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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 2 of 2. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dinah on May 11, 2003, at 19:59:42
In reply to New to Lexapro, but is it forever??, posted by Glinda Ofnorth on May 11, 2003, at 19:57:41
Originally posted by Glinda Ofnorth on 5/11/03
> Hello all:
> I just started on Lexapro three days ago, and found this site shortly thereafter. I appreciate all of the information and sharing here, and now I know a few things I won't have to ask, such as "does it make you sleepy?" (I'm verrrrry relaaaaaaxed...)
>
> I've been depressed for several months (7-8), but thought I could pull out of it on my own. I've been depressed before, and except for one time in my 20s, I didn't take anything or go into therapy. I feel like I have somehow failed myself or let myself down this time because I couldn't help myself to feel better without becoming part of the Club Meds experience.
>
> My family doctor has me scheduled for a complete physical, but in the meantime, insisted (after doing the standard 20-question depression survey) that I needed to be on meds IMMEDIATELY. I was very resistant--I don't like to take medication at all. Doc said LEX would have the fewest side effects in the long run.
>
> The long run is what concerns me. I'm starting off at 10mg, and I have samples for a month, with followup appointment in three weeks. I'm hoping to be off this medication in a big hurry, but from reading your posts, it sounds like I'll just be getting started at the one-month point. Just how long do people stay on these medications? Am I going to have to do this for the rest of my life? FWIW, I'm not in therapy, and don't have the cash or energy to pursue it. My depression is very generalized--more like an existential angst.
>
> Sorry this is so long--thanks for your patience in getting through it.
Posted by Bill L on May 12, 2003, at 9:25:24
In reply to Re: New to Lexapro, but is it forever?? » Glinda Ofnorth, posted by Dinah on May 11, 2003, at 19:59:42
It's hard to say if you would need to be on it forever. Research shows that these drugs might make a gradual permenant correction in the brain. But doctors and researchers really don't know if depression can be "cured" to the point where you don't need drugs. It seems that if one's depression is due to a traumatic event, such as rape or divorce, that one could eventually stop taking antidepressents.
I have been taking Lexapro for over 6 months (since it first came out). Before that, I took other drugs that are similar to Lexapro (Prozac and Celexa) for a few years. I doubt that I will ever be able to stop taking drugs because I have been depressed my whole life. My mother had severe depression so there may be a genetic component.
I am doing very well with antidepressents and I am not afraid of the prospect of taking them for the rest of my life.
This is the end of the thread.
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