Side effect question, and an Intro
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| Sat, 08-05-2006 - 5:27am |
Hello,I'm new to the group... but I am dying to ask some questions.
A bittie intro (or not so bittie)... you can skip down to the question if you want
I am in my late 30's and I have GAD that has significantly worsened (IMO) with the addition of depression over the past 7 years. My GAD seems to be exacerbated during times of hormonal shifts, premenses is pretty bad for instance. Oddly I feel great when pregnant. But can't be PG forever right (bummer)? The after pregnancy is over part is dreadful and it takes several years to recover. I think that the sleep disruption on top of the hormonal shift there might be key. I never seemed to recover back to a nice managable level of GAD after my 2nd child 7 yrs ago. There were several major life changing events that happened during the year or 2 after that child was born and things just have gotten worse. I have an autoimmune disorder that showed just after that birth and it is likely to be exacerbated by stress. It definately flairs up when anything stressful (life or dietary) happens. I have been having midcycle bleeding when progesterone levels drop. Working on that. Probably stress related also. And my adrenal function is compromised (ie my epinepherine levels are low--this is your get up and go one, no wonder I don't feel like getting up and going). Also my seratonin levels were in the toilet. This per blood work my ND did.
Tx history--
I was prescribed Zoloft about 5 years ago by my MD. The dose gradually went up from 25mg to 150mg. I did have some anxiety relief, but the side effects drove me to wean off. All last year I worked with a Naturopath to try and get my adrenal system working, my seratonin levels up and my adrenal function back. We were minimally successful.
To compound things, I have some family issues that are so stressful it is just about all I can do to hold myself together. I think that this combined with the current state of my body/mind is why the treatment just wasn't working. But when I decided to start talking with a 3rd party counselor to help me work through the family stuff... she thought that unless I dealt with the biological stuff, we probably wouldn't make much progress in the cognitive work. Chicken before the egg thing.
So---this week I had my first appt. with a Psychiatrist and he prescribed Lexapro. I told him my fears of the side effects I had with the Zoloft. So we'll wait and see if it happens with this drug. I would like to avoid taking other meds to treat side effects of the first meds argh.... I'm not happy about that prospect but I can't live like this anymore. I can feel my body giving out under the stress of trying to hold it (ungracefully) together mentally.
QUESTION (finally)
The side effect that I could absolutely not tolerate with the Zoloft (and am hoping I won't have with the Lexapro) is running legs syndrome.
The other annoying side effect is lack of orgasm. This I could live without, but it is frustrating. When I am feeling better, I am sure it will be a bigger bummer of a side effect.
So I am wondering what others have done to remedy these side effects, and if you were successful. I can hope that it is something like wear knee high socks (for the running legs) and eat chocolate chip cookies before hopping in the sack (for the anogasma) right? But I am willing to try whatever. :)
TIA

Hello! Nice to see you:) I am sorry to hear what you're going through. You are NOT alone. We'll be glad to lend you support.
I have never taken lexapro, but we have others who do. Hopefully they will add their comments. I am pretty sure that noone has posted about *running leg syndrome.* I think sometimes it's called *restless leg syndrome.* There is a new drug out for treatment that's highly successful. You might ask your dr. about it.
Thanks Jan. You are absolutely right it is Restless Legs Syndrome :-) I guess my legs just wanted to run LOL
I'll check out the link, thanks a bunch!