Has anyone taken a medication and had it work the first time but not the second?

maria k · Post by **maria k** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 12:34 am

I am trying to decide what to do and was looking for some advice. I am on Lex about two months at 15mg (first month at 10). I was feeling a little better and the last week my anxiety is back full force for no reason. A few years back I took lex (15mg) and it helped me after a few months. I am now concerned since the anxiety came back this week that it will not help this second go round. My dr. thinks its highly unlikely, but I am really scared right now b/c I cant stay like this so I just wanted to see if others had that happen so I can make the decision to up it or try something else (which I really dont want to do).

So after all that rambling, has anyone had an AD work one time and then fail to work the second?

Thank you so much. Everyone is always so helpful. When I feel good, I always make sure to do the same and pay it forward.

Take care, Maria

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 8:23 am

I had something similar happen with Paxil 20mg. It worked for my obsessive scary thoughts almost immediately the first time. When I used it the 2nd time after a pregnancy, it took 8 months to work with the thoughts. Another problem on my 2nd time is they put me on the generic version which made everything worse. I went back to the brand name after a month and the anxiety went away.
Are you on a generic? Are you working on the positive self talk the program has? I think that works better than AD's for anxiety.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Oct 25, 2009 6:45 am

Yes. I am trying the positive talk but not too successful at it. But I do find Dr. Claire weekes advice helps alot (they have pretty similiar theories). Basically, I have to try not to be afraid of the feelings and they will eventually go away. But I am so terrified of staying like this forever and being a guinea pig with the meds. I am going to keep trying with th 20mg of lex if most people say it will evntually help. If you dont mind me asking, why motivated you to stay on it so long if it wasnt working? Thanks alot for replying, Maria

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Oct 25, 2009 8:28 am

Hi Maria
I have been on Lex for quite some time. I am now at 20mg. If I recall it seemd to work well at first. (at 10mg) I am new here. Looking for help. Things are just "not right". So is it not working??? Just thought I would reply. (Also bored and lonesome w/ No ambition)
Greetings from Maine!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 7:56 am

Maria - the obsessive thoughts were slowly going away during those 8 months, it just didn't happen all at once. The Paxil was making me feel less crazy and less anxious after the 1st month. I had a really hard time with Postpartum anxiety & depression and the Paxil really helped me feel somewhat "normal" again within 4 weeks. I was motivated to stay on it b/c it worked for me before. Plus it helped me to sleep after the first month.

I can tell you, my doc originally put me on prozac 3 months after I had the baby, and the anxiety was so bad with that drug, I only stayed on it for a week. The doctor didn't want me to go off it, but I ignored him. I listened to my body...NOT my doctor. Listen to your body. If the medicine isn't working this time around, there are other drugs or vitamins out there. Also....google "INOSITOL and anxiety". It's a type of vitamin B that is supposed to help. Maybe you can try another route? That is what I'm going to try when I'm off Paxil.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 8:09 am

Maria - I have one more comment about medication not working. Paxil stopped working for my panic attacks last year (year 2 of medication). I get them now but work my way through them with the program. I refuse to increase my dosage b/c of panic attacks like my doctor suggested. I do notice them to a lesser extent and find they are easier to conquer with the medication. But I still have to do the breathing, etc that I learned in the program.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 8:14 am

Maria,
I hope you are not just relying on the meds to deal with your anxiety. The meds are only meant to provide temporary relief while you develop your CBT skills.
Here's some things you can do right now to turn this thing around:
1. Cut out sugar and caffene from your diet.
2. Take fish oil tablets, magnesium and Vit D supplments.
3. EXERCISE - Go out and get some serious exercise every day. Get 2 hours worth if you can but 'get going'
4. Work on catching any negitive thoughts and turning them around immediatly. I know this takes some practice but it DOES work!
5. Deep relaxation exercises like ChiGong will do wonders.
6. Slow down in all ways. Don't watch bad or scary movies or tv shows (your inner child i.e., subconsious mind) doesn't know the difference.
These will help you reduce and contol panic and anxiety so you can start to reduce your meds instead of increasing them. The choice is yours.

God Bless and peace be with you.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 6:01 am

Thanks slot guys (again) for your opinions. I am going to just try to float with the attacks when they happen and all drs say if you continually do that it will go away. And keep on with the lex 20mgs for now. I just cant understand why I would feel good for a few days and then go back again to where I started. But like wind said, it will probably take time.

I already exercise every day (even when I dont feel like it) and take every supplement you can think of. Also yoga and deep breathing help. I do all of these things and am still miserable/uncomfortable every day. I say to myself, wow, what I would feel like if I wasnt doing all of that. lol. And most importantly I am praying and trying to believe it will work. All that talk and Ill still have a panic attack tomorrow morning. Take care and feel good guys, Maria

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Nov 02, 2009 5:59 am

maria, a couple of years ago i was on lexapro for about 2 years got of the meds and was doing great. but had alife changing event i thought i had panic attacks before, i hadn't. but now i know the shear horror it is. i needed desperate help so the only med i was willing to take was lexapro. i had no side effects before and it worked great. beginning with the first pill i was in a state of panic for days. i went to the hospital for 2 days just staying outside in the car because i was tired of going in and it was the only place i felt safe. for now i am not taking anything and working on talking myself out of them. doing pretty good so far