Scared of switching antidepressants?!
Hi my name is Jennifer. I've been on Lexapro for 3 years. I was at 10mg for 2 1/2 years and then upped to 20mg. I have had to start taking xanax xr .5mg twice a day, because anxiety had gotten so bad. So I'm thinking about switching cuz my doctor suggested it, but I'm just scared. I know they make you feel worse before you get better and I can't imagine feeling worse than this. I work full time and am a mother so I can't be non-functional. Has anyone had experience switching anti depressants? Has lexapro stopped working for anyone and what else did you try? Jen
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Guest
Jewel,
I started out on buspirone and the doctor tried switching to lexapro and it was 10 times worse for me and then I went back to buspirone and have stayed there. Some people just do better with certain meds and going to another may or may not help, but it's always worth the try. I too started taking xanax after being on something else, the xanax works for me. I think after time certain meds lose a bit of their affect and that's why the doctor may bump it up. It probably happens to at least half of us. You'll get through this. We all have those days where it doesn't seem it could get better, but then it does. Hang in there.
I started out on buspirone and the doctor tried switching to lexapro and it was 10 times worse for me and then I went back to buspirone and have stayed there. Some people just do better with certain meds and going to another may or may not help, but it's always worth the try. I too started taking xanax after being on something else, the xanax works for me. I think after time certain meds lose a bit of their affect and that's why the doctor may bump it up. It probably happens to at least half of us. You'll get through this. We all have those days where it doesn't seem it could get better, but then it does. Hang in there.
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Guest
Hi Jewel well I was on lexapro for a while but it kind of stoped working try to up the dosage but it did not work.So she switched to zoloft so I have gain weight but it did help the anxiety and I do take xanax, I have switched meds for the last 11 years on and off so it wasn't to bad just try it and it may be great for you .Take care
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Guest
Jewel,
I'm new to the program--only on Week 3. I have had depression and anxiety for 37 years. It wasn't until the last 6 years that I found a great Dr. He explained to me that we will become tolerant to many antidepressants, need to change and then after a time we can go back.
I have treatment-resistant depression and take Prozac in the a.m., Cymbalta in the P.M. and Xanax. I have had to switch antidepressants several times. Prozac tends to plateau and then one needs to put something with it or switch. I've never been on Lexapro but I have had to switch drugs. I think it all comes down to the confidence that you have in your Dr. I am a teacher, wife and mother and I know how difficult it can be, especially when starting a new med. Family Dr.'s and Internal Med.Specialists simply didn't have the experience with meds that was necessary to manage my symptoms. I have found that finding a good psychiatrist who specializes in depression and anxiety was my best choice. I have moderate depression and didn't want to say I was going to a psychiatrist but in the end, I searched until I found one that was compassionate and very well versed in treating depression and anxiety. It has made all the difference. He monitors me weekly when I change a drug so that he is well aware of initial side-effects as well as the results I get from the meds. Best of Luck, Somewhere......
I'm new to the program--only on Week 3. I have had depression and anxiety for 37 years. It wasn't until the last 6 years that I found a great Dr. He explained to me that we will become tolerant to many antidepressants, need to change and then after a time we can go back.
I have treatment-resistant depression and take Prozac in the a.m., Cymbalta in the P.M. and Xanax. I have had to switch antidepressants several times. Prozac tends to plateau and then one needs to put something with it or switch. I've never been on Lexapro but I have had to switch drugs. I think it all comes down to the confidence that you have in your Dr. I am a teacher, wife and mother and I know how difficult it can be, especially when starting a new med. Family Dr.'s and Internal Med.Specialists simply didn't have the experience with meds that was necessary to manage my symptoms. I have found that finding a good psychiatrist who specializes in depression and anxiety was my best choice. I have moderate depression and didn't want to say I was going to a psychiatrist but in the end, I searched until I found one that was compassionate and very well versed in treating depression and anxiety. It has made all the difference. He monitors me weekly when I change a drug so that he is well aware of initial side-effects as well as the results I get from the meds. Best of Luck, Somewhere......
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Guest
I'm new to the program between weeks 3-4. I take Depakote, Risperdal, Fluvoxamine, and Clonazepam for anxiety. The first three meds are taken in the evening, and the Clonazepam is .5 mg 4x a day. I have not changed medications in quite sometime. Lately, my anxiety and depression have gotten worse, but it may be due to outside factors, too. Any thoughts or suggestions?