[Espy]

...Man that title looks like a spambot thing.

Anyhow, starting on meds and I was wondering if anyone's taken any depression meds that boost seretonin. (Not dopamine; I think my main issue is seretonin deficiency.)

I'm just in general extremely wary of taking meds -- I have a habit of trying to avoid tylenol/ibuprofen even when I'm sick or have headaches, so something that changes protein structures is even more intimidating.

I know it'll be fine and all, buuuuut nerves.

[Coda]

I haven't taken Lexapro specifically, because I don't have depression myself, but I do have ADHD, which is associated with serotonin imbalance, so I'm familiar with the effects of this general class of medication.

It doesn't change protein structures. It's a serotonin reuptake inhibitor -- the molecule is shaped enough like serotonin that it gets absorbed instead of the serotonin molecules, meaning you have a higher active concentration of serotonin in your system.

Anyway, Lexapro's a pretty typical SSRI. Watch out for drowsiness, especially in the first two months of taking it, and it may mess with your sex drive and/or how your body reacts to arousal. Be careful not to miss a dose, because the side effects of withdrawal suck.

Do note that SSRIs are indicated primarily for severe depression and may (oxymoronically) have a lesser effect on milder cases.

But for the most part, it's pretty safe. The side effects are more in the "annoyance" category than the "life-disrupting" one.

[Espy]

Hm, strange, the psychiatrist had mentioned protein structures.

.....Ah, joy, as if I weren't running on low energy as it stands...least I now have an excuse for being passed out if my mom ever walks in on me and expects me to be studying.

I'm currently on just 1/4th dosage, then 1/2 after four days.

[Coda]

There's protein structure involved, but it's mimicry, not modification. It binds to the serotonin receptors so that real serotonin can't.

[Espy]

Oh alright, that makes a lot more sense.

[Lawtan]

Not sure if true or not, but I know several depression medications have a chance of increased depressed thoughts, though in my (limited) experience, it would show up in two to four weeks.

Not sure if Lexapro has that potential side effect or not, as it was not what I took. It does look like it has less side effects/reactions to other drugs (example: Aspirin) than what I took, so that is reassuring.

Several things say to "use with caution" with St. John's Wort, and triptans (used in Migrane medication), likely due to a risk of causing "Seratonin Syndrome" (too much Seratonin)

On stopping the use of Lexapro after a period of time, from a quick look-up, it says flu-like symptoms are common.

Note: none of this is meant to be discouraging, but rather to provide some basic information that you may or may not already have.

http://www.medicinenet.com/escitalopram/article.htm

[Coda]

Suicidal ideation is a real risk of most antidepressant medications. It's paradoxical -- some theories speculate that it's because while you're on the road to improvement you pass through a period where the depression is still weighing heavily on you but you've gained enough agency to feel like you could take action on it.

The good news in that regard is that it passes in time. The risk is greatest as the medication first reaches therapeutic levels in your system (as Lawtan said, usually 2-4 weeks, sometimes as great as 6 depending on the drug in question) and then lowers back down as you become accustomed to the effects and the therapy improves your quality of life.

The important part is to be aware of this possibility and to keep a good support network around. Knowing that these feelings will happen and that they're NOT natural helps keep them from feeling overwhelming.

[Espy]

codaaaa you were right about the drowsy thing

[Lawtan]

As a note, if the medicine really makes you drowsy, you may want to see about starting at a lower dosage. More relaxed (and therefore definitely more tired at college) is okay, but if it is more than that, it would be best to tell whoever has you on the medication.

And, while they may not work well with your current medication, these are here as alternatives;

1) Wilbarger Brushing (essentially using a loofa or a brush (not a hair comb) to brush your arms and legs, stimulating them...followed by compressions) is meant to help release dopamine and serotonin. It's a therapy technique I learned to use on myself, considering my serotonin levels have several issues.

2) Someone brought up licorice tea as well, though I would be wary of such remedies.

[Espy]

Licorice tea is BLEH.

I'm already starting at just 1/4th dosage, but then again, I've been really tired since before I started on meds, so it might just be stress from finally dealing with this stuff. Hopefully I'll have gotten used to it by the time I get back to CMU.

[Karastorm]

Stress is a bugger (sorry to open this thread again) but hopefully the meds are doing what there suposed to be for you. Good luck with it all Espy as depression is sometimes a life long thing you get your better days thats for sure. Keep wonderful.