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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Atlantsi on June 26, 2003, at 16:07:54
Hello everyone,
I'm new to this forum, so I just thought I'd give you a quick summary of my meds history--
Been struggling with depression and social anxiety since childhood. Began with Wellbutrin. Helped with low energy levels, but not mood or social anxiety. Even at 400 mg a day. That was perscribed by a GP. Finally, got in to see a P-Doc. Added Zoloft. Made me way too sleepy. Problems with word recall. Did kill social anxiety. In fact all anxiety and motivation as well. Not right. Next Prozac. Less sleepiness. Okay with social anxiety. But mood was flat and sexual sides bothersome. Also, added 200mg provigil. That didn't do much. Last visit, Doc switched me to 10 Lex, 150 wellbutrin, and 20 mg adderall. The adderall works well, but I don't want to take it every day. Been on the Lex two weeks and I can't tell if it's doing anything. Less sexual sides though, but if I take it in the morning it seems that ten hours later, I'm wiped out. Can barely keep my eyes open. Anyone else have this side? Also, I've been sweating more. Anyone else?
Sorry for the long post, but I wanted to introduce myself.
Posted by utopizen on June 26, 2003, at 16:35:20
In reply to New here. Lexipro and daytime fatigue?, posted by Atlantsi on June 26, 2003, at 16:07:54
Hey.
Take my advice. I wasted a 1 1/2 years of my college life with a p-doc who insisted on not taking it, so you may as well take it.
I finally found a p-doc who was rational enough to realize that my suggestions made sense. SSRIs may work for some, but they never did a thing for me. Celexa, Wellbutrin, Paxil, agg. I even tried Abilify and Risperdal (antipsychotics). All because this guy was a benzophobe.
Anyway, now I'm on Klonopin, 1mg 3x/day. Unlike the SSRIs and the other placebo drugs, the somnolence actually goes away if you take Klonopin regularly for a week or so. Now I have chronic insomnia, so trust me, Klonopin does not make me somnolent! =)
Also, you may want to try Dexedrine or Desoxyn. I personally want to give Desoxyn a break for now, but that's probably because my brain needs to switch gears every few months with a different stim it seems. I've tried 'em all... I think I might go to Dextrostat, and wait for Desoxyn to be released in a sustained-release formulation (don't hold your breath, the company hasn't even announced it's developed one for testing yet). I get really bad crashes these days on Desoxyn, and I don't remember get those a few months ago... weird. Maybe a sign to give it a few months vacation and try something else.
Oh, and try a long-acting beta blocker, like Nalodol (because it's a cheap generic) or Propananol for starters. I'm prescribed it with my Klonopin.
Honestly, my old doc kept telling me Klonopin would just get me fixed temporarily, but that's not true. Often times I go without it now, only having had it for a few months, and feel rather calm with new people and stuff. And I don't get withdrawls, another thing he kept claiming I'd get.
As for fatigue, make sure you didn't have it beforehand... maybe you have a sleeping disorder? Anyway, try some Provigil. I haven't, hoping a random GP i'm seeing while out of state will prescribe it tomorrow. Otherwise, I have to go back to my hometown and see my doctor and get things straightened out, I feel way to tired. It's not Klonopin, I don't take that for days sometimes. Desoxyn makes me even more tired, but I lay off it on the weekends.
Posted by Temmie on June 26, 2003, at 16:55:16
In reply to Re: New here. Lexipro and daytime fatigue?, posted by utopizen on June 26, 2003, at 16:35:20
Wow, I must be ultra-sensitive. I've been on a quarter tab of Lexapro, about a month now (.25), and I feel like I'm tripping. Literally. I feel like I've got that acid buzz going (guess you'd need to have come of age in the 70s to know what I mean). I am definiteiy NOT sleepy, and I have much less interest in food. Not such a bad thing at my age and weight. All I can suggest is keep writing, keep observing, and keep searching until you find the Rx that works best. I've been on 11 to 15 different meds, and continue to struggle with depression/anxiety. Good luck, and hang in there. I'm sure you'll find good support here. Temmie.
Posted by MB on June 27, 2003, at 15:59:31
In reply to New here. Lexipro and daytime fatigue?, posted by Atlantsi on June 26, 2003, at 16:07:54
I'm on 2mg Klonopin and 5mg Lexapro daily. Been doing this for about three months. I suffer from exessive daytime sleepiness. I've moved the Lexapro to bedtime, but that hasn't helped. My doc says the Klonopin might be the culprit, however, my past experience with Klonpin was that after two weeks, it no longer made me tired, so I tend not to believe that it is the Klonopin. My past experience with all other SSRIs is that they make me tired and fatigued all day (Klonopin or no Klonopin). I don't see why Lexapro would be different. My doc's suggestion was to reduce the Klonpin dose if moving the Lexapro to bedtime didn't help with the daytime sleepiness. I'm afraid to do this because the only thing that allows me to handle the Lexapro restlessness/anxiety is the Klonopin. It is so strange how a medication can make a person so agitated and so fatigued at the same time. I just hate it. Sometimes I want to throw all my medications in the toilet and go poop on them, but then I remember how suicidal I get when I'm on nothing. O well, so I take a 2 hour nap every day. That's not too big of a trade off. At least i don't have to shoot up insulin or take chemotherapy drugs. I'm trying to focus on gratitude (which is hard because I'm soooo practiced at complaining!)
MB
Posted by male34 on June 27, 2003, at 20:08:20
In reply to New here. Lexipro and daytime fatigue?, posted by Atlantsi on June 26, 2003, at 16:07:54
oh your not alone im on lex 6 months now in the start man o man was i sleeeeeepy!ZZZZZZzzzzz,i mean i could stop or id konk out whew i called it lex-laziness!but your normal it will pass my biggest problem was i was super anxiuos,and stiff neck rining in my ear no sex effects and so far so good on weight management ,but good luck
Posted by jay on June 28, 2003, at 0:27:36
In reply to New here. Lexipro and daytime fatigue?, posted by Atlantsi on June 26, 2003, at 16:07:54
Sorry if I strayed off topic a bit...but it seems one of the more unique and first SSRI in N. AMerica, Prozac, has taken a 'back seat' to Lexapro/Celexa/Paxil/Effexor, and even Zoloft. I know of p-docs who even say they don't or won't prescribe Prozac anymore. I've tried 'em all...and responded to Effexor...but afterawhile was left with just numbness, jitters, more anxiety, and weight gain. 10 or so years later...I find Prozac *now* is a great drug for me. One thing I think is a MAJOR plus is that it stays in your body a long time, hence no urgency feeling to get the 'next dose'..and it feels SO much smoother than ANY a.d. I ever took. And yes..like my doc mentioned again today..I was *bad*..oh man I lived in the depths of Hell, and am even surprised I lived to tell about it. One thing that kept me going..very simple that a great writer taught me..is to think.."Something WILL come up...". What that is...who knows....but *demand* excellent care from your doctor...bring them your research...you just can't give up...and no I don't know where or what to turn to in the worst of it. A loving family helped..but it was *love* itself that really helped me. I stand for peace, pascifism, hope, love, compassion, empathy..those tools DID it. Yes, I resisted the 'dark' side...there is little room for hatered, intollerance, and vengance in a peaceable life.
Anyhow..just IMHO...
P.S. I know I am posting more than usual...I just have some extra time on my hands, but kept quiet during my month of starting Prozac. I am not on a 'manic' high...it's just so weird for the first time in 5 or so years to feel like I USED to feel like! Lots of compassion, the once-in-awhile flow of positive energy, and a feeling I got a bit of a grasp on this life raft! I've LOST the jitters, electro-schocks, anger, and fear Effexor seemed to really mess with.
Peace,
Jay
This is the end of the thread.
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