lexapro?

Diseases & Conditions Bipolar Disorder
1
hey recently diagnosed as bipolar and they have have had me on many different drugs and now they wanna try lexapro, i was wondering what peoples experiences were with it. weight gain? sexual side effects, etc.
2

Is a psychiatrist recommending that?  Or your family doc?

SSRIs (prozac, lexapro, effexor, celexa, zoloft and the like) are really not good for BP.  They tend to bring on mania.  Especially if not taken with a mood stabilizer!!!!!

Yes, they have sexual side effects, desire, performance and ability to orgasm are very common problems that don't go away unless you stop the medication.  Weight gain can happen, not always.

If you aren't on a mood stabilizer, you need to be - and one of the best antidepressants for BP is Lamictal.  It's actually not an antidepressant, but it works very well for BP depression.  Sometimes they prescribe Welbutrin with it, a good combination.  Neither of these have weight gain or sexual side effects.

If you're not seeing a psychiatrist, you really ought to.  They know myriads more than GPs.

3
I agree that if you have bipolar you also need to be on a mood stabilizer as well.

Lexapro can cause mania, however as far as the SSRIs are concerned it is one of the more mild. Weight gain is less likely.

As far as welbutrin, it can also induce mania if not used with a mood stabilizer. And I am not a fan for personal reasons. But yes it does not cause weight or sexual side effects.

 ~ With Love ~ Dana, Pharm. D.
 
~ Diagnosed with Lupus in May of 2004 and Bipolar II in April of 2001. 
 
Disclaimer:  On any medical information I provide, please bring your concerns to your physician.  I have no financial interests in any drug or drug company.  I will try be as objective as possible.  If I am giving my opinion I will state it first. 

4
I have been on Lexapro for about a month and have had nothing but problems.  I am also on lithium and Sereoquel, but the thing I noticed with the Lexapro, similar to Effexor is the horrible effect it has on your sex drive.  You don't want it, can't feel it and get very frustrated over all!
 
I have also gained a ton of weight on the Lexapro/Lithium combo, similar to Effexor, but I believe even worse!  It also makes me very edgy and paranoid so if you're prone to more manic than depressive phases I would try something else.
 
Lithium has been great, I noticed a little weight gain, but no sexual side effects, but you have to have normal kidney functions and a healthy liver.
 
Hope this helps, I'm meeting with my pdoc tomorrow so I can let you know what new anti-depressant he's put me on.  I'm lobbying not to be on one, just to see how things go!
5
Keldew, ask him about Lamictal - saving grace for BPs prone to mania.  I never had better relief from depression than with it.  No sexual side effects, no weight gain!!! 
6
I agree, Lamictal has been my saving grace as well, ***just as an aside all meds work differently with different people**** for example I got suicidal and ten times worse when I went on Welbutrin, but it has been a saving grace for a LOT of people so I don't tell them not to take it. ALL drugs are trial and error and risk vs benefit. Not everyone has the same side effects from the different drugs and people and medication are very individualized.

 ~ With Love ~ Dana, Pharm. D.
 
~ Diagnosed with Lupus in May of 2004 and Bipolar II in April of 2001. 
 
Disclaimer:  On any medical information I provide, please bring your concerns to your physician.  I have no financial interests in any drug or drug company.  I will try be as objective as possible.  If I am giving my opinion I will state it first. 

7

I have been on lexipro for 4 or 5 years now

I'm so glad i found this messege board.  I have been on this med for a long time but my specialist started me on effexor in the am.  My sex life has been gone for some time and I thought i had to live with that just to have some peace of mind.  Wellbutrin made me angry.  So stayed on lexepro.  My husbend has Bipolar and won't deal with it.  He filed for divorce and i was served 1 week ago.  He is out of his depressive state wen't into an angry state for awile and now is back to normal.  2 weeks before he filed for divorce he brought me home flowers.  I just don't get it.   I did go to the library and took out a book on bipolar.  I can't believe all the mistakes i have made.  I now understand some of the things he was trying to say.  I wish i had got this book along time ago i'm afraid it is to late.  Can anyone give me feed back on all this!

8
I am really sorry about your situation with your husband Ericka. It is hard when we have loved one's who have trouble dealing with their disease. I guess what I would do if you still love him is just educate yourself and be a friend for him. But sometimes that is dificult when you are married and now divorced. I would also maybe talk to a counselor about it. They may be able to help you through the process you are going through right now. I hope things get better for you sweetie.

 ~ With Love ~ Dana, Pharm. D.
 
~ Diagnosed with Lupus in May of 2004 and Bipolar II in April of 2001. 
 
Disclaimer:  On any medical information I provide, please bring your concerns to your physician.  I have no financial interests in any drug or drug company.  I will try be as objective as possible.  If I am giving my opinion I will state it first. 

9

thanks its appreciated

I have been going to a counsler for 8 months he was to and now refuses to go

I think the counsling made it worse. the counsler did not come out and say he was biploar till after he left.  his family has been telling me that all along tho. 

10
I was put on Lexapro for relief of pain and anxiety (?) because I have Fibromyalgia. The doctors thought it would help me sleep.
By day three it felt as if both my eyes were in the same socket, and by day six, my vision was blurred so bad that +4.00 (I'm farsighted) specs didn't even let me read a menu. And what a night that was! We were at the Olive Garden with my visiting mother-in-law, having dinner. I had no appetite and don't remember what I ordered. But I remember the horrible pain at the back of my head, and the bald spot I got when I fell forward, face first into my dinner plate, and my husband tried to stop me by grabbing at the hair of the back of my head.
It may work well for some, and I wish I could find that person. The doctors put my refills on auto-refill and I have bottles that I can't legally sell or give to anyone. What a waste.
It took me 2 weeks to get the eyesight back to normal and my hair grew back. BTW, this wasn't the first time this happened to me on these meds.
I wish you good luck in finding the "right" drug.
Momma Selene

“Entertain the possibility that there is something we do not know, the knowing
of which will change everything. "

11

after reading this messege board i think i'm going to talk to my Dr about the lexapro.  I think there is something better.  and maybe there won't be sexual side affects.  That gives me alot of anxiety in it self.  I have felt that from time to time that the lexepro does not work but i thought my system just got amuned to it.  I do think after reading all the entries here that i am going to educate myself alot more. Even after taking it at night my sleeping habbits are back.  So will see.       my spelling is bad...sorry

I'm so sorry to here what lexepro did to you.  That had to be very difficult.  Have you found something that does work ? 

12

Mrs. Ericka Jean,

Just a question. Do you think that the lexpro is what caused your sexual dysfunction or is it your husbands unusual ways. I know it is hard to deal with but maybe this is whats best for the both of you.

 

lbcoach

13

Hello

I know its the pills doing it.  When i stop them i'm fine.  I have a very active sex drive at times but no orgazims.  We have alot of problems even were intimacy is conserned.  If i didn't initiate sex there would be none.   Take care EJ

14

Mrs. Jean,

     You are sure it is the pills. If you dont mind me asking you and your husbands ages. I am trying to help. Thanx.

15
My husbend and I are 32/36
I have had this problem before i met him so i do believe it is the pills.  My husbend on the other end never initiates sex.  We had alot of argumentd over this.  My husbend is a hurmit.  He does not leave the house but for 2 things.  I have bumped into people that know him and they have asked me questions like so is you husbend still a home body or the naibors that say thay never see him till summer and when it comes to sex he will do it with out me and not be interested in me.  He either sleeps all the time or he uses the computer or tapes for this and he does not see a problem.
EJ
16
Anyone feel extremely tired on Lexapro? I'm on my 3rd week...weening off of Prozac (Sarafem) and switching. I also take .75-1mg daily of klonopin (clonazepam). I just want to know that eventually this zombie tired feeling will go away. I'm suppose to start the 10 mg. next week and am also going on vacation.....need to hear that it will kick in and I'll not feel tired, depressed or anxious eventually. I'm trying to stick to it.
Help!
Looney Tunes
17
hello loony tunes
I have been on lexepro for years and it does make you tired.  My new Doc just changed the time I was taking it to just after dinner,  But even then i had to wait an hour before bedtime to take it or i was fast asleep on the couch and my husbend slept alone for a little wile.  Then i got smart and took it an hour before bedtime.  Plus if you have anxiety witch is why i'm on it.  It is suposed to help me sleep better.  It worked for a wile but i'm back to waking up every hour on the hour.  Maybe some one has some feed back on sleeping better at night.  I won't take sleeping pills tho.  I tried them once and the courtains were moving.  I never took them again.
EJ
18
Anyone out there that had the tired feeling go away after a while? I'm only on my 3rd week and on 7.5 (weening off of prozac and trying to get to 10mg of Lexapro). The tired feeling throughout the day makes me depressed. I need it to go away. I do take the Lexapro at night, that helps.

Please, anyone with encouraging words/experience that one day you just woke up and your body was used to it.....and feeling better, more energetic???? :)

Thanks!
Looney Tunes
19
Lexapro put me in horrible mania and psychosis.
20
Thanks ErikaJean for the response! :)
I really hope the tired feeling goes away during the day!
I take it at night also!
:)
Looney tunes