sunburnt22 Posted March 16, 2006 Share Posted March 16, 2006 my doc wants me to go from 10 mg lexapro to 20. i currently take 10 mg lexapro and 150 mg wellbutrin XL. neither really work, i just can't get off them b/c the withdrawal is really bad- fatigue with the wellbutrin withdrawal, and panic with the lexapro withdrawal. so i'm kinda already hooked on 2 drugs that are ineffective. i have to take a couple days off wellbutrin every week b/c it kinda wears me out, makes me a little more tired, b/c it's stimulating without really treating my depression. lexapro has a slightly calming effect, but causes apathy, fatigue, and sexual side effects. i just don't see the point in going up to 20. i don't want to get hooked on a higher dose that is just as useless. please tell me any of your relevant stories... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bianca Posted March 16, 2006 Share Posted March 16, 2006 This is very interesting as I had no side effects from getting off WB cold turkey.... How long have you been at 10mg. My doc doesn't want me to go higher.... Sorry I can't be of much help. 10mg I think should do it but if not I guess for me its better to increase before you start to get off one AD and get on a new one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Posted March 16, 2006 Share Posted March 16, 2006 My pdoc took me up to 40 mg. of lexapro before deciding it wasn't going to work and switching me to effexor while titrsting down on the lexapro, with plans to remain at 20 mg. lex when I get there. Tommy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bianca Posted March 16, 2006 Share Posted March 16, 2006 so you'll be on Lex and Effexor? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Posted March 16, 2006 Share Posted March 16, 2006 yes, at least for the time being Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bianca Posted March 16, 2006 Share Posted March 16, 2006 While titrating??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Posted March 16, 2006 Share Posted March 16, 2006 pdoc didn't want me to drop the level suddenly to 20. figured a week at 30 would be less stressfull Tommy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bianca Posted March 17, 2006 Share Posted March 17, 2006 Well that makes sense... the pills are splittable right? Let me know how that goes. If it doesn't work for me I may be switching again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimpmaster Posted March 18, 2006 Share Posted March 18, 2006 When your medication isnt working as well as it should, a dr will normally either raise the dose or change to another medication. Psychiatrists in particular when dealing with severe cases tend to go for the "highest tolerated dose" theory. That is, they but you on the highest dose that you can handle, in order to achieve maximum effect in minimal time. And in many cases this works. A friend of mine was on 100mg zoloft, had a really bad episode, ending up in hospital. They immediately bumped her up to 200mg and within a matter of weeks she was doing a LOT better. I guess I am a classic case of the same theory. Being on my medical doses (as per my sig) has worked really well for me. There is little evidence to suggest that higher doses = more side effects, especially as the boost can make you feel so much better. Sometimes the reverse applies - people can be on a lower dose, getting no therapeutic benefit and all the side effects. As for being hooked on the lexapro, if and when you are ready to stop taking it a taper can be done in 2.5mg steps (half a 5mg) and prozac can be added if the discontinuation syndrome is harsh. Lexapro doesnt have a terrible reputation for withdrawal, unlike effexor or paxil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GroovyGwen Posted March 20, 2006 Share Posted March 20, 2006 I was on 40 of lex and it was MUCH better than 20. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Posted March 20, 2006 Share Posted March 20, 2006 The way my pdoc has me doing it, the lex will drop to 20 mg. on the same day the effexor moves up to 75 mg. She believes the lex is doing some good though it isn't knocking out the depression completely. The effexor does seem to give me a little more energy though. Tommy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bianca Posted March 28, 2006 Share Posted March 28, 2006 I've been on 10mg of Lex for a while now and I still feel blah. I think I'll increase to 20mg. I do see my pdoc on Monday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted March 28, 2006 Share Posted March 28, 2006 my doc wants me to go from 10 mg lexapro to 20. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunburnt22 Posted March 28, 2006 Author Share Posted March 28, 2006 my doc wants me to go from 10 mg lexapro to 20. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juzzy Posted March 29, 2006 Share Posted March 29, 2006 I've been on Lex a couple of months now for severe anxiety + depression... I was on 10mg for 6 weeks with no results, i've been on 20mg for 2 weeeks with no results yet. If anything it's made me feel worse, very tired and i'm having the trippiest dreams - heaps of dreams each night, sometimes nightmares. If Lex works for you, then perhaps upping it will help more? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bianca Posted April 5, 2006 Share Posted April 5, 2006 Juzzy, Thats the same issue with me. 10mg of Lex is the reccomended dose. I've been on 10mg for about 2 months now. My doc said I can up to 15mg or go back to Cymbalta. I too the rx from him but then decided last night to switch back to C. I was much happier on Cymbalta. The only reason I got off it was b/c I hoped getting on Lex I could get off the C and klonopin. But I had depression. It wasn't doing shit for that. I also have gained some weight back which I found out the other night. I'm not very happy about that either. A month before I started the Lex I also switched to a new birth control. So now I'm not sure which was making me gain the weight. Took 5mg of Lex today and addded 22.5mg of C. We shall see what happens. I have enough Cymabalta left over to last me through until my next appt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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