Somebody please talk me back into taking my Lexapro....need advice on a rough day
#295614 - 01/08/07 11:01 AM
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line415
Reged: 09/09/06
Posts: 976
Loc: New Jersey
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I had taken Lexapro (just 5mg) in the past for about 9 months and it didn't "outright" give me d or more IBS problems, yet I knew nothing about his site at the time and just figured that my belly problems continued (IBS-D/A) as usual. I know some ADs have been found to help with IBS...I've read many of the posts and know that Lexapro seems to be a common one among us that is well tolerated.
Why do I want to take it? Well, originally, I had taken it b/c I was having anxiety attacks (with shortness of breath and everything...not just stomach pain)...we had just moved, I stopped nursing, etc....it was a rough time). Then I realized that I do have some depression issues too so I suppose it helped with that. I stopped in the Spring when I figured there would be less "seasonal" depression and less activities come the summer as far as my IBS anxiety goes. (I'm a stay at home mom right now.)
Anyhow, you may recall that a few months ago I posted about taking one Lexapro pill mid-day (sort of impulsively and out of desperation b/c I was feeling so anxious and depressed that day). I had taken it with just a few graham crackers and some chocolate soy milk...result...d attack which I hadn't had in awhile due to Heather's diet/acacia. So I freaked out and didn't take it again.
Now here we are a few months later and I know that I should really try to go back on it, as I am having lots of mood swings (even pre-holidays) and struggling more with the depression than the anxiety. (I am doing the hypno and I feel much more confident about controlling the IBS, but of course the anxiety is still there). Sooooo...someone please encourage me! It is Monday afternoon and I am thinking about an activity I need to attend Wed. morning with my toddler. I'm thinking I'll start it Wed. night b/c I am so anxious about this activity that I want to keep eating safe before then.
Do you have any advice as to taking it with food (like at dinner) or before bed like I used to? I don't know what happened that previous day...I'm sure stress was a factor but I'm really scared that the Lexapro was a trigger too  .Should I up my Acacia? take immodium with it for the first couple of days? This is really frustrating b/c I feel the need to take it for my anxiety/depression, yet I'm too anxious to take it b/c I have things to do in my life!!! (Saturday night a dinner party that I really can't miss).
Sorry for rambling on. It is just a dreary day, I am down and unmotivated to do anything, and feeling fed up with all of this. (Even though the d is better, I still feel nauseous from my Gerd, tired and lethargic, and just plain old aggravated  when I really have nothing to be aggravated about...I have a good husband, healthy kids, a nice house, etc..) Well here I go rambling again. Thanks for reading.
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Originally IBS-D for a million years!
Then IBS-A, Now a transformed slightly C
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The thing about ADs is that
1 - You have to take them continuously and consistently to see positive results - it ranges anywhere from a week to several months. I noticed feeling better (anxiety-wise) on Lexapro after about 2 weeks.
and
2 - The D attack thing is actually normal and expected. The Lexapro wasn't a trigger for you, so don't worry about that. ADs often have unpleasant side effects while your body is getting used to them. They do go away. Mine went away after about a week. But unfortunately, you have to keep taking the pills constantly and consistently in order to have those side effects go away.
I've taken them all times of day, with food and without, and nothing has made a difference one way or the other. I did have to take Imodium and Dramamine (for nausea) while my body was getting used to the Lexapro. I also kept doing the diet as I was doing, and taking my SFS (in your case, the acacia) - no changes at all, none of that stuff will affect the drug.
Tell you what, though - it was all SO worth it! I feel "normal" again for the first time since I was 6 or 7!!
I can't talk you into taking it, because that's really totally up to you, but I can tell you that it's made me a sane person again, and I'm SO happy I put up with the unpleasantness for a week... so worth it.
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Thanks Atomic Rose. I think I remember reading that you take about 20 mg. Is that right? I'm going to give it a try again...I know I need to and would feel much more "sane" like you say, but are you going to stay on it forever? Any long term side effects? I went off of it b/c I felt better and didn't want to become "dependent" but I am a high-strung, type-A, perfectionist type of person and it is what it is I guess so if it will help me, I'll take it. What has your doc said about long-term? And how did you start increasing? (I take Librax now which has an anxiety component in it already so I don't want to go up too much. I'm really hoping the hypno kicks in and resolves some of my anxiety.)
Also, as you say it may take a week of d, what am I going to do about my life!!!?????  I hate this. Do you think that if I took it Wednesday night along with some immodium (nothing too major on Thursday and Friday in my schedule...that I will survive a dinner party Saturday night if I keep taking immodium as needed?) Or maybe I should wait for Sunday...then I have to look at next week's plans... THanks.
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Originally IBS-D for a million years!
Then IBS-A, Now a transformed slightly C
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Hmm... I'm not sure what to tell you about the D, but I would probably wait and start it on Sunday, if the dinner party is something you absolutely, positively cannot risk missing. I felt pretty darn crappy (hah!) those first few days, although it did start to get better after that. Don't keep putting it off because of plans, though - imodium should help the D, and you should feel SO much better in the long run. (It even helped with my IBS symptoms!)
Yep, I'm on 20mg. I plan on taking it for the rest of my life. I was really, REALLY hesitant about going on medication - for me, it was pride, I didn't want to be thought of as "mentally ill", which is utterly ridiculous. Once it started working for me, I forgot ALL of that - I mean, I can't say enough what a difference it's made. I don't even care about the long-term side effects. I have problems that REQUIRE medication. You might not have that, so don't even get your brain spinning about being on something for the rest of your life or whatever. One step at a time. 
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I went to the doc yesterday which was pretty much a joke. She listened but I can't really say "sincerely" like the PA I usually see. I have been having so much anxiety lately about the IBS...had a panic attack a couple days ago before an event and took a Klonopin. My question for her was basically: which would be better...to go back on the Lexapro with the hopes of it reducing my anxiety or take a Klonopin as needed like I did the other day. I told her I would probably need to take it twice/week based on differing activities. She said Klonopin can be addicting (which I already knew) but her explanation was vague as to whether twice/week would make me addicted and also about long term side effects. My Lexapro dosage would need to be at least 10mg apparently to make any difference in warding off the panic attacks in the first place. (I was on 5mg before and still had them.) For those of you on lexapro, do they really PREVENT the panic attacks from coming in the first place?
Soooo...she prescribed lexapro and a bottle of 30 Klonopin to use as needed. I was disappointed in the appointment...I tried to speak to her about some possible depression issues but she wasn't so receptive or helpful (just sort of looked at me and actually giggled when I asked her if I was crazy for the way I was feeling ). Not how I wanted it to turn out.
So now I am still stumped. I need to go back an have a full physical in a month anyway so now I'm thinking that I might hold off on the lexapro and give the hypno a chance to kick in some. (Plus I just ordered some yoga tapes, as I have not been doing any exercise.) I'm thinking that I won't know if the hypno or the lexapro is working if I start to feel better, right? Then I'll be panicked that I won't ever want to get off of the lexapro for fear. But this morning I had a lot of anxiety again...it's like that one panic attack has started me spiraling and I'm so upset! I just started session 3 of hypno and I felt better a few weeks ago. I can't figure it out. If I sit on this a little longer, I can go back for my physical and see the PA that I like for some suggestions. If anyone has any advice, please share. I feel like I'm going off the deep end one minute and the next I am just fine (terrible mood swings). Thanks. 
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Originally IBS-D for a million years!
Then IBS-A, Now a transformed slightly C
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I just reread the response you gave me about requiring meds and knowing you'll be on them the rest of your life. I think that's why I'm hesitant right now. Because I feel like once I start, I will be too fearful to come off. I just said to my husband last night, "I'm only 35 years old and I feel like starting ADs now and FOREVER seems like so long." Then on the other hand, I'm 35 years old and I am not truly enjoying my life (a life that many people would wish they had...good husband, great friends, house, two healthy kids, etc.) Part of it is not so much pride like you said, it's that I feel sort of like I'm failing if I can't handle it myself through the diet, supplements, exercise, hypno, etc.. I keep thinking that I have had way worse physical symptoms (this is the best physically that I've felt in years..although not great...way better) so it seems illogical that now would be the time for me to start the meds. UGH...I am giving myself a stomach ache just thinking about it all.
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Originally IBS-D for a million years!
Then IBS-A, Now a transformed slightly C
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I'm not an expert by any means, but have you thought about cognitive therapy in conjunction with meds? I was clinically depressed from the age of 11 until the age of 20, and when I finally sought treatment during my junior year of college, it was the combination of cognitive therapy and Zoloft that really did it for me. My sister has some anxiety issues, and the cognitive therapy did wonders for her, too.
In any case, don't worry about whether or not you'll have to take Lexapro for life just yet. If you feel it's going to help, start taking it. You can re-evaluate the situation periodically once you've got the anxiety/depression under control. One step at a time. I shall stand over here and wave the pom-poms of encouragement for you. 
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-Carol
IBS-A
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A few years ago a doctor (who could obviously tell I was overwhelmed by my job at the time and new motherhood) suggested cognitive therapy. Here's the thing...part of the stress in my life revolves around TIME!!! I told her that if I had the time to go to cognitive therapy, then I probably wouldn't need ct because I would have the time to exercise, get a babysitter, conquer chores, etc.! I know, I know...my well being is worth finding time so I thank you and I will click on your link. I have thought about talking to someone...I was prepared to see someone if necessary postpardom after my second child. Turned out I really felt fine so I never did. Do you still take your Zoloft? I guess I can't help thinking ahead to what will I do if I wean off of the AD at some point and then have a relapse. Thank you for your cheers and response. You can be sure I will update the board on my decision and progress  .
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Originally IBS-D for a million years!
Then IBS-A, Now a transformed slightly C
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I've been off the Zoloft for nearly ten years now. After I went off the Zoloft, I took St. John's Wort for a while, and then a combination of B vitamins and amino acids for a couple of years. Now I don't need any of that stuff, but it did take me a while to get to that point.
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-Carol
IBS-A
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Originally IBS-D for a million years!
Then IBS-A, Now a transformed slightly C
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