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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by johnny b good on October 9, 2003, at 22:29:38
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? » johnny b good, posted by madwand on October 7, 2003, at 13:26:44
> Johnny,
> Welcome! We are at similar stages, both in Lexapro and recovery. I just celebrated 11 years in August and was at 10mg Lexapro for 4 weeks, then 15mg for 2 weeks, and now to 20mg.
> Have you explored the Substance Abuse sub-board yet? It appears that quite a few of us have made the medication "jump" a ways down the road in sobriety. I had a sense early on that it would be a good step, but got warded off by some of the traditional 12-Step resistance to medications.
> And yes, the spiritual coping skills do help. To be honest, one reason I avoided medication for so long was that I did reasonably well with the coping skills and didn't want people to look at that and say, "oh, it was just the medication". Talk about ego!
> What I have concluded is that the coping skills teach us how to walk up the mountain. The medications simply help eliminate the refrigerator (or at least make it lighter) that some of us have to carry up the mountain. And of course (not that I would encourage anyone to "wait" for this reason) carrying that refrigerator around for a few years does build some spiritual muscles.
> And this is definitely a good place for medication support. I never would have believed how many different reactions people can have to different things.
> Keep Coming Back!
>
> MichaelMichael yes I can relate to all you say. I was in turmoil for a long time after sobering up because of the traditions of A/A. But pain won out in my case. There was just no real peace in my life and I was working my program to the max. I was introduced to anti-depressants and discovered I did not have to live in constant agony. Drinking again was not an option for me. I don't think I had another sobering up effort left after the initial one. I was pretty much spent. Oops I need to change the subject or get redirected. But it all ties in together. This is day 48 on Lex and I have been at 20mgs for about 2 weeks. I had a wicked day today for anxiety probably because of lack of sleep. I hope it kicks in soon as the coping skills can only carry me so far. I am hoping for the best and keeping my chin up as it may be right around the corner. See ya'll down the road.
Posted by Mariposa on October 10, 2003, at 11:50:37
In reply to Crossing my fingers!!, posted by Peter on October 9, 2003, at 19:38:45
> I posted a new thread yesterday in the general area, and then realized it would be good to also post within the ongoing lex thread.
> Here's the deal:
> Day 34 total lexapro, day 28 on 10mg (I started with 5mg the first 6 days). Everytime I thought it was beginning to kick-in, I'd feel like crap again. I've taken every other SSRI, with varying degrees of success, and also a plethora of other meds and med combos over the last 8 years. I spoke with my pdoc yesterday about the fact that I felt really bad all the time, unable to wake up, sleeping thru my alarm, irrtable and depressed all day, unresponsive to anything or anyone around me, numb and dull, etc. He said that it seemed as if I wasn't responding well to the lex - that it was both activating me (thus the irritability) and 'flattening' my mood (thus the continued depression and apathy). He suggested that I begin to taper the med and that we move toward my trying a med from the only class I haven't yet tried - the MAOIS. I've been considering them for years, and I'm probably a good candidate considering my history. But I am so sick of going from one med cocktail to the next; also, I've come this far already on the lex (and it hasn't been easy), and I've read so much about people feeling NOTHING on 10mg until week 7, 8, or even 9, and then it kicks in and it's well worth the wait. I just don't want to stop prematurely. So I made a resolution last night that I would stick with it another week or two instead of tapering it right now. I also decided that I would put a little more effort in to increase the chances of my responding well to the lex. What I mean by this is the following: I find that a lot of my lack of response has had to do with my
> not 'allowing' the lex to work, so to speak; it's almost as if I've been thinking so pessimistically about the med and SSRI's in general, that I've been psychosomatically hindering its benefits. Today, I felt that my acceptance and resolution to stick with the lex and do what I can do -
> both physically (getting my sleep/wake cycles back on track, exercising) and mentally (not letting my pessimism get the best of me) - seemed to help me benefit more from
> the lex; I just have a feeling that it might be beginning to work (fingers crossed). I awoke with more energy today, and felt better in the afternoon than I have in a long time. Of course, it's not all about my shift in attitude and resolve; the action of the lex itself is helping me to HAVE a more positive, optimistic outlook on my responding well to it. So it might very well be that my own efforts +the therapeutic actions of the lex are beginning to work together to my benefit. I hope this makes sense. Does it? Cause I sort of feel like I'm not making any sense at all! Regardless, I hope my better mood today is the lex kicking in and not just another 'false alarm'! I really would prefer to not go on another 'med-roller-coaster' at this point. And my doc agreed that I stick with the lex another week or two, saying that my more positive outlook and decision to 'allow' the med to work will make me all the more liable to respond well to it. So, of course a positive response to the lex would be mostly due to the pharmacological actions of the drug and the balancing out of the NT's in my brain, but in my case it looks like some of it has to do with my cooperating with the process and doing what I can to allow it to work . All right, now I think I'm just further convoluting what was already pretty convoluted in the first place. Sorry! Is there any sense in what I'm saying?
> thanks,
> Peter
>
reading your post it sounds just like me at about the same time.....got very depressed about the whole situation and just wanted to quit because i was *sure* lex wasn't going to work. my pdoc raised my dose from 5mg to 10mg around week 5, and i hung in there with encouragement from this board and things DID get better. just give it a little more time and try to think positive thoughts.... the *lights didn't come on* for me until week 9, hopefully it won't be so long for you.keep us posted on your progerss and best of luck~~~8|8
Posted by dutch on October 10, 2003, at 12:32:33
In reply to Re: Crossing my fingers!! » Peter , posted by Mariposa on October 10, 2003, at 11:50:37
i have been on lexapro 15 mg day for 6 months now. i can't remember anything! i grind my teeth at night, even tho i sleep really well for the first time in years. i have also gained a steady 5 lbs a month since taking this medication. my new psych says these problems are not side effects of this medication, but i am not sure. any ideas or similar experiences?
Posted by ginger C on October 10, 2003, at 12:50:24
In reply to Re: Crossing my fingers!!, posted by dutch on October 10, 2003, at 12:32:33
I am taking Lexapro and have been for almost a year. I find myself biting my tongue and grinding my teeth. I talked to my doc about this and she seems to think it is the Geodon doing it not the Lexapro but I did not start doing this until I started the Lex. I was taking 20mg but I got a little manic so she dropped me down to 10mg even this did not seem to help much.
Posted by Peter on October 10, 2003, at 12:51:55
In reply to Re: Crossing my fingers!!, posted by dutch on October 10, 2003, at 12:32:33
I'm taking it for depression and social anxiety. Anyone have success with lex for the latter? How about compared to other SSRI's?
Posted by dutch on October 10, 2003, at 12:54:33
In reply to Re: Crossing my fingers!!, posted by ginger C on October 10, 2003, at 12:50:24
that is so weird! i am sitting here biting my tounge right now and didn't even realize it!
Posted by ginger C on October 10, 2003, at 12:58:38
In reply to Re: Crossing my fingers!!, posted by dutch on October 10, 2003, at 12:54:33
It is hard to stop it even when you think about it really hard. You may stop for a few seconds but as soon as you stop thinking about it you start doing it again. My tongue is raw from where I do it all the time.
Posted by dutch on October 10, 2003, at 13:00:12
In reply to Re: Crossing my fingers!!, posted by ginger C on October 10, 2003, at 12:58:38
ginger that is so sad! it is strange, i FEEL better, but am i DOING better? i dunno.
Posted by ginger C on October 10, 2003, at 13:23:57
In reply to Re: Crossing my fingers!!, posted by dutch on October 10, 2003, at 13:00:12
Even though I am having these side effects it is still worth it because I have felt so much better as far as my depression goes. I figure a few side effects are worth not having the depression.
Posted by dutch on October 10, 2003, at 13:34:20
In reply to Re: Crossing my fingers!!, posted by ginger C on October 10, 2003, at 13:23:57
i have agreed with you up until now. i feel great, but can't function normally in my job, etc. because i forget everything immediately. even if i write it down i forget what i was going to write, or my notes do not make any sense. it is so frustrating as my dr says i am imagining it.
Posted by ginger C on October 10, 2003, at 13:53:55
In reply to Re: Crossing my fingers!!, posted by dutch on October 10, 2003, at 13:34:20
No I don't think you are immagining it because I have the same problem at times. I have had ECT and everyone thinks that it has caused the problem but I think a lot of it is the medication because it was happening to some extent before I had ECT.
Posted by galkeepinon on October 10, 2003, at 14:19:10
In reply to Re: Crossing my fingers!!, posted by dutch on October 10, 2003, at 12:32:33
>>>>>i grind my teeth at night, even tho i sleep really well for the first time in years.
I grinded my teeth and clenched my jaw in the early days of starting Lexapro. I still clench my jaw at times, but not as much and I catch myself to stop it. The grinding has passed , I hope it does for you too:-)
>>>>>i have also gained a steady 5 lbs a month since taking this medication. my new psych says these problems are not side effects of this medication, but i am not sure.
I hear you!! I have gained about a steady 6 pounds since starting this med. Some psychiatrists have said 'it's not from the med' about most of the meds I have been on concerning any bad side effects I have gotten. Sometimes they don't know, they're not perfect, but a good one will work with your concerns.
Weight gain for me happened on Prozac when I took it, and I think it could be that the anti-depressants make one feel better, thus, increasing one's appetite, due to being poor in the first place, due to being depressed.
But also, I really think these meds have a direct impact on our metabolisms, that's just my opinion though.>>>>>any ideas or similar experiences?
Hope this helped,
Hang in there, Lexapro has really helpled me, I wish you the best,
Kristen
Posted by cmonfo on October 10, 2003, at 14:38:05
In reply to anyone taking lex for social anxiety?, posted by Peter on October 10, 2003, at 12:51:55
in my oppinion... lexapro is poison. the risks, no matter how rare are not worth it... personaly i dunlike getting Serotonin syndrome from one pill.. especialy since i didn't make the stupid mistake of taking ecstacy or any of that other stupid crud that usualy cause such a horribal reaction.
Posted by BridgetteK on October 10, 2003, at 15:06:44
In reply to Re: Crossing my fingers!!, posted by ginger C on October 10, 2003, at 13:53:55
Hello, I had the same problem with forgetting everything. I was on Lex for about 2 months and o man it got me into trouble. Besides gaining weight i'd forget everything and when it came to money it was really bad, I would forget how much my husband and I had in our account and I would assume we had the money in there to cover bill's etc.. but we wouldn't and I would over spend big time. I had to stop taking the Lex. because of this problem. But it did help w/ my anxiety and my depression...
Posted by eebeshy on October 10, 2003, at 15:22:07
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
Oops, sorry I'm new at this!!! Hi, I'm taking Lexapro @ 15mg a day (been 3-4 months now) and my Dr. started me on Wellbutrin (100mg) a week ago because although I was still able to get out of bed in the morning to go to work, I was still feeling low all the time all I wanted to do was sleep. Been battling depression now for over 12 years (mental illness runs bigtime in my family). I started feeling better right away, but I've had trouble sleeping at night. I put in a call to my Dr. and he said that low a dosage shouldn't be a problem. Anyone have any suggestions? I also take Klonopin....maybe should I take one right before going to bed? BTW, reading everyone's comments has made me feel better about the whole depression issue. Thanks!
eebeshy
Posted by Esmarelda on October 10, 2003, at 15:22:56
In reply to Crossing my fingers!!, posted by Peter on October 9, 2003, at 19:38:45
I wish you the best of luck. There will probably be a few "down" days even when you begin to feel the effect. It took at least 5-8 weeks for it to work on me. And, then I felt really tired for about another month or maybe more, but I do think it's benefits are really good. I will say a prayer for you!
Posted by Peter on October 10, 2003, at 15:32:58
In reply to Re: Crossing my fingers!!, posted by Esmarelda on October 10, 2003, at 15:22:56
> I wish you the best of luck. There will probably be a few "down" days even when you begin to feel the effect. It took at least 5-8 weeks for it to work on me. And, then I felt really tired for about another month or maybe more, but I do think it's benefits are really good. I will say a prayer for you!
>>How refreshing to hear something POSITIVE. Thank you(o:
Posted by dutch on October 10, 2003, at 15:41:39
In reply to Re: dutch » dutch, posted by galkeepinon on October 10, 2003, at 14:19:10
thanks kristen :) i really have lost hope for side effect improvement, as i have been on the med for 6 months now. in the last month or two, the memory loss thing has really gotten to me. i am tired of it but i do feel a heck of a lot better overall. i guess i have to learn to live with mild altzheimers basically.
Posted by Arrianna on October 10, 2003, at 17:57:58
In reply to Crossing my fingers!!, posted by Peter on October 9, 2003, at 19:38:45
> I posted a new thread yesterday in the general area, and then realized it would be good to also post within the ongoing lex thread.
> Here's the deal:
> Day 34 total lexapro, day 28 on 10mg (I started with 5mg the first 6 days). Everytime I thought it was beginning to kick-in, I'd feel like crap again. I've taken every other SSRI, with varying degrees of success, and also a plethora of other meds and med combos over the last 8 years. I spoke with my pdoc yesterday about the fact that I felt really bad all the time, unable to wake up, sleeping thru my alarm, irrtable and depressed all day, unresponsive to anything or anyone around me, numb and dull, etc. He said that it seemed as if I wasn't responding well to the lex - that it was both activating me (thus the irritability) and 'flattening' my mood (thus the continued depression and apathy). He suggested that I begin to taper the med and that we move toward my trying a med from the only class I haven't yet tried - the MAOIS. I've been considering them for years, and I'm probably a good candidate considering my history. But I am so sick of going from one med cocktail to the next; also, I've come this far already on the lex (and it hasn't been easy), and I've read so much about people feeling NOTHING on 10mg until week 7, 8, or even 9, and then it kicks in and it's well worth the wait. I just don't want to stop prematurely. So I made a resolution last night that I would stick with it another week or two instead of tapering it right now. I also decided that I would put a little more effort in to increase the chances of my responding well to the lex. What I mean by this is the following: I find that a lot of my lack of response has had to do with my
> not 'allowing' the lex to work, so to speak; it's almost as if I've been thinking so pessimistically about the med and SSRI's in general, that I've been psychosomatically hindering its benefits. Today, I felt that my acceptance and resolution to stick with the lex and do what I can do -
> both physically (getting my sleep/wake cycles back on track, exercising) and mentally (not letting my pessimism get the best of me) - seemed to help me benefit more from
> the lex; I just have a feeling that it might be beginning to work (fingers crossed). I awoke with more energy today, and felt better in the afternoon than I have in a long time. Of course, it's not all about my shift in attitude and resolve; the action of the lex itself is helping me to HAVE a more positive, optimistic outlook on my responding well to it. So it might very well be that my own efforts +the therapeutic actions of the lex are beginning to work together to my benefit. I hope this makes sense. Does it? Cause I sort of feel like I'm not making any sense at all! Regardless, I hope my better mood today is the lex kicking in and not just another 'false alarm'! I really would prefer to not go on another 'med-roller-coaster' at this point. And my doc agreed that I stick with the lex another week or two, saying that my more positive outlook and decision to 'allow' the med to work will make me all the more liable to respond well to it. So, of course a positive response to the lex would be mostly due to the pharmacological actions of the drug and the balancing out of the NT's in my brain, but in my case it looks like some of it has to do with my cooperating with the process and doing what I can to allow it to work . All right, now I think I'm just further convoluting what was already pretty convoluted in the first place. Sorry! Is there any sense in what I'm saying?
> thanks,
> Peter
>Peter:
Your post makes complete sense! I hear what you're saying. It never hurts to have a positive attitude. Keep it up.
Glad to hear that you've decided to hang in there with the Lex! You may just need a few more weeks for it to "kick in". Who knows. It's different for everyone, but I've heard the average time is 4-8 weeks.
I almost gave up on lexapro early on, too, but I'm glad I didn't. Hopefully, things will get better for you soon as they sound like they already are: acceptance and a positive attitude are huge!!!!!!
From your other post inquiring about social anxiety: I am taking lexapro for generalized anxiety including social anxiety. At first on Lex, I didn't feel like being around others - just felt lazy and didn't feel like going out. So, I had to force myself to do those things. To my surprise, I found myself much more comfortable in social settings ~ felt more natural, and I actually began to enjoy socializing and wanting to be around others! This was huge for me since I had "always" preferred to be alone.
Anyway, I'm assuming you have a bit of social anxiety yourself. If so, give it a chance and hope you find yourself comfortable as well.
Good luck!!
Arrianna
Posted by Arrianna on October 10, 2003, at 18:02:11
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? » Dr. Bob, posted by eebeshy on October 10, 2003, at 15:22:07
eebeshy:
Welcome to the board!! Sorry to hear about the sleep problems. I also had trouble sleeping early on with Lexapro ~ but, that got better for me after around three weeks. Then, I was able to sleep through the night.
Hang in there. It also never hurts to do a little trial and error with the time you take your meds. to see it that will help.
Good Luck! Hope things get better for you.
Arrianna
Posted by Peter on October 10, 2003, at 18:31:16
In reply to Re: Crossing my fingers!!, posted by Arrianna on October 10, 2003, at 17:57:58
> > I posted a new thread yesterday in the general area, and then realized it would be good to also post within the ongoing lex thread.
> > Here's the deal:
> > Day 34 total lexapro, day 28 on 10mg (I started with 5mg the first 6 days). Everytime I thought it was beginning to kick-in, I'd feel like crap again. I've taken every other SSRI, with varying degrees of success, and also a plethora of other meds and med combos over the last 8 years. I spoke with my pdoc yesterday about the fact that I felt really bad all the time, unable to wake up, sleeping thru my alarm, irrtable and depressed all day, unresponsive to anything or anyone around me, numb and dull, etc. He said that it seemed as if I wasn't responding well to the lex - that it was both activating me (thus the irritability) and 'flattening' my mood (thus the continued depression and apathy). He suggested that I begin to taper the med and that we move toward my trying a med from the only class I haven't yet tried - the MAOIS. I've been considering them for years, and I'm probably a good candidate considering my history. But I am so sick of going from one med cocktail to the next; also, I've come this far already on the lex (and it hasn't been easy), and I've read so much about people feeling NOTHING on 10mg until week 7, 8, or even 9, and then it kicks in and it's well worth the wait. I just don't want to stop prematurely. So I made a resolution last night that I would stick with it another week or two instead of tapering it right now. I also decided that I would put a little more effort in to increase the chances of my responding well to the lex. What I mean by this is the following: I find that a lot of my lack of response has had to do with my
> > not 'allowing' the lex to work, so to speak; it's almost as if I've been thinking so pessimistically about the med and SSRI's in general, that I've been psychosomatically hindering its benefits. Today, I felt that my acceptance and resolution to stick with the lex and do what I can do -
> > both physically (getting my sleep/wake cycles back on track, exercising) and mentally (not letting my pessimism get the best of me) - seemed to help me benefit more from
> > the lex; I just have a feeling that it might be beginning to work (fingers crossed). I awoke with more energy today, and felt better in the afternoon than I have in a long time. Of course, it's not all about my shift in attitude and resolve; the action of the lex itself is helping me to HAVE a more positive, optimistic outlook on my responding well to it. So it might very well be that my own efforts +the therapeutic actions of the lex are beginning to work together to my benefit. I hope this makes sense. Does it? Cause I sort of feel like I'm not making any sense at all! Regardless, I hope my better mood today is the lex kicking in and not just another 'false alarm'! I really would prefer to not go on another 'med-roller-coaster' at this point. And my doc agreed that I stick with the lex another week or two, saying that my more positive outlook and decision to 'allow' the med to work will make me all the more liable to respond well to it. So, of course a positive response to the lex would be mostly due to the pharmacological actions of the drug and the balancing out of the NT's in my brain, but in my case it looks like some of it has to do with my cooperating with the process and doing what I can to allow it to work . All right, now I think I'm just further convoluting what was already pretty convoluted in the first place. Sorry! Is there any sense in what I'm saying?
> > thanks,
> > Peter
> >
>
> Peter:
>
> Your post makes complete sense! I hear what you're saying. It never hurts to have a positive attitude. Keep it up.
>
> Glad to hear that you've decided to hang in there with the Lex! You may just need a few more weeks for it to "kick in". Who knows. It's different for everyone, but I've heard the average time is 4-8 weeks.
>
> I almost gave up on lexapro early on, too, but I'm glad I didn't. Hopefully, things will get better for you soon as they sound like they already are: acceptance and a positive attitude are huge!!!!!!
>
> From your other post inquiring about social anxiety: I am taking lexapro for generalized anxiety including social anxiety. At first on Lex, I didn't feel like being around others - just felt lazy and didn't feel like going out. So, I had to force myself to do those things. To my surprise, I found myself much more comfortable in social settings ~ felt more natural, and I actually began to enjoy socializing and wanting to be around others! This was huge for me since I had "always" preferred to be alone.
>
> Anyway, I'm assuming you have a bit of social anxiety yourself. If so, give it a chance and hope you find yourself comfortable as well.
>
> Good luck!!
> Arrianna
>>Hi Arrianna:
Thanks so much for the encouragement. I was so relieved to read your post and find that lexapro can be effective on GAD and social anxiety as well as depression. The only evidence I've seen supporting lexapro's efficacy for anxiety is on the lex web site news section; some study was done showing how patients with GAD, social anxiety, and panic disorder all responded significantly better to lex than placebo. But I was concerned because I hadn't read any personal accounts of lex-takers on this thread showing lex's efficacy for social anxiety. My pdoc says that each SSRI is a bit different, but all of them probably treat social anxiety to the same degree. But lately I've seen posts describing lex as not very effective for anxiety, and it discouraged me. I'm glad to hear that it works for you, 'cause it gives me hope. I also always prefer to be alone, even isolate from others, and I get a lot of anticipatory and social anxiety about travelling, meeting new people, going to any social event, etc. I still feel the anxiety while taking lex, but it'sencouragong to know that you did also - until you pushed yourself to go out and found that you enjoyed being around others and that socializing was easier. Maybe I just need to give myself a push, even though I'm so used to always declining invitations to go out. If I just do it, I might find that the lex IS helping me in that area. Interesting; Wish me luck! Thanks again for your support!
Peter
Posted by Mariposa on October 10, 2003, at 19:05:34
In reply to Re: Crossing my fingers!! » Arrianna, posted by Peter on October 10, 2003, at 18:31:16
I am taking Lex for depression, but I have always had *social anxiety* and never thought of it as a problem....very few people I could call *friends*, fear of crowds, new situations, new places I had never been to before, job interviews KILL me!!! I could go on...point is Lex has helped me get over some of these fears, I recently flew on a plane to go visit my Mother for her 73 birthday!
The depression is another matter, still struggling day by day, new boss at work has me in knots...trying to get mortg. on house when I have *bad* credit...anniv. of mom-in-law's death looming...I feel like I can't get up and face another day but somehow I go on. At least I am *functioning* when I could be a basket case. THANK YOU Lexapro!
Good luck to us all!~~~8|8
Posted by galkeepinon on October 10, 2003, at 20:16:12
In reply to Re: Anyone switched to Lexapro? » Dr. Bob, posted by eebeshy on October 10, 2003, at 15:22:07
Hey there:-)
I know the 'I've had trouble sleeping at night' issue on Lexapro~it hit me about the 7th or 8th week, but oh man, I couldn't sleep for the life of me for about 2 weeks.
Someone had suggested OTC Unisom Sleep Gels~they have the ingredient Diphenhydramine HCI 50mg, which is a really good sleep aid. But this is just my experience. To my amazement, it works great and doesn't interact with any other meds I am taking, and I never have a 'hang over' the next day, especially if you have to work.
I know many people who are on Wellbutrin and had trouble sleeping the first few weeks, but their sleep improved after they got used to the medication.
About the Klonopin, I take 2mg at night, you didn't mention how much Klonopin you take each day or PRN or what? Maybe your prescribing doctor could work with you on taking a Klonopin before bed, that may help, you're right.
Hang in there and good luck!!!:-)
Kristen
> Oops, sorry I'm new at this!!! Hi, I'm taking Lexapro @ 15mg a day (been 3-4 months now) and my Dr. started me on Wellbutrin (100mg) a week ago because although I was still able to get out of bed in the morning to go to work, I was still feeling low all the time all I wanted to do was sleep. Been battling depression now for over 12 years (mental illness runs bigtime in my family). I started feeling better right away, but I've had trouble sleeping at night. I put in a call to my Dr. and he said that low a dosage shouldn't be a problem. Anyone have any suggestions? I also take Klonopin....maybe should I take one right before going to bed? BTW, reading everyone's comments has made me feel better about the whole depression issue. Thanks!
> eebeshy
Posted by Arrianna on October 11, 2003, at 0:53:04
In reply to Re: Crossing my fingers!! » Arrianna, posted by Peter on October 10, 2003, at 18:31:16
Peter:
I'm so glad that my post was helpful to you. I completely understand how dibilitating anxiety can be. I, too, and still do at times, suffer the precipatory anxiety. It's really a sad thing that anxiety can cause us to miss out on so much -on life itself!!
For me, it seemed my anxiety significantly improved on Lexapro right away. However, it took a few occasions of being around others before I truly felt comfortable. So, please don't be discouraged if you find yourself uneasy in a social setting at first. Give it another chance before you make up your mind that it's not helping your anxiety. You may just need to keep pushing yourself, and like you said, you'll never know if it's helping your social anxiety unless you test yourself, so to speak.
I'm at the 3month mark of being on 10mg Lexapro now, and some of my anxiety has returned, if not all. It's such a bummer to have been feeling and doing so well only for it to creep back up. Guess it's just time for me to increase my dose to 15mg ~ seems that my body has become more efficient at breaking down the lex, that the 10mg just isn't cutting it anymore.
Hope that this doesn't discourage you either. I was doing significantly well before this. Just wanted to share that I relate to how you feel ~ and that sometimes, we need to change to meet the changes of our bodies ~ and to stay in tune with what our bodies are telling us. (Oh, I've learned and gained so much insight from others on this board!!)
Anyway, Peter, you just keep your head up ~ stay strong ~ and be sure to keep us posted. Thanks for responding back, too. You've been an inspiration to me: how you're hanging in there and going through the process to get where you want to be!!
Good for you!!
Arrianna
Posted by vandy on October 11, 2003, at 12:03:33
In reply to Crossing my fingers!!, posted by Peter on October 9, 2003, at 19:38:45
For me the light went on after 84 days. That doesn't mean I saw no positive effects from the gradual build of Lex in my system. I did have days where the clouds disapated a bit and then settled back in over me. That happens. Like as in "stuff" happens! I started with 20 mg and that always has been the dose I've taken. In hindsite, I wish it was like a commercial: total gratification in 30 seconds. But real life doesn't work that way, no matter what the politicians promise. It took 12 weeks to feel as I do now. Now that it's over I didn't mind the wait. While it was happening....well, that's a different story. I could have easily given up I guess. Three months is a long wait unless you're pregnant. I guess that last three months is a pisser for pregnant women, too. But I would have gotten three months older anyway and I sure would have traded three months of my life to lift that awful cloud bank.
DON'T GIVE UP! I WILL BE WORTH THE WAIT, THE S.E's AND EVERYTHING ELSE.
I'm rooting for you and everyone else who climbs this slippery slope.
ONE WORD OF ADVICE HOWEVER: Don't cross your fingers because it makes it almost impossible to pick up those little pills with your fingers crossed.> I posted a new thread yesterday in the general area, and then realized it would be good to also post within the ongoing lex thread.
> Here's the deal:
> Day 34 total lexapro, day 28 on 10mg (I started with 5mg the first 6 days). Everytime I thought it was beginning to kick-in, I'd feel like crap again. I've taken every other SSRI, with varying degrees of success, and also a plethora of other meds and med combos over the last 8 years. I spoke with my pdoc yesterday about the fact that I felt really bad all the time, unable to wake up, sleeping thru my alarm, irrtable and depressed all day, unresponsive to anything or anyone around me, numb and dull, etc. He said that it seemed as if I wasn't responding well to the lex - that it was both activating me (thus the irritability) and 'flattening' my mood (thus the continued depression and apathy). He suggested that I begin to taper the med and that we move toward my trying a med from the only class I haven't yet tried - the MAOIS. I've been considering them for years, and I'm probably a good candidate considering my history. But I am so sick of going from one med cocktail to the next; also, I've come this far already on the lex (and it hasn't been easy), and I've read so much about people feeling NOTHING on 10mg until week 7, 8, or even 9, and then it kicks in and it's well worth the wait. I just don't want to stop prematurely. So I made a resolution last night that I would stick with it another week or two instead of tapering it right now. I also decided that I would put a little more effort in to increase the chances of my responding well to the lex. What I mean by this is the following: I find that a lot of my lack of response has had to do with my
> not 'allowing' the lex to work, so to speak; it's almost as if I've been thinking so pessimistically about the med and SSRI's in general, that I've been psychosomatically hindering its benefits. Today, I felt that my acceptance and resolution to stick with the lex and do what I can do -
> both physically (getting my sleep/wake cycles back on track, exercising) and mentally (not letting my pessimism get the best of me) - seemed to help me benefit more from
> the lex; I just have a feeling that it might be beginning to work (fingers crossed). I awoke with more energy today, and felt better in the afternoon than I have in a long time. Of course, it's not all about my shift in attitude and resolve; the action of the lex itself is helping me to HAVE a more positive, optimistic outlook on my responding well to it. So it might very well be that my own efforts +the therapeutic actions of the lex are beginning to work together to my benefit. I hope this makes sense. Does it? Cause I sort of feel like I'm not making any sense at all! Regardless, I hope my better mood today is the lex kicking in and not just another 'false alarm'! I really would prefer to not go on another 'med-roller-coaster' at this point. And my doc agreed that I stick with the lex another week or two, saying that my more positive outlook and decision to 'allow' the med to work will make me all the more liable to respond well to it. So, of course a positive response to the lex would be mostly due to the pharmacological actions of the drug and the balancing out of the NT's in my brain, but in my case it looks like some of it has to do with my cooperating with the process and doing what I can to allow it to work . All right, now I think I'm just further convoluting what was already pretty convoluted in the first place. Sorry! Is there any sense in what I'm saying?
> thanks,
> Peter
>
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