Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 367641

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LEXAPRO, BEST TIME TO TAKE AM OR PM?

Posted by flipsactown on July 19, 2004, at 1:38:53

Hello Lex Users,

I have been on Lex 40 days and I am struggling with insomnia, fatigue and lack of motivation. I am currently taking 30mg at 6AM. I know I need to be more patient and wait until 2 to 3 months to get the full benefits of Lex.

I have chronic back pain for which I am taking Tylenol/Codeine 3, 60mg x 4 daily. Previously, I was taking Oxycontin for over 2 years and I have only been Oxy free for 10 days with residual withdrawals which I have to take an extra dose or two of Codeine. This may be exacerbating my fatigue and insomnia.

Although, I believe the Lex has lifted my depression somewhat, the nagging fatigue and insomnia is negating whatever depression relief I am getting from Lex. I am currently taking only OTC Benadryl for sleep. I was taking Ambien and then Seroquel, but I decided to quit both because Ambien is not recommended to be taken on a regular basis, and Seroquel, although it worked briefly but leaving me very groggy and feeling awful the next day, I decided to quit taking when I read that it is contraindicated in patients who are taking cholesterol lowering meds, which I am. On top of that, there is a recent FDA Warning concerning a link to diabetes developing in patients taking antipyschotic drugs such as Seroquel.

So bottomline. I know everyone reacts differently, but I would like to know when other people are taking Lexapro with success.

Thanks.

FST

 

Re: LEXAPRO, BEST TIME TO TAKE AM OR PM?

Posted by holymama on July 19, 2004, at 6:16:43

In reply to LEXAPRO, BEST TIME TO TAKE AM OR PM?, posted by flipsactown on July 19, 2004, at 1:38:53

Hi FST,
I too felt very lethargic on my lexapro, and switching my dosage from am to pm helped. After the first month or so, the initial side effect of sleepiness wore off a lot, so you might give it a bit more time to judge. But I did remain quite lethargic and unmotivated while on the drug. I got used to it and didn't even notice it after a while. It was not until I started a low dose of wellbutrin (150 mg) that I got my energy back and felt like I could get through a day without needing a nap. Good luck to you in finding what works best! ~~Autumn~~

 

Re: LEXAPRO, BEST TIME TO TAKE AM OR PM?

Posted by strugglingmom on July 19, 2004, at 15:54:10

In reply to Re: LEXAPRO, BEST TIME TO TAKE AM OR PM?, posted by holymama on July 19, 2004, at 6:16:43

Hi Flip,

I am very new to all this and know nothing about the other drugs you are taking. But I just posted about this a few days ago (see "Lexapro: Drowsy/Spacey?" above). One member suggested I take the pill in the PM and that's been helping me a lot--I seem to sleep through the fatigue/lack of motivation and wake up feeling pretty good (although it's a little hard to fall asleep so I might try taking the lex in the late afternoon). In a few weeks I may try taking the pill in the morning again, just to see if the sleepiness side effect has worn off.

Good luck. The lexapro has definitely muted my feelings of depression and psychic pain--which is making it a little easier to look at how I might now start to repair my life. Yee Gods!

 

Re: LEXAPRO, BEST TIME TO TAKE AM OR PM?

Posted by Bill LL on July 19, 2004, at 16:29:10

In reply to LEXAPRO, BEST TIME TO TAKE AM OR PM?, posted by flipsactown on July 19, 2004, at 1:38:53

SOme options are:
1) take it at night
2) drink lots of caffeine in coffee,tea or soda
3) take caffeine pills such as no-dose
4) take American Ginseng (takes a month to work)
5) try Provigil or Wellbutrin in addition to Lexapro

 

Re: LEXAPRO, BEST TIME TO TAKE AM OR PM? » flipsactown

Posted by Mariposa on July 21, 2004, at 7:17:41

In reply to LEXAPRO, BEST TIME TO TAKE AM OR PM?, posted by flipsactown on July 19, 2004, at 1:38:53

I had trouble in the beginning, moved time around, trial and error, and that helped. Currently take in the AM around 10 or so. Some of the lethargy can be attributed to your other meds, but Lex can be quite the *downer* until you learn to deal w/it. I drink lots of coffee....and I ignore the BRAIN when it tells me it's *tired* because I know it's not true. I have found that if I get moving get involved w/projects at work or home, that feeling of tiredness evaporates quickly. The body is willing but the brain is being LAZY!!

Good luck~~~8|8


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