ups and downs when starting lexapro again

[scaredycat1]

I was on lexapro for almost a year when I decided to take myself off to try to have a baby, after 5months of trying and no luck, the anxiety was beginning to build of how long I could keep being off the medicine or have a relapse.  Also for a little more backround, I have a 13 year old daughter who I worry alot about she is a great kid but has a really up and down relationship with her father(my ex-husband), he gets upset with her and doesn't speak to her for a week this time it is almost 2 and she is an only child so I am afraid she feels all alone and I need to get it together but am having a hard time, that adds the the anxiety along with everything else anyway, I had some bad news about a friend a couple weeks ago and that just sent me over the edge and I lost it, normally I can handle things pretty well but it all just seems so overwhelming and she also really needs me. . I can't eat, however unlike last time I am thankfully able to sleep. I just feel nervous and jittery and a lump in my stomach all the time.  I don't want to let my daughter know anything is wrong and my husband I just feel guilty because I can't function normally, he is a super guy but I know he doesn't understand and is frustrated even though he says it is okay I am usually really high functioning and do alot. I hope I don't forget how to be me.   I went to the doctor a week ago and now am back on the lexapro.  she gave me xanax to help til the lexapro kicks in but I am afraid to take it and think I won't be able to tell when the medicine kicks in.  I do have a lot of ups and downs at all different times so I do get some relief but don't know why I can't just stay steady or feel better longer and function,  I know they say it takes time to kick in but after a week I thought it would be more level by now.    I think I was better a lot faster last time I went on it, I know it is working because I do feel better some of the time but still am scared that I will never feel like myself again and enjoy normal everyday things, I am really one to appreciate little things and now can't appreciate anything accept a little relief.  I am usually the one able to help everyone else and now just feel totally alone.  any input helps.  It really helps to know someone else knows what this is. I keep telling myself I will be better soon but when I feel better than don't again I am more anxious and disappointed.  

Hope all of you are on your way up  I know how you feel I got better last time , and I will again... right?

thanks for any input you have

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

The chances are very great the lexapro will do what it did for you for sure, but if you want insurance and long term benefit, you should be talking to a therpist as well as taking lexapro.   Too much reliance on medication is not useful...learn how to think about and handle your own emotional life...that is much better, and long lasting.

[Jenjoy76]

I know exactly how you feel- I went through the same thing going off Celexa.  It was an awful experience.  I had to go back on and take ativan until it kicked in.  Every day I would worry "what if I'm never normal again" but you will be,  It definitely took a lot longer to kick in but it eventually did.  And I also worried about taking the ativan, but that wil really help stop the worry/anxiety cycle and make you feel better a lot faster.  I had no problem stopping it (the ativan) when the lexapro kicked in.  Good luck!

[scaredycat1]

so glad to know someone else is out there, it really helps to have someone to talk to that knows what you are feeling. were you able to tell when the celexa worked even though you were taking the ativan, is ativan similar to xanax, I hear so many bad things about going off those but I know they give them to help with the lexapro til it kicks in.  Are you on lexapro or celexa now.  the lexapro worked really well last time and I am just waiting for it to work.  Seems the mornings are the worst not sure if it is because I am alone and have too much time to think or if it is because that is when I take my medicine and it is wearing off even though every day is different, I will feel better for a little while than not again and some times for the whole afternoon and some days not at all.  did you go up and down like that.  how long did it take for you to level off.  
thank you so much for the encouragement, it really does help, I htink I need to stick to talking to people like you instead of keeping researching because you scare yourself more and some people have not great things to say that freak you out more.  

you are feeling better now I assume?  I am so happy for you.  no one should have to feel like this.    do you have a lot of support around you.  I just feel like I am bothering everyone especially if they don't understand this, people keep thinking what could be wrong, not understanding that I can't help it and then I have more guilt.

thank you thank you thank you,

[imcrazy2]

Don't worry, scardycat....you are far from alone!
Xanax and Ativan are both in the benzodiazapam family--they work similarly by calming your autonomic arousal response.  When you start to feel like you don't NEED to take something to help the anxiety is when the Lexapro is working.  But don't be fooled into thinking you don't need the Lexapro--it's the Ativan or Xanax you can stop taking (by weaning) at that point!  If you stop the benzo, and the anxiety hits, just pop one!

[Jenjoy76]

Yes, I am feeling better now- BUT- it was a very slow process.  I'm on Celexa now and I really like it. It makes me a little tired but I'll take that over crazy any day. :) I seriously felt crazy for a few weeks waiting for it to kick in.  I would wake up in the morning with a horrible sinking feeling and try to hold out for as long as possible before taking my ativan (which is similar to xanax but a little longer lasting).  I had to take it for a while.  Then one day I made it through the whole day without taking the ativan. (i didn't feel great, but i occupied myself with my 2 kids and tried to keep my mind completely busy) and soon I had gone 2 and 3 and 4 days without the ativan. Now it's been a few months and I feel better, but not perfect.  The meds alone will not curwe you.  I found tons of books on the subject and educated myself to death on the subject.  I also have a lot of relatives with panic disorder so they could definitely relate.  Just know that you are NOT crazy or alone in this. There are millions of people suffering through the same thing and the meds WILL start to work again.
Good luck! :)
Jennifer

[scaredycat1]

thank you Jennifer, I know I just need to be patient, I have the same sinking feeling in the morning not sure how I get up sometimes. I have only taken the meds for about a week and a half just thought I would feel better than I do by now I have okay moments at night, not sure if that is because the meds finally kick in or level after like 12 hours I just want to be able to be more stable around my daughter, she is definitely noticing.  I know to try to keep busy, I am just so distracted and have trouble getting motivated to do anything to distract myself. I havent' been taking the xanax but guess I should start maybe that would stop the racing thoughts and panic in my head and just calm me down a bit til the meds kick in, I just keep telling myself if I can last a little longer they will start to kick in.

[sharonrose]

I've been on celexa for about 5 years and its no longer working for me. My doctor suggested Lexapro which I was willing to try.After about a week of cutting down on the celexa, I could no longer do it. I was feeling horrible.Does anyone know if I can stop the celexa one day and start lexapro the next? I'd appreciate any help I can get.

[cheercoach]

OH MY GOSH....that is my exact problem RIGHT NOW! I am a week off of Celexa...20mg and started Lexapro 10mg and I feel horrible...twitchy, headachy, nauseas..and my Dr. said I could just start the next day.  How do you feel now...what happened?

[sharonrose]

I started the lexipro right away. I felt pretty crappy for a day or 2 but I am feeling much much better. Hope you are too

[AJC]

My advice to anyone about SSRI-antidepressants,
If you do not want to hurt yourself or others, are unable to work or enjoy your life or do simple things such as go out in public or take a shower, or are not diagnosed with clinical depression, DO NOT TAKE ANY SSRI. The FDA has been far too lenient with the pharmaceutical companies due to weak laws passed by politicians taking campaign contributions from special interest pharmaceuticals. This makes it easy for pharmacy representatives to push drugs (and easy for the family doc)that are being prescribed for other conditions for which they haven't been tested. Please make it your last resort behind all other methods of therapy, most importantly, lifestyle changes. These meds haven't been tested for long term use and have been linked to birth defects to unborn children, killing some, also sending many to the ER with crazy side effects. These are very serious medications that should never be prescribed by anyone other than a specialist,(although, I am leary of them also)
Don't take chances with these meds until you've done very much research and investigation. (I took 1 pill of Lexapro (10mg.) and have been unable to work for 3 months!!!!)I have also communicated with 7 others who have had a very similar situation to mine. Don't let the Doctors throw these dangerous medications at you or it may ruin your life. It seems that some or many people may be benefitting from these medications, and I don't claim to know everything abot them. Keep in mind, all the doctors, specialists and pharmacists that I have spoken to, claim to know VERY LITTLE about what these drugs actually do to the brain and nervous system. My point is, once you take these meds, you are on your own. If you have a horrible problem caused by these drugs, you will be alone, noone will want to help you, noone will be able to help you, you will be considered a liability and pushed aside as if your case holds no importance. I am speaking from my experience.I hope this helps at least one person make a better decision and subsequently saves many the grief that I have endured.
Thank you for reading all of this.
Tony