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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 Scott in Vermont on April 6, 2004, at 10:32:21
I posted this on the Psychology board, was advised it might fit better here.
I'm hitting week 1 of Lexapro, and have started to experience some of the undesirable side effects I read about. Interestingly, the ones that I feared the most (increased anxiety, insomnia, and ejaculatory disorder) are the only ones actually occuring.
The ones that I wasn't worried about (fatigue, diarrhea, nausea, etc) are the ones that are not happening.
It may seem obvious that I have psyched myself out, but how can one tell? I'm aware that I've only been on this for a week, and that it may be too soon for anything to really be happening.
I'm curious if anyone else has experienced this (with Lexapro or any other medication), what can be done about it, and how things worked out for you.
Posted by KathrynLex on April 6, 2004, at 11:49:23
In reply to Repost- Lexapro or psych-out?, posted by Scott in Vermont on April 6, 2004, at 10:32:21
Hi Scott,
The first few weeks on Lexapro can be really difficult. I'm not sure how you can determine if you are "psyching" yourself. The first week I was on Lexapro I experienced increased anxiety, insomnia, fatigue, nausea and more. So it's entirely possible that you are just feeling some side effects caused by the Lexapro. They will all go away in 4 or 5 weeks. (I know it's a long time to wait - but the results are worth it.) Keep in mind that meds effect everyone differently and you may feel fine in just a few days.
I'm sorry I can't think of any way for you to know if you're just psyching yourself out or if you're experiencing actual side effects. Is it something you can discuss with your psychiatrist?
Either way, I hope the Lexapro helps you. It's done wonders for my anxiety/depression...I'm currently taking 20 mgs of Lex with 150 mgs of Wellbutrin. It's been a very good combo. (Some of the men on Lexapro find that Wellbutrin helps with ejaculatory disorder.) Good luck.
K.
Posted by deepdarkhole on April 6, 2004, at 12:12:23
In reply to Re: Repost- Lexapro or psych-out?, posted by KathrynLex on April 6, 2004, at 11:49:23
I just started lexapro 10 days ago. Like you I am not sure what is a real side effect. I have been exhausted, which is slowly starting to get better. In fact, last night I couldn't sleep. However, I shake contiuosly, especially in my hands. I go back and forth is this the lexapro, is it just terrible anxiety or do I have somehting neurological going on? Anyway...everyone seems to love lexapro. It has done wonders for people, so I am going to try to give it 4 weeks. If I am still shaking and tired, then I will ask for something else. Maybe I should try the wellbutrin, lexapro combo. Anyway....I think you should hang in there and see what happens. Do you have ativan or klonipin you can take?
Posted by Scott in Vermont on April 6, 2004, at 16:02:02
In reply to Repost- Lexapro or psych-out?, posted by Scott in Vermont on April 6, 2004, at 10:32:21
Thank you both for responding, it was helpful hearing from someone who's been long-term and made it through, as well as someone else as new as I am going through similar things.
I don't know how much I'm reacting to the information available about Lexapro side effects, but I've experienced sexual dysfunction before and it really bothered me. Now that it's a possibility again, I'm looking for it... which creates anxiety... which becomes a cycle that feeds itself (eventually the anxiety creates it's own "sexual dysfunction" and it becomes a self-fulfiling situation). Being aware of all the above doesn't make it any easier to deal with. If anything, it's worse, because I'm aware how much of this might be coming from "me" instead of the prescription.
The only 'script I am taking right now is the Lexapro. I have another for Ambien to help me sleep but it knocks me out so hard that I'm very hesitant to take it. I want to sleep, not be unconcious.
I'm going to talk to my psychiatrist about the "effects" I have had so far, but my next appointment isn't until 4/29.
Again, thanks for your replies. It's appreciated.
Posted by KELLEY M on April 6, 2004, at 17:32:49
In reply to Re: Repost- Lexapro or psych-out?, posted by deepdarkhole on April 6, 2004, at 12:12:23
I have been taking 10 mg of Lexapro now for about 6 weeks. I am so tired and have no energy to do anything during the day. But I can't sleep at night. I am also taking 25mg of Despramine at night along with 1mg of clonazepam in the am and afternoon, and 3mg of clonazepam before bed. How long will the lack of energy be in effect. I can't go much longer like this. Thank you
Posted by joebob on April 7, 2004, at 18:33:40
In reply to Repost- Lexapro or psych-out?, posted by Scott in Vermont on April 6, 2004, at 10:32:21
dosed with depakote, and still take a little dep every day
i had no problem with this combo
best and good luck
This is the end of the thread.
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