On January 10th, I took my first dose of Lexapro early that morning. Didn't feel much other than drowsiness. The next two days were horrible. I felt drowsy, but then on top of that I had the worst nausea and other stomach issues. Not the most fun two days. At. All. (I found out the reason later was because I was taking the pill on an empty stomach. Oops.)

Then day four hit. The drowsiness and the nausea started lifting. I actually began to feel less agitated. I didn't realize it right away, but my husband did. He asked me to help him pick up the kitchen and without hesitation, I did. That may seem like something so small - but a week prior I would have thrown some sort of a fit if I was in the wrong mood, or exhausted. I never had any energy.

I am now on day eleven or so. I honestly have not felt this good and calm in years. I only take the Ativan if needed, and I have only taken it a couple times, and only 1/4 of a dose. I take the Lexapro every morning like clockwork. When it first "kicks in" I yawn and feel somewhat tired for about two hours. Then everything is fine.

The amazing thing is on the Lexapro, I don't feel medicated. I feel like me - just the old me. The calmer, happier, less stressed, fun me.

I am playing with my kids again. I am SMILING, which apparently I didn't do a whole lot of before. I have energy to keep up with the kids for the most part. I want to go places and do things. I am not worrying 24/7. I go with the flow.

Sunday after church we randomly went and fed the swans on Lake Morton. Jake ran and chased the birds. Then we went to Fred's Market. All of this between two church services and choir practice. I can keep up with life now. More importantly, I am enjoying things now.

I am not dreading vacation in three weeks. I am not as scared about Disney and "what if I have a panic attack, etc..." - although sometimes the thoughts creep in... I know that I will have fun, and be fine. If not, I have my medicine to help me in a "worst case scenario" situation.

Hans told me today (when I told him I couldn't wait to get home & clean the kitchen because it was bugging me...) - "Hello my Kimmy - I have my wife back - I've missed you".

He then told me that even if I didn't take the medicine, he still would have been there for better or for worse, and would love me no matter what.

I love that man. I am so thankful to God that he blessed me with him. He has been through all this with me and I am so glad I finally got enough courage to try medication. It is helping so much and I am glad I can finally go back to being the wife that he deserves.

Til next time,

Kim

Hello. My name is Kim.

... and I have been diagnosed with clinical depression in addition to my generalized anxiety disorder.

It's taken a lot for me to write this post. I am afraid of the judgement. I know that mental illness has this stigma in society. People either understand and show compassion, or they have the "It's all in your head, just get over it" mentality. If that is your take on mental illness, I ask that you please reserve your judgement on me on my blog and keep it to yourself.

The depression was something I didn't really realize I had, but in retrospect I guess it has been there for a long time. Those that know me well, know what I've been through in my past. I don't need to air it out and certainly don't want to relive it, so I won't. Apparently I have brought all that junk into my adult life and it has been creeping around in my subconscious.

The depression wasn't anything where I would sit in bed, crying all day. It wasn't like that. I would get up and do what needed to be done. I was always exhausted, stressed, and super irritable when I did anything though. I can't tell you how many times I snapped at my husband or even my kids for no reason at all. Hans would come ask me to clean something and I would lose it. Brad would ask me for help with his homework and I would get upset because I felt like it was "one more thing" added to the list. All this came to a realization a few days ago when I got news from work that I was denied a promotion because of some metric numbers that they measure by.

I cried for probably 10 minutes afterward, alone.

That was when I realized that I can't remember the last time I genuinely had fun. Or laughed. Or didn't worry about something all day long. Worrying is exhausting. I am the queen of fear and worry.

I have had Generalized Anxiety Disorder since December 2008 (initial diagnosis but I am sure I had it long before. That was the date of my first panic attack). I have tried to do this all on my own and with counselling to avoid medication. But I can't do it all by myself anymore. I am going to give medicine a shot in the hopes that it will bring me back to the "old me" while also continuing my counselling. Not for me, but for my family. My husband deserves a wife who isn't scared all the time and irritated. My boys deserve a mom with the energy to have fun with them and go outside and play ball.

This morning I saw my doctor who I absolutely love. She knows me in and out and knows my personality when it comes to medications (I am very sensitive to everything and really dislike taking anything unless it is ABSOLUTELY necessary). I was there for a migraine medicine follow-up as well when I brought up the anxiety/depression. She listened to me vent and explain what was going on. She prescribed me a low dose of Lexapro -an antidepressant, and a low dose of Ativan - an anti-anxiety for me to try. I go back in six weeks for a follow up.

I am going to pick the meds up from my pharmacy shortly. I am really nervous about taking these medicines, but that is how I am with any medicine whether it be Lexapro or Tylenol (thanks, anxiety disorder). Please keep me in your prayers through this time in my life and pray that God will heal me from this.

Thanks,

Kim

Day 7

Today I'm thankful for sleep. Even though I feel like I never get enough of it. On that note... Goodnight! :)

Day 6

Today I an thankful for my Pastor, his wife, and our entire church family. They are always there if you need them and we love them more than words can express.

Day 5

Today I am thankful for my friends. My TRUE friends who are there through the good, the bad, and the ugly. You know who you are. :)

Day 4

Today, I am thankful that I am a Christian, and that Jesus is my Savior. Without my faith, without Him, I am nothing.

Thankfulness

Since this is the month of Thanksgiving, I am going to attempt what a majority of my friends are doing and post one thing per day that I am thankful in my life. Because today is November 3rd and I am already behind, I am going to post three for today. :)

1) My husband. He is my everything and I look forward to "growing old" with him. <3

2) My kids. Brad is our amazing 11-year-old and he has such a kind heart. Jake is our rambunctious 3-year-old and his laughter is contagious!

3) My health. Yes, I have generalized anxiety disorder. Yes, I have migraines. Yes, I have panic attacks. But it could be far worse. I don't have cancer. I don't have a terminal illness. The anxiety disorder and the migraines are frustrating, overwhelming, and painful, but I thank God I'm alive and he has made me perfect and unique in His own way. With Him I can get through this.