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Posted 2/14/2007 6:45 AM (GMT 0)

I am so confused right now myself  - as my daughter (16 yrs)  just started taking Armour for low thyroid -about 4 weeks now... I see a big difference - she has so much more energy -  she has focus and concentration at school - she even sang Kareokee the other night  ( she has NEVER participated before)  

I was surprised when we went for her check up that the Dr was mad I did not put her on the Lexiapro ( he precribed at the same time as the thyroid med)  I said I wanted to see how she reacted to one med at a time. ( I was alittle shocked he did not!)  anyway he asked her some questions and said it was to score how depressed she was from 0 - 80 / 80 needed to be hospitalized. she scored a 65.  after an hour he convinced me to put her on the Lexapro 5mg for the first week then 10 mgs after that.

Is this the normal forst time amounts? (5'5" / 128 lbs)

today was the first day - she took it in the AM ( big mistake) I should have read this website first!  I got a call from the school nurse who was postive she was on DRUGS! she had the shakes or chills like when you have fever - she fell asleep in class - and then her eyes would not respond correctly to the eye test the school nurse performed.  I picked her up went to the Drs - he said it was normal and would go away and to take it a t night ! ADVICE he should have given me at the time he gave me the sample! 

is it normal for others when they first started it?  also she is having diarreha.

I get so mad they are so quick to dispense the pills but it is up to us to fiqure out what the risk are.  I have no doubts that my daughter is depressed - but I think we should have let the thyroid hormones do thier job a few more months!  and he NEVER suggested counciling----I know now,,,,that my daughter had gone thru a womans worst nightmere when she was 14 - she never told anyone till this year - she has been depressed over it as long.... I think we need TALK therapy for sure - but I am afraid these drugs will start something we can get off ! 

sorry to rant

I am scared and not sure what is the best thnig to help my daughter!  any advice would be great!

Posted 2/14/2007 1:32 PM (GMT 0)
Are you working with a psychiatrist? Combining Lexapro with thyroid can increase the side effects of both. Also, antidepressants for teenagers is very unpredictable and they do not respond like adults do.

Therapy is always a good idea and you definitely should ask more questions. Hope your daughter feels better soon!

Let us know how things are going.
Posted 2/14/2007 3:52 PM (GMT 0)
I stayed up till 3 am doing internet research last night - and found the symptoms my daughter had were not NORMAL ..the chills and shakes, diarahhea, passing out , the pupils not responding correctly, etc...

These are all symptoms of Seratonin Syndrome - and could have been more serious like vomiting, coma and death!

we will not be taking them anymore until we find a different Dr.  the Dr now, is from a reghular Drs office - we actually went in for tonsilitius and we started talking about her lethargy low self esteem - etc and then he drew blood to do the thyroid test.

Thank you so much

do you think I should look for a Physciatrist?  

Posted 2/14/2007 5:17 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, I think you need to look for a psychiatrist.....and pronto. This is not good care and you need an expert.
Posted 2/14/2007 6:59 PM (GMT 0)
Frankly, I agree with your original decision to see first how your daughter reacted to the thyroid before adding the lexapro. Sadly, many docs just get angry when people don't do exactly as they say. Use your own common sense and trust your own observations. Having the thyroid taken care of just might take care of the depression and she really may not need an anti-depressant. Honestly, do you think she's so depressed that she may hurt herself? If so, then yes, find a psychiatrist to review the case as quickly as you can. So many people have odd reactions to SSRIs, and it may be that your daughter just flat doesn't need it.

As far as initial dosing of lexapro is concerned, your doc is better than most recommending beginning with 5mg. The 10 mg dosage is the typical starting dose. Neither me or my husband could tolerate taking it that fast. I did fine cutting the pill in half and starting with 5mg. Hubby had to cut them in quarters and increase by a quarter of a pill each week. We both had horrible gastro symptoms just jumping on board with 10 mg., but had very little trouble adding it slowly. By the time we reached 10 mg., the side effects went away and we're both much better. Hope this helps some, and best wishes for your daughter. :-)
Posted 2/16/2007 8:30 PM (GMT 0)
First your Dr. is an idiot, switch.

Second i doubt your daughter has serotonin syndrom as it is very rare. If she has very very fine tremors thats a definate way to tell of ss. Have her hold her hand out and the tremors should be barly noticable to confirm this.

Obiously somthing is wrong, most people become tierd for the first week or so as the brain adjust to the new chemical.*simalar to a low dose of valium*. What your daughter has happens to a decent amount of people as lexapro is one of the fastest acting and strongest ssri's out there. What you did by taking her off the drug is the best thing you can do right now, until you find a better doctor. Although i strongly reccomend a psychiatryst trained in this area. You would not go to a cancer doctor for a toothache.

Posted 2/16/2007 8:44 PM (GMT 0)

I don't know the syptoms pretty much sum it up - aside from the coma and death part... today is the first day she seems back to normal - she has been to week to do anythiung for three days! she said she felt in a zombie state....these drugs are scary stuff! and I have yet to read about someone who took them - got better and got off of them.....

Symptoms: euphoria, drowsiness, sustained rapid eye movement, overreaction of the reflexes, rapid muscle contraction and relaxation in the ankle causing abnormal movements of the foot, clumsiness, restlessness, feeling drunk and dizzy, muscle contraction and relaxation in the jaw, sweating, intoxication, muscle twitching, rigidity, high body temperature, mental status changes were frequent (including confusion and hypomania - a "happy drunk" state), shivering, diarrhea, loss of consciousness and death.

Posted 2/16/2007 9:37 PM (GMT 0)

mom2sadteen said...

I don't know the syptoms pretty much sum it up - aside from the coma and death part... today is the first day she seems back to normal - she has been to week to do anythiung for three days! she said she felt in a zombie state....these drugs are scary stuff! and I have yet to read about someone who took them - got better and got off of them.....

Symptoms: euphoria, drowsiness, sustained rapid eye movement, overreaction of the reflexes, rapid muscle contraction and relaxation in the ankle causing abnormal movements of the foot, clumsiness, restlessness, feeling drunk and dizzy, muscle contraction and relaxation in the jaw, sweating, intoxication, muscle twitching, rigidity, high body temperature, mental status changes were frequent (including confusion and hypomania - a "happy drunk" state), shivering, diarrhea, loss of consciousness and death.


The medicine was not for your daughter, but it does help alot of people.

Your docter is the person at fault. I can understand being a concerned mother about these afful side effects and you did th right thing by ceasing use. If she still has depression though it should be addressed, talk therapy is great if there is an actual problem not just a chemical issue. Buspar has helped alot of people who respond badly the SSRI drug class, basically it stimulates the neuron to make serotonin instead of blocking it from being re-absorbed.

Bottom line to restate; in my opinion i think you should find a good psychiatryst to address both the tramatic events that shes been through as well as possible safe drug treatments.

Posted 2/17/2007 1:01 AM (GMT 0)
I'm very glad to hear your daughter is feeling better with no medication! I think you received very poor advice and care from your doctor and if she starts to feel depressed again, you should seek a psychiatrist's opinion.

Antidepressants for children and teenagers is not a proven treatment. It is used for severe cases, but the clinical studies show kids do not respond to antidepressants well. Therapy is always recommended first.

Good luck and let us know how she does.
Posted 2/17/2007 8:30 PM (GMT 0)
I agree!   I am looking into finding her a good therapist and or a physc.   She is a little over the top right now! bouncing off the walls!

Posted 2/18/2007 1:44 AM (GMT 0)

mom2sadteen said...
I agree!   I am looking into finding her a good therapist and or a physc.   She is a little over the top right now! bouncing off the walls!


      You need to know there is a chance she is bipolar. SSRI's triggar manic episodes in bipolar disorder cases. When you say bouncing off the walls it could have been triggard from the lexapro. I took it for 7 days at 20mg  and did not sleep more then 5 hours in 4 days after i discountined it. Make sure you tell your psyc. or therapyst all the behaviorial issues including the hyperness. Unless you simply mean shes happy that your going to see another docter, then id consider everything.

Posted 2/19/2007 6:20 PM (GMT 0)

I am a mom who has dealt with my own depression and the depression of both of my teenagers.  I am living proof that depression can run in families and although one always needs to be careful with meds they are very helpful when used correctly.

I want to commend you for following your instincts about your daughter.  I have also encountered doctors who prescribe multiple measures and you are quite correct that you will not know what works if you start both things at the same time.  You will always know your daughter better than the doctor and when you know something is wrong, follow your instincts and your heart.  :-)

Posted 6/13/2007 9:09 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, mom!

I stumbled upon your post 'cause I was researching lexapro for a friend of mine who has gained SO much weight and is SO unhappy.

Right now, I am feeling for your daughter very much, mom. I was in her position when I was her age (severely depressed and low energy) and I SURELY WISH I had a mom like you in the picture. You're her saving grace, I assure you.

I, also, have a thyroid condition (hypo) and when I finally was diagnosed, it made all the difference in the world as far as my energy level and overall sense of well-being. Now, that wasn't the only problem. I was, also, finally diagnosed with bipolar disease when I was about 35 years old. This was after years and years of severe depression, manic episodes, getting fired from job after job (although, I maintained a really great one before 35 for about 16 years), crazy outbursts, downs that you wouldn't believe and ups that about drove me (and others) crazy-loony (but, were also productive).

I've been researching Armour and I'm planning on going on it soon, as I know that synthroid--alone--only targets T4...and T3 is the more potent hormone (which, is what Armour helps with).

I, also, commend you for taking your daughter off Lexapro!!! She is WAY too young for such a (terrible) drug and I sure wouldn't recommend Lex for anyone. Gads, bad, bad side effects and even worse withdrawals...(nearly killed my aged, senior citizen father). Stupid doctors!

I am currently taking (and am very much stabilized on) 600mg of Trileptal, 20mg Paxil, 150mg Trazadone (or less--just for nite sleeper). Docs have tried to switch me to other schtuff (Why, you ask? dunno...'cause they got new reps in with new drugs, I guess), but, with disastrous results. I'm happy with what I've been on and no side-effects as a result. You HAVE to listen to your own body and mind to tell you what's goin' on and what feels RIGHT, right? Kewl beans, eh?

Mom? Good lookin' after!

elly

(P.S. - MOM? Wonderin' if you have an email? I think mine is included, so, pleeez feel free to contact me if ya want to and we can chat a little more off-line, ok?)

:-)

Post Edited (ejbabe) : 6/13/2007 3:14:47 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/10/2007 9:20 PM (GMT 0)

manic depressive said...
First your Dr. is an idiot, switch.

Second i doubt your daughter has serotonin syndrom as it is very rare. If she has very very fine tremors thats a definate way to tell of ss. Have her hold her hand out and the tremors should be barly noticable to confirm this.

Obiously somthing is wrong, most people become tierd for the first week or so as the brain adjust to the new chemical.*simalar to a low dose of valium*. What your daughter has happens to a decent amount of people as lexapro is one of the fastest acting and strongest ssri's out there. What you did by taking her off the drug is the best thing you can do right now, until you find a better doctor. Although i strongly reccomend a psychiatryst trained in this area. You would not go to a cancer doctor for a toothache.

Hi ManicDepressive! Just as an fmi, what meds are you taking for your disorder? I was just given Zoloft for anxiety/OCD and am already on A low dose of Dexadrine for my mild ADD. I am absolutely PETRIFIED of gaining weight on any anti-depressant and have heard SO many stories of weight gain while on any of them.

How long have you been on your meds, and how did you go about get diagnosed with Bi-P? My best-friend is so much worse off than me, depression-wise, but she swings from energy like crazy to holing herself up in her "cave" and shutting eveyone out. She just doesn't want any weight on her chubby-tendancy body which she has worked very hard at slimming down to an hourglass, which I am so jealous of! I am a rectangle and have NO waist! Haha!

So, any info would be helpful since most of these meds treat a plethura of symptoms.

Posted 9/24/2007 2:26 AM (GMT 0)

Please check out the Pffifer Treatment Center, www.hriptc.org  in IL.  They have helped many people

with chemical imbalances.  I think this would be a much better alternative than lexipro.

Reason for edit:

I have corrected the web address so that it will now work as a link. (There was a comma at the end of the link which was stopping it working). Darren


Post Edited By Moderator (djdaz_1985) : 9/24/2007 4:46:03 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 11/23/2013 5:46 AM (GMT 0)
I hope your daughter feels better soon. And talk therapy is an amazing thing. I am a united state marine and I suffer from really bad PTSD, depression, TBI(traumatic brain injury), vitamin D deficiency, low testosterone, a chemical imbalance, and a bad shoulder injury that I'm constantly on pain meds for. And of course I take lexapro. I currently take 30mg a day along with several other meds. But starting at 5mg is a good place to start. As for the side effects. Some of them eventually go away like the zombi state of mind. I experienced that for the first couple weeks. And some of them stay with you. Such as the tremors. I can't even read a price of paper because my hands start to shake so bad. So I have to set it down to read it. But lexapro does help me quite a bit with depression and my chemical imbalance so I'm willing to deal with some of the side effects. But like I said the first few weeks it was really bad. So it all boils down to here deciding if the juice is worth the squeeze.
Posted 11/23/2013 11:40 AM (GMT 0)
Rlcrockett12,

This is a six year old thread, I don't know if you will get any responses. I suggest starting your own thread...

Welcome to the forum and have a great day!!!

Hugs, Karen...
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