Stress Center Peer Support

I have been weaned of of Lexapro...and this is the 5th day without it. I thought I would be able to handle not having any medication...but now I am not so sure. Yesterday I felt very disconeccted and a little panicky. I have the starting packs for Effexor, which I was supposed to start the day after finishing the Lexapro. I am thinking about starting the effexor, but like most I am freaking a little about what its going to do to me. I wanted so badly to be able to be free of the medication. So now Im not sure what to do. Wait and see if the way I feel is just withdrawl or start taking the effexor.
It really doesnt help that I lost my job last week either. I am doing my best to stay positive, but its really very hard.
Im kinda in a state of semi panicky limbo.
what to do, what to do, what to do

I'm on effexor. My doctor started me on the lowest dose of 37.5mg per day because I am very sensitive to medicines and even on that low a dose I still was very nauseous and tired plus I had a weird taste in my mouth all day. After about the third day the nausea only seem to come when I yawned. Yes, yawing is one of the side effects! I then went to two doses of effexor, same side effects but only lasted a day. Now I'm up to 75mg a day and not really experiencing any side effects except some constipation and problems in the "intimate" area. It's funny, that you say you were on Lexapro because that's what I've been trying to get put on but, since I have IBS( Irritable Bowel Syndrome) my doctor felt Effexor had the least "tummy" side effects then the other meds. Don't worry, start at a low dose, you should be fine.
Good luck,
Laura

Reen38: How long were you taking Lexapro? Was it helping or is the change because of effects? There can be big time anxiety even over the decision to take a medication. Even after taking, anxiety as to what it is doing. Due to anxiety over medication, I made a personal decision to do without and see the results of working the program. You should decide for yourself. Not an MD, but if longer than several weeks/months, there could be withdrawal symptoms and you have answered your own questions. Also, suggest that you check with your provider per the lag time between stopping one and starting another. Was not sure per your posting. Also, change can bring with it anxiety and your personal situation per job loss will bring independent stress. Seems like the combination could cause anxiety. I would suggest that you look at this in a positive manner. If you have additional time, get into the tapes, relaxation, meditation/prayer and take care of yourself. Pat yourself on the back for going through this in a brave and positive manner. Best

Hi Reen38:
Lexapro or effexor didn't work for me. I was sleepy all the time. I don't know if you have more anxiety than depression, if is anxiety this medication will work, if is depression not. I am taking Wellbutrin SR 200mg twice a day and I feel the difference, more energy to do houseshores and do the daily task. When I am a little bid anxious I take Klorazepan just 0.5 ml and that helps.

I was on Lexapro for two years. My doctor weaned me off of it because I was having symptoms that it might have quit working. I was supposed to start taking the new drug, effexor, last Friday. Well, I felt great after my last lexapro on thursday, so I thougth I would see if I could go without starting the new med. I would much rather not have to take any medications at all.
I see my doctor on friday and will ask him about all of this. I guess there is no reason that I would HAVE to start taking the effexor...I think I would like to go for a few months without meds and continue with the program and see where I end up.
I just got a little scared yesterday and this morning with those old "feelings" coming back a little. I always hated body symptoms. Im on lesson 3...been there for two weeks, its a difficult lesson for me to really break through on.

I was very moody and emotional when I came off Lexapro. I had been on 40 mg for a long time.

So Bev are you on any meds now?

Reen I wish you well so please post on here how you are doing without the meds. I've decided to gently wean myself off Lamictal. It doesn't seem like it's been working as well but it seems I've had problems before this time of year. If I have problems after going off I'll go back on. I'd like to believe I could get off. I did try once before and it didn't work. I didn't have the program then. Some people need meds all their lives. I listened to the 1st tape again today how we the people who need them are usually afraid of meds and side effects...so true.

I will Barb. I dont feel as bad today as I did yesterday. I do feel a little detached and have had a headache and some stomach upset most of the day, but no panicky stuff.

Yes, Barb, I've been on meds for years, just different ones. You get to where you feel like a guinea pig sometimes.
I am on the EMSAM patch, which is for severe depression, and just started Lamictal today. That's in place of Zyprexa which worked wonderful at first. I was on such a high. Then I gained 25 lbs when they upped the dose.
I was suicidal five months ago, so I have come a long way.

I wonder if you were a diabetic you would "try to do without" your meds? Meds take some time to get into your system, so you could have residual good feelings from previous med. Each time I stopped, I found I cound not manage. Now I just accept that there are brain chemicals that I need, and take my meds. Also, my doctor is excellent and really listens to my responses to meds, including any side effects, and so on.