Depression Blog.com

I have been on Lexapro for several months.
I have had good results with Lexapro. I used to take Celexa and Lexapro has less sexual side affects than Celexa.
I take it at night before I go to bed, so it does help me sleep.

I have been on Lexapro (20mg) for a few months. So far its the best antidepressant I have been on (I have been on them all). There aren't many side effects. It kills my appetite usually. I don't really have any complaints.

In response to the previous 2 posts. It may have killed your appetite the first few months but that will soon end with a vengence. I've been on Lexapro 10mg for a year and I was worried about weight gain. Dr assured me that was not a side effect and at first I believed it since I didn't seem to have much of an appetite the first few months. But now 1 year and 10lbs later I disagree. I've read posts on other sites from people who have experience the same , some with a lot more weight gain. It also interferes with my sleep a lot, never feel rested and I could probably sleep 20 hours a day if I let myself. I've tapered down to 5mg a day within the last 6 weeks but there has been no change. If I don't take it at all a few days I get really dizzy and confused and crazy feeling so I always start back.

After my father died, I just felt like my life was over. In a matter of weeks, everything crashed. Family, finance, friends, love, EVERYTHING. I cried every day, constantly, even at work. I yelled at my kids. I became very defensive. I imagined the worst that could happen in any given situation. I could no longer handle confrontations of any kind, having anxiety attacks when I even thought someone was TRYING to attack me. (9 times out of 10 they weren't) I let this go untreated for 6 months! Finally I found my way to a counselor who suggested to my PCP that I go on Lexapro 10mg. She made the decision immediately. I was a bit sceptical about it and even put off taking in for a couple of days after I had it in my hands. The side affects I had were drowsiness and thirst for the first 2 or 3 weeks. It took about 4 weeks for me to notice the difference, and they increased the dose to 20mg. Since then, the only side effects I have is when I miss a dose. (I get jerking sensations, light headed, and shaky) My crying spells have stopped completely. That is kind of hard to handle sometimes because I feel like I'm incapable of expressing my emotions. But at the same time, it's nice to make it through every day life without the embarrasing sobbing. As far as my anxiety attacks.. My life is still pretty messed up. It's going to take some repair. But I'm much more able to step back and think things through in a positive light. I don't panic anymore, every thing is thought through. My patience with my children has sky-rocketed, I can actually laugh at their little messes and blunders. I let rude comments roll right by. I can choose better what is worth concentrating on and what is unimportant. A couple of my friends have made the comment that it seems like I don't care, but it's not that I don't care, I just choose to work things out in a different matter than I have before. This medicine has really helped me to learn how to choose my battles and draw up a smart strategy of attacking problems instead of retreating and then feeling helpless.

i just dont know how lexapro has effected me anymore. i was on it for about 7 months and pretty much suddenly kept missing lots of doses and then just stopped taking it. Im afraid this has caused a terible reaction within my body help me
concerned and clueless

[moderator comments:
hi Melisa
it is hard for me to be sure you read this when you do not leave me your email. it really matters how much you were prescribed, how long ago you quit, and what time frame you were missing doses for. Without you saying what kind of terrible reaction it has caused it is somewhat hard to help.

If I gave blind advice it would be the worst kind to give. Shoot me an email with more specifics if you would like. Some people do find it hard to quit abrubtly and need to be tappered off the drug. You may want to talk to your doctor about what you are experiencing.]

I have bben on lexapro about 2 weeks and it has beeb amazing for helping my anxiety. I have been on 4 other antidepressants and this is the best, and hardly any side effects...

Wow! I just took my first Lexapro today (10mg). I've been depressed for months, perhaps as much as a year, and for the past two months have been on buproprion. It helped but I still had anxiety and nervousness and some bad moods. Now that I took just one Lexapro I find myself laughing again, sometimes without a clear understanding of what was funny. It's good; I'm enjoying my own mind again. ( laughs )
It kind of feels like LSD-lite, without the negative side effects. I'll see how I like it after a while.
So far, I'm quite impressed!
I found a site called [moderator deleted domain] which claims to know how to beat depression without drugs. Sounded interesting and plausible.
Thought I would pass it on.

Peace.

[moderator comments: most people do not notice a significant difference the first day from said type of drugs (due to the nature of how they work they usually take a couple weeks to a month to kick in...as your serotonin level builds up over time). any effect you would notice the first day would most likely be a placebo effect.

until you feel happy or go wacko and kill yourself doctors do not know how exactly the drugs will effect you. even the manufactures are not 100% sure how they work.

if you feel that big of a difference the first day then likely you are being overprescribed, feeling the pacebo effect, or are not seriously depressed.

i do recommend reading a bunch and trying natural antidepressants before going on a prescription, but anyone using an ebook to profit off the depression of others is kinda sucky in my opinion.

this site helps people free. anyone who seriously wants to help people with their depression would not be selling an ebook on the topic...the ebook would be free. eventually after I study more I will provide a huge free site on the topic.

many times these drugs make people emotionally numb vice making them feel better, and that is why the suicide rates on some of these drugs are abnormally high.

your rapid change in a single day coupled with what looks kinda like an advert for that thing you read makes me wonder about the authenticity of your post. nobody knows who you are so if I am wrong I appoligize and nobody else will know who you are.

comparing Lexapro to LSD is, um, probably not really all that valid either...while they both effect the serotonin system they do it on way different levels. i would say that if you thought lexapro was like LSD on the first day then low serotonin levels are probably not your problem.]

I'm on Lexapro and have been for just over a year, after 2 years on Paxil. Paxil gave me horrible side effects when I stopped taking it (following doctor's orders). Lexapro has been a god-send. I've been able to lose weight again, esp that which I gained on Paxil, and I'm able to deal with life again. The only side effect I had while starting Lexapro was a metallic taste in my mouth that went away after a few weeks.

I'm glad you have a site like this, people need to remember to take medication as their doctors prescribe and to talk openly with their doctors when things don't seem right with them. For me, it took a long time to get my meds right, and it's only because I kept trying that I'm doing well now.

I have been on Lexapro for about one year now, and am very impressed with it. I didn't see much change for the first month, but after that my depression completely turned around. I am able to hold down a job now, my relationship with my boyfriend is not so chaotic, I don't get as nervous in public, my paranoia has decreased dramatically, and I am a much nicer person to be around.
The only side effects that I have noticed (it's different for everyone) is that I am a bit shakey, I am always tired...feeling as though I haven't slept for days sometimes, my heart rate/blood pressure has increased, and I have gained a little bit of weight. I, myself, am in complete control of my emotions. I still cry when something sad happens, that's normal...but I don't cry everyday, all day long.
The only thing that worries me is that when I forget a pill I go right back to where I was a year ago. I go a little crazy...which makes me wonder how I will ever ween myself off.
I was very lucky because lexapro was my first attempt at medication, and I have heard horror stories about others, such as Paxil.

My wife has been taking 10mg per day for 8 months. Tremendous help for her very severe anxiety/bi-polar disorder, but sad thing is the inability for orgasm. Very frustrating for her and myself both. Pretty much ruined a great sex life. Doctor suggested Welbutrin, but I am afraid of her adding any more "brain altering"drugs. Any ideas??

I LOVE Lexapro!! I have been taking 5 mg (I'm very sensitive to medication and 10 mg would probably make me manic) for the past 2 weeks. I have dealt with depression and suicidal thoughts at many times in my life and after trying just about everything I am now on this (along with psychotherapy). I have noticed a huge difference in my anxiety level and my most recent depression has eased up quite a bit. My fiance has told me that he hasn't seen me this great in a while.

The only side effects I had were insomnia, rise in body temperature and a little nausea but those went away after I started taking it earlier in the evening.

I've been taking Lexapro for about 2 months. It's been a positive experience for me. A couple of site effects but nothing to worry about: I feel nausea and dizziness ONLY if I skip a meal. But it's working well in general.

I have been on lexapro for two weeks. and yes i feel kind of, well normal?? i didnt realize that i was totally stressed out!! the first day i took lexapro i could feel a difference. My mind is able to have a thought and think it through completely, which is helping me to be much less impulsive and hyper. ive had a headache for a week now tho off and on, but i dont know if its a: being totally off of caffeine now, b:being 40 and going thru the change c: a migraine, which ive had before or d: just my hormones. or the medication.
I am much less reactionaryl, but like some of you i feel like sitting on my butt and doing nothing alot of the time,which really is something new to me!! I would stay up until i went to bed and literally collapsed, i lived like i had to have everything done today like there was no tomorrow..
some sleeping problems.. i also take 200mg of seroquel at HS (bedtime) and the lex in the morning.
i am able to focus on things and stay focused and complete things.
maybe im ADHD>>
you guys are scaring me with some of this stuff!! especially the "shock" stuff.
i am taking 5mg a day only
i took 10mg aday for two days AND YES I WAS ZONED OUT TOTALLY!!!
well ive talked enough, if you want to talk more you can email me at wyregirl@sbcglobal.net
thanks!! julie

I've been taking lexapro for 3 months now, after losing my father to cancer. At first it kind of made me drousy, but after a week or two I didn't notice any bad side effects. I can get through my days now without crying over every little thing. It doesn't make the loss any less, but it definitely helps me get on with my life that I can see light at the end of the dark tunnel. It's amazing how it calmed me down.
The only negative side effect I feel, is I'm not sexually energized as I used to be. (for those people who were concerned about that.) That was a main concern for me, and I heard lexapro doesn't have many strong sexual side effects.
But hey, happiness is worth it.

I have been on lexapro for quite a while now and have not had any real bad side effects. I take my lexapro in the morning time and I am taking 10mg. The only side effects I seem to have are memory loss and I seem to be less energetic than normal. Don't have the energy to get up and do things around the house like the dishes and laundry, when I know that they need to be done!! If anyone has any answers for me about the memory loss please let me know!!

I've been on Lexapro for over a year now. It's been great for me. My moods are stable. No side effects. I have to take Wellbutrin to help with my lack of energy.

During times of extreme stress I forget to take my meds and I go down but unlike a year ago I can pull myself up within a few days.

I've been on Lexapro for 10 weeks and is has been great! Most of the side-effects came and went. I have a problem with suttering when I read out loud that is now gone. Another thing that I have noticed is images I see at night have changed. I'm not talking about dreams I'm talking about the green\purple blobs you see at night when you close your eyes. They normally are just blobs but now they are geometic shapes that overlape and have bright edges. The edges change from clear sharp edges to a very organized fringe then back. I'm an artist and find this very interesting and wonder if anyone else has noticed this.

This is for Steve. I am on Effexor, not Lexapro and when I close my eyes at night I see Picasso-like images. I am happy to hear I am not alone.

I was on Paxil 20mg from 2-02-95 to 7-15 -03, then i went to Lexapro 20mg from 7-16-03 to 7-02-04. I went cold turkey off Lexapro on 7-02-04 and have had nothing since. Note, I am also a recovered alcoholic sober since 2-02-95. It has been a month without lexapro and experiencing "some" withdrawals ,like, abnormal and excessive nightmares but 2 tylenol pm's have taken care of that. My sleeping habits have gone haywire but I was always sleeping before when I was on them. some noise in my head but not bothersome, usually just when I go to bed. A tad more edgy or should I say easily startled and you don't want to pick a fight with me. my girlfriend is an RN and she had been observing me daily. I've told her if this is as bad as it gets then I can live with it. She tells me my mind is waking up.

I was on Lexapro 20 mg's for about 3 months suddenly stopped taking it thinking it was a psuedo and after 9 days finnaly relized that i was'nt going crazy it was Lex Withdrawl , started taking the pills again now 10 mg a day , its 5 days later and no signs of withdrawl coming to a stop i think i have messed up the whole cycle or sumthing. The shapes i see its like a bad acid trip 24/7. Someone please help dont want to go to the ER or doc but sumthing is going to have to be done if this keeps on going.

I was on Lexapro 20 mg's for about 3 months suddenly stopped taking it thinking it was a psuedo and after 9 days finnaly relized that i was'nt going crazy it was Lex Withdrawl , started taking the pills again now 10 mg a day , its 5 days later and no signs of withdrawl coming to a stop i think i have messed up the whole cycle or sumthing. The shapes i see its like a bad acid trip 24/7. Someone please help dont want to go to the ER or doc but sumthing is going to have to be done if this keeps on going.

I went on Lexapro for about 2 months. When I didn't notice a difference, I went off it. I've been off it and since I still feel miserable, I want to go back on. This time I want to increase the dosage from the 20mg pill to something like 60 or 80mg/day. Is this a bad idea? My situation (military) is a little different than the average Joe, thus talking to my doctor, who is never there, gets old. Please help me!!!

Hi Marc
I was in the military. in my estimation it is often a really shitty place to be.

I would probably spend the money and talk to a real doctor and perhaps consider getting out of the military before going on mediation that alters my mind to put up with being in a shitty organization.

Hey! Thanks for the prompt response. I know the military is a very shitty situation to be in, but to be honest, my condition, which intensified immensly since I joined, was bound to happen. I have family members who have intense nervousness, anxiety type symptoms. I grew up with it never realizing I had a problem - thinking that the way I felt was normal. However, now in a world and job that can be so demanding, it is more than ever obvious that something has to be done. I was hoping lexapro was the answer. If it is not, then I really don't know what to do. I do think now that I should have given it more time. I basically feel helpless in this issue, it is not something I openly talk about. Please tell me someone else has dealt with these issues and been able to fix their extreme nervousness problems. How did you do it?

I am likely not the answer to your problems. The real issue is that you need to scratch deeper than the surface to see what your problems are.

I know the military can exasperate other bad psychological or depressive symptoms. For me being a nuclear reactor operator on a submarine was perhaps the single worste thing I ever did my entire life.

If you feel like you would be depressed or full of anxiety anyway then being in the military will likely make that worse.

My general deal / belief / idea is that we are all here for some purpose. Each of us has our own purpose and its up to us to find it.

If you do what you like and do what you are interested in you should do fine.

I have a question for the person giving me advice. Are you yourself on lexapro? I'm curious because I would like to know if it did in fact work for you. Thank you. You've given some excellent advice already!

hi Marc
I am not on any psychotropic drugs. I guess the reasoning behind my advice was that I was depressed (bad enough to be on medication) for years, but the only medication I took was occasionally drinking way to much and other recreational bad stuff...which turned out really really really bad

after I was removed from that environment a large part of my self destructive behavior was removed.

for me my environment was a large part of my problem. for you this may not be so, but I do not know you well enough to give you sound advice. my point is that often your doctor may not know you well enough to do the right thing either.

much of what has to be done has to be done as an active decision inside your head.

many of the decisions others are willing to make for you are not going to be the best decisions that could have / should have been made.

no matter what you do the primary source of change will need to be internal. do whatever that tells you to do.

sorry about the response delay. there was a mySQL error on the server.

also I occasionally use 5HTP and / or meletonin when I do not feel good. I do not use them all the time though.

Has anyone noticed these particular side effects when starting up on Lexapro? Unusual amounts of day time yawning episodes...night sweats...vivid dreams (that are not always plesant and more times nightmares than not)...insomnia if pill is taken too close to bed time? These side effects seemed to be transient (went away over time). I started 3 months ago on Lexapro at 5 mg and increased my dose to 10 mg once per day. I still have an unusual amount of night sweats (especially before my period) and vivid dreams. I have counterbalanced the insomnia by taking my Lexapro first thing in the morning. By doing this, it doesn't disrupt my sleep. It also seems that I am more prone to acne while on this medication. I have never had an acne problem with the exception of one or two pimples around my menstrual cycle. Now I look like I am revisiting puberty! Would really like feedback from others who have experienced these issues. I'm hopeful that I don't build a tolerance to this product like I have with other SSRIs. So far so good...but I'm only a few months into Lexapro therapy. This is where the bus stops. If this one doesn't work for me, I'm not taking ANYTHING else ever again until perhaps a new (more reliable) form of therapy is discovered.

I asked my doc for something to help with my anger/depression of a situational family issue. She gave me two pkg of Lexapro. I told her I would try 1/2 on over the weekend. She assured me I would be fine to take a whole one right away as there were very few side effects. I asked her about weight gain (I am 5'6 200lb) so I wanted to make sure it wouldn't get worse...she told me that some people just gain weight if they think they will and some don't. I should have trusted my instincts. I took one 10mm of Lexapro yesterday mid morning and within 1 hour started to feel a little "funny" by the end of the work day I was having trouble breathing, thinking, talking, headachy, bad stomache ache, dry mouth, dizziness, light nausea and was paranoid. Once home, I tried to work at my table and felt like I was moving in slow motion so I went to bed at 7pm. I lay in a dark room unable to sleep, having trouble breathing, and thinking harmful thoughts. I have never had anxiety issues, but I think I had a mild panic attack - due to trouble breathing. I did not take the Lexapro again this am - I muddled through today, still feeling light headed, sweating, dry mouth, body aches all over, headache, stomache ache - breathing is better. So I found this site - I actually have been looking for both positive feedback and side effects and stories from real people. And I have to say that while I did find a little positive feedback, most is overwhelmingly negative. Well I am done with it, thank goodness I only took one - I just hope it gets out of my system soon!

Return to the form.

I was on lexapro 20 mg. a day for a year. I suddenly stopped taking it... (I was not aware of the severity of the side effects). For the first week or two, I experienced all the typical ones that I have since found out are common: dizziness, anxiety, nightmares, ehoeing, feeling really out of it, problems balancing/walking, things being very bright, etc. I just kind of went through it and those symtoms eventually faded, but then about 2 months later, I noticed I was having horrible withdrawal-like symptoms, like shaking, severe anxiety, racing pulse, inability to sleep at all, etc. A lot of extreme physical symptoms, especially the visible shaking...and I had not had any of these symptoms when I began the medication...I began it for bad depression, not for anxiety. After talking to people and researching, I found out that a lot of people that suddenly stop an antidepressant experience a severe crash 6-8 weeks later. I am still experiencing all of these sympyoms and it has been like this for about 4 and a half weeks. I tried to go back on the lexapro in order to wean myself off of it, but taking even one 10mg. pill made me feel completetly insane and manic and racing thoughts, shaking, etc. to the point that I almost went to the hospital. So now I am not sure what to do because my life is being wrecked by these symptoms. I think these medications have some very far-reaching effects on the brain chemistry and nervous system, and people should consider all of the information very carefully before they begin them or get off of them.

I just wanted to tell other people that all these diffent kinds of drugs have diffent effects on people, you just need to get the one that works for you.. I started taking my wifes lexapro and it changed my life. I stopped thinking it about killing myself all the time and stopped being on edge and things at work was not getting me stress out. and then i went to see a doctor and she put me on paxel cr and it had the opposite effect on me and i started have thoughts of killing myself and my mood swings where worst then before and i had blurred site and coughing and a numbing feeling in my face it was bad. I am back on lexapro and i am doing good again. so my point is tell your doctor what is going on so you can get the one that is write for you, and don`t give up. you will fill good again in time and when you get on the write one. lexapro is write for me...oh, i don`t recomend taking someone elses medinces with out see yor doctor. it just worked out good for me.

I started lexapro back in January of '04 due to the stress level that I had in my life at that time. I noticed a major change in my weight...10 pounds more! My life has gotten better and decided I wanted to ween myself off this drug and hopefully get my old weight back and deal with my issues on my own. I started weening by taking half of the pill for 2 weeks and then half every other day for 2 more weeks. Since I did this, for the past two weeks I feel a numbness that feels like it starts in my chest and goes up into my face. It is so hard to describe, it is almost like this weird electricity. I feel dizzy and out of sorts. Can anyone relate, and will this stop? It's freaking me out!

I recently begun taking Lexapro for depression and anxiety. I have been feeling very badly for nearly 4 years. I've only been on it a week and so far I notice moderate nausea and headache. I'm concerned that other symptoms will begin. The thought of the other symptoms is making my depression worsen. I feel like I can't let myself feel better because I'm convinced all these terrible effects are going to occur and never go away. I read other comments on this, and other sites, and people who complain of bad side-effects generally haven't been taking it very long (like 2 months or so). I've read that side-effects tend to taper off after time. Does anyone have any comment about this? I think I'm obbsessing about getting side-effects that I might be causing them psychosomatically. Anyone else notice this?

I have read some of the posts and I have to say the same thing. I was experincing panic attacks, and severe mood swings, constantly worrting and shor tempered for no reason. My first day I felt slightly relived as well, and smiled and laughed also. (not laugh at nothing) I was able to laugh and smile at things I should have been able to before. This is only 10mg. I took it the around 12 and maybe after fours hours I experinced some mild dizziness but that went away. It is now after 10 at night and I am still awak but at least I am not lying in bed worrying about every little thing. Can you take sleep aids while taking lexapro?

[A: Your body produces serotonin during daylight hours and meletonin at night to help you sleep better. One noticable problem many people experience with SSRI's (such as Lexapro) are that they sometimes keep your serotonin levels too high when you go to sleep and make it hard to get a good nights rest.

I (am not a doctor but) usually recommend staying away from taking additional drugs to fight off the side effects of others, but I believe it is done often.

This is one of the reasons I greatly prefer more natural cures to depression over these synthetic pharmeceutical drugs.

Do a little research on Google about serotonin and melatonin and you will perhaps learn more about what your current problem is.

Talk to your doctor before taking any other drugs or herbal supplement.]

I've been on Lexapro for five weeks now. After 3 weeks it finally started to improve my mood: I had energy! Pizzaz! Gumption! I had the world on a string! I wasn't manic or anything, but I finally felt like I could tackle basic things like chores, shaving, washing/waxing the car, etc. Which after how I had felt, WAS the world on a string.

A week of that and then it started to go a little downhill. Not a lot downhill, but a little. I thought that this was just "the blues", which my doctor warned me not to confuse with depression. And I understood his concern. But tonight I had to call a suicide hotline because I was thinking of doing some serious things with a kitchen knife. If you ever need to, call one of those hotlines; they are excellent. I am alive tonight because of one of them. But I either need a higher dosage (because it seemed to work) or find some other treatment.

I have been diagnosed with GAD and was prescribed Zoloft and Ativan. After 4 weeks the zoloft was doing nothing for my panic attacks. I was then put on 10mg. lexapro which I've only been on for a few days now. Just wondering how long I'll need the Ativan for panic. When will the lexapro kick in? If the zoloft didnt work is there a good chance lexapro wont work?Thanks

I have been on lexapro for a couple months and have been very happy with the results. My moods are much more even. The only problem I'm having is that it is almost impossible to orgasm. I haven't had a decrease in sex drive, and my husband and I are still sexually active, but this is really beginning to bother me. Any advice?

I started taking lexapro 10mg about 3 weeks ago. The one side effect I'm having is that I'm breaking out on my face. Curious if anyone else has had the same problem and does it go away at some point?

Thanks

Just started taking lexapro, while getting off of Paxil.

I've been on Lexapro for over a year now. Initially, I experienced the dreaded delayed ejaculation, but after 2 or 3 weeks, that went away. I wear a bite splint at night already for clenching and grinding my teeth, but I have noticed that the clenching at night is worse now--not a big deal since I use the bite splint anyway. While on 20mg. a day, I experienced puffy eyelids and memory loss, especially if I drank alcohol (I take my dose at night), but when I went down to 10mg., those side effects abated. Even with the side effects, I wouldn't trade Lexapro for anything. It has improved my life immensely. My wife says I'm once again the fun, optimistic, and ambitious man she met and married all those years ago.

I have been on Lexapro for about 3 months and I can say that the panic attacks have not come back. I felt fine and decided to stop taking them in hopes that I could be strong enough to do it on my own, but I might have been wrong. I have been off of it for about a week and I took a pill today and am going back to my dosing schedule until my next doctor appointment. Is this bad? I am not sure what I am going through but I would find some comfort if someone would respond back to me, telling me that I am not the only one. I feel my equilibrium is off and I start to worry that something is wrong with me and then I start to freak out. I really want to be fine. Worrying is very exhausting. I am doing yoga, meditating, and exercising but I am not 100% doing great. Do I need to up the dose or do I really need to chill myself out?

iv'e been on lexapro for a week because of (GAD. how long does it take to kick in and really notice a change

iv'e been on lexapro for a week because of (GAD. how long does it take to kick in and really notice a change

I've been on Lexapro for GAD since mid-July (so a little more than 3 months)
At first I was taking 10mg once a day, and 300mg Welbutrin, with Ambien to help with sleep.
Like most people posting to this forum I had to deal with the dry metalic mouth, lack of sleep (well I already wasn't sleeping well....but it didn't exactly improve...), and other side effects (that eventually went away). My had doctor told me that if, in 3 weeks I didn't see improvement in anxiety to increase the Lexapro up to 20mg.
I did that and still had anxiety problems, so I went back to the doctor and he pushed me up to 40mg.
Still no luck.
So the doctor pushed me up to 60mg and cut the Wellbutrin to 150mg, and added 1mg Klonopin twice daily, for six weeks.
The Klonopin helped me sleep normally (even better than Ambien), but left me sleepy, yet full of energy all day and reduces my coordination.
As far as anxiety went though I felt more normal than I've ever felt (even as a I child I always thought I was more anxious than everyone else-when I was 5 I was predicting I would probably have an ulcer by age 8...). It's really exciting to actually be able to do things instead of spending time worrying about doing things.
After two weeks I began to get tolerant to the Klonopin, so I could only get 7 hours sleep a night, and felt more tense. As far as anxiety goes, however, I'm doing well.
I went to the doctor today and he took me off of the Wellbutrin, changed my Klonopin dosage to 2mg once a day (at night, to help me sleep), and added ABILIFY (aripiprazole) which is supposed to help with the tension, insomnia, and hypomania, so I can eventually get rid of the Klonopin. (Anyone else have experience with ABILIFY?)

this is for the person who left a comment about NIGHTSWEATS. i was put onto lexapro, 10mg, which i usually take in the late morning. i have had intense night sweats that i thought were from an overheated room, so i have left my window open in this mid-october chill, and am not sure really if it helped or not.

i have also had VIVID DREAMS. excessive. to the point that i have to parse out reality from dream, the dreams are such filters of life, but in a bizarre way. very heavy or sensitive points that my dreams hit.

i have also felt that i'm not sure if lexapro is helping or not. i had one moment of euphoria two and a half weeks in, but that has waned, but perhaps also because i sometmies miss a dose. i'm just not sure of the effects.

I've been on lex for about 2 months now. Placibo effect or not, the first day did begin with a small improvement, but I became very exhausted. I've been taking it at night, about 30 minutes prior to bedtime and fall asleep within 10 minutes. Now I'm emotionally "stable" compared to my down, grumpy, hopeless personality before. I've returned to the person I was a decade ago. The interference in ejaculation is only a minor problem since my spouse enjoys the extended sessions we now have, and she's more accepting of having them due to the change in my personality. I let the petty stuff roll off my back, I'm motivated again, and my spouse and I have a revived romantic and intimate realtionship. I am concerned about withdrawl symptoms when I reach that point of stopping, but at this point in time, I have no desire to quit...life's going to good now.

I have taken Lexapro for 1 year.

My experience is before Lexapro I suffered from moderate/severe anxiety and major depression, with Lexapro I experience virtually no anxiety but am perhaps more debilitated by depression now.

Simply put-
-Without Lexapro = want to crawl into a hole and cry/worry, yet anxiety motivates to at least get something done.
-With Lexapro = live in the hole and feel it is acceptable and get nothing done.

I've been on Lexapro for 5 days and don't like the feeling I have at all. Very light-headed and can't concentrate. It did change my mood but that could be the drug and/or lack of sleep (awake at 2am). I think I will go back to my drug of choice...alcohol.

Have been on Lexapro for over 2 years with EXCELLENT results. However, recently I feel that it is becoming less effective. I feel the anxiety creeping back. Also, some self-loathing and feelings of rejection. I am on 10 mg. once a day in the morning. This is the longest anything has worked and I can feel a physical sense of anxiety slowly peeking through. Should I increase the dosage? Should I supplement with something else? Should I change to something else? I use Librium if it gets really bad or if I can't relax enough to sleep but I have been starting to take it every night for the past few weeks and sometimes even during the day, which makes me tired. I just want it to be like it was for 2 years. Nothing has changed in my life. If anything, things are going better than ever. I really feel that the Lexapro is just not working as well any more. Has anyone else experienced this? Prior to this, I had minor success with Luvox for 1 or 2 month intervals but then the night sweats would take over and it would no longer be effective for me. I have tried so many SSRI's over the years (Paxil, Prozac, Effexor, Celexa, Wellbutrin and probably others that I have forgotten about). Lexapro has been the only one that allowed me to feel normal - not overcome with anziety or obsessive thoughts or depression. The only negative is that it has such a sedative effect, dry mouth and I may have gained a little weight but I was willing to live with these things because the anxiety was so under control. I feel like I am speeding up (you can tell from my rambling e-mail!) and I don't want to fall back into a black hole. Any advice or shared experiences would be most appreciated!!!

I took 30 mg of Lexapro and two Tylenol Pm, not a good combo.

Antidepressants are not good Been on them (20 mg) for 3 months and i dont think there working Started to drink a bit again which is NOT a good idea Really bad effects the next morning Paranioa is a bad too Starting to sicken all my friends and there beginning to leave

I have been taking 10 mg. of Lexapro for over two years and it has been working very well for me with virtually no side-effects. Before Lexapro, I took Zoloft for three years which had too many unpleasant side-effects. While I can only speak for myself, I think there may be some insights that others can use from my approach used in taking Lexapro.

First, Lexapro is not a cure all. That is, I treat Lexapro as a means to make further changes in my life. Taking Lexapro allowed me to change my cognitive habits; thinking more positivley, not thinking the worst, reacting to frustration with patience and not anger as I used to react to frustration. Changing my cognitive habits for the better has worked, but I have a ways to go since I had been depressed for most of my life prior to taking antidepressants.

Second, I have increased my exercise routine by playing tennis, singles, hard, for one or more hours a day for at least 5 days a week. During the weekend, I am always physically active doing things in the house or outside working in the yard. For me, physical work improves my spirits and I just feel better, separate from the Lexapro.

Third, I have developed a couple of other hobbies besides tennis. Since I have a two hour commute, one hour each way, every work day, I listen to books on CDs or jazz. Since my drive is 90 percent open highway, the CDs do not distract me. I know we live in busy times and many of us have very demanding jobs, family, etc. But my point is, I have fit some hobbies into my life which have enriched it and helped me keep the depression away along with the lexapro.

Last, I focus more on other people's wants and desires, both professionally and personally, and paying more attention to others helps me keep the depression away along with the lexapro. I am also involved with a service organization and have more friends than I ever had before I started taking antidepressants.

My depression is caused by both environment and genes; depression runs in my family. By making small but important steps in enriching my life and taking Lexapro, I have stopped the depresssion. Eventually, I want to stop taking Lexapro just because I hate taking any medicine. But for now I still require it to help me dissipate my depression which I have not had for years. So far so good. Good luck to all. I would not wish depression on anyone, but at least we have more help (SSRIs) than prior generations had. AJ.

I have been taking 10mg of Lexapro for about 3 weeks and am not sure if it is working or not. This is my first antidepressant drug. Lack of labido seems tobe the only side effect so far. No one seems to have any thing good to say about it which concerns me. I have heard some good things about Wellbutrin but there is not much feedack on it. My depression has been on and off for about 10 years and I have finaly decided to take it on. I am seeing a psychologist and have decided to entertain the idea of medication because depression seems to run in my family. This whole process is very confusing!!! Just looking for a little advice!

I started taking 10mg of Lexapro 2 weeks ago. I really started feeling good the second day. Now I feel the depression al over again. It does happen with all antidepressants. They work well at the beginning and then soon after they stop working. Am I taking the wrong dose? Do I need more or less?
Thanks

I am BP2 w/hypomania, GAD and PTSD. lexapro is the best thing that ever happened to me. I was on all the rest and paxil (devil0 made me more suicidal and hypomanic as hell.

Right now I take 30 mg/day lexapro, 150 mg Wellbutrin and 1 mg klonopin. I am a 30 year old male.

The noticable side effects from Lex (for me) included temporary (2 weeks) profuse sweating from the right side of my body and anorgasmia 90% of the time. I have been on Lex for 9 months now and it has been my best friend. To each their own.

I want to stop taking my Lexapro. How do I do that without have problems?

I've been on Lexapro for almost two weeks for GAD, and now just starting to feel better. I think part of the initial period of adjusting to this drug, was due to discontinuing use of alcohol,extremly high heat, and adjusting to a drug. No sleep problems, a little unsteady ejaculation problem only the first couple of days. Feel kind of flat, but it is somewhat of a relief from the anxiety. Have first appointment with shrink next week. Anyone in the NYC area know of any support group for GAD?

im 18 years old and ive only been on Lexapro for 3 days and ive experienced all of the side effects listed here...i find myself wide eyed looking when i see myself in the mirror..i am also very tired all the time no matter how much sleep i get..I can not really say if my anxiety is subsided. I also find myself loosing focus with my vision and getting slightly dizzy..i fight to stay awake during the day..i also lost my appeitte for food

I took Lex this morning for first time. Was dizzy during the day, but attributed it to having not eaten. Went to dinner and was unable to finish it which is totally unusual for me. I asked for something to help me focus, so that I could actually finish some tasks in my life (I go from thing to thing without actually finishing anything). After reading these comments, I am wondering if I should take my second Lex tomorrow. Sex is extremely important to me, multi orgasmic, etc. I certainly don't want to lose that...would rather leave things unfinished!!

This is for John and Linda, and anyone else who is having difficulty.
Don't just stop...talk to your Dr. if he/she is not available talk to your pharmasist. Go on the Lexapro websight for more info.
I take the Lexapro at night 1/2 hour before bed, I'm really not having anymore side effects to speak of,(it's been three weeks) it takes time.
Be patient and take extra special care of your self. The first 10 days were horrible for me.But it gets better!
Mahalo

I have been on lexapro for 2 weeks. I started with 5 milligrams and felt the effects right away- it hadn't done much for my anxiety initially which had gotten to a point of horrible that I could barely be in a public space. So on the second week I took 10 mg and I swear it seems to be working well.

I have major episodes with panic, and dissociation and I don't get the floating sensations I have when I panic anymore. I still have issues though with panic- and that with perserverance and the right meds in time maybe it will help. So far though Lexapro seems to be working. The one major side effect though is a lack of sleep/ light sleeping. I was a very deep sleeper before, but honestly this is helping me otherwise.

Just hit the 1 month mark on Sunday,today I woke up feeling great, the numb flat feeling is gone. Appetite about back to normal. I feel more focused with more stamina and drive. Anxiety levels...better, some things still trigger panic.
One day at a time I guess is how this goes.
I'm going to look for new shrink, he wanted Dr. to switch to Zoloft. Advice to anyone out there. Learn to read the PI Sheets! This psychologist is either an idiot or a sadist!
One final thing... I had no hunger at the start of this treatment, so I just indulged in all of my favorite foods and worked out moderately and pampered myself alot. All seemed to help. I just woke up and realized I'm in partnership with my doctor, but ultimately I'm responsible for my recovery, actions and well being. Thus I will be shrink shopping until I find one I trust and respect.

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I have suffered from mild depression most of my life and have battled with bulimia for over 15 years. I started taking Lexapro three months ago and it has been very good for me! Of course there were a few side effects (trouble staying asleep, and jaw clenching, and dizziness). I rather have the side effects then be miserable! My mood has completely changed, I have lost 7 pounds, and I do not feel like binging and purging. I was mortified when I first started taking Lexapro after reading so many negative comments but I guess things work differently on every individual.

God, I am so frightened to take Lexapro now. I just started today, 5 mg. this morning. I felt the same as I normally do all day, which is usually depressed. But I'm reading such negative feedback about Lexapro here. Is it just that people with negative side effects take the time to post? Or is Lexapro that bad for everyone, with few exceptions? I've fought the idea of medication for so many years, but I'm so tired of depression that I thought I'd give it a try. And that gave me hope. But after reading these posts, I'm feeling the hope drain away again. Hasn't anyone had a purely good experience?

I suffer from anxiety, mostly revolving around my personal well-being. A year or so ago, I started having MS-like symptoms after consuming large amounts of artificially sweetened drinks. Since then, I have been extremely fearful of having poor health and have essentially become a severe hypochondriac. The stress and depression has been almost crippling to me at times as it preoccupies my every thought.
I just started taking Lexapro three days ago and I'm already noticing some minor side-effects. Jaw clenching and slight difficulty swallowing as well as a trembling shakiness in my hands. I have also, however, noticed an increase in my energy level, though when combined with the shakiness it just seems like jitters. I take it 10 minutes before bed and it doesn't seem to affect my ability to sleep. It's only been three days, but I'm hoping after a week or so it starts working, because I haven't felt normal in over two years.

Justin, read my prior blogs 5, 7 and 10 above yours. I started writing when I started. It's been about two months for me and the world has gotten alot better for me to deal with. Not perfect, but alot better. I suffer from GAD post 9/11 living in NY. I had a panic attack this morning for the first time since I've started the meds. Today being 9/11 I'm not beating myself up over it. Took a klonapin, have been cool all day. We'll see what the subway ride home is like.
Take it one day at a time. Talk to a professional if you feel it will help, take good care of your self and take it easy when you first start meds.
Good luck!

Yeah, it's day 4 now and I've noticed that I feel very tired. Exausted isn't quite the word for it, over-relaxed is a better term. Walking around is difficult only because the urge to lay down and sleep is so great. My legs feel weak and a little rubbery, but I don't notice any lack of strength in them. My hands don't seem to shake as badly as they did yesterday, so hopefully I'm beginning to acclimate to the drug.

Me yet again. I stayed up really late lastnight and woke this morning with a horrible sense of disassociation (feeling like everything is happening in a fog). The feeling seemed to slowly fade after an hour. Also have a pretty signifigant headache this morning as well. I'm going to be seeing my doctor this morning to see how these side-effects compare to what I should be feeling.

it it bad to suddenly stop taking lexapro?

I have read every comment on Lexapro and what I'm thinking is people seem to come to this website for advice and no one is giving any. I've noticed no one has commented in the past couple of weeks so I'll leave this comment for what it's worth. I've been through lots of different anti-deps for severe clinical depression and Lexapro just happened to be the one that I could tolerate with few side effects. I have just started taking Cymbalta because it's new and I'm feeling lower than usual. Every side effect that is talked about here is all normal for most anti-deps. Different people experience the drugs differently. You have to try one and give it at least two weeks and if the side effects are too bad ask for a change. Never quit cold turkey. As for orgasm, I have finally found out that using a "toy" that has suction worked, try different ways of acheiving orgasm and something might work for you. Being around children and animals have helped with my depression. So I hope this may help someone. God Bless.

I was on Lexapro for a year and a half. It helped me. I experience intense nausea in the beginning for a couple of days when I went from 10 to 20 mg. That passed quite quickly and I started feeling better quite soon. I had night sweats, though and when I drank alcohol I would have to watch my temper and impulsiveness. It didn't help my OCD (skin-picking) though. I went off it a year ago and have gradually gained back the 5-8 pounds I lost on Lexapro but some would say I was a little too slim while on Lexapro (I'm a 5/6 female). I went off Lexapro to get ready to try getting pregnant, which hasn't happened. I feel pretty low and depressed and am thinking about going back on Lexapro until I get pregnant but I'm afraid of the withdrawal once that happens.

Basically, Lexapro helped me and I didn't find the side effects too bad. No trouble with orgasms, which I had with Prozac. btw, taking gingko biloba helped me with the orgasms, if that helps anyone. I've also taken Wellbutrin but it made me irritable and I lost too much weight so I went off it. The Prozac made me manic at first but that tapered off. Lexapro worked the best for me, though it wasn't perfect.

I took Paxil eight years for anxiety and panic. I started on 20mg per day and after about 5 years I cut the dose to 10mg per day. I finally decided to wean myself off Paxil by cutting the dose to 5 mg a day. After all was said and done I seemed to be doing ok until about 3 months went by. My anxiety came back full strength (partially due to worrying about another unrelated health concern).

My Doctor just started me on 10mg Lexapro today and I'm wondering what is average for the drug to start working. Intially Paxil started working for me in about a weeks time.

Jack,
It took me about a full 10 days to feel OK, but it differs with everyone. Talk to your DR. For me it was a heatwave in NYC and stopping drinking alchol.
So take it day by day. I'm feeling so much better, the sexual dysfunction has passed, life is good again.

I started taking Lexapro about two weeks ago, after switching from Wellbutrin, which pooped out on me. I started with 5 mg each night for two nights, then switched to taking 10 mg at nights.

I definitely noticed side effects as soon as I started taking Lexapro. The most noticeable effects were all-day-long headaches and mild nausea. Thankfully, those lessened noticeably over the next few days, and are now completely gone. I also noticed myself sweating a lot, especially in my hands and feet. That's subsided too. The first couple days on Lexapro wiped out my energy, and I took several short afternoon naps.

Now almost two weeks later I feel like the physical side effects are over.

I still feel depessed, but also sometimes I catch myself feeling okay. And while I still feel mostly down, there are more and more good times. I'm quite pleased with Lexapro so far, and am hopeful it will work.

In terms of sexual side effects, the jury is still out. I haven't been that horny lately, but that's because I'm depressed. The first time it came up, I was able to orgasm, but the second time I didn't attempt to.

Hey all,

I have been struggling with depression and anxiety for several years. I took Wellbutrin when I was younger and I found that that worked pretty well, but then my body was too used to it that I stopped and I started Effexor, which was the worst pill I had ever taken, but then my doctor introduced me to Lexapro. Lexapro is a great medication and causes very few side effects if any. Like a lot of you, I was terrified of side effects! So much so that I would "make" myself think that I was sick when I started a medication. That's what mental illness does: depending on the severity it can cause you to make yourself believe your sick and think negatively. Believe it or not Lexapro is a wonderful medication, newer, and causes very few noticeable side effects.

If you are the type of person who has difficulty starting a medication the key is to say encouraging things to yourself, swallow the pill, and don't wait for symptoms or something to complain about. If you do that it will delay your recovery. You don't want that. Take the medication and go on with your day as though you never took anything and do something to distract yourself so that you won't think negatively (watch movies, exercise, shop, clean, whatever). To lessen your GI upset, which isn't typical of Lexapro, try taking it with yogurt. Serotonin is active in your Gastrointestinal Tract and eating yogurt while taking it will even out the effects (again if any). Also, yogurt is a dairy product, much like milk, and coats your stomach. To accompany yogurt, have crackers with baking soda in them. I am giving you this advice not as a doctor, but he/she will probably recommend the same thing.

I know that I had difficulty myself starting new prescriptions and it took a lot of encouraging words and positive feedback from others. The longer you wait to take the meds the worser your symptoms become. Keep in mind that your body needs time to adjust to the medication in order to make you feel better. It won't happen in an hour or overnight. Things will get better for you all. I hope that helps.

I have been on Lexapro (5 mg) for 3 weeks now and notice an amazing improvement! I had severe depression and anxiety attacks and I feel this drug has saved my life. I fought taking it for over 3 years and was prescribed Lexapro by 5 different doctors and refused to take any medication, but it got to the point I couldn’t put it off any longer.

I have had the dry mouth, some nausea the first 2 weeks (but tolerable), some trouble with sleep the first 2 weeks (now I sleep like a stone) and lack of appetite (fine by me). No sexual dysfunction (it’s even better now) and no desire to eat chocolate (and I would eat a ton before). The best part is how quickly it worked – I felt it the first day.

I have noticed that I crave water and I have no desire to eat crappy food.

I have a great Doctor that’s working very closely with me as well as I am going to a Psychologist on a weekly basis. This combination works great.

I strongly recommend giving it a chance. I wish I started a long time ago. I have my life back.

I just started Lexapro three weeks ago and so far so good except that after the first week or so I couldn't have any orgasms. I used to be a very sexual person and my libido has all but disappeared. I feel a lot better as far as the depression is concerned, but the sexual side effects are REALLY unpleasant.
That and my poor sleeping, but I think I can deal with that. I sleep badly now but other than a ton of yawning I'm not that tired during the day.
I just wanted to know what I can do about the sexual side effects both with and without medication like Wellbutrin that a lot of people seem to take for it.

I was treated with Escitalopram (name of Lexapro elsewhere in the world) for depression and anxiety. The dose was 10mg per day, reduced to 5mg in the final month.

In the first week I felt a little nauseous from time-to-time (mild). This was the only side-effect I noticed.

By week 3, I my depression was passing. After 3 months, the doctor reduced my dose and informed me this would be my last month (at my request).

I felt no effects of withdrawal.

It's now 2 years later (started treatment in Jan 2005), and I've not needed a repeat treatment.

This drug was a big help to me at the time.

This drug has helped me so much. Suffered from GAD and extreme anger for years. Started on Lexapro 10 mg six weeks ago and I am literally a different person. Almost no temper. And while I still worry about things, it's really only what I SHOULD worry about not what I SHOULDN'T. My wife, sister, mother-in-law, sister-in-law and brother-in law are ALL on it and all doing well. Negatives for me: tired, a little more forgetful, harder to orgasm (not all bad for a man). But the positves VASTLY outweigh the negatives. Not saying it's for everyone, but it is very good for some people.

Lexapro has been very helpful for me! I started with 5 mg and am now taking 10 mg daily -- no real side effects except for the first week when I experienced mild upset stomach. I notice no side effects now and my GAD is very much under control. I am sleeping so much better and no longer have uncontrollable anxious feelings. It has been an excellent drug for me.

I just wrote earlier before reading the blogs to see samples of letters. I wrote praising Lexapro. I neglected to say I started on Oct. 14 on 10mg of lexapro once a day, in the morning.

They did not want to just stop the buspar, which I had been on since 1994, and am currently on a series of 2 week step downs. I take one lexapro each morning in addition to my buspar also. I went from 2 10mg of buspar twice a day, to 1 1/2 twice a day, and am now down to 1 tab of buspar twice daily for 2 weeks, then I go to 1/2 tab twice a day for 2 weeks, then 1/2 tab once a day for 2 weeks then I will be free of buspar.

It is easier just to take med once a day rather than twice a day, although since I had been on buspar since 1994 had gotten into the habit of it.

I noticed, as others said, that my thoughts are more rational and clearer since beginning the Lexapro. Some of the letters sort of scared me...I hope I do not develop any of the bad effects others spoke of. I agree, Lexapro is a God-send.

I've been on Lexapro for 6 months, and tollerated it very well. My Dr. said I was one of the few who did not experienc e negative side effects. He wanted me to stay on it indefinately, but my agreement with him last summer was 6 months and therapy, to overcome GAD. I've been weaning off of it slowly. Tuesday is my last day. I wish everyone the same benefits this drug has given me.
But if I fall down the rabbit hole again, I said I would go back on it. Right now I feel great agian and in charge of my life and emotions.
I could not have come this far with out a great Doc, a good shrink and Lexapro.
Good luck to all of you!

Has abyone experienced over-thinking with Lexapro?

My husband has been on Lexapro for about 2 months now. 10mg once daily at bedtime. While he has great focus and determination at is new job, he is emotionally void. My daughter and I don't even recognize him anymore. He does not care about anything except his job, which he spends twice as much time at now. I almost threw out his pills today in a last ditch effort to get my husband back, but after reading the withdrawal horror stories, I reconsidered. His apathy for everything is driving us very quickly to divorce court. Daddy's little girl described him as a shell of her father, not the the real thing, and she opts for avoiding him at all costs now. AS far as I am concerned this drug, prescribed to him for anger management because he had a tantrum at his previous place of employment, has ruined all of our lives. All of our lives except his that is. Everything is hunky dorey in his world. No worries, no cares. He has become Mr. Calm, cool snd collected who really doesn't care about anything or anyone. I think maybe we should all take it so our family could atleast numbly stay together.

I've been on lexapro for nearly a year now and have had amazing results with it. Just a few weeks aog I took LSD and have been thinking about life in a whole different way. One of my friends said that if you mix LSD with depression medication you'll end up in an asylum. Is this true? Lexapro is not a very potent medication. I was just wondering if you could provide some insight on what happens when Lexapro and LSD are taken together.

I have been on Lexapro 10mg for about 2 years. It has helped me in that I don't get as upset about things as I used to (I don't really get emotional about things at all now) but the biggest thing I've noticed is my memory loss which is now so bad I can't work safely anymore. Any advice is gratefully received. Thanks.

I have suffered from severe depression for about six months. I had some personal issues and although they were resolved i never bounced back. I took a sample of Lex 10mg for seven days. The first day it made me jittery and nautious. The second day I felt amazing, the best I have felt in a year, almost euphoric. I was happy, jolly, and even talking to strangers. I week before I was crying myself to sleep every night and barely sleeping. Because of the cost of the drug and the horrible sexual side effects I decided to try Prozac which cost me $3 for 100 tabs. It took about a week to start to feel the effects but the side effects were much worse. Dry mouth, anxiousness, restlessness, mental fogginess, and the same sexual side effects. It seemed to work about half as well for treating depression. In response to the comment before about the placebo effect the first day I have to totally disagree. I am about to switch back to this drug despite the cost, but I am able to get it in Canada for cheaper. Does anyone have any experience buying drugs there? Can anyone relate to my experience with these drugs? I do understand that these drugs have to be taken for weeks and even months to get the full effect though.

I was on 10 mg of Lexapro for almost 3 years. I don't remember the initial side effects because it was so long ago, but it worked for me. It worked so much that I slowly weaned off of it over the course of a year. I felt great. I was medication free for 4 months, then got a panic attack. I immediately went to my doctor and got another prescription for Lexapro and started 10 mg 5 days ago. I also got .25 mg of Xanax to help with the initial side effects. I feel like a walking zombie. I don't know if it's the medication, or my anxiety. I am tired, restless, night sweats, loss of appetite, and emotionally drained. I decided to go to my doctor today to see if I can get a sleep aid instead of the Xanax. I have a 4 year old and need to be "there". I am almost regretting starting the meds, but I keep remembering how great I felt the first time and know that pretty soon I wont remember the intial side effects anymore. So anyone out there that is in the same boat...hang in there and keep in contact with your doctor. Pretty soon you will feel so great that you wont have to "research" all the side effects anymore.

I've been on Wellbutrin for 4 years now, but 2 years ago I took Lexapro for the first time (10mg daily). My psychiatrist added it to my regiment because I was going though some horrible personal issues and started having panic attacks. I had very mild side effects while I was "getting used to it", and they went away completely within 2 weeks. I gotta tell you, I was AMAZED at my ability to handle the stress and anxiety of my situation! Lexapro put me in the frame of mind that I needed to be in so that I could get through the tough times. I was on the Lexapro for 3-4 months, then when my "issues" subsided, my doc weened me off of them. I was pleased to find that I had no withdrawl effects.

A few months ago, for some reason unknown to me, I started having panic attacks again. Since the Lexapro worked so well for me before, my doc prescribed it again. It's been 2 weeks with little-to-no side effects :-) The only thing I could really notice was that it was harder to fall asleep, but that's almost gone now. I'm already feeling more calm and stable. Things "roll" off my shoulders easier, instead of getting all hyper and bent out of shape over stupid crap. I'm pleased with the way this drug has helped me.

I have been on lexapro for about a week now to treat post partum depression and anxiety and am feeling much better. I started of with 5mg the first 4 days and then went to 10mg. I felt shaky and uneasy at 10mg so I cut it back to 7.5 mg. I still have a little anxiety, but I think that will go away completely once the medicine takes full effect. Thank you lexapro.

I am amazed at the negative comments I have read on the internet about Lexapro. I used to take it and it is absolutley a wonderful medication! It helped me tremendously! I took it for about 2 yrs without letup. I quit about a yr and a half ago. But have taken it again since then for a short period of time. I feel sorry for all the people who may get on their computers to research it because their doctors have prescribed it to them and then they read all this negative stuff and quit or don't even give the drug a try! Makes me think that the people who take it and are helped have better things to do with there time than styaing on the computer--who knows. The only reason I am on here now is because I was trying to find written info on Lexapro to share with a friend who is getting ready to go on it.

I have found after 2 years of use that lexapro is not working for me. Any suggestions?

i'm a 45 year old female. have a bachelors degree in fine art. i wasted about 20 years of my life -unable to focus, finish anything. since starting lexapro 3 years ago, i have direction and determination. i,ve begun a career as a painter and am doing work that i had no idea i was capable of. this drug made it possible for me to begin to reach my potential. these mental illnesses, depression and anxiety in my case can't be ignored.i wasn't a lazy moron after all!!!! just needed a diagnosis and a prescription. some people use to tell me to snap out of it and pull myself together - i don't talk to those people anymore.

I never realized I was depressed. I had partial hyst at 31 in march 07. I did feel a change in me. I denied it. I started having stomach and digestive issues in 2005. I felt like I wanted to throw up all the time. I had lots of test done. I had gastric empty study done and showed radiologists said gastroparesis. I never really thought I really had that. I didnt have all the symptoms of that. I started 3 months ago go down hill. I had a first panic attack going over delaware bridge. I didnt understand what was happening to me. I know my fathers side had depression. I didnt think I could go through it. I had to go see my dr. He kept trying to put me on a depression medication before and I said I wasnt depressed. I finally 2 months ago said I am depressed. I am loving lexapro. I felt calm 3 days after taking it. I started really smiling and feeling so happy. I kept telling everyone "I am so happy". They seen a change in me right away. I am on 10mg. I am not sure if I should up, but so far it is working. My GI promblems dissapeared. MY food feels like it is digesting. I dont feel like I want to throw up. I feel so much better. I love you lexapro. Thank you for a change. Without medication like this what would we do. I am very thankful!!!

I started on Lexapro 10mg one year ago when my husband was diagnosed with a severe illness. It was great for the first eight months or so, I was much more "in control" in dealing with caring for him and the children. Sometimes I would have real trouble sleeping, my mind would go crazy with list-making and planning at bedtime, so I took OTC Melatonin to combat that. One great thing was this drug pretty much eliminated my PMS symptoms. I know some people say PMS is a myth, but I would literally turn Mr. Hyde before/during my period, including rages, crying spells, and horrendous diarrhea. The Lexapro greatly reduced and sometimes completely eliminated these issues. The only downside was it really destroyed my sexdrive, which really bothered my husband once he was healthy enough to have sex again, and it bothers me that I have been faking orgasms for the past 11 months.. it suuuure would be nice to have the "real deal"...

In the past two months though, I have been experiencing a lot of really icky side-effects.

1. Night sweats, to where I have to let the sheets dry out, I literally have sweat running down my legs & my stomach & pooling on my chest.

2. Also frequent waves of nausea, and until now I have NEVER been one to be easily nauseous.

3. I have become very forgetful when it comes to running the household,especially paying bills. I have always been a master at budgets, but lately it is very hard for me to remember when to pay the bills. Last month, I even made one of the auto payments TWICE, and as a family with six kids, that's a mistake we can't afford!!! I am forgetting payments and paying the wrong things at the wrong times.

4. I have also begun having very terrible shopping impulses, I seem to have lost my ability to budget and be reasonable with purchases, and I'm buying things we really don't need. Every week for the past five weeks, I have ended up at a cash register with $150-$300 worth of ???? in my cart! It's a very bad feeling, I have never dealt with such a thing before and in the past if someone told me they were a "shopaholic" I would have told them to get over themselves and just put the checkbook away. But it's like I suddenly can't weigh "want" vs "need" and reasonable buying

It is "normal" for these symptoms to have such a late-onset with a SSRI? I really don't want to go "off" this drug... Although my husband is healthy again, the other benefits of having more even moods even in the absence of family stress, and stable emotions during my period really have made me a fan of this medication.

My story? I was in a state of androidism, i could look around the room and easily find a reason why and how to kill everyone in the room from my immediate standpoint. This included myself, anywhere i went i wandered in a trance, waiting for death's carresing arms to snatch me up.

On a side note before i continue, please people if your depressed go see a psychiatrist no one has to feel this way, i was tested gifted (genius) at a young age (IQ 155) and was told it was common for gifted children to experience very strong emotional feelings, therefore i ignored any hints of depression and bottled it up- big mistake on my part.

Then i told someone-

Iv'e been on lexapro for about 2 weeks, I am in a state of equilibrium but i find my temper has increased terribly. I have also had difficulty with ejaculation (male morons); i am still able to ejaculate but it takes so long the work isn't even worth it almost, though i guess this could be positive for the female sex partner?

I do really respect everyone's opinion and hope that there is space on here for a slightly different one than most. I spent many, many years in psychotherapy and tried everything to avoid anti-depressants. In the end, though, I owe Lexapro my life. I appreciate that many medications are over prescribed and they are not the answer alone. (I firmly believe everyone on antidepressants should have to remain in therapy so long as they are on the drug... it's not a "fix") There are many of us who are not lazy and looking for an easy answer but really benefit from these drugs. They do have MAJOR side effects... especially when improperly prescribed and not closely monitored. Like any drug, they should only be taken if it becomes absolutely necessary. Work closely with your doctor and be hypersensative about any side effects. If you've tried everything else, though, please don't write off antidepressants. Just use with caution.

I just read a post from someone named "Karen" a ways down. She had posted back in 2004. I feel that her and I have shared a similar experience, although we were different ages when certain things happened.

My father died on May 25, 2004. I wasn't sure then if it was the 'end of the world', because I was only 13 years old. I denied my depression, anxiety, and anger for over four years. I'll cut to the chase and just say my family life has been hell since I was about 9 years old. Now going on 18 and I've realized that I need a lot of help.

I have ignored my depression and anxiety for so long. I haven't been able to express my feelings because I've made a lot of mistakes in the past. I've felt guilty for all of it, so I've just been keeping things to myself for the past 8-9 years.

I started taking Lexapro (10mg) on January 28, 2009. So far, I've noticed a change.. and I'm happy with it. I don't feel as hopeless and worthless anymore. I've been "alone" for almost three years, but I'm okay with it. I know I'll find someone important someday. I wouldn't exactly describe my feelings as 'apathetic', but I would say that I don't feel as sad about my feelings anymore - which is great! I'm taking 10mg Lexapro for mainly depression and slight anxiety. Sometimes I trick myself into believing that it's not working so I might ask my psychiatrist to up the dosage to 20mg.. but I'm kind of scared of doing so. I've heard many people talk about getting the "I Don't Care About Anything" feeling. I have a job to keep, so I don't want that happening.

I guess I'm just trying to have people know that Lexapro (depending on dosage) is a pretty good thing. I guess it's different for people depending on the length of time they've been on it. It has helped me eliminate all of the crying and feeling bad about myself. It comes back occasionally, but I'm not as depressed and lethargic anymore. Since being on Lexapro, I want to do other things, and be inspired by everything. So I suppose, in the long run, it's a good thing. Keep with it - Change your dose if you have to.

-Jenny <3

I've had tremendous success with Lexapro. You've got to give it a proper chance.

I had several heavy stresses in life. I thought I had the flu but the Dr. diagnosed me as having Severe Depression. He strarted me on 10mg Lexapro. Oh Dear God that was hard. I was feeling Deppressed already, the side affectes made life very hard indeed including almost no sleep. I had a supportive wife who urged me on to stay on the medication or I may have quit. After 1 week on Lexapro I began taking Omega 3-6-9 and the B12 vitimin complex each time I took the Lexapro and things definately improved but I wan't much better.

After 2 weeks on Lexapro I had days that were a bit better but nothing to write home to mom about. I was getting more disappointed. I went to the Dr after two weeks and he prescribed a low dose of loranzapam for anexiety. I took one in the morning and one at bedtime and oh how sweet the sleep came (with out the heavy night sweats). By now most of the side affects have gone.

Three days later the sun began breaking through. I am not home free yet (only being on the Lexapro 3 1/2 weeks but I am able to work, laugh, attend functions, ride my motorcycle.

One more thing. We see all the horror stories of the people who quit Lexapro, many of them going cold turkey. I did researdh that indicates if the drug is weaned properly only 1/3 of the users have withdrawl symptoms more than a headache. So keep up the good attitudes!!!

This Lexapro is a God-send for me because with my depression I could barely go out of the house. I recommend you give the antidepressant enought time 3-5 weeks to work, and do the other good things that others have success with like supplements that help the brain.

Best Wishes to all

I've had tremendous success with Lexapro. You've got to give it a proper chance.

I had several heavy stresses in life. I thought I had the flu but the Dr. diagnosed me as having Severe Depression. He starrted me on 10mg Lexapro. Oh Dear God that was hard. I was feeling Deppressed already, the side affectes made life very hard indeed including almost no sleep. I had a supportive wife who urged me on to stay on the medication or I may have quit. After 1 week on Lexapro I began taking Omega 3-6-9 and the B12 vitimin complex each time I took the Lexapro and things definately improved but I wan't much better.

After 2 weeks on Lexapro I had days that were a bit better but nothing to write home to mom about. I was getting more disappointed. I went to the Dr after two weeks and he prescribed a low dose of loranzapam for anexiety. I took one in the morning and one at bedtime and oh how sweet the sleep came (with out the heavy night sweats). By now most of the side affects have gone.

Three days later the sun began breaking through. I am not home free yet (only being on the Lexapro 3 1/2 weeks but I am able to work, laugh, attend functions, ride my motorcycle.

One more thing. We see all the horror stories of the people who quit Lexapro, many of them going cold turkey. I did researdh that indicates if the drug is weaned properly only 1/3 of the users have withdrawl symptoms more than a headache. So keep up the good attitudes!!!

This Lexapro is a God-send for me because with my depression I could barely go out of the house. I recommend you give the antidepressant enought time 3-5 weeks to work, and do the other good things that others have success with like supplements that help the brain.

Best wishes to all.

I have been on Lexapro for 5 weeks now and have been experiencing night sweats and yawning all day long for the past 2 weeks. In addition to that I am tired all the time. has anyone else experienced this? Thanks

I've been on 20mg for ~6 months. Take it in the morning. No side effects for the first few moinhs.
Then extreme night sweats especially legs and back. Also legs sweats during the day. Incredibly vivid and weird dreams. Not nightmares. This is my second try with lexapro. Tried almost everything else. Celexa, wellbutrin, zoloft, >>>>. I'll probably discontiune it again.

This is my 13th day in hope for lexapro to live my body. I just took 5mg pill once and it took all this time for live my body. Today on the 13th day i feel much better. But still there must be some reamining in my body. But today i feel so so good i came back to myself i don't feel like folling anymore or feel suicidle thoghts, all in all i will never take it agaein ever in my life. I never really tought of comiting suicide only afater i took lexapro. I prefer to deal whith my menetal problems which are only negative thoghts and focusing too much on them. thanks god i'am out of this pill after 13 days.

Hi everyone,
I have been on 5mg of lexapro for 3 weeks now and I am still waiting to see of they work. It is the first time I have ever taken an anti depressant,so I don't know what to expect so this site has been helpful. I was diagnosed with 'emotional exhaustion" after ten long years off hardship. One of my children was diagnosed with cancer, I nursed my father for 2 years and held his hand when he died ( I still get flashbacks of the last few minutes), my husband had an affair and broke my heart, we have moved house 3 times because of my husband's failed business deals. All in all I needed help. In the first week of taking lexapro I felt very nervy with racing heart and palpitations, in the second week I noticed these mini panic attacks occurred less frequently. It took all my personal strength to "hang on" and not "lose it". By the third week I started to have flashes of wellbeing, which were realy nice. Fingers crossed it gets better from here on. I plan to take it for 3-6mths to get me over the hump. In the meantime I have started a low fat diet, make myself wear lipstick and I walk 6 kilometres every second day. My husband says I don't seem to "care anymore".Probably because I have nothing more to say, as it has all been said before. I am moving away in my mind and my thoughts from all the things that make me unhappy. I am fully committed to changing my lifestyle and staying strong. I wish the same for all of you.

I was on celexa 5 mg then celexa10 mg for 3 weeks then went to lexapro 5mg for 1 week then 10 mg for 1 and a half week. I feel nervous and my legs shake for hours I don't sleep well

It took a good five weeks for me to get used to lexapro (10mg). During those first five weeks I had no appetite, and often had dramatic mood swings and did have some suicidal thoughts when drinking. After I got used to it, Lexapro worked wonders for about three months. The only side effects were sexual prolems, and extreme fatigue - both of which caused many relationship problems. Eventually, during month 5, the drug stopped working as well; my doc upped my dose and my side effects were drastically multiplied. I quit cold turkey; felt much better immediately. I'm now just starting treatment with wellbutrin xl (NOT an SSRI) and it's supposed to not cause sexual side effects or fatigue. I'm going to be blogging about it often in order to track the exact, real-time side effects/efficacy (wellblogtrinxl.blogs.com)

Hello,

I have suffered with Panic/anxiety/depression for about 8 years. I am a recovering alcoholic. HAve not drank since July 3, 1996. about spring of 2002. I had severe bouts of panic/anxiety. Like I was trying to keep from losing my mind. crazy I know. I was prescribed 10 mg of Paxil once a day and after about two months I was feeling extremely better. Since then I have been on Zoloft and currently I am taking Lexapro. I started with 5 mg and it was working great. 4 months ago I started feeling my moods change with more depression and went from 5-10 mg on the Lexapro. I have been on 10 mg of Lexapro the last 4 months and I am still fighting to get through my days. I need help. can anyone suggest anything. My life is going great other than for the depression. Please feel free to e-mail me at cvallee44@gmail.com. I appreciate any all help.
I am also a strong believer in Christ Jesus and I know I will get through this.

Sincerely,

Charles Vallee

Hey All, I have been taking Lexapro for many years now and I have found it has worked really well for me. I started off taking 10mg and have worked up to taking 40mg per day. I am taking as well with it Ednep 150mg per day, Seroquel 100mg per day and Zyprexa 5mg per day.

I take my Lexapro after breakfast. The side effects I get from it are: Dry Mouth, increase sweating and problem with ejaculation. These side effects are minor. The benefits I get from Lexapro out way the side effects.

I had my first major breakdown when I was 11 and I have found in the 14 years that I have had depression and anxiety that Lexapro has worked the best for me.

After years of stressful jobs, relationship troubles and years of general anger (road rage, hair trigger temper in other situations) I went to see my doctor. He gave me 10mg cipralex (lexapro). The first day I was driving to work and found I experienced such strange symptoms - I couldn't handle making a lane change, it panicked me and I was thinking I hated the feeling, like my head was packed in cotton. For the first few weeks I had episodes of giddiness, and the occasional scary "brain snap" a loud sharp noise in my head. So I reduced my dosage to 5mg by splitting the pill. I went back to the doctor and told him I'd reduced my dose to 5mg but wasn't sure I liked this stuff, even though the effects were becoming less severe. Sometimes I'd go off it, which would bring on hideous headaches. Eventually I noticed my behaviour was modifying and I felt much better and less irritated, and the giddy experiences ended. Now I am on a completely good plateau and think I"ll stay here. My life is more balanced and I am happy. My boss was still a jerk, but I can keep it in perspective. Also - no more road rage. So I love Cipralex. I'm back to 10mg a day. If you can survive the "ramping up" stage.

Lexapro is the very first anti-depressant that I've ever tried so I am unable to make a comparison to other drugs. However, I feel so much better than I did prior to taking it. For example, most of my life I struggled with moderate depression and had difficuly coping with common challenges(personal disappointments, death of relatives, rejection, some social anxiety, etc.). By the summer of 2009 I was at the point that I cried for just about any and every reason and could barely get out of bed every morning.

Every last symptom that I mentioned has disappeared since taking Lexapro or the past two months. I feel great about myself and have an overall feeling of well being and contentment without being unrealistic or manic. When I do experience a challenging moment, I can endure and cope with it. My problems are like water from a duck's back because I think that I take a cerebral and less emotional approach now.

I have not experienced any weight gain yet, but I do feel somewhat lucid. From time to time I may feel drowsy and unmotivated, but I readily accept these symptoms over those of depression.

I hope that this review helps someone. I've stuggled with depression for over twenty years and now I finally have relief!

Hello, i just started on 5mg of Lexapro in the morning, i find that i am tired all day so i want to switch it to night time. If ive take one this morning at about 530 am how long should i wait to take it again? i want to take it about 2 hours before bed because it does cause me to be jittery.

For my GAD (generalized anxiety disorder) I was on Lexapro for about a year or so. This medicine really helped me out. My main side effect was a sour stomach, but other than that, it has been a miracle drug for me. I weaned myself off of it after 12-14 months (on my own), and thank God, have been relatively anxiety-free ever after. I took the recommendations also of improving my diet, exercise, and living a stress-less (or stress-free) life, and that has helped tremendously.

I have been taking Lexapro for about 4 weeks. I suffered from some sort of social anxiety when I was in public settings or in a setting that was not in my control. I am super outgoing type A person so I found this so hard to believe it was happenning to me. After suffering for about 6 months, I talked to my primary care and he put me on 5 MG along with some counseling. I dropped my dose with my doctor's ok to 2 1/2 MG after the first week as I thought it was working too fast.

I have noticed a major change in my behavior and feel like my mind is now in sync with my body. Social situations are a walk in the park. Sleep a lot better. Definintly has evened me out. Overall, it has been the ideal short term solution.

I am 40 year old married male. And I was concearned how this drug would effect my sex life. Thus far, it has only helped out by lasting longer.

As for the counselor, I am seeing her every few weeks and use this as a good way to keep even more balanced.

The next step will be to get off the 2 1/2 MG and see what happens from there.

My doctor started me on Lexapro 5 years ago after having an incident with having to go into an MRI machine. I was totally messed up for 3 days (trembles, shakes, fearful thoughts, heat flushes, etc.) until I was able to see my doctor. I started taking Lexapro, along with Xanax (.25 mg) until the Lexapro kicked in. This helped with the anxiety issues still going on.

I was on Lexapro for 5 years and it worked great for me. The only side effect was a decrease in my sex drive. I started to taper off of the 10mg about 2 years ago to 5mg and did not notice a difference. I then went down to 2.5mg about 3 months ago, and still didn't notice a difference. I was told that since I was on such a small dosage, I could go off the drug and have no withdrawal affects.

Once I stopped taking the Lexapro about 3 weeks ago, things really went bad. The first two weeks I had severe insomnia, my body was trembling, and I was having very fearful thoughts. My new doctor and therapist said I should go back on Lexapro, get stablized, and come off it again in the future, under a doctors and therapists guidance.

I went back on Lexapro last Monday and it has been difficult. I still get very little sleep, I still get hot flushes (after taking xanax it subsides for 4-6 hours). I am starting to feel a little better, but not yet where I was before.

Hi - Just thought i'd let you know i've been on lexapro 3 years and taken LSD a few times on it and been fine. But some people react to acid very differently, be very very careful

I was prescribed 20mg Sipralexa Almost 2 years ago, after building up to the therapeutic levels over mont hand a half, as precribed, I continued on it for aproximately 3 months more then as I wasn't noticing any improvements, I looked up Escitalopram to check if it was possibly something more akin to a placebo and if the results from when my father was prescribed it were actually purely psychological, then I decided to try something theoretically quite stupid and dangerous, I ceased taking the doses and arbitrarily over the next few months returned to full strength dosage for a week or so before stopping again to see if there were any of the mood swings and depressive episodes you might expect. another two months of this, I finally finish off the last box I had been prescribed and just didn't buy any more. I admitted to my parents a few weeks later that I wasn't buying it any more and when they argued that I was being stupid, I told them about the cessation and experimental re-starting of my dose and verified that they, like me, had noticed no effects what so ever, neither my parents, friends or doctor had noticed any effects in me whether or not I was taking it.
It could be that there's something slightly different about my body chemistry, I can't say for sure, all I can say is that apparently it worked well on my father, but was apparently ineffective on me.

I have been taking lexapro for about 5 months and wish I could stop. I went from 5 mg up to 10 and now tapered down to 7.5mg. It seems like the more I take of it the better I feel. Had anxious thoughts all day today and took 15 mg and I feel wonderful now. I want to feel this way all the time how hard is it to wean off of this stuf? Am I gonna have to keep adjusting the dose to feel better? Xanax helps me but I don't want to start taking a very addictive drug. Any help appreciated.

my husband was on lexapro for 3 weeks and he was the man i remember when we first married over 23 yaers ago. he did have ejackulation problems though, so the doctor put him on wellbrutin. it was the worst 10 days of our lives! he wanted to hurt people and himself. we called the doctor and went back on the lexapro, today was his first dose back on, i hope i works soon. has anyone else had these kind of problems?

Im 21; I've been on Lexapro since I turned 18. I knew I was depressed as soon as I hit puberty, although my mother didn't believe it until I had a nervous breakdown in my freshman year of college. My social life was practically nonexistent for my entire teenage life. Being around people was stressful and exhausting. I spent all my time over-analyzing what people would say and do. I believed in my heart that everyone hated me because I thought myself worthless. In college, around my first year of finals, I locked myself in my dorm and was too scared to go outside because I believed that everybody was looking at me and judging me and I contemplated suicide. I was prescribed 10mg of Lexapro a day around Thanksgiving that year and have been taking it diligently ever since.

Lexapro changed my life - I like to be around people, I have true friends now, I can participate in school, I am passionate about many things in life. The only downside is that I cannot drink very often or it causes extreme depressive relapses, and I no longer have a sex drive. I've always had hormonal imbalances, though, and the last time I tried to take birth control to counteract the negative effects upon my period and sex life, I suffered a month-long menstruation and severe anemia.

I suffer from ptsd from a car accident, and for the past 3 years have been putting off medication for my anxiety. after realizing how unstable my emotions are by scaring away my boyfriend, I decided I wanted to be put on somthing. I started lexapro today, but after reading all these side effects im not sure its worth it! although im extreamly emotional, I am a really outgoing energetic person and I dont want to lose my drive. im a nursing student, and I use my anxiety to my adcantage when it comes to work. but my relationships are a mess when I get close to someone and they see the real me. i also have a great sex drive and dont want to lose it!! im against drugs I like getting through things the natural way which is why ive been putting it off. but I hate my mood swings! suggestions? is it worth the side effects?

Starting Lexapro today after discontinuing Celexa about three months ago for anxiety/PTSD/depression symptoms. I was on Celexa for about two years and my therapist told me when she released me from therapy that it was quite likely that I would need to be on SSRI's indefinitely because my PTSD came from severe and ongoing childhood trauma. Celexa worked great but I did have some weight gain and sexual issues (difficulty reaching orgasm) so I decided after a long period of stability to try weaning off. 90 days later, therapist was right, symptoms are creeping back in. So, now I am on Lexapro which my MD says has fewer side effects. We shall see.

Lexipro killed my sister in law. She was very restless and her anxiety became worse not better. She was on it five days and impulsively killed herself in a violent death. It was completely out of character. Be careful. This drug is dangerous.

I just started two nights ago 5mg for a week then go to 10mg of Lexapro. So far not bad. Mine is for anxiety. I have never been on these meds before. Taking ativan to get me through this. I feel so drained today it is hard to walk around. In chest area. I am just tired. Hoping thisgets better soon.

I used to feel nerverous around people so I went to see psychiatrist. Within 15 min even without much question he put me in medication lexapro 20 mg. after 5 years of medication it has made my life terrible.
There is no evidence or lab results to prove that these medication are good. The only evidence they have is all the side effects it has on people.
Psychiatrist make make billions of dollar by fooling people in the name of help. These medication only make things worse.
They say u need to try several medication to find the right one for you. What does that mean. It's a trap to keep one on medication.
There is no proof that Having low level of serotonin is the cause of depression or anxiety. If that's not the cause then why should they make medication to block reuptake of serotonin.
Each neuron has many synapsis and many neurotransmitter to function. It took millions of years for brain to evolve into such a complex organ. Disrupting one neurotransmitter can only cause further damage not anything better. Seek some natural ways to solve your problems not psychiatrist drugs..
They don't have any lab results or brain scan to show that these medication in fact make things better. No.
I was fool enough to go to psychiatrist. Don't make that mistake ever.

I have been on Lexapro (10mg) for roughly a year. I have anxiety brought on by severe IBS. Although i don't really feel it externally, when i get into a situation where i need a restroom and can't find on, i can definately tell that something is going on. Within the last week, my doctor has changed my medication, which i was reluctant about, because i have had issues with sleep. It seems that i can never get enough sleep, i nap every day after work and i'll sleep 10 to 11 hours a day. I feel the medication works great but the constant sleeping and being tired is an issue that needed to be addressed. Any advice on how i can stay on the Lexapro without these symptoms?

is normal to take lexparo for 4 weeks and dont see improvement

My Mum has been having terrible anxiety and panic attacks, where she can't breath and then gets fixated on her breathing ability. She has lost nearly 3 stone in weight due to loss of appetite. She is sleeping and has cut out caffeine and alcohol. The Doctor prescribed her Lexapro 10mg and after 2 weeks upped her dose to 15mg and has been on them for 23 days now, she takes them at 8pm in the evening. There has been a small improvement in her panic attacks and she is having them less frequently at home, although she is more conscious when she's in public, but she is finding that in the mornings she can't get out of bed for crying and it takes her most of the day to find the ability to get out of bed, because of the "black cloud" that is hanging over her and morbid thoughts. Should she be feeling more improvement by now?

I have been on Lexapro for 29 days now and I can tell a difference in my mood. I don't feel as if I have the complete world resting on my shoulders or that something bad is going to happen. Don't get me wrong, I do have days where I will wake up feeling like something terrible will happen, but those days occur a lot less than they use to. Lexapro has been the only SSRI to help me with any kind of symptom from generalized anxiety disorder and depression. The ONLY down side is the memory loss. Sometimes when I'm driving, I feel as if I can't remember just passing by certain spots. My memory comes and goes, which in turn throws me into a panic attack sometimes. If anyone could offer advice on this, that would be great!!

I am on day 13 of lexrpro im starting to smile again, but still feel a little down an get nauseous an sleepy so i take mid day. How long till side effects go away? I do feel better mostly. I just want to feel not so nauseous an sleepy. And i want to laugh!

Hi all,

Just looking for some advice. I have been on lexapro for 6 weeks now. Started on 5mg for 3 days then 10mg. First couple of days were horrific, constant tiredness, dry mouth, more anxious, but settled down after 3-4 days and started to see a huge improvement after about 2 weeks.The ball of anxiety in my tummy was gone, the lump in my throat disappeared, and the elephant that was sitting on my chest was gone!!!But the past week it has started up again!! Not as severe as it was but still there all the same, the racing heart, tingling fingers, anxious feeling. I have never suffered with anything like this before but I had a very bad experience in hospital last November (2013), I woke up on the operating table while surgeons were cutting me open and my marriage also broke up the same month so my GP thinks it could be PTSD. I have started counselling but havent seen any positives from that yet. WOuld love a bit of advice from someone who has maybe been through the same, Im just wondering if maybe I need to up my dose to 15mg a day. Thanks in advance. Amy

I am on 20 mg escitalopram and 2 mg klonopin 3 x a day. I feel so much better ive only been on 30 mg escitalopram 8 days so im sure to get better i hope. My main issue is i get down and depressed in the evening, and i dont feel like me. I dont have the desires to do what i always loved like going to lake or camping fremont street. I dont want to go anywhere by myself either im scared this is not me at all. Will i ever be me or closer to me? Im glad no panic or anxiety i feel anxious once in awhile but can push it away my OCD is better. I just want to feel better an like me.

I have been on lexapro for about a year with varying dosages. I am going from 15 mg to 10 mg and I'm wondering it's effect on sexual attraction & feelings & what not. last time we tried to lower my
Dosage I felt much differently attraction/love wise and I think may have contributed to breaking up with my boyfriend. Now I am
Going off of it slowly with the 15 to 10 mg change but I'm worried of how that will affect me as far as relationships feelings desires attraction towards someone then all the sudden attraction is gone etc. Lexapro has helped me tremendously I'm just afraid once I'm off it I will feel like a completely different person.

Luxapro, what a wonderful drug this is, I was so depressed, anxious, etc., etc., I am sleeping better, life is now worth living, thank you so much for this Drug, anyone anxious or depressed do your self a favour and TRY IT, GIVE IT A CHANCE.

after having severe anxiety and panic attacks almost 5 years ago, i was advised Cipralex. It suited me well and I got totally normal. Life went smooth. i started with 10 mg and then over years reduced to 5 mg every alternate day. this was going excellent. Then my bad luck i reduced dose to 2.5 mg. so dose was like 5 mg, a blank day then 2.5 mg then a blank day and then 5 mg. cycle continued. But with 40 days i started having terrible withdrawal symptoms. Blood pressure spikes, headache, dizziness and panic.
I came back to my psychiatrist and he for one week gave me 5mg cipralex every alternate day. then 5 mg every day for 8 days and now increased to 10 mg per day. my blood pressure has stabilized however I'm having insomnia for which doc gave me Rivotril drops (2 to 3) for night.
please advise am i going in right direction and how long it will take when i will have my normal life and sleep.
thanks.

I have been on SSRIs for many years [close to 20] due to family issues and a very bad physical attack. I was initially put on Paxil [Seroxat] and the dose kept going up and up... I put up 3stone and was sexless, just chemically lobotomised but yet irritated and unhappy, I then went on to prozac, ditto. Then SNRI Efexor. This was v good for anxiety but I put on alot of weight and my BP went sky high on a high dose and I also developed high Cholestrol on it. My shrink suggested Lexapro as it is a 'clean' drug I was told. Having been on 25mg to 20mg for approx. 4 years, It worked at first, but I slowly began to put on weight again, I developed racing heart, angina type pain and bad insomnia as well as sleepiness during the day and lack of motivation, mood swings, anger bouts and completly sexless. I decided to come off, and have done, over a period of approx 7 months... slowly. I am doing meditation, mindfulness and relaxation, watching my diet, no sugar, good food, and less. I am practically off this drug and have gone through absolutely dreadful withdrawals, far worse than paxil or Efexor [which was bad], but I was determined. I am now feeling much better, have lost over a stone, my eyes are bright, I feel alive [yes I do get depressed and anxious but I self talk and meditate ] and its making me actually work on problems. I have my sexual appetite back [I am living alone] and not in relationship... but although celibate at present, its good to feel sexy again, and my skin has improved. I have a good appetite as usual but have had alot of stress. My sleep is fitful but alot improved and is more restful. I am so so delighted to be off SSRIs . I think they are the new benzodiazepines. in so much as we were told they werenot addictive, they are ! I dont expect my problems to go away, or my down and v low moods, but my agitation has gone and I think I am a nicer person.

I am on my third day of taking lexapro 5mg before I up to 10mg next week. Today is the first day I have noticed any side effects, but they are intense. My hands and feet will not stop sweating, headache that wont go away, and I feel foggy. Can anyone tell me if this is normal? I worked today on it and barely managed to get through the day, I am not sure if tomorrow is going to be better or worse.

I am on half the lowest dose tablet a day so I think 5mm since 3rd June. I am battling a relationship end of ten years that was fraught with domestic violence of the worst kind. I've had ptsd from issues as a teenager however have been on Prozac and Effexor in the past. I stopped taking Effexor 8 years ago at least as it made me so moody and the Prozac as a teen very detached.

I found out my then boyfriend supporting me through the criminal and civil trials of my ex had also cheated on me & then lied to cover it up... A lot. This was the straw that broke the camels back trying to look after three children, in court and dealing a broken heart as well. I feel like the tablets helped however my boyfriend and I talk so much cathartically I think this coincided with a lot of my Deoression shifting. Everything else I have been battling for so long I felt stronger standing up for myself and saying this isn't ok.

Now I feel like the tablets keep me in "stare mode" and I find it hard to feel much of anything. I am thinking of ceasing taking them and Wondeing if what I did yesterday could be the trick. I took a whole tablet the past two days but then went away and forgot to take it. Could I take one or 1/2 every de cobs day then move to 1/4 every day or second day?

I been on lexpro for 1 month now I don't feel any different .. my emotions are still bad what should I do get my meds up dose or just work on it my own way ..

NOT TAKE LEXAPRO!
I have horrible anxiety and early schizophrenia. Lexapro was great for the firsy month, but after that things went downhill. My anxiety attacls amplified, and i ended up walking out of my job one day because of it. I gained 15 pounds in the one month use period. I didnt have an appitie and i was sick and tired all the time. I never snapped out in anger before taking this drug. I screamed at my two year old until hed cry, i hit my mom, i purposely wrecked my car in attempt to hurt myself. I never self harmed but lexapro gave me a sudden urge to do so. It made me extremely suicidal, i actually jumped off a bridge and broke my collar bone. The weirdest part of it all was i felt like i couldn't control my emotions. I mean, i knew i had slight trouble before taking lexapro but it was never this bad. I made me anemic, and not like the anemic where if you take irom pills you'll be fine in a few days. My blood cells were destroying themselves. One night i fained at my boyfriends house and lost all consciousness. They called an ambulance and i was rushed to the hospital. 9 hours of tests and scans later, the lexapro was the cause. Taking this honesty has me terrified to ever go to a psychiatrist again and try any other medicine.

I was just prescribed lexapro for my anxiety and im breastfeeding my 1 year oldstill will it affect ive read it cause lung problems with newborns

Hi I was on lexapro for months I started feeling depressed for no reason and horrible thoughts because I wasn't taken them properly sometimes I'd miss 2 days and other times maybe 3 I went too the doctor I'm weaning off the lexapro now and I was given mirtazapine 15mg to take 1 at night and I'm taken them taken them a week and 2 days now and still feel depressed and horrible thoughts ?

Hello, I am taking Lexapro for more than 10 years...i just had a surgery on my spine herniared disk, and my dr make me take now 15 Mg. instead of the 10mg i am used to take....my question is, I feel really like a zombie and also lightheaded ,like I will faint ...is this the cause of the Lexapro?? In the meantime I also take sirdalud 2mg ...sinthroid 50mg , esomeprazole 20 mg ....I reallly want to know what is making this turning in my head...
And BTW, In all those years I never gained weight with lexapro. I only gain weight when i allow myself to... Hopefully I get an answer soon kisses and sorry for my bad English xxx

I was taking Lexapro to take the edge off for a couple of years. in the past six months after missing a handful of doses. now about three months later---life is starting to sink back in. I never told my doctor I stopped and have the bottles. anything I should wonder about starting to take them again tonight? How long are some of the longest takers on this med? I have a friend who I think has been on it for years...what are your thoughts on safety compared to length.

I have been taking lexapro and lithium since august 2014. I am not sure which tablets affects me but i notice my memory fails me. Long term events in my life Im unable to recall like my school mates, ex colleagues incidences, people names who i met within 6 months ago, what they spoke and also last month my conversation with myfamily and friends and colleagues.. I'm always fatigue, tired, even wuth 8 hours of sleep, i am still sleepy and find it so difficult to get up for work. I am always thirsty and my mouth dries up fast. I keep gaining weight till obese. Daily I'm still feeling numb and blur . I take my lexapro and lithium at night each 1 tablet daily. Can you please let me know from your experience what is happening to me.

Took 1 10mg lexapro for night time anxiety and had a 10 hour long bad acid trip, what in the hell is wrong this drug.

I had just got prescribed lexapro today . I was medically retired a year ago.my life has fell apart. I never thought I could be so depressed and have so much anxiety but it is overtaking my life and I finally went and talked to somebody about it which I was always skeptical about but today they prescribed me Lexapro. I've had neck and back surgery and shoulder surgery now the dr. Told me I'm going to have to have another neck surgery and back surgery so it just made my anxiety a lot worse so I was wondering if I could take Lexapro with my other medications such as Norco and Ambien I'm really scared to mix medications so I'm debating if I should even take the Lexapro and I'm so tired of being depressed

i have been taking lexapro for a good few years now,i was going through a really bad time i was put on 20mg of lexapro an then things got worse for me i have had a really bad time since my marrige break up in 1993 an a lot og hurt an pain done to me by people i so trusted so my new doctor siad i needed to take 30mg of lexapro an that was early june an i have been coping fairly well on them but on tuesday morning my chemist rang me to tell me the doctor i have not attended this three years he rang my chemist an told them i am to get just 20mg now he cut 10mg of me without calling me in to talk to me its not good doing that to someone that suffers with my nerves, what i please ask you is there some kind health tablets that will boost me to help get through this an not have another breakdown i would be so greatful for your help.

Kind Regard's

Iris O Sullivan

I started takinig Lexapro 3 weeks ago I was prescribed 10 MG once a day.

I started it on a sunday night but I felt quite anxious the next day and worried that I had started the medication. I missed the following nights dose and then took it the following day and felt the effect immidietely I felt amazing smilling and Happy. That evening I stupidly took half of a 5 mg pill before I went to bed so in a 12 hour period I had taken 15 mg. That Night I woke up with a horrible panic attack. The next day up and took today I have not felt the same effects as I did initially. I am very worried that I may have over stimulated my brain by taking this extra 5 mg before bed. The follwoing day I continued on 10 Mg in the morning and I have been doing so ever since. My anxiety has not improved very much and neiether has my mood. I am not sleeping well either. I have a good appettite but I am not gaining weight. I find that in the mornings is when I feel the worst. By taking this extra 5 mg initially could this have really effected how it works? I seemed to have convinced myself that this is the case otherwise I would have been fine. Can anyone give any could information on this?

My doctor put me on 10mg of lexapro about 3 weeks ago because I had panic attacks for about a week. By the time of my appointment and when he put me on it I was already feeling a lot better and I rarely got panic attacks. I don't have them anymore but for the past week I have felt very spaced out, I am tired a lot, and my vision is very weird like whatever goes in front of my eyes I see a blur behind it, it's hard to explain but my vision is just not normal I can notice it, everything is like 3D. I'm going to wean off it because I don't have anxiety, I'm not depressed, and I don't get panic attacks, but are the side affects I am having normal and will they go away?