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Lexapro week 4

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Posted 8/25/2016 9:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Everyone!!!!

Just wanted to give a quick update on lex. I'm on week 4 now. And I have had so far a good experience thus far. Some of you may know this but I have been on lex before 3 times in the last 8 years. And longest I took it was 8 mths and 5mg has always been successful for me.

This 4th time around I rarely got any side effects unlike I've experienced before and it's been good for me. These last 3 days I've been a bit anxious but subsides quickly. I'm blaming it on my hormones lol since this week is considered my menstrual week.

Last time I saw my doc he recommended to be on the med until the end of September which would make it 9 weeks total on lexapro. I trust my doc completely but I'm hesitant if that's a good idea. I was thinking of scheduling a appointment with a psychiatrist to get a second opinion. I've never visited a psychiatrist before. Plus lexapro is too pricy for my wallet haha.
Posted 8/25/2016 9:24 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Roxy!

If you'd like to get a second opinion from a psych, I don't think that's unreasonable.

Have you looked into generic lexapro (escitalopram)? When I was on lexapro it was $100 a month, but the escitalopram was about $10 (USA).
Posted 8/25/2016 11:26 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Roxy,

I am glad to hear you are doing so well! That is great news!

I definitely think a consult with a P-doc is in order...since generally, SSRI'S are not meant to be used for such a short period of time. Really, you are just now at the end of the start up time frame...

...so if you think about it...what has changed? An SSRI is not like a round of antibiotics that you take...and then the issue is cleared up. Anxiety is generally a chronic condition, and that is why maintenance meds are used.

The exception would be if one had done work in therapy, and then wanted to wean and see how they manage with just their therapy tools and techniques...

...but barring that occurrence, I do have to honestly say I was confused by your doctor prescribing you for only 9 weeks.

(and even if you had a situational anxiety issue that has now resolved...such a quick start up and wean may just be a lot for your system to handle in a short period of time.)

So, yes, I think a second opinion would be a good idea...and you can't get more knowledgeable about A/D's than a psychiatrist. :)

Wishing you answers and the best treatment plan!

S.C.
Posted 8/25/2016 11:51 PM (GMT 0)
It's good advice above. So glad to hear you're feeling good.
Posted 8/26/2016 5:57 AM (GMT 0)
Generic Lexapro is way cheaper,only brand if you n slow release which has to be brand.
Good to know positive results.
I have been on it forever...
Posted 8/26/2016 3:50 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all for your replies!

Scaredy cat thank you for the advice!! I think I will just get a second opinion. I trust my doctor completely 100% and he has known me for years so he knows my history. He knows these past few months were rough with my divorce and other issues that triggered my anxiety so that is why he wanted me to be on it for a small while. He said just to be on it to help me get over this little bump on the road haha but I still want to get a second opinion.

For me it's never really been depression just mainly anxiety. And usually my anxiety gets triggered when somehing completely stresses me out and it's too much for me. But thank god this medicine has continued to have its positive effect on me with this being my 4th time on it.

I have had more good days than off days on this med since I started. This week though has been off for me. I've been a bit anxious and I start to focus on how the anxiety annoys me and I think I'm just making it worse. But then again this week is my menstrual week and my hormones are all out of whack.

So I will keep you updated once I see a pdoc. I haven't made an appointment yet. I was still debating whether or not I should haha. We shall see! If I do decide to wean off im not so worried about weaning since it's always been easy to wean off with no symptoms and I'm guessing that's because I take such a low dose.


Oh Cilly yes I know there is a generic which is wayyyy cheaper. Maybe I can look into it. I'm kinda hesitant from switching to brand and then going to generic. Are you on the generic?
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