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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by njsurfer on February 9, 2005, at 11:41:36
I am new to this whole medication thing and anxiety and panic. I was started on effexor but could only take it for three days before i thought i was going to kill myself. I have been on Lexapro 10 mg for 16 days now. I have been supplementing this with .25 mg klonopin for about 10 days now for anxiety. I thought it was really helping me, i noticed myself being less depressed and more motivated, but ever since this monday rolled around i have been super tired all day long, and i feel a little anxiety creeping in. I have so much trouble staying focused and doing things at work. I take my lex and klonopin around 6 pm, but even though i am so tired, i have had trouble staying asleep the whole nite, or even falling asleep. I plan on stopping the klonopin once the lex kicks in, but i feel more depressed now with being so tired. I just need someone to let me know these symptoms could pass or something. I want my old self back.
Posted by Wildman on February 9, 2005, at 12:31:57
In reply to Lexapro Side effects, posted by njsurfer on February 9, 2005, at 11:41:36
NJSurfer,
I think your symptoms will pass quickly. I've been on Lexapro for about a year now and it has really helped me.
When I started on it, I did experience side-effects like you describe, the tiredness, the anxiety (Ativan helped that go away), and I also wondered when I was going to start feeling better.
After a month or so, the side-effects went away completely. A few months later, I still wasn't feeling that much better, so we increased it from 10mg to 20mg. What a difference! I have my life back. I have my marriage back.
So, please hang in there. Did you ramp up to the 10mg by starting with 5mg, etc?? Jumping right into 10mg if you've never taken these types of meds before is not what I would recommend to anyone - ramping is always the way to go.
I take my Lex first thing in the morning as I find it "activating". So activating that I
I also take Seroquel at night to help with my sleep and to act as a mood-stabilizer. I take anywhere from 25mg to 75mg a couple of hours before bedtime. I think this med has helped me as much as the Lexapro.Hope this helps!!!! You'll get your old self back, it does take a while though.
Wildman
Posted by njsurfer on February 9, 2005, at 13:44:31
In reply to Re: Lexapro Side effects, posted by Wildman on February 9, 2005, at 12:31:57
I didn't ramp up, i started off at 10 mg right away. I did have some chest pains the first few days, but i knew it was just my anxiety. I havent had any panic attacks since i started the lex, but i can feel the anxiety right there in the back of my mind. I am 24 years old and only have had these depression and anxiety issues for about 2 months. I was a pretty heavy alcoholic for about a year before i went on this medication. I am still going through issues with this, but i have been sober for a month today. That feels pretty good. I know i will get better, but it is hard after reading a lot of these posts, and i think i will be this way forever. Thanks for your input
Posted by Chris O on February 9, 2005, at 14:02:05
In reply to Lexapro Side effects, posted by njsurfer on February 9, 2005, at 11:41:36
I just wanted to give my two cents worth about my experience with Lexapro as I have been on it for the past eight months. I started off by taking 10mg for a couple weeks, like you, but really noticed little difference in my anxiety level. I upped the dosage to 20mg, and noticed a better response. The psychiatrist I was seeing said the efficacious dosage for most people on Lex is 20-40mg, so I went up to 30mg, then 40mg. I found that at 30mg to 40mg, my response was much better than at 10mg to 20mg. In other words, my anxiety was decreased at the higher levels. However, all in all, I haven't found Lexapro to be the strongest or best drug for my anxiety, Yes, it does take the edge off. But not completely. In addition, Lexapro leaves me feeling fatigued during the day. Just kind of "blah." I think 16 days is enough to know if that dosage of Lexapro is helping you or not. But I guess you can discuss that with your psychiatrist or physician.
I hope you find something that works for you. As for me, I am off the Lexapro, and still searching.Chris
Posted by Spriggy on February 9, 2005, at 16:41:08
In reply to Re: Lexapro Side effects, posted by FatBubbles on February 9, 2005, at 16:17:53
Well njsurfer, just watch yourself and make sure to call your doctor if you get worse on Lexapro.
I had a horrible time on lexapro and got way worse. I started it for panic attacks and after 3 weeks on it, was thrust into the worst depression/suicide state of my life.
Having said that, my mother is on it and it's been a life saver for her.so everyone is different. BUT if you don't notice any changes soon (and especially if you get worse) contact your doctor.
Posted by Phillipa on February 9, 2005, at 16:45:08
In reply to Re: Lexapro Side effects, posted by Spriggy on February 9, 2005, at 16:41:08
I hate to say this but, do you really need meds? Alchol is a depressant, and maybe this is just a residual from the ETOH. Once you're on these meds, the cycle continues. I guess you already know this from reading the Posts. Anyway good luck! Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by njsurfer on February 10, 2005, at 11:54:50
In reply to Re: Lexapro Side effects, posted by Phillipa on February 9, 2005, at 16:45:08
what is an etoh. The lex was helping, but the past few days i have been a lot more anxious, and almost had a panic attack last nite. It happened right after i went to my first aa meeting. I also feel that i might get addicted to the klonopin, because i feel like i need it to take away the anxiety, bu i think the .25 mg has stopped working, i might try and move it up just until the lex kicks in a little bit more. Let me know if anyone has had success with this. Oh and the lex was for mild depression i was having before i stopped drinking. thanks
Posted by Phillipa on February 10, 2005, at 16:43:40
In reply to Re: Lexapro Side effects, posted by Phillipa on February 9, 2005, at 16:45:08
ETOH just means alcholol. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Mariposa on February 13, 2005, at 12:08:08
In reply to Re: Lexapro Side effects, posted by Phillipa on February 10, 2005, at 16:43:40
Currently @ 40mg, have been on Lex almost 2 years for depression and PMDD with good results. It took at least 3 months befor I felt it really helping. At about 5-6 weeks I had increased anxiety and VERY bad depression to the point I wanted to quit. Pdoc talked me into inceasing my dose and giving it more time, and I'm now glad he did. Also had trouble w/insomnia at night and feeling very lethargic and wanting to sleep during the day, but that too went away. Now I sleep VERY well at night and actually find Lex to be energizing during the day.
It may not work this well for everyone, but from monitoring this board over the past 2 years it really seems that many people do not get good results right away, it takes time for the med to start working, anywhere from 4 to 9 or even 10 weeks. Hang in there and give it a little time and hopefully you too will benefit.~~~8|8
Posted by Sarah T. on February 13, 2005, at 23:27:15
In reply to Re: Lexapro Side effects, posted by Mariposa on February 13, 2005, at 12:08:08
Mariposa,
I'm glad to hear that you've had such a good experience with Lexapro. My question is, how on earth can a patient stick with this drug to see whether it's going to work if the drug causes worsening (near suicidal) depression? Most of us who've been through a lot of drug trials have come to expect that adverse side effects are part of the package when trying a new medicine. Many of those side effects are annoying, but not life-threatening. For example, sedation, fatigue, grogginess, constipation, urinary retention, etc. can be extremely difficult to manage, but are often not so terrible that we can't see (or hope to see) light at the end of the tunnel. But how can you persevere on a medicine that causes you to feel suicidal or that causes such severe insomnia that you are completely unable to function for several months? Do you just take off from work for two months and stay in bed while you're waiting for the med in to kick in?
Posted by peacetoy on February 14, 2005, at 11:06:39
In reply to Re: Lexapro Side effects, posted by Mariposa on February 13, 2005, at 12:08:08
I'm also having quite a rough time on Lexapro (or Cipralex, as it's called in the UK). It's now 9 1/2 weeks since I started (switching from fluoxetine), and 1 1/2 weeks since upping my dose from 15 -> 20mg.
Each time I've increased does, I've had substantially increased agitation and anxiety for a couple of weeks at least. Not quite suicidal thoughts, but I'm getting there. Horrible....and I'm not confident that this drug isn't just making things a lot worse.
Am probably going to give it until 12 weeks, but don't relish the idea of going on a psycho-pharmacological merri-go-round. The news about the recent St John's Wort extract study is encouraging, but no idea when the WS 5570 will become available, but no doubt the Glaxos of this world will fight it every step of the way....
Posted by Mariposa on February 15, 2005, at 14:58:14
In reply to Re: Lexapro Side effects, posted by peacetoy on February 14, 2005, at 11:06:39
I did call in sick for a whole week at the worst point. I know not every one can do this. I also work in an environment (retail) where I was able to "hide" in the stockroom when things got bad. Again, not every one has this type of job.
Another option is to talk to your doctor and tell him the problems you are having. He may give you additional meds to help you sleep or get over worsened anxiety. Or between the 2 of you decide Lex is not the right drug. Not every one will be helped by Lexapro. Do not try to sort things out on your own. Good luck to everyone!~~~8|8
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