1. < Depression & Anxiety
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Comforting words needed

Posted by ancl123 @ancl123, Oct 4, 2025

Hello! I am a 47 year old mom of 4 kids. When my last daughter was born I went on lexapro due to very upsetting insomnia, anxiety and depression postpartum. I had this issue of insomnia and anxiety before my first was born as well but thankfully I was ok for many years while my kids were little and was on no meds. I was prescribed lexapro after my last daughter born, rough startup but eventually It overall worked for 8 years at 10mg. I would still have flare ups of insomnia which I wasn’t crazy about occasionally still once or twice a month. I slowly weaned to 5 went off and had no issues other then some crying spells. 4 months have gone by. I went off because I didn’t want to be on meds longer and felt overall better and was hoping to loose some stuck weight. I did loose my dad in February and have a very stressful issue with my 16 year old behaviorally so perhaps wasn’t best decision.

2 weeks ago I started to spiral with depression and anxiety I was waking up at 5am often I think brought on by stress. Decided to go back on 5mg lexapro a week ago. My insomnia got much worse after trying to restart 5mg lexapro I wake up at 1:30 and can’t go back to bed. Freaked me out and stopped it. My new symptom is panic attacks which I didn’t have in the past where adrenaline rushes through my
Body multiple times a day. I am now trying tryptophan, theanine, valerian, and cbd and thc gummies is my next option.the last 3 nights I have slept 3- 4 hrs last night I popped a Xanax because woke up after one hr and couldn’t go back to bed. Not sure what
To do. I also am getting to premenopausal age so perhaps some of this factors in. I’m thinking this is a relapse and will need meds for life 😭

Has anyone restarted lexapro or there drugs and had a success story? Scared to go through side effects startup and have to switch meds. Anyone here on meds for life?
Thank you in advance 😊

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TG | @tawnycgeorge | Jan 17 9:58am
In reply to @srqqd "Lexapro masked my long covid symptoms of fatigue. When I stopped the Lexapro, I found the..." + (show)
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Lexapro masked my long covid symptoms of fatigue. When I stopped the Lexapro, I found the first day and each day after, I felt better and better.
I took Prozac before off and on for years and it worked well. I felt I had become immune to it and that was why I stopped. I no longer take an antidepressant, but I am open to it again should I begin to spiral.
I also have sleep issues and have found gummies purchased at the health food store, Delta 9 derived from hemp have helped me tremendously with anxiety and sleep. wishing you the best.

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@srqqd thanks for sharing!

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TG | @tawnycgeorge | Jan 19 5:38am
In reply to @tiller "Hi! I recently joined this group. It has helped listening to other people talk about what..." + (show)
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Hi! I recently joined this group. It has helped listening to other people talk about what they are experiencing. I am a 59 year old female. I and have been on antidepressants since I was around 20 or 21. I started them in college. I have been on almost every antidepressant that is out there. We have lived in a few different places and have not kept my medical records. Therefore, I don’t know what I took when and how long I was on it. I know I should really try to locate my records. I am currently really struggling trying to adjust my medication. I am not suicidal just so tired. I have been on three antidepressants for about 17 years. I currently take Lamictal, which is for bipolar but it all also can be used as a mood stabilizer, which is why I am on it. I just started Auvelity to replace Wellbutrin and ViiBryd. I have been taking it for a couple of weeks and already not sure it is going to work. I also take meds for fibromyalgia and arthritis. The arthritis has affected my neck, hands, and even my jaw. I take Gabapentin for the nerve pain. I can not take anti-inflammatories because I have severe gastritis and constant IBS. I stay tired almost all day. These other issues intensify my depression and that in turn return does not help my gastrointestinal issues!! I know these are not life threatening issues, but it has recently been so overwhelming to me! I really needed to vent. I know my family and friends get so tired of hearing me. Thank you!

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@tiller hang in there! Sounds like a lot! ❤️

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TG | @tawnycgeorge | Jan 19 5:42am
In reply to @ancl123 "Aw thanks 😀so far much smoother drug for me not as panicky as starting lexapro 🤞insomnia..." + (show)
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Aw thanks 😀so far much smoother drug for me not as panicky as starting lexapro 🤞insomnia still the same- praying this helps me I am scared shitless honestly. 😳

How are you doing?

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@ancl123 how are you doing now? You mentioned another sleep med maybe with a D? I can’t find the comment…

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TG | @tawnycgeorge | Jan 19 5:46am
In reply to @ancl123 "No more lexapronstarted Prozac a week ago. Prozac less activating but still sleeping bad. Psychiatrist Recommended..." + (show)
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No more lexapronstarted Prozac a week ago. Prozac less activating but still sleeping bad. Psychiatrist Recommended adding trazadone 100 at night or Remeron or Doxepin🥹

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@ancl123 nvm just found it, Doxepin. Have you tried this one? I feel like I was getting some sleep and then tried to go down on Lexapro and then still don’t sleep so I need to just stay on the same dose for a while and not change anything until my system hopefully levels out and my body gets used to 5 mg again. How’s the Prozac going for you so far? Hope you’re getting some rest!

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TG | @tawnycgeorge | Jan 19 5:48am
In reply to @ancl123 "@tawnycgeorge I was taking cortisol managers with ashwaganda and nothing unfortunately but I hope it helps..." + (show)
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@tawnycgeorge
I was taking cortisol managers with ashwaganda and nothing unfortunately but I hope it helps you. How much trazadone are you on?
Thanks for your positive words this is rough 🥹

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@ancl123 I was afraid to try Remeron because it supposedly increases appetite. Do you like this one? How’s it work for you?

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ancl123 | @ancl123 | Jan 19 6:27am
In reply to @tawnycgeorge "@ancl123 how are you doing now? You mentioned another sleep med maybe with a D? I..." + (show)
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@ancl123 how are you doing now? You mentioned another sleep med maybe with a D? I can’t find the comment…

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@tawnycgeorge
Hi no change yet.
Doxepin. How are you?
Trying sleep restriction now hoping it helps to get my sleep on track. Last 2 nights I slept 4.5-5 hrs on my own 🙏

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ancl123 | @ancl123 | Jan 19 6:29am
In reply to @tawnycgeorge "@ancl123 nvm just found it, Doxepin. Have you tried this one? I feel like I was..." + (show)
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@ancl123 nvm just found it, Doxepin. Have you tried this one? I feel like I was getting some sleep and then tried to go down on Lexapro and then still don’t sleep so I need to just stay on the same dose for a while and not change anything until my system hopefully levels out and my body gets used to 5 mg again. How’s the Prozac going for you so far? Hope you’re getting some rest!

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@tawnycgeorge I’m sorry I know the feeling all too well 😭I just want my life back and my sleep

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ancl123 | @ancl123 | Jan 19 6:30am
In reply to @tawnycgeorge "@ancl123 I was afraid to try Remeron because it supposedly increases appetite. Do you like this..." + (show)
Profile picture for TG @tawnycgeorge

@ancl123 I was afraid to try Remeron because it supposedly increases appetite. Do you like this one? How’s it work for you?

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@tawnycgeorge if it worked every day I would be on it now. Low dose 5mg u should be fine if active and eat well.

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TG | @tawnycgeorge | Jan 19 9:24am
In reply to @ancl123 "@tawnycgeorge Hi no change yet. Doxepin. How are you? Trying sleep restriction now hoping it helps..." + (show)
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@tawnycgeorge
Hi no change yet.
Doxepin. How are you?
Trying sleep restriction now hoping it helps to get my sleep on track. Last 2 nights I slept 4.5-5 hrs on my own 🙏

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@ancl123 glad you’re getting those 4-4.5 hours! Hang in there!

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