New to this... - Anxiety Message Board

vick03 · 09-08-2008, 07:51 PM

Hi everyone, been a member but haven't posted in a long time. When I started it wasn't even on this message board since I never thought my symptoms with anxiety were even treatable. It wasn't until a doctor diagnosed me with Depression and anxiety. The funny thing is that I never thought of myself as having depression although I knew the anxiety thing was right on. My whole life I missed out on so many things because of it. I would have anxiety attacks during social events and just hated being in the spotlight. Finally 2 weeks ago I went to the doctor and he put me on Lexapro (10mg) and it has been 10 days on this medication and WOW what a difference I already feel. And I am grateful because reading around it's hit or miss with it. The first night I had hot flashes and woke up dizzy. But from there on out the knot in my stomach is getting less and less tight. I do not get stressed out as much and just feel much more confident and calm. This is only after 10 days so I am very happy about it. My question is, is this the full effect? Or will it get better still with more time? I am Male and 25, and regret not knowing about this sooner. But better late than never I suppose. The weird thing but also good thing is that I am not getting the bad side effects. I actually have an increased appetite and my sex drive (which was suffering) seems to be getting better. Could this be because my anxiety is finally letting the rest of my body function?

Thanks for any help

violet312s · 09-08-2008, 09:41 PM

Kudos for seeking out help.

If you've only been on Lexapro 10 days and already noticing an improvement you're in for much better things. Lexapro, in my experience and others, hits peak effectiveness at about 4 to 6 weeks.

Glad you've noticed the increased ability to focus on life. That's the #1 thankful improvement I noticed in me. Gave me the ability to deal with my anxiety.

Are you also getting therapy? Would highly recommend it. Your primary care physician can probaby recommend a few. Medication alone won't free you, but that's just my experience.

vick03 · 09-08-2008, 10:20 PM

Thanks for the response violet. I used to wake up every morning dreading the day and I was a nervous wreck with that knot in my stomach. Now I am calm in the morning and just ready to go on with the day. My doctor did recommend therapy as well and did give me a name. However, I have not taken that step just yet. I decided I would wait a month or so and see how I feel with just the medication alone. I honestly don't know if I need the therapy, I mean I'm sure we all do but I just dont see it working for me.

shrtcak81 · 09-08-2008, 11:09 PM

Hi Vick,

I"m so glad to hear that you're having that much improvement in 10 days. I'm on Lexapro, have been for a month, but I started at a really low dose...so now I'm experiencing some better improvement. You've still got a lot more time to experience even better effects. I too have been plagued with anxiety for so long. It started in my teen years and it was so horrible. I didn't enjoy the things that most teens do. Then I found Zoloft and it changed my life for 8 years. I went off of it for a year and just recently anxiety came back into my life. I did experience relief on Zoloft alone, but this time around I've added counseling to my treatment as an additional benefit. I think I need it. But you may not. Just see if the med keeps working for you. Take care!

Crystal