New here

July 1, 2006

I'm so glad your son's c'toma was found before there was bone

involvement. It sounds like you have a great physician. This

condition is often recurrent, but can also be a one-time thing. I'm

learning after 6 surgeries that the surgeon's skill in removing the

entire c'toma will effect whether it returns in many cases. Residual

tissue if the most common cause for recurrence.

You are wise to stay on top of things. I wish you and your son the

best of luck. You are one step ahead with an early diagnosis.

Fondly,

Sheri

>

> I'm glad to have found this support group. My 15 year old son was

> diagnosed this morning from a cat scan with the help of his

lifelong ENT

> who we feel is wonderful. He's seen my son regularly since he was

four

> years old, placing tubes several times, a myringoplasty for his

large

> eardrum perforation, etc. Following his successful myringoplasty,

he

> regained normal hearing and we were then told to return in one year

as

> cholesteatoma could be a consequence of the perforation/repair.

That

> was the first time I ever heard of it.

>

> The following full year all was well with his ear and hearing, being

> seen every six months.

>

> Now, we are in the second year. A few months ago, our ENT noticed a

> retracted eardrum with fluid. The pressure test was not good, and

> slight hearing problem with some low sounds. The 6 week followup

showed

> the fluid has disappeared but retracted eardrum persisted. Our ENT

> mentioned the possibility of cholesteatoma and we had a CT scan

done.

>

> This morning we met with our ENT who said the CT scan showed a small

> cholesteatoma with no bone involvement. The surgery will be in

early

> September, a tympanoplasty lasting up to 4 hours.

>

> I'm scared of the negative information I'm reading about this

problem.

> I'm wondering if anybody has good news to share about it. Of

course I'm

> hoping for complete removal with resultant good hearing. Has

anybody

> out there had a successful surgery? Thanks to all.

>

September 10, 2006

Hi Betsy Jack,

I have iritis, too... I think, given your concerns, you should check out a

very good on-line support group for folks with iritis and associated eye

problems at iritis.org. If you will click on the " General Discussion " link at

the bottom of their home page, you can quickly get to a wealth of information

about iritis, treatments, and recommended doctors. From what I have read on the

site, Dr. is the doctor to see; I think he is actually an ocular

immunologist. If you click on the sticky " Finding a uveitis specialist " (iritis

is also termed anterior uveitis) from the general discussion board, you can

link to Dr. 's web site. I know that Mike, the moderator of iritis.org,

urges people with severe problems to see Dr. if they possibly can... I

have learned a lot from reading through the various postings on this site, but

for some reason, it will never recognize my password and let me sign on, so I've

never been able to post anything ( I bet your daughter

could get me signed on in a flash... I need to borrow myself an 11-year-old...

my cats helpfully lie on my " shift " key, but are otherwise worthless,

computer-wise.)

I hope you feel better soon. Let us know how you are doing. By the way,

Alpa-gan didn't work for me, either, but another drug, timoctin (I think that's

it; something close, anyway) is working very well to control my pressure.

Take care--

Pat

Betsy Jack <itsbetsy@...> wrote:

...My doctor DID discover the source of the headache...Iritis...

---------------------------------

Talk is cheap. Use Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls. Great rates

starting at 1¢/min.

October 23, 2006

Hi Carolyn, welcome to our group. I have been taking Lexapro for a year and a

half and it's been the only antidepressant that has really worked on me. Celexa

was good, but my doc couldn't prescribe it to me in the high dose that I needed

so she switched me to Lex. I take 40 mg...the highest dose it can be prescribed

and I'm doing beautifully. I know what you mean by the sweating, I do a lot of

that but for the quality of life that I've had sonce going on the Lex. makes it

worth it. I'm willing to put up with a little sweating as the quality of my life

is much improved. Give the stuff a try, the side effects are often short lived

and only last a week or 2. Obviously, if you're still having side effects after

4 weeks of treatment, then it may not be a good drug for you. I couldn't take

Effexor and Prozac just drugged me up. Good luck with the Lex if you Like you,

I kept coming off the meds thinking that " I'm OK now " ....wrong !!! the meds

correct a chemical imbalance. Like

diabetics who have to take insulin to correct an imbalance. Now I just stay on

the meds and have accepted the fact that I have a mental illness and that I have

to stay on the meds to correct that imbalance. Sue CFrom: Carolyn Dionne [mailto:

Carolyn.Dionne@...]Lexapro@...: Mon, 23 Oct 2006

08:17:13 -0700Subject: new here

Hello All,I'm new to this group and I'm not on Lexapro yet, but I am considering

using it.I have been struggling with depression and anxiety as long as I can

remember and was never diagnosed or treated until I was in my mid twenties...can

you say HELL????Anyway, that was 10 years ago and I was first put on Prozac,

then effexor when the XR came out, but none really worked because I was self

medicating with street drugs. It wasn't until I cleaned up about 8 years ago

that I had a chance to learn about how these meds work for me. In detox I was

put back on the effexor and I stayed on that for 2 years with some panic coming

through, but mostly under control and depression in check. I then decided that I

might not need them after all, and I went through effexor withdrawal hell, only

to fall into a pit, alternating with rage and panic attacks. I then tried Celexa

and was all good again. Celexa gave me sweats so about another 2 years later I

tried to go off to see ... you know how

it goes I ended up on effexor again not too long after a few of the worst

months in my life.So now I am weaning off effexor because of side effects. Over

the past few years I've needed to keep increasing the dosage and I get buzzed

out and sweaty, sometimes shaky. I am going back to school soon and I really

want to concentrate! At a lower dose it's a bit better, but I start getting

panic attacks. A few weeks ago I tried Remeron as I go off effexor, but it's

drowsy side effect and edema and weight gain are too much, so I'm off that

now.SO to get to the point (too late right?) I am thinking of trying Lexapro and

wanted to get some feedback and support here.Has anyone had stimulating side

effects from effexor who can compare it to Lexapro? I know everyone is

different, but I have been led to believe that this would be less stimulating

and thus less sweaty and brain buzzing than effexor.I hope to get in to my doc

this week and get started on it. Thanks for reading this far

:)Carolyn

_______________________________________________

No banners. No pop-ups. No kidding.

Make My Way your home on the Web - http://dell.myway.com

October 23, 2006

Thanks for sharing your experience with me Sue.

My son is very anxious and does the " I'm all better now " routine fairly

regularly, but thankfully I am aware of it and we've been on top of his

condition since the beginning. As for the sweating, I know it may be the

price of feeling good, but I am not willing to give up without trying a

whole bunch! Mostly it's the buzzed feeling I can't stand.

I'm sure I'll be checking in here as I go!

Carolyn

Sue wrote:

>

> Hi Carolyn, welcome to our group. I have been taking Lexapro for a

> year and a half and it's been the only antidepressant that has really

> worked on me. Celexa was good, but my doc couldn't prescribe it to me

> in the high dose that I needed so she switched me to Lex. I take 40

> mg...the highest dose it can be prescribed and I'm doing beautifully.

> I know what you mean by the sweating, I do a lot of that but for the

> quality of life that I've had sonce going on the Lex. makes it worth

> it. I'm willing to put up with a little sweating as the quality of my

> life is much improved. Give the stuff a try, the side effects are

> often short lived and only last a week or 2. Obviously, if you're

> still having side effects after 4 weeks of treatment, then it may not

> be a good drug for you. I couldn't take Effexor and Prozac just

> drugged me up. Good luck with the Lex if you Like you, I kept coming

> off the meds thinking that " I'm OK now " ....wrong !!! the meds correct

> a chemical imbalance. Like

> diabetics who have to take insulin to correct an imbalance. Now I just

> stay on the meds and have accepted the fact that I have a mental

> illness and that I have to stay on the meds to correct that imbalance.

> Sue CFrom: Carolyn Dionne

> [mailto: Carolyn.Dionne@...

> <mailto:Carolyn.Dionne%40telus.net>]Lexapro@...

> <mailto:Lexapro%40Date>: Mon, 23 Oct 2006 08:17:13

> -0700Subject: new here

>

> Hello All,I'm new to this group and I'm not on Lexapro yet, but I am

> considering using it.I have been struggling with depression and

> anxiety as long as I can remember and was never diagnosed or treated

> until I was in my mid twenties...can you say HELL????Anyway, that was

> 10 years ago and I was first put on Prozac, then effexor when the XR

> came out, but none really worked because I was self medicating with

> street drugs. It wasn't until I cleaned up about 8 years ago that I

> had a chance to learn about how these meds work for me. In detox I was

> put back on the effexor and I stayed on that for 2 years with some

> panic coming through, but mostly under control and depression in

> check. I then decided that I might not need them after all, and I went

> through effexor withdrawal hell, only to fall into a pit, alternating

> with rage and panic attacks. I then tried Celexa and was all good

> again. Celexa gave me sweats so about another 2 years later I tried to

> go off to see ... you know how

> it goes I ended up on effexor again not too long after a few of the

> worst months in my life.So now I am weaning off effexor because of

> side effects. Over the past few years I've needed to keep increasing

> the dosage and I get buzzed out and sweaty, sometimes shaky. I am

> going back to school soon and I really want to concentrate! At a lower

> dose it's a bit better, but I start getting panic attacks. A few weeks

> ago I tried Remeron as I go off effexor, but it's drowsy side effect

> and edema and weight gain are too much, so I'm off that now.SO to get

> to the point (too late right?) I am thinking of trying Lexapro and

> wanted to get some feedback and support here.Has anyone had

> stimulating side effects from effexor who can compare it to Lexapro? I

> know everyone is different, but I have been led to believe that this

> would be less stimulating and thus less sweaty and brain buzzing than

> effexor.I hope to get in to my doc this week and get started on it.

> Thanks for reading this far

> :)Carolyn

>

> _______________________________________________

> No banners. No pop-ups. No kidding.

> Make My Way your home on the Web - http://dell.myway.com

> <http://dell.myway.com>

>

October 23, 2006

CAROLYN,

I hope you get the answers you need from this group. I have been

awaiting response and have not received any. I pray something works for you

but i wouldnt wait on this group for any answers.

new here

Hello All,

I'm new to this group and I'm not on Lexapro yet, but I am considering

using it.

I have been struggling with depression and anxiety as long as I can

remember and was never diagnosed or treated until I was in my mid

twenties...can you say HELL????

Anyway, that was 10 years ago and I was first put on Prozac, then

effexor when the XR came out, but none really worked because I was self

medicating with street drugs. It wasn't until I cleaned up about 8 years

ago that I had a chance to learn about how these meds work for me. In

detox I was put back on the effexor and I stayed on that for 2 years

with some panic coming through, but mostly under control and depression

in check. I then decided that I might not need them after all, and I

went through effexor withdrawal hell, only to fall into a pit,

alternating with rage and panic attacks. I then tried Celexa and was all

good again. Celexa gave me sweats so about another 2 years later I tried

to go off to see ... you know how it goes I ended up on effexor again

not too long after a few of the worst months in my life.

So now I am weaning off effexor because of side effects. Over the past

few years I've needed to keep increasing the dosage and I get buzzed out

and sweaty, sometimes shaky. I am going back to school soon and I really

want to concentrate! At a lower dose it's a bit better, but I start

getting panic attacks. A few weeks ago I tried Remeron as I go off

effexor, but it's drowsy side effect and edema and weight gain are too

much, so I'm off that now.

SO to get to the point (too late right?) I am thinking of trying Lexapro

and wanted to get some feedback and support here.

Has anyone had stimulating side effects from effexor who can compare it

to Lexapro? I know everyone is different, but I have been led to believe

that this would be less stimulating and thus less sweaty and brain

buzzing than effexor.

I hope to get in to my doc this week and get started on it. Thanks for

reading this far

Carolyn

October 23, 2006

That's too bad. Are there not many active members?

Have you found any good websites?

I found crazymeds.org quite helpful (and entertaining).

gonecountry4u wrote:

>

> CAROLYN,

> I hope you get the answers you need from this group. I have been

> awaiting response and have not received any. I pray something works

> for you but i wouldnt wait on this group for any answers.

> new here

>

> Hello All,

> I'm new to this group and I'm not on Lexapro yet, but I am considering

> using it.

> I have been struggling with depression and anxiety as long as I can

> remember and was never diagnosed or treated until I was in my mid

> twenties...can you say HELL????

> Anyway, that was 10 years ago and I was first put on Prozac, then

> effexor when the XR came out, but none really worked because I was self

> medicating with street drugs. It wasn't until I cleaned up about 8 years

> ago that I had a chance to learn about how these meds work for me. In

> detox I was put back on the effexor and I stayed on that for 2 years

> with some panic coming through, but mostly under control and depression

> in check. I then decided that I might not need them after all, and I

> went through effexor withdrawal hell, only to fall into a pit,

> alternating with rage and panic attacks. I then tried Celexa and was all

> good again. Celexa gave me sweats so about another 2 years later I tried

> to go off to see ... you know how it goes I ended up on effexor again

> not too long after a few of the worst months in my life.

> So now I am weaning off effexor because of side effects. Over the past

> few years I've needed to keep increasing the dosage and I get buzzed out

> and sweaty, sometimes shaky. I am going back to school soon and I really

> want to concentrate! At a lower dose it's a bit better, but I start

> getting panic attacks. A few weeks ago I tried Remeron as I go off

> effexor, but it's drowsy side effect and edema and weight gain are too

> much, so I'm off that now.

> SO to get to the point (too late right?) I am thinking of trying Lexapro

> and wanted to get some feedback and support here.

> Has anyone had stimulating side effects from effexor who can compare it

> to Lexapro? I know everyone is different, but I have been led to believe

> that this would be less stimulating and thus less sweaty and brain

> buzzing than effexor.

> I hope to get in to my doc this week and get started on it. Thanks for

> reading this far

> Carolyn

>

October 23, 2006

That's too bad. Are there not many active members?

Have you found any good websites?

I found crazymeds.org quite helpful (and entertaining).

Thanks!! Im going to give that a try!

October 23, 2006

What was your question ?

From: gonecountry4u [mailto: gonecountry4u@...]To:

Lexapro@...: Mon, 23 Oct 2006 13:27:59 -0400Subject: Re:

new here

CAROLYN,I hope you get the answers you need from this group. I have been

awaiting response and have not received any. I pray something works for you but

i wouldnt wait on this group for any answers. new hereHello All,I'm new to this group and I'm not on

Lexapro yet, but I am considering using it.I have been struggling with

depression and anxiety as long as I can remember and was never diagnosed or

treated until I was in my mid twenties...can you say HELL????Anyway, that was 10

years ago and I was first put on Prozac, then effexor when the XR came out, but

none really worked because I was self medicating with street drugs. It wasn't

until I cleaned up about 8 years ago that I had a chance to learn about how

these meds work for me. In detox I was put back on the effexor and I stayed on

that for 2 years with some panic coming through, but mostly

under control and depression in check. I then decided that I might not need them

after all, and I went through effexor withdrawal hell, only to fall into a pit,

alternating with rage and panic attacks. I then tried Celexa and was all good

again. Celexa gave me sweats so about another 2 years later I tried to go off to

see ... you know how it goes I ended up on effexor again not too long after a

few of the worst months in my life.So now I am weaning off effexor because of

side effects. Over the past few years I've needed to keep increasing the dosage

and I get buzzed out and sweaty, sometimes shaky. I am going back to school soon

and I really want to concentrate! At a lower dose it's a bit better, but I start

getting panic attacks. A few weeks ago I tried Remeron as I go off effexor, but

it's drowsy side effect and edema and weight gain are too much, so I'm off that

now.SO to get to the point (too late right?) I am thinking of trying Lexapro and

wanted to get some feedback

and support here.Has anyone had stimulating side effects from effexor who can

compare it to Lexapro? I know everyone is different, but I have been led to

believe that this would be less stimulating and thus less sweaty and brain

buzzing than effexor.I hope to get in to my doc this week and get started on it.

Thanks for reading this far :)Carolyn[Non-text portions of this message have

been removed]

_______________________________________________

No banners. No pop-ups. No kidding.

Make My Way your home on the Web - http://dell.myway.com

October 23, 2006

Carolyn --

Welcome!

I have been on 10 mg since the spring and have had no

side effects since the first week or so.

It works well for me, and if it works 1/2 as well for

you, you'll be okay.

Best,

njg

--- Carolyn Dionne <Carolyn.Dionne@...> wrote:

> Hello All,

> I'm new to this group and I'm not on Lexapro yet,

> but I am considering

> using it.

" I don't trust anyone over ten who listens to the Sound of Music. " -- Goodbye

Lover (1999)

__________________________________________________

October 23, 2006

Thanks for the welcome and the encouragement!

Carolyn

n Paroo wrote:

>

> Carolyn --

>

> Welcome!

>

> I have been on 10 mg since the spring and have had no

> side effects since the first week or so.

>

> It works well for me, and if it works 1/2 as well for

> you, you'll be okay.

>

> Best,

> njg

>

> --- Carolyn Dionne <Carolyn.Dionne@...

> <mailto:Carolyn.Dionne%40telus.net>> wrote:

>

> > Hello All,

> > I'm new to this group and I'm not on Lexapro yet,

> > but I am considering

> > using it.

>

> " I don't trust anyone over ten who listens to the Sound of Music. " --

> Goodbye Lover (1999)

>

> __________________________________________________

>

October 26, 2006

It may be that the only reason you don't get a

response is because either there is no body who has

had your experiences with the drugs or they will

answer you eventually.

ak

--- gonecountry4u <gonecountry4u@...> wrote:

> CAROLYN,

> I hope you get the answers you need from this

> group. I have been awaiting response and have

> not received any. I pray something works for you

> but i wouldnt wait on this group for any

> answers.

> new here

>

> Hello All,

> I'm new to this group and I'm not on Lexapro yet,

> but I am considering

> using it.

> I have been struggling with depression and anxiety

> as long as I can

> remember and was never diagnosed or treated until

> I was in my mid

> twenties...can you say HELL????

> Anyway, that was 10 years ago and I was first put

> on Prozac, then

> effexor when the XR came out, but none really

> worked because I was self

> medicating with street drugs. It wasn't until I

> cleaned up about 8 years

> ago that I had a chance to learn about how these

> meds work for me. In

> detox I was put back on the effexor and I stayed

> on that for 2 years

> with some panic coming through, but mostly under

> control and depression

> in check. I then decided that I might not need

> them after all, and I

> went through effexor withdrawal hell, only to fall

> into a pit,

> alternating with rage and panic attacks. I then

> tried Celexa and was all

> good again. Celexa gave me sweats so about another

> 2 years later I tried

> to go off to see ... you know how it goes I

> ended up on effexor again

> not too long after a few of the worst months in my

> life.

> So now I am weaning off effexor because of side

> effects. Over the past

> few years I've needed to keep increasing the

> dosage and I get buzzed out

> and sweaty, sometimes shaky. I am going back to

> school soon and I really

> want to concentrate! At a lower dose it's a bit

> better, but I start

> getting panic attacks. A few weeks ago I tried

> Remeron as I go off

> effexor, but it's drowsy side effect and edema and

> weight gain are too

> much, so I'm off that now.

> SO to get to the point (too late right?) I am

> thinking of trying Lexapro

> and wanted to get some feedback and support here.

> Has anyone had stimulating side effects from

> effexor who can compare it

> to Lexapro? I know everyone is different, but I

> have been led to believe

> that this would be less stimulating and thus less

> sweaty and brain

> buzzing than effexor.

> I hope to get in to my doc this week and get

> started on it. Thanks for

> reading this far

> Carolyn

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

October 27, 2006

Again, what was your question ? & gt;

CAROLYN, & gt; I hope you get the answers you need from this & gt; group. I have

been awaiting response and have & gt; not received any. I pray something works

for you & gt; but i wouldnt wait on this group for any & gt; answers. & gt; -----

Original Message ----- & gt; From: Carolyn Dionne & gt; To:

Lexapro & gt; Sent: Monday, October 23, 2006 11:17 AM & gt;

Subject: new here & gt; & gt; & gt; Hello All, & gt; I'm new to this group

and I'm not on Lexapro yet, & gt; but I am considering & gt; using it. & gt; I have

been struggling with depression and anxiety & gt; as long as I can & gt; remember

and was never diagnosed or treated until & gt; I was in my mid & gt; twenties...can

you say HELL???? & gt; Anyway, that was 10 years ago and I was first put & gt;

on Prozac, then & gt; effexor when the XR came out, but none really & gt; worked

because I was self & gt; medicating with street drugs. It wasn't until I & gt;

cleaned up about 8 years & gt; ago that I had a chance to learn about how

these & gt; meds work for me. In & gt; detox I was put back on the effexor and I

stayed & gt; on that for 2 years & gt; with some panic coming through, but mostly

under & gt; control and depression & gt; in check. I then decided that I might not

need & gt; them after all, and I & gt; went through effexor withdrawal hell, only

to fall & gt; into a pit, & gt; alternating with rage and panic attacks. I then & gt;

tried Celexa and was all & gt; good again. Celexa gave me sweats so about

another & gt; 2 years later I tried & gt; to go off to see ... you know how it goes

I & gt; ended up on effexor again & gt; not too long after a few of the worst

months in my & gt; life. & gt; So now I am weaning off effexor because of side & gt;

effects. Over the past & gt; few years I've needed to

keep increasing the & gt; dosage and I get buzzed out & gt; and sweaty, sometimes

shaky. I am going back to & gt; school soon and I really & gt; want to concentrate!

At a lower dose it's a bit & gt; better, but I start & gt; getting panic attacks. A

few weeks ago I tried & gt; Remeron as I go off & gt; effexor, but it's drowsy side

effect and edema and & gt; weight gain are too & gt; much, so I'm off that now. & gt;

SO to get to the point (too late right?) I am & gt; thinking of trying Lexapro

& gt; and wanted to get some feedback and support here. & gt; Has anyone had

stimulating side effects from & gt; effexor who can compare it & gt; to Lexapro? I

know everyone is different, but I & gt; have been led to believe & gt; that this

would be less stimulating and thus less & gt; sweaty and brain & gt; buzzing than

effexor. & gt; I hope to get in to my doc this week and get & gt; started on it.

Thanks for & gt; reading this far & gt; Carolyn & gt; & gt; & gt; & gt; & gt;

[Non-text portions of this message have been & gt;

removed] & gt; & gt;

_______________________________________________

No banners. No pop-ups. No kidding.

Make My Way your home on the Web - http://dell.myway.com

November 14, 2006

as far as side effects I noticed that I didn't have an

appetite at all for the first few weeks and it was

almost impossible to have an orgasm. I am a male but

I hear the same effects with women. Later on, I got

my appetite back but haven't gained any weight. In

fact I have lost weight. Lexapro will definitely

cause withdrawl symptoms but for some it may be

minimal but the key is tappering off when the time

comes.

--- marti granger <mommyrnc@...> wrote:

> hi all,

> i'm new to this group & have spent much of the

> afternoon searching

> through old messages before posting. here's the

> scoop - about a

> month ago my md wrote me a rx for lexapro/celexa

> (supposed to start

> with the samples of lexapro then switch to the

> celexa when i get the

> rx filled for cost reasons). i have yet to take any

> or get my rx

> filled.

>

> this is why -- i've taken lots of different

> antidepressants off & on

> through the years, some work & some don't. some

> have icky side

> effects & i'd never take them again (pamelor). i

> stopped paxil last

> july because it just made me feel irritable & awful

> - the

> withdrawals were so terrible! i thought i was

> losing my mind. i'd

> never had that happen before. what worked good for

> me was prozac,

> but my md is not willing to put me on it for

> whatever reason & wants

> to try lexapro/celexa. so, i have lots of

> reservations about any

> antidepressant. maybe some of you here can help me

> make my

> decision.

>

> here are my main concerns:

> weight gain - i absolutely do not want to gain

> weight - how common

> is this?

>

> withdrawal - i can't deal with that again - the

> electric shock

> sensations going through my brain from the paxil w/d

> were scary.

>

> i don't know if my depression is situational or not

> - it does run in

> my family, but life stinks sometimes, too. i go in

> & out of periods

> of depression for no real reason. but, mostly i

> just want to be

> happy & normal & not need any medication. a lot of

> the time i can

> deal with it, but then i don't know - maybe i'm not

> dealing with it

> very well & i'd feel better with meds - i don't

> know. i also take

> xanax for anxiety, but not often - maybe go through

> 30 pills in 2-3

> months. though, i feel anxious much more often than

> i take it - i

> just know my supply is limited & only use it when i

> have to.

>

> well, sorry for rambling on so long. if anyone has

> any suggestions

> or comments, please feel free to share them with me.

>

> thanks,

> marti

>

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November 14, 2006

Hi Marti,

I was only on Lexapro for one month but will share with you my experience.

It made me hostile and angry and even more irritable so I had to go off it

in a hurry.....I did cut back gradually but obviously not gradually enough

because I'm so sick with withdrawals. I thought I was losing my mind too

and thought I was having a heart attack twice and dying.....Oh it was

horrilbe. I have never had this happen before but wished I could have

stayed on it because I didn't get an increase in appetite nor did I have any

other side effects except for strange dreams.

I don't think Lexapro is bad, it works wonders for many! Just not me.

Celexa worked fine with me except for sexual side effects and an overall

feeling of stupidity which I didn't like......like I'd think of brushing my

teeth, walk into the bathroom and then forget what I went in there

for.....LOL. I didn't like that one bit! I take Ativan for extreme anxiety

but only at bedtime so I can sleep....I'm going to stop that soon though as

I don't wish to be addicted.

Well, good luck in whatever you decide and hang in there!

Cyndi

On 11/14/06, marti granger <mommyrnc@...> wrote:

>

> hi all,

> i'm new to this group & have spent much of the afternoon searching

> through old messages before posting. here's the scoop - about a

> month ago my md wrote me a rx for lexapro/celexa (supposed to start

> with the samples of lexapro then switch to the celexa when i get the

> rx filled for cost reasons). i have yet to take any or get my rx

> filled.

>

> this is why -- i've taken lots of different antidepressants off & on

> through the years, some work & some don't. some have icky side

> effects & i'd never take them again (pamelor). i stopped paxil last

> july because it just made me feel irritable & awful - the

> withdrawals were so terrible! i thought i was losing my mind. i'd

> never had that happen before. what worked good for me was prozac,

> but my md is not willing to put me on it for whatever reason & wants

> to try lexapro/celexa. so, i have lots of reservations about any

> antidepressant. maybe some of you here can help me make my

> decision.

>

> here are my main concerns:

> weight gain - i absolutely do not want to gain weight - how common

> is this?

>

> withdrawal - i can't deal with that again - the electric shock

> sensations going through my brain from the paxil w/d were scary.

>

> i don't know if my depression is situational or not - it does run in

> my family, but life stinks sometimes, too. i go in & out of periods

> of depression for no real reason. but, mostly i just want to be

> happy & normal & not need any medication. a lot of the time i can

> deal with it, but then i don't know - maybe i'm not dealing with it

> very well & i'd feel better with meds - i don't know. i also take

> xanax for anxiety, but not often - maybe go through 30 pills in 2-3

> months. though, i feel anxious much more often than i take it - i

> just know my supply is limited & only use it when i have to.

>

> well, sorry for rambling on so long. if anyone has any suggestions

> or comments, please feel free to share them with me.

>

> thanks,

> marti

>

November 14, 2006

Hi Marti,

I think it's great that you're taking so much time to learn about the

meds before starting them. Just remember that my experience with the

meds might be totally different from what you'll experience, but I'll

tell you about it anyway because I love to talk!

I was on Lexapro for over two years and I never had any huge side

effects. I think I had dry mouth for a bit and I think I was a little

nauseous for like the first four days. At one point in those two

years I ran out of Lexapro and was unable to get another scrip for two

weeks. As far as withdrawal goes I can tell you from experience that

going cold turkey from Lexapro would be a bad idea. Tapering off of

any antidepressant is your best bet, and for most people it works

really well when they're trying to wean off of Lexapro or Celexa.

A few months ago I switched from Lexapro to Celexa for the same reason

as you... cost! For me there was no trouble after the first week.

For the first week I had heightened anxiety as my body adjusted to the

Celexa but after that I've been fine. No side effects.

The thing is, both meds have the same active molecule in them, it's

just that the Celexa has an additional useless molecule. That's why

the Celexa tends to have a slightly higher risk of side effects than

Lexapro. If you go the the Lexapro website it has a cute little

diagram explaining the similarities and differences. They make both

the meds so they should know, right? But yeah, the switch from

Lexapro to Celexa wasn't a shock to my system.

So, weight gain... pretty much any antidepressant has the risk of some

weight gain. Maybe your doctor doesn't want to put you back on Prozac

because it has a bigger reputation for weight gain? The newer

antidepressants have less of a rep for that sort of thing so maybe

that's why he's trying those. As for me with the Lexapro/Celexa I

didn't gain weight related to the meds. But I did put on 10 pounds

over two years because I didn't exercise and I ate lots of comfort

food! Mmmm, mac and cheese!

Your depression could be part situational and part biological. The

right meds can help with either, but I know what you mean about

wanting to not need any medication. I don't like it that much,

either. If I could make a suggestion... to just make the decision

based on whether or not you think meds would help you right now, and

not worrying about whether or not you'll still need them down the

road? I figure it's easier to cross that bridge when you get to it.

I think I beat you in the rambling contest, lol. Like I said, I like

to talk. But I do hope that some of what I said was helpful. Good

luck in making your decision.

Jen

>

> well, sorry for rambling on so long. if anyone has any suggestions

> or comments, please feel free to share them with me.

>

> thanks,

> marti

>

November 15, 2006

Hi Jen! What is the website that compares the lexapro and the celexa?

Thanks,

November 15, 2006

Hi Marti and Jen,

Just want to chime in that I too wish I didn't have to live on meds,

specifically Ambien or Lunesta to sleep. I have obsessive worrying and I simply

cannot sleep at night without taking a meds. And I too worry about the future

and being on meds, if I have to be on them my entire life...but like Jen says,

I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. But it is something that is on my mind

alot, but I will have to trust that things will be fine.

Regards,

Liz

We must embrace pain and burn it as fuel for our journey.

-Kenji Miyazawa

Re: New here