SSRI's (Lexapro)

[Shannon Wyatt]

Well, I've had this anxiety now for about 2 months -- and because of it I believe I have a moderate case of depression.  I think I can handle the anxiety symptoms, but the depression symptoms I can't.  So, I think I've decided to start taking an SSRI -- and I've done some research and find the above SSRI is the best in regards to lesser side effects. (Of course this could be wrong?)

My question to the group is....of those taken Lexapro for more than a month -- have you seem a noticeable improvement in your conditions?

Any takers of other SSRI's that have had success stories?

[heartfluttersflyawayplz]

i have had it for 5 weeks and to tell you the truth the best meds ive had for it is klonopin ,very few side affects look it up.

[heartfluttersflyawayplz]

you should google lexapro, there are a lot side affects to ssri,  you can read about them all and see which one you can better handle , i will not take them ,my body cant take the side affects but a lot do so i guess you have to try and see which one woprks for you . good luck on your search.

[RCA7591]

Since you have developed depression secondary to the anxiety, I would not suggest any Benzodiazepines (and in particular, Klonopin). Benzodiazepines worsen clinical depression, with the possible exception of Xanax. However, Xanax is not a long-term option.

I would recommend the Tricyclic family of antidepressants over the newer SSRI's. In your case, Sinequan 25 mg, tid (three times daily) would likely prove to be highly effective. Sinequan is fantastic for treating combined anxiety/depression. It also has the least side effects of the Tricyclics.

The second best choice is Elavil, 25 mg, tid. Both Sinequan and Elavil are "sedating". The antidepressant effect takes about one month to "kick in", but the anxiolytic effect has a more rapid onset.

Maximum daily dose for each is 150 mg, with the average "maintenance" dose being 75 mg.

Some GP's push Tofranil (another Tricyclic), but this one is extremely potent and stimulating, and should be avoided.

I'm not trying to sway you away from the SSRI's, but it would likely take a lot of "trial and error" to find the one that is best suited for you. SSRI's are non-specific in which receptors they target, and thus the side effect profile varies from patient to patient.

Tricyclics target serotonin (reducing depression), norepinephrine (reducing anxiety), and dopamine (reducing mood swings). SSRI's target only serotonin, and do it non-selectively.


-Ryan

[Cjplus]

Thanks for that info. Ryan....great information.

[Msellada]

Hi, I on on lexapro for 9 month, I felt like **** only the 1 st day when i took it, then i decided not to take it again, because i was so lost, but then i called my Dr and he told me that side effects will not last more than 1 week. so i took it immediatly and since then never had side effect , THe new life opened for me since i started taking that medication, I can smile, i can communicate with people, i want to live.
I started with 10 mlg. Now i am on 1 ml and i want to get off from it. Just because i dont want to depend on something... for the rest of my life.
But withdrawals are horrible, I remember when i stoped taking 10 mlg,  i didnt have my precription, OH MY GOD< dizziness, i was crying all day long for no reason.

[Shannon Wyatt]

Thank you Ryan for your post!  You seem quite informative.  Are you a doctor?  Do you have anxiety?  I'll ask my doctor about Sinequan (never heard of it).  As I said previously, I've been battling this for about 2 months now -- because of a health scare.  I had freightened myself into believing I had MS -- partly because my Mother had MS, and secondly I was having these weird tinglings/numbings in my fingers/toes.  I've had all the tests known to man -- and have concluded that I'm healthy and don't have MS.  Because everything turned out ok, you would think the anxiety would go away -- but it hasn't.  There must be cycle to anxiety (start-to-finish) that takes time for the body to heal? (Ryan?)  Anyway, I have been seeing a therapist for some "talk therapy," listening to some affirmation tapes & relaxation tapes, and the occasional Ativan for really serious bouts of panic and anxiety (which helps).  But as I mentioned above, I hear Ativan is somewhat addictive after much usage.  I "thought" I could work through the anxiety with a therapist instead of immediately going to an SSRI medication.  But I "think" I have a moderate case of depression too -- for some odd reason.  The two much walk hand-in-hand together.  I wonder if this is because we probably we miss our old selfs before all this happened.  These bouts of depression is just crippling -- I have these negative thoughts of worthlessness -- and that the futue is bleak.  And, of course, the crying spells.  Luckily it is not all the time, thank GOD!  Depression must have a cycle like anxiety -- where there is a start-to-finish? (Ryan?)  Anyway, as posted above, I had a huge episode yesterday -- and because of that I've decided to try some medication.  The trouble is...which one?  There are so many?  And now I find there is a "Tricyclic" family of antidepressants that one can consider.  Oh well, thanks to heartflutters and msellada too for your posts.  I appreciate your input.  I'm determined to get over this!!