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Ssri induced acute agitation

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Posted 9/7/2019 8:38 AM (GMT 0)
I am not bipolar or depressive. The medicine ive been taking for managing my anxiety for 8 months , lexapro 20 mg, has suddenly last week started causing this acute agitation built up like a ball of energy coursing inside knocking and pushing to get out. So i stopped taking my med for 4 days. And everything went back to normal. So i gathered its dose related and started back on 10mg. Things went smooth for 3 days and i woke up today in the 4 th day feeling the same agitation less intense. My doc wants to put me on lithium. Says this is med induced mania. So lithium.

My question is, worry and concern is whether switching the ssri would help. Like people say their meds are too activating. Too agitating. They try switching ssris rather than starting lithium right away.
Can you guys share your experience, advice suggestions..so i can have all the information to make the next decision right way. Can switching to a different ssri help?
Posted 9/7/2019 8:54 AM (GMT 0)
Lithium is a mood stabiliser and used in the psych world for mostly bi polar. Lexapro is very useful for anxiety woth associated depression. Since you went off and not weaned and got back even on the lower dose ya brain is going to get cranky.

From what you say it was the increase and not necessarily the medication....correct me if wrong. I reckon four days is too quick to give up...got to get firing again happening. I am not a dr...just thinking from experience only. And if you were stable before the increase?

What is your dx...if you feel comfortable in sharing. Lexapro alike others aint for everyone...all trial n error. Lexapro is top shelf...
But hit n miss and can have some terrible side effects....esp early on. Brain zaps!!!

Lithium is hit n miss. Got to keep a regular eye on ya liver. Liver function tests. Just blood test...it can be problematic for the liver. I hope ya doc is a psychiatrist....if not it is a must...they know how to dx and correctly treat.

Regards. HT
Posted 9/7/2019 9:00 AM (GMT 0)
Im a hypochondriac. Ive been doing extremely well on lexapro 20 mg for the last 8 months. The increase to 20 mg happened in january 2019. Not recent. Ive had no major side effects since then. This agitation only appeared 29th 30th august 2019. After which i stopped for 4 days.
Posted 9/7/2019 9:40 AM (GMT 0)
My doc is a neurophsuchiatrist. I am from india. There are a lot of incomoetent professionals in this field. I saw this doc for the first time today. Since i moved to a new place and had to find a new doc. This new doc on my first visit formed an opinion that any ssri will result in the same agitation/faux manic symptoms. Or what he calls drug induced mania.
I on the other hand am scared of the notion of doing away with ssri altogether. My doc said, its either lithium 300mg with an ssri or no ssri at all. He actually prescribed me bupropion 150mg and a diazepam today.

I need a second opinion.
Posted 9/7/2019 11:54 AM (GMT 0)
Hi

I would stay at the 10mg dose for a while and see how you get on and stay in touch with your doctor.

Keep us posted.

Hibee
Posted 9/7/2019 12:16 PM (GMT 0)
Am with hibee...like i said...u were fine till the increase. One consult and all ssri will cause induced mania....well i call bs on this....unless you have had a study to confirm otherwise.

You went off 20mg... A break then to ten...ya brain is cranky. Was there anything going on with you around the time of the increase?

4 days go off....well you are beginning again...
Your brain synapses etc. You were at it seems a theraputic level and to get this back will take some time again. I say 10mg of the lexapro is worth reinstating. HT
Posted 9/7/2019 12:24 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much guys...my gut leans the same way...im gonna stick to 10mg for a while..a little short term discomfort is worth it...
Posted 9/7/2019 12:26 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for the support...
Posted 9/8/2019 5:31 AM (GMT 0)
R.D.,

I am sorry you are currently having Rx issues. I am sure this is both confusing and frustrating.

You've received great advice above, so I will just add my support. Keep us posted so we can keep you encouraged!

S.C.
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