[pearlys]

Ive been 3 weeks now on escitalopram, and i take low dose remeron at night. I have the feeling that my depression is actually worsening. I dont do anything else than sleep or stay in bed and when I do get up (around 6pm) im restless, anxious and have absolutely no motivation to do anything at all. Could it be the medications?

Some anti-depressants tend to worsen the symptoms the first couple of weeks. Depends on type, dose and individual. It differs from case to case. I am on meds now for a month. The first week my depression got way worse than I could handle. Not to mention the regular side effects which should be leveled out after couple of weeks. Again, depends on individual.
In your case, I would suggest waiting another week (4 weeks in total) if you don't feel any improvements, you should seek help and inform your doctor. Usually, the first couple of months are critical as medications may be adjusted in terms of dose/type till they give good results. Be patient. But seek help if things did not get better soon.
Stay strong!

DX: Major Depressive Disorder, Panic Attacks & Anxiety
MX: Pristiq 50mg - Wellbutrin XL 150mg

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[pearlys]

Ok, thank you for your answer. Im so desperate to feel better but nothings happening

[pearlys]

what baffles me is that one year ago I felt completely different and I was just on a small dose of mirtazapine. I think it was 15mg at night. I went to the gym a couple of times a week, cooked and was confident. Although there was something underneath, my wife and I separated, my decision, although I still love her but I thought it was an abusive relation. Now Im asking myself was it abusive or am I too sensitive for rejection. Anyway, a year ago I thought that was the best decision. After she left the depression really hit me and Im still not over it.

Sorry to know you've been through tough times. I really don't know what else to say. Hope things get better soon for everybody.

DX: Major Depressive Disorder, Panic Attacks & Anxiety
MX: Pristiq 50mg - Wellbutrin XL 150mg

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[pearlys]

Im also getting hair loss now... talked to my T, its impossible that anti depressants cause depression he told me without asking further questions. Why those idiots keep on telling me (and probably other people) things that are just not true and I looked it up in the list of side effects, it is written there. So does (hypo)mania. Ive been through that and most of them also deny it would be from paxil.

[pearlys]

Is this a mixed state again? I feel agitated, impatient, even tv shows annoy me. I feel so desperate.

I again read what's written on my meds and they clearly mentioned "Patients with depression may experience worsening of their depressive symptoms and/or the emergence of suicidal ideation and behaviors"
But probably some doctors don't tell the entire truth so our subconscious doesn't provoke new symptoms or worsen the existing.

DX: Major Depressive Disorder, Panic Attacks & Anxiety
MX: Pristiq 50mg - Wellbutrin XL 150mg

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[IrisBloom]

Like was said above, wait another week and if still not feeling better go to your MD or whoever is prescribing. Never hesitate to tell or ask your doctor if you are not happy with the meds. You are in charge of your health. Also, remember to be kind to yourself.

[pearlys]

5 weeks on lexapro now, nothing happens. only thing that is going on, im very restless at night, can hardly sit still. i ruminate myself a heartattack sooner or later

monday appointment with pdoc.

[Moogieotter]

Alcohol use? Drugs? That basically eliminates SSRI effectiveness.

[convalescence]

I was on Lexapro for three weeks before I was ordered off of it due to worsening depression. I reacted horribly to Lexapro. I'm on Effexor now, and I'm doing much better. Hopefully your doctor prescribes you new medicine and you feel better. Take care of yourself.

By the way, I found it difficult to sit still on Lexapro, too. I couldn't sit still, I was shaky, I had mood swings, and my depression worsened. It was awful.

[pearlys]

Originally Posted by Moogieotter

Alcohol use? Drugs? That basically eliminates SSRI effectiveness.

No drugs, alcohol yes. Didnt eleminate ssri (paxil) fx in the past. I have to admit however i have to drink less, im not a heavy drinker though, just a couple of beers a day and sometimes a sober day. im just so restless especially in the night and i use alcohol to calm me down. and for sleep i take sleeping meds (promethazine, temazepam, seroquel), without those its impossible to sleep at all so restless i am.

Originally Posted by convalescence

I couldn't sit still, I was shaky, I had mood swings, and my depression worsened. It was awful.

Exactly the same, mood swings yes... sometimes out of the blue i have a good day but next day same ****...

what always baffles me is when i ask doctors or T they deny certain side effects. A couple of weeks ago i called for help, been told that it is impossible that depression worsenes on meds. im sure i reacted with hypomania on paxil before, also a lot of docs and T's denied that. Just a couple of them admin it. now it is even in the package leaflet's list of side effects.

[Seeker101]

My concern that this issue is happening to me, too. Saw my Pdoc last week, and we discussed the breakthrough anxiety at 16 hrs after dosing my 100 mg Zoloft, so he added 2mg Abilify. Had some really dark days the last two days and I haven't gone out of the house either, despite it being beautiful outside.

My Zoloft is taken in the evenings, and the Abilify in the mornings. Here I am, and three hours ago, I had breakthrough anxiety and jitters, again. I've been on Zoloft since 2/19/15, and Abilify since last week Saturday.

The only improvement is that I'm not nearly as nervous as I was over the last 8 months. My friends tell me my voice is calmer. Other than that, I still wake up 2-3 times a night, despite the trazodone at night, and I am still nervous, with anxiety hitting mid to late afternoons. I have absolutely no motivation. Argh.

At least I'm eating more than once a day, now that I'm taking Abilify.

Remembering that someone on the thread asked about alcohol and drug use..... I haven't had a drink since the State of the Union speech in February, and I don't use recreational drugs.

I'm beginning to wonder if I have an incorrect diagnosis? In my internet diagnosing, I wonder if I might have something like mixed bipolar, that doesn't respond to antidepressants? Just a thought.

I have a new stressor, too. My mother, who I have been primary caregiver for the last 10+ years, will be coming home 4/21/15, after going into the hospital for CHF 12/12/14. What this means is being her personal slave 24/7. Like I don't have enough to deal with. She's pressuring me to find a job, and my T and pdoc aren't pushing for that. My T says I'm just a bit "brittle" now. Yeah. Brittle, an apt description.

In the meanwhile, I feel like I could just cry, so instead, I'll try some more meditation. 4th round today.....

[pearlys]

pdoc upped the dose to 15mg, evaluate in a week, eventually to 20mg. i wanted 20mg right away but she is careful cuz i have had a hypomanic episode before. Noone can tell me yet if this hypomanic switch was because of my personality disorder or that i am at risk for bipolar disorder.

[pearlys]

Originally Posted by Seeker101

My concern that this issue is happening to me, too. Saw my Pdoc last week, and we discussed the breakthrough anxiety at 16 hrs after The only improvement is that I'm not nearly as nervous as I was over the last 8 months. My friends tell me my voice is calmer. Other than that, I still wake up 2-3 times a night, despite the trazodone at night, and I am still nervous, with anxiety hitting mid to late afternoons. I have absolutely no motivation. Argh.

At least I'm eating more than once a day, now that I'm taking Abilify.

You have some improvement: less nervous and more appetite. Thats good signs! It takes time and patience and I know its hard to sit it out.

I'm beginning to wonder if I have an incorrect diagnosis? In my internet diagnosing, I wonder if I might have something like mixed bipolar, that doesn't respond to antidepressants? Just a thought.

What is your official DX? If you are at risk for bipolar disorder then certain meds could trigger (hypo)mania. But that could be for certain personality disorders as well. Might also be a side effect in the beginning of your med treatment. What's in the leaflet? I found in the leaflet that increasing suicidal ideating, restlesness, akathisia and anxiety are side effects of lexapro (and probably any ssri) treatment, especially in the beginning. What does your pdoc say about it?

Originally Posted by Seeker101

In the meanwhile, I feel like I could just cry, so instead, I'll try some more meditation. 4th round today.....

Meditation is always good. It had helped me coming off of medication for a couple of years. Im picking it up as well... although im so restless i can hardly sit still, ill try daily 15 minutes.
Do you have a certain technique?

[pearlys]

Im lying in my bed trying to sleep. Racing thoughts, heart pounding, stomach butterflies.

[Seeker101]

Originally Posted by pearlys

Im lying in my bed trying to sleep. Racing thoughts, heart pounding, stomach butterflies.

Sad to say, but I know your pain. My T gave me a great new technique! Rather than go to your happy, peaceful place, build your dream house.

Start at the curb and imagine the landscaping and front elevation. Then go in the front door, and build your foyer, the living room, and move to the kitchen. Imagine you have all the money available to you to build and decorate just as you want to.

Frankly, I haven't been able to get much past the kitchen, yet. I'm asleep by then.

Then again, I'm excited to build my bedrooms... And the bathrooms!

All the while I'm breathing as steadily as I can. I lay on my side so if I do fall asleep (and so far I have fallen asleep), my snoring won't wake me, and I have some soft meditation music playing on the bedside table.

I hope that helps you, pearlys.

[Seeker101]

Originally Posted by pearlys

You have some improvement: less nervous and more appetite. Thats good signs! It takes time and patience and I know its hard to sit it out.

You're right, it is progress. My T said I may have a bit of the "magic pill" expectation going on. Yeah, yea think?!?


What is your official DX? If you are at risk for bipolar disorder then certain meds could trigger (hypo)mania. But that could be for certain personality disorders as well. Might also be a side effect in the beginning of your med treatment. What's in the leaflet? I found in the leaflet that increasing suicidal ideating, restlesness, akathisia and anxiety are side effects of lexapro (and probably any ssri) treatment, especially in the beginning. What does your pdoc say about it?

My official Dx's are Major Depressive Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder, but my initial counselor also said she strongly suspected Complex PTSD, too.

I've had suicidal ideation before treatment began, and during this ramping up and finding the correct meds. Last weekend was another episode of ideation.

My T and I talked a bit about it, and I took the step yesterday to sign my 6-mo DBT contract. Part of that contract says I promise to stay on the planet. So, that's another good step!

I chatted with my pdoc yesterday about the continuing anxiety, and the muscle spasms, and he said since it's only been a little over a week on the Abilify, to check back in this Friday when I'm at DBT again.

I also told him about episodes in my past which could look like mania. I have had pressured speech since at least high school years, and I have periods when I'm really creative, too. He just listened. And I told him when he asked me the questions about the mania behavior, I thought he meant from July to now.


Meditation is always good. It had helped me coming off of medication for a couple of years. Im picking it up as well... although im so restless i can hardly sit still, ill try daily 15 minutes.
Do you have a certain technique?

As far as a certain technique, I answered you when you were unable to get to sleep.... The post above in the thread.

[pearlys]

Today, started like all other days, I stay in bed loooooooooong. But later today I didnt feel the jitter and restlessness that I had other days. Maybe the meds are finally beginning to work beyond the side effect level.

[pearlys]

I think it is getting better now. Got out of bed at 12. Restlessness later in the day is getting less. Is it the upped dose or does it work finally after almost 6 weeks?

[pearlys]

Today my pdoc and I decided to up the lexapro to 20mg.

[Moogieotter]

20 mg Lexapro was great for me. I hope you find success!

moogs

[Danny Leary]

Sometimes the mere act of discovering that a new medication is not working can worsen depression. I've read it's possible an antidepressant can make you more depressed though; there's a reason suicidal ideations are a warning with many of them. I think it's extremely irresponsible for a doctor to say otherwise. Sometimes it just takes a while for a med to kick in as well, which may be why you feel better. I'd say give it a few more weeks if you can safely bear it. If it doesn't improve by then I'd ask the doctor about switching meds.

[Seeker101]

Talked to my pdoc this past Friday, and he upped the Zoloft to 150 mg, and added Vistaril 25 mg PRN for anxiety. That now makes 4 meds. I tried out the Vistaril on Friday afternoon when I had the anxiety, and it kicked me in the behind! I haven't had it since, though I could have taken it yesterday. The 150 Zoloft at night seems to be lasting and taking the afternoon edge off....... For now. If this "cocktail" proves to be ineffective, then my pdoc will consider changing meds. As of today, it seems to be ok.

I worry, though. I told my T about my chronic pain and she suggested I go see a doc and start that paper trail. And the meds for pain.... How will that work with the other? The Abilify was supposed to help with pain, yet, I'm still taking 1600mg ibuprofen daily. Sometimes more. And even that doesn't help much. All it does it take some of the edge off.