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"Lexipro"?? "Celexia"??

Old 01-03-2008, 01:00 PM
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"Lexipro"?? "Celexia"??

I was curious if anyone here might be taking either of these anti-depressants **"Lexipro" or "Celexia"} and how well they might be working for you, any side effects or other info you would want to share?
{I can research them online but just wanted to check here first.}

I have been taking a small, daily prescribed dose of Xanax for years for GAD and various stress related problems which works very well for me.
However, when discussing it with my DR today asked if he thought this might be a good option for me to try along with the Xanax and he thought it might be.
I am not really "depressed" persay, but have been having problems with mood changes, trouble sleeping, lethargy, stress and often seem quite scatterbrained and unable to concentrate. Alot of this is due to a current health problem {abdominal pain} that I've been dealing with and peri-menopause.
I plan to try a few other ideas and options first to see if they make any difference but am keeping the anti-depressant in mind if they don't.

Any info or thoughts would be much appreciated! Thanks!
Jane
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Old 01-03-2008, 02:10 PM
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Most anti-depressants have an anti-anxiety quality to them so it is very understandable that your doctor would be considering adding one to their therapy. I have taken lexapro and had good results with it. Minimal side effects after the intial first week or so. The biggest side effect was dry mouth for me. But that was easily resolved by keeping a bottled water handy. Which is not a bad thing as most of us don't drink enough water anyway...lol. It did quit working for my depression after a few years so I did have to change meds. I have no personal experience with Celexa but a friend had to stop it due to having some severe side effects. I have heard of many people taking it and finding it to work well for them with minimal side effects so it's side effects, like all meds, is dependant upon the person taking it.

Hope that helps.
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Old 01-03-2008, 03:58 PM
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Hi Jane,

I was on Lexapro for years. I liked it.

Karen
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Old 01-04-2008, 03:30 AM
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I currently take lexapro - no complaints I reckon ...
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Old 01-04-2008, 07:36 AM
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Thanks all for the replies and info! It does give me something to think about.

I have been on the Xanax {0.25mg 4 times a day} for about 17-years and only had to increase the dosage once so I think that is a pretty good record!
It has worked well for me but I often wonder if maybe the anti-D. was what I needed all along AND if it could decrease my Xanax use {although I'm having no problems with it}, that would certainly be a plus!

I need to change around my diet, exercise more, and look into some relaxation techniques anyway due to my current health problem so I plan to try all that first, but am keeping the anti-D. in mind if the problems I am having linger.

Thank you all again and I will check down here more often as I usually post in the "Substance Abuse" forum.
~Jane
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Old 01-04-2008, 07:52 AM
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I like Lexapro, these days dont do well without it and only occassionally take a Xanax. Only side effect Ive noticed is lack of sexual desire and less headaches, less sleepless nights
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Old 01-04-2008, 08:04 AM
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I'm on lexapro and it works well for the physical symptoms of the anxiety, ie shakes, shortness of breath, dizziness, lack of focus, etc. There are some side effects the first couple weeks but most of those go away. I've had some ongoing sexual side effects, though, and I'm pretty sure the lexapro has caused some weight gain. These side effects aren't bad enough to make me want to stop taking it, though. I just have to take an ED pill to function sexually and I work out and eat right to combat the weight gain.

What was most helpful for me, though, was adding regular therapy. The med was helpful but talking about my anxiety with a therapist made me feel much better about everything. So if you haven't already I'd recommend finding a councellor or therapist. And meditation, yoga and tai chi are also very helpful.

If you do try the lexapro be sure to give it time to work. You may actually feel worse in the first week or two and it may take several weeks before it really starts kicking in. So don't give up on it if you don't see immediate results, cause you probably won't. My big side effects were nausea and dry mouth for about a week. The nausea would usually be for about 2hr after I took the pill and the dry mouth would come and go. Oh yeah, and I didn't sleep very well the first couple weeks either.

Good luck.
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Old 01-05-2008, 08:11 AM
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Thanks cinderellawkids and scarlati,

The lack of sexual desire is one of my main concerns...and hubbys too!
We just got the house back to ourselves **"empty nesters" LOL!} and that is something we really enjoy still...I would hate to jeopardise the bond that we have when the Xanax works fine.
My GP said these two anti-D's were the two least likely to cause such side effects so who knows...maybe I would get lucky and not have any problems!

scarlati...There is an "ED" for women?? Humm...where have I been? {LOL} I thought only men were lucky enough to have such things!

I hesitate to talk with a therapist, having more luck talking with my prescribing GP at our regular apts. I had some counciling in HS and also in the rehab I went to {for detox from opiate addiction} and both were bad experiences. although I would never count that out again as an option.

I would LOVE to start a "Tai chi" or yoga class! So until I can find one that is close by, I plan to use some DVDs daughter left me when she went to college.

~Jane
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Old 01-05-2008, 09:26 AM
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On the note of anti-depressants and lack of sex drive. I heard about this yesterday on the radio. It would be nice if it actually worked for those of us on anti-depressants. Men have had solutions available for years but women were just left out in the cold as far as solutions went but now there is hope.

Female Libido Drug Being Tested


Another female libido drug is being tested. One hundred medical facilities are testing LibiGel, a testosterone lotion. You rub it on your arm, and it migrates to your blood. It's supposed to make you energetic and horny, but you're eligible only if you've been diagnosed with "hypoactive sexual desire disorder." :

Hype:

1) In previous research, it "led to a 283 percent increase of satisfying sexual encounters."

2) It's "better than previous testosterone treatments because it keeps levels of the chemical constant, much like naturally occurring testosterone."

3) "A lot of women have this problem, but unfortunately they've been largely ignored by pharmaceutical companies."
Skeptical views:

1) Actually, drug companies have tried hard to find a female libido booster, because they'd make a fortune selling it.

2) And none of the drug candidates has worked, so don't get your hopes up about this one.
(kink.fm - Female Libido Drug Being Tested)

(Related: The previous hyped female libido drug.)
new arousal drug is triggering debate over sexual doping. The drug, PT-141, is in final tests prior to possible FDA approval. It's being spun as pleasurable for women and better than Viagra because it targets your brain, not your blood. If this or another drug pans out as a reliable turn-on, experts speculate: 1) It will be officially marketed to people with sexual dysfunctions but unofficially sold to everyone; 2) it will make arousal a choice; 3) it will compress sexuality to fit invasive work schedules; and 4) it will let you dope your way around emotional or relationship problems instead of facing them.

(The latest news from science and technology. - By William Saletan - Slate Magazine)
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Old 01-05-2008, 10:49 AM
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Thanks for that info nandm...I had heard it mentioned on the news too.

Trying to think of a discrete way to put this so please pardon if it is abit too much info...But most "topical lotions" will numb you and if you are lucky enough to escape that nasty side effect...I'm sure they taste awful, if you catch my drift! {sorry guys!!! That is really explicit but the only way I know to get my point across!LOL!}

It would be nice if we had a pill to take like the men but apparently we are such complex creatures no one has been able to come up with anything that is successful yet.

Jane
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Old 01-05-2008, 11:35 AM
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Actually, it's the fact that more men, statistically, go into the business.
And they don't have a clue as to what makes us tick!

Kiddin'

Shalom!
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Old 01-05-2008, 06:23 PM
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I've taken Celexa for a number of yrs. My side effects were weight gain, being HOT all the time (they call it excessive sweating, although I don't sweat. I'm just hot). I'm experiencing a lot of the classic signs of depression now, so I am guessing that it's not working for me anymore. I am going to see my dr. and probably change the meds.

Hugs
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Old 01-06-2008, 10:17 AM
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Actually, it's the fact that more men, statistically, go into the business.
And they don't have a clue as to what makes us tick!
So true Historyteach!!! So true!!
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