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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by deepdarkhole on March 29, 2004, at 12:42:37
I have tried so many SSRIs i couldn't tolerate the side effects. I am on day 4 of lexapro now and I really want to tough it out! Any words of advice?
Anyone know how long the side effects will last? Especially the tremors and tiredness? Is it all worth it?
Does this med really work?
Posted by sideorder on March 29, 2004, at 15:35:47
In reply to Lexapro! What do you think of it? Need support, posted by deepdarkhole on March 29, 2004, at 12:42:37
I've been on lexapro for almost 2 weeks now and the side effects have been very minimal for me. I felt a little spacey the 1st few days---but that passed. My anxiety , manic moods and depression have been absent and I feel much better...so, as far as I'm concerned it really does work. I never really had the tremors, at first I had weird waves of tingling on my forehead----but that went away. I'm a guy and the it hasn't put a damper on my sex life either. If your side effects don't dissipate it might not be for you--- but stick out the first week and see how you feel. Good luck!
Posted by KathrynLex on March 29, 2004, at 18:27:43
In reply to Lexapro! What do you think of it? Need support, posted by deepdarkhole on March 29, 2004, at 12:42:37
Hi Deepdarkhole,
I've been taking 15 mgs of Lexapro since December for depression/anxiety.
A few recommendations:
- If you're sensitive to meds start at a very low dose. Try taking 5 mgs (cut the 10 mg pills in half) for two weeks and then start taking 10 mgs. Starting at a low dose will allow your body to adjust to the meds and you won't experience as many side effects.
- Lex can sometimes cause anxiety for the first two weeks that you take it. If the anxiety becomes uncomfortable ask your doctor about Xanax, Klonopin or Lorazepam. Any of those meds can help with the anxiety that Lexapro might cause.
- You might feel a little out of it or unfocused for a few weeks. It's a normal side effect that goes away.
- Remember that most side effects are temporary and will go away in a few weeks. In my experience, most of my side effects were gone by week 5. Lexapo acts faster for some people, as you can see from the post above. It really depends on the individual.
- The tiredness goes away eventually. If it doesn't you might try adding a low dose of Wellbutrin. That's what I've had to do and it's been very helpful so far.
- The tremors will subside. My hand still trembles from time to time, but it isn't a big deal.
Try to hang in there because Lexapro is a wonderful medication and is worth the wait because the results are terrific. But above all else, listen to your body and what it tells you. Best of luck!
K.
Posted by Bill LL on March 30, 2004, at 9:09:30
In reply to Lexapro! What do you think of it? Need support, posted by deepdarkhole on March 29, 2004, at 12:42:37
I started on 20 mg about 17 months a go. I now take 30 mg. It works great for me. Like any other antidepressant, it very well may poop out at your current dose. The key is to recognize the poop out and to not be afraid to raise the dose.
Too many people give up on a drug when all that is needed is a dose increase.
Lexapro is the only AD that I take. The only other drugs I take are for blood pressure and cholesterol. I don't think that I have any side effects from the Lexapro at the present time. Earlier on, I had day time tiredness. When I first started, I had jitteriness for a few weeks.
Posted by LynneDa on March 30, 2004, at 9:55:59
In reply to Lexapro! What do you think of it? Need support, posted by deepdarkhole on March 29, 2004, at 12:42:37
Hi and welcome! I've been on Lex for 5 months - 10 weeks at 10mg then remaining time at 20mg. I am happy with it. The s/e's went away gradually, but by 3 weeks I didn't have anything left but insomnia & inorgasmia. The inorgasmia is much better now, but took these 5 months to get under control. Still working on the insomnia. I did experience some weight gain too and am working on that.
BUT . . . those things aside, I am so much happier, anger and sadness under control, I won't quit taking it for a while. Only a few bouts of depressive feelings around my period. (My diagnosis is PMDD which lead to depression and anxiety with suicidal thoughts, but still could function daily).
Hope that helps and that Lex helps you. Hang in there, it will get so much better in just 2 - 3 weeks. Feeling more anxious, tired and jittery at first seems to be normal as your body adjusts.
Good luck!
~ Lynne
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>I have tried so many SSRIs i couldn't tolerate the side effects. I am on day 4 of lexapro now and I really want to tough it out! Any words of advice?
>
> Anyone know how long the side effects will last? Especially the tremors and tiredness? Is it all worth it?
>
> Does this med really work?
Posted by deepdarkhole on March 30, 2004, at 10:42:05
In reply to Re: Lexapro! What do you think of it? Need support, posted by Bill LL on March 30, 2004, at 9:09:30
Thank you so much for all the support you guys. I am trying to stick with it. I am on day 5!!! I am glad to hear that it has helped others. Maybe I have finally found what I need.
Posted by shadows721 on March 31, 2004, at 21:48:12
In reply to Lexapro! What do you think of it? Need support, posted by deepdarkhole on March 29, 2004, at 12:42:37
It's a good SSRI, but it has severly affected my sex drive. I have absolutely forgotten what is like to actually have a real orgasm. If I weren't involved in a serious relationship, it may not matter. I've tried everything for the sex problem. Some things seem to help a bit, but not what it was like before Lexapro.
Posted by Scott in Vermont on April 1, 2004, at 13:54:01
In reply to Lexapro! What do you think of it? Need support, posted by deepdarkhole on March 29, 2004, at 12:42:37
My thanks to you for asking this question. I'm on day 3 of Lexapro and was wondering the same things.
My experience with Lexapro so far is hard to gauge because of other things going on that would have caused anxiety, insomnia, headaches, etc normally.
I appreciate reading the experiences of others. Seeing the reactions of real people has always made more impact on me than reading dry clinical text.
Posted by deepdarkhole on April 1, 2004, at 14:41:00
In reply to Re: Lexapro! What do you think of it? Need support, posted by Scott in Vermont on April 1, 2004, at 13:54:01
> My thanks to you for asking this question. I'm on day 3 of Lexapro and was wondering the same things.
>
> My experience with Lexapro so far is hard to gauge because of other things going on that would have caused anxiety, insomnia, headaches, etc normally.
>
> I appreciate reading the experiences of others. Seeing the reactions of real people has always made more impact on me than reading dry clinical text.
>
> Scott-let me know you you are doing. I am now on day 7. For the most part my BIG problem is exhaustion. I hope this side effect goes away and fast. I feel like a zombie-
Posted by KathrynLex on April 1, 2004, at 14:58:54
In reply to Re: Lexapro! What do you think of it? Need support, posted by deepdarkhole on April 1, 2004, at 14:41:00
Hi Guys,
I just wanted to assure you that the first few weeks are the toughest, and things will get better.
K.
This is the end of the thread.
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