I struggle with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and Major Depression. Have been on 20mg of Lexapro for almost 5 weeks and it's not working. Really not interested in the side effects, but, I know that I will have to choose either the paxil or effexor because they are the only two that really work for someone like me. Any input would be greatly appreciated. I will need to make this decision by tommorrow for when I speak to my doc. Thank you so much, pinkeetoz

I am a bit confused as to why you only gave two medications, when there are so many different choices out there. You said Paxil CR or Effexor CR are the only ones that would work for you, and I guess that is where my confusion is. How do you know if these are the only two that will work for you..have you been on them? Sorry for my confusion. Did your Psychiatrist or Doctor tell you this? Please "google" research Tricyclics, Tetracyclics (Remeron - Mirtazapine) and Ludiomil, MAOI's, etc and you will see an amazing set of choices of different medications..some older (that still work very well, as in the Tricyclic family) and some newer ones such as Cymbalta, etc. I have heard that Wellbutrin does not cause sexual side effects and is well tolerated my some people. It is in its own class. For the general anxiety disorder, perhaps you can talk to your Psychiatrist or Doctor about going on a Benzo such as Ativan, Xanax or Klonopin which work very well for panic and anxiety disorders..or perhaps Busphar as well. Please know there are so many different antidepressants out there for Anxiety and Depression, and that those don't have to be your only two choices. Ask your Doctor or Psychiatrist for samples if they have any..and research..research..research. :-)

I've tried just about every ssri that there is and they worked for about 8-9 months and just pooped out. Really hoping to find something that will work long term. Scared and frustrated. Are they're any success stories out there? Anyone go through several meds and have them work a while and than just quit and FINALLY find the right one that has worked for a good period of time? Would love to hear your success stories, Thanks, pinkeetoz

Sure..there are tons of success stories out there..many people I know are on antidepressants and doing much better..some were on the brink of suicide - they tried therapy, exercise, having their thyoid checked, nutrition, etc..however..nothing removed the depression and they still suffered. I am on Remeron and doing quite well. It is an older medication. Despite what you see on the boards..all the negative stuff..many people have been helped by antidepressants long term. I have a friend who has been on Wellbutrin for six years, and it has not pooped out on her.

Thanks for keeping up with me Rianna, anyone else? Really, really down right now. Scarey thoughts. Anyone else go through several meds and finally find one that works for more than a few months? pinkeetoz

I have had to go to using a combo for I had the same problem. My combo is alright it needs some tweaking though. Currently I am on Effexor, Remeron, Wellbutrin,Lithium, Zyprexa and Trazodone.

take care
trg247

pinkeetoz,

I'm sorry to hear you are still wrestling with this right now. I was curious about the 2 meds as well, but see you have tried others that then poop out. I wonder if it was a dose issue or somthing? You've probably said it before, but what have you tried, and the doses?

Meds that are supposed to be good for anxiety w/ depression are Prozac, Zoloft and Paxil, and those are in order of least to more difficult to taper off, though maybe not as potentially challenging as Effexor (and maybe Cymbalta). Some of the others work also, but these ones have a bit of a track record with handling the anxiety as well.

Just wondering if you get obsessive thoughts--scary ones that you know you aren't going to act on but they keep popping up any way, unwanted. Those are part of anxiety usually as well, and those same meds (above) are supposed to help with that too. Hang in there, something will work, hopefully soon.

TRG, FOUR antidepressants?! TWO different drugs for bipolar?! Your doctor didn't know Elvis by some chance, did he? It's a wonder that you can function. My dear friend, who died last fall, from being overdrugged, was on SEVEN drugs just for "behaviors"! Sheesh. She was in a mental hospital and never showed signs of mental illness before being drugged. She had hit her father and he had her committed, years ago. Once, on meds, she started to exhibit symptoms of mental illness, more like, symptoms of prescribed drug use. They had her dx'd with everything under the sun. The more drugs they gave her, the worse she got and they rarely took her off anything, just kept adding more. I often wonder - didn't anyone there ever consider that the DRUGS could be causing some or most of her problems? How can it be that so-called professionals miss this simple and obvious connection? It really is something to consider. If drugs work so well, why the need for so many? Your liver and kidneys have to be taking a beating, big time.

Pinkee.........

I have major depression. I had no success with Paxil. It sent me into mania after three weeks. (First time I had ever felt that...what a trip!) Zoloft helped a little but not very much. Effexor XR has worked the best in that it "lifted" the major part, but still mildly depressed. I never experienced the "normal" feeling that others would talk about. I was so discouraged.

Just saw a new meds Dr., who kept me on Effexor XR and introduced Lamictal (mood stablizer) along with it. I can NOT believe the difference. AFter 19 years, this feels "normal". They are finding that for some people, both make the difference that one alone can not do.

I also am taking Provigil for energy. The Effexor keeps me exhausted.

Good luck and let us know how it goes...........

Well, tried effexor xr. After two days my heart was racing and palpitating so badly I had to stop it completely. My doc said that we may look into adding a mood stabilizer to the Lexapro. (Original plan was to wean off of Lexapro and gradually go up on the effexor) This scares me so badly. Advice anyone? Reassurance? Experience? Thank you so much for reading, pinkee

I was wondering if any of you had your hormone levels checked..I found out I was very low in progesterone and my doc is balancing my hormone levels. i'm starting a cognitive behavorial program as well as taking sublingual progesterone. I'll let you know how it goes. My doc says that if progesterone is below 50 PG/ML you will experience panic and anxiety. Mine was 30 PG/ML I'm also learning to change my thoughts and pray a lot. I would suggest that you find other docs that don't whip out the prescription pad and find one that can look for root causes....

Pinkeetoz, be very careful about taking more Effexor. It's probably the hardest antidepressant to withdraw from. Check out the over 10,000 comments on the Effexor petition, just to get an idea. I don't doubt that your doctor hasn't even mentioned this "little" problem. Just don't miss a dose and, when and if you're ready to quit taking Effexor, you have to wean off very slowly and don't believe your doctor that you can just switch to a different medication.

Thomas's suggestion is a good one. There are many causes of depression, no doubt. Do some research on natural ways to deal with it. Heck, you might just figure out what's going on and really help yourself.

Good luck!