Posted by Peter on October 10, 2003, at 18:31:16
In reply to Re: Crossing my fingers!!, posted by Arrianna on October 10, 2003, at 17:57:58
> > I posted a new thread yesterday in the general area, and then realized it would be good to also post within the ongoing lex thread.
> > Here's the deal:
> > Day 34 total lexapro, day 28 on 10mg (I started with 5mg the first 6 days). Everytime I thought it was beginning to kick-in, I'd feel like crap again. I've taken every other SSRI, with varying degrees of success, and also a plethora of other meds and med combos over the last 8 years. I spoke with my pdoc yesterday about the fact that I felt really bad all the time, unable to wake up, sleeping thru my alarm, irrtable and depressed all day, unresponsive to anything or anyone around me, numb and dull, etc. He said that it seemed as if I wasn't responding well to the lex - that it was both activating me (thus the irritability) and 'flattening' my mood (thus the continued depression and apathy). He suggested that I begin to taper the med and that we move toward my trying a med from the only class I haven't yet tried - the MAOIS. I've been considering them for years, and I'm probably a good candidate considering my history. But I am so sick of going from one med cocktail to the next; also, I've come this far already on the lex (and it hasn't been easy), and I've read so much about people feeling NOTHING on 10mg until week 7, 8, or even 9, and then it kicks in and it's well worth the wait. I just don't want to stop prematurely. So I made a resolution last night that I would stick with it another week or two instead of tapering it right now. I also decided that I would put a little more effort in to increase the chances of my responding well to the lex. What I mean by this is the following: I find that a lot of my lack of response has had to do with my
> > not 'allowing' the lex to work, so to speak; it's almost as if I've been thinking so pessimistically about the med and SSRI's in general, that I've been psychosomatically hindering its benefits. Today, I felt that my acceptance and resolution to stick with the lex and do what I can do -
> > both physically (getting my sleep/wake cycles back on track, exercising) and mentally (not letting my pessimism get the best of me) - seemed to help me benefit more from
> > the lex; I just have a feeling that it might be beginning to work (fingers crossed). I awoke with more energy today, and felt better in the afternoon than I have in a long time. Of course, it's not all about my shift in attitude and resolve; the action of the lex itself is helping me to HAVE a more positive, optimistic outlook on my responding well to it. So it might very well be that my own efforts +the therapeutic actions of the lex are beginning to work together to my benefit. I hope this makes sense. Does it? Cause I sort of feel like I'm not making any sense at all! Regardless, I hope my better mood today is the lex kicking in and not just another 'false alarm'! I really would prefer to not go on another 'med-roller-coaster' at this point. And my doc agreed that I stick with the lex another week or two, saying that my more positive outlook and decision to 'allow' the med to work will make me all the more liable to respond well to it. So, of course a positive response to the lex would be mostly due to the pharmacological actions of the drug and the balancing out of the NT's in my brain, but in my case it looks like some of it has to do with my cooperating with the process and doing what I can to allow it to work . All right, now I think I'm just further convoluting what was already pretty convoluted in the first place. Sorry! Is there any sense in what I'm saying?
> > thanks,
> > Peter
> >
>
> Peter:
>
> Your post makes complete sense! I hear what you're saying. It never hurts to have a positive attitude. Keep it up.
>
> Glad to hear that you've decided to hang in there with the Lex! You may just need a few more weeks for it to "kick in". Who knows. It's different for everyone, but I've heard the average time is 4-8 weeks.
>
> I almost gave up on lexapro early on, too, but I'm glad I didn't. Hopefully, things will get better for you soon as they sound like they already are: acceptance and a positive attitude are huge!!!!!!
>
> From your other post inquiring about social anxiety: I am taking lexapro for generalized anxiety including social anxiety. At first on Lex, I didn't feel like being around others - just felt lazy and didn't feel like going out. So, I had to force myself to do those things. To my surprise, I found myself much more comfortable in social settings ~ felt more natural, and I actually began to enjoy socializing and wanting to be around others! This was huge for me since I had "always" preferred to be alone.
>
> Anyway, I'm assuming you have a bit of social anxiety yourself. If so, give it a chance and hope you find yourself comfortable as well.
>
> Good luck!!
> Arrianna
>>Hi Arrianna:
Thanks so much for the encouragement. I was so relieved to read your post and find that lexapro can be effective on GAD and social anxiety as well as depression. The only evidence I've seen supporting lexapro's efficacy for anxiety is on the lex web site news section; some study was done showing how patients with GAD, social anxiety, and panic disorder all responded significantly better to lex than placebo. But I was concerned because I hadn't read any personal accounts of lex-takers on this thread showing lex's efficacy for social anxiety. My pdoc says that each SSRI is a bit different, but all of them probably treat social anxiety to the same degree. But lately I've seen posts describing lex as not very effective for anxiety, and it discouraged me. I'm glad to hear that it works for you, 'cause it gives me hope. I also always prefer to be alone, even isolate from others, and I get a lot of anticipatory and social anxiety about travelling, meeting new people, going to any social event, etc. I still feel the anxiety while taking lex, but it'sencouragong to know that you did also - until you pushed yourself to go out and found that you enjoyed being around others and that socializing was easier. Maybe I just need to give myself a push, even though I'm so used to always declining invitations to go out. If I just do it, I might find that the lex IS helping me in that area. Interesting; Wish me luck! Thanks again for your support!
Peter
poster:Peter
thread:109458
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031010/msgs/268027.html