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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by almondjoy on September 13, 2003, at 0:19:46
Im on day 10 on Lexapro 10mg, have a few side-effects: headaches when its wearing off, sexual s/e, can't concentrate (in convos or reading)...space out alot, a little fatigue. i do notice a difference already though (i went to the mall today, and not much anxiety for the couple hours) Has anyone who's been on it for a while have side effects that went away?
I'm glad to trade moodiness,crying myself to sleep, and getting stomach aches etc everytime i have to leave the house in exchange for the slight effects im feeling BUT the two things that bother me now are sex and headaches.
I take it at night (hoping it would help me sleep, but it hasn't) I wake up feeling good, able to go out/talk to people, but by late afternoon i just want to be by myself, have a headache etc. Thinking maybe taking it twice a day would even the whole day out. Is it too early to know if I'll need to adjust (i see my shrink in 10 days)
Are the side effects higher on higher doses? And might the sexual side effects wear off?
(thanks to all in advance)
Posted by almondjoy on September 13, 2003, at 0:24:58
In reply to New on Lexapro, posted by almondjoy on September 13, 2003, at 0:19:46
Also, does anyone have experience with drinking (socially) on lexapro? ive abstained for the short time since i started it bcos i don't want to be totally suprised and when crazy s**t happens.
Posted by galkeepinon on September 13, 2003, at 2:00:48
In reply to New on Lexapro, posted by almondjoy on September 13, 2003, at 0:19:46
I've been on Lexapro for about 6 weeks now. The only horrible side effect I experienced (for me) was insomnia. I was very fatigued, slept a lot for the first 2 weeks, but my sex drive is the same and I didn't get headaches. I maybe got a mild one here and there but nothing too bad. Most of the side effects I did get have passed, I'm just dealing with side effects from a med called Lamictal and it sux! lol
I also have a tendency to get stomachaches and I haven't since being on Lexapro.
I'm sorry the headaches are bothersome for you~does Tylenol or Advil cut it? Don't know what to tell you about the sex part. Unless you want to add Viagra to your med cocktail? (That is of course, if you're a guy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
I have always taken the Lexapro in the morning and I don't drink on the meds, I drink ocassionally/socially but that's it, and even that I haven't in a few months. I think, just my opinion, only you and your doctor who is prescribing the Lexapro can decide if an increase is necessary right now.
Maybe someone else here who has been on Lexapro longer than me can give you more of what you need:-)
I'm on 10mg a day and haven't had to increase....yet.
I wish you the best, hang in there, and please keep us posted, if we can help in any way~we'll be glad to!
Take care.
Posted by sassyveg on September 13, 2003, at 11:15:44
In reply to Re: New on Lexapro » almondjoy, posted by galkeepinon on September 13, 2003, at 2:00:48
My side effects actually lessened on 20mg (after taking 10 at first). I became seriously depressed on 10mg, but once I went up to 20, it really started to work well for me. I think the dosage is different for everyone...don't worry about the number, just look for what's right for you.
Posted by madwand on September 13, 2003, at 11:23:06
In reply to New on Lexapro, posted by almondjoy on September 13, 2003, at 0:19:46
Hello Almondjoy,
I am also on 10mg Lexapro and am "between" you and Gal on the duration (am now on day 22). My main early side-effect was a form of insomnia (going to sleep but being "blasted away" shortly afterwards -- was scary for a while) but that has gone away now. I continue to have the "space out" effect, but that is irregular (and I have had that occasionally anyway so it is not a brand new experience).
Have also always been "headache-prone" so cannot really related to that, but then I take my dose in the morning, so by the time "wear off" effect you describe might hit me I am asleep (is a headache that I sleep through and never notice really a headache <g>). However, I am generally pretty "up" at the 12 hour point (corresponds to when you get up in the morning feeling good) and am a bit "down" when I get up (corresponds to your late-day slump), so perhaps there is something to the level fluctuation between doses. If that sounds like a reasonable trade-off (i.e. finding it hard to get started in the morning -- I have always been like that anyway <g>), perhaps you could consider taking it in the morning instead and see if that is better?
As for the dosage, while I am not a doctor and have limited experience with the meds compared to a lot of people on this board, my understanding from what I have read (both here and elsewhere) is that 10 days is a bit early to worry about needing to adjust the dose (particularly if it has been and still is effective against your primary symptoms). Also, my own experience at 10 days vs now implies the side-effects tend to improve (at 10 days I was in the grip of the "blast awake" insomnia and was not particularly a happy camper).
I am a recoverying alcoholic so I cannot comment on the how alcohol and Lexapro get along, but from what I have heard/read here you are wise to avoid the combo. Or if you do experiment do so in a "safe" context" (i.e. a glass of wine at home rather than out on the town).
Anyway, hang in there and stay in touch with the board. There is an amazing concentration of med experience here.
Posted by Mariposa on September 13, 2003, at 12:08:02
In reply to New on Lexapro, posted by almondjoy on September 13, 2003, at 0:19:46
> Im on day 10 on Lexapro 10mg, have a few side-effects: headaches when its wearing off, sexual s/e, can't concentrate (in convos or reading)...space out alot, a little fatigue. i do notice a difference already though (i went to the mall today, and not much anxiety for the couple hours) Has anyone who's been on it for a while have side effects that went away?
>
> I'm glad to trade moodiness,crying myself to sleep, and getting stomach aches etc everytime i have to leave the house in exchange for the slight effects im feeling BUT the two things that bother me now are sex and headaches.
>
> I take it at night (hoping it would help me sleep, but it hasn't) I wake up feeling good, able to go out/talk to people, but by late afternoon i just want to be by myself, have a headache etc. Thinking maybe taking it twice a day would even the whole day out. Is it too early to know if I'll need to adjust (i see my shrink in 10 days)
>
> Are the side effects higher on higher doses? And might the sexual side effects wear off?
> (thanks to all in advance)I had it TOUGH w/se's in the beginning (called in sick whole second wk) but all se's are gone now. It seems for most, se's diminishing at wk 4-5, begin to see *benefits* by wk 6-8.
Had BAD headaches first 2 wks, they went away, unless I ate a LOT of sugar. Sexual se took longest to go away, about 4 mos. for me.
Insomnia - I SUFFERED w/this all my adult life, but Lex has CURED me!!! At first I had trouble, fell asleep after dinner, had to nap in the mornings, had to adjust time I took dose from morning to afternoon to evening, and now I'm back to taking in the morning...seems this is something else that varies greatly by individual, I used trial and error to find *best* time for me.
I started @5mg, went to 10mg at wk4-5, went to 20mg beginning of 5th month. As I said before, had bad se's to begin, much less when I went from 5 to 10, and nearly imperceptible when I went to 20.
Drinking - I drink socially and have not had any problems w/it, however, It is generally NOT a good idea, as alcohol is a depressant.
Best of luck to you!~~~8|8
Posted by almondjoy on September 14, 2003, at 15:06:41
In reply to Re: New on Lexapro » almondjoy, posted by madwand on September 13, 2003, at 11:23:06
I switched to morning, after skipping my dose last night...hopefully it'll work better.
Posted by almondjoy on September 14, 2003, at 15:18:34
In reply to Re: New on Lexapro » almondjoy, posted by Mariposa on September 13, 2003, at 12:08:02
Thanks for your advice and experience, all. I found out about drinking on lex last night...nothing crazy happened, but i ended up getting really emotional...i hadn't taken my dose (which was supposed to be at night) but had taken an ativan and a red bull, and had four drinks. I don't think the ativan was a good idea, but otherwise it was fine.
I won't worry about the s/e for a while....sigh... until i see my shrink, im trying not to even think about it (only about a week to go so...) I don't know if i feel more depressed lately or just more aware of how depressed i've been. i'd assumed it was the latter, but realized its possible either way. (rambling)
thanks
Posted by Mariposa on September 14, 2003, at 16:57:01
In reply to Re: New on Lexapro, posted by almondjoy on September 14, 2003, at 15:18:34
> Thanks for your advice and experience, all. I found out about drinking on lex last night...nothing crazy happened, but i ended up getting really emotional...i hadn't taken my dose (which was supposed to be at night) but had taken an ativan and a red bull, and had four drinks. I don't think the ativan was a good idea, but otherwise it was fine.
>
> I won't worry about the s/e for a while....sigh... until i see my shrink, im trying not to even think about it (only about a week to go so...) I don't know if i feel more depressed lately or just more aware of how depressed i've been. i'd assumed it was the latter, but realized its possible either way. (rambling)
>
> thanksHey, if it's the latter and not the former, then it's really possible you are starting to *feel* the Lex. It has a funny way of creeping up on you like that....your brain starts to *think* about things instead of just *feeling*. I'd take it as a GOOD sign, chin up, chest out, breath deep!!!!
Keep us posted!~~~8|8
Posted by galkeepinon on September 14, 2003, at 18:34:34
In reply to Re: New on Lexapro, posted by almondjoy on September 14, 2003, at 15:18:34
Yeah, alcohol can do that, as someone already mentioned it is a depressant. I'm glad that you're keeping us udpated~hang in there:-)
These meds are something, I can relate to your 'latter' hope, in which, I realized that I was becoming aware of my excess weight when on Topamax. It is possible either way, and you're never rambling.
Hang in there!
Let us know how you're doing.
> Thanks for your advice and experience, all. I found out about drinking on lex last night...nothing crazy happened, but i ended up getting really emotional...i hadn't taken my dose (which was supposed to be at night) but had taken an ativan and a red bull, and had four drinks. I don't think the ativan was a good idea, but otherwise it was fine.
>
> I won't worry about the s/e for a while....sigh... until i see my shrink, im trying not to even think about it (only about a week to go so...) I don't know if i feel more depressed lately or just more aware of how depressed i've been. i'd assumed it was the latter, but realized its possible either way. (rambling)
>
> thanks
Posted by dfowler on September 15, 2003, at 11:28:59
In reply to Re: New on Lexapro » almondjoy, posted by galkeepinon on September 13, 2003, at 2:00:48
My biggest problem with Lexapro is that it makes me suffer from memory loss. So it's more difficult to have the full spectrum of emotion and cognition.
This is the end of the thread.
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