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Lexapro and anxiety

Posted by cornfedboy on May 26, 2007, at 20:00:43

I'm writing on behalf of a friend, a 30-year-old woman who's been diagnosed with mild to moderate depression.

About her: usually a pillar of strength; even when unhappy in the past, never been clinically depressed. Last year she lost her father and is also devoid of a real support network close by; financial difficulties; a mean mother; loneliness and a sense of being overwhelmed with responsibilities that others in the family won't shoulder.

After a lot of thinking and a little psychotherapy, she went to a psychiatrist, who prescribed her Lexapro. 5 mg for a week, then 10 mg. Transient side effect: nausea. Unexpected side effect: she got her period two weeks early (she's on the pill). Bad and continuing side effect: generalized anxiety.

My questions are: (1) Is the mentrual irregularity common with SSRIs? Is it something to be concerned about? (2) What about the anxiety? Will it wane in a week or two (it seems definitely med-related and dose-related)? (3) My friend is highly susceptible to benzos. Even 0.25 of alprazolam (Xanax) makes her drowsy. And she has a stressful 10-hour-a-day job to perform. Is Xanax SR, at bedtime or in the morning, one possible solution? Are there any other benzos or anxiolytics which are longer lasting and without the side effect of somnolence? She's told me that the anxiety is occasionally unbearable and if it doesn't go away or can't be dealt with, she'll quit the Lexapro. (4) Would another SSRI or SNRI (like Effexor EX) have been a better first choice?

I'm worried about her; never seen her like this. Any answers or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

Cornfedboy


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poster:cornfedboy thread:759699
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070524/msgs/759699.html