Posted by pumpkin on March 15, 2003, at 21:14:31
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
I have been reading the messages that you guys
have been posting, and decided to write myself.I was stabilized on meds. for over 10 years, but
my whole world fell apart about 2 years ago.The "quack" doctor I had at the time took me
off "cold turkey", and I listened, because at that
time I was very gullable?Since then, I have been tried on so many meds..
I had to be hospitalized twice, and went through
9 shock treatments. It's been very very hard
alot, but I know that the Lord has a purpose
for me, and He has been my strength through it
all!Needless to say, I was diagnosed as Bi-Polar
(runs in family), but my new doctor still has
doubts.I knew that I was going to go off my meds., and
talked to my doctor about it. He helped me to
get off my anti-depressant, and we were working
on my mood stabilizer. I thought that I had been
in enough pain, and I was willing to risk again
to bring my body back to "normal" to see what
exactly was going on. It's terrible to not feel
yourself!Meanwhile, my counselor called me, and told me
of a med that might help. I was hesitant (not
another!), but I prayed- and knew that he, and
many others have been praying, so I kept it in the
back of my mind.I went down more on my mood stabilizer, and believe me- it was hard! But worth it. I was
returning, I knew it, but something was not right.
I couldn't see the "mania", but I was getting
more deeply depressed. This scared me alittle-
but I went on,through alot of talking (prayer)
to the Lord.Went to my doctors, and told him that I cry over
ANYTHING! I told him what my counselor had said,
and we met at a common ground. I would try one
more time (he left the decision to me) with this
anti-depressant (Lexapro). His decision was not
to go down anymore on my mood stabilizer. I
agreed. Came home and prayed again. I was scared, but decided to try it.I tried 5mg. since my system is so very sensitive.
Felt weird, and started to panic alittle, but
I knew that I would have to ride it out. The
next day, I felt weird still, but something was
changing. Still depressed, my stomach bothered
me alittle, and I was going to just forget it!Again, I prayed, and decided to try just one more
night. Took another dose and couldn't get to
sleep. Oh no! I did finially get to sleep.The next day, I still felt weird, but I woke up
earlier. My stomach didn't bother me as much.
Oh yeah- the "flu" like symptoms started to leave
also. I did eat alittle more. BUT- I felt better! I even got some work done around the
house! I decided not to get my hopes up to high
though (that is hard-especially when your feeling
better)!Around 4 p.m., I started to get really "hyper"
and couldn't think straight. My mood went down,
and I couldn't sleep. I decided that since my
doctor was thinking about uping my mood stabilizer, I would listen to what he wanted to
do. I uped my stabilizer, and went to bed. No
problems really about getting to sleep.DUMB IDEA! The next day was BAD! I was so
depressed! I couldn't get out of it the whole
day! Lord, help me! I went back on my usual
dose of stabilizer, and called my doctor. He
isen't good for calling back- no matter what. I
have called him maybe 3-4 times in the last 2
years. Anyway...Today, I have been so tired. Thank the Lord that
it is the weekend. I had to take a nap today.
I fought it and fought it. I have neck problems,
and think that the med also has a side effect
which triggers it, but nothing that a Tylenol
won't help with. My appetite is better too. I
kinda feel that I've wasted a beautiful day, but
that's the way it goes. Usually, I'm pretty
much up and around with my family, but they know
that I go through these times.My main concern is that I don't want to get "hyper" again. I hate not being able to
sleep. I went through that with the last anti-
depressant. But the blessing is that if I do-
I know that I'm probably Bi-Polar, and be helped
the way I should. All this time, no one could
get a decent "grasp" on what has been going on.
My family past has been hidden by alcohol, and
it's been hard. Now, however, everything is
coming out to the open. Thank the Lord!Anyway, I hope that what I've said so far is
making some sort of sense. Emotionally, I'm
feeling pretty good again. One step at a time!
I'll continue to write as long as I can. Feel
free to e-mail back. Thanks for your messages!
I do want to say that I wish that all doctors
would send their patients to the net. I was
going to just quit- until I read some of the
messages that were posted! Alot of my problems
were "symptoms" of the sickness. I never would
have known that without you guys!Thanks, and may our Lord bless you and your week!
poster:pumpkin
thread:109458
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030314/msgs/209515.html