Help with medication

[blakeoz]

Hey all, Im coming up to the 4th week of being on Lexapro 10mg. I haven't really noticed a difference in my anxiety or depression. Should i be giving it longer or start to think about changing meds. Also Ive noticed alot of people on here take Klonopin for anxiety rather than Valium. I don't think we get Klonopin here in Australia. Ive been taking Valium 5mg in the morning to help but im worried that it will be hard to come off or it will stop working. I really need some help with this as im losing hope with these meds.

Thanks Blake

[RubyWitch]

Clonazepam is a benzodiazepine derivative with anticonvulsant, muscle relaxant, and anxiolytic properties.[1] It is marketed by Roche under the trade-names Klonopin in the United States, and Ravotril in Chile. Other names like Rivotril or Rivatril are known throughout the large majority of the rest of the world.

Perhaps you could find Klonopin under one of these other names in Australia? Oh, I see where you said you did find it. It is prescribed so heavily in the US because it works so well for so many people and has very few side effects. Just remember that we are all different in how we react to meds, so if you try the Klonopin and can't tolerate the side effects, try something else. I think I said it before, but with these types of meds, it is a real trial and error project.

It's good that you're going to give the Lexapro a bit longer. Too many people expect antidepressants to work virtually overnight and when they don't, they change to something else and eventually decide that NONE of them are any good.

I'm surprised the one dose of Valium keeps your anxiety until control for the entire day. Valium is very quick acting, but is out of your system in about 3-4 hours. Without taking another dose, you are not covered for anxiety. Depending on the severity of your anxiety, that may be enough. For those of us with debilitating anxiety/panic, we require something that will cover us for a full 24 hours, which is why Klonopin is dosed no less than twice a day. If you have a doctor who says take it just at night, find another doctor!

Keep in touch and let me know how you're doing, OK?
Peace
Greenlydia    

[blakeoz]

Hey there thanks for your responce. I will give the antidepressants a little longer and take it from there. Which anti anxiety medication do you take and how helpful has it been for you?

The antidepressants don't seem to do much but the Valium gives me some relif. I've been taking the Valium once in the morning for about 10 weeks.

Well I'm off to get my second run on Lexapro as I'm out. Iv'e also found that Clanazapan is sold under a different brand name here, so maybe that will be a better option for me.

Thanks again

[RubyWitch]

Escitalopram can take up to 4 weeks to reach therapeutic levels, but this time frame is not etched in stone. It may take you 5 weeks, someone else, 3 weeks. I'd give it at least another two weeks before discussing a change with the doctor and more likely the answer may lie in simply upping your dose to the maxiumim of 20mg/d.
Escitalopram is basically an antidepressant with unlabeled uses for anxiety/panic. I have PTSD and severe panic disorder. When I've tried using ADs with an affinity for anxiety/panic as "unlabeled" uses, they don't work for me at all. I need a medication specifically for panic. We are all different in how we react to meds and the level and severity of our disorders, so for others, a combination AD/AA med may work very well for them. As with all of these types of meds, it's really trial and error. Patience is the key.

Klonopin is prescribed in the U.S. very often for LONG TERM treatment of anxiety and panic disorders. Meds like Xanax, Ativan and Valium are used for short term use, less than 4 months on a regular basis. They are best used on a PRN basis. (As needed)
Valium really does not have an affinity for panic but is rather a mild antiaxiety med. Xanax needs to be taken with great care.

How long have you been taking the 5mg of Valium? As long as you feel it is working for you, I see no reason to stop using it. Any benzo will need to be tapered, but Valium is probably the least difficult. It is not prescribed here much anymore as it's just not very effective compared to the newer meds.

I understand your feeling of losing hope with these meds, which is why I said that patience is the key. Some of us spend months and months trying to find the right med or the right combination of meds to make us feel "normal," and it can, indeed, be very disheartening when nothing seems to be working. But you mustn't lose heart, the right med IS out there, and you'll eventually find it.

As for not getting Klonopin in Australia, it's very possibly manufactured under another name. Google it or call your local chemist.

Let me know how you're doing, OK?
Hang in there
Peace
Greenlydia