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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Brandymac26 on November 4, 2002, at 15:46:27
I have recently switched from celexa, which I took for over a year, to lexapro. I must say that the side effects on the celexa were TERRIBLE the first month or so. I take lexapro for depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and panic disorder, and the first month I took celexa, my anxiety got a lot WORSE! Not only that, but my pupils were dilated, i had nausea, diarrhea, no sex drive, dizziness, couldnt sleep, and a weird unreal feeling. Needless to say, i almost quit taking the celxa, but stuck it out on 20mg's. I could never make it over 20mg's b/c every time I tried to up my dose the side effects came back. Anyway, they finally switched me to lexapro after being on celexa for over a year, with no improvement, and I have to say so far so good. The side effects that I have really arent that bad. I have increased anxiety-which is nothing compared to what I had with the celexa, I'm not sleeping all that great, and i still have this feeling of being out of my body every now and then-but Ive had that feeling ever since I was a kid. I take my med's before bed, I'm also on xanax, and toprol for high blood pressure-which I think is anxiety induced, and have noticed that I feel a little hung over in the morning. I was wondering if anyone can tell me you have making out on lexapro, and if it really does work effectively for both anxitety and depression? This is the 4th anti-depressant that I've taken(I'm 26 y/o), and I am skeptical if this is going to work for me. Also, a question for any proffessionals-if ssri's dont work for me, what is my next step? Thanks!
Brandy
Posted by Krysti on November 5, 2002, at 15:54:22
In reply to newbie here again, posted by Brandymac26 on November 4, 2002, at 15:46:27
Hi Brandy,
I'm bipolar and I just added Lexapro to my mood stabilizer (Gabitril) about a month ago. It did wonders for the depression, but has brought back some anxiety - not too bad yet though. I'm going to stay on it for a while longer (5mg) and see how it does. It's a big relief to get rid of the depression, but ugh, I don't want the anxiety either. I'm hoping that will go away...
Good luck to you : )
Krysti
Posted by Brandymac26 on November 5, 2002, at 16:20:49
In reply to Re: newbie here again, posted by Krysti on November 5, 2002, at 15:54:22
> Hi Brandy,
>
> I'm bipolar and I just added Lexapro to my mood stabilizer (Gabitril) about a month ago. It did wonders for the depression, but has brought back some anxiety - not too bad yet though. I'm going to stay on it for a while longer (5mg) and see how it does. It's a big relief to get rid of the depression, but ugh, I don't want the anxiety either. I'm hoping that will go away...
>
> Good luck to you : )
>
> KrystiHI, thanks for the reply! I have been wanting to ask a question about being bipolar, and since you are, I figure I'll ask you. When a bipolar person experiences the manic state that they go into, does that always mean that there full of energy, cant sit still, cant sleep etc? I'm asking b/c I have thought for a while that I may be bipolar b/c as a teenager and even into my early 20's I would always go into these phases of being WAY OVERLY excited about things, and this high would last for a while. Also, nothing used to ever bother me. For example, my mom was diagnosed with MS 3 years ago, and I just shrugged it off so it wouldn't bother me and make me worry. Earlier in life, I experienced more of the UP's than the downs, but now, I'm exhausted all the time, I have terrible mood swings, things that happened to me in the past I will dwell on untill it ticks me off so bad I go into a rage, and whenever I start something, like cleaning the house for example, I cant just "straighten up", I have to scrub the whole house or I will go crazy!! The thing is, I didnt ever "crash" after the "UP's" if you know what I mean. I would just go back to being my normal self. And now, it seems like I never get excited about anything anymore, I just have really bad mood swings, and cant control myself, or slow myself down doing normal every day tasks, yet I dont stay up all night, or feel like I have a ton of energy even while I get into this mind set. Plus, I have terrible anxiety attacks all the time, and depression. Do you think that I should mention this to my doctor(who is a general practitioner), and tell her I think I could be bipolar, or is all this stuff coming from the depression and anxiety? I'ts getting really tough for me b/c I have tried so many ssri's, and none of them seem to make me better, thats why I'm wondering if I could be bipolar b/c a lot of people say that if your bipolar ssri's alone tend to make the problem worse (which is what's happening to me). I would really appreciate your input. Thanks alot!
Brandy
Posted by Krysti on November 6, 2002, at 11:32:11
In reply to Re: newbie here again DR. Dave » Krysti, posted by Brandymac26 on November 5, 2002, at 16:20:49
Hi Brandy,
There are different degrees of Bipolar Disorder. Not everyone reaches a fully manic state. It sounds like you may be experiencing hypomania. You should look up Cyclothymia (which is a lesser form of Bipolar Disorder) and see if maybe that's what you're experiencing.
I think you should definitely talk to your doctor about it. If that is what's wrong, anti-depressants alone can make it worse. Before I was diagnosed, I went on Paxil for anxiety and ended up becoming fully manic and delusional.
Even better than a general practitioner, a psychiatrist would be the best person to see. They will be able to properly diagnose you, whether it is just depression/anxiety or there's more to it. I used to think it was just the anxiety that was making me have the mood swings also.
Finding out what the problem is for sure is definitely the best thing to do. That way it can be treated properly and you will feel so much better.
Hope this helps. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask me.
Krysti
Posted by Brandymac26 on November 6, 2002, at 15:27:01
In reply to Re: newbie here again DR. Dave, posted by Krysti on November 6, 2002, at 11:32:11
> Hi Brandy,
>
> There are different degrees of Bipolar Disorder. Not everyone reaches a fully manic state. It sounds like you may be experiencing hypomania. You should look up Cyclothymia (which is a lesser form of Bipolar Disorder) and see if maybe that's what you're experiencing.
>
> I think you should definitely talk to your doctor about it. If that is what's wrong, anti-depressants alone can make it worse. Before I was diagnosed, I went on Paxil for anxiety and ended up becoming fully manic and delusional.
>
> Even better than a general practitioner, a psychiatrist would be the best person to see. They will be able to properly diagnose you, whether it is just depression/anxiety or there's more to it. I used to think it was just the anxiety that was making me have the mood swings also.
>
> Finding out what the problem is for sure is definitely the best thing to do. That way it can be treated properly and you will feel so much better.
>
> Hope this helps. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask me.
>
> Krysti
>
> Thanks, I'm gonna look this up, and see if I have any of the signs, etc. And I am also gonna bring this up with my doc. I'm going to get a referral from her so I can go to a Psych doctor. Thanks again!
Brandy
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