Medication for GAD

Hello all. Since my first post, I have been taken off of the Zoloft as it caused severe insomnia plus other major unwanted side effects. I am now researching as much as I can to try and find a better medication for Generalized Anxiety Disorder. I am planning on talking with my doctor about more natural remedies, such as vitamins, meditation, therapy, breathing techniques, diet and exercise. I would feel better at least trying one more medication, even though I'm still quite freaked out by the effects of the Zoloft. My fiancé is on Zoloft (since July) and had almost no side effects, and he says that his anxiety is a distant memory. I wish that had been the case for me but I know everyone is different. Anyways, I was wondering if anybody here has had any experience with Lexapro? This is one that I am highly considering, granted my insurance covers it. Also, another medication I was reading about was Buspirone, though that one I'm not quite sure about and need more info on it. Any information and experiences with either of these, especially the Lexapro, would be extremely helpful. Even other medication suggestions are welcome. I think I am sensitive to medication in general but I do believe I need it. Thank you in advance.

Thank you for your response. I know everybody is different, but what were your start up side effects with Lexapro and how long did it take for them to subside? How long have you been on it (if you don't mind answering) and has it worked well for you? Why did you choose it over Prozac? Sorry for the abundance of questions, just trying to educate myself. :)

For me, I had the increased anxiety, headaches and some nausea. I still get night sweats sometimes, which I blame on the lexapro. Everything else subsided within a week or two. I started at 5mg and worked my way up to 20mg. I've been on it since October. It's no cure-all, but it definitely brought me out of my every day crying episodes and helped my panic attacks become less frequent. I picked it over Prozac because my mother was on that for years and it didn't really seem to help her. That was really my only reasoning though.

Hope that helps. Let me know if I can answer anything else for you!

I have also had bad experiences with Zoloft. I have some friends who swear by it, but it just made me so tired I couldn't get out of bed and was almost falling asleep at the wheel.

I was on Lexapro for about 10 months and I was doing really well with my anxiety but still having panic attacks every once in a while. My therapist and I weren't sure if the Lexapro was working so we switched to Zoloft and that was a huge mistake. I'm now back on the Lexapro but still waiting for it to kick in.

Most of my friends and family that have tried Lexapro did not have many side effects associated with it. My lexapro experience has been pretty positive with almost no side effects. If you feel comfortable I would give it a try.

Thank you for the information so far. I see my doctor on Thursday and have my consult with my therapist on Friday. She seems great, we talked on the phone for a bit and she tried to work it where I could see her first and then my doc, but it wasn't gonna work out with either of our schedules. I mentioned to her about wanting to try Lexapro and she said it was a great medication for GAD. She gave me a lot of hope, which makes me happy because every now and then I feel like there is no light at the end of the tunnel.

tlkat- I'm sorry it's not working for you. I knew after a few days that Zoloft was not right for me at all, even though it takes time, the initial effects were too strong even for such a low dose. I'm hopeful that I find something that works because I have a 2 1/2 year old and I need to be my best self for her.

Hi

Sorry to hear the Zoloft has not worked for you.

I have tried many antidepressants over the years and imo Lexapro is by far the best it works really well on anxiety especially GAD so if it was me I would give it a go.

It's important to remember that medication will not cure you they will only help ease your symptoms so the important work is done through self help and therapy.

Hibee

Thank you for the info on Buspar. How would you rate your anxiety? Like on a scale of 1-10? I would describe mine as this nagging feeling in my gut that's always worse in the morning, makes me have tummy troubles and also trouble sleeping. If I get busy, I can kind of forget about it but I have a hard time relaxing as it has been affecting my breathing. Just wondering if Buspar will be strong enough for me. I do have a bit of depression right now, mostly because I'm upset with this new anxiety and how it's interfering with my life.

That is great to hear. Gives me some hope that things will get better. Optimism is what I really need right now. Can't wait to get started on the road to recovery.

I am on paxil 20mg for my gad it worked wonderfully for about 10 years recently has come back a bit so just upped to 30mg have my fingers crossed it will work out. I hope u can find some natural remedies that would be great!

Sarakt- My fiance's grandma has been on Paxil for years now and she swears by it. She had been on something before that but ended up switching, not quite sure why. She said she was so close to wanting to end it all before she started Paxil, I'm so glad she didn't because I love her and she's such a god send. I will do more research on Paxil.

Anxious Texan - How long have you been taking the Lexapro? And I see in your sig that you also take Buspar? Is that in place of something like Xanax or Lorazepam? I don't want to rely on a benzo on the side forever, though I know it might be necessary until the other med kicks in.

Gotcha. I'm thinking about functionality in my case. I don't work but I have a 2 1/2 year old and even though I've been getting help with her, that help won't always be present. So as much as I hate taking medication, I will do what it takes to be functional for her, as she's the one that keeps me going.