Guest guest Posted April 20, 2008 Report Share Posted April 20, 2008 Glad I could help....but did you take the pill yet? ;-) Barbara Re: Newbie THanks for the encouragement. I really appreciate it! > > You're going to see more horror stories more often because people that have problems with a drug are more apt to post than those that the drug works for. > > 5mg's is a good start dose and any sides you might experience will be mild...that's if you have any at all. And they don't normally last very long. Most people say a few days. > > Barbara > > ------------------------------------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2008 Report Share Posted April 20, 2008 No. I am thinking of taking it at lunchtime or bedtime. > > > > You're going to see more horror stories more often because people > that have problems with a drug are more apt to post than those that the > drug works for. > > > > 5mg's is a good start dose and any sides you might experience will be > mild...that's if you have any at all. And they don't normally last very > long. Most people say a few days. > > > > Barbara > > > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2008 Report Share Posted April 20, 2008 One more thing. The Klonopin really zones me out but does not take away my anxiety. Is the Lexapro gonna enhance all that? Thanks. > > > > You're going to see more horror stories more often because people > that have problems with a drug are more apt to post than those that the > drug works for. > > > > 5mg's is a good start dose and any sides you might experience will be > mild...that's if you have any at all. And they don't normally last very > long. Most people say a few days. > > > > Barbara > > > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2008 Report Share Posted April 20, 2008 I'm an example of a success story. Because I'd been having problems with anxiety, social and in general, my doctor started me on Paxil about a year and a half ago, and eventually switched me to Lexapro because of Paxil side effects. And in that time not only have I gotten involved with more social activities, I've gotten my first girlfriend in my life. It's the first time I've ever really been in love (and considering that I'm 49 years old, that's something), and my girlfriend and I are buying a house together and discussing marriage, things I would have considered very unlikely two years ago. The Paxil and Lexapro did help me with not only the anxiety, but also the frustration and anger I used to feel; I'm a lot better at handling things than I used to be, and my girlfriend has even commented on my patience with her and her 10-year-old daughter. Seeing a therapist and my own efforts were also contributing factors, but I'd credit the Paxil and Lexapro as a big part of making it all possible. Ted Newbie Hi to all. I have GAD and supposed to start Lexapro 5mg tonight. I currently take 0.25mg Klonopin twice a day. My medication phobia is talking me out of starting tonight due to reading all the horror stories.Please help with comments. Thanks so much. ------------------------------------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2008 Report Share Posted April 20, 2008 Thank you very much for sharing your story. If I could read these, it would have made my " medication phobia " much better. Congratulations! > > I'm an example of a success story. Because I'd been having problems with anxiety, social and in general, my doctor started me on Paxil about a year and a half ago, and eventually switched me to Lexapro because of Paxil side effects. And in that time not only have I gotten involved with more social activities, I've gotten my first girlfriend in my life. It's the first time I've ever really been in love (and considering that I'm 49 years old, that's something), and my girlfriend and I are buying a house together and discussing marriage, things I would have considered very unlikely two years ago. > > The Paxil and Lexapro did help me with not only the anxiety, but also the frustration and anger I used to feel; I'm a lot better at handling things than I used to be, and my girlfriend has even commented on my patience with her and her 10-year-old daughter. Seeing a therapist and my own efforts were also contributing factors, but I'd credit the Paxil and Lexapro as a big part of making it all possible. > > Ted > > > Newbie > > Hi to all. I have GAD and supposed to start Lexapro 5mg tonight. I > currently take 0.25mg Klonopin twice a day. My medication phobia is > talking me out of starting tonight due to reading all the horror > stories.Please help with comments. Thanks so much. > > ------------------------------------ > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2008 Report Share Posted April 20, 2008 Sometimes one of the sides is difficulty sleeping or being sleepy. Adjust your dose time accordingly. In other words if it makes you sleepy take it at night. If you do have sides drink a lot of water. It *really* helps. Keep posting and let us know how things are going. :-) Barbara Re: Newbie No. I am thinking of taking it at lunchtime or bedtime. > > > > You're going to see more horror stories more often because people > that have problems with a drug are more apt to post than those that the > drug works for. > > > > 5mg's is a good start dose and any sides you might experience will be > mild...that's if you have any at all. And they don't normally last very > long. Most people say a few days. > > > > Barbara > > > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2008 Report Share Posted April 20, 2008 Probably not. Actually, some people experience a temporary increase in anxiety for the first couple of days when starting an AD or when increasing a dose. Is the Klonopin for sleep? If it's for anxiety I'd be asking for something different. Atarax is a good alternative. Barbara Re: Newbie One more thing. The Klonopin really zones me out but does not take away my anxiety. Is the Lexapro gonna enhance all that? Thanks. > > > > You're going to see more horror stories more often because people > that have problems with a drug are more apt to post than those that the > drug works for. > > > > 5mg's is a good start dose and any sides you might experience will be > mild...that's if you have any at all. And they don't normally last very > long. Most people say a few days. > > > > Barbara > > > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2008 Report Share Posted April 20, 2008 Klonopin is for the anxiety. I think her reasoning was to get me over the initial anxiety of Lexapro. I dont want to OD with all this stuff though. It's hard enough to make myself take the klonopin twice a day. Not sure if I mentioned it earlier or not but I have never taken more than advil. Years ago, I tried effexor when it first came out and took one pill and freaked out. This has given me the " medication fears " . Thanks again for advice and experiences. > > > > > > You're going to see more horror stories more often because > people > > that have problems with a drug are more apt to post than those > that the > > drug works for. > > > > > > 5mg's is a good start dose and any sides you might experience > will be > > mild...that's if you have any at all. And they don't normally > last very > > long. Most people say a few days. > > > > > > Barbara > > > > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2008 Report Share Posted April 20, 2008 Lately I am medication fear too.. Middle of January, after 5 days took the Lexapro, I had that bad anxiety, awful. It really shook me up bad. Scare my husband and my daughter also. I thought I was dying. But remember then, I was mad that time. I had file long term disability last year cause of my eye sight (retinitis Pigmentosa). When the Hartford long term going to cut my pay as 90%, that when I had my anxiety. Blame on Hartford. Now, near 2 weeks, haven't had it as bad, maybe a mild anxiety, but I am getting better and I am more happy, cause I got on SS disabiility. It is a frustration of waiting, but it is over.. If I do feel alittle weird something, I got the 1 mg lorezpam, only take the half. Re: Newbie Klonopin is for the anxiety. I think her reasoning was to get me over the initial anxiety of Lexapro. I dont want to OD with all this stuff though. It's hard enough to make myself take the klonopin twice a day. Not sure if I mentioned it earlier or not but I have never taken more than advil. Years ago, I tried effexor when it first came out and took one pill and freaked out. This has given me the " medication fears " . Thanks again for advice and experiences. > > > > > > You're going to see more horror stories more often because > people > > that have problems with a drug are more apt to post than those > that the > > drug works for. > > > > > > 5mg's is a good start dose and any sides you might experience > will be > > mild...that's if you have any at all. And they don't normally > last very > > long. Most people say a few days. > > > > > > Barbara > > > > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2008 Report Share Posted April 20, 2008 And too, I was on Depro birth control shot, I think that the part of the reason, cramp alot, spotting almost every week and give me panic. Now the dr switch me another birth control, taking Sprintec or something, been on it for a week, no cramp and not much as panic, not spotting.. so we will see another week to see that work.. I know I had a bad anxiety when I was in 5th grade and realize that was the same year I start my period.. weird.. Re: Newbie Klonopin is for the anxiety. I think her reasoning was to get me over the initial anxiety of Lexapro. I dont want to OD with all this stuff though. It's hard enough to make myself take the klonopin twice a day. Not sure if I mentioned it earlier or not but I have never taken more than advil. Years ago, I tried effexor when it first came out and took one pill and freaked out. This has given me the " medication fears " . Thanks again for advice and experiences. > > > > > > You're going to see more horror stories more often because > people > > that have problems with a drug are more apt to post than those > that the > > drug works for. > > > > > > 5mg's is a good start dose and any sides you might experience > will be > > mild...that's if you have any at all. And they don't normally > last very > > long. Most people say a few days. > > > > > > Barbara > > > > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2008 Report Share Posted April 20, 2008 What dose did you start at? I'm thinking of 2.5mg if I can split the 10m into 4 > > > > > > > > You're going to see more horror stories more often because > > people > > > that have problems with a drug are more apt to post than > those > > that the > > > drug works for. > > > > > > > > 5mg's is a good start dose and any sides you might > experience > > will be > > > mild...that's if you have any at all. And they don't normally > > last very > > > long. Most people say a few days. > > > > > > > > Barbara > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2008 Report Share Posted April 20, 2008 I start on Lexapro as 10 mg and then after that bad one, gave me 5 mg.. no help.. Then tries the Effexor, took one day.. hate it.. Re: Newbie What dose did you start at? I'm thinking of 2.5mg if I can split the 10m into 4 > > > > > > > > You're going to see more horror stories more often because > > people > > > that have problems with a drug are more apt to post than > those > > that the > > > drug works for. > > > > > > > > 5mg's is a good start dose and any sides you might > experience > > will be > > > mild...that's if you have any at all. And they don't normally > > last very > > > long. Most people say a few days. > > > > > > > > Barbara > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2008 Report Share Posted April 20, 2008 I have been taking Lexapro for 3 years now. No side effects, except maybe weight gain, not sure, as I quit smoking at the same time. I was taking Zoloft and it worked for 6 months. My son died and it was unreal howI well I coped with it all due to Lexapro. I do sleep a lot, but love it. I take 10 mg a day. Good Luck, Barb At 05:03 PM 4/19/2008, you wrote: >Hi to all. I have GAD and supposed to start Lexapro 5mg tonight. I >currently take 0.25mg Klonopin twice a day. My medication phobia is >talking me out of starting tonight due to reading all the horror >stories.Please help with comments. Thanks so much. > > [] <file://c:\documents%20and%20settings\compaq_owner\application%20data\qualcomm\e\ udora\attach\angels%20and%20a%20rose.jpg> Barbara Ann Stahly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2008 Report Share Posted April 20, 2008 I sincerely appreciate the feedback as this is a difficult decision especially when you are caught up in your own anxiety issues. > > >Hi to all. I have GAD and supposed to start Lexapro 5mg tonight. I > >currently take 0.25mg Klonopin twice a day. My medication phobia is > >talking me out of starting tonight due to reading all the horror > >stories.Please help with comments. Thanks so much. > > > > > > [] > <file://c:\documents%20and%20settings\compaq_owner\application% 20data\qualcomm\eudora\attach\angels%20and%20a%20rose.jpg> > > Barbara Ann Stahly > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2008 Report Share Posted April 20, 2008 I've been on Lex for about 4 years. Started with 10mg - took them at night before bed.... I've been on 20mg for a couple years. I've never had any side effects to mention... I had previously tried Prozac, Paxil & Effexor and couldn't take any of them because they kept me awake. I think they're great. Carol Re: Newbie What dose did you start at? I'm thinking of 2.5mg if I can split the 10m into 4 > > > > > > > > You're going to see more horror stories more often because > > people > > > that have problems with a drug are more apt to post than > those > > that the > > > drug works for. > > > > > > > > 5mg's is a good start dose and any sides you might > experience > > will be > > > mild...that's if you have any at all. And they don't normally > > last very > > > long. Most people say a few days. > > > > > > > > Barbara > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2008 Report Share Posted April 20, 2008 Sorry to hear about your son, how old is he? Re: Newbie I have been taking Lexapro for 3 years now. No side effects, except maybe weight gain, not sure, as I quit smoking at the same time. I was taking Zoloft and it worked for 6 months. My son died and it was unreal howI well I coped with it all due to Lexapro. I do sleep a lot, but love it. I take 10 mg a day. Good Luck, Barb At 05:03 PM 4/19/2008, you wrote: >Hi to all. I have GAD and supposed to start Lexapro 5mg tonight. I >currently take 0.25mg Klonopin twice a day. My medication phobia is >talking me out of starting tonight due to reading all the horror >stories.Please help with comments. Thanks so much. > > [] <file://c:\documents%20and%20settings\compaq_owner\application%20data\qualcomm\e\ udora\attach\angels%20and%20a%20rose.jpg> Barbara Ann Stahly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2008 Report Share Posted April 20, 2008 Oh..no, no, no. They're two entirely different kinds of drugs. Overdose isn't an issue. You're ok there. :-) Effexor is a different kind of drug from Lex. Lex works only on Serotonin. Effexor works on both Serotonin and Norepinephrine. It's a dual-reuptake inhibitor. Lex isn't. Celexa, the parent drug of Lex, didn't work for me. Turned me into a zombie among other things. Effexor was a life saver for me. Just goes to show how very different we all are. I had a bad experience with Gabapentin (generic Neurontin, given for peripheral neuropathy). It made me suicidal. Since then, about 10 months ago, I've been a little hinky with meds my docotor wanted me to take. So I fully undestand how you feel. I started a new drug about 5 days ago. It's for my RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome). I'd seen a ton of horror stories about Mirapex. I'm glad to say I gave it a try (I was sweating out those first few days) and I've experienced none of those sides and my RLS is practially gone. The PN, however, we're still working on. :-D Each drug for depression and anxiety is different. They may do the same things, act on the same chemical processes but they're each made from a different substance. Just because you had a bad experience with Effexor doesn't mean you will with Lex. They're two totally different chemical compounds. Even Celexa and Lexapro work differently for the same people and they're both based on the same base chemical. It's all based on us and our individual body chemistries. If the drug you've been given for anxiety isn't working, get something else. I took Atarax and still do, as needed. Haven't needed any in a *very* long time for anxiety. I still take it for occasional break-through itching. Atarax is related to Vistaril, an antihistamine. It has anti-anxiety as well as antihistamine properties and also makes one a bit drowsy. Great for a good nights sleep. Barbara Re: Newbie Klonopin is for the anxiety. I think her reasoning was to get me over the initial anxiety of Lexapro. I dont want to OD with all this stuff though. It's hard enough to make myself take the klonopin twice a day. Not sure if I mentioned it earlier or not but I have never taken more than advil. Years ago, I tried effexor when it first came out and took one pill and freaked out. This has given me the " medication fears " . Thanks again for advice and experiences. > > > > > > You're going to see more horror stories more often because > people > > that have problems with a drug are more apt to post than those > that the > > drug works for. > > > > > > 5mg's is a good start dose and any sides you might experience > will be > > mild...that's if you have any at all. And they don't normally > last very > > long. Most people say a few days. > > > > > > Barbara > > > > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2008 Report Share Posted April 20, 2008 Not weird at all given what hormones and such can do to us. ;-) Many women experience their first anxiety at peri-menopause/menopause. It always pays to have one's hormones tested when they have sudden anxiety come on when it was never an issue for them before. Thyroid tests should also be run. I'm glad you're feeling some relief from the anxiety. It is *not* fun. Barbara Re: Newbie Klonopin is for the anxiety. I think her reasoning was to get me over the initial anxiety of Lexapro. I dont want to OD with all this stuff though. It's hard enough to make myself take the klonopin twice a day. Not sure if I mentioned it earlier or not but I have never taken more than advil. Years ago, I tried effexor when it first came out and took one pill and freaked out. This has given me the " medication fears " . Thanks again for advice and experiences. > > > > > > You're going to see more horror stories more often because > people > > that have problems with a drug are more apt to post than those > that the > > drug works for. > > > > > > 5mg's is a good start dose and any sides you might experience > will be > > mild...that's if you have any at all. And they don't normally > last very > > long. Most people say a few days. > > > > > > Barbara > > > > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2008 Report Share Posted April 20, 2008 Yes, you can do that. But use a pill cutter. Start at 2.5 for the first week and then go to the 5mg for another week. After that you can decide to stay at 5 for another week or go on to the 10 mgs. Doing it this way will assure almost no weaning on sides at all. Barbara Re: Newbie What dose did you start at? I'm thinking of 2.5mg if I can split the 10m into 4 > > > > > > > > You're going to see more horror stories more often because > > people > > > that have problems with a drug are more apt to post than > those > > that the > > > drug works for. > > > > > > > > 5mg's is a good start dose and any sides you might > experience > > will be > > > mild...that's if you have any at all. And they don't normally > > last very > > > long. Most people say a few days. > > > > > > > > Barbara > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2008 Report Share Posted April 20, 2008 Of course! Anxiety is no picnic and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. But trust me, there *is* a solution for you. Even if the Lex doesn't do as much as you had hoped it would there are adjunct therapies and even other SSRI's you can try. Barbara Re: Newbie I sincerely appreciate the feedback as this is a difficult decision especially when you are caught up in your own anxiety issues. > > >Hi to all. I have GAD and supposed to start Lexapro 5mg tonight. I > >currently take 0.25mg Klonopin twice a day. My medication phobia is > >talking me out of starting tonight due to reading all the horror > >stories.Please help with comments. Thanks so much. > > > > > > [] > <file://c:\documents%20and%20settings\compaq_owner\application% 20data\qualcomm\eudora\attach\angels%20and%20a%20rose.jpg> > > Barbara Ann Stahly > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2008 Report Share Posted April 20, 2008 Very helpful and thanks a million. I'm gonna try the 2.5mg tonight at 10pm along with the 0.25mg of Klonopin and pray really hard. This sounds so ridiculous but the fear is real to me. One could say that a grown man should be able to handle such.lol.. Let me know how the Miripex works for you. I'm in the medical field and deal with Sleep Medicine and see this prescribed alot but since I work day hours, I never experience the meds in action. Jon:) > > > > >Hi to all. I have GAD and supposed to start Lexapro 5mg tonight. I > > >currently take 0.25mg Klonopin twice a day. My medication phobia is > > >talking me out of starting tonight due to reading all the horror > > >stories.Please help with comments. Thanks so much. > > > > > > > > > > [] > > <file://c:\documents%20and%20settings\compaq_owner\application% > 20data\qualcomm\eudora\attach\angels%20and%20a%20rose.jpg> > > > > Barbara Ann Stahly > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2008 Report Share Posted April 20, 2008 I've been on Lex 2 years now, no real side effects to speak of. I too had a little weight gain and get sleepy somtimes, but that's much better than the anxiety. D. jonboy75610 <jonboy75610@...> wrote: Very helpful and thanks a million. I'm gonna try the 2.5mg tonight at 10pm along with the 0.25mg of Klonopin and pray really hard. This sounds so ridiculous but the fear is real to me. One could say that a grown man should be able to handle such.lol.. Let me know how the Miripex works for you. I'm in the medical field and deal with Sleep Medicine and see this prescribed alot but since I work day hours, I never experience the meds in action. Jon:) > > > > >Hi to all. I have GAD and supposed to start Lexapro 5mg tonight. I > > >currently take 0.25mg Klonopin twice a day. My medication phobia is > > >talking me out of starting tonight due to reading all the horror > > >stories.Please help with comments. Thanks so much. > > > > > > > > > > [] > > <file://c:\documents%20and%20settings\compaq_owner\application% > 20data\qualcomm\eudora\attach\angels%20and%20a%20rose.jpg> > > > > Barbara Ann Stahly > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2008 Report Share Posted April 20, 2008 I also take generic Librium for " extra " anxiety... but my husband died 3 yrs ago and that, and the financial downfall that followed has given me anxiety like nothing I've ever known.. I don't take the Librium every day though...some mornings I take 20mg to get me over the hump of having to deal with another shitty day!!!! Re: Newbie Very helpful and thanks a million. I'm gonna try the 2.5mg tonight at 10pm along with the 0.25mg of Klonopin and pray really hard. This sounds so ridiculous but the fear is real to me. One could say that a grown man should be able to handle such.lol.. Let me know how the Miripex works for you. I'm in the medical field and deal with Sleep Medicine and see this prescribed alot but since I work day hours, I never experience the meds in action. Jon:) > > > > >Hi to all. I have GAD and supposed to start Lexapro 5mg tonight. I > > >currently take 0.25mg Klonopin twice a day. My medication phobia is > > >talking me out of starting tonight due to reading all the horror > > >stories.Please help with comments. Thanks so much. > > > > > > > > > > [] > > <file://c:\documents%20and%20settings\compaq_owner\application% > 20data\qualcomm\eudora\attach\angels%20and%20a%20rose.jpg> > > > > Barbara Ann Stahly > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 21, 2008 Report Share Posted April 21, 2008 My Russ was 48. A grown man, but still young. He had a heart condition but seemed to be doing fine. Here is a poem I wrote for him: My Beloved Son My beloved son, I love you so you're gone from me now but I want you to know I'll think of you forever when the winds blow when the stars come out at night when the sun shines so bright you were such a sweet boy and a fine man your life was a struggle and now it's over take care my son and be at peace death is but a sweet release. At 10:32 AM 4/20/2008, you wrote: >Sorry to hear about your son, how old is he? reflectionsinthelight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 23, 2008 Report Share Posted April 23, 2008 Welcome! Have you taken SSRI's in the past? What dose have you been prescribed? Lexapro promotes the fact that side effects are the least of all SSRI's. Barbara from the group offers great advice if she could chime in and offer some words of encouragement as well. Best wishes and hope this message board is beneficial to you. > > > I am new to this group. I have been prescribed Lexapro and have been afraid to take anti-depressants because of the side effects and the withdrawal symptoms... What have most have you experienced as side effects with Lexapro? Does it work for anxiety? > > > _________________________________________________________________ > In a rush? Get real-time answers with Windows Live Messenger. > http://www.windowslive.com/messenger/overview.html? ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_Refresh_realtime_042008 > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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