Lexapro? - Oklahoma City,OK

Take the medicine and see if it helps. If it works then it will be well worth it. None of us like to take medicine because we think as women we can handle anything but truth is we sometimes need help. You may just need it for a short time but if you have to take it longer then theres no shame in it. My daughter started taking Lexapro lately and she says it works for her. She has 3 children also and one is autistic.

I was on Lex and it made me feel worse< can you hubby delay the threapy. have to go kids are screamming for mama. hang in there and look up manic mommies on the web it will make you laugh.

There are a lot of medications out there. You have to do a lot of trial and error to find which one works best for you. My husband has been on lexapro for about 2 years. It has made a world of difference in him. He is much more calm and patient now. So I am very grateful for this drug.

Holy cow, don't be so hard on yourself! You have a huge amount on your plate...your husband is being selfish by telling you not to go on it. Lexapro is not a narcotic, it's an antidepressant. It will help you cope during this very stressful time. Keep your dose on the lower end (10 mg) , and should stay on it for 9 months- 1 year; and then you wean off. Or just stay on it. Do it for your kids if you won't do it for yourself- you will find you will be less short tempered and have more rational thoughts.
And, having a disabled husband with chronic pain is a huge burden on everyone in your family. His situation will most likely never improve, given the psychology of chronic pain and the opiods/narcotics used to treat it. This is something you must examine when you are feeling healthier and not completely burnt out. Do you want to live like this for the rest of your life?

If you had cancer, would you treat it? Depression is a medical condition and antidepressants can help treat the chemical imbalance in your brain. Taking it does not mean that you will need to take it forever.

I love Lexapro - it allows me to function as the real me. I've been on Paxil, Zoloft, Prozac, and Wellbutrin at various times over the last 20 years, and of all of them, Lexapro works best for me. Lexapro may help you, or you may need to find another that works better for you. Unfortunately, there is no test to find the one that's right for your chemistry - it's at trial and error.

You can get through this, and an antidepressant may help. Don't be afraid to treat something that is a medical condition. There is no shame whatsoever in treating a disease.

Take care.

I think you are right to research this drug. My husband who also has chronic pain, began taking it for help with his pain. After about two years on it he began to wean off. It has taken him almost a year to get off this drug with terrible side effects. He wishes he had never taken one dose. I think there are plenty of helpful medications with less side effects. I hope that you find something that is right for you, sounds like you are doing your homework and that is so important! Good luck to you and I hope things get better soon.

Wow my heart goes out to you. Be careful as I would not want you to end up with a nervous breakdown. I pray that you have complete faith in your doctor. If you question this medication I would suggest you ask your doctor if he could come up with something else.
I hate medication as no one knows what it does to the body particularly if you are taking other medication.
God Bless

I've been on both sides, and it's a personal decision.

My issues are both anxiety and Depression. Dealing with a particularly nasty co-worker and boss drove me to medication a few years until I was pregnant with my first child. I wanted to resume medication after his birth, but the pediatrician wanted me to wait until I was finished nursing.

I didn't think about it again for a few years until after I completed 5 months of chemo after the birth of my daughter and needed assistance learning how to be a survivor - I chose to seek guidance from a counselor who happened to be a psychiatrist. I opted not to do medication and to work through it via therapy.

It's a very personal decision. The medications aren't bad - there are MILLIONS of people on them. But, some have different side effects than others. Lexapro is a second generation of an older medication called Celexa - they both tend to be considered weaker SSRIs (Selective Seratonin Reuptake Inhibitors).

Other drugs in the class include Wellbutrin, Cymbalta (though it's slightly different), Zoloft, Paxil, Prozac, Pristiq, Effexor XR, etc.
All have different side effects ranging from suicidal thoughts to weight gain.
Everyone will react differently, so it may be a matter of trying several at different levels before you find the one best for you.

Good luck. You don't need to stay on them forever - sometimes, it's a personality driven need vs. the actual hormonal imbalance.

Hi S.,
I took Lexapro after the birth of my son. Like you, I just cried all the time. I started off on a very low dose, but had it increased after my son had some very scarey health issues. I will tell you that I absolutely loved it. After about 2 weeks on it, life was so much better. But I will say weaning off of it was tough. I took my last pill of the month on a Thursday and forgot to call the prescription in on Friday. The pharmacy was closed on Monday bc of a holiday so I did not take it again until Tuesday. Oh my...after 4 days of not having it I had some side affects. I was dizzy, naseaus, and cranky! Eventually after a year on it, I weaned off of it in about a month in a half. I can truly say it helped me tremendously. And I will not hesitate to take it again if I have the same depression issues after the birth of my next one. Good luck and I hope you find a medication that works for you.

I think you should take it...and enjoy the benefits of feeling a little more in control (Sister - you are burning your candle at both ends). My husband was on it for a while and he was able to wean off of it. I too was on anti-depressants while going through my divorce and eventually - I was able to get off. So if you start taking the Lexapro, don't feel like you will be on it forever. That's not always the case.
Good luck and I'll pray for some sort of peace for you...You are a wonder woman - but you're also very human...

lexapro is hard to get off of... a friend weanedoff of it for 2 months but still went through withdrawl.. zoloft is a milder drug and easier to get offo of.

prozac is also milder...

paxil can have withdrawal symptoms also..

I am sure taht all of the drugs would help you.. but you do not want to go through withdrawal.

no its a great pill i was on them for six years i was in a really bad marrige and if it had not been for them i would have not mad it i had no side effets from them.you will do fine.sounds like you need them good luck

Take the medication. The benefits far outweigh anything else at the moment. You and your doctor can always "tweak" your medication or try a different one. There is no shame in using an anti-depressant and it sounds as though you could benefit from one as well as therapy. Not everyone is "stuck" on an anti-depressant for life. Take care of yourself.

I've been on Lexapro for 5 months and it has helped a lot. I had dry mouth and nausea for the first couple of weeks and was up to 15 mg but it made me too agitated. Now, I'm only on 5 mg (I weigh 120 pounds) and I'm doing well. My doctor says that I should be on it for 6 months or so after my symptoms stabilize, which it has. She said Lexapro is not usually something someone takes long-term. I'm wondering if your husband needs to consider another opinion.
It seems like the root of his problem is the chronic pain and he is having a hard time dealing with it. Your condition is completely different and you're taking the Lexapro to directly deal with your crying spells.
The reason why I am taking Lexapro is because I am going to a lot of stress and was not able to cope with it. I was extremely weepy, cranky and snappy and emotionally drained. But with the Lexapro I was able to get the "omph" to get through the day. My husband said I was a different person from day one. It took a few weeks to adjust and stabilize but I'm a lot better now. I'm also on a birth control pill so I won't get pregnant while on Lexapro so I had to adjust to that to. That's something you can talk to your doctor about. My doctor believes the hormones are also a part of helping me feel balanced.
It was actually through the advice from other moms on the forum that I finally took the step to take the Lexapro my doctor prescribed and it's been a blessing to myself and my family.
Big hugs to you, super mom. You have a lot on your plate. Hope this helps.

Well, ,et me start by saying this: My goodness, woman! How in the world do you get all of that done?Those self-proclaimed "alpha-moms" couldn't hold a candle to you, so try and take a deep breath and give yourself some credit-a lot actually, reading your schedule is making me want to take a nap!
That being said, yes, exhaustion may very well be a factor, but you know yourself well enough to know when there's something that's inconsistant with your usual self,so the fact that you saw your Dr. about it does make me think that you are pretty sure your having a bout with depression.
Without making this about me, I had a royally screwed up life until I hit age 26 or so, and had my 1st baby. I am about to turn 30. I always had emotional/mental health issues, and NEVER wanted to take anything,except illegal drugs for a good 15-18 years. I finally really got into trouble one day and ended up being forced to be on meds, and I can say from experience, that I was so sorry I hadn't just been more open minded about it earlier on in life. I have been on all types of meds at some point, but I have been off of them for years and doing good.
I understand that Lexapro is tricky to get off of, some say it takes 6-12 months to wean. There are other SSRI antidepressants that are milder ,yet effective, and can be discontinued 'cold-turkey'. Maybe you would want to try one of those. Someone said Zoloft or prozac, paxil even and I agree with that.
I can understand not wanting to become dependent on a substance for life, but if it seems the better option to do so than to possibly feel needlessly depressed for life, too, then I suggest giving medication a chance, though I've not personally known anyone(including self), that has had to be on it for more than 3-24 months(antidepressants).
Also, one thing I really want to stress here, is that if you want medication to be as effective as possible and be able to not develop a long term dependence, then you've got to go into it not expecting too much from a pill. It will not change any life situation that's out of your control, or any less than desirable behavior on your part. It is a tool, to be used as a part of a plan. Most often, getting some counseling/therapy and re-learning how to deal with the stressors in your life, in conjunction with meds, would be the best route. The theory is that the meds help with the motivation and ability to begin working on self and change. But, if you really are just having a weird short term bout of the blues, then you may just need it for a little while alone.
Again, those are questions that only you truly know the answer to. Have a frank talk with your Dr. and let him know what your concerns are, just make sure not to do nothing about it if it continues

Hi S.,
I'm not sure how much help I can be but I can tell you about Lexapro. I am bi-polar and that is one of the meds that I tried before finding the right "mix" to stabilize my moods. Lexapro is not addictive. It was easy to get off of. You are experiencing "situational depression" in my opinion. And it too shall pass. Take the Lexapro...or if you are uncomfortable with it ask your doctor for an alternative medication. With your husband in chronic pain (as I am) it's hard for their spouse to understand and put up with it 24/7. You get to the point of just wanting to yell...Just get over it! I know, my husband has been there. Unfortunately he can't, just get over it, and must do what he has to do to get the pain level under control. You need the extra help of an anti-depressant to get you through this tough time. Don't be afraid of it or embarassed by it. I would also suggest that if you can squeeze it into your already busy schedule...see a therapist for a short time and vent with him/her. There just might be a solution staring you in the face and you are too close to it to see it. Does that make sense?
Good luck...I hope you find the right solution for you and your family.
Blessings,
W.

I would strongly recommend that you give the Lexapro a chance. You may end up taking an anti-depressant for life but you will have a much more satisfying life. I was the same way, I would cry until i made myself sick for no reason. I was always worried about what would happen, what if the kids got sick, what if my husband got hurt (he is in law enforcement), etc... I finally talked to my doctor about it and he put me on an anti-depressant. In school we talked about the causes of depression and how the medication works and I think you should look into that aspect of the drug. If you had diabetes nobody would be upset about your medications or the fact that you had to take them for life. It is the same with this; I hate that it is classified as an anti-depressant. I think that makes it sound like something you can control but this is a chemical in your body that has gotten out of balance. Please do not deprive yourself and your family of the person you will be once you get your life back to normal.

I have not been through this, but I believe that if there is something you can take to make you feel more "normal", then take it! It is something that you have to be careful taking, but I think it's more about dosages. Not sure though. I would say that since hubby will be gone for 4 weeks, please just take the meds. It may take awhile for them to take effect anyway. Plus, since you have a baby and small kids, it may just be a temporary thing anyway. Your hormones may still be out of whack. I just personally think that if you really need the meds, you should take them. Just my opinion.
Good luck, I'll pray for you!

I have been there ! But my depression started after the birth of my 2nd child. That time included health issues with my son, a 5 year old, issues with hubby, etc. Just too much to deal with. After several days of crying, I finally went to my doc. I haven't been on Lexapro though. If you are unsure about that medication, call you doctor and talk to them about your concerns. Maybe there's something else you can take. My personal thoughts are that if you need medication - either due to circumstances and to help you deal for awhile or due to genetics/family history and it's a long term deal - then take them. I know it has definitely helped me be a better mom, able to deal with situations that I don't think I could have dealt with without the meds. Just my opinion though. PM me if you want to talk more about it.

I've taken Lexapro for about 3 yrs now. I too, had been thru hell with my oldest daughter, had a husband that was bedridden for 2 yrs after an accident, and a mother with alzheimers.. working 2 jobs also. Then.. my husband started walking again and divorced me once he was better.. My life was pure Chaos!
Lexapro, It's been wonderful for me. My doctor initially prescribed 20mg, but I half that and only take 10mg once a day. I feel so much better! I have no side affects from it at all.. for me, it's been a wonder drug and I don't mind if I do have to take it for life.. It makes me a better me.

I don't know if this is quite what you were looking for but I was on Lexapro for about 3 years, I got pregnant and went off of it. Pregnancy was a little difficult, but I've been okay since and that was about 2 years ago. So I guess what I'm saying is that I wasn't hooked for life, so maybe you won't be either. Hopefully you can find something to help you because it sounds like you could really use some kind of pick-me-up. Take care of yourself so that you can take care of your kids.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE! My husband is 90% disabled, stuggling with PTSD and deppression as well as chronic pain and I also have PTSD. My Mother is very mentally ill and refuses most of her treatment. She lived with us until this past August and now my sister is taking a turn. We have put off having children for obvious reasons but I care for other peoples all day long. I have had 7 surgeries my husband 4, we have been married 3 yrs in May.

I had bad reactions to every mental health med we tried. I can only take Xanax and then no more than 3 doses in a week.

Good counseling is essential. I would be lost without my support group. Medications can only take you about 10% of the way. Regular counseling and the daily work that comes between those visits make up the other 90%. I have my own support group and take individual sessions when life requires them. My husband has his own individual therapist and then we see a marriage counselor together.

Meds like Lexapro take weeks to see if they are working for you and then if they are not then you have to ween off of them. This is not a process you should go through alone or without the guidence of a mental health proffesional. Start with interviewing psychiatrists. Find one who will listen and answer questions with patience. A doctor who just wants to tell you what to do and wants you to shut up and listen to how much they know better is not a good person to guide you through this.

I think you are definitly exhausted but i don't think its the kind that can be restored with a good nap and a spinach salad. It really sounds bigger than that. And since your life will not be becoming miraculosly stess free in the near future you would probably benifit greatly to learn the tools that will help you cope for a lifetime. Understand now that meds will not be a quick fix.

The strength that you have shown so far is more than enough to carry you through this.

Please call or e-mail if you like I may be able to help you locate counseling options.
L. Seben
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____@____.com

I was on Lexapro, which helped me SO much through a very difficult time. I weaned off QUITE easily! I agree with some of the other responders - depression is an imbalance and you treat it as you would anything else. Do NOT feel guilty for taking a prescribed medication such as this. You owe it to yourself and your children to be healthy, mentally and physically, right?

Good luck - -we'll say prayers for you.

There is no shame in taking medications, especially if it will help you and your family get through this tough time. For you AND your husband, I know of an herbal supplement called Luminex that may be something for you to look into. It’s made by a company called Melaleuca if you want to research it. Look at www.melaleuca.com I haven’t used it yet myself, but it I have heard great things from people that have. It contains natural ingredients including St Johns Wart, griffonia seed, folate, and vitamin B12 that help with depression and anxiety. Let me know if you are interested or have any questions.

Wow!!

You need some help from parents, siblings, neighbors or really good friends to help you. Perhaps, you could cut back on school or work a bit. It sounds like the pressure is getting to you physically and mentally. You definitely need a break.

Something else to consider- have you been tested for low thyroid? You could be wearing it out with all the stress, hours of work and study, and poor diet.

I certainly wish I were near. I could help with kids or something. I'd at least offer to make some healthy meals for your family twice a week!

Good luck with your decision and I'll pray for you too.

I did ok when i was on it about year and half ago. I was in about the same boat when I started it where I would cry for nothing and doc said it was one of the beter meds with lesser of side effects. I used it for a couple of monthes and then tapered off, please just make sure you taper off if you use it and just dont stop it. I didnt experience anything bad but have read som bad withdrawls if you try cold turkeying any of those meds. I also tried Paxil and IMOP it is a very crappy drug and wouldnt touch it again. if you want you could email t ____@____.com