Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 573903

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Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial?? » qbsbrown

Posted by ed_uk on November 3, 2005, at 16:51:27

In reply to Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial??, posted by qbsbrown on November 2, 2005, at 15:08:59

Hi Brian

>I was under the impression that 10 mg of lexapro was 40mg of celexa....

.......so the manufacturer claims. Bear in mind though that 20mg citalopram (Celexa) consists of 10mg escitalopram (Lexapro) and 10mg R-citalopram (the other isomer).

>Any recommendations?

Take generic citalopram! Save your money!

Kind regards

Ed

 

Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial?? » qbsbrown

Posted by ed_uk on November 3, 2005, at 16:52:40

In reply to Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial??, posted by qbsbrown on November 2, 2005, at 16:12:14

>But rationally i can't think of why celexa would be more beneficial

Because you were effectively taking a higher dose.

Ed

 

Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial??

Posted by Glydin on November 3, 2005, at 16:56:21

In reply to Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial?? » Glydin, posted by ed_uk on November 3, 2005, at 16:46:49


> I don't doubt that Lexapro is a useful and effective med, but I do doubt that its superior to the (much cheaper) generic citalopram!
>

You could very well be correct.
I'm just not going to rock a steady boat.

 

Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial?? » Glydin

Posted by ed_uk on November 3, 2005, at 17:11:25

In reply to Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial??, posted by Glydin on November 3, 2005, at 16:56:21

I agree, stick with the Lex :-)

Ed xx

 

Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial??

Posted by qbsbrown on November 3, 2005, at 17:31:50

In reply to Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial?? » Glydin, posted by ed_uk on November 3, 2005, at 17:11:25

Well after speaking to my doc about it, i belive i will resume the 40mg celexa. This is the highest dose, correct?
He thinks that it is just as beneficial as lex.

He was recently at a conference, and a speaker claimed, "they took a perfect drug (celexa), and changed it".

I hope im able to eat and not have brutal headaches.

Thanks guys and gals

Brian

 

Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial??

Posted by qbsbrown on November 3, 2005, at 17:39:29

In reply to Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial??, posted by qbsbrown on November 3, 2005, at 17:31:50

Ed, how much lexapro would you say is equal to 40mg of celexa? 15-20?

 

Ed - my question » ed_uk

Posted by Glydin on November 3, 2005, at 18:51:39

In reply to Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial?? » Glydin, posted by ed_uk on November 3, 2005, at 17:11:25

How are you?

Lv,
Glydin

 

Re: Ed - my question » Glydin

Posted by ed_uk on November 5, 2005, at 10:25:39

In reply to Ed - my question » ed_uk, posted by Glydin on November 3, 2005, at 18:51:39

Hi G!

>How are you?

Sorry for not replying earlier - I'm often tired after work.

I'm doing quite well thank you. My mental health is good at the moment. I'm taking citalopram (Celexa) 80mg in the morning and amitriptyline (Elavil) 20mg at night. I'm working at the moment, didn't return to university.

Ed xx

 

Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial?? » qbsbrown

Posted by ed_uk on November 5, 2005, at 10:28:55

In reply to Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial??, posted by qbsbrown on November 3, 2005, at 17:31:50

Hi Brian,

If you were taking Lexapro 10mg, I'd switch to 20mg generic citalopram the following day. I don't recommend the Celexa brand (too expensive) - there doesn't appear to be anything wrong with the generics.

Stay on 20mg citalopram for a couple of weeks then increase the dose in steps to 10mg as required. Most people end up taking 20-60mg per day.

Kind regards

Ed

 

Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial??

Posted by qbsbrown on November 5, 2005, at 18:26:17

In reply to Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial?? » qbsbrown, posted by ed_uk on November 5, 2005, at 10:28:55

Hi Ed. Well i did 20mg for a week, then 40mg for 3 days, then did lexapro 10mg for 3 days.
Now i switched back over to 40mg generic celexa.
Is it normal to have increased anxiety initially? I get highly energized and anxious in the evenings. Other than that, i can tell that im obsessing less, and depression isn't as bad.

I have no insurance, so it is much cheaper. How long do i give 40mgs to gauge whether or not to go up to 60mg? Is it more effective for highly anxious people, GAD, very obsessive people?

I pray for no sexual side-effects, fingers crossed.

kind regards,

Brian

 

Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial?? » qbsbrown

Posted by ed_uk on November 5, 2005, at 18:57:39

In reply to Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial??, posted by qbsbrown on November 5, 2005, at 18:26:17

Hi Brian

>Is it normal to have increased anxiety initially?

Yes, especially when the initial dose is too high. You could decrease to 30mg for a while, then increase back up to 40mg if necessary.

>How long do i give 40mgs to gauge whether or not to go up to 60mg?

That depends on whether or not you want to find the minimum effective dose - which should reduce the risk of side effects. For me, the maximum effect takes a couple of months to develop. You could increase the dose much sooner if you want to - but the risk of sexual side effects increases with the dose.

Kind regards

Ed

 

Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial??

Posted by qbsbrown on November 5, 2005, at 19:07:10

In reply to Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial?? » qbsbrown, posted by ed_uk on November 5, 2005, at 18:57:39

Well i can already tell that 40mg of celexa has been more beneficial than 10 or 20mgs of lexapro. I never felt anything from it, felt like placebo.

So 40mg is a good effective dosage that i should try out for at least a month?

Thanks

 

Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial?? » qbsbrown

Posted by ed_uk on November 6, 2005, at 14:36:41

In reply to Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial??, posted by qbsbrown on November 5, 2005, at 19:07:10

Hi Brian

>So 40mg is a good effective dosage that i should try out for at least a month?

40mg is a fairly 'standard' dose. I'd give it more than a month, the full effect can take longer to develop. Some benefit should occur after a few weeks though.

Kind regards

Ed

 

Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial??

Posted by qbsbrown on November 6, 2005, at 16:42:09

In reply to Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial?? » qbsbrown, posted by ed_uk on November 6, 2005, at 14:36:41

I think i just realized that i went up way too fast.

Started at 20mgs for 5 days, then to 40 for the past week.

No wonder i've lost 10lbs and am not eating, although hunger is beginning to come back, bus insomnia seems to be getting worse, which i get from all ssris, or am insomniac anyway (klonopin) helps. Hopefully with the celexa, my anxiety will be at bay, i can wean off the klonopin, and finally have a couple of drinks w/o feeling damn tired.

 

Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial?? » qbsbrown

Posted by ed_uk on November 7, 2005, at 14:28:48

In reply to Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial??, posted by qbsbrown on November 6, 2005, at 16:42:09

Hi Brian :-)

>I think i just realized that i went up way too fast.

I agree. You can decrease the dose if necessary, and increase it more gradually next time.

Kind regards

Ed

 

Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial??

Posted by qbsbrown on November 9, 2005, at 14:08:52

In reply to Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial?? » qbsbrown, posted by ed_uk on November 7, 2005, at 14:28:48

Well Ed, the original "better" feeling i was getting on 40mgs has dissappated. Albeit i never felt anything on 20mgs of lexapro (which i took for months).
Think it is time to move on to 50, then perhaps 60? Chase the dragon.

Typically w/ me, i react to ADs quickly or not at all. Paxil, 9 years ago, panic disorder ended from day one i took it. It is now ineffective for me.
Lamictal, i took, felt amazing after one week, only for it to go away, and chase the dosage up, never to reach that feeling again.

So i was enthused that after a couple days at 40mgs, that i felt a difference. Lexapro just felt like a placebo. Or perhaps i have a correlation w/ side effects, and medications working.

Any offers?

I know you take 80mgs. Everywhere i read says that it's never been found that 60mg is any more beneficial that 40mg (which im sure is a bunch of crap in individual cases).

Regards,

Brain

 

Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial?? » qbsbrown

Posted by ed_uk on November 9, 2005, at 16:30:31

In reply to Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial??, posted by qbsbrown on November 9, 2005, at 14:08:52

Hi Brian,

>Everywhere i read says that it's never been found that 60mg is any more beneficial that 40mg (which im sure is a bunch of crap in individual cases).

Exactly. Individual differences and all that. Are you currently having any side effects on 40mg?

Ed

 

Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial??

Posted by qbsbrown on November 9, 2005, at 17:57:10

In reply to Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial?? » qbsbrown, posted by ed_uk on November 9, 2005, at 16:30:31

No side effects. Perhaps loss of hunger still, but it's regaining. If you've heard of derealization, that is probably my worst and most prominent symptom. Usually SSRis seem to aggrivate it, although i typically don't give them enough of a chance or time.

 

Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial??

Posted by qbsbrown on November 9, 2005, at 18:14:39

In reply to Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial??, posted by qbsbrown on November 9, 2005, at 17:57:10

the main thing that i am worried about celexa, is that 20mg of lexapro did nothing for me. What in your estimate is dosage of celexa equal to 20 mg of lexapro? Most would say 80, but i know you disagree.

 

Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial?? » qbsbrown

Posted by ed_uk on November 10, 2005, at 13:41:26

In reply to Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial??, posted by qbsbrown on November 9, 2005, at 18:14:39

Hi Brian,

>If you've heard of derealization, that is probably my worst and most prominent symptom. Usually SSRis seem to aggrivate it, although i typically don't give them enough of a chance or time.

Does anything help? Perhaps surprisingly, some people find stimulants helpful.

>What in your estimate is dosage of celexa equal to 20 mg of lexapro?

40mg. 40mg Celexa *contains* 20mg escitalopram (Lexapro) and 20mg R-citalopram.

Kind regards

Ed

 

Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial??

Posted by qbsbrown on November 10, 2005, at 13:44:29

In reply to Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial?? » qbsbrown, posted by ed_uk on November 10, 2005, at 13:41:26

What type of stimulants? There is no current treatment for Derealization/depersonalization disorder. I believe that mine is completely anxiety based, so i still have hopes for an ssri to assist me in changing back my paradigms and perceptions.

Regards,

Brian

 

Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial?? » qbsbrown

Posted by ed_uk on November 12, 2005, at 12:10:20

In reply to Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial??, posted by qbsbrown on November 10, 2005, at 13:44:29

Hi Brian

Some people on p-babble (such as Zeugma) have reported that psycho-stimulants such as Ritalin and Dexedrine/Adderall have relieved DP/DP. Zeugma does find that Ritalin aggravates his anxiety though, even though it relieves his DP/DP. Not everyone suffers increased anxiety on stimulants though, a few people even find them anxiolytic, especially Dexedrine.

Kind regards

Ed

 

Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial?? » ed_uk

Posted by zeugma on November 12, 2005, at 12:56:00

In reply to Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial?? » qbsbrown, posted by ed_uk on November 12, 2005, at 12:10:20

> Hi Brian
>
> Some people on p-babble (such as Zeugma) have reported that psycho-stimulants such as Ritalin and Dexedrine/Adderall have relieved DP/DP. Zeugma does find that Ritalin aggravates his anxiety though, even though it relieves his DP/DP. Not everyone suffers increased anxiety on stimulants though, a few people even find them anxiolytic, especially Dexedrine.

Hi Ed (and Brian),

Yes, Ritalin definitely relieves DP/DR even as it makes me tremble uncontrollably with anxiety. My DP is definitely a perceptual deficit of some kind. The locus of self-perception is in the temporo-parietal junction and Ritalin stimulates that region, while benzodiazepines, antidepressants, and miscellaneous drugs do nothing there. I know my DP is not produced by anxiety as I experience it on its own, just as I know my anxiety is not caused by depression, as I have experienced anxious states in the absence of depression. But I don't doubt you when you say your DP is anxiety-related. I have to say that the DP is at a lower level when my anxiety is controlled. It is more a feeling of bodily numbing and not being completely 'there' which persists, not the full-fledged feeling of 'nothingness' that severe DP produces.

-z
>
> Kind regards
>
> Ed

 

Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial?? » zeugma

Posted by ed_uk on November 12, 2005, at 13:41:20

In reply to Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial?? » ed_uk, posted by zeugma on November 12, 2005, at 12:56:00

Hi Z

I'm still wondering whether you'd be better served by Dexedrine than Ritalin!

Kind regards

Ed

 

Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial?? » ed_uk

Posted by zeugma on November 12, 2005, at 18:23:38

In reply to Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial?? » zeugma, posted by ed_uk on November 12, 2005, at 13:41:20

Hi again Ed,

I think DP/DR is somewhere in that vague spectrum of 'negative symptoms' which are common (more or less) to schizophrenia and severe depression, and which are known to be (in the case of schizophrenia) responsive to stimulants but at the cost of exacerbating positive symptoms. I experienced some relief, much more mild than I received from Ritalin, when i increased the Provigil dose to 300 mg. Unfortunately, my insurance will only cover 200 mg, so that experiment has come to an end.

I did feel more social on 300 mg, and also less socially anxious. But that could be because I felt more awake at 6 pm, and less in a stumbling haze. The DP is really a physical feeling of not being there at all, unsettling like a dream from which you're completely absent.

I think my best hope os when Sparlon comes out early next year. It's just Provigil but in higher doses. Hopefully I can get my insurance to cover it.

-z


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