HELP!!

GAVINSMOM · Post by **GAVINSMOM** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 10:41 am

Posted January 15, 2008 02:37 PM
I just took my first Lexapro today and it freaked me out!! I know I have to do this for me and my family but how do I get past the anxiety of taking the medicine!! I have convinced myself that I have had every side effect when in reality it is probably just the anxiety of taking the meds. Is their anyone else that was able to overcome fear of meds and take them? I just want to feel better! HELP!!!

Hally · Post by **Hally** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 11:13 am

Hello,

I started taking Lexapro on the 5th of this month. I too was very skeptical of taking any medication. I was also put on Ambien which I was terrified of taking. However, I have been taking Ambien for over a month and have slept better than ever before with no side effects.
The only side effect I had from the Lexapro was a headache for two days but it does help with the anxiety so you can think more positive.
Plus this program helps alot too. I would keep trying the Lexapro, it takes time for these medications to work. Mine probably isn't fully in effect yet.

honeydew3 · Post by **honeydew3** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 11:36 am

I looked up the side effects and have most of them-except the ejaculation disorder. There is something called the placebo effect and it depends greatly on your expectations of the medication. People have been given sugar pills thinking that it is a new med and have developed symptoms like nausea, dry mouth, diarrhea. I have headaches, nausea, dry mouth, sleepiness, fatigue, decreased libido, but I don't take this med. or any others. Try to remember the placebo effect when you take your medication.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 12:52 pm

I am on my second week of taking Lexapro and Klonopin. It feels like it is starting to work and make me feel calmer. The first couple days were not very pleasant but it got better every day. I still have my "moments" throughout the days but it is getting better and I am learning to not let things bother me so much.

I didn't want to take meds either but I needed something to calm me down. I couldn't go through each day like this. I am working on this program and also going to counseling is really starting to make me feel much better.

Give the meds some time to get into your system and help you. My Dr. said it can take 2 - 4 weeks to start to make you feel better.

Good luck and keep at it. It will eventually help you.

Cathy

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 4:27 pm

Originally posted by GAVINSMOM:
Posted January 15, 2008 02:37 PM
I just took my first Lexapro today and it freaked me out!! I know I have to do this for me and my family but how do I get past the anxiety of taking the medicine!! I have convinced myself that I have had every side effect when in reality it is probably just the anxiety of taking the meds. Is their anyone else that was able to overcome fear of meds and take them? I just want to feel better! HELP!!!

Hello there,
Three years ago I had to start taking antidepresants due to Post-Partum-deppression. The first med prescribed to me was LEXAPRO. It took a lot of courage from me, some prayers and a visit to the priest in my church (beside sharing my concerns and fears w/my husband my family --via phone, they all live in Mexico-- and mother -in-law, before a finally took the first dose. It did have an awful effect on me and made me so sensitive to sound and light and created much more anxiety (I felt as if I was pluged in to an outlet. After that first day I was so scare to ever take that med again. However, my doc reduced the dose and my body kind of got use to it but my mind and anxiety couldn't get over the idea of me taking an ANTIDEPRESANT.
I finally talked to my doc because the med wasn't helping me w/the depression. She prescribed CYMBALTA and after more prayers I finally stared the new med and little by little it worked for me.
Today, I know that one of the biggest reasons I was able to cope w/the idea of taking this kind of meds is because of my kids. There is no way I would have delegated my responsibilities as a mom to anyone else. Although, I was able to drop the med last summer I relapsed few months after and with all my fear and tears had went back to a lower dose that's keeping me focus and gives me the energy I need to take care of my little ones.
So, please be kind to yourself and look at what the meds can do for you; find the reason you want to feel better and keep working on the program. The combination of all your efforts would surely take you to the place you want to be in your life.
Be patients and happy journey!
Ivonne

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 8:58 pm

Sometimes it's best not to read the side effects. I'll develop every symptom on there! Remember that in their studies with it, if one person lists it as a side effect, they have to include it. It may have even been caused by something else. Very few who actually take at suffer any of the side effects.
Lexapro is a good drug. If you think you need to, talk to your doctor about decreasing the dosage now and working your way up as your body adjusts. Give it time to work, and you're going to feel a whole lot better! All the best, Bev

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 3:32 am

Gavinsmom-

I was on Lexapro and klonopin.....Lexapro gave me bad side effects, but everyone has a different effect...I hope it works well for you - remember to watch how u are feeling for the first 8 weeks you are on it...

Best of Luck-

Patricia