I am totally messed up...mentally....help!

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Hi everyone,
Well i am the one who is been going back and forth about taking anti anxiety medicine i have the lexapro at home 10 mg..at took it 2 days and did not take it after that.

I am seeing a therapist because i worry alot and am a little of hypo chrondiac and maybe midly depressed. well she suggested the nurse pratictioner at my dr office backed her up.

Read up on it ..and dont feel comfortable taking it. The old anxiety about taking anxiety medicine which is really part of the problem. I also have 2 differant b/c pills pakcets which again i am afraid to take because of side effect and possible long term effects.

so..last night i told the therapist i was not going to take it but really still not sure. She said that was my decision and need to stop spinning about this. She can help me using congitive therapy but it is going to take longer and require alot of hard work on my part.

When i get home dh who cleaned up the house...was talking about how i let things go in the house with papers and just clutter (not too bad...) and that he thinks that i am midly depressed.

Still doing the parenting thing and all so it is not like i am not functinoing.

I have told dh and others who think that i should take the medicine that I want a definte answer from God because i have prayed it if should take this or not.

And part of me believes in the old theroy fake it until you make it

Any thoughts?????????????????????//
Answer:

Have you looked into any natural remedies? My husband is an herbologist/acupuncturist and he has several depression patients and he puts them on herbal supplements. Mona Vie is also a good one, not just for depression but for overall good health.
Answer:

Hi. I have a friend who had post natal depression after both her babies. She was a christian and was wary about taking drugs for similar reasons as you. She eventually took some natural herbal antidepressants which helped her to deal with the mind issues. She said to me that it is hard to fix something that is 'broken' (eg your thought and emotional life) with something that is 'broken' (eg depressed mind due to chemical imbalances or whatever etc). She found that taking herbal antidepressants helped her mind to become clearer so she could work through the issues that were weighing her down. I haven't experienced this myself but since this helped my friend, it might help you.
All the best - remember, God loves you just the way you are, but he doesn't intend for you to stay there. Keep hoping, praying and choosing to believe that things will get better.
Answer:

Well I've already told you my opinion. I think you should take the medicine for at least a month or so and then see how you feel. That's one of the problems with people with anxiety or depression is that they're not capable of making good decisions BECAUSE of the anxiety or depression. I mean, what realistically do you think that medicine is going to do to you in a month? If it's affecting your homelife...which it sounds like it is...you owe it to not only yourself but dh and kids to get better. You can still get therapy and wean off the medicine when you're better, but for now, I personally think you take it. Just my opinion.
Answer:

Thanks everyone...I now my anxiety has affected my life off and on for a many years now..but I do believe that Now i am ready to deal with it.

Aliadam you are right with my anxiety which is the problem is keeping from taking the drug for it. I am in a catch 22.
Answer:

I had a chemical imbalance almost 4 years ago, was in the hospital the first time for 30 days.I'm not sure just how many times I was in there.They tried many differant medicines on me.I was & still am in therapy,I was finally put on the medication that I am now on.
I'm not crazy about taking the meds.but I Am much better,and I don't dare try to get off of it without the help of the doctor.I have heard of herbal foods, but have never tried them.
Don't give up HOPE, that is all I had to hang on to, and the grace of God.Abbysmommy knows what I went through.
Answer:

I totally understand where you're coming from, rpmom. I've been mildly anxious all my life. I can usually deal with it on my own, but as I explained in the other post, a bunch of stressful situations got dumped on me at once and I totally lost it. The doctor explained that the stressful situations plus bronchitis that I had been battling with for a month caused my brain chemistry to go out of whack.

The doctor prescribed 10 mg. of Lexapro for me. It sat in my kitchen cabinet for 2 weeks. I did some research on line, read horror stories about side effects, and scared myself into not taking it. The thought of taking mind-altering medication terrified me. It finally got to the point that I needed to try the meds or check myself into a psychiatric hospital.

I'm so glad I took the meds. It has really evened out my moods. I feel like my old self again. With the exception of the sexual side effects, I've had no problems. I'm on my last refill so I'll be contacting the doctor next week to see if I need to stay on them or slowly wean myself off.

You said you took the meds for a few days. Did you have any side effects that made you nervous?

Not to come across sounding like Tom Cruise , but I've been doing some research and discovered the certain vitamin deficiences can cause anxiety and depression. Too little calcium and magnesium can cause problems. I've been taking the daily recommended doses of calcium and magnesium for a few months and noticed that my PMS has almost disappeared. I don't even get cramps anymore. Granted, the Lexapro could be helping with this too, so I won't know for 100% sure if the vitamin thing is working until I get off Lexapro. Vitamin B12 is supposed to help relieve anxiety also; I've not tried this vitamin yet.

Good luck in whatever you decide.
Answer:

straight up, I think you need to take it for a couple months and see how you feel. You can always stop after that but you need time to adjust to it so I wouldn't stop after just 2 days
Answer:

I agree you need to try the Lexapro for a month for it to get fully into your system. Sometimes if you have side effects like nauseousness & insomnia you just have to play around with the time of day that you take it. I know how you feel about wondering if you should take any medication if that is something that God wants you to do. Remember that it is not a sin if you need to take medication to help you function. God wants you to take care of yourself so that you can take care of your family. Read the side effects but don't let them scare you & keep you from taking the medication. Most people don't have any side effects-you just have to monitor yourself. I take 10mg of Lexapro & it has helped me alot! Please do not be discouraged! I will be praying for you!
Answer:

I work with a group home of teenage boys, about half that are on various medications, including Lexapro. And though I am not a big fan of taking medications, the simple fact is there are some people who need them and that is OK! So many people view the meds as a weakness that can be cured with exercise or vitimins (thank you Tom Cruise!) but sometimes that it not the case.

One thing I have learned with the meds is that it takes time for these drugs to get into your system and for them to actually start working. Sometimes there are side effects but a lot of those will work themselves out after a month or so. I am not a doctor but as I recall Lexapro is one of those medications. But you do have to give it some time and then make the right decision for yourself.

With the boys, after they are placed on a medication, as long as they do not have a major side effect, we'll wait about a month and then talk with boy, the other boys, the staff, his therapist and the boy's family and see what, if any, results that they are experiencing and decide if that is the correct med / dosage for that kid.

So my suggestion is give the medication a month and then talk it over with your husband, your doctor, and think about how your feeling. Maybe keeping a small journal during this time period to see if there is any improvements. Sometimes it is such a small increase that you do not realize it right away. And good luck! The decision to medicate is not an easy one and it should not be taken lightly but with a little time you usually can make the correct decision for you!
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