re: Lexapro, Zoloft and other depression meds. Whats your experience with them?

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What are your thoughts on having a patient's neurotransmitter levels evaluated?

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To my knowledge, this isn't done because, not only are "normals" not well identified, I am nearly positive that they're not a number that warrants attention- it's constantly fluctuating and not necessarily representative of what they're actually doing. A number of, say, 5 (wildly arbitrary, thus lack of units) doesn't mean that your neurons that receive it at the post-synaptical membrane are capable of using it. Even less established is whether number X is treated with drug at dose Y to give new neurotransmitter level Z, which correlates to improved mood. That's why you see the trial-and-error method of "pick one and go." Again, some are "stronger" than others and the doctor's experience combined with, if you have a family history and a relative who is medicated with good success with a particular drug, are about all there is to go on, unfortunately. Medication guidelines are such that there's a host of "first line" therapies and doses to start with. You try a couple of them, they don't work, you move on to second line. It's very unfortunate. And as someone who suffers from a condition that's treated in this manner, I'm sorry that you have to go through this process. But what you should look for in your mental health expert, which can be your family doctor if you'd like it to be or someone else, is someone who is going to go through that process with you and discuss how and why they're doing what they're doing. Poorly trained or uninterested docs do a lot of harm here.

I do agree with the evident dangers of the business model. So long as you are up front and open with your physician about what you're taking on the side, there will likely be little to no harm done. I do not have any valid comment on the potential benefits, but my opinion would be "why not? Could help, shouldn't hurt." If it's financially feasible and you think it will help, go for it. Just have your physician on board.

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general physicians only have a peripheral understanding of how SSRIs and similar meds work but still freely hand out an Rx with samples after a one-page questionnaire

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They definitely understand how the medication works, make no mistake. Medication alone isn't always the answer. An competent and compassionate doctor who can explain why you're feeling the way you do and take the time to point out that it's very possible that a medication won't work, thus you should inform them of how you're feeling every month or so until they've figured out "what's right for you." Again, it's fairly awful that this is how depression is treated, but many people are treated right on the first try with relatively few ill effects.

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SSRI script, not an NRI or SNRI or some other mood stabilizer.

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As above, it's kind of a crapshoot and a working relationship between you and your doc. People who are exquisitely tired? SNRI gives a little extra "kick" along with the morning coffee. It's experience by both parties (you + doc) that goes into the choice. An inexperienced doctor can easily do a lot of harm here, but they'll even be right more often than not. Depression/mental illness that isn't treated correctly in the first few months by a PCP can very easily warrant you asking to see someone who deals with it more frequently/in-depth- no one worth their salt would be angered by you asking for a referral for someone who deals with the more complicated cases.

Anxiety at its worst is NOT anxiety. If someone chases you with a hatchet, you will be anxious. If you are sitting on your couch or driving and feel like someone is chasing you with a hatchet, that is a disorder.

It is debilitating. Can't leave the house debilitating. At my worst I had to leave a fricking driving range. I can think of nothing more soothing than hitting golf balls. I knew I had a real problem when I had to walk off of a range.

Wellbutrin and occasional benzo.

OP if this med change does not work either. Go see a psych and not a GP. You need counseling. If only short term.

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Lexapro is solid

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but apparently your dick wont be

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It makes them less themselves, whatever their self is at the time.

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I disagree.

With my experience, it stripped away the overlying anxiety and depression issues that had inhibited me from being "myself". However, the rest of your argument is certainly valid.

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Exercise and sunshine works wonders...helps with sleeping too.

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Yes, but doctors who dare prescribe this would quit getting regular visits from the young pharmaceutical sales girl. Not to mention there trips to Hawaii for prescribing so much.

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With my experience, it stripped away the overlying anxiety and depression issues that had inhibited me from being "myself". However, the rest of your argument is certainly valid.

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As someone who struggles with anxiety, I know exactly what you mean and wish I always felt the way I do when anxiety-free.
I also know that, like it or not, this anxiety is part of me right now.

The question for me is what's going to make me the best version of myself. Taking a pill now to negate the parts of me I don't like or bettering myself and my situation so that I don't need the medication? Who knows. I just know it's not as simple as: my chemicals are out of whack so I should take something.

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Yes, but doctors who dare prescribe this would quit getting regular visits from the young pharmaceutical sales girl. Not to mention there trips to Hawaii for prescribing so much.

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Yes. Some people are on 7-8 meds. Do they need all of them? Probably not, but the doc keeps prescribing more and more- that's another thread....

I literally printed out every psychiatrist from my health insurance within 75 miles and called straight down the list. I just scratched them off as I went. No personal information at all given. I do not see a physician regularly so not sure who would give me a referral.

Read this and get your thyroid checked first

If all is good...

Then get your testosterone and estrodial (sp?) Checked. If your estrogen is over 30 you are going to be anxious as shite and nervous. If they need to give you testosterone then make sure they monitor your estrogen as it will spike. It needs to be surpressed or you will feel like you are PMSing and worse


Get all this shite before they stick you on SSRIs.

Your welcome in advanced :) GL!!

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Exercise and sunshine works wonders...helps with sleeping too.

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I was a workout fanatic during some of the most intense times of my anxiety issues. It gave me a brief escape from what I felt and the positive endorphins were certainly welcome. Unfortunately, even when working out 5 days a week, the problems continued just as intensely outside of those 2-3 hour windows surrounding my workouts.

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The question for me is what's going to make me the best version of myself. Taking a pill now to negate the parts of me I don't like or bettering myself and my situation so that I don't need the medication?

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That's a valid concern. For me, the answer is yes. I've already starting taking steps professionally and personally that I was never able to pre-medication. However, if you're comfortable with the affects that anxiety disorder has on your life and are willing to embrace those for what they are, then I see no reason to pursue medication. For me, I wasn't happy with the affect it was having on my loved ones and my relationships. I decided to give medication a shot and, honestly, it has changed me life.