more help please :)
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| Wed, 02-08-2006 - 3:15pm |
Hi
Ok I am so sorry for all of the questions, I guess that is part of my anxiety problem.
I don't know who else to talk to about these things, that is why I keep asking you guys.
So here goes-
I started on the 5 mg of lexapro and it helped almost immeadiately.
After about 4 weeks it felt as if it wasnt working anymore.
My pdoc wanted to increase, I went to 10 but felt anxious about it, and after 4 days chickened out(sorry for repeating this to those who already heard it).
I went back to 5mg. Now I am taking 3/4 of the pill , instead of 1/2.
Here is my ques.
The 5mg definitely worked, but the 10 seemed not to, of course it was only a few days, but I figured since the 5 worked so quick the 10 should have. Is that true??
I really dont want to change meds since I am getting used to this one.
Do you think I still have a chance of the lexapro working for me??
Should I give it more time before I make a decision to change?
I really liked how I felt in the beginning from the 5mg and I am looking for that feeling again. Is it possible it may just take more time before I begin to feel that way again??
Also
Does anyone find that exercise helps their anxiety?
I am so sorry for all of the questions, I feel like I am being a pain in the butt!!
Thank you in advance to all who read this and continue to put up with me :)
Kathy

Hi, Kathy! All questions are welcome. That's why we're here.
Antidepressants
Kathy,
don't give up on the lexapro quite yet, it is in a class of medications that does take quite a while to reach its optimal effect. Usually it takes 4 - 6 weeks for the medication to cross the blood-brain barrier and affect your behavior. I think a lot of the ups and downs you are experiencing are: 1. a placebo effect, and 2. normal fluctuations of anxiety.
as for exercise, i've heard of a lot of people say it helps their anxiety...for me personally it does not, but it also doesn't make it worse! i think exercise is a great thing to do anyway though :)
Hello Kathy,
First I'd like to say good for you for taking initiative in your treaments. Its hard to try new things, and putting meds in your body or upping the dose can be a little scary.
My advice would be not to be too overly sensitive to the changes in the first few weeks of taking a new med or dosage. I think that your body (and mind) are adjusting to the changes and its difficult to gage what effect that will have later on. For instance, when I first started taking Zoloft, I felt SUPER anxious the first few days. Luckily I stuck it out, and after a month or two, I realized that I felt very "normal" which was abnormal for me because much of my general anxiety had diminished.
Don't over analyze how you feel, just let your body adjust for the next month or so, and then judge. I think our minds (or at least mine) are always assessing how we are. Somtimes we should just give ourselves a break and just be for a little until the waves die down.
My sister did great with lexapro and I am considering looking into it. Don't give up just yet.
-LernersPetite
Hi Kathy,
I am on 30mg of lexapro and my pdoc said that it takes 6-8 weeks to get into your system after every increase. Try not to be so anxious, I know how hard it is. I had to work up to 30mg... I had a hard time and was VERY anxious. I absolutely think that you have a chance of the lexapro working, don't give up so soon.
For me, exercise is my #1 thing that keeps my anxiety at bay. Today I did 40 minutes on the ellipitical and 40 minutes and 40 min on the treadmill. I am also going to do another 30 minutes on the ellipitical later. It helps me so much. Also when I go to the gym the Boys go and play in the playroom so it gives them time with other kids and they love it.
TRUST ME, you are NOT a pain. I have almost 1200 posts in less then a yr. In the beginning I used to post at least once a day.. AT LEAST!
Everyone was here for me when I needed them, now we are all here for you!!!!
Hugs,
Hi Kathy,
Excercise helps me. I do a lot of walking and hiking. I am not a huge fan of gyms and stuff like that but the walking is great. This is coming from someone that would drive to the deli up my street years ago because I never walked anywhere. I just hated it, than I decided to give it a try and I could not feel better. Not only does it help you mentally it makes you look good physically and that is always a boost!
Even if you just do alittle at a time, in the beginning when I started I would get jelly legs occasionally and I would just stop walking and take a break. Now, I walk almost daily at work 2 1/2 miles and I hike with a friend on the weekends for at least 5 miles. The anxiety gave me a gift on one sense because I would have never realized I loved to Hike!!!
Be well,
Paula
We all wanted to know what and how of what we felt!!
The medications take longer than we pray for as it
starts working for you you will feel a change that stays
with you!! It is worth waiting for!! I hope that you are
feeling better soon!! Hold on and keep trying to keep on----
Exercise or any distraction is helpful! I used to dance
to music I about wore out my CD player--- take care and keep
asking questions! TAKE CARE!! Judy