Posted by JenStar on July 7, 2004, at 10:43:16
In reply to Re: wellbutrin to lexapro, posted by calico cat on July 7, 2004, at 7:37:34
hi Calico Cat,
In my personal experience, side-effects can be magnified by my concern over side-effects, esp. in the first 24 hrs and first few days. For example: If I'm paranoid about getting dizzy or a headache, I watch for those symptoms aggressively and voila! I get them! Ironically, the side-effects often don't really kick in until one has taken the drug for at least a few days, so I know that my fear is contributing to some degree.I'm not saying that I manufacture side-effects out of nothing, but sometimes the fear of the unknown is enough to give me the creeps & the jitters & make any side-effects worse. For example, taking ANY new drug makes me worried, and therefore a bit of restlessness & sleeplessness usually occurs, whether it's an antibiotic or something more serious.
The first few times I took Xanax I worked myself up into a drug fear so strong that I probably completely counter-acted any sedating effects! Once I took the pill a few times & realized I wasn't going to die or have a heart attack or a seizure, I felt more comfortable. Eventually I "allowed" the Xanax to work like it should.
This was how I felt starting Lex, too. I didn't know what would happen and that made me feel horribly out of control: WAs I going to vomit...stay awake for a month...sleep all day...etc.?? After a few days I realized that things were going to be OK and it was at that point that I started feeling in control of the side-effects. Yes, there were some, but I knew I could handle them and that it was going to be OK.
Give yourself a chance on the Lexapro. Keep in mind that this board is used by many people who are struggling - there are millions of users of SSRI's out there (lucky souls) who don't have serious issues with side effects and therefore don't take time to post their success stories.
I'm analytical and studious and I read every darn thing on the web I could find on Lexapro, including the fact sheet from the mfg company, which is about 40 pages long. I convinced myself that the side-effects were not fatal and seemed to be milder than those of other SSRI's.
Well - it was another record-breaking post for me! Sorry I make these so long. I just get carried away with my quick-typing little fingers.
Anyway -- I'm sure you're going to be fine...give the drug a chance to work, and see how it goes.
Take care.
JenStar
poster:JenStar
thread:109458
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040704/msgs/363710.html