Considering Lexapro...
As many of you may know from reading other posts, my anxiety started a month and a half ago when I was switched to a different birth control pill and stuff got goofy. My doctor put me back on my old pill, which immediately helped, but I am still left with anxiety and depression and worry as my hormones try to get back to normal. I have been doing the program, I am in session 2, but I have certain times in the day when I want to break down in tears because I feel helpless, or my mind starts to go with worrisome thoughts. I'm thinking that I would like to start a low dose of Lexapro while my hormones try to get themselves back to normal. I have been hearing good things about it in low doses. Does anyone have any opinions on this? (Especially someone with hormone-related anxiety and depression)
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Guest
I have been on Lexapro and been seeing a therapist for 9 months. I was doing great and considering coming off the medication completely when I decided to face my last fear (flying)...
I had not had an anxiety attack during that 9 months period and when I booked my flight, I freaked out. That was a few weeks ago. I started this program in the mean time and although I am anxious about the flight, I am working towards facing this last hurdle.
Lexapro was good for me, but I often thought it had more of a placibo effect than chemical... though I am not really sure. I was a mess when I started on it, went through about a week of side effects, and now I have no issues with taking it at all.
I am going to complete this flight, then this program, and then I am goiong to start decreasing my dosage of lexapro befor getting off of it completely.
Hope there is some insight in there for you - good luck.
I had not had an anxiety attack during that 9 months period and when I booked my flight, I freaked out. That was a few weeks ago. I started this program in the mean time and although I am anxious about the flight, I am working towards facing this last hurdle.
Lexapro was good for me, but I often thought it had more of a placibo effect than chemical... though I am not really sure. I was a mess when I started on it, went through about a week of side effects, and now I have no issues with taking it at all.
I am going to complete this flight, then this program, and then I am goiong to start decreasing my dosage of lexapro befor getting off of it completely.
Hope there is some insight in there for you - good luck.
Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought.
~John F. Kennedy
~John F. Kennedy
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Guest
Hi Woody,
Good for you! I just flew 3.5 weeks ago and did really well, and I wasn't really doing awesome before, but definitely better. I had a panic attack a week and a half before my flight while getting my car's oil changed. A bad panic attack where I actually told the attendant who instructed me to take a walk. What are your biggest flying fears? Not being in control? Crashing? Feeling like you can't get off of the plane?
I thought about all of these, but let the thoughts float and once one popped in my head I didn't read anything into it and it worked. I almost didn't get on the first plane, but realized that I would be teaching my other 2 children who were staying with Grandma that it's Ok to run from your fear. I'm soooo proud of myself for flying 5 hours each way and it has definitely increased my self confidence. Heck, I actually started to ENJOY my return flight and some of the flight out too (the mountains around Vegas and such).
Remember that it's OK to be nervous, everyone gets nervous, but you have skills now and can handle more than you know..
Take care,
Ocean
Good for you! I just flew 3.5 weeks ago and did really well, and I wasn't really doing awesome before, but definitely better. I had a panic attack a week and a half before my flight while getting my car's oil changed. A bad panic attack where I actually told the attendant who instructed me to take a walk. What are your biggest flying fears? Not being in control? Crashing? Feeling like you can't get off of the plane?
I thought about all of these, but let the thoughts float and once one popped in my head I didn't read anything into it and it worked. I almost didn't get on the first plane, but realized that I would be teaching my other 2 children who were staying with Grandma that it's Ok to run from your fear. I'm soooo proud of myself for flying 5 hours each way and it has definitely increased my self confidence. Heck, I actually started to ENJOY my return flight and some of the flight out too (the mountains around Vegas and such).
Remember that it's OK to be nervous, everyone gets nervous, but you have skills now and can handle more than you know..
Take care,
Ocean
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Guest
Lolipop
As a naturopathic student I was so against medication that it took me to 2 whole years of horrible anxiety until I decided to go on medication.
I found a great and very caring psychiatrist (they are very hard to find these days) who put me on Zolof. After taking it for a week I started to feel like myself again.
Combined with therapy and exercise Im doing great. Im enjoying my life again. I had no side effects on medication at all.
I dont agree with some of the other members who think medication is only for severe anxiety. If you need to put yourself back on track go for it, but please consider this:
- Exercise every day
- Keep doing the program or/and
therapy
- Make sure to go on a multivitamin (you would be amazed if you look at the brain chemical pathway and see how many nutrients are essential for healthy brain function)
That's whats working for me.
Godd luck and all the best.
As a naturopathic student I was so against medication that it took me to 2 whole years of horrible anxiety until I decided to go on medication.
I found a great and very caring psychiatrist (they are very hard to find these days) who put me on Zolof. After taking it for a week I started to feel like myself again.
Combined with therapy and exercise Im doing great. Im enjoying my life again. I had no side effects on medication at all.
I dont agree with some of the other members who think medication is only for severe anxiety. If you need to put yourself back on track go for it, but please consider this:
- Exercise every day
- Keep doing the program or/and
therapy
- Make sure to go on a multivitamin (you would be amazed if you look at the brain chemical pathway and see how many nutrients are essential for healthy brain function)
That's whats working for me.
Godd luck and all the best.
Lollipop,
I take a low dose of Lexapro (10mg) for mild anxiety (mostly realted to horomones) and for PMDD (severe PMS) I have found it to be a good drug for me, it is the first I have tried. I no longer have anxiety or PMDD symptoms.
That being said I did have side effects during the start up phase, they were manageable but you need to stick with the meds to get past them, even though you might not want to. Most of my side effedts were GI related and there is a slight increase in anxiety but after a week or so these fade and I have felt fine ever since. I am on week 8 and so far am very pleased with this med, I dont even know I am on a med, I feel like me.
I take a low dose of Lexapro (10mg) for mild anxiety (mostly realted to horomones) and for PMDD (severe PMS) I have found it to be a good drug for me, it is the first I have tried. I no longer have anxiety or PMDD symptoms.
That being said I did have side effects during the start up phase, they were manageable but you need to stick with the meds to get past them, even though you might not want to. Most of my side effedts were GI related and there is a slight increase in anxiety but after a week or so these fade and I have felt fine ever since. I am on week 8 and so far am very pleased with this med, I dont even know I am on a med, I feel like me.
"Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a beautiful butterfly."
I agree with Michelle. You dont have to have sever anxiety to take meds. I have a very mild form, but it was making me miserable so why live your life like that? I fought of meds for awhile too as I have mild anxiety and PMDD. I tried herbal/natural supplements for years, nothing worked long term. I have had anxiety off and on for many years and am a worrier by nature so I decided to give Lexapro a try and am so glad I did. I no longer obsessively worry, I agree, exercise, read Lucindas books (which is what I am doing as I cant offered the program), do the program and take a multivitamin and fish oil.Originally posted by michelle bond:
Lolipop
As a naturopathic student I was so against medication that it took me to 2 whole years of horrible anxiety until I decided to go on medication.
I found a great and very caring psychiatrist (they are very hard to find these days) who put me on Zolof. After taking it for a week I started to feel like myself again.
Combined with therapy and exercise Im doing great. Im enjoying my life again. I had no side effects on medication at all.
I dont agree with some of the other members who think medication is only for severe anxiety. If you need to put yourself back on track go for it, but please consider this:
- Exercise every day
- Keep doing the program or/and
therapy
- Make sure to go on a multivitamin (you would be amazed if you look at the brain chemical pathway and see how many nutrients are essential for healthy brain function)
That's whats working for me.
Godd luck and all the best.
I do feel great and I am glad I started taking the Lex as it has given me the clear mind to work on myself now.
Good luck and do what you feel is right for you.
Life is too short to own an ugly boat. Step aboard for a wonderful journey!