day 21

[Guest guest]

Hi all:

Today is day 21 lex for me. I started with 5mg for 6 days, then

switched to 10mg and have stayed on it. I also take 2.5mg klonopin and

40mg adderall. I'm diagnosed with depression/social anxiety/adult

ADHD. The first 2 weeks on the lex I experienced a slew of

side-effects, including many I had never experienced before on SSRI's -

like extreme sensitivity to cold, extreme lethargy, waking up feeling

hungover, irritability, and the list goes on (o:

I was actually considering throwing in the towel a few times, since

in the past I usually responded to SSRI's by the 2nd week.

Now, I don't want to jinx myself by saying this, but I think I'm

beginning to feel the therapeutic effects; I feel like a cloud has been

lifted, most of my SE's have abated, I'm more energetic, etc.

Because I've been so depressed the last few weeks, I've been pretty

socially avoidant and I've been isolating a lot. This is a rut that I

get into often when I'm very symptomatic. And even though I think I

might be beginning to feel better, I still get those feelings of

anticipatory anxiety when faced with going out or meeting people. So

the hard part now is pushing myself a bit to get out of my isolation so

that I could see if the lex is helping my social anxiety. It's very

tough for me to do. But, I guess I'll just take things one step at a

time; the fact that my depression alone seems to be lifting is enough

to celebrate about! And I'm looking forward to the lex continuing to

help with other areas of my illness, like social anxiety, etc.

Just thought I'd check in and touch base. I'd like to keep in touch

with this forum, as I'm sure we can all relate to each other and

support each other.

thanks,

[Guest guest]

PEter,

Were you on an SSRI before Lex? I have been on Paxil for about 5 or

6 weeks, but my doc recently (wednesday) changed me over to Lex. He

told me to taper off PAxil. I wsa on 50 mg a day and yesterday went

down to 37.5 mg and today only took 12.5. I thought I would start

taking the Lex tomorrow, starting with 5 mg or maybe even 10? I was

wondering what your experience was if you were on an SSRI before.

Thanks

JK

> Hi all:

> Today is day 21 lex for me. I started with 5mg for 6 days,

then

> switched to 10mg and have stayed on it. I also take 2.5mg

klonopin and

> 40mg adderall. I'm diagnosed with depression/social anxiety/adult

> ADHD. The first 2 weeks on the lex I experienced a slew of

> side-effects, including many I had never experienced before on

SSRI's -

> like extreme sensitivity to cold, extreme lethargy, waking up

feeling

> hungover, irritability, and the list goes on (o:

> I was actually considering throwing in the towel a few times,

since

> in the past I usually responded to SSRI's by the 2nd week.

> Now, I don't want to jinx myself by saying this, but I think

I'm

> beginning to feel the therapeutic effects; I feel like a cloud has

been

> lifted, most of my SE's have abated, I'm more energetic, etc.

> Because I've been so depressed the last few weeks, I've been

pretty

> socially avoidant and I've been isolating a lot. This is a rut

that I

> get into often when I'm very symptomatic. And even though I think

I

> might be beginning to feel better, I still get those feelings of

> anticipatory anxiety when faced with going out or meeting people.

So

> the hard part now is pushing myself a bit to get out of my

isolation so

> that I could see if the lex is helping my social anxiety. It's

very

> tough for me to do. But, I guess I'll just take things one step

at a

> time; the fact that my depression alone seems to be lifting is

enough

> to celebrate about! And I'm looking forward to the lex continuing

to

> help with other areas of my illness, like social anxiety, etc.

> Just thought I'd check in and touch base. I'd like to keep in

touch

> with this forum, as I'm sure we can all relate to each other and

> support each other.

> thanks,

>

[Guest guest]

Hi JK,

Your weaning scedule off Paxil seems kind of fast. Please be careful...I was

told by my Dr. to wean down by 10mg per week and it is going a bit rough.

Many people have bad withdrawl symptoms when weaning down too fast. Maybe

because you have only been on it for a short time, it is different. Just be

careful and pay attention to the way you are feeing.

It is week two and I am down by 20mg off the Paxil and when I decrease I have

a few days of dizziness. I started at 5mg of Lex while weaning off Paxil and

went up to 10mg after 5 days. Good luck.

PEter,

Were you on an SSRI before Lex? I have been on Paxil for about 5 or

6 weeks, but my doc recently (wednesday) changed me over to Lex. He

told me to taper off PAxil. I wsa on 50 mg a day and yesterday went

down to 37.5 mg and today only took 12.5. I thought I would start

taking the Lex tomorrow, starting with 5 mg or maybe even 10? I was

wondering what your experience was if you were on an SSRI before.

Thanks

JK

[Guest guest]

> Hi JK:

Yes, I've been on every other SSRI as well as a slew of other types of

medications

over the last 8 years. I've had varying responses to SSRI's. But there's a

pattern that

seems to crop up that makes me have to taper off SSRI's after a few months: I

get

emotionally numb, and this feeling in turn causes me to crave stimulation,

usually in

the form of alcohol/illicit drugs, and my impulsive behaviour increases. Some

docs

have said I have a bit of bipolar disorder and that these are signs of

hypomanis;

others have said that the stimulus-craving is a result of SSRI-induced dopamine

deficiency. So for a while I took AD's with 'mood stabilizers,' but the same

thing

would happen. Then, my pdoc started augmenting my AD's with a stimulant, which

increases levels of dopamine and neuropinephrine, thereby counteracting any

possible SSRI-induced dopamine deficiency that increased my craving and

impulsivity.

And for, the most part, this combination has worked, allowing me to stay on

SSRI's

for longer. The last SSRI I took was prozac, augmented w/ adderall. It helped

for a

bit, but I became over-activated and anxious and had to taper. Now I'm taking

lexapro + adderall. I don't know how sensitive you are to meds, but I had to

start the

lex w/5mg and then increase to 10 after 6 days. Good luck!

> > Hi all:

> > Today is day 21 lex for me. I started with 5mg for 6 days,

> then

> > switched to 10mg and have stayed on it. I also take 2.5mg

> klonopin and

> > 40mg adderall. I'm diagnosed with depression/social anxiety/adult

> > ADHD. The first 2 weeks on the lex I experienced a slew of

> > side-effects, including many I had never experienced before on

> SSRI's -

> > like extreme sensitivity to cold, extreme lethargy, waking up

> feeling

> > hungover, irritability, and the list goes on (o:

> > I was actually considering throwing in the towel a few times,

> since

> > in the past I usually responded to SSRI's by the 2nd week.

> > Now, I don't want to jinx myself by saying this, but I think

> I'm

> > beginning to feel the therapeutic effects; I feel like a cloud has

> been

> > lifted, most of my SE's have abated, I'm more energetic, etc.

> > Because I've been so depressed the last few weeks, I've been

> pretty

> > socially avoidant and I've been isolating a lot. This is a rut

> that I

> > get into often when I'm very symptomatic. And even though I think

> I

> > might be beginning to feel better, I still get those feelings of

> > anticipatory anxiety when faced with going out or meeting people.

> So

> > the hard part now is pushing myself a bit to get out of my

> isolation so

> > that I could see if the lex is helping my social anxiety. It's

> very

> > tough for me to do. But, I guess I'll just take things one step

> at a

> > time; the fact that my depression alone seems to be lifting is

> enough

> > to celebrate about! And I'm looking forward to the lex continuing

> to

> > help with other areas of my illness, like social anxiety, etc.

> > Just thought I'd check in and touch base. I'd like to keep in

> touch

> > with this forum, as I'm sure we can all relate to each other and

> > support each other.

> > thanks,

> >

[Guest guest]

JK,

I am very glad you are not having negative effects. I think it may have to

do with you not being on it too long. Please do let us know how you are

doing....especially on the Lex.

I cut down 10mg again last night - and am having a very dizzy day.

Steph. I think you are probably right tha tI am getting off it too

fast, but I have had no (knock on wood!) negative effects thus far.

I took 12.5 mg yesterday and today I plan on taking no paxil, just

10 mg of Lex. I will let you know how it goes, thanks to both you

and for your wisdom!

JK

[Guest guest]

Steph. I think you are probably right tha tI am getting off it too

fast, but I have had no (knock on wood!) negative effects thus far.

I took 12.5 mg yesterday and today I plan on taking no paxil, just

10 mg of Lex. I will let you know how it goes, thanks to both you

and for your wisdom!

JK

> Hi JK,

> Your weaning scedule off Paxil seems kind of fast. Please be

careful...I was

> told by my Dr. to wean down by 10mg per week and it is going a bit

rough.

> Many people have bad withdrawl symptoms when weaning down too

fast. Maybe

> because you have only been on it for a short time, it is

different. Just be

> careful and pay attention to the way you are feeing.

>

> It is week two and I am down by 20mg off the Paxil and when I

decrease I have

> a few days of dizziness. I started at 5mg of Lex while weaning

off Paxil and

> went up to 10mg after 5 days. Good luck.

>

> PEter,

>

> Were you on an SSRI before Lex? I have been on Paxil for about 5

or

> 6 weeks, but my doc recently (wednesday) changed me over to Lex.

He

> told me to taper off PAxil. I wsa on 50 mg a day and yesterday

went

> down to 37.5 mg and today only took 12.5. I thought I would start

> taking the Lex tomorrow, starting with 5 mg or maybe even 10? I

was

> wondering what your experience was if you were on an SSRI before.

>

> Thanks

> JK

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Darcy Ledman wrote:

> So, did you finish up your challenge or take a rest day??

im sorry darcy, but i had to take a rest day.... i was pooped! but

im still very proud of all of the workouts i accomplished this month!

our challenge was really good for me! thankyou for doing it with

me (and putting up with my 'stretching' days...LOL)

> I also practiced more stepping with Cathe and

> got a few more of her moves down..

good for you! i really like your determination.

:*carolyn.

[Guest guest]

No need to apologize you silly goose!!

You are sweet. I hope your February challenge goes well for you! I may jump in in a week or so if that is permissable

Yes, you did great The challenge helped me as well Not sure what I will be doing today - taking a rest day or working out.

I may have to take the boys to the doctor, my 3yo has had a nasty cough and fever for a few days now.. And now my baby has it I HATE running to the doctor. I'm scared it might be bronchitus though??? I don't know. I'll call and see. Okay 'nuff rambling...

GOOD LUCK TO ALL YOU FEBRUARY CHALLENGERS!!

Darcy

On 1/31/06, Carolyn or Visser <pvisser@...> wrote:

Darcy Ledman wrote:> So, did you finish up your challenge or take a rest day??im sorry darcy, but i had to take a rest day.... i was pooped! but

im still very proud of all of the workouts i accomplished this month! our challenge was really good for me! thankyou for doing it withme (and putting up with my 'stretching' days...LOL)> I also practiced more stepping with Cathe and

> got a few more of her moves down.. :)good for you! i really like your determination.:*carolyn.