Upping meds

Lexichic · 11-30-2003, 02:14 PM

I have been on a med for almost a year.Lexapro:An SSRI. I am up to 15mg. I upped to 20mg and noticed a difference right away. Is this possible since I was already on it for awhile? Some people are telling me it would take weeks to notice the difference between the 15 and 20....anyone have an opinion or know?
LEXICHIC

Jennita · 11-30-2003, 11:25 PM

You noticed the difference because you have developed tolerance to the 15mg. you have been taking all this time. That's the downfall of psychoactive meds, is that in time the effects wear off as the brain develops defenses to the chemical intrusion. This will lead to higher doses in the future, and higher health risks, so be careful!

hanelo4 · 12-01-2003, 05:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lexichic

I have been on a med for almost a year.Lexapro:An SSRI. I am up to 15mg. I upped to 20mg and noticed a difference right away. Is this possible since I was already on it for awhile? Some people are telling me it would take weeks to notice the difference between the 15 and 20....anyone have an opinion or know?
LEXICHIC

Hi

I just wanted to let you know that I am also on Lexapro. I started at only 5mg because my stomach is so sensitive to medication. I just recently upped it to 10mg about 3 weeks ago and I noticed a difference the first few hours. Once your body is used to taking a drug, I don't think it will take weeks for you to feel the effects. It only takes weeks when you first start the drug.

Also, about the health issues....We already have health issues. Not being able to go out in the world. Scared to death that something is going to happen to us or that we have a panic attack in front of a big crowd. Or like me, not being able to sleep with your own husband in the bed for over a month because that is where my first panic attack happened. Or shaking uncontrollably and not being able to do anything about it. Some people are on disability because they just cannot function right to go to work. I think I'd rather take medication than to think of any health issues at this time. I've also never heard of health issues before from taking this medication.(This wasn't to you Lexichic, but to the person who posted before you)

Hope this helps you out a little Lexichic

Chantel

Lexichic · 12-01-2003, 08:59 AM

Chantel,
Thank you so much for your reply. I thought the same thing, that since we are already on it we would notice a difference sooner. I was being told it was all in my head! Anyhow I am so sorry for what you are going through. I went through the same thing with husband. Of course due to a bad marriage that is why I began having attacks, eventually I left him. I too dont like big crowds...I dont go to the mall. I stick to small stores like Kmart. It aggravates my kids at xmas time becuase they have to limit themselves to certain stores.
And yes I agree about the health issues. I'd rather try taking the meds and have some kind of life than none at all.
TAKE CARE!
Lexi

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chantel2003

Hi

I just wanted to let you know that I am also on Lexapro. I started at only 5mg because my stomach is so sensitive to medication. I just recently upped it to 10mg about 3 weeks ago and I noticed a difference the first few hours. Once your body is used to taking a drug, I don't think it will take weeks for you to feel the effects. It only takes weeks when you first start the drug.

Also, about the health issues....We already have health issues. Not being able to go out in the world. Scared to death that something is going to happen to us or that we have a panic attack in front of a big crowd. Or like me, not being able to sleep with your own husband in the bed for over a month because that is where my first panic attack happened. Or shaking uncontrollably and not being able to do anything about it. Some people are on disability because they just cannot function right to go to work. I think I'd rather take medication than to think of any health issues at this time. I've also never heard of health issues before from taking this medication.(This wasn't to you Lexichic, but to the person who posted before you)

Hope this helps you out a little Lexichic

Chantel

Lexichic · 12-01-2003, 02:00 PM

Hi. I was wondering what kind of health risks? You mean just the warnings on the labels? I was doing fine on the 10mg but my moms death annniversary is coming up Jan. and christmas is my birthday and she was my only family aside from my kids, so i am hoping this is a temporary upping. I cant sleep at night, I have flashbacks of her dying,etc. I skipped thanksgiving and sent the kids to their dads. I dont know what I will do about xmas. Hope to hear from you soon. Thanks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jennita

You noticed the difference because you have developed tolerance to the 15mg. you have been taking all this time. That's the downfall of psychoactive meds, is that in time the effects wear off as the brain develops defenses to the chemical intrusion. This will lead to higher doses in the future, and higher health risks, so be careful!