Posted by Linda P. on January 30, 2004, at 10:39:22
In reply to Re: dosages? » Simus, posted by LynneDa on January 30, 2004, at 9:04:28
LynneDa - Been following the exchange between you and Simus. First of all, I think it's safe to say most husbands think we wives think too much. (*:*) Secondly, sometimes there is NO "ah-ha" moment. When I had my first anxiety episode, my life was almost 100% perfect: we were building our dream home, both newly retired, three wonderful kids and their spouses, and seven gorgeous grandchildren. I have searched and searched and searched my conscience, my soul, my life events - and there were NO un-healed memories, no loose ends. NOTHING was bothering me. And wham! I got hit with this anxiety/depression/nausea thing that lasted three weeks - this was a little over four years ago - lost thirty pounds, terrified to go anywhere, and my outlook was utterly bleak. In retrospect, (maybe my "ah-ha" moment), I suspect good old female hormones. I was 56 years old at the time - well into menopause (tried all kinds of HRT, but they were utterly useless - gave up. We tend to underestimate hormones - but they are pretty powerful, as most of us know.) All my medical tests came back normal-normal-normal at the time, and that's when I started on the psychiatric route. Began with a mix of Paxil and Depakote, dropped the Depakote after a year, and then made the switch to Lexapro a year ago. I think the tendency to get busy-busy with the needs of others (spouses, family)is a sort of defense mechanism to stave off the sense of oncoming foreboding and gloom that comes hand-in-hand with anxiety/depression. It's as if, "If I run fast enough, it won't catch me." But all in all, I am convinced that what is/was wrong with me was hormone-based - and whatever it is in Paxil and then Lexapro have restored me to me, for which I'm intensely grateful.And if I have to take it for the rest of my life, so be it. It beats the alternative! Linda P.
poster:Linda P.
thread:109458
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040127/msgs/307243.html