Hello all. My family physician prescribed Lexapro almost a month ago to treat my depression as well as my increasingly debilitating anxiety. I have been taking anti-depressants for at least ten years, first Prozac, then Zoloft, then Zoloft with Xanax, and now 10 mg of Lexapro on a trial basis. No formal psychological or psychiatric therapy, although I'm considering it. So far, I'm doing better, especially when it comes to anxiety. I've also begun working on identifying those times and events that tend to trigger the anxiety. I stopped reading the Obituaries . . . I read them and watched for people my age who passed away. Morbid, huh? No powerful thoughts of suicide, but certainly constant thoughts about death. I also have to avoid news stories about health issues because I imagine I have whatever is being reported on and sometimes go into a deep spiral of depression and anxiety for days. (The more I write here the sillier it all seems, but for those of you who have experienced similarly irrational or unfounded fears, you know they are tough to take lightly or dismiss.) My daughter and I take the dogs for walks every afternoon for the exercise and that helps as well. I'm keeping my activity charts going, taking my medication, and cutting back on caffeine (mostly!).
Having said (and done) all of this, I'm still not sure the meds are working completely. Yes, the anxiety is less severe and less frequent, but it feels more like a lid has been put on both the MDD and GAD--contained, I suppose, but still lurking. I only take 10 mg of Lexapro a day, and I was wondering if others take smaller or higher dosages? Has anyone had their Lexapro increased to overcome this sense that the depression and anxiety are jailed but still in the room? Also, any heartburn that might be associated with the medication?
I'm always interested in hearing about others' experiences. I go back to the Doc in a few days, but I like to rehearse before I go so I don't leave anything out. You folks get to see the rehearsal!
Take care,
a.k.a Caimans Betty
