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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Rani on September 22, 2006, at 4:47:30
I changed from Luvox to Lexapro 10mg daily with excellent results. A smooth switch one day Luv the next Lex with no side effects. I never knew that SSRI could work so well. Only took about 1 week to feel like a new person.
I was having all kinds of bizarre mood swings on Luv - depression accomp with agitation/anxiety/sadness and was provisionally diagnosed with some kind of Bipolar (not extreme) and still waiting to see PDoc. I wasnt sleeping - had major nightsweats and was jiggly all the time.
The Lexapro was fabulous for the first 4-6 weeks. Slept all night with no meds. Didnt need any Xanax on bad days - I felt like my old self - was worried I was a little 'up' but didnt do anything out of the ordinary - just life was easier and I came out form my hidey hole and actually socialised with people. Everything was easier. My husband said he noticed a big difference in me.
About 5 days ago I noticed some anxiety returning and now progressively I am coming down (OR ARE MY MEDS POOPING OUT???). I have wierd depression where I am agitated at the same time - jiggling my feet and start having negative and anxious thoughts. Teary and low and lethargic.
I am SOOO SCARED> I just cant go through with another period of depression - the guilt for my poor husband and family is so high. I can't drag myself to work feeling so low again - I am out of energy to battle through another depression. (I am an RN and work in ICU and theatre- I HAVE to be on the ball)
I will go to my local doc until I see the PDOC in a few weeks. It felt so good while it lasted I felt at last something was working. I actually stopped feeling so scared that it was temporary and started to relax.
What do you guys think?
Will my doc consider upping my dose of Lexapro?
Has anyone else had anything like this.
Any other meds seem indicated?
Posted by Shaun W on September 22, 2006, at 8:28:46
In reply to Luvox to Lexapro - ON MY WAY DOWN - HELP!!!!!!, posted by Rani on September 22, 2006, at 4:47:30
Hi Rani,
Try not to panic, can you brief me on your past. When did the depression start? Have you got a history of anxiety and depression?
Don't beat yourself up over this; it's not your fault.
Posted by Phillipa on September 22, 2006, at 10:42:44
In reply to Re: Luvox to Lexapro - ON MY WAY DOWN - HELP!!!!!! » Rani, posted by Shaun W on September 22, 2006, at 8:28:46
Opposite for me although the luvox doesn't get rid of depression the lex wired me. Good luck. Love Phillipa
Posted by fca on September 22, 2006, at 21:16:06
In reply to Luvox to Lexapro - ON MY WAY DOWN - HELP!!!!!!, posted by Rani on September 22, 2006, at 4:47:30
Rani. sorry you are experiencing this--my experience with SSRIs (having been on Lexapro for most of 6-7 years)is that they do not eliminate the depression/anxiety but do moderate the intensity and duration of the bad times--do not panic, I would guess that the feelings you are having will not last as long or be nearly as severe as those experienced when off meds. If the symptoms persist you can experiment with the dosage, try another SSRI or augment it with a number of other reuptake inhibitors. Hang in there fca
Posted by mike lynch on September 22, 2006, at 23:03:48
In reply to Re: Luvox to Lexapro - ON MY WAY DOWN - HELP!!!!!!, posted by fca on September 22, 2006, at 21:16:06
Its interesting to not how many people initially feel ssri's are a tremendous benefit when they first start out, and then when it kinda evens out after a while, they don't become so pleasant. This becomes the truth with every ssri I try, when I start it's fine, but then it's just not so great anymore after a few weeks. I think this is partly because ssris, when we first start them, or when doses are changed suddenly it can spur mild hypomania, which some people thing of as relief.
Posted by Rani on September 23, 2006, at 3:38:02
In reply to Re: Luvox to Lexapro - ON MY WAY DOWN - HELP!!!!!!, posted by mike lynch on September 22, 2006, at 23:03:48
I took SSRI's for the first time 1997 for depression (but was in a terrible violent relationship and had an eating disorder) then weaned myself off by 2000 and was very stable (eating disorder gone and remarried in a great relationship) until Oct 05 when I had a recurrence of anxiety/panic disorder which is now almost gone. I was put on Luvox back then to try and help the anxiety disorder started low dose but then increased by ended up very agitated with foot jiggling, incessant talking and feeling wired (but not high or good). Decreased the dose. Seriously I didnt feel it made any different to the anxiety disorder or my coping.
Was ok for a while but then recently got insomnia, nightsweats, panic at nights and agitation. Doc changed to Lexapro and it was great for a while (was i high or was I just not depressed - I am not sure??.
Anyhow, I upped my dose today to 15mg Lexapro as I couldnt get to see my doc (sat here).I really truly feel that the SSRI's increase my ups and downs. I have NEVER felt the depression like I have when I have been off the SSRI's. They seem to make it more extreme. I will talk to my PDoc about this but I feel the docs just feel it is better for me.
> Its interesting to not how many people initially feel ssri's are a tremendous benefit when they first start out, and then when it kinda evens out after a while, they don't become so pleasant. This becomes the truth with every ssri I try, when I start it's fine, but then it's just not so great anymore after a few weeks. I think this is partly because ssris, when we first start them, or when doses are changed suddenly it can spur mild hypomania, which some people thing of as relief.
Posted by Shaun W on September 23, 2006, at 4:29:19
In reply to Re: Luvox to Lexapro - ON MY WAY DOWN - HELP!!!!!!, posted by Rani on September 23, 2006, at 3:38:02
Rani, i'm thinking maybe in the long run you may do better off medication altogether. You've done well to get out of that violent relationship and make a new life for yourself. Your response to ssri's is uneven and unpredictable; i know at the beginning of treatment they can really increase your anxiety, as is the case when you come off some of the shorter acting ones. Maybe a switch to Prozac (sticking to 20mg) and a gradual taper after a month, ie one every other day, until you are off completely maybe one option. Work closely with your doctor and try not to juggle with the dose at the first sign of trouble.
Prozac has a very long half life, about 6 days so coming off will be much easier. If you still have problems with anxiety take the occassional Prozac to see if it's part of a withdrawal syndrome or a return of the old symptoms.
You could always try CBT for the panic / anxiety, or maybe a little buspar in the background. Carrying a zanax xr for any emergencies. Try not to stay on them long term! Other options maybe Lamotrigine, very good mood stabilizer virtually without side effects (beware of sjs syndrome which your Doc will wil inform about).
There are lots of options should any of these fail, so hang in there and good luck,
Regards, Shaun
Posted by Rani on September 23, 2006, at 6:28:16
In reply to Re: Luvox to Lexapro - ON MY WAY DOWN - HELP!!!!!!, posted by Shaun W on September 23, 2006, at 4:29:19
I can relate to what you are saying. Thanks.
I have had excellent results with CBT and feel it is the main reason why my anxiety has lessened. I have the odd Xanax now and then but am not reliant on them. When I look back I feel most of the mood issues except for the anxiety are related to SSRI use.I dont seem to get a terrible withdrawal syndrome when I have ceased other SSRI's slowly in the past so I am happy to cut back the Lex slowly.
Thanks for the info regarding Prozac. I am VERY aware of sjs - patient of mine had it last year, survived but with some incredibly horrid long term problems (wheelchair bound and blind).I feel sometimes like the typical psych patient who stops taking their meds when they feel better but I think there may be some merit in the SSRI's causing more problems than before I restarted them.
Thanks for listening. I am ok.
> Rani, i'm thinking maybe in the long run you may do better off medication altogether. You've done well to get out of that violent relationship and make a new life for yourself. Your response to ssri's is uneven and unpredictable; i know at the beginning of treatment they can really increase your anxiety, as is the case when you come off some of the shorter acting ones. Maybe a switch to Prozac (sticking to 20mg) and a gradual taper after a month, ie one every other day, until you are off completely maybe one option. Work closely with your doctor and try not to juggle with the dose at the first sign of trouble.
>
> Prozac has a very long half life, about 6 days so coming off will be much easier. If you still have problems with anxiety take the occassional Prozac to see if it's part of a withdrawal syndrome or a return of the old symptoms.
>
> You could always try CBT for the panic / anxiety, or maybe a little buspar in the background. Carrying a zanax xr for any emergencies. Try not to stay on them long term! Other options maybe Lamotrigine, very good mood stabilizer virtually without side effects (beware of sjs syndrome which your Doc will wil inform about).
>
> There are lots of options should any of these fail, so hang in there and good luck,
> Regards, Shaun
This is the end of the thread.
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