I mean, they definitely have the authority to, but if she decides you don't really need it, then your primary care physician probably won't write the prescription. I guess I just don't see how she could possibly know more than a specialist would. Has she been helpful with all your prescriptions so far, or have you run into issues getting what you need? My doctor has always been great about it—she’d give me whatever I needed without any hassle, even handling my referrals myself. It was mostly for eye issues, and everything was documented clearly in my outpatient records at the clinic. But honestly, during that recent strike, everyone who could afford it just went to private doctors instead. Even the recent news reports mentioned they’re looking into boosting private healthcare through Medicare reimbursements just to help cut down those long waiting lists.
My primary care doctor actually had a sign on her door stating they don't issue prescriptions based on reports from private specialists. Honestly, I haven't needed much from my GP lately, though she did prescribe an antibiotic once after seeing a specialist's findings. Now, I’m trying to avoid having everything documented in my official medical record, but you mentioned that doesn't really matter to you. From what I've gathered here on the forum, even a general practitioner can prescribe antidepressants, so I'd assume they'd honor a private specialist's note too. Still, I always prefer keeping things off my permanent record... especially since I'm currently unemployed and feel like I have a long road ahead of me before I retire. It's just safer, I guess. Also, the brand-name Lexapro—not the generic version—is incredibly expensive, so I ended up buying it myself using my medical history. I'm not taking it anymore because the side effects were just too intense, but man, I don't know how anyone could afford to pay that much for one medication for an entire year. Fluvoxamine isn't too bad if you use the medical history route, it's only about $5.00. I think Xanax isn't that pricey either. It's just that original Lexapro that's absolutely brutal on the wallet. I believe it's around $53 per box, maybe even more.
I mean, it’s totally expected that sleep is going to be a bit hit-or-miss right now. It’s summer, and these heatwaves are just brutal. My only real issue is trying to stay focused at work; it's incredibly hard to concentrate when you're feeling wiped out and sleep-deprived. I guess I remember having the same trouble sleeping when I was a kid during summer vacations at the beach. We used to be cramped up in small spaces, and it felt so stifling whenever the heat peaked. We didn't even have air conditioning back then. These days, I don't really stress about the sleep situation too much. If I'm feeling completely exhausted, I'll just try to catch a nap during the day, though I suppose the true root of my insomnia is likely tied to my mother's tragic passing. Even as a child, though, I never really had any trouble napping at daycare.
It’s been such a strange experience... at first, taking Lexapro in the morning actually made me drowsy, but once my body adjusted, it started waking me up instead. I guess maybe my previous doctor played a part in all this, too, because seeing him became a total nightmare. I honestly still can't wrap my head around the fact that some doctors actually mock someone else's pain or try to patronize me just because I'm a woman. I have an appointment with a new female doctor soon, so hopefully, those issues will be behind me. He also insisted that any urinary issues from the medication would show up immediately. I don't really buy that; I think Lexapro builds up in your system over several days before causing increased urination. Of course, he couldn't know for sure, since everyone's body reacts differently to medication. Honestly, I wouldn't recommend that doctor to anyone, even though he claimed women specifically ask for him. I'm still just so shaken by how he treated me, considering I'm a younger woman.
Lexapro has been pretty terrible for me. I realize everyone’s body reacts differently to medication—it’s not one size fits all, I guess. But for me, it took several days just to feel like the stuff was finally out of my system after I stopped taking it. Now, I’m actually sleeping much better. I’m napping during the day and sleeping through the night, too. And this was even though I was only taking 10 mg of Lexapro in the morning. After about three weeks on it, I could barely sleep at all at night. Everything seems to have normalized now, though. It was clearly keeping me wide awake. On top of that, the Lexapro was causing issues with frequent urination. I really don't think I want to go back on any kind of medication. My plan is to just stick to therapy sessions, which I think should be enough. Of course, I’ll listen to whatever my doctor suggests, but if there's a way to avoid meds, I'd prefer that. Although, I did read that people are sometimes prescribed medication even for prolonged grief.
I know she’ll want to, and I’m going to follow whatever she advises because I really trust her. Honestly, when you're dealing with medical treatment, building that trust is just... it's everything. Even back when my mom was in the hospital, the residents there told me straight up that I didn't trust them—and they were right. I just didn't. Anyway, thanks so much for the support. And, of course, thank you for the recommendation.
Thanks so much for the kind words. Honestly, I’m going to this session mostly just to talk... maybe hoping it helps me finally process my mom's tragic passing. The doctor is actually wonderful. It's such a relief because I had a really terrible experience before with a male physician whom I wouldn't recommend to anyone, really. As for medication, I don't think I need it. I wasn't even looking to take this Lexapro once I saw the list of side effects. But the doctor was pretty pushy about it, constantly checking in to see if I was taking it. I mean, you can't actually measure serotonin levels in the brain anyway, so there's no way to truly know if there's a deficiency or not.
I suddenly stopped taking my Lexapro because of a side effect—I was urinating way too much. I had been taking 10 mg, just one pill every single morning, for about three weeks. Honestly, I haven't had any major issues from stopping so abruptly. I always assumed you had to taper off slowly, but maybe three weeks isn't long enough for that to matter? The frequent urination subsided a little after I quit, though it still feels like I'm going more often than usual. I'm actually heading in for some blood work tomorrow. I don't think I'll go back on antidepressants; I’d rather just try talk therapy instead. I just really hope the Lexapro didn't cause any lasting damage to my kidneys. My mom struggled with kidney issues, but I never had any problems until I started the medication. My previous doctor actually told me to just stop cold turkey. Now, my new doctor is asking if the medicine even helped me at all. Well, I was incredibly depressed for a while and cried constantly after my mom passed away... but looking back, I almost regret starting the Lexapro in the first place. Never again. I truly believe that kind words and real conversation mean so much more than any antidepressant ever could.
My issues with frequent urination have almost completely cleared up now that I've totally stopped taking my 10 mg daily dose of Lexapro. I was on it for three weeks, and it was only during those last few days that these really intense urinary issues started popping up—it felt like I’d taken a diuretic or something, even though I hadn't. I know it's a rare side effect, but clearly, it can happen. I just really hope it hasn't caused any lasting damage to my kidneys. I guess I'll just have to wait and see. From what I've been reading online, other antidepressants in that same class can cause similar bladder problems too. Honestly, I was pretty terrified because I've never dealt with anything like this before, and my mom actually struggled with kidney disease and passed away from urosepsis in the hospital last year.
So, I wanted to share this in case anyone else is dealing with an intense increase in urination while taking Lexapro. My previous doctor suggested I try skipping my doses for a couple of days just to see if that makes a difference. It’s apparently a rare side effect, but it is listed on the medication insert, and some patients have reported it. My current doctor, though, says he’s never even heard of it happening. It’s a bit worrying because my mom has had kidney issues in the past, and honestly, I’ve always been pretty resilient—I’ve never even had trouble even after swimming in freezing cold water during the summer.
Dental anxiety was always such a massive hurdle for me, especially when it came to getting teeth pulled. Honestly, I didn't even mention that I was taking Lexapro because... well, I felt like dentists might actually laugh if they knew I was on something like that. I know, I know—I probably shouldn't have taken that risk, but I just felt so incredibly awkward bringing it up.
I’m definitely planning on finding a job this fall, so I really need to get my sleep schedule back on track. I’ll need to be fully focused during the day once I start working. I suppose Lexapro is helping me keep from spiraling into total darkness after losing my mom. But, looking at the Lexapro instructions, it mentions that some patients experience increased urination due to inadequate ADH secretion. That’s exactly what seems to be happening to me. I’m just not sure if that’s enough reason to stop taking Lexapro entirely. I mean, maybe I could just switch to a different antidepressant. My doctor today was honestly wonderful—so incredibly understanding. I really wish I had seen her sooner. She’s brilliant and clearly knows her stuff. I’m just bummed because she’s going on vacation and won't be back until August. I’ll probably see her privately. Honestly, maybe she wouldn't have even prescribed the Lexapro. I was in such a bad place, and I really needed the help.
Thank you so much for those kind words. It’s not that I’m against antidepressants or anything. In fact, I think I actually feel better since I started taking Celexa. I spoke with this young, lovely doctor today—I switched to her for private consultations—and she mentioned that increased urination could be related to the autonomic nervous system, but then again, the fact remains that it can also be a side effect of Celexa; it's right there in the instructions. My doctor also suggested I get some blood work done. Usually, my urea and creatinine levels have always been fine. I've been on Celexa for three weeks now and I do feel better, I don't cry about my mom as much. But... this side effect really worries me. Tomorrow I'm going back to get my urea, creatinine, electrolytes for the first time, and prolactin checked. Before, I could go half a day without even thinking about needing a restroom, but now, since starting Celexa, the moment I step outside, I'm scanning the area for the nearest bathroom. My mom had kidney issues long before she passed, and she ended up dying from urosepsis. She was sick, sure, but she was stable when she arrived at the hospital and didn't have cancer. I know this isn't strictly on topic, so I hope I don't get penalized for drifting. I asked my doctor today about lowering my Celexa dose, and she said if I'm going to take it, I really need to stay at 10mg because 5mg is just a subtherapeutic dose. She asked if the Celexa was helping me. I told her I think it is, because my mood is definitely improved, except for the fact that I can't sleep at night. It’s not a huge issue since I'm not working, so when I'm exhausted, I just sleep during the day.
Can anyone tell me if increased urination is a side effect of Celexa? It feels like I'm heading to the bathroom way more often since I started taking Celexa 10mg daily, and I've been on it for about three weeks now. I guess... should this be a reason to stop taking Celexa altogether? I had my blood work done right before starting Celexa about a moon ago, and everything looked totally fine regarding my kidneys and general blood count.
My heart actually started hurting after I began taking Lexapro. It honestly terrified me. I've decided to stop taking it altogether. I think I feel much better without it.
I honestly don't get why psychiatrists push such heavy-duty meds so aggressively. For me, talking things through with a professional was actually incredibly helpful, but that whole drugged, zombie-like feeling from the medication... it was just awful. I really regret ever taking them. I mean, if Lexapro alone is enough to make me drowsy, why on earth would they prescribe both Valium and Xanax on top of it? I managed to get through my mom's passing and her serious illness without any medication at all, so this level of sedation is definitely not something I need right now. I only ended up seeking professional help because I hit a breaking point a few months after she passed.
redranger2 said:You are navigating quite a chaotic cocktail of medications. Let's approach this methodically. I have been on Lexapro for six years now, and I consider it to be among the superior, more modern antidepressants available. Whatever you do, do not jump straight to a half tablet; in fact, start even lower, with a quarter pill. Take that 1/4 pill for three days. After three days, move up to a half tablet for another three days. Then, transition to a half plus a quarter, and after another three days, move to the full dose. This way, your system acclimates to the medication and the side effects remain manageable. You might experience slight dizziness, mild nausea, yawning, or drowsiness, but in my experience, those subside within a week or two. As for weight, I haven't gained a single ounce while on Lexapro. Regarding the Valium for sleep, try taking it an hour or two before you actually intend to get into bed. Xanax is an effective medication for anxiety and panic attacks, and it is typically used on an as-needed basis, primarily to bridge the gap until the antidepressant takes full effect. I would advise against Faverin for now; give the Lexapro a chance first. Faverin belongs to an older generation of drugs and tends to carry much harsher side effects.
Thank you so much for the reply. Since you've been on Lexapro for six years already, I was wondering... do your periods stay regular? I read somewhere that antidepressants can mess with your cycle, and I'm not sure if that applies to Lexapro too. I'm 36 now, and so far, my cycles have been fine, so I really wouldn't want Lexapro to interfere with that. I fell into depression after losing my mother, which is why my psychiatrist prescribed the Lexapro. I've also been following the doctor's orders regarding the Xanax—taking 0.5 mg, half a pill, in the afternoon—and the 15 mg of Valium before bed, but I feel so incredibly groggy from everything. It doesn't even feel like I'm getting any actual rest. Honestly, I don't even feel like I'm sleeping well despite the Valium.
Also, I'm curious—does your doctor schedule your follow-ups for you? For instance, if there's a holiday coming up next week, I'd really love to go in for a consultation about these meds before the break, since I'm feeling so drugged up. But I don't have a scheduled appointment right now. It feels sort of awkward to constantly email or call the doctor's cell phone and bother them, even though they did tell me I could call. Isn't it more logical to just be given the next appointment date immediately? My paperwork just says "follow-up in 3 weeks," but it doesn't even give a specific day. I don't know, maybe I am overthinking things, but it feels like all these medications are just... too much for me. Maybe I could just manage with the Lexapro without all the extra stuff. Regarding the antidepressant Faverin, I actually thought it might be better than Lexapro because of its sedative effect, so I wouldn't have to take anything else for sleep, and I've been sleeping terribly since my mom passed. I just feel so dazed by these three different types of medication. On top of that, I have dark circles under my eyes and I'm just exhausted, even with the 15 mg of Valium I take at night; I can't even get decent sleep. Talking to my psychiatrist was actually very helpful, but the meds just make me feel numb—I don't even see the point of the Xanax or the Valium. I mean, I guess I am a little calmer than before, but this cloudiness is awful. I know Lexapro takes a while to work. Right now, I've only been taking half of a 10 mg Lexapro pill for two days, even though my prescription says to take one full 10 mg tablet in the morning. He didn't mention anything about tapering up slowly so my body could adjust. I'm not even sure if Lexapro causes drowsiness, because I feel so out of it. Today, I only took half of my 10 mg Lexapro after breakfast, and I don't plan on taking anything else today because I'm scared of that constant grogginess. My blood work came back fine, though: liver enzymes, thyroid, CBC, and ESR are all okay. I haven't checked my electrolytes yet, but I saw that's important when starting antidepressants because hyponatremia can be a concern.
Can anyone tell me if they have any experience with Lexapro? I picked up my prescription yesterday, but I haven't actually started taking it yet. The script says Lexapro 10mg, one tablet in the morning. From what I've been reading, you're supposed to start antidepressants at a lower dose, so I guess I'm wondering if I should just start with half a pill? My doctor didn't mention anything about tapering up gradually. Also, for those of you on Lexapro, does it cause weight gain? I'm not exactly overweight, but I really don't want to put on extra pounds.
I was also prescribed Xanax 0.5mg (half a pill, half a pill, zero) and Valium 15mg, one tablet before bed. I took the Valium for the first time last night, but... I don't know, it feels like I didn't even sleep that much better because of it. I did nap better this afternoon, though, almost like the medication kicked in then. I didn't take the Xanax today. I don't really see the point of it, either. I took half a Xanax yesterday afternoon, and honestly, it felt exactly the same as before I took it.
My issues are mostly stemming from grieving... my mother passed away after suffering from septic shock back in October of last year. I'm planning to start the Lexapro as soon as possible. However, my doctor suggested I deal with a dental issue first—I have an appointment tomorrow, and I might even need an extraction—so he wants me to wait until that's sorted before starting the meds. He did mention that I might run into some digestive issues, but said Lexapro is a really good antidepressant. Reading through this forum, I started thinking maybe Faverin might actually be better for me since it's supposed to be calming and helps with sleep, and I'm struggling so much with insomnia and barely sleeping at all. It just feels... awkward, I guess, to ask for Faverin specifically from a doctor I trust; he definitely knows more than I do. Should I bring up Faverin at my next visit, or should I just stick to the plan and start the Lexapro once my tooth is taken care of?
I felt compelled to write my previous post because I’ve been looking over all of my mother's medical records, and honestly, the mistakes made during her treatment are just glaringly obvious. It seems like they either didn't know—or maybe they just didn't want to—provide her with the right therapy, even though the antibiogram results were sitting right there. Everything was clearly documented regarding which antibiotics would actually work against the Escherichia coli and Klebsiel bacteria. I know you guys mentioned I shouldn't bring up that specific hospital anymore, though I can't quite wrap my head around why it's being so heavily protected. I guess it's because one of the doctor-moderators actually works there. I was really just trying to follow up on my earlier point about septic shock. I mean, by what logic is a hospital in a place like Memphis allowed to be discussed, while another facility is completely off-limits? If it were a hospital worth praising, I suppose you wouldn't mind if it were mentioned at all.