Lexapro

Living with a chronic illness is very stressful and medication can be very helpful. Lexapro is an antidepressant which also helps with anxiety. I don't take it myself, but have family members that do. The only side effect that one of them has found is weight gain, which is common with many of these medications. But everyone reacts differently.

I take Zoloft, which is another of the antidepressants, and find that it works for me. Don't worry about all the crazy stories you hear. These medications can help many people live a better life. But, just like all medications,
there are side effects. You need to find the one that works best for you. But, remember, most of them take a while, between 4 and 6 weeks to have the full effect.

Of course, the decision whether to take them or not is up to you. Whatever you decide, I wish you well.

I've been on Effexor for a few years now. I didn't think I needed it either, but my wife disagreed. Sure enough she was right (she always is). Sometimes we get so focused on the chronic illnesses that we don't see what else is going on. To top it off, my wife has a bad case of rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis and anxiety up the ying-yang. Helping her deal with all that was enough to drive me to need the anti-depression drugs, not even taking in to account my Crohn's. I found that after I went on it I realized that I did need it and really was glad I went on it. Don't let the stigma or condemnation of others stop you from taking a drug like this. We all go through enough as it is, the uncertainty of the disease and not knowing what tomorrow will bring is enough to trigger a big dose of anxiety. Not knowing if you'll be in the ER tomorrow, if you'll make it to the can in time, or what fun and interesting manifestations of this disease will pop up is enough without having to try and deal with the stress without help. These medications work, or they wouldn't be out on the market. Also, don't let a few bad reactions keep you from trying them. If I listened to all the gloom and doom stories I read on here about Remicade, I'd probably have had several surgeries by now and living a pretty horrible life.

I have not had any problems with it. The only thing I have to be careful of is remembering to take it. Some of the medications must be taken every day, if you forget them, they let you know. Make sure you follow up regularly with your doc.

Hang in there, and I hope if you do decide to go on this medication that you will see some improvements. Again, no reason to suffer if you don't have to.