Meds not working,or give them more time?
Find a Conversation
| Sun, 05-22-2005 - 9:16pm |
I am just so tired of feeling this way! I have been dealing with depression and generalized anxiety for most of the past year. It came on out of nowhere and has been coming and going. I finally decided to start meds about 5 weeks ago. I started on Lexapro and very gradually increased my dosage from 2.5 mg to 10 mg. I've been taking 10 mg for about a week now.
There have been weeks that I feel great, and weeks where I feel really bad. It's hard to tell if the meds are working at all - because the same thing would happen before I started taking meds! Good days/weeks and bad.
So my question is - do I give it more time? Try something else? Or maybe meds won't work for this?
I took an ativan this morning and that helped a bit - but I don't want to have to take that stuff...
Anyway, thanks for any advice you might have!
- Adrienne

I was on it for 6 months and then my doctor took me off them gradually. I have been with out lexapro for 3 months. The first 2 months I was fine, I just started with anxiety attacks again this past week. The good thing is that, it is not the same, I do not have them all day like before or every day. That gives me hope that something must be working. I have them ever other day at night only. I am going to start on another medication next week I have an appointment with my doctor monday and he has not told me what he will give me.
Other things that I have not tried and I have been told that work are relaxation. Breathing, yoga, exercise. At this point I am willing to try anything. I know what you are feeling. Just give it time, but if after a month they have not reduced considerably you need to tell you doctor change the medication or give you more.
Hi, Adrienne! I believe I know you from a long time back. It's great to see you! Sorry to hear the anxiety & depression bug has hit again. I know it's tough, but you can lead a good life with these disorders. We are all works in progress here.
I guess I seriously did not understand your post. I have checked all the info I can find & lexapro doesn't come in 2.5 mg. Were you splitting tablets in half? That is so unusual to hear anyone starting on such a low dose. Granted, I am no doctor, but I read these posts everyday & most folks begin on 10 mg. After 5 weeks, I am pretty sure I would be knocking the doctor's door down to see if something could be done. You sound so tired & as if you're losing your spirit. Many of us have been discouraged when searching for the proper dose & combination of meds that make us feel better. For now, if the ativan is helping, I would take it. That doesn't mean you have to take if forever. I was on klonopin for about 3 years, but gradually discontinued it. But, that was with the doctor's approval & because I seemed able to manage my A/P.
Have you tried alternatives? Yoga, meditation, breathing, relaxation, etc. There are many routes to go. Please join in our discussions. Check out our chats. The folks are so generous in sharing things that worked for their anxiety & usually meds are part of the evening topics. We care about you & want you to feel better. Good luck & GBU! (((hugs))) jan
I take Zoloft and it took about 6 weeks of the full dose before I was totally ok. I noticed improvement over the course of the 6 weeks but I was a total wreck when I started. I was having anxiety daily almost all day until evening. So, any improvement for me was great. I'd give it 6-8 weeks and then see the doc. Your dosage may not be quite right. It takes a while to tell, but you will get there.
Kim