Here comes Lexapro .......

   After seeing my psychologist last Saturday, and telling him that "I think I need some med help for my depression that comes and goes"! I have taken many meds before - but not for depression. It's a new ballgame for me.

   I'm going thru some trying times with several cancer meds that no longer work ... along with a handful of other medical and emotional obstacles that are coming to a point now. So ... the psychologist agreed that I probably should, and his recommendation was to go on Lexapro -20mg.

   I will be seeing my Primary today and will ask him for a prescription for it ... or for the generic that my psychologist stated. Now, before I can start taking the Lexapro, I need to check with my Oncologist to clear it with him or his Nurse Practitioner since I'm starting a new chemotherapy this Friday.

   But ...... would appreciate any comments or thoughts of those who may have used Lexapro - and if there were any side effects. There are many side effects with the chemo - so I need to do something of a balancing act on the meds.

   Thanks ... in advance!

Rob .......... with Gizzy by his side.

   I just noticed this morning that there are two other threads very similar to this one ... missed them yesterday I guess.

   Thanks for your input ... and thanks Carl for your lengthy reply by e-mail last night.

   I briefly read the latest thread written about 2.5mg Lexapro. I have to say, it does scare me a bit to be on it while I'm on some of the other things that are necessary - and that was a 20mg dose.

   When I go in Friday to start my latest chemo, I'll check with the Nurse Practitioner. Besides the chemo, I will be getting injections for temporary easing of nausea ... and then taking a pill/capsule for the nausea and another one that is similar to Prednisone as a part of the cancer treatment.

   And the biggest thing to me ......... is my horrible lack of motivation. It's bad. I can't allow it to get worse. It is soooo important to my personal sense of purpose.

   I actually got a little excited last night thinking about all the tihings that may start next week. I used to religiously fill-out a computer-generated calendar when working ... and looking ahead for at least three weeks ... putting in targets for doing ths and that ... by then. For most of the past two years, the thought of that has disgusted me.

   I actually may need to do it again with so many possible things happening - virtually all medically related. So I do need ENERGY ... and anything that may zap that from me, I have to back away from.

   I don't know ... whether the Lexapro would do that or not. I have a little time though to make that decision.

Thanks again ........ Rob

Gizzy's asleep!

   Thanks to both of you for your suggestions and descriptions. Carl ... as far as side effects are concerned (from for first reply) ... I am fully prepared for "a partridge in a pear tree". I would dearly like to avoid "insomnia". And I'm not sure what to think about "anorgasmia"! Hmmm!

   Yesterday morning, before the chemo started, I had a lengthy meeting with my Nurse Practitioner. First, she said that Lexapro would not be a problem with any of the meds I'm taking now or expect to take soon (like one for nausea). Then, she mentioned that ... that is the anti-depressant that their office recommends when asked by any of their cancer patients.

   So, all things considered, it certainly sounds like it's worth the try. I'm hoping that the group excercise sessions (should be starting next Wednesday) itself will help a little for the energy needs. Let's face it, I'm not going to be working out to compete in some athletic thing. It's minimal physical pushing in the beginning ... and very slowly increasing the reps and/or tension on the machines.

   I may wait a day or two before starting. I want to see if the my side effects increase with the chemo first. I just got an appointment with my psychologist again for this coming Monday - so I may wait until after meeting with him.

   Again - thanks for your help. I'll be glad to periodically post progress and/or side effects on this thread.

Rob ............ Giz too.

P.S. - will be getting my current PSA reading by Monday. I'm prepared for bad news there .. but then, that's why I'm doing all this s**t isn't it! I could not do this if I had to work a 40 to 50-hour work week too!!!!

   I will be able to get into see my psychologist this afternoon - because of someone elses cancelled appointment. I have some key areas to go over with him .... then .... will get the Lexapro.

   Some things are moving along right now .... just hope it keeps that way. Thanks ... to you and to Carl.

R & G

   I ordered my Lexapro this morning ... will pick it up soon ... will try to remember to ask the pharmacist if it's OK taking it a night ... then start tonight!

   Da ... da !!!!

R&G

   What they gave me was the generic for Lexapro ... and it does at least imply that the energy level may be increased somewhat. Good enough for me .... not in the evening!!!!!

   For some unknown reason though songs are already going thru my mind like "Money" and "Wish You Were Here" .... hmmmm!!!! I better hide all my Jan Hammer too - especially the "Miami Vice" stuff. All I can picture is a dark blue Ferrari GTO Spyder running down the streets of Miami at night! What a car!!!!!! 

   You know, when we lived in Florida in the 80's .... I even had a light cream colored sport coat with a couple of bright colored t-shirts. Oh geez ........... !!!!!

   Hey ....... enough for down memory lane. You guys have a good day tomorrow. I may not get on HW. No ....... not the Lexapro or searching for the Don Johnson clothing. I have my first Reiki treatment in the morning and at just after noon go for my first exercise session in over a year. Then at night, I have my first "Men with Cancer" support and discussion group meeting. Busy day!!!

   Should do a brief check-in in the morning though.  

   Seeya ............. Rob

   It was Tubbs and Crocket ... but almost as important were some of the absolute coolest autos on the planet ... as well as driving scenes, cigar boats, music by Phil Collins to some degree and by the little known Jan Hammer for most of the other music. What a genious was he!!~!!!

   Of course, the colorful lightweight clothing and some of the coolest buildings in Dade County were featured. Who can forget the pet alligator on the sailboat? And about the drugs .... well we can't talk about those!!!

   I still vividly remember one episode where their Leutenant, maybe named Castille, had the primary roll in a safe house guarding a lady and her son (I think), probably from the Columbian mob, and he cut down three dudes with his Japanese sword. Intense!!!

   Later years of course, Edward James Olmos became a bit of star in movies and one TV program.

   Crocket found his way around many movies later ... but whtever happened to Tubbs????

   See Carl, I got my mind totally off of Pink Who!!!!!

   Yesterday, I started the Lexapro generic ... took one about 11:30am. It seems like I did not run out of energy during the day ... but I would guess that it's far, far too soon to evaluate.

   R & G

   Why in the world did they have to name that tropical storm/hurricane after you? How cruel ......... or are you a little stormy!!!!!!

(kidding of course)

   It is my third day on the generic Lexapro, and I met with my Nurse Practitioner this morning to review all side effects of the chemo to date and for blood tests and analysis.

   Everything seems to be OK. The blood tests were better than I expected and that mostly relates to the white count, the hemoglobin and the platlette count. The white count was a little low and the hemoglobin was just barely below normal. The platlette count was good ....... so the reward - don't have to go back in for a blood test for two weeks now. Surprising to me!!!!

   Yep .... I do kind of miss Miami Vice. There is a local cable channel that has re-runs of that tv show. I watched a couple ... but it seems either a bit dated now - or for some reason just not the same.

   And yes .... Don Johnson was his name and I'm sure that's how it was spelled. I watched a very old movie of his called "A Boy and his Dog" and it was a bit off the wall. He must have been about 20 when it was made, and it's about a post-apocalyptic world ... and an adventure with him and his dog.

   Oooooo ..... thank God that Gizzy and I don't have to go thru that kind of a life. Even when I was 20, if I can remember that far back, and Gizzy was just a gleem in one Samoyed's eye.

   Well ..... hope jazzy's leg is better ...... keep smiling ... even with the rain! Happy tv re-runs.

Rob

   Very glad for your hubby's success ... although I feel for his radical prostatectomy. And thanks for your wishes. However, my prostate cancer had metastisized two years ago ... and grew and crept into my liver and a barely into my rib cage. It's also headed for a lymph node. But it is what it is!!!

   As I had stated in the daily thread today ..... glad to hear about the TS and not a direct hit of a hurricane. And about my 27 to 24 prediction of the game this Sunday ..... that's only if there aren't any significant turnovers. I have the tv on in the background, and they are talking about when "the Saints come Marching In"!

   There has been a lot of radio and tv play leading up to this game. The Bears coaching staff is new this year ... and so is the offensive theories. The offensive line has 4 new starters and a new tight end. It is new but it's coming. It will be very much like the Saints offense if they play well.

   The defense, first time in years, is troublesome ... no defensive line pressure as in the past. The Saints deserve a lot of credit for improving their defense this year ...... and their offense has just been one of the best for years now.

   It's likely to be a tough game .... should be a good game .... could have tons of offense if both teams are clicking.

Have a good week-end

Rob ..... and Gizzy

   First - thank you for your response and thoughts. I, myself, have been on three other forums with HW - although most of my time is spent on the Depression Forum.

   I think that the 20mg start should be fine because it was recommended by my psychologist, ordered by my primary and blessed by my oncologist. I have some optimism with Lexapro, and this morning my oncology Nurse Practitioner did say sometimes a slight increase of energy can be felt very soon after taking it.

   Of course, we all react slightly different to most any medication ... so nothing is "for sure"!!!

   I am glad that Lexapro or it's generic has been very favorable for you. It's good to hear when medication does what it's supposed to do. I am having a slightly difficult time with the side effects of the chemo ... so whether or not the Lexapro has side effects is kind of immaterial right now.

   Thanks again ........... and could it be that with a name like FusionGirl you do remember Jan Hammer????

Note .... some of us (Carl a lot) like to play with words especially when it's funny.

Rob and Gizzy

Gizzy is my best friend and is 4-legged. No .... not a freak. But he does have a curly tail, sheds some and has a wet nose ... oh and he barks or sometimes howls!

   You're getting me in the mood to reminisce ..... or is it the Lexapro!!!!!

Anyhow ....... I never did watch Dexter. I don't have any of the premium channels. And I have'nt had HBO (The Sopranos) for close to ten years. And I have to admit that the old series "Sex and the City" was one of my favorites on tv ...... and before that, at the time my divorce was going on, "Dream On" was great but lasted barely three seasons in the early 90's.

   Now ..... trust me ..... I'm not the old foggey type ..... but I do not have a cell phone. They are so freakin small. I did buy one and had service for two years a few years ago when I bought a small motorcycle (for fun). It made sense to me, if I was 5-miles into nowhere and blew a tire ... what the heck was I going to do! The cell phone made sense.

   But 20-months ago, when I was transferred from the hospital to a rehab facility (for kidney failure) ... the cell phone (and wallet with credit cards) was stolen my first night in rehab. And since I went down with the cycle in the first few weeks I had it .... traded it in on a mid-weight motorscooter, I figured "who needs the phone"! I never (except once) go over 50mph in the "scoot" and usually it's suburban cruising less than 5-miles from my house.

   Geez ........ that was a long cell phone story.

   Sorry about your rain ....... looks like a new storm is coming here from Wyoming/Nebraska area. Yep, just heard on the tv we're getting it about 2pm tomorrow ... heavy thunderstorms with winds to 50mph. Great!!!

   Wine making ..... how cool is that! Again reminiscing .... my grandmother used to make cherry wine - from the two cherry trees she had in her yard. I was a kid - didn't get to taste it. But the past few years, I have gone to a local winery that makes there own ... and have tried their Blackberry wine and their Christmas Red - that is supposed to be heated and has some cinnamon in it.

   God ...... I feel like a drink!!!!!!

   I've got a 32.8 ounce water in the freezer. I guess that's it for tonight.

   Thanks Karen .... it's always nice to briefly go into the past for good memories. Stay dry and have some fun ..... shame on jazzy for backing away from a kitty!

Rob and Gizzy