Posted by Nanter1 on August 25, 2003, at 15:35:55
In reply to I I don't know if I can keep waiting, posted by lesliekay on August 25, 2003, at 4:03:52
> I keep waiting for Lexapro to kick in, granted it has only been 4 days or so, I am falling down a tunnel. I don't know if I can make it back up. I don't know what to do, I can barely get out of bed right now. I slept for 29 hours. I know I am going to end up in the hospital again.
Leslie:
Like many here, I've been through the ups and downs of using these medications and have learned some things about the course you can expect.
1. When you first start taking one of these medications, whether it be the first time or a resumption after having been med-free for a while, it can often feel as if the medicine can't possibly work and the way you feel will never leave you. Trust that this is not the case; it is your current neurochemical state that makes you feel that way. It's playing tricks on you.
2. It can take very varying amounts of time for these medications to work. I've had points where I didn't see a noticeable improvement for 6 weeks. Other times it only took a couple of weeks.
3. Keep taking the medication! When you feel terrible, just imagine the medicine inside of you working. Even though you feel lousy, know that it's making changes RIGHT NOW that WILL make you feel better.
4. Sometimes the medications can make you feel worse when you start taking them. Know that this is only temporary and will dissipate.
5. You probably feel that you don't want to face the world and your way of effecting that is to sleep all the time. Try to muster some energy if at all possible and go about some ordinary activites. It will take incredible willpower but will probably speed your recovery.
6. Don't neglect nutrition! I've been guilty of not eating well or not even eating at all because I've felt so poor and thought there was no hope. If you eat consistently, eat well, take vitamins, get good quantities of protein and essential fatty acids (such as from fish and healthy oils), your recovery will proceed more quickly. If at first you have to drag yourself out of bed just to eat, do it! Your brain needs this nutrition for the medication to work, as you must manufacture the neurotransmitter that is currently deficient. Not eating will only limit your body's ability to do so and will cause your recovery to take far longer.
7. Every day brings you that much closer to being yourself again.Best of luck. Know that you will feel better, and until you do (and afterwards!), we're here to answer questions and just provide a helping hand and a friendly ear. Don't hesitate to ask me or anyone else any other questions you may have.
-Luke
poster:Nanter1
thread:253796
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030823/msgs/253943.html