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Back on Cipralex (Lexapro)
Well i'm on day 3 of a 2nd try at taking Lexapro on the advice of my physician. Last time the increase from 5 mg to 10mg after two days caused intense side effects that made me stop taking it. This time I am taking a much slower increase 5 mg for first week, then to 10mg to try and reduce the impact of the symptoms but I can tell after 3 days I am a bit more aggitated, nervous, anxious but nothing like last time. Also last time I was really against taking medication.. now... i'm ok with it.... my doc said if you have a cold you take something to minimize the symptoms... in a way this is the same thing.
I am wondering how long these "adapting" side effects typically last before my body gets used to the drug? I am hearing a week to two weeks for the side effects and then 4-6 weeks before the therapeutic effect of the drug to start really kicking in.
I have suspended all my business travel for one month to give this a chance to work so hoping for the best. I will say that already i feel less "nervous" emotionally....its almost like my mind is getting calmer but my body is still agitated. Don't know if that's possible after only 3 days but it feels that way.
I am wondering how long these "adapting" side effects typically last before my body gets used to the drug? I am hearing a week to two weeks for the side effects and then 4-6 weeks before the therapeutic effect of the drug to start really kicking in.
I have suspended all my business travel for one month to give this a chance to work so hoping for the best. I will say that already i feel less "nervous" emotionally....its almost like my mind is getting calmer but my body is still agitated. Don't know if that's possible after only 3 days but it feels that way.
Best Answer
I'm glad you are taking it slower with the increases in dosage. Anxiety is like any other medical condition that requires daily medication to control the symptoms. Too many people get caught up in because it's a mental issue...they should be able to handle it on their own...but rarely is this possible. Glad you realize this! There are side effects during the first week or two due to your body adjusting to the medication, and it will reach full therapeutic level in 4-6 weeks. I'm not sure you would feel anything after only a few days, it may just be that you feel better knowing you are finally doing something to help with all of this. You're on the right track and I wish you all the best!
CG, I think that is a great move! Many GPs can handle Rxing meds for anxiety and depression, but when someone has more complex issues, especially a person like you who is sensitive to meds, a p-doc is the way to go. A few things your PCP has recommended along the way I haven't been crazy about. For one, she seemed to want to encourage you to make changes before truly giving this enough time, even if it is a little longer than typical.
It is actually pretty common for a person to have more side effects the second (or third) time around with the same med. I've experienced that myself. When I would resume a prior medication, I would have to be a little extra patient and stick it out a bit longer. I just didn't like that your doc was wanting to try something else before exhausting all possibilities with THIS med! I also am not 100% sure of her recommendation with the step ups in your dose. That isn't a common way to handle it, and while it may work just fine, it just seemed odd to me.
You're doing the right thing. You'll get a fresh perspective from a new doc and have someone who deals with this day in and day out help you make the right decisions about meds.
I know it seems like forever, but like I said...you aren't even at your goal dose yet. Realistically, a person should give the med 4-6+ weeks from reaching the goal dose to assess its effectiveness, not from the very first day of starting the medication. It may seem like an eternity, but looking at the big picture, it really isn't that long at all.
Keep us informed...I think this is going to be a great thing. And, don't worry about your PCP, if she DOES feel slighted, she'll get over it. Some docs have to work on being able to accept that their patient may require the care of a different doctor or specialist to get the most optimal outcome. IMO, there isn't room for egos from doctors when it comes to doing the right thing, unfortunately it's commonplace to come accross that. She'll move past that, and if she doesn't or is giving you weird vibes about it...find a new doctor.
Keep up the great work...you've come a long way, even if you can't always see it. Just read this thread from start to finish. From a 3rd person's viewpoint, your progress is apparent.
It is actually pretty common for a person to have more side effects the second (or third) time around with the same med. I've experienced that myself. When I would resume a prior medication, I would have to be a little extra patient and stick it out a bit longer. I just didn't like that your doc was wanting to try something else before exhausting all possibilities with THIS med! I also am not 100% sure of her recommendation with the step ups in your dose. That isn't a common way to handle it, and while it may work just fine, it just seemed odd to me.
You're doing the right thing. You'll get a fresh perspective from a new doc and have someone who deals with this day in and day out help you make the right decisions about meds.
I know it seems like forever, but like I said...you aren't even at your goal dose yet. Realistically, a person should give the med 4-6+ weeks from reaching the goal dose to assess its effectiveness, not from the very first day of starting the medication. It may seem like an eternity, but looking at the big picture, it really isn't that long at all.
Keep us informed...I think this is going to be a great thing. And, don't worry about your PCP, if she DOES feel slighted, she'll get over it. Some docs have to work on being able to accept that their patient may require the care of a different doctor or specialist to get the most optimal outcome. IMO, there isn't room for egos from doctors when it comes to doing the right thing, unfortunately it's commonplace to come accross that. She'll move past that, and if she doesn't or is giving you weird vibes about it...find a new doctor.
Keep up the great work...you've come a long way, even if you can't always see it. Just read this thread from start to finish. From a 3rd person's viewpoint, your progress is apparent.
I second going with a psychiatrist. For me, knowing that the person is versed in these drugs is key, because it helps me trust them. If I don't trust the doc, then I may not trust the drug, and then I myself won't be objective.
Yeah don't get me wrong.. I like my GP but I am feeling like she is loosing her objectivity and so I need to be under the care of someone that is not trying to prove something. I am giving the meds the best shot and am committed to the process but I need an open mind and a doctor with an open mind in the event that at the end of this process it proves not to have worked for me.... yeah I have come a long way but I am still not back to where I was in terms of anxiety levels before this all started and that, as my GP put it, is the goal. Maybe that will come with more time, which I am willing to give but maybe it won't and I need that objectivity in the event that it doesn't.... As far as the CBT goes.... I am still seeing my psychologist for that.
It is good that you are having a psychiatrist taking over your care. I personally do not have that but since I have been down this road before, I did not feel that I needed one. I went in and told my GP EXACTLY what I needed. I even contacted my psychiatrist from last time (who works where I work but does not take my insurance!) and he said that if I needed CBT then I had to go to a psychologist, that he does not do it. So you will get medication management from most psychiatrists and talk therapy. I'm not saying that all psychiatrists do not do CBT but most do not. You have probably learned all the CBT you need anyway.
Your doctor was defensive because she feels she has done her very best for you and now you are kind of saying she has not in this regard. Nobody likes to hear that. Plus she knows that coming off the medication is a major mistake. You have come so far with it.
Anyway, I hope that the psyc doctor makes you feel more comfortable and comes up with a plan that works for you. You really have come a long, long way from your original posts.
Your doctor was defensive because she feels she has done her very best for you and now you are kind of saying she has not in this regard. Nobody likes to hear that. Plus she knows that coming off the medication is a major mistake. You have come so far with it.
Anyway, I hope that the psyc doctor makes you feel more comfortable and comes up with a plan that works for you. You really have come a long, long way from your original posts.
Oh another update... I am transferring my medical care for anxiety to a psychiatrist and away from my GP. I honestly feel I can't trust her with this anymore and that we have reached the pinnacle of her understanding and knowledge. In our last session, after I told her I was in to see the psychiatrist she almost got defensive and kept insisting that her plan for me (to increase my meds) was the right plan.....maybe it is but she seems too personally attached to this now and I need objectivity... when I told her that if I didnt see some significant results and a complete absense of side effects by the beginning of september that I wanted to come off the drugs and was not willing to take anymore she again became very defensive...... so I think that now that I have access to a psychiatrist (which is now free under our universal health care in Canada since i was referred) I will move my care to someone who has specialised in this and specialised in the dispensing of these type of drugs.. and keep my GP for sore throats and sprained ankles.... what they are most experienced in.....
Day 26 - a 12.5 mg day today... felt a bit edgier but nothing i couldnt handle... was a bit aggravated this morning... but went to the gym and worked it off and all was ok..... gonna try to stay at 12.5 now until tuesday and go up to 15 mg......have a great weekend everyone
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