Posted by theump on August 28, 2003, at 20:53:01
In reply to New User to any type of med., posted by shay on August 28, 2003, at 12:41:33
Your story sounds VERY similar to mine. I haven't read all the posts between your original and this one but I wanted to say that I had the same reservations you did. I felt like the Zoloft commercial and told my primary care physician just that. He recommended Lexapro. A couple friends of mine had started anti-depressants recently also and I figured if they could admit to it and do it, so could I. So I talked to my doctor and he put me on Lex and that afternoon I took my first 10mg dose without any knowledge of what the side effects could be. Then I found this site and realized I might have a long haul before feeling better.
Well, about 3 months later I'm still on Lex and gradually going up to 20mg. I'm at 15mg now. I've been very lucky with side effects and do still drink socially every so often. I've never felt "wacked out" or "weird".
I was tired and unmotivated going into Lex. I can say I got over some of the tiredness but now that I just went up in does it's back. At least for now. I however am feeling more motivated than I have in a number of years. Fluke or fact from Lex I'm not sure, but I'm not going to complain. I also work 8+ hours a day and still go and do things although like I said the motivation to do what should be done instead of only what had to be done had waned.
I have not talked to a counselor either. My doctor mentioned that if I still don't feel like Lex is making a difference for me that he'll refer me to a psyciatrist to help me figure it all out. I'm currently dealing with the end of a 5 year relationship and someone at work quitting and having a lot more stressful time there. I have also started exercising again, thanks to a knee problem, and that may be helping also.
I'm still not sure if Lex is making a difference or if my attitude has changed. But it hasn't been a bad choice for me. I'm one of the lucky ones as far as side effects and as I said I'm just now moving up my dose and feeling a difference. My doc wants me up to 20 and I have about a month to get there to see if it makes a difference.
Whatever your decision, I've found that letting others know what your going through is a great form of support.
Renee
> I have never been on any medications for depression but feel like I've had some level of depression pretty much since I was a little girl. I've tried some for a few days but couldn't stand how they made me feel. I don't feel like I have major depression so I'm always leary of starting something because of side effects, I don't want to feel worse, since I've also dealt with anxiety. I read some of these posts and wonder if it's even worth getting into taking Lexapro, which I got samples of yesterday. The doc told me to break in half and take 5mg. I'm worried though because I do drink socially and don't want to feel all "wacked out" and "weird." Like I said, no one would even think of me as depressed but I am sometimes. And sometimes it's really bad and sometimes not. I never not do anything or not go anywhere and work a 9-5 so what should I do... I feel like I read these posts and I want to read something like "Lexapro makes me feel great, I'm so happy now, it definitely worked so well!!!!!!" And I'm not reading this, am I going to feel happy and normal or what??? Any suggestions or help... I don't want to be on something for the rest of my life and feel worse. I already feel tired and sad sometimes, w/o feeling sick and weird. Anyone???? Also, I haven't had counseling but wonder if this is more what I should do or if this low dose will be ok for me??? The docs never listen to my symptoms so I don't know who to ask for advice. You all seem to know best! :) Thanks!
poster:theump
thread:109458
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030828/msgs/255174.html