CIPRALEX

[chant1965]

I started on 5 mg of Cipralex 2 months ago - then up to 10 mg and now I am on 15 mg (it has been 2 weeks).  I feel aweful - very dizzy, confused, heavyness over eyes, bad eyesight, sensitive hearing.  Actually many of these symptoms I had before starting Cipralex - my doctor thought Cipralex would help.  I also have a history of complicated migraine, I have not taken Sibelium since December 2008.  I am wondering if maybe the symptoms I am experiencing are migraine related - and therefore Cipralex is not the answer.  Should I be restarted on Sibelium?

[Jaquta]

It sounds like they may be symptoms of migraine (although a lay person can't really differentiate between the two).
Migraines can be brought on by stress and anxiety.  Anxiety could account for some of the symptoms too.
My therapist said anxiety can cause hyperacuity (sensitivity to noise, etc).  Migraines can cause that too though.

It would probably be a good idea to discuss your symptoms and concerns with your doctor.  Addressing the possibility of migraines would also be a good start.

[Jaquta]

You may need to ask a separate question if you want a response from the doctor.
Sometimes he's extremely generous though and will respond.
Some medications are said to take up to six weeks before they work.  It may take a while for you to feel 100% again.
I think you should speak to your doctor again.  It's possible the medication may need adjusting.  ?Different med.  ?Different dose.
Psychotherapy is also another option you may like to consider.  This is usually very effective and beneficial.

[sultan16]

Hi,
I am a 26 year male. And for about 2 years, I was feeling like my mind wasnt there and I couldnt process any information or feel any happiness, sadness, excitement or any other feeling. It was as if my mind had shrunk or had been stolen. I lost interest inall activities, even at work, I didnt know what I was doing, just surviving day in and day out.
About a month ago, I went to a psychiatrist and she wondered why I hadnt been properly diagnosed before, and I told her, I really didnt know what was going on inside me. So I started on 10mg cipralex and worked to 15mg. I have started to feel some improvement in terms of emotions but am still lacking concentration and intelligence and awareness. Still not a lot of desire to do things, but rather feeling anxious. It has been 1 month, so my question is, how long before I really feel 100%. I am 26, so I should be out there enjoying life and being creative, but cant seem to do so.

Please Help!
A Concerned Person

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

It sounds to me as if you are just hoping for a simple answer, but you don't have a clear diagnosis and therefore it would be premature to look for a medication.  One way to sort this out is to go off of all medications and see what happens , and then make a clear diagnosis before you start treatment...ask your doctor about that approach.

[Paxiled]

I'm confused -- were you suffering anxiety or depression, or just migraines?  Migraines are a vascular headache, and ssris don't treat that.  While migraines have been linked to stress, an ssri seems a strange way to treat it.  Personally, a doctor prescribed meditation to me for migraines thirty years ago, and I've had three since.  Meaning, there's a lot of ways to treat stress that are a lot less intensive than putting you on an ssri, which have as a common side effect headaches.  Unless you were also suffering severe depression or anxiety as well.  Just my thought; perhaps the doctor will have a better answer.  Another commonly used technique for migraines is biofeedback, which helps train you how to elevate the temperature in your hands and therefore relieve the constriction in the blood vessels that cause migraines.