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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by BA on March 30, 2005, at 11:02:36
I have been taking Lexapro for 9 weeks for GAD. After 2 weeks of mild improvement my pdoc increased my dosage from 10mg to 20mg for the past 7 weeks. I also take 1mg-1.5mg of clonazepam in the morning when my anxiety is at its worse. I sleep very well after taking 100mg of Trazadone before bedtime. When I take my 20mg of Lexapro in the morning it gives my anxiety a real jolt.
My anxiety was very bad without meds but I am frustrated that I do not feel happier and worry less. Does anyone think the Lexapro needs more time to kick in and should I be concerned about my daily dosage of clonazepam and Trazadone?
BTW, my side effects are limited to feeling a bit shaky sometimes and mild headaches.
Posted by meds4life on March 30, 2005, at 13:41:36
In reply to Patience with Lexapro?, posted by BA on March 30, 2005, at 11:02:36
I think I would probably switch to a new AD. I'm kind of nervous because I just added Lexapro to help with anxiety and depression, to my Wellbutrin. I too take Klonopin in the a.m. when my anxiety is at its worst. I'm giving the Lexapro 4-6 weeks. If it doesn't help with anxiety and depression, I'll switch back to Effexor. Effexor was fantastic for my anxiety and depression. I should never have gone off. I went off because I gained a lot of weight and lost sexual drive, however I've never felt the same since. I should have stayed on and exercised daily and starved because it was so great to be free of anxiety and depression! Let me know what you decide.
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on March 30, 2005, at 21:56:36
In reply to Re: Patience with Lexapro?, posted by meds4life on March 30, 2005, at 13:41:36
You might consider adding (or switching to) desipramine (a TCA). That made a difference for me above and beyond what my Lexapro was doing. I found the Lex somewhat useful and I'm pretty sure that I found that out after only a few weeks. Might be time to talk to your pdoc...
EE
Posted by Maxime on April 1, 2005, at 1:37:12
In reply to Re: Patience with Lexapro?, posted by Emily Elizabeth on March 30, 2005, at 21:56:36
> You might consider adding (or switching to) desipramine (a TCA). That made a difference for me above and beyond what my Lexapro was doing. I found the Lex somewhat useful and I'm pretty sure that I found that out after only a few weeks. Might be time to talk to your pdoc...
>
> EEHi Emily -
How much Desipramine do you take and do you take another AD with it? How long did it take before you felt an improvement? What have been some the most noticeable side effects?
Thanks.
Maxime
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on April 2, 2005, at 0:36:05
In reply to Desipramine by itself » Emily Elizabeth, posted by Maxime on April 1, 2005, at 1:37:12
> Hi Emily -
>
> How much Desipramine do you take and do you take another AD with it?I take 170mg. I tried to go higher, but I experienced too much orthostatic hypotension (dizziness upon standing). I also take Lexapro (plus neurontin and ambien). I experience both depression and GAD, so it is tricky for me to find the right combo. I have had a partial response to the desipramine for depression and a fairly complete response for anxiety.
How long did it take before you felt an improvement?
I'm not sure, but I think it was w/in the first month or so. It might be different for you b/c I titrated up very slowly (due to the other meds that I take).
What have been some the most noticeable side effects?
The dizziness that I mentioned above. Also a lot of dry mouth. I haven't had a problem w/ weight gain, but I know that it is common. Overall, I have been pretty happy w/ this med. Might be worth a try.
Best,
EE
Posted by Maxime on April 3, 2005, at 18:55:34
In reply to Re: Desipramine by itself » Maxime, posted by Emily Elizabeth on April 2, 2005, at 0:36:05
Thanks Emily. I am at 75 mg for one week now. I feel nothing. I think it is stimulating my appetite which may be to much for me to handle.
Maxime
>
> > Hi Emily -
> >
> > How much Desipramine do you take and do you take another AD with it?
>
> I take 170mg. I tried to go higher, but I experienced too much orthostatic hypotension (dizziness upon standing). I also take Lexapro (plus neurontin and ambien). I experience both depression and GAD, so it is tricky for me to find the right combo. I have had a partial response to the desipramine for depression and a fairly complete response for anxiety.
>
> How long did it take before you felt an improvement?
>
> I'm not sure, but I think it was w/in the first month or so. It might be different for you b/c I titrated up very slowly (due to the other meds that I take).
>
> What have been some the most noticeable side effects?
>
> The dizziness that I mentioned above. Also a lot of dry mouth. I haven't had a problem w/ weight gain, but I know that it is common. Overall, I have been pretty happy w/ this med. Might be worth a try.
>
> Best,
> EE
Posted by Chris O on April 4, 2005, at 2:01:08
In reply to Patience with Lexapro?, posted by BA on March 30, 2005, at 11:02:36
BA:
For what it's worth, I think Lexapro is kind of a sucky drug. I was on it at 30-40mg/day for 8 months. Definitely better for me at higher doses than at lower doses, but I didn't notice much of a difference from say, month 2 to month 8. I mean, after I upped to the 30-40mg level, nothing really changed. Yes, it decreased my anxiety and depression somewhat, but...I felt fatigued and...not all that much better than without it. Maybe give it a few more weeks (if that's bearable) and then try something else. That's just my two cents.
Good luck,
Chris> I have been taking Lexapro for 9 weeks for GAD. After 2 weeks of mild improvement my pdoc increased my dosage from 10mg to 20mg for the past 7 weeks. I also take 1mg-1.5mg of clonazepam in the morning when my anxiety is at its worse. I sleep very well after taking 100mg of Trazadone before bedtime. When I take my 20mg of Lexapro in the morning it gives my anxiety a real jolt.
>
> My anxiety was very bad without meds but I am frustrated that I do not feel happier and worry less. Does anyone think the Lexapro needs more time to kick in and should I be concerned about my daily dosage of clonazepam and Trazadone?
>
> BTW, my side effects are limited to feeling a bit shaky sometimes and mild headaches.
This is the end of the thread.
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