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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Journeyman on March 16, 2004, at 21:32:45
In reply to Lexapro Experience, posted by Esmarelda on March 16, 2004, at 14:52:21
Esmarelda,
It was so good to see your name on the board again, but even more exciting was the news about how things have been going for you since the new year rolled around. It sounds like you've really struck a good balance, after years of trying lots of things.
I think about you and hope that you're dealing with the loss of your grandmother and the others in her generation with greater stability and acceptance. I'm sure she meant a great deal to you, and I'll bet she was a sweetie.
Congratulations on feeling better.
Continued good health.
Journeyman
Posted by Journeyman on March 16, 2004, at 21:40:50
In reply to Re: Lexapro Experience » Esmarelda, posted by Journeyman on March 16, 2004, at 21:32:45
This is a copy of a message I posted on the Social-Babble - Redirected Lexaproers site recently. Since it addresses a question asked here two or three days ago, I'm reposting it.
Hello Mystic,
To answer your question, here's some background.
By April of last year, I was so depressed, there was one day when it was difficult for me to muster up the emotional energy to walk to the park 3 blocks from home and have to interact with people...a very unusual situation for me. I decided to see a therapist, because the oppressive feelings were getting to be too much to deal with.
Started weekly therapy, with good results, but my therapist and I noticed a tendency for me to see-saw between happy and sad phases. Took some diagnostic tests about depression, but they determined my symptoms were classic depression.
My therapist was convinced that my depression was 'organic' - that is, a biologically generated/perpetuated problem and that in order to break the cycle, I should try an AD. She came to that conclusion fairly early on in our sessions, but I was reluctant to medicate myself as I saw it as an admission of defeat. I thought that I should be able to work through it by eating well, exercising, giving myself positive messages, etc. The problem with that approach had always been that things started out well, but depression always depleted my desire to take that kind of good care of myself. In other words, I believed I had the cure, but I couldn't get myself to administer it. Thus, back to the round of spiraling depression I would go. I felt guilty, ashamed, weak, and sometimes nearly hopeless.
Things got worse. June, July, & August had some good moments. Things crashed in September and I suffered terribly for nearly 3 months. Decided to pay a visit to a psychitrist (you'll sometimes see them referred to on this site as 'p/docs').
The p/doc came to the same conclusion my therapist had and wanted me to try Lexapro for a year to see whether the organic cycle could be broken.Nov. 21 - Started taking 5 mg. of Lexapro. I experienced many of the milder side-effects that lots of people have mentioned: slight dizziness, mild headaches (and I never get headaches), diarrhea, sleepiness after lunch, a caffeine-like perkiness at night. These pretty much disappeared by six weeks.
I felt better emotionally almost immediately. Part of that may have just been from the good feelings I had that I was actually doing something new to take care of myself, but whatever it was, it felt good not to be under such an oppressive cloud of angst.
I have continued to feel better and better. I'm enjoying art, music, people, everything, more than I ever have. This in spite of the fact that I am currently undergoing the most difficult time of my life. Were it not for my current therapy, I have no doubt that I would be suicidal under my (formerly) usual circumstances.
The greatest shift in my thinking is related to how I view myself. Prior to my current therapy and Lexapro treatment, I had always sought my role in relationships through what I perceived to be what other people wanted me to be. You want me to be funny - I'll be a clown. You need me to be empathetic - I'll cry for you. Etc. Etc. ad self-destruction. I wanted so badly to please others that I was always the last person I concerned my self with pleasing. I was so finely tuned to other peoples' needs, that I was virtually incapable of listening to my own body and my own thoughts.
Another part of this change has been in the way I view negative events, whether outside myself or in my head. I used to think that acknowledging 'bad' thoughts would magically make them more realistic, more a part of how I would be defined. So I would ignore the negative, focus on only the positive, and be missing half of what was actually going on. I thought the dark and the negative would weaken me.
I now, however, view them as an essential part of me and of everything else that we call life. Without hate, there is no such thing as love...without darkness, there is no such thing as light. They are part of the experience of life, and I now welcome them into my life as wise teachers that can guide me every bit as well as those things we consider to be 'positive.' I no longer fear the thoughts that come into my mind - I invite them to sit with me so that we can get to know each other, and when we do, I stop viewing them as enemies. They, like everything else, are just passing through.
I am still on 5 mg. of Lex. That amount seems to be enough for me. I'm also in two therapy sessions a week, and I do quite a bit of reading. About 5 weeks ago, my therapist declared that I was 'depression-free.' I'll continue the Lex for the year that my p/doc recommends. Then, we'll see from there. As for the therapy, I'll know when I'm ready to stop.
That's a brief summary. Let me know if there's anything else.
When you're falling asleep tonight, maybe you can focus on the light (and the darkness) in you, that has so fortunately brought you to where you are now. There is hope. There is love. There is openness and acceptance. And all three of those things are present not only here on this message board...they're present in you.
May you continue to experience growing peace with yourself.
Journeyman
Posted by Journeyman on March 16, 2004, at 22:18:01
In reply to Lexapro Positive Experiences, posted by Journeyman on March 16, 2004, at 21:40:50
Dear All,
This particular site was set up specifically for the discussion of Lexapro and people's experience of it. As we all know, it's difficult to talk about our experience of it, without discussing all sorts of personal stories, or offering suggestions, encouragement, etc.
Consequently, a number of people have been redirected to the 'Social Babble' site and asked to continue chatting about the more socially-oriented issues there, rather than here on the 'Psycho-Babble' site.
To get there, scroll up to the top of this page and follow the links for 'Social-Babble.' Once you've clicked on that, scroll down about eleven topics and you'll start seeing some familiar names of people who were posting here, as well as the word 'Lexapro' in the subject lines.
You'll find the discussions there involves Lexapro as both a medicine, and a springboard for discussion about any number of social topics.
For those who wish, we'll see you there.
Journeyman
Posted by LynneDa on March 17, 2004, at 10:15:11
In reply to RE: Simus » mystic, posted by Simus on March 16, 2004, at 18:59:25
Simus - read some of Esmerelda's recent posts. She had similar situation and added wellbutrin - now she is doing great! I am thinking of going that route myself due to insomnia, inorgasmia, continued low energy and some anxiety I can't quite get rid of.
Good luck, let us know what the doc says!
~ Lynne
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
> Thank you, that is very sweet. I have really been struggling. 20mg Lexapro wasn't going well, so I tried 25, then 30 over the past week with no luck. So I am going to the Doctor tomorrow to get some help. I have read that Wellbutrin works well with Lexapro, but I don't know anything about it. ??? Thanks for asking.
>
> God bless.
>
>
Posted by KathrynLex on March 17, 2004, at 11:35:04
In reply to Re: Day 6 on Lex and QUITTING !!!!, posted by declaring grace on March 15, 2004, at 3:20:42
Hi Declaring Grace,
I'm sorry the Lexapro isn't working out for you. Have you stopped taking it? While I've had wonderful results on 15 mgs of Lex, I realize it isn't the right med for everyone.
You might want to talk to your doctor about Prozac, it can do wonders for depression. I hope you find something that works.
K.
Posted by sip on March 17, 2004, at 12:17:14
In reply to Re: Lexapro positive responses? » sip, posted by Simus on March 16, 2004, at 15:53:30
> What did you switch from?
Is this thread about people who switched to Lex from another AD? This board is so hard to follow sometimes. Lex is my first AD.
Posted by BobYuma on March 17, 2004, at 15:02:39
In reply to Re: Lexapro positive responses? » Simus, posted by sip on March 17, 2004, at 12:17:14
> > What did you switch from?
Is this thread about people who switched to Lex from another AD? This board is so hard to follow sometimes. Lex is my first AD.
> > >
Hi, Sip.
The board is used for support for those who take Lexpro. Our messages center on the side effects, and other effects, both pro and con, which may follow the use of Lexapro.Welcome aboard.
BobYuma
Posted by Simus on March 17, 2004, at 22:37:27
In reply to RE: Simus » Simus, posted by LynneDa on March 17, 2004, at 10:15:11
Today my doctor told me to stop Lexapro completely. He gave me samples of Wellbutrin to start on tomorrow. He wants to see how I respond to Wellbutrin alone. Then, he said it was possible that he may add in the Lexapro again, depending what the results are with the Wellbutrin. I am starting to feel like a guinea pig...a very depressed, numb, vegetative guinea pig. (Sorry.) I will keep you posted as to how it goes.
Posted by Simus on March 17, 2004, at 22:43:55
In reply to Re: Lexapro positive responses? » Simus, posted by sip on March 17, 2004, at 12:17:14
> > What did you switch from?
>
> Is this thread about people who switched to Lex from another AD? This board is so hard to follow sometimes. Lex is my first AD.
>
You didn't do anything wrong. I was just being nosy. But it is because I personally need to adjust meds and I am trying to get all the info I can right now. Thanks and sorry.
Posted by jlynne on March 17, 2004, at 23:04:21
In reply to Wellbutrin, posted by Simus on March 17, 2004, at 22:37:27
Simus, I'm so sorry that you have to go through this. May I ask what was happening with the Lexapro? ...jlynne
Posted by robot on March 17, 2004, at 23:09:48
In reply to Re: LEXapro, anxiety, and ibuprofen » robot, posted by jlynne on March 16, 2004, at 2:01:20
Thanks jlynne. The idea that concerns me is that I NEED to be feeling the anxiety--it means Im loading up on seretonin so my brain learns to adjust to the new environment. I just experimented the past few days with taking it in the evenings, and it helped--little or no anxiety. I suspect, though, it will take longer if I keep doing that. Anyway, I might try it tomorrow in the morning to see if its getting better.
What Ive been experiencing at night is pretty great. I tend to wake up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, and lying there on my bed I feel a great body buzz like im floating. I havent felt that in a long time. Part of me cant stand thinking about all the things Ive missed out on in the past 5 years. Its not very real until you start feeling better. Plus Im in this intermiediate state where not only do I have to wait, but Im not sure what Ill find in a few weeks with this med. My doc and I suspect I have bipolar tendencies, but I wanted to see what happened on just one antidepressant without a mood stabilizer. I think it was the best choice.
It so nice to be able to get encouragement from you guys. Thanks again.
> Robot, I agree with mrs. c's advise to "d-c" and I think I would offer the same to you. Please talk to your doctor about getting something for the anxiety - my heart aches for you, and I know that there has to be something that will help. Keep us posted. We are pulling for you. ...jlynne
Posted by Simus on March 17, 2004, at 23:14:50
In reply to Simus, posted by jlynne on March 17, 2004, at 23:04:21
> Simus, I'm so sorry that you have to go through this. May I ask what was happening with the Lexapro? ...jlynne
>It started out good. I felt pretty good at 10mg, then I soon started to get depressed again. So I went up to 20mg and I felt good for a short while again. Then I tried 25mg, and 30mg, but noticed no difference.
I am sure it is a great medicine for some people, but I just needed a change. And after a while on the Wellbutrin, my doctor may add in the Lexapro again. Who knows?
Posted by sexylexy on March 17, 2004, at 23:17:20
In reply to Simus, posted by jlynne on March 17, 2004, at 23:04:21
Hey Lex Family,
I missed you all so much! I hope everyone has had a great week. I am doing pretty well. Still taking 15mg, and really seeing a positive change. I am thinking about going up to 20mg just to get the full effect but am really feeling much better, not really going up and down so much and the side effects are gone. I am thinking of also adding a little wellbutrin for some energy and clarity am not sure. I am seeing my P-doc in the morning and will be sure to ask about it.
I had an awesome time in Vegas and thought about you guys a lot. Emily and Mystic, I hope the journey seems to be evening out somewhat, LynneDa hope you are feeling on the up swing again, Mrs. C hope 15mg is great for you, Edna and Kelli hope things are still going good for you all, Kathryn, hope you had a good trip and the plane ride went well. Journeyman, thanks as always for the great postings. Did I miss anything, I feel like I am out of the social circle.
Praying for ya'll and glad to be home!
Lexy
Posted by Mariposa on March 18, 2004, at 0:31:03
In reply to Re: Simus » jlynne, posted by Simus on March 17, 2004, at 23:14:50
> > Simus, I'm so sorry that you have to go through this. May I ask what was happening with the Lexapro? ...jlynne
> >
>
> It started out good. I felt pretty good at 10mg, then I soon started to get depressed again. So I went up to 20mg and I felt good for a short while again. Then I tried 25mg, and 30mg, but noticed no difference.
>
> I am sure it is a great medicine for some people, but I just needed a change. And after a while on the Wellbutrin, my doctor may add in the Lexapro again. Who knows?
>
>
It may not be easy to stop Lex cold turkey....Have seen many posts here on that subject and some people have complained of bad withdrawal side effects. Tapering off gradually seems to work for some. Good Luck!~~~8|8
Posted by Simus on March 18, 2004, at 0:58:29
In reply to Re: Simus, posted by Mariposa on March 18, 2004, at 0:31:03
> It may not be easy to stop Lex cold turkey....Have seen many posts here on that subject and some people have complained of bad withdrawal side effects. Tapering off gradually seems to work for some. Good Luck!~~~8|8
>
I was concerned about that too, and I asked my doctor about it. He obviously wasn't concerned. I am certainly going to watch for withdrawal effects though. Thanks.
Posted by jlynne on March 18, 2004, at 1:28:43
In reply to Re: Simus » jlynne, posted by Simus on March 17, 2004, at 23:14:50
> I am sure it is a great medicine for some people, but I just needed a change. And after a while on the Wellbutrin, my doctor may add in the Lexapro again. Who knows?
>
Good luck, Simus. I will hold out for the Lex awhile longer. My biggest complaint is the wired feeling. I hope that goes away.I have heard positive things about the Wellbutrin-Lex combo. Whatever it takes, right? I'm right there with you:^) ...jlynne
Posted by Simus on March 18, 2004, at 1:36:07
In reply to Re: Simus » Simus, posted by jlynne on March 18, 2004, at 1:28:43
> > I am sure it is a great medicine for some people, but I just needed a change. And after a while on the Wellbutrin, my doctor may add in the Lexapro again. Who knows?
> >
> Good luck, Simus. I will hold out for the Lex awhile longer. My biggest complaint is the wired feeling. I hope that goes away.
>
> I have heard positive things about the Wellbutrin-Lex combo. Whatever it takes, right? I'm right there with you:^) ...jlynne
>
I don't want to discourage you or anyone else from taking Lexapro just because I need a change. That wired feeling does go away. Good luck to you and God bless.
Posted by jlynne on March 18, 2004, at 1:52:25
In reply to Re: LEXapro, anxiety, and ibuprofen, posted by robot on March 17, 2004, at 23:09:48
> What Ive been experiencing at night is pretty great. I tend to wake up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, and lying there on my bed I feel a great body buzz like im floating. I havent felt that in a long time. Part of me cant stand thinking about all the things Ive missed out on in the past 5 years.
Robot, I know what you mean about what you have missed out on . . . depressing, isn't it? (a little inside humor - sorry:) Seriously, life can be lopsided sometimes - I have many regrets.
That is great that you are having some pleasant sensations. I used to dread going to bed at night because of the struggle to get to sleep. Since I started the Lex/Lorazepam I have not only been able to get to sleep easily, but I have been having dreams, too (and they have been pleasant dreams!)
Let's hear it for pleasant sensations!!
I don't know this for sure, but it seems to me that if your meds are working better for you at night, logic would say continue on that course. I believe the meds will build up in your system the same, no matter what time of day you take them?? Just a thought:) ...jlynne
P.S. did I ask you what time zone you are in? I am in Pacific time. I am trying to keep the time differences straight in my mind (probably part of my side dish of OCD)
Posted by jlynne on March 18, 2004, at 2:02:00
In reply to jlynne, posted by Simus on March 18, 2004, at 1:36:07
> I don't want to discourage you or anyone else from taking Lexapro just because I need a change. That wired feeling does go away. Good luck to you and God bless.
>Sorry, I didn't mean to infer that you had discouraged me - I don't feel that way at all. I have been in this game a very long time, and I know that we all react to meds in our own way. I value the experiences you share (you're the only one I know who wears an e-thong!)
Thank you for the hope regarding the wired feeling, though - - I needed to hear that:^)
I hope you have a peaceful night. ...jlynne
Posted by Mrs. C on March 18, 2004, at 7:58:46
In reply to Re: LEXapro, anxiety, and ibuprofen, posted by robot on March 15, 2004, at 23:18:28
Robot, I have actually been on Lex about 5 months now. I just began taking a higher dose (15) this past week with very good results. I feel for you and know what you are going through right now. I think that you are right in your theory about the adjustment to serotonin in your body. It takes some time but it will pass and you will feel better than ever! Keep the faith! Mrs. C
Posted by Mrs. C on March 18, 2004, at 8:39:41
In reply to Wellbutrin, posted by Simus on March 17, 2004, at 22:37:27
Good luck Simus and we are here for you. Mrs. C
Posted by ednababish on March 18, 2004, at 8:52:48
In reply to Re: Not a good day!!! » ednababish, posted by LynneDa on March 9, 2004, at 10:09:26
Dear Folks,
I am having some problems and wondering about raising my dosage from 15 to 20. Who else has done this? When I took Celexa I went from 20 to 40 and had scary fainting spells. Has anyone else had a problem with this? I haven't been laughing as much, I've been having trouble concentrating and being motivated, I have been very tired and irritable and anxious to the point of verging on a panic attack, and my husband and I have had some pretty nasty fights recently. I have also been, excuse my candor, constipated--a dead give away for me that I am depressed, believe it or not. Who has increased to 20 from 15? Who has done so from 10 with great success? What symptoms did you have when you did so? I left a message with my pdoc about this, so I expect she will call me back either around 12:30 or 5:00. I would still like to hear from you all as well.Lexy--Glad to hear you're feeling better and that you had a good trip.
God Bless,
Edna Babish
Posted by peace123 on March 18, 2004, at 9:11:29
In reply to muddled thinking, posted by kateincali on March 14, 2004, at 13:31:03
peace to all,
today is my 8th day on lexapro, i was prescribed 10 mg, but the last 2 days ( days 6 and 7 ) I had to reduce to 5mg in order to work.. but that turned into a bad seen at work.. had a stres/anxiety attack which involved having my husband come to pick me up.. and a trip to the doc's for a note to excuse me for th enext 2 weeks..so i can get use to the meds.. so today I am back on 10 mg..
My question is, will things improve by day 14 ?
Will the foggy head go away ?I had not slept in 6 days so the doc prescribed ambian, which i used last night and finally got some sleep.
I just want to feel like i have some control of my emotions, and I can react in a normal way to things at work .
How long does lexapro normally take to work ?
Posted by want info on March 18, 2004, at 9:28:22
In reply to Increased dose, posted by ednababish on March 18, 2004, at 8:52:48
hi edna...i increased from 10 to 15 last week and have seen some improvement. my head seems to have cleared a bit. i saw my pdoc this morning and she said to stick with that and go to 20 if things get worse. EM
Posted by LynneDa on March 18, 2004, at 9:55:20
In reply to Wellbutrin, posted by Simus on March 17, 2004, at 22:37:27
Good luck, good luck, good luck! I have 2 friends who take Wellbutrin only for anxiety & depression and they do really well on it. They don't seem to feel as flat or numb or floaty as I sometimes feel on the Lex. They don't have insomnia or inorgasmia either & I think their energy is better. They're in the midst of menopause, too, so I figure they've got more to fight than just average everyday depression like I have :-). I hope you have the same results!
I understand the guinea pig thing (no need to say sorry!), I hear a lot of that on this site. I guess it's part of the deal?!? I started taking gingko biloba, omega 3 & extra B and it seems to have helped. Just a thought. Keep me posted and take good care!!
~ Lynne
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Today my doctor told me to stop Lexapro completely. He gave me samples of Wellbutrin to start on tomorrow. He wants to see how I respond to Wellbutrin alone. Then, he said it was possible that he may add in the Lexapro again, depending what the results are with the Wellbutrin. I am starting to feel like a guinea pig...a very depressed, numb, vegetative guinea pig. (Sorry.) I will keep you posted as to how it goes.
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