Went to doctors today

[Scottish_Player]

Well i finaly did it i went to the doctors after 2 weeks waiting for the appointment date to arrive and thinking to myelf will i go or will i not go well in the end i went, last night i wasnt even planning to go but when i woke up this morning feeling terribley anxious even although i WASNT going i said to myself i need to do somthing about it.Heres how it went:

Doctor: Hi,sit down what can i do for you?

Me: Well iam not to sure how to go start talking about it (i was a bag of never as this point and coudnt sit still )

Doctor: Well just take a deep breath and start at the begining

Me: ANXIETY (i just blurted out that 1 word)

and basicaly he took the rest from there just asked me loads of questions i didnt realy get a chance to talk lol he just asked me if i could go on a bus and when i last went to a shoping centre and then he came out and asked me if i was a loner lol talk about getting to the point.Hes arranged for me to see a shrink kinda person iam not sure how you spell it and he gave me escitalopram which i think is another name for lexapro.He said he sees loads of people like me but there is even more people out there who dont seek help and he congratulated me on comming and how he knows its a big step for me to take.I will leave it at that just now

 

[Yossarian]

Well done on going, I know it can be hard the first time....and sometimes after too. Glad he was cool and understanding. Most doctors I think are but unfortunately you always get a bad apple etc. Stupid apples. Hope this appointment is the start of better times to come.

 

[Scottish_Player]

Hope this appointment is the start of better times to come.

Thanks Yossarian i hope that too,i feel good just now just for going to him and i actualy feel as if iam doing somthing to help myself

Has anyone here used lexapro? if so when is the best time to take it would it be morning or night ive not taken any yet i just want to be sure of the best time?

Thanks

Mark

 

[pitkreet]

Mark, glad things went well on your first visit.

On my first visit, my doctor basically told me to pull myself together...that was over 10 years ago and I've never been back. Funny how anyone offering that kind of advice on this fourm is now regarded as a troll. My doctor was a troll 8O .

I hope you get a good therapist.

 

[Scottish_Player]

Thanks Pitkreet and Grumblina

He was a very laid back kinda doctor,i seen him a year ago when i went and spoke to him about how iam underweigh but at the time i realy wanted to talk about anxiety but just couldnt bring up the subject.The only reason i went back was beacause of how he came across as trusting and willing to listen other wise i probably would not have went back.He was making jokes and stuff like we'll have you out partying in no time lol and it realy made me feel relaxed he also asked me if i had a GF i guess that must tell them alot if you see what i mean i have to go back in about 7 weeks to see him again to see how the meds are working.

iam that happy just now and plesed with myself that if i was in a pub i would be shouting "drinks are on me" lol

 

[Butterfly]

Good for you!!!!! That's awesome news, Player.

First of all, it'll take a great burden off your shoulders. I wish you feel as relieved as I did when I started therapy.

 

[maggie]

that is awesome Scottish; you're a brave soldier...i'll take one of those free drinks you're offering :wink:

 

[Chilling__Echo]

hey scottish, great to hear it! you've overcome the first step and now things can only go up from here i've never been on lexapro myself, let us know how it goes. you're posts are always those of encouragement and positivity, glad to know that you're also helping yourself keep at it and good luck to you

 

[marc72]

great

so happy for you. YOU are TAKING charge!!! if it is Lexapro you are taking, it really help me got into a better mood and not as depressed. focus on the fact that you have nothing to lose but to take medical risk like medication and therapy ..better than nothing right??
hey hopefull you continue seeing your "shrink (pyschiatrist) and also take counseling to continue talking about your feeling too.

 

[Nightshade]

Scottish Player - that's really good and I'm really pleased for you. Big smileys!!!

I'll have one of those drinks. A nice rich hot chocolate (possibly with a dash of something alcoholic in it...).

 

[Scottish_Player]

Re: great

if it is Lexapro you are taking, it really help me got into a better mood and not as depressed.

Thanks for all the encouragement

As for the lexapro well it aint too good just now,i took my first one at 9 am this morning and i have been ill ever since,ive been sick and dizzy and had to come home from work today ive also been on the toilet about 7 times today ,does it get any better,ive never felt this bad before,is it just my body getting used to it.I just feel tired and weak if i think tomorrow is going to be anything like this then i dont think i can take another one but if some one who has taken it could let me know


Cheers
Mark

 

[fiona]

Well done mark!!

Sorry to hear you're not well though with the tablets if it is those. I have been on Prozac nearly a week now and feel better so far in my mindset. I felt a bit off yesterday a bit sick and sleepy but not too bad. Hope you feel better soon

Pssst! I will have a gin and lemonade if you're offering (with ice and a slice!) :wink:

 

[marc72]

oh really??

wow how much MG are you taking the lexapro?? perhaps the high dosage give you the higher side affect. my doctor at the time stated with low dosage and gradually increase it. give it soem time ....if not then....perhaps another meds but im curious to know how many doasge.

 

[nickabcuk]

...

 

[Scottish_Player]

Hi,thanks for the post nick it made alot of sense.I was considering not taking them as to be truthfull i have read more stories of people not liking there meds than people who actualy find benefit from them.They actualy made me feel worse today more than ever,i was working in a tenants house about 40 mins after takiing the tablet and i just felt a total panic come over me.I had to get out of there as quick as possible as the feeling was so unreal.Iam feeling much better now but the toilet is still my best friend at the moment if you see what i mean :lol: Iam not to sure if i will be taking another tommorow i will have to see how i feel when i wake up.

Will the side effects lessen the more i take it?

Marc72 he gave me 10mg daily i was considering starting off with 5mg this morning but i coulndt get the tablet to split when i was going to take it so i just took the full 10mg, iam wishing i didnt now.How much did you start off with and how much do you take now.

Thanks again for all the replies i realy appriciate it :wink:

 

[marc72]

20mg

Hmm 10mg? My advice if you ask me i would not tke 5 and switch back to 10 back and forth. also it would inerupt the flow of what the medication is suppose to do. the next visit, you can tell the doctor your situaiton and then you can reduce it but 10 is suffice. It is strange of what you are going through for I did not go to the same thing. I started with Risperdal but now im taking 20 Lexapro. each person has their own side affect.
To be honest, Lexapro help me in overcoming Depression during my dark periods in my life. What help me a little with anxiety is group therapy. Exposure to people with similar issues and feeling "connected with people" on the outside world and accepting that i need a change in life. damm i am sorry but that is all i can say about Lexapro,

give it a try it showed wear off after your body gets used to it

 

[Scottish_Player]

Hi again Marc72 are you suggesting i keep taking the 10,i was thinking of taking 5mg just for the next 2 for 3 days to get it in my system but not too much at once and then start taking 10 for the rest of the time.

It was realy freaky with the 10mg and i dont want to go through it all again but if i knew tommorow wasnt going to be as bad then i would take the 10mg.Iam a little confused just now as to what i should do so any adive will be greatly appriciated.

 

[marc72]

reply

what i heard in response to your question, it is better to let the doctor moderate the drug cause they can help determine the affect or simply change the medication to a different type. In other words, lets say you decide to start using 5 mg and then two weeks later , you start to feel better and you suddenly switch to 10mg perhaps it might trigger something. best if you let the doctor dictate managing you rmedicine based on your reaction towards it.
My side affect was some weight gain. My face look like i gained weight. of course sexual issue but i was not into sexual activities anyway, my main concern was to get better mentality so after a period of time, to let go or to gradually reduce the meds.
My psychiatrist when he gives me a new medication or when he increases the dosage, he automatically tells me to SEE him in 2 weeks so I can update him with how I feel. Otherwise I see him everymonth . So The norm is form me to see him every month.

So it would be best after taking a new medication to take a doctors visit in TWO weeks . He suggested that.

 

[Nightshade]

When are you going back to the doctor? Perhaps you could ring.

If you are having a bad reaction, you should ask the doctor for advice. They might say to you to persist and it will get better, or they might decide to try something else. Your doctor sounded pretty sensible, they should be able to help you on this.

The first medication I took knocked me around to the point I couldn't function (ok, even less than I was when they put me on it). I rang back after a day and a half and she got me to come back and changed me onto something else immediately.

Individual reactions to medications vary widely. I took fluoxetine/ prozac on and off for about 10 years with virtually no side effects and it was a great help. The only reason I'm not taking it now is that I have acquired a whole lot of new coping skills and I have decided to see if I don't need it anymore, knowing that I can recognise if things start to go wrong and do something about it (and yes I talked to my doctor about this).

Hang in there, Scottish Player, these things are difficult and take time, but I think you are doing well.

 

[Scottish_Player]

When are you going back to the doctor? Perhaps you could ring.

He has told me to come back in 6 to 8 weeks and see how things are.I dont know if i should wait to see him then or make another appointment for sooner.Iam a little confused just now as too what i should do where i should go and try some other med or just deal with the specialist side of things and leave out the meds.

On a positive note though, i answered the door to some survey guy this morning lol and i felt good for it.