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        New Message Board Archives >> 2003 Posts >> Ever used Lexapro? - (Not CH)
        
(Message started by: StanTheMan on Dec 26^th, 2003, 11:19pm)

Title: Ever used Lexapro? - (Not CH)
Post by StanTheMan on Dec 26^th, 2003, 11:19pm

My doc is trying to help me get off Trazadone (long story, which I won't go into right now), and the med he gave me some samples of is "Lexapro" - I'm fairly certain it's an "anti-anxiety" drug.

Any feedback from anyone who has taken it? Good? Bad? Neuteral?

I heeded the advice of several people here regarding Paxil - "Baaaaad stuff!"

Just thought I'd check... thanks and God bless!

StanTheMan :)

Title: Re: Ever used Lexapro? - (Not CH)
Post by forgetfulnot on Dec 26^th, 2003, 11:28pm

Lexapro is a SSRI antidepresant drug, I have taken several drugs in this group including lexapro, in each case my clusters were worse. YMMV. I stay away from all SSRI drugs.

Lee

Title: Re: Ever used Lexapro? - (Not CH)
Post by Renee on Dec 26^th, 2003, 11:31pm

Stan,

Lexapro is the newest and cleanest of the anti-depressants on the market that i know of. It is an upgrade from Celexa and has virtually no side effects, or so i've been told. These meds are anti-depressants but can help those with chronic pain. I know several people that are on Lexapro and are extremely happy with the lack of side effects that Paxil and other older SSRI's come with.

Good luck and pf times to you,
Renee

Title: Re: Ever used Lexapro? - (Not CH)
Post by forgetfulnot on Dec 26^th, 2003, 11:53pm

Quote:

I know several people that are on Lexapro and are extremely happy with the lack of side effects that Paxil and other older SSRI's come with.

Renee, are those poeple clusterheads?

Lee

Title: Re: Ever used Lexapro? - (Not CH)
Post by don on Dec 27^th, 2003, 12:22am

Paxil is an extremely effective medication.

Except when you try to get off it.

Title: Re: Ever used Lexapro? - (Not CH)
Post by chronic_chic on Dec 27^th, 2003, 1:38am

on 12/27/03 at 00:22:20, don wrote:

Paxil is an extremely effective medication.

Except when you try to get off it.

Agreed Don!

Not that you can trust everything you read in Glamour magazine...but my aunt is a higher up for them, so I do read it a lot. :) They did an article (last year maybe?) on Paxil and the MAJOR problems people had going off of it. It has massive withdrawal problems. No other SSRI has been shown to have these problems. The makers of Paxil sent them a letter that they had to print, of course, saying this was untrue...however...I have heard it firsthand from several people saying it was one of the worst experiences they've ever gone through, and they actually just ended up going back on it because they couldn't beat the withdrawal problems. Scared me enough to say I will always stay away from Paxil!!

I've heard that Wellbutrin, Celexa, and Levapro have far fewer side effects and complications than the older SSRIs...don't know how they effect as far as worsening clusters...I was on Prozac for a little while, and it changed my entire personality. Made me not care about failing classes or anything for that matter, which isn't like me. I also got tremors from it. I've met a few other HA patients (non CH) that have been on the three newer ones mentioned above and like them well, but again...you'd have to find out what they do to clusters and evaluate it for yourself. Take care and good luck!

~Lizzie :)

Title: Re: Ever used Lexapro? - (Not CH)
Post by forgetfulnot on Dec 27^th, 2003, 1:50am

I shall repeat"

Quote:

Quote:I know several people that are on Lexapro and are extremely happy with the lack of side effects that Paxil and other older SSRI's come with.

Renee, are those poeple clusterheads?

Lee

Title: Re: Ever used Lexapro? - (Not CH)
Post by Brian_Y on Dec 27^th, 2003, 9:40am

Lexapro:

Best. Anti-depressant. Ever.

Title: Re: Ever used Lexapro? - (Not CH)
Post by don on Dec 27^th, 2003, 9:45am

Wellbutrin is not new. It is one of the oldest on the market.

Title: Re: Ever used Lexapro? - (Not CH)
Post by Little Deb on Dec 27^th, 2003, 8:25pm

Well, I have to ask, has anyone ever gotten off Paxil successfully??? Cause I have tried a couple times and have failed. I have tried to accept that I will have to be on it forever. Originally was suppose to be on it 6 months for post partem depression. That was 3 years ago. :(

I tried Lexapro once. Didn't do anything for me, just needed the paxil back. Can't give a good eval of the Lexapro cause I am sure the Paxil screwed it up.

I would definately try it to get off of Traz though. Let us know how it works for you.

Little Deb

Title: Re: Ever used Lexapro? - (Not CH)
Post by Renee on Dec 28^th, 2003, 4:06pm

Lee,

The patients that I know that are on Lexapro are using it as an anti-depressant. I have no idea if they are CH'ers or not.

I do know that Lexapro is the newest and cleanest anti-depressant out at this time. ;)

btw...wellbutrin is also an ssri, i believe, thus not one of the "oldest" around but it has been around for many many years but it was not available back in the early 80's when the med choices were very limited to meds such as elavil, nardil, etc.

renee

Title: Re: Ever used Lexapro? - (Not CH)
Post by forgetfulnot on Dec 28^th, 2003, 4:26pm

The third side effect is enough to keep me away from this stuff ;;D

Lee

LEXAPRO is an antidepressant that is the newest member of the family of medications known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). LEXAPRO was developed by isolating a part of the CELEXATM (citalopram HBr) molecule, known as an isomer. As a result, LEXAPRO appears to offer some particular advantages in the treatment of depression:

In clinical trials, LEXAPRO 10 mg/day demonstrated comparable efficacy to a higher dose of CELEXA 40 mg/day.

LEXAPRO significantly improved depression for many patients beginning at week 1 or 2 (full antidepressant effect may take 4 to 6 weeks).

LEXAPRO effectively treats anxiety symptoms associated with depression.

At 10 mg/day, overall incidence of side effects and drop-out rates due to adverse events were comparable to placebo.

Simple 10 mg/day starting dose for all patients.

So feel confident knowing that whether you or someone you care about is depressed, support is available and relief of depression is possible with LEXAPRO.

Click here to view the FDA-approved LEXAPRO package insert. If you have any questions, discuss them with your doctor or other healthcare professional.

The most common side effects reported with LEXAPRO vs. placebo were nausea, insomnia, problems with ejaculation, somnolence, increased sweating, and fatigue. LEXAPRO is contraindicated in patients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or in patients with a hypersensitivity to escitalopram oxalate or any of the ingredients in LEXAPRO. As with other SSRIs, caution is indicated in the coadministration of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) with LEXAPRO.

© 2003, Forest Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Title: Re: Ever used Lexapro? - (Not CH)
Post by chronic_chic on Dec 28^th, 2003, 5:30pm

LOL on the side effect list Lee...I think that would scare many males away from taking Lexapro. However...do you get all the common side effects listed for all your meds? Just playing devil's advocate ;)

Lizz :)

Title: Re: Ever used Lexapro? - (Not CH)
Post by Gayle on Dec 28^th, 2003, 5:48pm

Haven't tried Lexapro, but have tried most of the rest of them.

Elevil kept me sleeping almost on a permanent basis. Up to do what I had to, and of course up for the headaches, but 2 months later I figured I needed my life back again.

Paxil wasn't too bad and worked for about 6 months and then it was back to square one.

Had no problems getting off the paxil - tapered it down and out. I don't remember it making too much difference in the clusters.

From the different anti-depressents I've been on, I've come to the conclusion that they are not for me. While being depressed is not a good condition, for me I can use a few tools (one being self talk) that helps me deal with it better'n any meds.

Title: Re: Ever used Lexapro? - (Not CH)
Post by BobG on Dec 28^th, 2003, 5:58pm

Quote:

The most common side effects reported with LEXAPRO vs. placebo were problems with ejaculation,

Dang, that doesn't sound good. But have to ask what is the problem..

Is it "completing" to soon, as in getting off prematurely after only 45 minutes or taking to long like after 2 hours?

;)

Title: Re: Ever used Lexapro? - (Not CH)
Post by forgetfulnot on Dec 28^th, 2003, 6:09pm

A better way to say it is “very difficult if not impossible to achieve an orgasm” for males anyway, you girls may get a bonus. [smiley=laugh.gif]

Lee

Title: Re: Ever used Lexapro? - (Not CH)
Post by chronic_chic on Dec 28^th, 2003, 7:06pm

I know prozac is a real downer in the sexual activity area! I've talked to some people who just experienced a lack of desire for sex, and other people just experienced a lack of sensitivity, which is just plain no fun at all! You want to have sex, but your partner's the only one gettin the fun out of it!

Only other antidepressant I tried was pamelor (nortriptylene) and all it did was make me really tired when I first went on it, but that side effect went away after awhile. Prozac had lots of side effects for me that never went away. I was one happy girl when I ditched that drug! (Talk about an antidepressant making depression worse!)

Lee, I deal with my depression without antidepressants as well. I've found they tend to flatten my mood too much. I enjoy my happy hyper self that I sometimes get, and if that means I have to go through the horrible lows...I will work through it. I'd rather not be the flat, emotionless person I became on the meds! I even missed crying! Is that silly? LOL

Lizz :)

Title: Re: Ever used Lexapro? - (Not CH)
Post by cootie on Dec 28^th, 2003, 11:31pm

I got off paxil successfully after a year of bein sicker then I have ever felt in my life.I shook and was weak and could hardly stand up but I stayed off it.......took it two years then jus up and quit cuz I was fed up tired of the fat gain and didn't seem to have many emotions left about anything. Tried Celexa and couldn't stand food much......would of worked great if it didn't make me feel so hungover draggy sick all day....so I gave all that stuff up. Pam that can't win fer loosein

Title: Re: Ever used Lexapro? - (Not CH)
Post by Brian_Y on Dec 29^th, 2003, 9:32am

I have not noticed decrease in libidinal "activity". Here is a plus. A pro. An advantage, if you will.

I suspect, though, death may be the only thing that decreases that for me. So my previous observation may be meaningless to YOU if you are trying to determine the sweet goodness of Lexapro.

I'll shut up now.

Title: Re: Ever used Lexapro? - (Not CH)
Post by AlienSpaceBabe on Dec 29^th, 2003, 9:40am

A relative of mine has been on Lexapro for depression for about 7 weeks. She's always tired and is shaky. Side effects are bad enough that she's going off it.

I've been on Prozac (or the generic equivalent) for years. No side effects at all for me, but no effect on CH either.

Lizzie aka ASB

Title: Re: Ever used Lexapro? - (Not CH)
Post by cootie on Dec 29^th, 2003, 9:52am

PS: Don't get me wrong with me knockin paxil cuz I do know several people on it and doin VERY well......Brad's on paxil SR and doin super good I must admit stress wise and he's not as big as a house either. It does seem to work fast too. But for me it did work, but then with the weight gain and no emotions I didn't want to go anywhere cuz of how I looked and felt which REALLY depressed me even worse........thus....." I " was defeating my own purpose bein on it too long. I didn't give the lexapro much of a chance cuz of how it made me feel at first and I was jus plain tired of feelin lousey. Pam that is now cold turkey with the world

Title: Re: Ever used Lexapro? - (Not CH)
Post by Little Deb on Dec 29^th, 2003, 10:59am

i HATE the paxil. i eat all the time, am tired all the time, and the sexual side effects SUCK! I crash really bad when I try to get off of it. I just can't take the risk with my kids. Guess I am stuck with it. :P :P

Title: Re: Ever used Lexapro? - (Not CH)
Post by cathy on Dec 29^th, 2003, 11:10am

on 12/29/03 at 10:59:09, Little Deb wrote:

the sexual side effects SUCK!

Little Deb...I guess that amongst the men this would not be considered a bad side effect.... ;)

Title: Re: Ever used Lexapro? - (Not CH)
Post by Little Deb on Dec 29^th, 2003, 1:12pm

cathy, why do you say that?? I don't get it.
I think it sucks all the way around........ [smiley=huh.gif] [smiley=huh.gif] [smiley=huh.gif]

Title: Re: Ever used Lexapro? - (Not CH)
Post by gmlevenhagen on Dec 29^th, 2003, 5:05pm

I am going to get Wellbutrin to help stop smoking.

But, I am not going to try it, if it will bring on CH.

Now could it be like anything else that triggers Ch, that as long as I am out of cycle I will be fine?

Gena :o

Title: Re: Ever used Lexapro? - (Not CH)
Post by Rick_K on Dec 30^th, 2003, 1:48pm

I was put on Lexapro in Nov 02 and a cycle started in March that lasted well over 5 months. Longest cycle I have ever had...any releationship between Lexapro and CH? I don't know....... [smiley=huh.gif]

I quit taking Lexapro during that cycle and am NOT looking forward to starting again when I see the doc in January. I have not yet decided if I will, its kinda like a roll of the dice.