Posted by MickeyD on March 15, 2005, at 22:19:34
In reply to Re: HELP!! Husband stopped taking Lex.... » MickeyD, posted by Racer on February 19, 2005, at 14:21:49
> No, but I have some questions... :-D
>
> First off, have you talked to him about this? It may be that he has some issues with being on the med, and stopped because of them. Or maybe he just didn't know that you need to keep taking it long enough to "reset" your depression button, if you will. Maybe he was experiencing distressing side effects. Finding out why he went off of it would be a good starting point, I'd think.
>
> Also, in terms of withdrawal effects, after four months of Lexapro, I'd think that rebound depression was likely to be the worst that would happen. Four months, in my experience, is about when the meds have built up to steady state in the blood stream long enough for them to show their true colors -- that's when weight gain starts for me, and about the time the lethargy gets unbearable, etc. It may be that whatever withdrawal he might be having is better than whatever he's been feeling on the med.
>
> Talking to him about it might help you understand better, and it's where I'd recommend you start.
>
> Also, when I was on Lexapro, I stopped cold turkey after not a long time on it. My husband, knowing about psych meds only from TV shows like Law & Order, was afraid that this was a sign that I was going to go into one of those psychotic states that he'd seen on those shows when people went off anti-psychotics. If that's a fear you have, put it to rest. When I quit the Lexapro, it was because the medication was unbearable for me, and the only result was deepened depression. If you're not psychotic before the med, you probably won't be psychotic after -- unless you're prone to psychotic depression, which I think most of us aren't.
>
> Hope that helps.That info has helped a lot. Let me tell you what has happened since I last posted. He says he is still taking it and I guess he still is. He is a totally different person....very disconnected from family, has nothing to do with any of us; very, very tired, no energy, and says he is so unhappy, but doesn't know why. He says he doesn't know what is wrong with him. He has no interests anymore and just lays around and watches tv...which is very unlike him. Everything I say gets on his nerves. I try talking with him, but he just gets incredibly mad at me. So talking with him is out of the question because I can't and he just gets mad. The doctor wants to "up" his meds to 20 mg instead of the 10 mg he has been taking, but he refuses saying he doesn't like taking meds anyway and he is in no way going to increase his dosage. I don't know what to do. Would him stop taking it cold turkey do him better than taking it? I picked up his script for the 20mg and thought about "tricking" him into taking it without his knowledge, but it seems so devious.
I am lost as to what to do and am just beside myself at his behavior....he acts like he hates me and being around me...any thoughts??
poster:MickeyD
thread:460302
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050312/msgs/471530.html