On 14 Oct 2003 10:29:50 -0700, (alnoid) wrote:
Here's my scoop. I'm on the downhill slope in a marriage of 7 years
that has never been pleasant for me. I have a 4 year old daughter
that I love. This year I herniated my back and am in frequent pain,
but not constant. Dr says I will never be a "normal" active adult
again. A job change that I was forced into is unappealing for me as
well. This all kinda happened at once.
I became pretty hopeless about half a year ago, all things considered.
I stopped sleeping, lost weight (I'm already skinny) and felt pretty
down. I talked to my wife's counselor, who said he was concerned
about me, and suggested that I take some SSRI's - just for a while
until our marriage improved and I started learning to live with my
hernia, etc.
I asked my family doctor for something, which I *hated* doing. He
gave me lexapro to help my mood, and ambien for my sleepless nights.
The lexapro makes me irritable, although less depressed / sad. I went
crazy the first day after a whole pill, then started cutting them into
fourths. It was enough to get me moving again, but I'm not enjoying
it. I'm jittery, light headed, and can't concentrate. I've been
yelling, and acting more spontaniously, flying off the handle, etc.
I'm not aggressive, but still feeling kinda crazy and unable to think.
I'm moody. Back and forth between happy and sad without any reason.
And when I *am* happy or sad, I never trust the feeling to a correct
stimulus. I feel like it's all made up in my head, and so I don't let
myself be really happy or sad, because I know there's no reason for
it. Especially when it changes every five minutes. Yuck!
And the ambien . . . well, it helps me sleep for a few hours, but
that's all. I take 10 mg, and if I stay in bed and *try* to sleep,
then I'll fall asleep in 45 minutes after taking it. I sleep for
about four hours, then I'm awake for the rest of the night again.
That's not enough sleep for me. And if I don't happen to fall asleep
when it first kicks in, then it doesn't work at all, and I end up
feeling exhausted but staying awake and anxious all night anyway.
It seems that family Dr's don't know much about the meds they
prescribe. I'm frustrated with both of these meds, and I really don't
like the side-effects. I'm hoping I can get more feedback here before
seeing him again. I want to drop them both, or at least the lexapro.
(Four hours of sleep is better than none!)
I'm scared about the side effects of *stopping* the lexapro now too.
I'm only on 1/4 of a pill, but it still has a major effect on my
personality. I felt very hopeless before taking the lexapro, and I
don't want that to come back again either.
I can't stand the idea of "trying some other kind or SSRI". I dislike
the side-effects of this one too much to consider another!
Are these side effects normal? How does one cope with that?! Any
thoughts / recommendations?
Don't know much about Lexapro, but I was taking Effexor. Many people
have come her and mentioned some bad side effects from SSRIs. It does
take a little while after stopping them to feel like they're out of
your system and your body is back in control instead of the medicine -
even though some SSRIs, like Effexor, have a short 1/2 life.
From what you're saying, it sounds like maybe it's time to visit what
we call a pdoc. A doctor who has more experience based on depression
and the meds instead of a regular practice doctor.
Mr internal medicine doctor consulted with my pdoc to come up with
something that worked "OK" at the time. I didn't know what side
effects I was about to have, but recently found out.
Also, the severity of these effects may be exacerbated byt the time on
them. YMMV.
No advice here, but some offerings from what I've been through.
Keep the faith, it'll work out. :^)
Tracy Barber
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