I previously posted a few paragraphs outlining how I was doing on Lexapro up into the 3rd-week mark. It was rough at that point. But, it got better. A lot better, actually. So much so that I was starting to feel like my regular self again. Unnecessary worry and panic would sometimes pop up, but it was manageable. I wasn't overanalyzing things, memories, or certain situations as much as I was on weeks 1 & 2, and into 3.
However, I somehow went backward... or at least feel like I did. I know medicine is different for everyone, but I was so happy to feel like I was making progress... not only with the meds but also with my lifestyle and in Therapy. Now, It doesn't feel that way. I woke up on Tuesday, which marked the 24th day on 10mg's of Lexapro. I started feeling anxious again. My appetite was gone, I would wake up in the morning with uncontrollable thoughts and panic, It's Friday now, and in contrast to yesterday, It has been slightly better. But, still feeling tense and anxious. My mind feels noisy. My sleep is constantly disrupted at around 4-5am with vivid dreams that cause me immense anxiety.
I will be calling my Dr. tomorrow morning and see what he suggests and what his observations are.
He suggested in the past that he would take me off Lexapro and try something else if my symptoms did not subside by our next appointment. Fortunately, they did subside in the following days but are unfortunately back now. Truthfully, I hope that this is just my brain chemicals still out of whack since it is only day 28 (4-week mark). But, the progression to degression makes me extremely sad and hopeless.
Does anyone have similar experiences?
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PuckCanuck1
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Hi PuckCanuck1, good luck with your doctor tomorrow. Try not to give up hopeyet. 10 Mg may not be enough. Actually I was started on 10mg for the first 2 weeks
and the dosage was raised to 15mg For myself, that is where I got the full efficacy
effect of the medication.
See what you doctor suggests. It sounds like you are having good results as well as
a few break throughs. This is par for the course when in that 4-6 week period of
adjustment.
Let us know what your doctor says. My best to you xx
Hi PuckCanuck1, have you read the book by Dr Claire Weekes' "Hope & Help foryour Nerves"? Her theory is about accepting anxiety as not harmful allowing it
to come over you w/o fearing it.
Her videos are also on YouTube. If you haven't seen them, take a look, it will be
well worth your time. Take in what she is saying regarding how much power we
do have within ourselves.
Anxiety will trick us from time to time, once you do not allow it to trap you into
the "fight or flight" stage, it will back off. Not fearing, accepting and then breathing
can accomplish more than your medication.
I no longer fear anxiety, I have control over my emotions by practicing my
meditation and breathing each and every day. It is like reprogramming your brain.
You're going to be okay... Listen to your doctor. Stay positive, don't give anxiety
the idea that you are helpless. You are what you think. Let's talk tomorrow after
your visit with your prescribing physician. Let's see what he says to do. xx
Thank you so so so so much for the book idea. I listened to the audiobook last night and it completely re-worked my idea and understanding of my nerves and my mind/thoughts.
Obviously, I still get hopeless during setbacks, but It makes me just a smidge more optimistic that I can overcome them with practice!
Hi Agora1Can you please let me know .. how you schedule your daily practice of breathing and meditation. I always plan but fail ... IT would be a good help for me to learn from you about your way of practicing Breathing cycle and meditation.
Thank you Agora1, I really appreciate your suggestions. When I try to do meditation in the morning immediately after wakeup, I slowly get into sleep again😆.. As per your experience, adapting to the new schedule will take same time as the medicine we take.. I will try to follow now the schedule and see how it works this time.. Thanks again for your help
Hi there, I have found that with medication it can often be up and down while it starts to work. Some days feeling better, then others feeling no better. It seems that slowely the days when I feel no better get fewer and fewer and further apart, until I feel better all / most of the time.
I would say it’s just your brain adjusting, it will take a little while longer before those bad thoughts and emotions get fewer and further between. I’ve been on a couple of antidepressants and I have found lexapro the best one . I’ve been on it a few years now and am doing really well on it . I still have crappy days but I think that’s more due to my circumstances than depression itself . This is just my experience with it , but always follow drs advice first
Hi Mumma_h... good to hear that you are doing good. I just want to ask you, since how many years you are on Lexapro and what is the dose you are taking..
It’s been roughly 2 1/2 years . I was on 10 mg and doc changed it to 20mg a while back after a trauma as I was REALLY scared of going back into a bad depression and dr said 10 isn’t that much and 20mg is fine . Still feeling good on them , still no side effects I’ve noticed
I took lexapro when it first came out under only the name brand. Miracle drug! Tried it last July as a generic. Battled horrible anxiety, brain fog, and wicked night sweats. Requested an additional medication to assist with the temperature regulation issues to work through the kinks. By week six, I told my doctor I was done with medication. Back to my dependency on ativan.
Side note, there are other therapies for PTSD caused anxiety you can research. Keep in mind I do not know your insurance coverage or financial situation. Google TMS therapy and EMDR therapy.
Hi Puck, setbacks can be disconcerting but try to look at them as a sign that you are making progress and know that they won't last too long.
I found that that meds alone did not eliminate my anxiety, it only helped make it more manageable. As Agora advised, the books of Dr. Claire Weekes are very good and there is also another that expands on her approach, the DARE Anxiety book. I particularly like their phone app, it's like having your own coach. Both also have good youtube videos available. Another skill that is very helpful is learning and practicing simple mindfulness to be able to detach and observe your anxious thoughts. Learning how to accept the anxious thoughts and feelings and let them flow through you is the key.
And remember that when you are in the midst of a setback, get your book out and reread it, you'll realize how much you really know and how far you have come. It's easy to forget it when you are feeling overwhelmed.
Unfortunately, recovery is not linear. I have been on maybe 20 different meds, including lexapro. Some drugs work, some take a long time to kick in, some you give up on and some work early on and then stop working. I was on Lexapro for 13 years. I got off it because it no longer allowed me to live a life I wanted to lead. I'm still looking for something new. There are drugs that are worth sticking with and hopefully Lexapro will be for you.
I wonder if something else needs to be added. I've been a couple of weeks good on a new med and then have it fail. But you had such good results, maybe an increase? See what your Dr says.
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xx
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