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Lexapro...please help?

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Posted 8/12/2014 6:35 PM (GMT 0)
I have been on lexapro generic for 3 weeks. I took 5mg for the first week, now 10mg. I began to feel slightly better after week 1 but the past couple of days it has all just gone downhill. Crying, anxiety, can't get out of bed, can't sleep, nausea, just overall completely depressed and hopeless. Is this normal? Will it pass soon? Should I be switching to a different med? I have xanax as well but I don't like to depend on it. I called my doctor and she said try 15mg for a few days.

I'm just so scared the depression won't ever end. Positive words only please.
Posted 8/12/2014 6:44 PM (GMT 0)
Hi

First of all a big welcome to our forum you will find great support here from the members who will be able to relate to what you are going through.

I was on Lexapro a couple of years ago and found it to be a good AD and it really helped my anxiety. Unfortunately with all AD you will experience some side effects for the first few weeks until your system gets used to the medication but these should improve as should your anxiety but it can take between 6-8 weeks before the full effects are felt. If things don't improve do go back to your doctor and talk things through with them and take their advice.


Also look into talking therapies such as CBT or Mindfulness you will find posts here on HW by typing those key words in the search engine and your doctor should know about these. They really work well in teaching you how to deal with your anxiety

Keep posting

Hibee
Posted 8/12/2014 11:17 PM (GMT 0)
Definitely want to welcome you to our forum! A good place to ask questions and share ideas.

I can share my own experience with A/D meds, and that is that they take several weeks to reach a therapeutic level. In the meantime, if your doctor prescribed Xanax, and you take it as prescribed, you may find that it will help you over this initial rough start-up period!

Your doc rx'd that med so you don't have to suffer through this transition....so I'd suspect that in their experience, their patients have reported that rough starts with fluctuating symptoms are 'normal,' and he/she is offering you additional help.

My $0.02.











M.
Posted 8/13/2014 3:38 PM (GMT 0)
I've been on it for 6 months and it has been useless for me, actually has made me worse, so much so my doctor today had to take me off of it.

Again everyones body is affected differently, I hope this doesn't discourage you, it could work for you. I was so bad on it yesterday, I cried all day, could not get out of bed but for only brief periods of time, and felt an overwhelming sense of hopelessness, I literally took a shower so I could admit myself in the hospital, but my son would have no where to go, so I went back to sleep.

Woke up this morning feeling almost okay, then 2 hours later started feeling like crap again, seems like a have a continuous headache.
Posted 8/13/2014 4:42 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,
I have been on lexapro generic for 3 weeks as well at 10mg. I have had increased anxiety and lots of ups and downs. I switched to brand name today, but not sure if that will help. I guess the next step is to increase the dosage.

It's been a really difficult journey so far and at times I've even thought of admitting myself to a hospital. I take ativan at night which helps me sleep but i don't take it during the day.

I keep reading that it takes 4-6 weeks, sometimes even 8 to fully help, so I'm trying to be patient.

You are not alone. Keep us updated on your progress.
Posted 8/13/2014 5:02 PM (GMT 0)
If you all were talking about Celexa id feel like I fit right in. I seem to be going through the same things. Prayers for all of us!
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