Heya Everyone

I was at the doc on Monday... He did some med changes on me... He started me on a anti-depressant... First off, Ive NEVER been on a anti-depressant in my life!!! Like any normal person Ive had mood swings, ya know from time to time being depressed about certain issues in life, crying spells, anger... I can go on and on... Im sure many people can relate!!! Just a normal part of life!!! But, ever since I was diagnosed with RSD back in August of this yr, I have noticed that I have been ALOT more moody, depressed, ALOT more crying spells out of no where, anger, ect... There are times I dont know where these emotions come from and why... Seriously, I can cry at the drop of a hat sometimes!!! From what I read on the net, people with RSD expierence more emotional moods... Is this true? Does anyone know why?? Im very curious to know!!! Is it because us RSDrs are in sooooo much pain, and we feel at times no one can relate and understand us?? Sorry for all the questions here, its just called still being "new"...

Anyhow, I told my doc how I was feeling and he said I needed to be on a anti-depressant, A. to help with the pain and calm my nerves for the RSD, and B. for my emotional status... I am to take 1 tablet every morning for 5-10 days, then 2 tablets every morning... Its Lexapro 10mg...

So, I just picked up my meds tonight... Starting the anti-depressant in the morning... My bill came to 80 bucks... I was like huh?? I have great ins with a 15 copay... I had 2 other medications to get as well as the Lexapro... The Lexapro ended up costing me 50 bucks for 58 pills!!! The initial price of the Lexapro before ins was 156 so they covered 106 of that... Thats just nuts!!! I suppose I shouldnt complain to much cuz 50 is better than 156 but still, dang!!!

Does anyone know a cheaper anti-depressant that works well?? Is anyone on this board familar with Lexapro?? Has anyone taken it?? Side affects??

I appreciate any feedback!! Thanks alot everyone!!

--Heidi

PS..Sorry, for all the babbling!! Hehe

I have been on it since April 2004 and I like it a great deal. But I do believe it is actualy for anxiety and I did not realize it was also for depression. Hmmm ya learn something new everyday. But another secret about Lexapro is that is also helps with pain. I know it is a little pricey but unfortunately I do not know of any meds that are cheaper that come close. Sorry. Chin Up!

Mark

Oopsie!!! Didnt realize I posted this twice!! Me bad!! lol

Heya Mark..Thanks for the info buddy!! Appreciate it alot!! When I seen that you wrote that you thought Lexapro was only prescribed for ppl with anxiety, I thought uh-oh my good ole' doc made a boo-boo!! lol So, I looked up Lexapro on drug.com, and yuppers it is prescibed for ppl that suffer from major depression and anxiety!! True though, ya learn something new every day!! Its all good!!!

Anti'd's are very expensive. I'm on effexor. I think those were $300 when I was paying for them. Thankfully my boss got us rx coverage and I now pay $40. There is no generic, so I have to pay for the brand name copay.

Many anti-d's, as I posted to you below, serve both purposes - to stabilize mood, and help with pain. Even if you had NO highs and lows with mood before, chances are you may get it with the pain. It's very common that people with chronic pain go on to suffer from depression because of them being unable to "have the life they used to have" prior to the pain. They eventually start to feel they are a "shell of who they were" before. Less of a person, etc. Your biggest thing, IMO, will be your support system at home. I am lucky to still be working, though I don't know how much longr this will last. I can barely keep up now, and go home i more pai than I came in with. It's just gettig worse evry day, too. So when ppl lose teir career, their financial independence, their friends (cuz they stop asking you to do things cuz you've said no cuz of the pain too many times, or htey get tired of listening ot you talk abotu the pain), and you also lose your marriage or your relationship....yeah, it brings on depression. I'm lucky as it hasn't grabbed hold o fme yet....but I take effexor. Helps for the pain.

I've decided I AM spreading. My right hand has always been my worst hand...but now my left is MUCH worse. It's full blown rsd now. Used to just be "bothersome" but now it's painful. I hate this disease....

Hugs
Lisa

Lisa,
Sorry about your spread. Having RSD sucks, but it can always be worse. And no matter how bad we think it gets for 'ME' it could always be worse.

One thing tho, you don't always loose your relationships or marriage to it. I haven't lost my husband & I know I won't. But I have lost my career (I was the main bread winner as my husband was already disabled from his back), and at one time since 2003, I even lost who I was, but then I re-invented a part of myself. That is the key. You do keep alot of who you 'were', but then there is a part of you & your life you have to re-invent. Be glad, be very glad, you can take anti-d's for depression & pain. I can't take them as they push me over into what is termed a 'drug induced manic episode'. (even Topamax did that to me *LOL* there are several here who still remember Dec 05 when DebbyV came off as super super funny. They still laff with me about that time in my life) When I get depressed, which I do, I have dig myself out of it or stay mired in it.

Good luck to you both.

DebbyV

See my post a few down on Trazodone.

It is an older anti-depressant often prescribed for RSD.

It was so inexpensive, it didn't even cost me a full copay ... was just under $5.

Helping me so far - but I was not diagnosed with depresssion - but am feeling better, more "up" and sleeping a LOT better!

Thing is, no drug company is beating down the doctors door with samples and free food at lunch reminding them to prescribe trazodone like they are the newer anti-depressants. I am kind of surprised he didn't prescribe Cymbalta for you... it seems to be the first one tried by docs these days. I've read stories about people having to pay a LOT for it!!

Jules

Dang, sounds like all anti-depressants are pricey!! I think that is just so bogus and crazy!! But, if you need to be on one, what can ya do??

Hope that this Lexapro that the doc put me on, helps!!! Took my first dose this morning, so way to early of course to feel or notice anything! lol Guess I will have to hold tight and see how it goes!!

--Heidi