Sew What’s Up Presents
The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
“Sew What’s Up,”
which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: MyGirlFriday
Date: 04-28-2005, 10:20 PM (1 of 23)
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I was recently changed from one anti-depressent to another and my Dr. put me on Lexapro....for anxiety. I am having a few weird things happen and I was wondering if anyone else taking this medication has had these same things occur. 1. Vivid dreams.....to the point that I'm totally exhausted!! Even though I'm "sleeping" I'm not getting any rest! 2. giggly....This is wierd, but I'm almost too happy..does that make sense?? 3. unable to concentrate! I feel like a rabbit jumping around here and there...with out a plan! I have told my hubby I was just going to stop taking this! I can't deal with these things! Give me a Xanax and I'm fine?? anyone else having these issues while taking this drug?? mgf~ 
Blessings & Smiles
Frogs have it easy....they just eat what's buggin' them. |
User: MyGirlFriday
Member since: 12-05-2004 Total posts: 288 
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From: Sewhappie
Date: 04-28-2005, 10:37 PM (2 of 23)
| Have you talked to your Dr yet about this changes? Don't stop cold turkey, you will be one big mess!!!!! It might be that you just need to tweak the meds either up or down, TALK TO YOUR DR!!!!!! |
User: Sewhappie
Member since: 10-27-2001 Total posts: 1427 |
From: beachgirl
Date: 04-28-2005, 10:49 PM (3 of 23)
| I take a low dosage of Lexapro. Dr said it would help the heart med or do better with it, whatever. I haven't had any problem but then it is a low dose. I agree, don't just stop it yourself plus talk to your doc for sure about how your feeling. All meds don't work for all people as you know. Let us know the outcome. |
User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004 Total posts: 615 
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From: BRG
Date: 04-28-2005, 10:52 PM (4 of 23)
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Discuss all of your symptoms with your doctor. Please do not stop cold turkey like others say ... also sometimes it takes a few weeks before medications take effect. Not all meds work so maybe this is not the one for you - I don't know. Maybe this is "common" side effects I don't know. Contact the doctor (you probably will end up speaking with a nurse or someone else and explain what's going on). Hopefully you can be seen sooner or the doctor can get in touch with you. Good luck. - Brenda -
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User: BRG
Member since: 01-12-2005 Total posts: 388 
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From: mamadus
Date: 04-28-2005, 11:14 PM (5 of 23)
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like beachgirl, I take a low dose of lexapro... mostly because otherwise I can be a real crab with this menopause thing!! LOL I don't seem to have any problems with it... it seems to help my insomnia and just evens out my mood so I don't get the grumpies that so many of us get with menopause... my dd's doctor recently prescribed a low dose for her to deal with the anxiety she is feeling since she was in an auto accident about 6 weeks ago and suffered pretty severe whiplash. just my 2 cents.. MO life is too short, not to explore
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User: mamadus
Member since: 12-31-2004 Total posts: 492 
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From: Chrysantha
Date: 04-28-2005, 11:27 PM (6 of 23)
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In the past 3 mnths I've taken klonopin, Lexapro, Xanax and Prozac ( I'm not depressed...just angry about my mystery stereo..and they don't know what to do with me....besides make me move, which would be Ok, if I could afford to) Klonopin is great...I only take it when the stereo is playing. (sometimes it's actually OFF) Lexapro did NOTHING and I mean nothing...(20mg...nothing) Xanax worked for about 2wks....then I started itching in weird places (thighs, backs of my hands and tops of my feet), I started being depressed to the point I couldn't leave my house for 2 wks and I cried all the time. So restless I NEVER slept. Last wk came the prozac.....hahahahahahaha....The itching started again, in all the same weird places and the depression was terrible. I've had Zoloft before....made me fall on the floor and giggle uncontrolably. (then I threw up...) Serzone....well....lets just say I took -1- and spent 3 days in the bathroom. I do take ambien to sleep. (otherwise I'd walk the streets looking for the stereo) So I'm on the medication merry-go-round again.....lucky me...( I must say....all my life I've had problems with meds...they either don't work at all, work for a few wks, then quit or make me so sick on just -1-, I wanna die. So I'm almost always on the med merry-go-round) Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: SummersEchos
Date: 04-29-2005, 12:30 AM (7 of 23)
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Never have taken that. I am one of those people who cannot take any kind of anti-depressent. They make me more depressed. But a friend of mine was put on that one. She at first was this nervous bundle of energy, she acted like she was ready to crawl out of her skin. When she called the doc he told her it takes a couple of weeks to get into your system and stop with the symptoms she was having. So she gave it a couple of weeks, and it seemed to slow down a bit. Then she figured after a month she was cured!!!!!!!!! She stopped taking them and all her symptoms of anxiety came back and it seemed twice as bad. So don't stop call and ask your doctor what you should do. Summer Summer
FREE FALLIN |
User: SummersEchos
Member since: 09-29-2004 Total posts: 884 |
From: OnAMissionBC
Date: 04-29-2005, 01:50 AM (8 of 23)
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As with all SSRI's, don't stop cold turkey! Talk to your dr and let him know your concerns. It can take up to 17 days for your body to get used to some medications and it also depends on what other meds you are on and whether they are compatible. I have some patients on Lexapro (Cipralex here in Canada) and so far, no problems. Some of the side effects you are having seem to be standard ones with a lot of antidepressants..insomnia, skin crawling, antsy. If you can stand them, give the med a little time.
Barb
Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia. |
User: OnAMissionBC
Member since: 03-16-2005 Total posts: 20 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 04-29-2005, 07:48 AM (9 of 23)
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Comon you guys We are all nice intelligent people here but THIS IS NO PLACE TO GET MEDICAL ADVICE!! Ask your doctor not a bunch of strangers on the Internet. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Chrysantha
Date: 04-29-2005, 02:13 PM (10 of 23)
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hhhmm....I didn't give anyone ANY advice...just symptoms -I- had.....
Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414
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From: MyGirlFriday
Date: 04-29-2005, 09:50 PM (11 of 23)
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Fist of all~ I wasn't asking for any medical advise! I have a medical background..however it isn't in anti-depressant medications. Being that the majority of the members of this group are women and a majority of the people who seem to suffer and get help with it are women what better place to ask if other have taken this medication. I am very glad to hear that others have delt with some of these same things. I did call my dr. however I suppose that he had more important things than a woman who can't sleep, is dreaming about stupid things, is giggly and can't concentrate! So.... For those of you who told me about thier experiences on this drug you gave me the information that I needed. Thanks! Believe it or not what you told me made me realize that I wasn't losing my mind! So I don't offend anyone if you are interested in how I am PM me and I will tell you~ mgf~
Blessings & Smiles
Frogs have it easy....they just eat what's buggin' them. |
User: MyGirlFriday
Member since: 12-05-2004 Total posts: 288
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From: MaryW
Date: 04-30-2005, 05:48 AM (12 of 23)
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No one is offended. We are family here discussing medications. Dorothy, no one gave advice. All that was said is go see your dr. before doing anything drastic. MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: MyGirlFriday
Date: 05-07-2005, 10:21 AM (13 of 23)
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Just wanted to let y'all know that I am again taking a low dose of Cymbalta~it is a new medication but I had been taking it before. I guess I was totally off thinking that I wasn't depressed! It only took several days of crying my eyes out, loosing control and being a total mess to realize it! After 1 dose I am doing much better....I did actually sleep last night! Thanks for all of the info y'all!!! mgf~
Blessings & Smiles
Frogs have it easy....they just eat what's buggin' them. |
User: MyGirlFriday
Member since: 12-05-2004 Total posts: 288
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From: MaryW
Date: 05-07-2005, 10:52 AM (14 of 23)
I know what you mean. When I was younger (much younger) I was on birth control pills. After my last baby I got my tubes tied. I never realized I was depressed until I went off of them. What a difference. I never had a crying jag, just exhausted and down in the dumps. Someone told me they were probably the culprit as they work against your natural body chemistry. It was a real eye opener for me. 
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: beachgirl
Date: 05-07-2005, 05:12 PM (15 of 23)
Mary, maybe here's a laugh for you & the rest. After my first baby was born I had to have surgery to hold up all the female organs & more. Drs told me not to have another. I went through the big process of getting a dispensation from the church, what an ordeal that was then , as I was to join dh stationed in Germany. Went on birth control pills in plenty of time. They didn't work for me. I had my twins when on them. Only thing they did for me was I lost 10 lbs. taking them. Some women they don't work & I'm one of them. 
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User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004 Total posts: 615
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From: MaryW
Date: 05-08-2005, 06:12 AM (16 of 23)
I am soooooooooo glad they didn't have that effect on me.  I was on them for years.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: Sewhappie
Date: 05-08-2005, 04:07 PM (17 of 23)
I am glad that this discussion was started. I am one who has gone the route of anti-depressants only to come off of them because of some side effects that it was causing with my heart. I was on Paxil for years, and yes I suffered MAJOR withdrawals with it. Do Not let anyone tell you other wise!!!! I now see that they are talking about pulling IT off the market. I will be the first one to vote for it to go. I am not presently on meds, 1st- I lost my hospitalization, 2nd- I have drug reactions, IE- if you give me Morphine- it will be BYE-BYE Sewhappie!!!!! My dad and sister where and are the same way. 3-I really hated the side effects that they caused. I would give anything to be able to find one that would work without all the problems, guess why that's why I like coming here. All of you make me laugh, I see that I am not the only person out there with problems ( major and minor), and we all share a common interest. I have seen where when I don't feel like sewing or doing housework, or even talking to anyone that it seems to be a normal thing. And that I should not feel guilty about the way I feel. That when I am acting like a total clown, it's because I am really in the dumps and need to pick myself up. Please bare with me when I get in those moods!!!! They do pass. 
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User: Sewhappie
Member since: 10-27-2001 Total posts: 1427 |
From: MyGirlFriday
Date: 05-09-2005, 01:26 AM (18 of 23)
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Sewhappie~ I'm glad that you have found this discussion. For a long time (many years ago prior to my Mothers death) I thought that taking medication for depression was just a crutch. Then when my Mother was diagnosed with breast cancer that mastestized to her bones, lung and brain I realize that I was in need of something. There were times that I could "feel" my brain shutting down. Like someone was flipping my "on" switch "off". I remember I had just started a new job...excellent benefits, but no time off during the training period which lasted 2 months...there were times I would go in the restroom and just sit and repeat Bible verses over and over to myself. There were times that I would get so scared that I would have panic attacks. The final straw was when my dr told me that I just needed to "get over it that my Mom was going to die!" I did change drs and was able to find one that realized what was going on with me and quickly prescribed medication. I took it upon myself to go see a therapist just to talk...that was helpful too! The therapist I went to see was the same one that my Mother had seen so it was very easy to talk to her since she already knew what I was dealing with. Needless to say...here a little over 5 years since Moms death I'm still dealing with it daily. Will I ever get off the medication totally??? Who knows, but I won't ever try to do it one my own again that is for sure! Thanks ya'll for listening.....not that anyone really cares but it is nice to know that others are dealing with the same things as me and getting thru it! Together we will get thru this!! mgf~
Blessings & Smiles
Frogs have it easy....they just eat what's buggin' them. |
User: MyGirlFriday
Member since: 12-05-2004 Total posts: 288
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From: suesodyssey
Date: 05-09-2005, 07:54 AM (19 of 23)
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MyGirlFriday, Strangers can and do care about other people. I was raised that you pick yourself up by your boot straps and keep going. After my ex-husbands stoke, I couldn't find my boot straps. My doctor realized I was having problems and gave me Prozac. It took about a month to really kick in, but it really helped. I took it for about a year. After our divorce started, I was back in the black pitts again. A friend told me I HAD to get some help. The doctor put me on a different anti-depressant, but it made me so nothing. I took it for a few months, then stopped. The lack of feeling of anything was beginning to drive me up a wall. I threw myself into my job and talked to my dog a lot! A cousin gave me the best advice I have ever received. "Everyone knows that when God closes a door he opens a window. Too many people spend too much time looking back at that closed door and not enough time looking out the open window." That got me back on track faster than anything. My "open window" has given me a wonderful man that loves me, a new family and tons of new friends. If your doctor says to stay on the meds, stay on them. Change them if necessary, but always talk to your doctor. Just my 2 cents worth. Sue |
User: suesodyssey
Member since: 03-29-2005 Total posts: 86 |
From: MaryW
Date: 05-09-2005, 08:42 AM (20 of 23)
Sue, your story is very compelling. I love the attitude you have. 
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: suesodyssey
Date: 05-09-2005, 08:29 PM (21 of 23)
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Thanks Mary, I sometimes wonder how I have managed to stay sane. My life has been anything but normal (if there is such a thing). I have some really wonderful friends, some good kids and a great love of life. I had a little problem with clogged arteries in November and again in January. Believe me, I am not ready to leave this wonderful life anytime soon. It just takes one event like that to make you realize how wonderful things really are. We have all had our problems and troubles. I just prefer to look forward. Sue |
User: suesodyssey
Member since: 03-29-2005 Total posts: 86 |
From: mamadus
Date: 05-12-2005, 02:34 AM (22 of 23)
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MGF.. this year was the 10th anniversary of my mother's death... I was on antidepressants for the first 4-5, went off them for a while, and am now back on them for menopausal symptoms... Eventually, the pain of losing your mom will subside.. will it go away? mine hasn't so far, but its not constant like it used to be... Mother's Day this year was very difficult for me... I cried a lot... but most of the time now, I can go along and not think about it... It does get better... just hang in there, and when you need to lean on your buds, know that we're here... MO life is too short, not to explore
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User: mamadus
Member since: 12-31-2004 Total posts: 492
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From: Shellymoon
Date: 08-07-2005, 09:30 PM (23 of 23)
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I stopped taking Lexapro about six weeks ago. I'd been on it three years. During the first few months, I had a lot of trouble sleeping and had the bouncing brain syndrome too. Then it kicked in and it worked great. People even started describing me as "laid back." No one had ever said that about me in my life! Funny thing is, the problems I had starting on the drug were the same ones I had while going through withdrawals. My brain bounced but I just kept chasing it down. After about a month, it has calmed down. I was one of those people who thought that stuff was for wimps, but now I know better. I wouldn't be here talking to ya'll today if it hadn't been for a doctor who held my hand and helped me believe that depression is real and happens to even tough girls like me if the world pushes us hard enough. Now I have a better handle on what to do with all that crap.... One of the answers is hole yourself up in your sewing room and close the door! Shelly Moon
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User: Shellymoon
Member since: 05-27-2001 Total posts: 240 |
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