Posted by ocdforyears on December 21, 2003, at 12:49:48
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
Hey gang,
man, do I feel for the people on this board (including myself); the anxiety here is palpable, and the desire for relief as well.
I felt a lift in depression after one week at 5 mg of lex (I felt too stimulated to go higher). Now it's been about twelve days and I still feel stimulated. So far, no change in my ocd or anxiety levels; if anything, they may be a tad increased. This is only the second ssri I've tried (zoloft really sent me for a loop and I couldn't stay on it). I know every med, and every person, is different. I also know the stimulating effects can wear off. But I'm questioning whether this is the right med for me. I was making progress, slow progress, in conventional therapy. I do have some cognitive tools, though I want more (been reading Brain Lock and Stop Obsessing, both have helpful points).
But my heart seems to beat a little harder, I feel overly alert, and even a bit more anxious than before I started the lex. And again, I'm only on 5 mg. I'll call my psych and let her know all this. She mentioned paxil when I told her I found zoloft too stimulating; but then I hear paxil can make you gain weight...tough to say.
What are there now, seven or eight of these meds? That's a lot of meds to try.
I enjoy feeling less depressed, but I don't like the stimulation. And I know ocd takes longer to respond to these meds than depression anyway.
Well, here's best wishes to all those of you still searching, and congratulations to you (you really are lucky) if lex is really helping you.
I do think, still, that though meds and cognitive work are ncessary to heal from my ocd, that the deep core is emotional. But that stuff heals so slowly, and I think ocd requires some cognitive work because it's a thought disorder.
Well, best of luck. I'll keep posting here as long as I'm trying lex. I haven't thrown the towel in on it yet.
poster:ocdforyears
thread:109458
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031219/msgs/292135.html