Anxiety and driving

[Ml601]

Hi everybody. I hope everyone is doing better than I am. My anxiety has not improved after a little over a month of lexapro. I still don't have the nerve to learn how to drive and it sucks because driving is something I really need on my life. My husband is 3 nd a half hours away from me in prison which doesn't help and since I still don't drive I can't get there😭

[Agora1]

Hi MI601, I'm also on Lexapro. Started on 10mg and then upped to 15mg where I have stayed on it for the last 5 years. It normally takes 4-6 weeks to work and a little longer if the dose has been increased. I'd talk to the doctor about that.

As for learning to drive right now, I don't think it's as much about not having the nerve but being stressed out with other things going on in your life. Is there a way you can take a bus to the prison.? You can't be the only person who doesn't drive and maybe the facility may have some suggestions. Even if you learned how to drive, 3 1/2 hours away is not around the corner and may be too much for you to handle. xx

[Ml601 in reply to Agora1]

Hey Agora1 thanks for responding. I started on 5mg of lexapro for a week then moved up to 10 mg and at about a month moved up to 20mg. So it's only been about a week that I've been on 20 mg so that may be why I don't feel a change. How do you feel on it does it help?

There is no bus that goes to the prison but there are carpool options but it's hard going with people I don't know and my 10 month old son. Idk if it's stress that's stopping me from driving I think it's more like fear I just don't feel like I can do it and it sucks.

[Agora1 in reply to Ml601]

For me Ml601, it's been an excellent drug. Feel great on it, no tiredness, fully alert but we are all different in how we respond to medication. Since the time is recent that you increased the dose, I'd give it a few more weeks until your body adjusts to the full dose. Good Luck on that.

As for carpooling, I wouldn't like that either. Sometimes we need to step out of our safety zone and force ourselves to do something we don't like. However, with driving, if you brain is saying "no" then it may just mean it's not the right time for you.

I'm sorry, I know how much it would mean to you and your husband in having you visit but we need to keep you and the baby safe as well. Let us know if by chance family or friends may offer to drive. xx

[Ml601 in reply to Agora1]

Your right I'm gonna give it a couple more weeks to see if lexapro helps me. Maybe it isn't the right time for me to drive but it sucks cuz no One really understands that and I feel like they just look at me like I'm weird or something or I'm exageratting .

[Jeff1943]

Ml601, ask your husband if he knows any other prisoner he trusts who might have relatives visiting him from near where you live. And if so would they be willing to take you and your little one if you paid for half the petrol/gas. It's worth asking.

My grandson is in prison and he had a mate whose wife and child had no transport to visit him and we used to take them with us.

[Ml601 in reply to Jeff1943]

My husband just got transferred to this prison so he's not very close with anybody yet. But I am going to ask him about that thanks for the idea.