Just starting on Lex, worried about side effects
Hi All,
I’m just starting on this medication. I have constant anxiety and
panic attacks, and mild to moderate depression. Both have been
pretty bad over the last month, but were bothering me for over a year
before I went to see my doctor about. One thing that I’m worried
about, is that I tend to get high anxiety and panics especially with
medication (a fear I guess), so I am sort of worried about the side
effects of Lex. Can anyone give me their comments or experiences.
Much Appreciated, hopefully they will ease my worry…
April 22nd, 2004 at 7:15 pm
I’ve only been on lex for a week, but have had NO side effects. Usually I
have something, but this is the first time I’ve had none.
I also suffer generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and social anxiety along
with bipolar.
hugs,
rayne
On Friday, February 21, 2003, at 09:27 AM, patrick_78681
April 23rd, 2004 at 10:26 am
10mg
hugs,
rayne
April 24th, 2004 at 1:38 am
Yup, giggle.
hugs,
rayne
April 24th, 2004 at 7:17 am
Been on Lex since October. Dr. took me off of Celexa 20 mg, started me on
Lex 5 mg. The side effects I can remember are vivid dreams, being sleepy,
more jaw clenching — that went away. I had trouble dividing up the 10 mg
pills into 5 mg, and as a result had varying symptoms. One positive side
effect I noticed almost right away was I was thinking more clearly than on
Celexa. Then after about 6 weeks I *knew* it was working for the
depression (familiar comfort).
My anxiety grew though, after I got over the sleepiness obviously. Went
back to Dr., and he upped my dose to 10 mg, and recently to 20 mg. My
anxiety has been lessened greatly, and I can still think clearly,
depression is at bay. I call that success!
Good luck, and stick with it! It’s the best antidepressant I’ve been on so
far.
Christie
April 24th, 2004 at 4:50 pm
Thanks, Christie, that sounds VERY encouraging!! I’m going to be starting
college (again) this Fall and I sure need to think clearly, lol.
hugs,
rayne
April 25th, 2004 at 11:14 pm
Hi Patrick:
It takes a while to feel anything when on an antidepressant (AD). Usually
a good 4-6 weeks. Some of them, you can begin to feel less anxious in a
couple weeks.
I have been on meds so long that I can’t remember how different I feel.
The first time I was put on an AD I went on prozac. I’d been so depressed
that I felt VERY different. I felt happy and it had been a long time since
I felt that emotion. So, yes, you can feel different.
Are you on lex for anxiety or depresssion?
hugs,
rayne
(I’ve only been on lex a week, but I have experienced no side effects (s/e’
s). I’m on 10mg.)
On Friday, February 21, 2003, at 02:08 PM, patrick_78681
April 26th, 2004 at 2:26 pm
You know, now that I think about it, I have to agree. But I need a lot
Now
more meds to keep me on an even keel. I have to have mood stabilizers and
an anxiety med plus an AD. Just an AD would send me into a mania.
I forget what it’s like without my meds because I KNOW I need them. About
a month ago I tried to stop my anti-anxiety med and that did NOT work so I
went right back on it. I know I need ALL my meds. Of course, being bipolar,
I tend to want to stop taking my meds when I’m stable thinking I’m
*healed* now. Intellectually I know better, but I still try it anyway.
However, I’ve done that enough to know now, I think, that it won’t work
anymore and I need to be on meds the rest of my life.
I do seem to remember some yelling and screaming, some throwing things,
and generally being out of sorts (to put it mildly) without my meds. I
remember blowing things out of proportion and getting very upset at little
things. I remember my frustration level is set way too low. I know I
always wanted to hit cars (never did, don’t worry) because they were
forever in my way. Always having the nerve to turn in front of me or
something, lol. And going the speed limit - if you can imagine!
I go the speed limit (saves on tickets & insurance). And I’m not in such a
rush all the time - I learned people turn because they have to go that way.
I even turn in front of people, too. Imagine that, giggle. I am not
short-tempered and the small stuff doesn’t make me sweat much anymore. My
10 yr old interrupts and I don’t get beat red in the face and steam doesn’
t scream out my ears (mommy doesn’t look funny anymore). I even let his
friends spend the night. I’m *normal,* LOL.
So, yes, if I think about it, I remember. Yes, meds are GOOD………..and
NECESSARY for me.
hugs,
rayne
April 28th, 2004 at 4:25 am
Hi Patrick:
But
You’ll be very happy with the results once the AD works!!! Just be ready
I HATED being so impatient - especially with the little ones.
once you’ve been better for awhile like I have, you’ll forget you were
ever that impatient - like I have!
to give it a good 4-6 weeks. Sometimes it takes up to 3 months or longer
to get a real good effect. I’ve been on them a long, long time - years. So
I guess that’s why I forgot how I used to be - the real *mean* me. I’ve
been the new improved me for so long, I figure this is me. My son doesn’t
know the ugly me - and he’s 10. My daughter knew the ugly me - but she’s
28 & choses not to remember right now (she’ll be a psychiatrists office
one day though - how sad).
So, yes, AD’s work wonders and change your life!
Best of luck with your’s. Keep us posted on your progress! Try not to be
nervous - we’re here for you.
hugs,
rayne
On Friday, February 21, 2003, at 08:51 PM, patrick_78681