Success on meds?

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-19-2006
Success on meds?
8
Sun, 08-27-2006 - 2:47pm

Has ANYONE had success taking medications? Did anyone get some relief from taking an antidepressant? I've been on Lexapro for a week now and in a few weeks it should start working. I hope. I just need someone to tell me it might work.

Any comments would be helpful!
Jessica

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-15-1998
Sun, 08-27-2006 - 4:02pm

Hi, I am brand new to this board, but yours was the first message I read, and I can give you some info. I have been on Lexapro for about 3 weeks, and I am seeing a difference. I have GAD, as well as Panic disorder-- both recently (within the last 3-4mos) diagnosed, but I feel I have had my whole life. I also have some symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder-- Obsessive Only. (Had never heard of that until my therapist gave me a checklist-- apparently it is Obessive thoughts without the Compulsive Behavior)
Anyway, after about a week, I noticed a decrease in the obsessive thoughts (for me, they were mostly thoughts about falling down the stairs, and having someone behind me when I closed my eyes or drove the car alone in the dark) When I had been taking it about 2 weeks, I had to drive on the interstate, which is when I tend to get Panic attacks and I could truly feel the medication working. It seemed to be like a "barrier" that the panicy feelings couldn't get through. So the panic was still there, but just at a lower level. My therapist helped me verbalize that it was like the "dial" for the logical thinking had been turned up and the "dial" for the panic had been turned down. My doctor (actually it is my midwife I have been seeing as my primary care physician-- I can talk to her better and she deals with me wholisticly even though my youngest is 2 and a half) has increased my dose from 10mg to 15mg in the hopes that this will eliminate the anxiety more fully.

Anyway, I guess that is my story, but the bottom line is that I do think that the Lexapro is working for me. My best friend also has an anxiety disorder (go figure) and she has been on anxiety meds for several years and definitely sees a great improvement. But I know a lot of the med stuff is finding the one that works for you. Lexapro is supposed to be a good start, as I think it is more "mild" or something.

Good luck to you!!
Karen

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-10-2003
Sun, 08-27-2006 - 8:00pm
Great success! I feel pretty much fine now - about 5 weeks on Lexapro (10 mg) and .5 mg of klonopin 2x a day. I felt terribly sick from the lexapro for about 3 weeks - but now I'm fine. I am still a bit tired - but not too much - and I'm back to the old me! Yippee!
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Mon, 08-28-2006 - 4:55am

Jessica, I'd have to say that the xanax works better for me than the lexapro for my panic attacks, and my anxiety, too.

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Mon, 08-28-2006 - 4:58am

Hi Karen & welcome!

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-15-1998
Mon, 08-28-2006 - 8:19am

Sheri Ann,
Does the Xanax work when you are driving? I thought I saw someone mentioning it making you feel drowsy or woozy. My most severe panic attacks come when I am the driver, so I couldn't do anything that made me drowsy. But the Lexapro definitely seems to take the edge off of the panic where I can use the coping techniques to get through it better than without.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-14-2006
Mon, 08-28-2006 - 11:30am

I am also taking Lexapro and have had *very* good success! I take 10 mg. For me it took 2 weeks or so to notice changes but it has been great for me. The way I describe the effects is that it just lifted a weight off my shoulders. It quiets my anxious thoughts and seems to suppress panic. I also sleep *tons* better!

That said sometimes you do have to try different meds to find the right one for you but I think Lexapro has had a very good track record for alot of people.

If after 6 weeks you don't notice any improvement call you doc and try something else.

HTH!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Mon, 08-28-2006 - 3:45pm

The xanax doesn't make me tired, but I do tend to take a nap about 5 hours after I take it.

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-15-1998
Mon, 08-28-2006 - 3:54pm
Thanks! I don't actually have a prescription for it, and I would like to see if the increased dose of Lexapro (15mg) controls the panic better before asking for it. But it is good to know that there is something I could use for occassional use if I think I would need it.