Lexapro .. yes or no? Withdrawl?

azrescue

I am over a year out since end of treatment. I finished with rads in Oct 2016. My MO has warned me repeatedly to be prepared for the depression, etc. I really felt like I was hanging in there. And, I still wouldn't necessarily say I'm depressed. Anxious? YES! I had my check in with my MO a couple weeks ago. But, I also had to have a followup MRI (liver ~ all due to a spot that was found when I was diagnosed). I was certailnly more nervous that morning then I've been in awhile. Then when I walked into the MRI room --- I losted it. I started crying & shaking. This was the first time I'd been back in that particular MRI room since having a biopsy there. My MO again VERY much stressed, pleaded with me to give Lexapro a try. She explained how so many women just going through menopause have to try antidepressants for a time. But then add in all that I've been through on top of that. She says it is only natural that our brains our out of balance right now. But, I have some serious concerns about starting on an anti-depressant. I tried Paxil many years ago & had a bad reaction to it (extreme depression/suicidal which I wasn't before the meds) So .... my concerns: 1)bad side effects? 2)withdrawl horrible? will I ever be able to stop?

3) SSRI's cant be taken with LOTS of meds including cough meds. What if I have to have another surgery? you can't have any pain meds on Lexapro. Yes, I realize this is being very out there in my worries.

However, the other side of the coin .... what if it helps??? what if I'm actually the happiest me I've ever been?

mustlovepoodles

I have bipolar disorder, so I take a cocktail of antidepressants, mood stabilizer, and antipsychotic. My mental health was pretty stable until after I finished chemo and had a BMX. And then I crashed. I was diagnosed with PTSD, very common in those who are going through serious medical issues like cancer. My doctor put me on Lexapro for about 6 months, which worked like a charm for me. I went from vegetating on the couch in my pajamas all day to rejoining the land of the living. After 6 months, i didnt need it anymore. I stopped taking the Lexapro with no difficulty. (Incidentally, I've taken psych drugs for 25 years. I have never had a problem with taking pain meds for surgery or cold meds.)

stephaniebc

i personally don't like SSRIs, because they annihilate what little sex drive i have left, but i think you should give lexapro a try: it's not like you can't quit if the side effects are not tolerable or if you need to have surgery again. you may have to taper off in order to minimize withdrawal, but you can stop, or switch meds.

i am on wellbutrin which i love and has no negative side effect besides interacting with tamoxifen (although the evidence is weak according to my MO).

Juls4

I've been taking Lexapro on and off for years. I admit I haven't really needed pain killers, but was never told this would be an issue. I was recently prescribed a muscle relaxant (cyclobenzaprine) for a muscle strain while also taking Lexapro, no issues there. I also can take all the OTC pain meds. I took Paxil years ago as well and it was AWFUL. I felt dead inside and so not having panic attacks was not an even balance with feeling like a zombie. Lexapro has been so much different for me. I take 10mg which is a fairly low dose. It helps a lot with panic attacks and depression (I'm still very depressed, but it comes and goes and I can have a life), but also allows me to feel a full range of emotions and feel alive. I really feel like my regular self except it's like I'm given an extra min to assess situations, think about how not to get stressed out, and actively choose to not let things bother me. It feels like my choice, but off the lexapro I can't do that, I just go fro 0-100 in 10 seconds. It takes 2-3 weeks to get in your system, and worse case, you have side effects you don't like and you come off of it. I've come off of it about 3 or 4 times and never had withdrawals, even when I stopped it cold turkey. I would argue that it's not as dangerous as the stress of depression and anxiety that can eat away at a person every minute of the day for weeks, months, etc. Unfortunately, we never know how a particular drug will affect us so what's good for me might not be good for you. Try not to give up!

Juls4

I've been taking Lexapro on and off for years. I admit I haven't really needed pain killers, but was never told this would be an issue. I was recently prescribed a muscle relaxant (cyclobenzaprine) for a muscle strain while also taking Lexapro, no issues there. I also can take all the OTC pain meds. I took Paxil years ago as well and it was AWFUL. I felt dead inside and so not having panic attacks was not an even balance with feeling like a zombie. Lexapro has been so much different for me. I take 10mg which is a fairly low dose. It helps a lot with panic attacks and depression (I'm still very depressed, but it comes and goes and I can have a life), but also allows me to feel a full range of emotions and feel alive. I really feel like my regular self except it's like I'm given an extra min to assess situations, think about how not to get stressed out, and actively choose to not let things bother me. It feels like my choice, but off the lexapro I can't do that, I just go fro 0-100 in 10 seconds. It takes 2-3 weeks to get in your system, and worse case, you have side effects you don't like and you come off of it. I've come off of it about 3 or 4 times and never had withdrawals, even when I stopped it cold turkey. I would argue that it's not as dangerous as the stress of depression and anxiety that can eat away at a person every minute of the day for weeks, months, etc. Unfortunately, we never know how a particular drug will affect us so what's good for me might not be good for you. Try not to give up!

gardengypsy

Lexapro has been effective in managing my hot flashes and depression, but at a cost. The sexual side effects have been horrendous. 10mg/day.

ShetlandPony

Also consider that psychological help such as cognitive therapy can be of great help with PTSD. One option would be to do that first, and try a medication only if you and the therapist think it should be added.

waterdog

Just saw this topic. My MO recently prescribed Lexapro 10 mg and I absolutely love it. After being stoic through treatment, when treatment was done I became anxious over everything. I used to thrive on stress but after treatment everything little thing made me jump. Three years out from treatment I tried Lexapro (have never been on anything before). It took a few days for my body to adjust but I am now a much happier, calmer person. I plan on staying on it for at least a year to give myself a breather and then I will figure out the next step

mustlovepoodles

Lexapro is da bomb!