Well. When the doctor told me that Lexapro might cause stomach upset and make me feel tired, she wasn’t kidding. Since taking the first dose on Tuesday, I have pretty much had a constant stomachache ever since. The only time my stomach doesn’t hurt is during and immediately after I eat. Terrific.
Yesterday, I came down with a crushing headache around 3:00 p.m., and a dose of Extra-Strength Tylenol didn’t even touch it. I talked about it with my husband during dinner, and we hypothesized that it might have something to do with caffeine withdrawal, since the other side effect I’m having is feeling constantly jittery. I had a cup of coffee Wednesday morning, and by noon my hands were shaking so much I could hardly type. I thought maybe the Lexapro was acting as enough of a stimulant, so I went all day Wednesday and Thursday with NO coffee or Diet Coke. Hence, the headache.
So, after dinner last night, Chris suggests that I go lay down in a dark room and try to rest until the headache goes away. He will clear the table, put away the leftovers, wash the dishes, and put all three kids to bed. Well, how could I say no to that?? Of course, I completely forgot that I promised one of my new diet buddies, Karen, that I would do a workout after dinner, which I remembered when I woke up this morning at 3:30 a.m., after having lay down at 7:00! Think I needed to catch up on my sleep a little?
Oh, Valentine’s Day. I went to the boys’ school in the afternoon for their parties, took a bunch of photos, then came home and reformatted the camera card before I uploaded the photos. Oops. But what I really wanted to show you was the Valentine’s Day cards I got in the mail from participating in a V-Day Card Swap organized by Jamelah. I can’t show you the cards I made, because they were in the batch that got deleted, but here’s the cards I got:
How cool is that? The third card from the left even came with a belated Birthday-and-Valentine’s-Day gift for me, it’s a knitted iPod holder! Or, as the card said, a sleeping bag for a Polly Pocket doll. So cute.
Chris gave me a very romantic card, and we went out to dinner at Finley’s (kids eat free!) which was crazy busy. When we got there, I had the lovely combination of a stomachache plus the feeling of being REALLY hungry, because it had been like seven hours since I ate anything. Our server was slow to bring water and pop, bread, salads, our food. It took for-EVER. And the closer it got to Kaitlyn’s bedtime, the whinier and wigglier she got. But you know what?
I didn’t freak out. I didn’t get stressed, I didn’t raise my voice, or complain, or snap at the kids. I just sat there and took it all in, realizing that the server was doing the best she could with so many tables, and knowing that if Kaitlyn started crying, we would just deal with it. I did not get anxious, I did not get stressed out. I stayed calm. Do you know how not like me that is? Do you know how many years of stress and anxiety I could have saved myself if I had recognized the symptoms and asked a doctor to treat me sooner? Do you know how guilty I feel now that I look back and see what a freaked-out, screaming harpy I was most days? I haven’t yelled at my kids in three days, and I can hardly believe it’s me.
I’m not saying that everyone who feels stressed out or who yells at their kids occasionally needs medication. That’s between you and your doctor. I’m saying, for me, this medicine is going to make my relationship with my family a whole heck of a lot better. And I think that’s worth a little stomach upset and fatigue. Most definitely.
Oh my gosh – don’t even sweat it – you’re doing great. We’ll get on track when you’re feeling up to it. Cut yourself some slack – your body is adjusting!
I am so glad it seems to be working! Hopefully the side effects will get better quick and all will be good!
Twitter: mttsm
says:
I’m glad it’s working for you!
My meds really bothered me at the beginning, but now I don’t even notice them.
You know, unless I forget to take them.
That is awesome that you are already seeing and feeling a difference.
Here’s to hoping the side effects (or is it affects? it’s late) go away.
Hi. I found your blog through Props & Pans (I started writing there too).
I was in a terrible car accident a few years ago and have suffered with PTSD for a while (not to mention anxiety). Having 25 surgeries in the past 2.5 years hasn’t helped much either. I’ve taken so much crap it’s unreal. I think it’s difficult to find what works best for each person. I’m currently on Zoloft and it does make you numb from the waist down. It sucks. But it’s the only thing that has worked effectively for me. So for now I deal with it. I’ve also experienced awful night sweats within the past month…I’m not sure if that is related or not?
Let’s see – I’ve been on a wide array of AD’s. They started me on them during my 3 month hospital stay. Effexor was ok…nothing really to report when taking it. Lexapro did eliminate the sexual drive. I’ve never taken Welbutrin. I have had Cymbalta – which didn’t do anything!
I wish you well & hope taking the two will even out things.
I’m so glad you’re seeing some good things coming and recognize them as better than the bad stuff!
I lived on edge for years with a very anxious father. What a difference medication made for him. (and us kids!)
I agree with you on the point that medication is not the answer to all our problems, but sometimes it is what clears the fog and allows a person to make better life decisions. I’ve heard some great testimonies.
Hooray for you!
I am really glad that you can see some improvement, E. Sounds like a helluva week, but hopefully you’re getting over the hump. Hang in there!
I am currently taking Cymbalta, which is working really well, but I had side effects with it, too, at first. I think it just takes time for your body to get used to it and then you’ll start feeling better, physically and mentally. Hang in there
Elizabeth! When my doctor put me on Lexapro–because it has the lowest incidence of side effects–I was so entirely sick to my stomach for 24 straight hours that I couldn’t even move. It was one of the worst feelings I ever had in my life. He took me off it pronto, saying, “oh well – guess you’re in that small minority of people with the side effects.” Switched me to welbutrin and…perfect. Not a side effect to be had.
Not to confuse you with armchair diagnoses, but…just a thought that you might be able to get the same effect with something that doesn’t make you feel bad.
In any case, glad you’re on a good path. Hooray!
Hi there. I took Lexapro for two years, on and off, 10 to 20 mg. It is definately NOT a stimulant. The biggest problem I had with it was staying awake while driving and not falling asleep at my desk at work. It was wonderful for anxiety, really changed things for me as before I took it I couldn’t get through a shopping trip without freaking out. I’ve since changed to other meds but I think it is one of the better SSRI’s. With Wellbutrin you might just have a winning combination if the Lexapro helps with the irritability. Tough thing with Lexapro too is that it doesn’t get full effect for a whole month after dosage changes. All SSRI’s are tough to adjust too, feeling like crap for a week or two. Caffeine withdrawl gives me killer headaches, and Lexapro too for several weeks at first. My advice is not to change your caffeine intake for a week or two then go gradually not cold turkey. But if your headache is coming up your neck then that is the Lexapro. Fun… but worth it if it works for you. It is hard not to give up before you adjust but all of these meds have side effects when you start them. Most of the go away. I did have some major IBS while I was taking it but I am pretty sure that was not related. Sorry you are having a rough time.
I’ve never heard of those side effects before! That is awesome, though!
I don’t think i could handle the fatigue of making something that nice, but good work!