Looking for help/advice/hope... something

[Dht3021]

I'm a 36 year old m who had bad anxiety when I was younger after a traumatic event. I was able to get it under control back the but after another event later in life my anxiety has returned. It eventually made me depressed around my amazing partner that I was experiencing anxiety and DP/DR almost every day and I just had to go get treatment. I was prescribed 20mg of Lexapro but ended up starting with 10mg. The side effects have been horrible the first week and after being in a state of worry I cut my dose to 5mg bc I have a vacation upcoming and don't want to ruin my partners time suffering through them at a beautiful resort. 2 days at 5mg and ive had my worst day, screen feels burning I've barely slept, wake up in mere moments in a panic and ive sadly had to resort to Xanax in emergencies, but ive had more than ive ever had and now im nervous about being dependent bc it's the best band-aid ever. I just want some help, some reassurance, should I power through with the Lex, did the dosage drop make it worse. I feel like I'm letting everyone around me down, Im trying to be strong but today was so hard. I'm sure these posts are incredibly common, but if anyone could give me any sort of advice I would be forever in your debt. I'm not a huge fan of my GP either, so here I am. Thank you to anyone so much.

[litethatnevergoesout]

I have the experiences with lexapro. I’m not around anyone or gearing up for a resort and I’ve still not attempted to take my prescription I just had filled a few days ago. I was on lexapro for 5 years and remember the side effects when I began taking it were horrifying. I quit taking it recently and started up again but had quit long enough for there to be the side effects again. they do go away and how long that takes and how severe depend on the individual. it may subside in less than a week or take months. I’ve read about some individuals who never get past the side effects. I wish there were a more definitive answer I could share with you. like I said though, my depression got so bad I had my dr send out the prescription to be filled and I have yet to even take any. I wrote in marker “horrifying” on my last bottle and it sits next to my new bottle so I just stare at it for a minute everyday and never take any, the very reason I wrote what I did on the old bottle so I remember what it was like.

[litethatnevergoesout in reply to litethatnevergoesout]

One day my depression will be unbearable again and I’ll begin the lexapro once more.

[Dht3021 in reply to litethatnevergoesout]

Thank you for your reply! Means a lot, did you feel it was worth it to tough it out?

[litethatnevergoesout in reply to Dht3021]

Yes

[Agora1]

Hi Dht3021 and Welcome. I happen to be a success story on Lexapro. After being on

one small dose of 0.25mg of Xanax daily for 30 years, it became ineffective. I was slowly

and safely weaned off it and started on 10mg of Lexapro. I had no depression but great

Anxiety and Fear. I knew that it would take approx. 4-6 weeks for it to reach full efficacy.

A little longer if the dose is played with. Possibly reducing your dosage from 10 to 5mg

may have caused the in balance of the affects.

Your doctor should be made aware of your reducing the dose before vacation. I will

also say that mixing alcohol with Lexapro can also produce horrific side effects.

Xanax is a great drug for instantly reducing the fears of panic/anxiety. If used properly

along with psychotherapy, it can be the gateway in your getting well.

Anxiety should be worked on while on these medications. Almost like a bandage effect

while you find other methods/tools to reduce your stress. Addressing Anxiety issues

has nothing to do with being strong but being consistent as well as accepting Anxiety

for what it is. A lie coming from the negative thoughts in your mind.

You see, the Mind and Body are so intertwined that unless the mind perceives our

issues in a more positive way, the body will respond in the fight or flight response.

Please talk with your therapist or doctor regarding restarting the proper dosage.

If this doesn't work as it may not for many people, there are other medications that

can be effective for you. Never give up. Always believe that you will get better xx

[Dht3021]

Agora thank you so much! I have been practicing CBT but your information is also really helpful, it has already given me strength

[Wakeboarder24]

Lexipro wasn’t a good one for me.

[84withb12d]

Hey Dht3021, So sorry you are having to go through this. First I want to tell you you’re not letting anyone down. Some things we can’t control. I would switch to something else if what you’re taking is making you feel like that. My MOM Is very in tolerant to a lot of medicines. Xanax works for her and she does fine with it. We recently are trying BUSPAR very low dose half of .5 mg pill every other day and seeing improvements. But still taking Xanax as needed. Also Magnesium glycinate 200 mg in the mornings. And 7 ml of Benadryl liquid for at night to help sleep. All these little things seem to help. Everyone is not the same so don’t settle for something that’s makes you feel worse. Good luck hope you feel better soon! 😊

[Dht3021 in reply to 84withb12d]

Thank you for the kind words and information! These really are helpful.

[84withb12d in reply to Dht3021]

Any time,! Your Welcome