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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 18 of 18. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Steve3211 on September 9, 2004, at 17:06:01
Hi,
Was on the site for a while about six months ago. On 5 mgs of Lexapro was doing great but now depressed again. I don't understand it. Seems that my family triggers this. Both last episodes were either when we were together. I think abandonment issues here. Anyway where are the lex users? Have you had bumps? Not sure how severe this is right now. Lost appetite, shaky, crying a bit.
Thanks-
Steve
Posted by toughgirl on September 9, 2004, at 17:28:03
In reply to Where are all the lexapro users., posted by Steve3211 on September 9, 2004, at 17:06:01
I was wondering the same thing. I saw a bunch of old posts for lex but not too many new ones. I am new to lex so I dont think that I can help too much but I'd at least like to be here to help if you need to just vent or something. Hope to hear back from ya.
Posted by Daisy Elizabeth on September 10, 2004, at 19:36:35
In reply to Re: Where are all the lexapro users. » Steve3211, posted by toughgirl on September 9, 2004, at 17:28:03
I'm currently on Lex. I felt pretty good at first, but then worse again. I have had to raise my dose a number of times. I'm now up to 50mgs. I'm wondering if you just need a higher dose. Worth asking your doc about.
Posted by Mariposa on September 11, 2004, at 15:12:45
In reply to Re: Where are all the lexapro users., posted by Daisy Elizabeth on September 10, 2004, at 19:36:35
Currently @30mg, been on Lex 16+mos. Had to increase from 5 to 10 at wk5, 20mg at mo.5, then 30 at mo.11, so an increase may be in order....as always you should discuss w/doc.
I monitor the board regularly, so feel free to ask, and I'll try to help.~~~8|8
Posted by steve3211 on September 11, 2004, at 21:01:03
In reply to Re: Where are all the lexapro users., posted by Mariposa on September 11, 2004, at 15:12:45
Hi Mariposa,
I have read and responded to your posts before on here. I really don't want to get on that upping dose train. I felt really good for about six months symptom free doing well and then bang hit a bump. I don't feel as bad as before but still pretty rough. Always seems to start with anxiety and then degenerate. Thing is this stuff has definite triggers with me. Both times it has been preceded by a visit to my family and then leaving that area. They live in Norcal and I am in Socal. There are a lot of issues with this which I can't cover here. So having recognized this I am now in talk therapy also and am hoping to beat this shit once and for all. Have you not hit bumps and just rode them out at the same dose and found you have been okay again in a week or two.
Thanks so much-Steve
Posted by JohnR on September 11, 2004, at 23:12:02
In reply to Re: Where are all the lexapro users., posted by steve3211 on September 11, 2004, at 21:01:03
Hi Steve,
I was taking 20mg a day for about nine months. I then decided to try and wean off about two months ago. I stepped down to 10 mg for several weeks and then to nothing.
At first things were ok but then I ran into trouble. I started getting sad, irritable, and antisocial among other things. When that happened I started taking 10 mgs a day again and that's where I am currently.
I feel like I'm having a little bit of a bump right now. I'm afraid 10 mg a day may not be enough but I don't want to up the dosage. The side effects are manageable at 10 mg so that's why I'm hoping to stay there.
We'll see if I can stick with 10 or if I have to go back up to 20. Good luck working through your bump.John
Posted by Mariposa on September 12, 2004, at 19:25:04
In reply to Re: Where are all the lexapro users., posted by steve3211 on September 11, 2004, at 21:01:03
Yes, I've had those bumps, but several just seemed to keep getting worse, I felt like I was digressing to that mean ol' B. again and I couldn't handle it. I'm in customer service, so always have to smile and be NICE!! It just got to the point that I needed to increase or quit, and quit was not an option.~~~8|8
Posted by Mariposa on September 12, 2004, at 19:29:42
In reply to Re: Where are all the lexapro users. » steve3211, posted by Mariposa on September 12, 2004, at 19:25:04
> Yes, I've had those bumps, but several just seemed to keep getting worse, I felt like I was digressing to that mean ol' B. again and I couldn't handle it. I'm in customer service, so always have to smile and be NICE!! It just got to the point that I needed to increase or quit, and quit was not an option.~~~8|8
Seems like it's every 6 mos. or so. I've been feeling it again lately and took 40mg for a couple of days and cut back to 30, got several BAD headaches, but am managing at 30mg again, for now.
Best of luck!~~~8|8
Posted by Steve3211 on September 13, 2004, at 14:30:16
In reply to Re: Where are all the lexapro users., posted by JohnR on September 11, 2004, at 23:12:02
Hi John,
Thanks for the response. This always seems to start with anxiety with me. During a bump I seem to have lots of little ups and downs and appetite loss. I wonder what Cymbalta would be like? Perhaps better for anxiety. Have you ever tried xanax? I am trying to keep to as low a dose of drugs use as I can.
Best-Steve
Posted by Catgirl on September 13, 2004, at 20:01:25
In reply to Where are all the lexapro users., posted by Steve3211 on September 9, 2004, at 17:06:01
> Hi,
> Was on the site for a while about six months ago. On 5 mgs of Lexapro was doing great but now depressed again. I don't understand it. Seems that my family triggers this. Both last episodes were either when we were together. I think abandonment issues here. Anyway where are the lex users? Have you had bumps? Not sure how severe this is right now. Lost appetite, shaky, crying a bit.
> Thanks-
> SteveHi Steve.
I am on 10mg of Lexapro since June. It's been working fine for me so far, no recent panic attacks. I think the talk therapy will help you get to the source of your family issues. I have abandonment issues also. Oh, and my doctor gave me some xanax to get through the start of Lexapro. It works well for emergencies.Good luck!
CG
Posted by flipsactown on September 14, 2004, at 10:56:13
In reply to Where are all the lexapro users., posted by Steve3211 on September 9, 2004, at 17:06:01
Hello Steve,
I must be one of the lucky ones. After Prozac pooped out after 7 years of excellent relief from unipolar depression and a brief trial with Nardil, I switched to Lexapro. I started at 10mg the first week. Then upped to 20 the next 2 weeks and upped to 30mg where I am currently. It took 45 days for Lexapro to kick in, but when it kicked in I was as depression free as I was when I first took Prozac. The first few weeks on Lexapro was the worse part for me. At first, all I wanted to do was sleep because I felt very fatigued. However on weeks 2-3, I was unable to sleep. My pdoc rxed Ambien and then Seroquel, which I am still taking. As far as the bumps are concerned, one will always run into bumps, even when one's AD is effective. It is how you react to the bumps that determine if the AD is effective enough or not. If one can't get past the bump in a day or two, then perhaps an increase in AD dose is necessary. I am only speaking from my experience. Good luck to you. I am male.
FST
> Hi,
> Was on the site for a while about six months ago. On 5 mgs of Lexapro was doing great but now depressed again. I don't understand it. Seems that my family triggers this. Both last episodes were either when we were together. I think abandonment issues here. Anyway where are the lex users? Have you had bumps? Not sure how severe this is right now. Lost appetite, shaky, crying a bit.
> Thanks-
> Steve
Posted by Steve3211 on September 14, 2004, at 15:06:20
In reply to Re: Where are all the lexapro users. » Steve3211, posted by flipsactown on September 14, 2004, at 10:56:13
Thanks FST,
I am unsure how to react to this current episode. Whether it is good news or bad? It certainly doesn't seem to be anywhere near as bad as the last one, so maybe that means the Lex is working and my mind is getting stronger but on the other hand this bump has been going on a week now and sucks. Tough to understand depression, everything is going well in my life yet here I am depressed somewhat again after my relatives visit. I have upped my dose to 7.5 mgs after 5 seemed to be working so well after 5-6 months.
Thanks for your responses.
Steve> Hello Steve,
>
> I must be one of the lucky ones. After Prozac pooped out after 7 years of excellent relief from unipolar depression and a brief trial with Nardil, I switched to Lexapro. I started at 10mg the first week. Then upped to 20 the next 2 weeks and upped to 30mg where I am currently. It took 45 days for Lexapro to kick in, but when it kicked in I was as depression free as I was when I first took Prozac. The first few weeks on Lexapro was the worse part for me. At first, all I wanted to do was sleep because I felt very fatigued. However on weeks 2-3, I was unable to sleep. My pdoc rxed Ambien and then Seroquel, which I am still taking. As far as the bumps are concerned, one will always run into bumps, even when one's AD is effective. It is how you react to the bumps that determine if the AD is effective enough or not. If one can't get past the bump in a day or two, then perhaps an increase in AD dose is necessary. I am only speaking from my experience. Good luck to you. I am male.
>
> FST
>
>
> > Hi,
> > Was on the site for a while about six months ago. On 5 mgs of Lexapro was doing great but now depressed again. I don't understand it. Seems that my family triggers this. Both last episodes were either when we were together. I think abandonment issues here. Anyway where are the lex users? Have you had bumps? Not sure how severe this is right now. Lost appetite, shaky, crying a bit.
> > Thanks-
> > Steve
>
>
Posted by JohnR on September 14, 2004, at 21:48:08
In reply to Re: Where are all the lexapro users., posted by Steve3211 on September 13, 2004, at 14:30:16
Hi Steve,
Lexapro is the first anti-depressent medication I've taken. However I also take Dilatin and Lamictal for seizures. I feel like a senior citizen because my pill box is so large. ;)
When I stopped the Lexapro several weeks ago I noticed myself getting really angry at other drivers. One of my friends made a comment about it. That's when I connected the dots and realized maybe I still needed the Lexapro. Now I'm doing pretty well on 10 mgs a day.John
> Hi John,
> Thanks for the response. This always seems to start with anxiety with me. During a bump I seem to have lots of little ups and downs and appetite loss. I wonder what Cymbalta would be like? Perhaps better for anxiety. Have you ever tried xanax? I am trying to keep to as low a dose of drugs use as I can.
> Best-Steve
Posted by Steve3211 on September 15, 2004, at 17:24:37
In reply to Re: Where are all the lexapro users. » Steve3211, posted by JohnR on September 14, 2004, at 21:48:08
Thanks John,
I think I am coming out the other side of this bump (touch wood) so should be ok. I will continue at 7.5 mgs.
Best-Steve
Posted by FLaLa on September 15, 2004, at 21:40:57
In reply to Re: Where are all the lexapro users., posted by Steve3211 on September 15, 2004, at 17:24:37
New to this board...what are these "bumps" you're all discussing? I take Lexapro and Adderall XR for ADHD and mild depression. I'm assuming by "bumps" you all mean periods of time where the meds aren't effective...am I close? This may sound stupid, but...how can you really tell? I have a hard time discerning between what moods are "normal" and what are directly related to my disorder(s). Do you know what I mean?
And speaking of my disorder(s)...off topic...my therapist has suggested to my psychiatrist that my diagnosis be further investigated, as she suspects that I have symptoms so very close to rapid-cycling bipolar disorder. How can this be? I guess that's a whole new thread, now isn't it...
Anyway, good luck to all my fellow Lexies out there reading this.
Posted by flipsactown on September 15, 2004, at 22:52:45
In reply to Lexapro bumps?, posted by FLaLa on September 15, 2004, at 21:40:57
"Bumps" for me means a period in which it feels like the effects of Lexapro is waning. So you are correct in your assumption. For me, if the negative thoughts stay with me for more than a couple days, then I know that the AD is no longer effective, needs to be changed or adjusted or supplemented with another AD. My depression is unipolar meaning I have only depression with no mania or period of hyperactivity. My depression is closely related to my chronic low back pain from a traffic accident over 20 years ago, and I was diagnosed as clinically depressed 12 years ago. Hope this helps.
FST
> New to this board...what are these "bumps" you're all discussing? I take Lexapro and Adderall XR for ADHD and mild depression. I'm assuming by "bumps" you all mean periods of time where the meds aren't effective...am I close? This may sound stupid, but...how can you really tell? I have a hard time discerning between what moods are "normal" and what are directly related to my disorder(s). Do you know what I mean?
>
> And speaking of my disorder(s)...off topic...my therapist has suggested to my psychiatrist that my diagnosis be further investigated, as she suspects that I have symptoms so very close to rapid-cycling bipolar disorder. How can this be? I guess that's a whole new thread, now isn't it...
>
> Anyway, good luck to all my fellow Lexies out there reading this.
Posted by Steve3211 on September 17, 2004, at 17:31:20
In reply to Lexapro bumps?, posted by FLaLa on September 15, 2004, at 21:40:57
Hi,
Normal for me is when I am depression free. I remember and know it when it happens. For me it is when I am free of the constant introspection that goes along with anxiety and depression. I had a six month period lately when I felt the strongest I have in four years. I know because I was finally operating as I used to, relitavely carefree. Then bump anxiety hits again and the cycle starts again although hopefully only mild to moderate this time. Very subconscious. Pisses me off. Hope everything works out for you.
Best-Steve
Posted by sussus on September 20, 2004, at 11:55:15
In reply to Re: Lexapro bumps? » FLaLa, posted by flipsactown on September 15, 2004, at 22:52:45
Hi all - glad to be back on the board. I have spent the last few months getting married, having a honeymoon and getting a new puppy. Yes, my plate has been full. But now the step-kids (3) and my husband are all back at school (he's a teacher) and I have time to work and be productive and yet I can't seem to get in gear. Yes, I did miss 2 doses of Lex when my scrip ran out. I never thought 2 days could affect me so - I have had migraines and cannot sit still or focus. I am back on Lex today and can't wait for it to work. I (being obsessive) am sitting here thinking that perhaps it is bad to need anything the way I seem to need Lex, but the reality is this.....I was so bad for so long before I got this meds and I cannot go back to that way of life - brief periods of productivity followed by long stretches of couch-sitting and pondering the ceiling. If I need Lex - well, so be it. I needed something and if the day ever comes when I can't take it - then I'll deal with that then. I think I am mostly saying all this for me. It just felt good to tune in and see people dealing with bumps. I understand this one was self-induced...I am so grateful for this site. It helps me know I am not alone and not crazy. Thanks all.
This is the end of the thread.
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