Lexapro

[Zoot]

Well, generic Escitalopram really. I've been on it now since April 14, increasing to 20 mg just over two weeks ago. I've been doing generally better on it, especially with reduced anxiety. This really seemed to kick in with the increase to 15 mg and I'm not sure that the increase to 20 mg has really made much difference therapeutically. The issue I'm having is that the last few days I've been feeling considerably more depressed and anxious. Lost my appetite again and my insomnia was worse last night. (My insomnia has never really gone away but was improved, though I'm taking Trazodone to help with it. I wake up a few times a night and cannot get back to sleep after about 5am.)

I see my GP on Thursday and I suspect she's going to want to switch me to something else. She has mentioned Pristiq in the past, which is closely chemically related to Effexor. The idea of switching medications at this point freaks me out but I do want to make sure that my anxiety and depression are properly treated. I'm feeling overall better today, but tired.

Does anyone have experiences that might be relevant here? Is it normal this far into taking an SSRI to have rough days of anxiety and depression. I did drink about the equivalent of a pint of beer on Saturday, but would that make me feel rotten for two days afterwards? Am I still just adjusting to the dose increase? Is it possible I'd do better at 15 mg again? Any insight (recognizing it may be based only on personal experience) appreciated.

[superchick22684]

I've been on several antidepressants over the years: Paxil, Effexor, Cymbalta and Lexapro. I'm currently almost a year into my second go around with Cymbalta. I try to look at medication as a tool not a cure for anxiety and depression. Even on meds your going to have good days and bad days. What does concern me is that you are saying "considerably more" to describe the increase in depression and anxiety and you are experiencing a loss in appetite.

Not to get nosy but why did the doctor decide to take you from 15mg to 20mg? Most people wouldn't say its a big deal but with ad's a few mgs here and there can make a difference.

Most doctors say to give it a few weeks when there's been a dosage change. Two weeks ago my psych decided to decrease my Cymbalta dosage by half and I had some pretty significant side effects. After getting the go ahead to return to my original dosage the side effects went away. However I'm also seeing a rebound in depressive symptoms. So based on my pretty recent experience I'd say there's a possibility that you are adjusting to the dosage, everyone reacts differently to meds. Its possible if you go back to 15 mg that you would do better. I'm not a medical professional though.

I don't know anything about Pristiq, I've never been on it.

[Zoot]

Thanks for your reply superchick. My GP increased my dose because I told her that I was still having a hard time getting going in the morning and sometimes had feelings of hopelessness in the morning, as well. My anxiety had been greatly diminished at 15 mg, but I was still feeling unmotivated and a lot of anhedonia. I'm not even sure whether I had the anhedonia before starting the medication or not. In some ways, with my anxiety diminished, I think aspects of my depression might have become clearer. I haven't had the really serious down days on the medication (days where I've felt like I'd be okay with dying), but I haven't been particularly optimistic or engaged either. Aside from a few periods of time I haven't gotten back to really feeling like myself. Having said that, it's been a long time since I've really felt like myself (my daughter died seven years ago and I recognize now that I've had varying degrees of depression since then) and I have a long history of coping with alcohol (not alcoholic, but some degree of alcohol dependence). I also quit drinking in February, so my usual coping mechanism and "fun" outlets have shifted. Anyway, I guess it's all a bit complicated (as it is for everyone, I guess) but that's the situation. The Lexapro is definitely helping, but I'm still not sure what to expect and I would love to feel better than I do.

These last three nights, my insomnia got significantly worse as well. I'd been doing better sleeping at 15 mg and didn't have much of a change after the dose increase until the last few days. Not sure what accounts for that.

[Zoot]

Oh, and when I say that my anxiety was considerably more, it was not as bad as before going on the medication. I could manage it, though I do think it has affected my sleep, appetite and other symptoms. I've been getting headaches in the afternoon and an agitated feeling.

[Zoot]

My GP scaled my Lexapro back to 15 mg and is adding some Remeron to the mix. Does anyone have experience with this combination?

[gypsylee]

I've been on Remeron (Avanza) and it does help you sleep.