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Posted 9/16/2014 10:14 PM (GMT 0)
I guess I'm just confused. How long do you wait to try a new med ? I've been on lexapro since the end of July, am now up to 30mg. I got over a major hurdle of actually going to work after being out for the count all summer but I still don't feel better. I used more of a fear tactic to get myself to go to work, and a lot of help from my therapist. I thought after the major anxiety causing problem was overcome that I'd start to feel somewhat better but it's just not there. I isolate as soon as I get home as it's the only comfort (even though I know it's not beneficial for me). It's as if I use all my energy to get through the work day, and am mentally spent when the days over. I don't know, I'm just sharing.

I Have a supportive family, but they are even getting worried that I'm not feeling better, though are very understanding. Little lost

Post Edited (Oranged) : 9/16/2014 5:11:10 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/16/2014 11:16 PM (GMT 0)
It would be about time, now. 4-6 weeks is enough to know if it will work or no.

Talk to your doc.

However, with some meds you will need to titrate down before starting something new. Hang in there!
Posted 9/17/2014 12:13 AM (GMT 0)
Usually a medication (antidepressant) reaches full potential at six to eight weeks. I hope that you find what works best for you soon...

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 9/17/2014 2:44 PM (GMT 0)
Oranged,

Sometimes we need a second med to compliment the first, or just an increase in dose. Talk to your doc.

Also, meds do not do all the work. We have to be proactive, learn coping skills and face our depression head on.

review our depression resource thread at the top of this forum. there are 4 pages of links, books and suggestions to help in your journey.

Peace and courage
Trina
Posted 9/17/2014 3:09 PM (GMT 0)
Oranged I gave Lexapro over 5 months, which in hindsight may have been longer than I should have, but when it was upped to 30 mgs, I just knew it wasn't working at all, the only improvement I could see in myself was an "I don't care" attitude, which really wasn't an improvement because I need to care, but at the time it seemed okay because at least I didn't stress over every little thing.

Strangely enough my Psychiatrist has never mentioned one time adding any other medication to help me out, especially when I was having such a hard time, I wonder why? I hope to remember to ask him next month.
Posted 9/17/2014 8:55 PM (GMT 0)
I gave up Lexapro, I think we may have started the same day. I found that it was somewhat effective, but it was just so up and down and the side effects were so bad this time around, and when I switched to 15mg from 10mg, I endured another 3 weeks of side effects (anxiety).

My doctor tapered me off Lexapro (10 mg first week, 5 mg next week - i'm alsmost done with it) while putting me on Viibryd and adding 1mg of abilify (hopefully temporarily). The first two days I felt extremely sedated, but every day since then has been better than the one before. I'm not 100% but i'm pretty darn close.

Maybe I should've been more patient with lex, I quit at 7 weeks, but the day before I switched I couldn't go to work, I was so depressed, I spent all day researching in patient hospitals or recovery centers and I called them and insurance..i was serious. When my 17 year old son brought me flowers and dark chocolate that night - I realized that going away was not an option, I love my kids too much but I knew something had to change and the next day with a new Psychiatrist who saw me on a Saturday for much longer than an hour, everything did change. I was terrified of switching and withdrawls and new side effects, but it's working. Something is definitely working and I know that I will be 100%..Maybe we'll need to tweak a medicine or something, but I 'm ok with that.

Good luck to you. I'm not swaying you one way or another; just sharing my story.

I should also point out that on the way to see the new psychiatrist, while my husband drove, I openly cried and prayed harder than ever before for things to change. I couldn't watch my kids worry about me any more. I had lost almost 48 lbs through that day.

There's hope. I know that now, and only two short weeks ago, I was in total despair.
Posted 9/17/2014 9:19 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Oranged,

Sorry to hear you're still struggling. I know how frustrating that is. Good for you for getting into work despite your struggles, even if it was fear based. But, that's no way to continue so call your doc and get an appt as soon as you can. You've given Lexapro long enough and it's clearly not working for you.

Of course we have to do our work in addition to meds but a med that works should get us stable and normal enough to go on and do the maintenance work we need to do to stay healthy, happy, productive and normal.

Good news is there IS something that will work and like Keaz and many others, you'll just look back at this rough patch and thank the stars you found what works. Some years are givers and some years are takers and for many of us, this year has taken...taken TIME that is, lol, to find what works! We're all long overdue to get there which means we are that much closer and you will be too!

Call your doc, get in and get the ball rolling. There is hope!!!!

Hugs to you,
Lisa
Posted 9/19/2014 10:44 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks. I have an appt at the end of month. What stinks is when you have a good'ish type day thrown into the mix, it adds to the confusion. But I guess I'll explain that all to him and see what he thinks.
Posted 9/19/2014 10:55 AM (GMT 0)
Oranged, completely get the confusion of a "good-ish" type of day. I see my psychiatrist today and I had a good couple of days myself when just 4 days ago I was convinced today I'd have to tell them something wasn't working and I'd need a new med.. I have to explain the same thing today!

Hang in there. You certainly aren't alone & we are here to support eachother back to health and joy!

Lisa
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