Just got back from PCP

[nina1915]

He dx'd me with depression and generalized anxiety disorder. He started me on 10mg of Lexapro once a day for a month and to come back after that to see how it works for me. He said he doesn't believe in "happy pills" and wouldn't prescribe me any more of the hydroxyzine that they gave me in the ER. I told him I'm not looking for "happy pills" but that after taking them I do feel better. When I had postpartum depression I was given Zoloft and Effexor and they both made me so tired I couldn't even function. He said the Lexapro wouldn't make me tired and there was very little chance of any side effects. I've been reading some of the posts here about Lexapro and of the nausea. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it helps.

[alex12]

Now was this a Psychiatrist or a Primary Care Physician?

I'm glad you got a diagnosis...give the Lexapro a try, it works for some people great.

[jete23]

first of all, it probably will make ou tired. Second of all, there are side effects, as with all SSRIs but lexapro is said to be one of the less invasive ones. TAKE IT WITH FOOD!!! If not, your stomach will be very unhappy with you. You may also suffer from insimnia, nausea, chills, increased anxiety etc. Not trying to alarm you, but make you aware that all of these are normal. You may also need to start off at 5mg and build up to 10. Many ppl on here, including myself, have had to do that.
As far as the happy pills go, I am not a fan of them, but I cant believe your PCP wouldn't give you any. SSRIs take at least 2 weeks to get into your system. He should have at least given you a script for like 1 to supplement you if need be. Here my dr's hand them over like candy and you can't get them. It just goes to show you how one dr opinion and treatment varies from one patient to another. No wonder we're all so screwed up.
Good luck with the lex-it really will help, just give it time

[alex12]

I have a question...what is this Happy Pill? I know Vistiril is hydroxyzine but I was given that for Insomnia in the hospital, it made me tired...is this the same drug?

[nina1915]

I wish I knew exactly what the happy pill was. The hydroxyzine didn't really make me happy, just more mellow and less irritable. The doctor I saw today was my primay care doctor. I thought he would give me a referral to a psychologist or psychiatrist or something, but he just gave me the Lexapro and told me to come back in a month for a follow up.

I should probably switch doctors, though. This is the same office I take my kids to (a family practice) and the other doctor in the office misdiagnosed my 4 year old daughter with just a cold and she had pneumonia and was almost hospitalized in February. He wouldn't give her any antibiotics. They're a little bit too careful about prescribing any medication, but if you need it then they should give it to you.