Anyone get more depressed when taking an AD?

maria k · Post by **maria k** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 10:00 am

Hi all, I had bad anxiety and started Lexapro over a month ago (6 weeks total including weaning up) and although it has started to help my anxiety symptoms, I feel really depressed the last few days when I didnt really have much depression before. Has anyone had this and did anything help, like an increase in dosage or something. I am currently on 10 mg and dont want to go up if I dont have to. It has been 4 weeks at 10 mg. Any advice or similiar experiences. I do not want to try a different med b/c it was hell getting on this one. Thanks alot, Maria

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 5:06 pm

I started on lexapro and my doctor started me out on 20 mg and I felt like I was in a box so I went off it. It may take 4- 5 medicines before you find the right one.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 6:02 pm

Maria, I am new to the chat room for anxiety and depression, I'm sorry that your having a hard time with your depression. I know how you feel, I have suffered for at least 22 years. I take cymbalta 1 tablet 10mg per day. Since ordering Luccinda's Anxiety and Depression program three weeks ago, I have not taken any medication. I feel like a new person, I'm smiling, joking around with my children and started doing my nails, and especially socializing with friends and family. When I start feeling bad I remind myself that I will come out winning, and beating both Anxiety & my depression. Maria, talk to your doctor and tell them how you feel, but please don't give up on yourself. You will get better, keep your head up. Distract yourself when your feeling sad. Go walking, invite a close friend or family member. Your not alone. I'll be praying for you. Your friend in California.
Your friend Duckie (Linda)
P.S. Don't forget to SMILE

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 6:08 am

thnak you guys. I appreciate the prayers and advicee. I am having a horrible day and do not know for the life of me what triggered it. Plus, its very discouraging to see so many saying lexapro helped them in 2-4 weeks and I am past that and worse than ever. My only hope now is that God makes this work, b/c I could never wean off and try another med, especially another ssri. Lexapro was the only one i could tolerate. Take care, Maria

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 8:29 am

Maria K,

It doesn't sound like your dosage is high enough. I take paxil and I nned to be up around 40mg for it to work and it usually takes a month or two to work.

Another thing you might want to try is exercise. At least 30 to 40 minutes per day. Exercsie is probably the best anti depressant you will ever take. i suggested it to someone that was hospitalized with major depression last year. She left the hosp. on all types of meds and felt worse. i suggested an exercise program. She started out doing 10 minutes per day for a week and increased it 10 minutes every week until she got up to 40 minutes per day. she told me that her life has turned around.

Give it a try. What do you have to lose? You do you control over this situation. i plan to get off my meds soon. I would stop now but I need to wean off of these.

Take care and good luck. let me know if you need to talk.

joe

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Sep 24, 2009 9:32 am

Thanks nervousfoot. I went to a new dr today (the first one didnt seem to give two damns) and she said that 4 1/2 weeks it should be working, so to increase it to 15 mg. I hate to increase the dosage and get the extra anxiety that comes with it, but I think I need to do what I need to do. I am going to give it to the weekend (which will be a total of 5 weeks) and I wont have to worry about the extra anxiety at work either. Thanks for the information. Every little bit helps when we are trying to decide what to do. I really appreciate it. Maria