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JOURNEY THROUGH LEXAPRO®
By Nikki and Anne Heart ♥ June 16, 2023
*Although we wrote this post together, we have chosen to present the following through Nikki’s eyes.
Nikki's Story: Journey through Lexpro
I shortly left for college with all the hopes and dreams a typical nineteen year would have.
My mom helped me pack up the car, and we drove four hours to the new school.
I was both excited and scared at the same time. This was a college that would give me everything I needed to succeed.
A new start to the life I worked hard for and wanted.
When we arrived, I remember how the sun was actually shining, unlike my old school where the sun never shined.
And even though my room was pretty much in the basement, it was better than the one I had in the other school which overlooked a graveyard.
I knew I had everything I dreamt of, but still something wasn’t right.
Days passed and I seemed to feel worse and worse.
I was currently on Lexapro with two other medications, one being Lithium.
My counselor continued to adjust my medication every few days, basically the Lexapro since it was the newest of the three.
Increasing from 5 mg to 10mg back to 5 mg. Taking half in the morning and half in the evening. Then back to taking the total dosage at one time.
Constantly switching when I took it and how much I took.
The more and more it was changed, the more and more I felt increasingly depressed.
I continued to feel more and more depressed.
By now, I had severe shakes and intensified depression.
This went on for four months, until my body just couldn’t handle it anymore.
With relief, I was told by my counselor to stop taking Lexapro.
Regrettably, I was prescribed a new SSRI the same day.
What should have been done differently
Realizing over the years, basically everything was done wrong.
While I was being prescribed one drug after the other, it was never taken into account the withdrawal from a drug and the ramifications of the constant switching and inconsistancy regarding taking the drug.
Never was I tested regarding why I was considered sensitive to medication which was often mention to me but never investigated.
Learning family genetics is extemely important
During the time I was prescribed drugs, my dad was also treated for a short period of time for depression.
My dad having textbook symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder and a very stressful job, was prescribed Lexapro.
Unlike myself, this was the only medication he was on.
He compared being on Lexapro as drinking 20 cups of coffee with his head buzzing uncontrollably.
He stopped taking Lexapro within a week.
Getting an accurate diagnosis is important for the correct treatment plan
Was my dad depressed. I am sure he was. He also had a very stressful job which undoubtedly contributed to his obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Should he have gotten a different type of help. I believe so.
But unfortunately the go to is to provide an immediate solution, a quick fix. This being — prescription drugs.
What you need to do
- Research the medication prescribed to you
- Determine what treatment plan works best for you
- Recognize that there are treatment options
Facts you need to know about Lexapro
- Know how your medication should be taken
- Verify if your your medication can be cut, opened, or altered in any way
- Realize cutting or altering a medication can change how the drug is released into your system
- Be Aware of misinformation regarding medication
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Note: All information in “Nikki’s Story and Mom’s Story” are based on detail journals covering seven years of Nikki’s life on prescription drugs.
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