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Posted 8/30/2016 11:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hey all! I posted under the depression forum but I want your thoughts as well. And thanks!!!!!

I really need your opinions. Let me recap. I've been on lexapro before in the past 8 years and I have always only needed to be at 5mg and the longest I've taken lexapro before has been 8mths.

I'm currently on lexapro again and this is the 4th time around and I started on 07/22 so almost 5 weeks, I think. When I've started lex in the past side effects were horrible but I always stuck it out. This time 4th time around I didn't really get any side effects besides drowsiness.

So this startup was much better than before and I started to feel better immediately, anxiety lessened so much. So the first 3 weeks were good.

Lately I've been getting morning anxiety which subsides quickly once I wake and racing thoughts (a little). It started last week around Wednesday and last week the week of my menstrual cycle as well. plus I have a cousin who's dealing with depression and anxiety and she's dealt with it for years due to so many events happening in her life and she comes to me for support and for the first time she's deciding to get help as it was getting worse for her to the point she could not work. And I guess knowing how she felt and worried about her I started to feel anxious too. So I guess my helping her was just causing me anxiety. The anxiety is lessening day by day and so are the racing thoughts. And my menstrual cycle has ended as well so I guess my hormones are all getting back into place as well.

So I was worried for a bit since I was feeling okay and anxiety free and all of a sudden it returns. I guess I just get concerned because this feels like a set back and I have my what if lexapro isn't doing the job anymore thoughts. But from what I recall in the past on being on lexapro the third time around something similar happened to me like this and eventually it went away.
Back to Top :-) :-)
Posted 8/31/2016 1:07 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Roxy,

I'm also on the same dose of lexapro for 5 weeks today. I know what you mean about the ups and downs. The first 3 weeks felt like I was getting less anxious. The last week and a half for me has been kinda bad (I'm also getting ready to start my menstrual in like 2 days) and I've been getting weird side effects like brain jolts /shivers and dizziness but I don't know if it's from my menstrual starting, sleep deprivation (I have a 6 month old) and/or the lexapro. It's definitely disappointing that I'm feeling this way right now when all I want is to be "normal" again but I'm trying to stay hopeful that the medicine will work.
Posted 8/31/2016 1:32 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Roxy,

It sounds like a temporary hormonal/situational issue that caused a detour, that you are now coming out of...

...and I am sure you'll continue to feel better now that you are back on track.

Watch your triggers, use your coping skills...take care of yourself with proper rest and nutrition....

...and you'll be making progress again soon.:)

S.C.
Posted 8/31/2016 1:36 AM (GMT 0)
Hey momoftwo,

So I'm thinking it's just us needing to let our bodies adjust. hang in there.

From what I recalling the past when I've been on lex I had a similar situation where I had my menstrual and I was experiencing anxiety for two weeks and was worried lex wasn't working but it all went away.

But it's annoying and frustrating to feel good and then have these down days. I've also been feeling a bit down. Can't tell if it's like a small depression. I don't deal with depression so I can't tell. I just feel down at times and fatigue and lack of motivation sometimes but don't have no crying spells or feel the need to cry at all.
Posted 8/31/2016 1:42 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks S.C

I pray it's just a temp hormonal situation. I will rest and keep my mind focused on the good. I definitely need to work on mindfulness because I think I'm putting too much thought into this and it can be consuming.

Thanks again S.C
Posted 8/31/2016 6:47 AM (GMT 0)
I don't take lex but.

Around my time of the month I'm like 100 times more anxious =/
Sounds like ur having some triggers so hopefully it's just a little bump in the road.
Posted 8/31/2016 7:34 AM (GMT 0)
Hi

When starting a medication things can get worse anxiety wise through the first few weeks but things should settle down again and if they don't then go and speak with your GP.

Do continue with Mindfulness as imo that is one of the best things you can do to help manage your anxiety.

Keep us posted.

Hibee
Posted 8/31/2016 1:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Sarakt,

Thank you. I too hope it's just a little bump on the road because I sure don't like feeling this way.
Posted 8/31/2016 1:25 PM (GMT 0)
Hoping it's just a little bump, Roxy. Tomorrow will be better!!!
Posted 8/31/2016 1:25 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Hibee,

I think I'll give it until next week, think that's enough time to see if things settle down? If not I'll reach out to my doc to see what he says. What's funny though is I discovered I can read my old posts from years ago on here lol and I read a post I put with the exact same concern and I was afraid lex wasn't working but I stuck it out and eventually those nasty feelings went away.

I'm glad I can see those posts. They can serve as a little journal with how I was feeling with lex back then. And back then when I was going through this similar issue i was on lexapro for 6 weeks. This time around I started lex 07/22 and I think I'm going into 5-6 weeks.
Posted 8/31/2016 1:29 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Rspwed! I'm praying it subsides soon! It is definitely frustrating when you were feeling a positive difference and now feeling like your back to square one. But only time will tell. Thank you for the support?

Aren't you on lex too?
Posted 8/31/2016 4:31 PM (GMT 0)
Yep. I am. 30mg right now. I don't feel great, but way better than I was 3 months ago. Seems to be holding steady.
Posted 8/31/2016 5:51 PM (GMT 0)
How long have you been on it?

Ugh I think what bothers me the most is the dam racing mind and it doesn't help that I focus on it
Posted 8/31/2016 7:52 PM (GMT 0)
Roxy,

If you look in our Resources, you'll find two coping skills that I think might help with the racing mind.

First is the meditation videos. It takes some practice...and you may find you can only get through a minute at first...with out your thoughts going astray...buy keep trying, and you will find your brain quieting!

The other are the Therapy Worksheets. If you can 'catch' and work through the most bothersome/repetitive thoughts you are having...it will bring you some relief.:)

Peace and progress,

S.C.
Posted 8/31/2016 8:25 PM (GMT 0)
I've been doing 30mg for 2 months. I re-started in March and slowly increased to 30mg in late June.
Posted 8/31/2016 9:17 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you S.C.

I'll try the videos out and the worksheets to help quiet the mind. I'm sure when the lexapro kicks in more it will control that as well.

Rspwed,

Oh I see. Well I hope 30mg continues to be great for you!! Stay in touch!

I'm thankful to have found the forums to have all the support from people who understand the scary annoying feelings.
Posted 8/31/2016 11:05 PM (GMT 0)
Each time I get the cold or the flu I take medication for it but in between I don't. So don't worry about starting up with Lex again because for anxiety it shouldn't be any different. Taking only when you need it means you have periods when you are well - that is a good thing!
Posted 9/1/2016 12:16 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you 5ZVP

Yes I have many periods when I'm good! But what triggered my anxiety this time around was a divorce and many other things. Things have definitely improved though.
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