tricyclic antidepressant question!! seeing p doc today!

Hi all I posted this in the anxiety section, but thought I would post here too! 

Hi all. I've been struggling with my anxiety and depression for a couple of weeks with some pretty intense anxiety. I've been feeling very disconnected and not myself. I've been on lexapro since April and was up to 30mg which would give me a week or two of feeling ok, then I would crash for a few days to a week. This was happening very consistently. I lowered to 20 about a month ago and felt it immediately. I am so darn reluctant to try effexor again, although I was better on it. I could go for longer periods of feeling ok. It wasn't perfect but at least better. I've been reading a lot about tricyclic antidepressants and how well they work for anxiety. Also that they are similar to effexor in that they effect more than one chemical. Also read that they are less likely to poop out? Does anyone have anything positive to say about Tca's? I'm switching today and would love some feedback. My reluctance to effexor is because I plan to be on an ad for a long time and I'm scared that the longer I'm on it, the worse the withdrawls would be. Thanks in advance!! Lisa

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Thank you Karen. is prestiq for anxiety as well? I think if I can get this anxiety under control, my depression will subside. How long were you on effexor for and why did you switch? If you don't mind me asking! Did you have trouble with withdrawls from effexor? Part of my issue is that I am constantly searching the net about meds and the horror stories that people write about. Aside from not responding to two meds now, that is fuelling this anxiety!

Yeah, Dr. Google doesn't help when you have anxiety. I was on Effexor for about 15 years. I switched to pristiq when Effexor went generic. I did take it before though and did go cold turkey, that wasn't a good idea. The thing was, I was feeling good, and thought I didn't need the medication. The truth of the matter was that the medication was why I was feeling good. So I went back on it. And it worked good the whole time. But when it went generic, chances are I would of had to take the generic, and after taking the brand name, it might not have been the same. Starting with the generic would of been a different story. Pristiq helps with anxiety too. Both Effexor and pristiq are snri's, they have anxiety medication in them. So it does help.

I would give one of them a shot. They have both actually worked good for me. Right now I am dealing with some things, so I don't expect to feel the best, but so far so good. I hope you feel better soon.

Will this be your first time on an snri? They really do work good. Seem to have less side effects. For me anyway...

Hugs, Karen...

CM.

CBT is great, do try mindfully to practice it everyday. I had the worst negative thoughts looping in my head. Each one was a trial.

I used sticky notes on the fridge, and the bath room mirror. I actually would write the opposite of what I was thinking 100 times in my journal, for instance, I am a worthy person. Yes, it did really work.

There is even a workbook you can get for the therapy.

Peace
Trina

I think his weaning process sounds okay for going on Effexor and off cipralex. You want to do it kind of slow. You may need Xanax or something like that if he will prescribe. I take pristiq, Xanax and abilify. They all work good together. Though I am slowly weaning off of the Xanax. Very slowly.

I hope that this works for you. The cbt really helps and so does breathing. Especially for anxiety.

I wish you the best.

Hugs, Karen...

Jess, I have taken Xanax for 20 years. I use to have to take four milligrams a day. Now down to 1/2, I am eventually going off of it. Been on it long enough. Thanks for your concern.

Hugs, Karen...

hi cm. i think you will be fine coming off second time around. i was. sending healing thoughts your way.

Thank HW family! You're such a great source of comfort and support! I do really appreciate it!