New to Lexapro, Dr. prescribed Vistaril?

A little background:

I've struggled with depression and anxiety for as long as I can remember (am now 27, female). After my parents' divorce when I was about 16 I began seeing a therapist and a psychiatrist who (I and my current doctors believe to have mis-)diagnosed me with mild bipolar. Tried mood stabilizers like Abilify and Lamictal for a few years but never really felt anything helped. Felt like I was alright and decided I was against taking medication and from about 20-26 did not use any medication. The end of a serious relationship sent me spiraling into depression and worsened my underlying anxiety, so I began seeing a psychiatrist in February of last year (2015). Tried a few different medications - because of my past diagnosis he started me on Seroquel, which imo was horrible and not the correct medication for me at all. After that we changed pace and decided to try an antidepressant (zoloft gave me continuing undesirable side effects, so onto Wellbutrin.) My mother has been on Wellbutrin for years and claimed it works for her depression so I got up to 300mgs a day and kind of just assumed it was working. Been through many ups and downs in my current relationship and have seemed to have increased anxiety in the 5 months I had been taking the Wellbutrin and decided I needed a change, something more for treating anxiety than depression. (Had been taking BuSpar alongside the Wellbutrin for the past two months and it seemed to also only make my anxiety worse.)

Tapered off both Wellbutrin and Buspar in the past few weeks and felt awful (as is to be expected), began 10mg Lexapro two days ago. Three days ago my boyfriend and I got into a big fight (at the fault of my increased anxiety, negativity, and loss of control) and he asked I give him space, so I am staying with my mother and pretty much going crazy inside anxious and worried and uncontrollably wondering if this is something I can salvage, while also taking initiative and practicing mindfulness, reading The Undefeated Mind by Dr. Alex Lickerman (which I HIGHLY recommend) and taking notes, visiting with my therapist and just taking time to breathe and relax when I'm not at work.

I have seen that it is common to take a benzo when starting a medication, or switching, to help cope during the time it takes for the new medicine to take effect. I currently don't have a psychiatrist, (I have a therapist who works independently and) my primary care doctor prescribes me the medication. I asked her if I could be prescribed something like Xanax to get me through these first few weeks and she said she could refer me to a psych. but doesn't like to prescribe it herself.

She, however, put in a prescription for something called Vistaril? Which is supposedly an antihistamine...I'm unsure about using it, or if I should just find a psychiatrist. Has anyone taken this before or have any further advice?

http://www.drugs.com/vistaril.html

Thanks in advance.

Welcome,

I don't know much about Vistaril but I do recommend finding a good psych doc for meds management. A psych doc knows much more about the different meds available to you than a primary doc. I made the mistake of taking meds prescribed by my primary without seeing a psych doc first and it put me through the ringer.

So, yes, please seek out a psych doc to help you with the meds.

Jennings said...
Welcome,

I don't know much about Vistaril but I do recommend finding a good psych doc for meds management. A psych doc knows much more about the different meds available to you than a primary doc. I made the mistake of taking meds prescribed by my primary without seeing a psych doc first and it put me through the ringer.

So, yes, please seek out a psych doc to help you with the meds.

Thank you for the advice - I would really prefer to find a psychiatrist in this situation, and will speak with my PCP and see if she has good recommendations. As I stated, I originally just had a psychiatrist, which wasn't ideal, then I added therapy and left the psychiatrist (mostly because I moved an hour away from him), and now it's just therapist + PCP. My next step will be to find a good psych. because it will help to have someone a bit more knowledgeable to this specific type of medication, you're right. Thank you!

your dr is to be commended for not straight to a benzo . vistril can work well for some so you should at least try it. best try it at night as its pretty sedating. vistril is an older version of zyrtec. so its very safe. i myself prefer buspar. vistril can also be used as a sleep aid. sounds like your situation is just that situational and you may return to normal after this crisis passes. keep us informed

Scaredy Cat said...
Hello and welcome!

I am sorry to hear about your current difficulties...

...however, it sounds like you are doing a great job of seeking help in order to meet your recovery goals. Keep up the good work!

The reviews on Vistaril are good...to mixed. For those whom this med performs for, they are generally happy with their Rx. While not as effective for some as a benzo...the trade off of a non-dependency risk med is the plus.

I think with a combination of the Vistaril and use of coping skills. ..you will likely do well with your start up. :)

See the top of the main forum page here (Resources) for great ideas and self help material that may be new and beneficial to add to your regimen.

Keep posting with us as well. We understand, care and support is key!

Talk soon,

Scaredy Cat

Thank you for your support! I really am glad I discovered this forum, it is providing to be very helpful. I went to the resources page yesterday and did a lot of reading and put a lot of the links in my favorites folder - I will give updates as I can, I love how welcoming this community is! Thanks again. :)

we are here to help as we all have been tru this

How are you feeling? Have you tried the vistaril yet?