Not So Fast-Lexapro not that easy to get off of

I thought I could do it.. I had gone from 20 mgs a day to 15 mgs a day for about the last 7 days. Wow... I can NOT believe that 5 mgs would make that big of a difference. It started about 2 days ago, I have been so edgy and angry about anything... That's not me-I could not figure out why I was feeling like this. Then, I realized that my personality was getting angry and I was simply not happy and in a bad mood.

I took my meds today and then actually ended up taking an additional 10 mg pill bringing me to 25 mgs today. I feel 1000% better! Go figure! I just don't think the timing is right now to try and get off this drug during the Christmas season. It's stressful enough!

I went to the club today to try and chill out and took at hot sauna for 20 minutes and it's relaxing. I just hate being short-tempered and my kids and wife don't like that side of me either. Nor do I like it either. So, after taking the additional medication, I am feeling much happier and less stressed out.

Have a great day!

Oh yah... watched Kevin at the Champions center today on TV, great message about wearing the "armor" of GOD.

Saturday Morning... Kind of Chilly out there

I just got back from playing my usual Saturday 0700am doubles and I am waiting for a lady to come by at 10:00am to pick up my Keurig coffee maker. It turns out that my wife wants some of her counter space back. So, we have to get rid of one machine and she has hers and I have mine. I had bought the Keurig for my early Tues/Thursday 5:30am tennis. I wasn't quite awake for my usual 3 shots when I made my Cappuccino with my La Piccola machine. This is a great machine!

I am still wishing I could somehow get a small scooter, but with Christmas around the corner, it's a tough sell around here. But... it's fun to be looking around. I really need to try and find one that I can NOT ride on the highway as it's just too dangerous and granted it's appealing, I had to sell my last 2 bikes because my family didn't want me riding on the highway.

Our dog Tilly is really growing into a big dog. She's a Golden Doodle and likes to chew on everything-including the carpet where out old cat left off tearing up. I need hardwood floors now!!!!

I have been really liking my new "surround sound" set up. Wow.. you should check out Fluance.com and see for yourself, a $199.00 package is great. And, check out HSU Research as well for the sub. I got the STF-2 sub woofer.

I can't believe next week is Thanksgiving. I am so thankful for what GOD has given me, my family, friend, job and being able to play tennis. I am so grate full.

I think we are going to watch a football game today and it's about a 2 hour road trip... So, I need to get ready for the day.

The joys of Lexapro-Trying to get off this stuff

Well,

I am trying to get off the drug called Lexapro . I was originally prescribed it at Stanford when I went there for my claudication symptoms in my legs. After going to Standford and determining that my symptoms for my ache calves would go away, they decided that I was just a little depressed. Actually, I had never been depressed to my knowledge ever..... However, a majority of the patients who have open heart surgery, not to mention aortic dissection surgery, do have some issues with depression if they are lucky enough to make it out of the surgery.

That was back in early 2004 when I was first prescribed Lexapro. I think I started out at 10mgs a day and then soon over the years migrated up to 20 mgs. About 6 months ago, I had not been the best at taking all my Blood Pressure medications daily. After meeting with my cardiologist, Dr. Alex Sytman, he said that I would have to go on more BP meds if I didn't get my BP down. I was on average taking my medications about every 4 days. So, in order to have to take more meds, I started taking them religiously. My blood pressure has gone down and the side effects are absolutely no desire for any sexual activity. Period. Zero, Ziltch, Nada.

So, I spoke to Dr. Liang and he mentioned that I could get off the drug , but it would take a while. He said around 6 months. I met with my general physician, Dr. Steve Stukovsky on the 13th of November and he gave me a slightly more aggressive plan (around 3 months) to try. I started already and I am on my 3rd day with taking 15 mgs a day versus 20. I will keep you posted on my progress. It's also a very expensive drug to take because there's really no "generic" for it due to it's patent on the drug. However, I believe that ends within a few years. Regardless, I am wanting to just get off it completely and try to get back to feeling normal. It's also caused me to gain about 10 lbs back too! I have made a commitment to try and get back down to under 200 lbs. I am right now at 215.

Have a great day......
Brian

Got my eye on a scooter

Hi,

I am deciding whether or not I can get a scooter. I had 2 motorcycles before, but my family frowned on my riding on the highway. I can completely agree with them. I am just looking for something to putt around with on a nice sunny day for a 15 minute ride and then park it. I am looking at a 2006 Vespa. I am hoping that I can work something out.

Busy day at work today. I was head down all day with various projects. Now that we are an official CLEC, the local services side of the house is an entirely new ball game and very complicated. I think people take for granted just how great it is to have local phone service and what's entailed to get it.

Got another busy day tomorrow.... Early 5:30am doubles tennis too! I can't believe it but I am playing the best tennis of my life at 47!!! Oh.. almost forgot, I got my new speakers today. A company called FLUANCE. They are out of Canada and for $199.00 they have a screaming deal on a surround sound set up. It doesn't include a sub, but... you can get one of them from HSU research and you are set.

Need to get my Lexapro pills tomorrow as I am out.... I can't wait to get off of them.

Brian

Good Friends....and some tennis this morning

I played some singles this morning with one of my best friends. It was so enjoyable as we both reflected on how tennis is such a great game in life and a game that can help you in every avenue in life.

The amazing thing is that I am playing the best tennis of my life at 47 years of age and having suffered an aortic dissection on 8/22/2003.

My other goal is to get off this Lexapro crap. I have been taking 20mgs for almost 6 years now and I want off of it. My friend from Stanford has given me a "game plan" on how to weed myself off of it.

I am watching the Seahawks agains the Detroit Lions. It's a 4 point game now and the 3rd quarter is going to be starting soon!

I am interested in finding me a small scooter to cruize around on every now and then. I know that I can't get another motorcycle as my family doesn't want me on the highway.

My new surround system is comging this week and I am excited to try it out.

Have a great day!

Brian

Another "Declined" Life Insurance Policy

Wow! I can not believe that I have had MetLife,Aflac and now (just received in the mail on Friday), the DECLINE of service from Banner Lilfe Insurance Company. Reason-your aortic dissection history. BS! It's been 6 years now and I have not had one issue with anything. My BP is under control, I am playing the best tennis of my life and my latest CT/Angio shows still not growth on my aorta. I am completely at a lost!

There's one small possibility, I still have a $70K policy with UNUM via my old employer MCI Telecom. And, I have an 80K through UNUM with my former employee Verizon. I am trying to see if I can upgrade my old MCI to 100K and I will let you know. Update.. I also just found a site where they specialize in "high risk" folks and I sent them an email for help.

I played the best tennis match of my life since my open heart surgery on 8/22/03. I was able to finally beat Jack two straight sets. I played extremely well and had a ton of confidence and was so excited and proud of myself for continuing to stick with it and to keep coming back fighting to find a way to win.

It's definitely fall and the leaves are sure pretty! Have a great day!
Brian

Kiss comes to our house for Halloween! Not quite!

My kids and their cousins formed the newest version of KISS! I think they will give the real KISS a run for their money! They had a blast dressing up like the band. It just goes to show you how creative some kids can be for Halloween!

We had over 100 kids come to our doors last night! Granted, it rained partially, but I think it was a great turn out.

We watched some old videos today of when Owen was born and the Olivia show.. Brings back great memories!

Go Seahawks... I hope the beat Dallas today!

Brian