Changing meds

I have suffered from Depression and Anxiety for many years. I finally broke down last year and started seeing a Psychiatrist when my attacks became so bad I couldn't even leave my home. He put me on Zoloft which has worked wonderfully for me in the past, and it did again this time, I even started working again, lost 73 pounds and then it quit working at the dose I was prescribed. When my doctor upped me too 100 mgs I got very shaky and he had to drop it back down.

My anxiety and depression became so bad I could no longer work and started regressing. My doctor had me stop the zoloft and put me on Paxil and within 4 days I was at the hospital with an adverse reaction. My doctor then put me on lexapro which I just started last week only 5mgs to begin with because my body can really go off the wall with medications. I seem to be tolerating the Lexapro thus far at that dosage, I do have to take xanax for anxiety and my anxiety attacks can be brutal.

I've seen other posts where people benefited from Lexapro, and I surely hope I do as well. I know it can take some time for medications to work so I am being patient.

Hello ....

   A dosage of 5mg is pretty small. I have been on a 20mg dosage for about 5-months now and the side effects have been minimal for me. But that can vary from person to person.

   Actually - I've been on the generic version of Lexapro to be precise. I have gained some weight but that could be other factors too - since I've been on hormone therapy (known for weight gain) and chemotherapy as well.

   The generic Lexapro has noticeably reduced my high emotions and without any serious side effects.

Hope it works for you as well.

Rob & Gizmo

 

Honestly, I don't think I have heard of lexapro causing weight gain.

I lost weight on zoloft too. Most people gain. Plus like you said, if you feel better you tend to be able to do more. And good things for yourself. I really hope that it works for you. I have a feeling it will, I don't know why...

Have an awesome day!!!

Hugs, Karen...

Thank you C, I do feel a little more tired today than I have since starting Lexapro, and a little more anxious, but I never know if that is from the medicine or just me. I know some times you will feel a little worse before feeling better so I am trying to give it a good chance to work for me.

I do seem to sleep a little better at night, but unfortunately lately I seem to be dragging, hopefully as my body acclimates to the medication I will get a burst of energy

No major issues thankfully, I do tend to have an upset stomach, but I did that on zoloft too. about a month or two ago by the 4th day on Paxil I was in the hospital from an adverse reaction, so I didn't take any anti-depressant for a while. I had the Lexapro in my cupboard for over two weeks before I would even try it, but finally when I just knew I wasn't doing well at all I thought something has to be better than nothing(and I also knew I had a doctors visit and how very disappointed my doctor would be in me if I didn't start the meds)

My doctor saw me at my worst and then saw me at my best, he was just amazed at the transformation in me, so I guess when I started back tracking I really felt like I let him down and myself. He did say even though I feel like I have regressed badly, I really haven't, so that was comforting to know that he still saw "hope" in me.

I have to be proactive in getting better and right now other than taking the medication I am not. I am hoping that in maybe another week I will feel enough little change that will get me motivated to do more for myself.

Thank you Karen

I actually had an awesome day, I don't know that I have felt this good in months. I don't know if there is any possible way that the medicine could be working after only 8 days but I see such a change.

I did feel antsy this morning and tired but it wore off and I didn't want to sleep all day, this is the second day that I felt much better.

I hope you have a great one.

Thank you Karen

After taking my medication last night, a couple hours later I started feeling tingly and flushed, not sure if anyone has ever had this happen, but I was so scared that I was having an allergic reason to it and would have to quit taking it.

I'm fine this morning, so I would have to assume it wasn't a allergic reaction because it just wouldn't go away on its own would it?

I looked up side affects and I did not see these mentioned. Unfortunately I have had allergic reactions to medications and it can be very scary, and it was usually within the first few days not 8 days later.

Unfortunately I haven't felt all that well today, just a bad day and we all have these. I did end up calling the pharmacist and he said it didn't sound like anything too serious that I needed to stop the medicine and that it would have happened earlier if it was an allergic reaction, he said it could possibly be that the medicine is building up in my system.

How're things going for you now Brenda?

I understand. Thankfully for the most part, I've weeded out the toxic ppl. I do know when we are depressed/anxious, we are more vulnerable to sympathizing or empathizing with some things we probably shouldn't. For me right now, I'm limiting my watching the news, even watching/hiding certain friends Facebook posts bc I'm too sensitive right now trying to get my meds adjusted. Things or people that normally wouldn't bother or upset me, can.

Are you in talk therapy? It helps. I hope you are or can.

I totalllly get your feeling vulnerable right now. My Cymbalta was pooping out a little last year after almost 6 yrs so finally this past Jan 2014, I was switched to Zoloft. It was actually my choice. So many friends had success with it. It was not good for me. Seemed fine for a month then I got very badanxiety/panic/agitation/depression. So they took me off and I asked to be put back on Cymbalta. That was 7 weeks ago. I'd been having a fairly good past 3 weeks with only minor low moods I attributed to adjusting. Then last weekend I woke up with low mood/anxiety and it snowballed. Called Dr and he upped 60mg Cymbalta to 90mg for the last 2 days. Now I'm on the wait and see train lol.

What do you do to stay busy/distract yourself from over thinking? Do you have supportive family &/or friends?