Hello. I'm trying something new after many years of struggling with depression and anxiety. I'm at a particularly difficult time, and even with new meds, I'm fighting some powerful mood swings. Lots of problems with anger and worry over these past several months--enough to send me back to the Doctor for different meds. I don't know where this site will lead, but I'm willing to give it a good try. And although I feel like a pretty well-informed person, as my symptoms change, I find that I have to constantly re-visits sites like this to learn more.
I started off several years ago on Prozac, then took Zoloft for quite some time, and have been on Lexapro for almost a month. For me, it has helped with the anxiety (mine manifests itself as impatience, irritability, and a terrible fear of illness and dying) but I feel more like anxiety and depression have been pushed in a corner, but still present. We'll see how it goes.
Destinie,
I think you will find some comfort and help here. I'm new to the site as well, but I've been treated for depression and anxiety for at least ten years. Believing that you are the "odd man out" is one of the toughest parts of depression to cope with, but you'll find that there are many people just like you who struggle toward healing. Good luck.
I'd call the Doc on that one. I've taken Xanax before and it had little effect, but also no side effects that I recall. Any sensations that are unusual or uncomfortable should be discussed with your doctor right away.
Take care.
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
Hello, Jasmine. I've only been on the site for about a week, but already I think it has helped. And although you worry about airing your problems, one of the things I find helpful is that I can see that all those issues and problems I've struggled with for so many years are not uncommon. You suggest that you feel shame for being depressed, or feel selfish, and that you know you suffered from depression long before your formal diagnosis. When I read this, all I can do is nod. Knowing that someone else has experienced guilt and felt selfish helps alleviate those very feelings.
I've just started the program and I am fortunate enough to have access to good healthcare and medication, but keeping my activities and mood charts and just learning about depression has already helped me.
Keep us up-to-date, and hang in there.
Caiman
Hi there. I don't know about breaking out in hives due to depression, but feeling sick is common . . . at least for me. When I was much younger than I am now (18 or so) and long, long before being diagnosed with MDD and GAD, I was nauseated every day and was prescribe Xanax. The stomach aches were nothnig more than a symptom of anxiety. Aches and pains are also very common among people with depression. I read somewhere that 40% of emergency room visits involving patients who believed they were having a heart attack turned out to suffering from symptoms of anxiety and panic (including shortness of breath, dizziness, seeing spots, sweating). I was one of those people about a year ago and the pain was very real. Of course, this doesn't mean anyone should dismiss physical symptoms as simply a product of anxiety, but only to point out that depression and anxiety effect us both mentally AND physically.
Take care of yourself.
Caiman
I can attest to the fact that common symptoms of depression are often variable, and very often difficult to differentiate from other closely related disorders. There are a number of crossover symptoms that are common to several psychological illnesses, which sometimes makes targeted treatment difficult, and very much a process itself. I am being treated for bipolar disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. In the past my treatment focussed on depression only because, like many with bipolar, my diagnosis came late in the game. With medication, my bipolar is under control, but I was still experiencing anxiety (despite taking anti-anxiety medication) and particularly sleep disruption. I woke often during the night, and woke early, long before the alarm went off. It was only after a recent visit with my physician that it became clear that, as he put it, my depression was beginning to "break through" again in the form of one common symptom--early waking. I had assumed that being treated for bipolar would take care of everything, but apparently that is not necessarily the case. In fact, I read on this site that bipolar medication often has to be supplemented with anti-depressants. In short, I've learned that depression works like a cafeteria--you never know what will be served up that day!
Perth,
My wife has said that when I'm depressed it's like I'm in another room, that I'm, in a sense, absent. Depression is very isolating, as you say. It can also be very isolating for those around us.
Anytime I've gone from one medication to another, including to and from Zoloft, I've experienced lightheadedness, but never blackouts. Sounds like you are working with your physician, though, which is the best route. Good luck.
It’s been a while since you were active on this site. Please extend your session below
You have been logged out due to inactivity.
Please sign back in.
We use cookies to help us learn about how our platform is used and how we can improve your experience. To
learn more please see our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
