: Just started Lexapro... » femenist, posted by Mariposa on January 22, 2004, at 22:40:12
Mariposa: What other side effects did you have on the 20mg? How long did it take for you to get use to it? Have you lost or gained weight? Has the 20mg worked for you?
Thanks
Fem
Posted by Mariposa on January 23, 2004, at 11:50:16
In reply to Re: Just started Lexapro..., posted by femenist on January 22, 2004, at 23:01:32
> Mariposa: What other side effects did you have on the 20mg? How long did it take for you to get use to it? Have you lost or gained weight? Has the 20mg worked for you?
>
> Thanks
> FemOnly other se I had was slight dizziness after taking dose, only took a week or so to get used to higher dose. Started at 5mg went to 10mg 5th week, went to 20mg in Sept. I lost 10 ponds, 20mg seems to still be working good enough, have thought about going up again but really haven't felt a *NEED* to at this point.
Posted by Mother of 5 on January 23, 2004, at 19:09:01
In reply to Re: Just started Lexapro..., posted by femenist on January 22, 2004, at 23:01:32
Fem:
I've been on Lexapro 20 mg for about 9 months. I'm also on Risperdal 1.5 mg and Depakote 750. I love the Lexapro. Coupled with the Risperdal I have no more depression. I've had a significant weight gain of 50 lbs but my pdoc says it's the Risperdal. I am experiencing some dullness in my mind but I suspect the Risperdal again. My main medication, Lexapro, is working well for me.
Posted by femenist on January 23, 2004, at 19:26:24
In reply to Re: Just started Lexapro..., posted by Mother of 5 on January 23, 2004, at 19:09:01
Mother: Does that mean that the Lexapro does not work on Depression? What is the other medication, I've never heard of it...thanks Mom
Posted by KathrynLex on January 23, 2004, at 23:00:19
In reply to Re: Just started Lexapro..., posted by femenist on January 23, 2004, at 19:26:24
Hi Fem,
I take Lexapro for anxiety/depression and it has been very effective. Many people take it just for depression and find that it's quite helpful. Risperdal is an anti-psychotic med that is sometimes used as a mood stabilizer. (For more info www.drugs.com has descriptions of most meds.)
K.
Posted by Mother of 5 on January 24, 2004, at 6:22:55
In reply to Re: Just started Lexapro..., posted by femenist on January 23, 2004, at 19:26:24
The Lexapro is my main medicine for depression. The Risperdal is my mood stablizer. It is also part SSRI so it works on depression as well. The Lexapro works great. I have no complaints.
Posted by Brown eyed girl on January 24, 2004, at 18:53:22
In reply to Re: Just started Lexapro..., posted by Mother of 5 on January 24, 2004, at 6:22:55
I have been on lex for 5 days and my insomnia has gotten worse. pdoc prescribed trazodone to help but it is not working. It helps me to fall asleep but does not keep me asleep. Is there anything that can help with the insomnia. Any help would be greatly appreciated/
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