Stopping and Restarting Lexapro

[Kansasgirl40]

I'll try to keep this brief.

Had a major depressive episode (my first, age 38) two years ago. Dr prescribed Lexapro and I was back to my old self in 3-4 weeks. 

Fast forward 1.5 years, I'm feeling so well primary care doc recommends I come off. Biggest mistake of my life.

Crashed around Thanksgiving, went back on Lexapro but it didn't work this time (or at least not completely). 

January, psychiatrist puts me on Cymbalta. 

Not fully working.

Also Finishing 5 out of 6 Ketamine infusions. 

Still struggling to get out of bed.

Psychiatrist is talking about trying Lexapro again but at 30mg higher dosage. It was my miracle drug at one point. 

Any thoughts? Is it possible it might work since some other stuff has gone on in my head since last time and with higher dose? 

He is also talking about Abilify which terrifies me due to the risk of tardive. 

I am also on Ativan .5, 4 times a day but I don't want to be. 

[jt07]

Well, I stopped Celexa (citalopram) when I thought it was no longer working, but it also was a big mistake. A year later I restarted it again, and it worked again, so I definitely think it is worth a shot for you to retry it. You can also try Celexa which has the same psycho-active molecule as Lexapro. If it works but not fully I do highly recommend Abilify which made all the difference in the world for me.

[Kansasgirl40]

Would there be an argument to be made for trying celexa over Lexapro. Maybe they are different enough? Thank you!

[jt07]

1 hour ago, Kansasgirl40 said:

Would there be an argument to be made for trying celexa over Lexapro. Maybe they are different enough? Thank you!

I don't know. In theory, they have the same psychoactive molecule, but Celexa has a mirror image molecule that is biologically inactive because it has the wrong chirality. So theoretically they should have the same effect.

In practice, some pdocs do find a difference and will switch one for the other when one stops working. I myself liked only Celexa from the beginning and really have not taken Lexapro except for a 2 month trial. I liked how Celexa made me feel that Lexapro didn't so I asked to go back to Celexa and have been on Celexa ever since except for the 1-year hiatus

Since they are essentially the same, I think trying Celexa might be a good next step. You really won't be losing anything.. 

[Kansasgirl40]

Thank you! Will you tell me more about your experience with Abilify?

[Kansasgirl40]

Thanks for your response. Did you ultimately get Paxil to work for you again? 

[jt07]

47 minutes ago, Kansasgirl40 said:

Thank you! Will you tell me more about your experience with Abilify?

Well, it's been great. It took several weeks to work and it only worked once I got over 10 mg, but when it worked it was bliss. Absolute bliss. I can't describe it any other way. The bliss lasted for only two months and then it just settled into a mellow booster to my AD. I've been on it since 2011, and I'm unlikely to ever want to go off it because it is the only med that has ever touched my anhedonia. It gives me an interest in life again and helps with motivation. It's one of the few psych meds I've ever taken that works just like the commercials said it would.