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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by DIR52 on June 23, 2006, at 8:27:11
I started taking 5mg of lexapro for a week and now I am on 10mg for the second week. I take it in the AM and get very groggy about 3:00-5:00. When/will this side effect end? I also take 450mg of Wellbutrin XL in the AM as well.
Right now I am trying not to worry about the sexual side effects because I have started to feel better after avoiding SSRI's for 3 years because of that. I have decided that my mental health is much more important now.
Has anyone reduced Wellbutrin once they added Lexapro?
Posted by Phillipa on June 23, 2006, at 12:22:00
In reply to New to Lexapro, When will the sleepiness end?, posted by DIR52 on June 23, 2006, at 8:27:11
No as usual SSRI's do the opposite for me they wire me. Always have to quit. Love Phillipa
Posted by maddy4 on June 23, 2006, at 13:48:36
In reply to Re: New to Lexapro, When will the sleepiness end?, posted by Phillipa on June 23, 2006, at 12:22:00
i just upped my lex to 7.5 mgs and i am exhausted. but also having start up panic.
Posted by Greif on June 23, 2006, at 14:32:00
In reply to Re: New to Lexapro, When will the sleepiness end?, posted by maddy4 on June 23, 2006, at 13:48:36
Like all meds they work different on everyone. They get me wired and scattered. Then you adjust. I took 5 mg for much longer than a week before increasing to ten. Some take it at night if the side effects are tiredness. I believe Lex has a half ife of around 36 hours so you will still benefit the next day. Good luck to you. Most doctors dont know how to anser these questions. There are short term additives given to combat initial drowsiness or wired SE.
Posted by DIR52 on June 23, 2006, at 16:28:08
In reply to Re: New to Lexapro, When will the sleepiness end?, posted by Greif on June 23, 2006, at 14:32:00
Thanks for responses. My doctor left it up to me to increase to 5mg to 10mg. I upped my dose because I initially felt great right away but then thought I was going downhill. I also heard it was common to get an initial SSRI boost for a short time and then your body adjusts and you have to wait for the 4 weeks or so for the real effects to kick in. Maybe I'll think about 5mg. again.
Posted by maddy4 on June 23, 2006, at 16:46:52
In reply to Re: New to Lexapro, When will the sleepiness end?, posted by DIR52 on June 23, 2006, at 16:28:08
i was on 5 for abt 8 months b/4 i decided to go up to 7.5 - so i take a 5 then a 10 then a 5 then a 10 to make it 7.5. this all oked by my pdoc. maybe you should try that to increase more slowly. i started this monday and i feel like hell right now. tired and panicky and dizzy - ugh. ready to give up. i had to take 3 xanax today (whites) and am STILL shaking.
Posted by DIR52 on June 23, 2006, at 17:48:44
In reply to Re: New to Lexapro, When will the sleepiness end?, posted by maddy4 on June 23, 2006, at 16:46:52
I have decided I increased my dose too soon. I kept reading about the typical dose is 10mg and that is what my Dr. wanted me to get to but I think I should stay on 5mg for awhile before I can make that decicision. I also heard of people feeling OK on 5mg. I took 10mg this morning and I feel comfortable just taking 5mg tomorrow. I haven't been on it long enough to withdraw.
The small dose might be enought especially with the Wellbutrin. I also take 1mg of Klonopin AM and PM for a rare disorder called Burning Mouth Syndrome so the less I add the better. That acts as an anti-anxiety so maybe it helps that side effect of Lexapro.
Thanks
Posted by Phillipa on June 23, 2006, at 18:52:30
In reply to Re: New to Lexapro, When will the sleepiness end?, posted by maddy4 on June 23, 2006, at 16:46:52
Maddy do the math you say you're on 7.5mg of lex. But then you say you take 5mg plus l0mg then another 5mg and l0mg that equals 30mg of leaxpro. Maybe you posted the wrong numbers? Love Phillipa
Posted by maddy4 on June 23, 2006, at 20:22:40
In reply to Re: New to Lexapro, When will the sleepiness end? » maddy4, posted by Phillipa on June 23, 2006, at 18:52:30
> Maddy do the math you say you're on 7.5mg of lex. But then you say you take 5mg plus l0mg then another 5mg and l0mg that equals 30mg of leaxpro. Maybe you posted the wrong numbers? Love Phillipa
no - 5 one day - 10 the next - 5 the next - 10 the next - instead of biting them up into exactly 7.5 a day. so the math would be if i take 10 mon wed fri sun and 5 mg tues thurs sat - 55 mg a week - which is 7.8 mg but the weeks would change where i take the ten on the odd days (only 3 days) making it 50 mg per week which = 7.14 a day.
Posted by Phillipa on June 23, 2006, at 20:31:58
In reply to Re: New to Lexapro, When will the sleepiness end?, posted by maddy4 on June 23, 2006, at 20:22:40
Maddie thanks for explaining as I was worried about you. Love Phillipa
Posted by DIR52 on June 23, 2006, at 21:00:52
In reply to Re: New to Lexapro, When will the sleepiness end? » maddy4, posted by Phillipa on June 23, 2006, at 20:31:58
Anybody have any comments on the sexual side effects for women?
This is the end of the thread.
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