I'd really like to try and SOMEHOW enjoy the holidays this year without starting a new AD....possible?

[GrayEyes777]

I posted a few days ago about doing a transition to a new AD soon (on Lexapro currently which is causing too much anxiety). Since I started the weaning, I came down from 20 to 15 mg, and I know it's only been 5 days but I'm feeling soooo much better.

Then I got to thinking that when I see the pdoc next (mid-October), she will probably have me do the "transition" onto a new AD. And I know most likely I will be somewhat of a basketcase for who-knows-how-long. (Not being negative, just trying to be realistic - obviously, if it goes better than that, I'll be thrilled!).

But Hubby's birthday is on Halloween, then there's Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc. And the man is turning 50 on Halloween, so I really don't want to be a quivering mess.

Is there a possibility I could stay at 15 mg of Lexapro maybe during the holidays and "hold off"? Or will the anxiety just build up again as I get used to the new level (albeit lowered) in my bloodstream? Honestly, this whole 2010 year has been such a f*ck-up for me so maybe I should just keep going along with the program as it's written....

Terri

[bpladybug]

I think you should discuss this with your Pdoc. I would not want to do a major medication change during the holidays unless it was absolutely necessary due to mania, manic psychosis. You have the Xanax .5 PRN. Is that strong enough to help you?

[GrayEyes777]

I think you should discuss this with your Pdoc. I would not want to do a major medication change during the holidays unless it was absolutely necessary due to mania, manic psychosis. You have the Xanax .5 PRN. Is that strong enough to help you?

I think you're right - I will discuss it with my pdoc next time I see her. The holidays alone even when I'm "well" can send me off into hysterics on a normal basis.

The .5 mg of Xanax helps alot as well as the .25 mg of Klonopin wafer she's had me try (though I can't take the latter during the day as I get REALLY loopy with it!)

But thanks for the advice - it really doesn't make sense to do a med change during the holidays if at all possible.

Terri

[SashaSue]

How are you feeling overall on the 15mg? Is there a possibility you could just stay there, rather than switching to an entirely new med?

[GrayEyes777]

If you choose to wean off of the Lexapro completely and not try another AD, then you'll be going into the holidays pretty much unmedicated. Is that a good idea for you? Do you tend to have a rough time during the holidays anyway?

The trazodone and xanax won't do much for depression.

I think Sasha's idea is a good one if the 15mg works for you.

Well, on the 20 mg of Lexapro,I was at a CONSTANT level of anxiety which seemed to spike every few days. Every once inawhile, I would have a run of like 3-5 days of feeling "normal", and then the roller coaster ride of anxiety would just start up all over again.

I've only been on 15 mg for about 5 days now. So far the anxiety seems more "manageable" - I haven't even needed a Xanax or Klonopin for the past few days. Though I do feel a bit more "depressed", it's not AWFUL (though not very comfortable either).

And yes, I *always* have had a rough time during the holidays - I've always wished I could just go away all by myself from November through January!

Terri

[DannyBoy]

Lexapro can be therapeutic at 10 or 15mg. It's very possible that the lower dosage may even out in your system and work for you. It sounds like the safest/most predictable thing to do right now. Unfortunately, we can't schedule mental illness around the things we need to do or get through. That would be nice.

I wonder if I need to back down to 15mg, I've had a harder time on 20mgs. I've noticed I'm more irritable on 20mgs, and less so on 15mgs.

Either way I usually end up on more medications when the holidays come around, it's sad.