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Week 3 of Lexapro! What the heck is going on!?!?

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Posted 5/10/2013 5:46 AM (GMT 0)
I am a 23yr old male with plans of being a professional musician and a real estate agent. After a blood clot due to a watersports accident, tendon damage in the neck and a rib removal I lost all motivation and self esteem and it started to negatively effect my life. i was never the most motivated person before and can remember having horrible anxiety since I was young. That being said, I got put on to Lexapro by my Doc... After a few days I felt great but shortly after I started developing this new emptiness that I've never felt before. When I am by myself I start to panic and get paranoid and worry about things that are not relevant. I want so bad to be better and get my life straight with juggling these 2 hats of careers, but I fear that fear/anxiety it's self is holding me back. At this point I can't tell if I just have anxiety or anxiety and depression. I am on week 3 of taking this drug. Will this faze pass with Lexapro??? Any Help would be appreciated. This is the first time I have ever written on a form. Sorry for the rant
Posted 5/10/2013 12:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hi JP

I haven't taken anything but Xanax so far but according to my doc she wants to try an SSRI soon for a more long-term fix. I'd suggest calling your doc and taking to him or her about the medication. From what I read, everybody is different and what works for me might not work for you or the next person. It sounds however in true typical anxiety that you are worried about medicatiom that's probably proven as FDA accepted it to help with the problems you've talked about with your doc.

My doc sent me a research white paper on medications and specifically instructed me NOT to turn to the Internet for advice on medications (which in true to form anxiery fashion I have totally ignored). Even though you might get some good answers online, talk to YOUR doctor who knows you well. Only you and your doctor know what's right for you.

Good luck, and promise me you will call ur doctor and have a conversation about how you feel right away. Lete know how it goes!
Posted 5/10/2013 7:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Josh,
I would love to get my hands on some xanax! I have taken it before, but I get too dependent on it and start shaking with anxiety once I am off it. That is why I was hoping that Lexapro would be the cure for all of this. I have a small script of ativan .5 that I take when stuff gets rough but I am going to call my doc and see if more/less medication is the answer. Thank you for your concern. I will post back with results later.
Thanks,
JP
Posted 5/10/2013 7:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hi JP,

I tried Lexapro once and it was not for me. But that doesn't mean that with time it won't be right for you. It can take months from what my doctor told me for you to adjust to a medication. I would talk to your doctor. Taking that sort of medication is like mixing music. Sometimes it takes a lot of adjusting to get the right blend for you, especially since there are so many different types of anxiety. I hope you feel better soon!

Mommy
Posted 5/10/2013 8:18 PM (GMT 0)
Momma Brea,
Thanks for your support. I feel like talking to others is instantly helping me with everything. My whole life I have held in my emotions. Just talking to people helps a lot.

~JP
Posted 5/10/2013 11:20 PM (GMT 0)
Jp123,

Hello and welcome to HealingWell.  I have lots of things going on in my life right now so I can identify with your feelings of fear, anxiety and lack of motivation.

I was glad to read your words, "talking to others is instantly helping me". 

Besides support of peers, friends and communities such as this one, I practice positive self talk. Self talk is also known as internal dialogue.

The following are a few of the positive affirmations I use for myself:

Its just anxiety, it will not hurt me

I've felt this before and everything was ok, there is no difference this time

I am going to be okay, everything is okay! I will make it thru this.

Please remember we know where you are coming from and what you are going through. Keep on talking with us as you will find support here.

 


Posted 5/10/2013 11:56 PM (GMT 0)
Kitt,
Thanks for your reinforcement. I just realized that a lot of the time my internal dialogue is negative and lacks confidence. Recently I have been exercising everyday with my dog and it is really helping me stay positive about myself. It's just once the sun goes down I get really negative feelings of anxiety that are really hard to control. I will work on the new method of positive dialogue though. Thanks for the wisdom.

~JP
Posted 5/11/2013 12:43 AM (GMT 0)
JP,

What I have found here is a tremendous amount of WISDOM from the members. The moderators here are flat out top notch. What you have described, in terms of your feelings and anxiety, is very common. I have also found that talking it out does wonders for my anxiety levels. Writing down positive thoughts has also helped me, as I too have the negative thoughts/feelings that really kick up once it's past 7-8 in the evening. I think I say this for most of the members here in that we KNOW what you are feeling/going through and that it can be overcome!
Posted 5/11/2013 4:28 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Pops and welcome!

I am glad that you have joined us.:) I am assuming that you have been reading posts for a bit? Well good job on taking the next step so that we can get to know you.

Feel free to start a thread of your own and telling more about yourself/story, if you feel comfortable doing so.

Otherwise, just enjoy posting and giving and receiving support here.

Looking forward to getting to know you better.;)

Scaredy Cat
Posted 5/14/2013 1:31 AM (GMT 0)
Hi JP,

I totally relate to what Kitt says, the negative internal dialogue drives me bonkers too and gets very overwhelming at times. Today you are my inspiration for exercise JP! I have been jogging, and doing yoga but last night was so tired I didn't do any exercise. I'm going to go jogging today. Its been raining here lately so I have Tony Horton / P90X on back up just in case it starts raining.

Thanks for being my inspiration today JP. I hope you are feeling more and more confident and better about yourself each day.

What did your doctor say about the recent medications?

Keep in touch and keep the conversation on-going. Like you said, it helps instantly to discuss and connect with others!
Posted 5/14/2013 2:35 AM (GMT 0)
The doc upped my dose to 10 mg and all I can do is sleep all day. It is starting to get ridiculous... Hopefully it settles in or I am done with Lexapro
Posted 5/14/2013 2:56 AM (GMT 0)
Is that doubled from your original dosage? So I am guessing that you have had 3 weeks at .5mg, and now you are going to 10mg for week 4?

I have heard that upping your dosage can bring on side effects just as when you started the med initially. I would think especially so if you were not completely leveled out with the med at the current .5mgs.

What does your doctor say about your side effects. Are they to be expected according to him?

It can be hard to know when to push through it...and when to realize that a particular Rx is just not going to work for you.

Keeping in close dialogue with your doctor is of course imperative.

In the meantime, have you tried any self-help techniques to get relief from your anxiety?

We have some great ideas in our Resources here on the main page.

Wishing you the best...and keep posting with us if it helps:) We are here to listen and support.

Scaredy Cat
Posted 5/14/2013 11:51 PM (GMT 0)
Yes. You are right on with the dosage. My doc recommended to double the initial of 5 mg. Today I took 10mg of adderall that is prescribed, but usually not regularly taken. It definitely combatted this extreme fatigue i am feeling. I am still trying to figure out if lexapro is the AD for me but for now I don't feel anxious or depressed. The only problem is the fatigue, lethargy, no motivation. I am in a weird situation right now caught in the crossroads. But there is only one thing to do. Keep on going.
Posted 5/15/2013 12:04 AM (GMT 0)
Josh,
I am glad to be your inspiration for exercising. Yesterday I tried to run the trails outside with my dog but it started to rain so hard that I was forced inside. Within 3 min of the downpour/thunder and lightening the phone in my pocket was soaked and my dog was looking at me like "get me out of here!" Lol. Today was a nice 3.5 mile walk/jog. I don't feel like exercising on lexapro is giving me any more energy unfortunately. That is why I have recently started taking adderal to get my ass off the bed/couch all day. Especially after a vigorous workout
Posted 5/15/2013 12:57 AM (GMT 0)
JP

Good to know it, yes it feels good to get off your butt and do something. That's funny about the dog, my dog would probably have done the same thing and begged to go back home.

Jog yesterday was fantastic, felt pumped and helped me sleep last night as well.

I'm reading a book on cognitive behavior therapy and one of the author's points is that action creates motivation, so it's a good reminder to me anyway not wait to be motivated or inspired, but to go out and do something. Although I am dreading the yard work I've been thinking about the last few days...ugh.

Hope you are back to feeling good again soon!

Josh
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