![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 19 of 19. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Roo on September 23, 2002, at 15:59:12
That's basically the question...I need something that's
going to kick in quick b/c I'm kind of at the end up my
rope and feel like I don't really have time to wait 4 weeks
for something to work...
Posted by oracle on September 23, 2002, at 16:28:09
In reply to Does Lexapro work fast?, posted by Roo on September 23, 2002, at 15:59:12
Then you would want something other than an AD, as all take 4-6 weeks to start working.
Posted by IsoM on September 23, 2002, at 17:27:51
In reply to Does Lexapro work fast?, posted by Roo on September 23, 2002, at 15:59:12
I don't necessarily agree with oracle. Some ADs have different timing before effects are felt. All take 4-6 weeks before one can judge their full potential, but onset can vary.
I found with TCAs, I could almost count to the day when they'd kick in for me - 3 weeks.
Lexapro is supposed to be faster than Celexa; why I have no idea. Can't see how only the active isomer would affect onset of action, but personally, for both me & one son, we noticed an improvement in our moods around day 5 with taking Celexa. At 1 1/2 weeks, we were both back to normal. I doubt that it was a placebo effect as I've never had a placebo reaction before with anything, even when I did expect something to work. And with Celexa, I didn't think it would work, I was so bleak.
Anyway, Lexapro is *supposed* to be quicker.
Posted by Phil on September 23, 2002, at 17:33:15
In reply to Does Lexapro work fast?, posted by Roo on September 23, 2002, at 15:59:12
Roo, Lexapro does work fast; in as little as a week. I went from Celexa to Lexapro and didn't even hit a speed bump. Of course, they're much the same.
Full effect may take longer but it's your best bet for quick onset.
If you're at the end of your rope, would taking Xanax help in the short term?
Posted by Mal on September 23, 2002, at 17:36:07
In reply to Does Lexapro work fast?, posted by Roo on September 23, 2002, at 15:59:12
Roo, Sorry to hear you are not doing too well. I had read your posts about the alternative treatments you had tried. Get yourself some meds and feel better! Good luck!
Posted by oracle on September 23, 2002, at 17:55:48
In reply to Re: Does Lexapro work fast? » Roo, posted by Phil on September 23, 2002, at 17:33:15
> Roo, Lexapro does work fast; in as little as a week. I went from Celexa to Lexapro and didn't even hit a speed bump. Of course, they're much the same.
I would expect going from d,l to d you would not
have much "down time" but this would not be predictive of someone who starts off with no SSRI in their system.The TCA's do have an almost at once anti-anxiety effect but the true AD effect follows in 4 to 6 weeks.
I would sugest short trem use of a benzo till the AD kicks in.
Posted by Mystia on September 23, 2002, at 18:19:49
In reply to Does Lexapro work fast?, posted by Roo on September 23, 2002, at 15:59:12
YES, it works fast. However, the first 3-4 days were awful for me. I experienced insomnia, tiredness, nausea, "vacuum-head," and constant migraines (I normally only have them 1-2 times/week). After the first 3-4 days, all the s/e went away. I feel great now (I started Lexapro on 9-13-02). It was definitely worth the few days of s/e!!
Posted by Phil on September 23, 2002, at 20:10:12
In reply to Does Lexapro work fast?, posted by Roo on September 23, 2002, at 15:59:12
Celexa works within a week occasionally but it's one of Lexapro's selling points. Go to PubMed.
Posted by Ritch on September 23, 2002, at 23:25:53
In reply to Does Lexapro work fast?, posted by Roo on September 23, 2002, at 15:59:12
> That's basically the question...I need something that's
> going to kick in quick b/c I'm kind of at the end up my
> rope and feel like I don't really have time to wait 4 weeks
> for something to work...
Good choice, but toss in some bupropion and/or desipramine with it for luck...
Posted by Bill L on September 24, 2002, at 8:40:14
In reply to Does Lexapro work fast?, posted by Roo on September 23, 2002, at 15:59:12
It can work within a couple of days for anxiety. For depression, it may take a little longer.
I swithced from 40mg Celexa to 20 mg Lexapro and feel better. I have less daytime tiredness and feel more mentaly alert.
Posted by Roo on September 24, 2002, at 8:43:12
In reply to Re: Does Lexapro work fast? » Roo, posted by Ritch on September 23, 2002, at 23:25:53
Since I needed something quick, and my psychiatrist never
called me back...I just took a remeron last night since
I had a sample pack of it. If I gain any more than
5 pounds on the stuff, I'm trying lexapro for sure.I've got one of those weird doctors that won't prescribe
benzo's. The screwed up thing is, she had me on a tiny
dose (1mg) of an antipsychotic (Navane) for 3 years for
anxiety. Then I read about the drug and it says you're never
supposed to use it long term. So what is that? How is that
any less dangerous than prescribing a benzo.
Posted by Ritch on September 24, 2002, at 10:14:10
In reply to Re: Thank you Everyone, posted by Roo on September 24, 2002, at 8:43:12
> Since I needed something quick, and my psychiatrist never
> called me back...I just took a remeron last night since
> I had a sample pack of it. If I gain any more than
> 5 pounds on the stuff, I'm trying lexapro for sure.
>
> I've got one of those weird doctors that won't prescribe
> benzo's. The screwed up thing is, she had me on a tiny
> dose (1mg) of an antipsychotic (Navane) for 3 years for
> anxiety. Then I read about the drug and it says you're never
> supposed to use it long term. So what is that? How is that
> any less dangerous than prescribing a benzo.It isn't IMO. I've got a pigmented retina in one eye and a small cataract in the other from when I took low-dose Mellaril (10-30mg) every day for anxiety for a few years. Some pdocs are more concerned about the potential behavioral aspects of addiction than physical aspects of chronic use of a "non-addicting" AP. Perhaps they are excessively afraid of how to deal with a patient who *does* clearly abuse BZD's (or is strongly suspected of abuse). My bet is they don't want to even go there to find out-if you don't abuse benzos you can always find a doc that will write for them (and that's probably fine with them).
You might go ahead and start on *both* Remeron and Lexapro. If you start packing on too much weight you can drop the Remeron later on.
Mitch
Posted by IsoM on September 24, 2002, at 14:33:14
In reply to Does Lexapro work fast?, posted by Roo on September 23, 2002, at 15:59:12
Roo, it just occurred to me to add some extra info to mention to your doctor. It's been found that pindolol, a beta-blocker, can shorten the time it takes for SSRIs to work. Your doctor would need to clear you of any possible asthma or congestive heart troubles, but it does make SSRIs kick in much faster. But it's best to discuss this with someone who knows your medical history.
Posted by McPac on September 27, 2002, at 15:33:32
In reply to Might consider Remeron+Lexapro » Roo, posted by Ritch on September 24, 2002, at 10:14:10
Mitch "I've got a pigmented retina in one eye and a small cataract in the other from when I took low-dose Mellaril (10-30mg) every day for anxiety for a few years."
>>>>>>Any other problems from the long term Mellaril Mitch?
Also, what is a "pigmented retina"?
Posted by McPac on September 27, 2002, at 18:17:49
In reply to Re: Does Lexapro work fast?, posted by oracle on September 23, 2002, at 16:28:09
"Then you would want something other than an AD, as all take 4-6 weeks to start working".
>>>>>>>>>>>>>I've had success in one week and less before....see bottom of page for others who have also.
Posted by Ritch on September 27, 2002, at 20:41:38
In reply to Mitch/Ritch Re: Might consider Remeron+Lexapro, posted by McPac on September 27, 2002, at 15:33:32
> Mitch "I've got a pigmented retina in one eye and a small cataract in the other from when I took low-dose Mellaril (10-30mg) every day for anxiety for a few years."
>
> >>>>>>Any other problems from the long term Mellaril Mitch?
> Also, what is a "pigmented retina"?I may have an increased sensitivity to EPS to subsequent AP use, but I am not sure. Oh, one eye has a "tint" to the retina which is not normal according to my Eyedoc. How I *experience* that is if I close one eye and look with the other eye the *hue* appears slightly shifted compared to the other eye doing the same.
Posted by yeltom on September 28, 2002, at 17:24:26
In reply to Re: Does Lexapro work fast?, posted by Bill L on September 24, 2002, at 8:40:14
You switched from 40 mg of Celexa to 20 mg. of Lexapro?? But isn't 40 mg of celexa comparable to 10 mg of lexapro?
> It can work within a couple of days for anxiety. For depression, it may take a little longer.
>
> I swithced from 40mg Celexa to 20 mg Lexapro and feel better. I have less daytime tiredness and feel more mentaly alert.
Posted by Mystia on September 29, 2002, at 22:30:03
In reply to Re: Mitch/Ritch Re: Might consider Remeron+Lexapro » McPac, posted by Ritch on September 27, 2002, at 20:41:38
>>>How I *experience* that is if I close one eye and look with the other eye the *hue* appears slightly shifted compared to the other eye doing the same.
Ummmm...I have experienced that same thing for a long, long time...as long as I can remember. My eye doc has never mentioned anything about my retina!!! My left eye seems to see more bluish tones and everything is SO pale...the right eye seems to see brighter tones and everything is more reddish...
I had always assumed everyone's vision was like that...hmmmm....maybe I will make an appt. with the eye doc!!!Myst
Posted by Ritch on September 30, 2002, at 9:57:05
In reply to Re: Pigmented Retinas » Ritch, posted by Mystia on September 29, 2002, at 22:30:03
> >>>How I *experience* that is if I close one eye and look with the other eye the *hue* appears slightly shifted compared to the other eye doing the same.
>
>
> Ummmm...I have experienced that same thing for a long, long time...as long as I can remember. My eye doc has never mentioned anything about my retina!!! My left eye seems to see more bluish tones and everything is SO pale...the right eye seems to see brighter tones and everything is more reddish...
> I had always assumed everyone's vision was like that...hmmmm....maybe I will make an appt. with the eye doc!!!
>
> Myst
>
>
I noticed that *before* I saw an eye doc. I developed a tiny cataract in one eye near the center of my vision while I was on Mellaril. It was just annoying and never got worse. But, I also noticed the hue shift (at that time-with me it is the varying intensity of green from eye to eye). Many years later I finally had a slit-lamp exam and it was confirmed (cataract in one eye, pigmented retina in the other). Important distinction---*I* attributed the perceived hue shift to the pigmented retina-there may be another explanation-it is so subtle I always forget to ask him about it.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.