starting lexapro

I don't want to feel dependent upon something. I like how it calms me down. It just makes me nervous. I hear how easy it is to hooked on meds like klonopin. I want to be able to sleep on my own again. My therapist assures me I won't get hooked. I'm on a very low dose and I'm so apprehensive about taking it.

Thanks Karen

I do feel the lexapro is working into my system more. Prior to taking the klonopin yesterday, I did not have much anxiety from the Lexapro. Now I guess I need to wait for the therapuetic effects to take place. I do see my therapist tonight. He'll probably recommend I go up to 20 mg.

I hope that the nexium works for you. It could be anything. Keep hanging in there Willi.

I hope you have a good day...

Hugs, Karen...

Life gets that way sometimes. We just have to keep pushing forward to get past the humps. Then it is smooth sailing for awhile. I know the feeling, one thing after another. Just hang in there friend...

Things will stabilize and get better.

Hugs, Karen...

This all just stinks. I thought for sure by now things would be looking up. I had a good day yesterday. I was hopeful Then today I'm a mess again. I don't know what to make of any of it. I'm scared and confused. I feel like I'm never going to get past all this. I just want to go to a safe place. Unfortunately I don't know where that would be.

Having read many posts on this forum and others, I'm really nervous about the side effects of starting lexapro/cipralex. I only have very mild depression/anxiety and significant tiredness diagnosed as likely due to low Seratonin levels (i.e. I feel like crap, but continue to go on with my life as normal, just feeling tired, anxious and irritable) But it sounds like experiencing the side effects for even a few day to a few weeks will be far worse than how I feel now... I've been considering St Johns Wort instead, but the research is pretty inconclusive vs. SSRIs.

I'm not sure what to do...

Good morning Willi!! It has been a while since you have posted. How are you doing?

Good morning Willi. I have been reading your posts from start to recent. I too am on Lexapro, but this not about whether it helps me or doesn't these days. It is to share about my start up experience. As I mentioned in one of my posts; I was diagnosed with med phobia years ago when I needed to take Lorazapram to get me through another AD withdrawal side effects. When I took one I felt better; and my thoughts were not filled with fear and confusion about my progress.
When I didn't take them I was a nervous/anxious mess with severe OCD thoughts about my depression and anxiety. Due to being so sensitive to med's the spiratic doses were causing me issues also-increasing my depression and initial depression; causing me to run to the ER more than once. Eventually I ended up hospitalized. Long story shortened now: while hospitalized I was put on the lexapro and also put on clanazopram. The specialist for my case recommended I take the clonazopram athte dose he prescribed 2 times a day-am and pm until the anxiety relief from the lexapro kicked in. He said that the depression would improve but the anxiety piece could take up to 4 to 6 weeks. I did as he said on most days; but being eager to get off of the medicine i skipped it one night and was up until 3am reading; when my husband asked if I had taken my medicine. No not yet I said. 'Why?" he asked. I just looked at him-he knew and said 'take it, the doctor told you to. : ). I did and within a half hour I was settled down and able to relax to fall asleep. After a couple of months I began to wean off of them. It was not a pleasant experience; but it could have been easier if I had known how to wean more slowly-as no one told me that piece. Fast forward to now-our chemistry changes with time - for everyone; like it or not. : ( The clonazopram does not help me sleep anymore-but does help my mind and system to relax. Thus 'I' myself have to take melatonin to get a decent night's sleep. Sleep is vital in the healing of your neurons and other anatomy. Night time is when your body heals itself or during naps. So from experience it is important to try to be consistent with your medicine and supplement for at least a week; whether for sleep or the depression and anxiety; so you can see what is working and what is not working. I keep a diary of what I am taking and little shifts that happen during the day or night. I also make note of when I had changed a regiment in my med's or supplements as that is often key to what is going on. Our systems recognize when we change their chemistry and believe it or not they actually respond to it. Often it is our system that is reacting to a new foreign substance or lack of it when it is taken away.
Also....though running and exercise is of great benefit for healthy individuals and can aide in the recovery of depression. It can also have a reverse effect if you adrenals are already being compromised due to stress. Not saying 'don't run' but you might consider cutting it back a bit and adding a 'gentle walk' in in the evenings or something.

"Living up and down and running on empty often; due to refusal years back of not taking my medicine when advised."

Hey all- I am doing ok. I still get amped up when I take the meds in the morning. I find that I settle down as the day goes on. I still feel them, but not as intense. 3Shadows I read your post. It all makes sense. I know I should take the meds every day. I probably should cut back on the running for now too. I took the klonopin yesterday. I really hated how it made me feel. I just wish there was an easier way to get through this. Maybe I'll stop being so thick headed and start taking it daily. I am almost at the 4 week mark. The depression is better. I still get the anxiety. Do you still take klonopin on a daily basis 3Shadows?

Spicygirl- the first time I went on an A/D(zoloft) I almost had no startup effects. You might get lucky and have a similar experience.

Post Edited (willi444) : 7/11/2015 4:13:20 PM (GMT-6)

Ok thanks. I will start a new one.