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Thread: My lexapro diary

  1. #51
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    Re: My lexapro diary

    Quote Originally Posted by jonjon View Post
    Oh pulisa I cannot imagine how difficult it must be for you. If I had half your strength I would be so grateful.

    At the moment I am about 2 1/2 weeks into my dose increase and feel all I have is side effects and no benefits.

    How did you settle on 5mg of lexapro? Did you ever try increasing your dose?
    I've got a history of not being able to tolerate "therapeutic" doses of psych meds (hospitalised twice) so I am treated very cautiously by docs! I've been on 5mg in the past and that has helped with agitation (very different from anxiety) and also I don't feel so low. For me it's a safe and good choice.

  2. #52
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    Re: My lexapro diary

    Quote Originally Posted by jonjon View Post
    Hey Ian

    I used to get Botox injections into my scalp and neck for headaches last year with mixed success and might have to try that again.

    The mental fog is really bad at the moment.
    I looked back at my paroxetine notes and found i did not see any improvement until the seven week mark which means I have another month before this medication does its thing. My God that feels like a long long way away right now.

    Have you tried physio? The sternocleidomastoid muscle caused a lot of my headache issues. Active trigger points can cause a lot of chronic pain.

  3. #53
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    Re: My lexapro diary

    I see.

    I believe anxiety is largely learnt behaviour and highly treatable with behavioural therapy.

    Agitation is a constant nagging condition for no apparent reason that I am yet to figure out how to control.

    For example driving on the freeway might give me anxiety but I will not have anxiety lying on the couch.
    Agitation on the other hand lies on the couch with me. :-(

  4. #54
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    Re: My lexapro diary

    No I have not tried physio for headaches

  5. #55
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    Re: My lexapro diary

    Quote Originally Posted by jonjon View Post
    I used to get Botox injections into my scalp and neck for headaches last year with mixed success and might have to try that again.
    Have you seen a specialist about the headaches? If no, then maybe it's time your GP referred you to one.

    The mental fog is really bad at the moment.
    It often is at the beginning partly because of a direct impact on the hippocampi which process memory and also from interrupted sleep. It usually eases after a few weeks.

    I looked back at my paroxetine notes and found i did not see any improvement until the seven week mark which means I have another month before this medication does its thing. My God that feels like a long long way away right now.
    When AD kick-in times are plotted the top of the bell curve is usually around 6 weeks, plus I'd add a week or two to allow for the med switch and the longer escitalopram half-life, however, it may occur even earlier. The only predictable thing about ADs is their unpredictability.

    Agitation is a constant nagging condition for no apparent reason that I am yet to figure out how to control.

    For example driving on the freeway might give me anxiety but I will not have anxiety lying on the couch.
    Agitation on the other hand lies on the couch with me.
    Is your psychiatrist aware of the agitation, John?
    __________________
    The opinions expressed above are based on my observations and, where applicable, interpretation of cited data and are general in nature. Consult your physician before acting on anything stated.

  6. #56
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    Re: My lexapro diary

    Yes psychiatrist has been aware of agitation for sometime. That is probably why I tried some of those Seroquel type medications that did not agree with me at all. My issues are really bad GAD with the depression and then intrusive thoughts.

    Whenever I have done the mental health questionnaires I score middle of the range for depression but very high for anxiety and stress.

    When my anxiety and headaches are not present the depression melts away immediately.

    Friday I took 0.25mg clonazepam with the lexapro in the morning and had a terrific day at work. I believe the benzo kept the anxiety in check enough so that I did not get a cracker headache and depression dissolved. Lexapro probably helped too but I know it is still early days.

    I do not want to go down the daily benzo path so I am hoping the ssri kicks in soon.

    I have seen a neurologist for headaches and after trying a few different medications we settled on the Botox treatment.

    Sorry for the long post. At the moment jaw clenching, anxiety and mental fog still present.

  7. #57
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    Re: My lexapro diary

    The benzo will be acting as a muscle relaxant too re the jaw clenching. What does your dentist say about the TMJ?

  8. #58
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    Re: My lexapro diary

    Quote Originally Posted by pulisa View Post
    The benzo will be acting as a muscle relaxant too re the jaw clenching. What does your dentist say about the TMJ?
    My dentist made me a splint which I wear at night.

    It does not solve the problem but prevents me from wearing down my teeth.

  9. #59
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    Re: My lexapro diary

    So yesterday I saw my psychiatrist who said I should stick with the 10mg lexapro and should continue to see benefits over the next few weeks as I have only been on the current dose for 3 1/2 weeks.

    I think I am at the stage where I am having good days and bad days. Yesterday was great. Today was terrible. Bad teeth grinding and anxiety off the scale together with mental fog.

    I did go to work today but must admit it was a struggle.

    Is it normal to have totally crap days at this stage? I was hoping I would be past that by now.

    Also does anyone have any idea how to stop the jaw clenching and teeth grinding? I just took 0.25mg clonazopam.

    John

  10. #60
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    Re: My lexapro diary

    Quote Originally Posted by jonjon View Post
    Is it normal to have totally crap days at this stage? I was hoping I would be past that by now.
    Yes, the snake and ladders one step forward, two or more back tango is fairly common, John. It is usually a good sign because it shows the good days probably aren't the placebo effect at work as it sometimes is when there is a straight line progression.

    Also does anyone have any idea how to stop the jaw clenching and teeth grinding? I just took 0.25mg clonazopam.
    Teeth clenching and/or grinding, bruxism, is a fairly common initial SSRI side-effect though it tends to occur more often with fluoxetine, sertraline and venlafaxine. When it comes to the mouth escitalopram is more (in)famous for the 'Lexapro yawn'. Buspirone (Buspar) is often effective at doses between 5-30mg/day in 3 split doses. Buspirone may also resolve, or at least moderate other SSRI induced side-effects too and also increase the effectiveness of the AD. It takes about 2-3 weeks to become fully effective. You could also try magnesium supplements.

    Did you ask the psychiatrist about the teeth grinding and if so what was the response?
    __________________
    The opinions expressed above are based on my observations and, where applicable, interpretation of cited data and are general in nature. Consult your physician before acting on anything stated.

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