Depression Blog.com

So it seems I'm between a rock and a hard place! I left a post on May 2nd...the one that ends with the fact that I need to find a different way to control my emotions. For a week after I left that post I stopped taking Lexapro and now I remember why I take it! I started second guessing the things that I said ("why did I say something so stupid"), I started obsessing over the littlest mistakes at work, I started becoming more clumsy. Worst of all everything my fiance said to me irritated me and I would snap at him...and cry A LOT! I was able to stay awake, though...I loved that...but I had to start taking it again for sanity's sake. Maybe being numb...and tired...and bloated is worth it. *shrug* I plan on making an appointment with my doctor to talk about alternatives, but until then I am back on the pills!

How can I put this delicately... My husband is on Lexapro and it seems to be working quite well for him, but it is unforunate that he seems to be experiencing the 'trouble ejaculating' side effect. It seems the rest of that particular system is working fine (libido, etc.) but that act is something that is proving difficult for him. We're newlyweds, so I wonder if part of it is nervousness. (Poor guy! I love him, and hope he understands that I realise it's the med and not him.) Are there any visualizations or suggestions that anyone out there has that I could suggest to him? He's open to herbal supplements, if anyone might mention one. Thanks in advance!

My DR decided that I had been on Paxil long enough, and so did I..I had total emotional numbness...so he switched me to Lexapro,been on it for 2 weeks now, and I HATE everyone..why?? I am experiencing rages, uncontrollable crying and well,my husband is really upset with me, we argue all the time.

I hate Lexapro

It was an awful experience. Did more harm than good. It was prescribed to reduce my anxiety and to make me less obsessive over certain concerns(in my case, overeating). Yea, it worked. but it made me care about absolutely NOTHING. I couldnt bring myself to do anything about anything. so lethargic. slept all day and all night and just so ridiculously unmotivated. Made me feel worse because I would waste away my days and be so unproductive.

Hi,I was taking Zoloft and started with the
low dosage and then was raised to higher
dosage until 100mg. was reached. Although
I had very good results..(took for about 10 mos.)
I began gaining weight. My doctor has had me trying Lexapro since March and I don't like
how I feel. I have nightmares and very strange
thoughts about doing terrible harm to myself,
I get very angry and have crying spells over
stupid things. I think it's the Lexapro and if
the Worst side effect I had with Zoloft was
a weight gain then I most definitely think we could learn to eat differently and add a little more exercise to help with the weight and truly
it's much better for Me as a person to like myself better. ......I cannot stand
my thoughts, my looks or my actions and crying spells on Lexapro. This could drive some one
to drinking, not to mention suicidal thoughts.
Am I a lone on this one or are there others who have similar thoughts and problems ?
I mean, I've always felt inferior but since taking
Lexapro...well, I get even more angry with myself
and the nightmares are so vivid and real...I just don't think I can accept these side effects as
"Good Help" for me.

It's been 6 weeks since I started taking Lexapro, 10 mg. I must be one of the few lucky ones I guess, because I have not experience any side effect so far. This medication has helped me so much, no more crying for no reason, I see everything in a positive way, enjoy life and have more productivity at work.

I began taking Lexapro, 10mg dosage. I take it at night time right before I want to go to bed and it has REALLY helped me. My thoughts had been overwhelming and I had been crying daily. Now I feel like I can deal with things. I did experience a few side effects at first: nausea, headache, dizziness for about the first week. I also notice that I HAVE to sleep when it make me drowsy at night or I feel yucky. I combated some of the side effects by increasing my intake of water and sleeping. It does not make me excessively sleepy. I do have some sexual side effects, orgasm is almost impossible but I don't feel numb to the whole experience. I think low dosage helps.

I was prescribed Lexapro for fibromyalgia, which now doesn't make much sense to me. I don't believe I've ever had depression, and the lexapro never seemed to help the fibro symptoms. While on it, I was even more fatigued than I had been just with the fibro - I mean majorly tired. I slept all weekend and could barely drag myself thru the work day. I've also gained about 50 pounds for no apparent reason. I had trouble paying my bills, etc. Weird dreams. Bad headaches. I was amazed to read how many other folks had experienced these things.

My 20 yr old daughter has been taking Lexapro for over a year. she was diagnosed with depression and was first given Celexa and when the effects of that wore off the doctor gave her Lexapro. It has ruined not only her life but ours as well. She was an honor student, dropped out of college, became moody, tried to commit suicide 3 times. She has crashed two cars and taken to carrying knives and in rages, only apparent since taking Lexapro, has threatened us. She has blackouts after the rages and does not remember things. The Lexapro has turned her into a monster that we don't know anymore and we had to ask her to leave our home. She cannot hold down a job and has taken to drinking, something she never did before. In her rare moments she cries about feeling numb and suicidal ... I think Lexapro is the worst drug ever invented and I would warn anybody before taking it.

i have been taking lexapro fo approx. 2 weeks now. i am not happy with the way i feel , mostly low mood and do not sleep well. I take 5 mg about 10 am.. it makes me feel very lethargic and down.. i here so much about the drug. It was precriobed for anxiety and to help me sleep. i have not seen the help with sleep and that alone worries me . What to do ??????????????

Robert: my advice is to take Lexapro at night
( before going to sleep ) instead of mid morning.
It will help you sleep better and you won't feel lethargic and down. I have been taking Lexapro for 4 months and used to take it at noon and was feeling drowsy/lethargic all day. As soon as I gradually changed the hour ( 1 hour later every day until I finally started taking it at night ) I noticed the difference right away. Remember , change the time of intake from morning to evening gradually ( not at once ), and you won't feel too much the side effects.

taking Lexapro 10 mg
any info about joint pain
I'm overweight but never had such triyble walking and joint pain!

Any info about joint pain?
I'm overweight but never had such trouble with joint pain - hips, knees low back

My boyfriend started to take Lexapro for his depression and mood swings. He was doing fine, but he was very tired. He was then on his way to work one morning, when he backedout at the wheel. He ran off the road and wrecked the car. I dont understand because he was taking it at night before bed. The police came and they actually charged him with a DUI. He told them that he had started a new perscription and they had no sympathy.

I only took Lexapro for three days, but those three days were the worst three days of my life.
I not only turned into an insomniac, but I was also the most nervous and anxious I have ever been. My mouth was constantly dry and I had to put cold washcloths all over my body, due to my constant sweating and 'hotflashes.' It was basically like living in a nightmare for those days.

ive been taking lexapro for about a month now, it has helped my depression and anxiety alot but i have been having horrible nightmares, i'll wake up in the middle of the night soaked in a cold sweat, they occur multiple times per night, and are the kind of nightmares that are so real you think that it really happened when you wake up. it usually takes me thirty minutes to a hour to snap out of it, i've woken up crying actually balling, screaming, you name it its happened. All the dreams are about people i love, its gotten soo bad that i dread going to sleep and sometimes don't. for example last night i had one that my best friend of six years slit her wrists then spun in circles splashing the blood allover my face, then she shot me in the head but neither of us were dead, we were just there and she was screaming at me how could you do this to me the dream continued but thats all i can remember. i would appreciate some advice from anyone willing to give it, this medice has made my depression and anxiety better, but i feel like these dreams are driving me crazy.
if anyone has advice please e-mail me at ehill716@wssu.edu

ive been taking lexapro for about 2 years and for about four months ive had itchy hives all over my body and for about two months ive had joint pain. if anyone has any advice please email me at chel_214@hotmail.com

I'm not depressed, but my doctor suspects that I have fibromylagia. I haven't been sleeping well...waking every couple of hours, getting up to go to the bathroom, etc. When I don't sleep well, I'm in a lot of pain the next day. My doctor prescribed Lexapro and it has been working great. Prior to starting Lexapro, she had me try Cymbalta, but it made me nauseated and didn't help me sleep. I now sleep through the night without waking (even to go to the bathroom....I'm diabetic, so this hasn't happened in several years) and feel great the next day. I would never had guessed that a pill for depression could help me be pain-free!

I quit taking lexapro after 1 week. I had alot of nausea, which is very uncommon for me. I also had headaches. I became extremely sick to my stomach after 1 week, accompanied by chills. I spent the whole day in bed and called in sick to work. I didn't think it was the lexapro to start with, but after a week of those symptoms I think it was.

I have taken my troubles to the Dr. several times since my husband has been on Lexapro. Dr. didn't react after first two complaints about my husband getting fits of anger. He's turns into a mad man in a matter of seconds. Last week he turned a butcher knife on me. No where else to turn so I called the police. He now has three felonies against him. This was a man who wouldn't hurt a fly. A kind, loving docile person. NOW THE DR. DECIDED TO TAKE HIM OFF OF LEXAPRO. KIND OF LATE ITSN'T IT DOC?

I've been on lexapro for about six weeks and the most severe side effect I've had is feeling tired and sleepy most of the time. I'm taking 10 mg. per day so I might have to go down to 5. i need to talk to my doctor about it.

I've gained about 25 pounds since taking Lexapro (for about 4 months now) and feel depressed and irritable much of the time. I've also become so debilitatingly fatigued and lethargic that I literally (and unprecedentedly) fall asleep at the dinner table and am so tired in the evening that I wind up going to bed and waking up in the morning with all of my clothes on. (Perhaps 90% of the time.) At times I am so tired that I am afraid to get behind the wheel. Actually, I've had my first automobile accident while on Lexapro.

I am very sensitive to medications and have been on (and off) of antidepressants for the last 20 years. Though I told the psychiatrist that Lexapro didn't sound like a good fit, he pushed it anyway. Curiously, he had a load of samples the first day I met him. (What a coincidence!) When I describe to him the intolerable side effects, he tells me to tolerate them, because they usually go away. (I've never had a side effect go away.) I've asked him to add a more activating antidepressant, but he seems not the least bit interested. I suppose he wants to see this experiment to its illogical end. In the meantime, it appears I must suffer.

Some of the side effects I am experiencing are:
increased depression, extreme & debilitating fatigue, irritability, indigestion, abdominal pain, weight gain, acne & scarring, lack of motivation, muscle weakness & joint pain, restlessness, bruxism, mental fogginess, neuropathic pain, blurry vision, and increased prostatitis.

I have taken Lexapro for about 6 months now. A little sleepy but it has taken care of all anxiety and excessive worrying. I am an advocate against any continuos meds but I think the Lexapro has offered me a better value of life.

This stuff was a horrible experience for me. I would have nightmares and constant stomach aches that would bring me to my knees. I had no thoughts because my head was too numb. This nearly killed me. I couldn't live life, it made my world so much worse.

Very many thanks for a good work. Nice and useful. Like it!

I'm a 17 year old female that has suffered from anxiety since i was fifteen years old. complete with panic attacks, a nervous stomach . . which eventually caused my IBS. I have also been diagnosed with SAD. which is a form of depression that effects you only in certain seasons of the year. i had been taking st. johns wort for two months and had seen a good change in my attitude and well being. however my ibs got worse so my doctor prescribed lexapro. after just one dose i become unbelievably ill, so sick that i couldnt even stand up. i had an unbearable dry mouth. but that wasnt the worst of it. i became very withdrawn, extremely depressed with feelings of hopelessness, paranoia and severe suicidal thoughts. . i have found that only 6 percent of people experience these side effects and i have discontinued treatment because of it. if you have any information about these side effects and what you have done to feel better please let me know. i would give anything to feel like myself again. thank you. sincerely, julie.

my doc has just prescribed lexapro because the cymbalta gave me terrible side effects....from upset stomach to sexual mishapps.... from what i am reading lexapro is no different!! any help from anyone?? bryongordon@yahoo.com

I've been on Lexapro for approx 10 weeks. 1st month at 5mg then 10mg for 2 weeks, then 20mg for a month now. The side effects were sleepy all the time, anxiety, insomnia, diarrhea. I didn't gain weight but I forgot to say that I'm also taking wellbutrin so I guess it conteracts the weight and sexual side effects.
Didn't feel benefits until I started taking 20mg. I feel more positive but still have ups and downs, still adjusting I guess.
I tried taking it at night and it's much better.

I read somewhere that the first couple of weeks are difficult but it gets better with time. That is if the med is right for you.

For people out there who get really aggressive you should ddefinitely stop. And find the right medication. And please fiind another doctor!!! One that listens instead of just pushing on pills

I have been taking Lexapro since June now, and hate the stuff. I mean, I don't feel as depressed anymore, but on the flip-side I don't feel anything; not happy, sad, excited ... nothing whatsoever. I'm taking a 20 mg. dosage in the mornings right now. Does the numbness, memory problems go away? Or will they remain until I've stopped taking Lexapro? I'm 17 by the way.

I'm 19 and I am currently trying to ween myself off of Lexapro. I started taking it about 3 months ago for anxiety and depresion. It has worked a little too well. I am not anxious anymore at all about anything...including my exams and homework. I just don't care about anything and my once very high GPA is going to suffer greatly if my motivation does not return soon. I also have horrible, graffic nightmares where I wake up too scared to go back to sleep. In my opinion, being apathetic is not a good alternative to being anxious, and I still experience a bit of depression. Oh, I have absolutely no sex drive as well. I'm going to try and work through my issues without medicine. Anyone had any success in doing this?? dance_baby_15@hotmail.com

I have been taking Lexapro for about 4 weeks now. Gyn prescribed this for hot flashes, mood swings, night sweats and having trouble sleeping. I am on 10mg which I take at night and for the most part I sleep very well and seem to not have any more hot flashes, night sweats and mood swings. My only side effect seems to be acne cysts. I'm not one for acne but after the first 2 weeks of Lexapro I started getting 2 big acne cysts a day. Has anyone else had acne as a side effect? What did you do about it?

I have been taking Lexapro for about 3 months now. Started off taking 10mgs and ended up in the hospita's psyche ward 2 weeks later. They uped the doseage to 20mgs and it seemed to help. No more anxiety and I am able to function at 100% percent. It has definately taken the edge off!
About a month ago, I started experiencing severe night sweats and vivid nightmares. Most of the nightmares are violent and also, in most of them I seem to have no strength. I see myself trying to walk up stairs and I can't. Trying to speak and I can't. I currently take my dose in the morning. I was wondering if people who take their dosage at night get the nightmares and cold sweats. Please e-mail me at sara@owlfilms.com with any suggestions.

I have been on 1/2 tablet of 10mg. Lexapro since 7/31/06. It has helped me feel better but I have had bad headaches since I started it. I called the doctor in Aug. and they said let them know if it continues. Also this medicine is suppose to help you sleep but I still have a problem going to sleep I am up until 1-2 am every night. These headaches are in the top of my head and I don't take any over the counter meds for them. It's enough to drive you up the wall.

I've been on lexapro for about 6 years, the past month or so, I've tried tapering off to get off the drug. Side effects are very unpleasant. Getting used to the drug when I started it was weird enough, but getting off the drug is 100 times harder to get used to. So....... I'm back on it and feel better. I think I may be on it forever. I have a high stress job and can't afford to act like a freak getting off this drug. Mean, unhappy, all those negative feeling came back with a vengence. Yes indeed antidepressant desensitize us, but at lest I'm a nicer and better person. What to do, What to do.

I HAVE TAKING LEXAPRO 10 mg ONCE A DAY FOR APPROX. 2 weeks.I HAVE STARTED GETTING BIG ACNE & ACNE CYSTS. PLEASE TELL ME IF THIS IS A SIDE EFECT AND IS THERE ANYTHING ON THE MARKET TO COUNTER ACT THIS. I FEEL THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP A.S.A.P

A musical about the witches from The Wizard of Oz breaks West End box office records, its producers say...

My thoughts are foggy, I hate being around my friends, I don't go out anymore, I've gained weight. I feel foggy or numb in the head. I am paranoid, I can't wake up completely in the morning, I feel like shit, i'm tired, sad, and feel hopeless, I feel worse than ever. I feel sick and dizzy and my vision is blurry. I don't know what to do anymore.

Nightmares - I ran a google search of "Lexapro nightmares" and found my way here. To me, the Lexapro made me feel psychotic (I'm not) - it did nothing noteworthy for my anxiety or depression, it didn't help me sleep through the night - I awoke 4-5 times from nightmares with some basis in reality - nightmares of such intensity that I didn't want to go back to sleep. The nightmares did not fade in the light of day. I quit taking Lexapro, and now sleep better... if I'm still having nightmares, at least I don't remember them in technicolor, nor feel traumatized by them like before.

I was taking 20 mg of lexapro but i had to stop it since my schedule was upside down, i changed to zoloft, i ve been taking 50mg for the last two days, but i have a terrible problem that i feel is worst than my depression, i have terrible and vivid nightmares, i always wake up 2-3 times and night and i always wake up at 430 in the morning, i remember my dreams during the day and that makes me feel worst. can someone help me? are you having the same problem? thanks

I've been on Lexapro for over a year following a suicide attempt. Combined with 2 rounds of group therapy, I'm doing much better, although still have a large number of side effects, including vivid nightmares that I can never remember, night sweats, migraines, mental confusion, reduced concentration, especially when reading or writing, as well as suicidal thoughts and sometimes depressive episodes where I cannot get out of bed. Can't hold down more than a minimum wage job at a deli, and I actually have a university degree. Working far below my potential, but I'm alive, and I guess that's what matters in the end: being alive.

I have been on Lexapro for about two months now. I am at 20mg/day. I auctually have really bad anxiety and get upset over rediculous things so thats what I was perscribed it. I auctually have to say that I have noticed some change (in the fact I never get mad about anything anymore!) But I still have some anxiety. I have tried xanax and valium for anxiety. I would say those work better for anxiety. Anyways, Lexapro workes somewhat for anxiety and can help you if you get upset/annoyed for no reason, but if you have very bad anxiety I would say to perhaps try something else. :)
**Also if Lexapro makes you somewhat unmotivated, talk to your doctor about perhaps taking concerta to help with concentration, it truely helps me stay focused and makes tasks not seem as untangable".

So I found this site because my doctor uped my dose of lexipro to 40mg a day from 20mg a day. So, I'm taking 2 20mg pills together in the morning. So I've been up to 40 for about a week now, and I think it might be the cause of some hallucinations mainly auditory, it's like I'll breafly hear talking or a strange noise, but it's not like hearning from my ears...it's like hearing from my mind but it's not like normal thinking. I'm sure someone who has experienced this would understand. and I'm seeing things in my peripheral vision, the first time I saw it I though it was a moth flying but when it happened again in a different place i figured out that it wasn't real. My dreams have been strange too. more vivid, more scary, but not all bad and more real. I've found some other blogs and such where people have talked about this. And I found a clinical study fact sheet.But not much solid information. I haven't found any information about people at the same dosage as me. Well, I do have to give props to the drug. It has really helped with my depression it makes me able to function in the world, without breaking down. But, going crazy might make me go crazy. If anyone has feed back for me please email me at musicinhistory@gmail.com

lexa pro made me numb and fat and depressed

I have just stopped (about 2 weeks ago) taking Lexapro because I couldn't afford the prescription. My finances have gone totally downhill, while I was on the Lexapro, almost 1 year, i didn't bother with paying my bills or even opening my mail. Now I am in danger of losing my house, my car, and am about to file bankruptcy. I am having uncontrollable crying fits now because I can't believe I have let this happen to me. It's like I was living in another world where nothing mattered. I have a very good job, a wonderful son, and now am afraid I will lose everything because I was living in lexapro-world for the last 8 months. Anyone else?

i have been taking lexapro for over a year now. i first was on 20 ml and was lethargic and just wanted to sleep kinda felt depressed because all i did was sleep. i cut back to 10 ml and started to feel more alive and normal for a few months, but now im starting to feel anxiety , not full blown panic but just anxiety everyday. my father just passed away although i wasnt that close i did not even really cry. im wondering if this has something to do with it. i dont have a reg doc i go to a clinic . but i wonder if i should go back to 20 ml. anyone know what i should do or have any thoughts...what about taking 15 ml and just cutting it?? i dunno sick of feeling anxious!!!

I started taking Lexapro a few years after a brain injury, to help me deal with the emotional side effects. I had been taking Paxil, but I hated it, hated how it made me feel. After a forced period of abstinence (no insurance), my doctor wanted me to try Lexapro. My doctor was saying it wouldn't make me gain weight like Paxil did, but he lied, lol. I don't care. I'm not nearly such a mental basket case, so I don't care if I'm a size 13 instead of a size 3. :) Other than the weight gain, I like the effects of Lexapro. It keeps me normal. I was a Paxil zombie, so I like a medication that allows me to get upset without going overboard. I did find, however, I need Concerta with the Lexapro. Kind of irritating that I need multiple medications to feel normal again, but that's just what I've gotta deal with. So I do, lol.

Though I hid it well, I had moderate depression and severe anxiety, and Lexapro has helped both conditions a lot. Especially my anxiety, which was the most debilatating! I have not had any side effects except fatigue a few hours after I take my medication. I am taking it in the morning but think I am going to switch over to taking it at night. I am on 10mg and plan on staying on it for a while, though not forever. I like it, and have had an overall good experience with it. No horrible anxiety anymore, I'm not depressed, crying, negative, and irritable like I was. I am more focused, positive, and back to my "old self." I am able to better live my life. Good luck to everyone, I wish you the best.

I've been on Lexapro for five weeks now. First started off with 10 mg. and now I take 20 mg. a day. I recently lost my son and couldn't handle life. The only thing I notice is I sleep around 12 hours a night so, I wish my doctor would have told me to take it at night so, now I will do the gradual thing until I end up taking it before bed. I thankfully haven't had any bad nightmares. Being awake is enough of a nightmare so hopefully, that won't start happening. I do however, have many, many dreams that all seem to be good ones but I dream way more than I did when I wasn't on Lexapro. Overall I think it's helped me manage. I don't recommend teens taking it as I hear it can make you suicidal so, for those of you who are young, what is your doctor thinking??

My brother was bipolar and committed suicide a few years ago. Then my cousin (who had two babies) was killed in an accident, and my husband's business partner left the company. In addition, my work has continued to layoff people (not me, thank goodness). After all this, my doctor decided I needed meds to help combat the major depression I had. I first took Effexor, but it made me nauseous and sick, so I was immediately switched to Lexapro. It has saved my life! It doesn't help everyone, but just because it didn't help someone else, doesn't mean it can't help you. My mom was unable to take it, but it has worked wonders for me. I don't cry anymore, and I actually feel happy (not everyday, but before, I was NEVER happy). I do have vivid dreams, but most are not nightmares, so it's not too bad. I've also lost about 10 pounds, and I really didn't need to lose any weight, but again, not too bad. I'm only 10mg, and I take it in the morning because it gives me energy, and if I take it any later, I can't sleep. Initially, I had night sweats and the jitters, but after a couple of weeks, those side effects went away. If your doctor thinks it will work for you, please give it a try. For me, it has been a lifesaver.

I have been on Lexapro 10mg for 8 months it was prescribed for depression and anxiety attacks and i am also on klonopin 1mg tid. The Lexapro has made me feel unmotivated, fatigue and tired all day. I take it at night. also when i wake in the morning i ache all over exspecially my knees and joints. My depression is better and my anxiety and panic is almost gone but i cant take these side effects. I think im going to lower it to 5mg 9pm and see what happens for a couple of weeks if i am anxiety,panic and depression free but still have the side effects i will g0 to 2.5mg. lets hope for the best but i think this drug has been way overmarketed as a wonder cure all drug.

Hi, I started taking Lexapro about 6 years ago.
I was 30 and had never had depression or anxiety until that year. I am not sure what changed in me but something did.
I started on 10 mg and am now on 20mg. I think that it has been fairly effective with a few side effects. I do have some severe night sweats once or twice a week, like completely drenched and have nightmares a lot? Also I dont think I have as much energy as before and am less motivated to work out though I do force myself to go anyway.

I believe that Lexapro is safe to take however dont think it is a long term solution. Eventually I think that you become somewhat immune to the med and just need to stop taking it and perhaps try to work through your issues wihh therapy, prayer or whatever it takes. I know, it is easier said than done.
I am going to start by lowering my dose and see how that works.

Well wish my luck and I wish all of you out there the best. Just try to stay positive and surround yourself with positive people only. :)

Has anyone read Ann Blake Tracy's book on Prescription drugs and their side effects/affects. I gave her a call and she said "lexapro was one of the worst drugs".
Always research a matter.
Google: people's negative feedback on lexapro!
For those who are really struggling why don't you see a counselor like Susan Forward or anyone in her clinic (she is also an excellent author).
Depression is anger/rage turned inward. Also John/Paula Sandford have excellent book on Depression: Healing the Wounded Spirit and Transformation of the Inner Man! tks

PS... But I forgot to say that I lost weight on Lexapro....probably because nausea is a good appetite suppressant. lol..

Was on Lexapro and it was the worst drug I have ever taken. Ended up going to the hospital (was out of it)...never came to until evening...went in the morning. How they can make pills with such vile side effects. It is the last medicine I would ever take. Depression is the pits, but then to get a drug like that is beyond me.

My life is a mess, from ambilify to now lexapro and now i have terrible nightmares and nobody understands. I cry cry cry help me

Ive had great success with Lexapro. Been taking it for about two years 20mg (though I had been taking as much as 40 mg for a while). I was suffering depression, and social anxiety for years. Lexapro has made me feel like a new person. I dont worry as much and everyone around me says Im much more pleasant. Things that in the past that would elicit a mean or negative response from me no longer bother me. It has reduced my libido somewhat but I dont see that as a bad thing. The only other problem Ive had is that when I occasionally miss back to back doses I often times start feeling like shit again. Other than that its been great.

I was given Lexapro 10 mg. and nothing was said to me about the dangers this drug can cause to some people. I have been taking antidepresants for the last thirteen years. I decided I wanted to stop taking the Effexor, I didn't think I needed it anymore. After five months of being off of Effexor. I stated to feel the depression comming back on me, I was starting to get thoughts of suiside when I had an over load of stressors that came into my life. I went to see my doctor thinking I would go back on Effexor because I had no problems with it. He gave me Lexapro, I have never heard of this drug before, but I put all my trust into my doctor and took the medication. About two weeks later I noticed that my blood pressure was way up, like 145/95. So I stopped taking Lexapro and was Still experiencing stress at a high degree, and I acted out on my thoughts abruptly on this day. Without concern for what punisment I could face. I done something completely out of the norm for me. I have never experienced a mood change like this before. I felt like I just didn't care anymore. I didn't know what was going on with me that day, I thought I was experiencing a mental break down. But it was brought to my attention that the antidepressants can cause this kind of problem with your brain chemistry. When I read about the risks in taking Lexapro, I was supprised to see that I experienced a lot of the symtoms like;
Elevated blood pressure, suicidal thoughts, sudden worsened depression, irratable behavior, agitation, panic attacks, anxious, with hot feelings of red blotches on my face and fear like I have never felt before, unusual mood change. And can you believe my doctor never mentioned a word about the risks in taking Lexapro. And your the doctor is suppose to tell you about the risks in taking antidepressants and keep a close eye on you esspecially in the first few weeks of starting Lexapro.( because it changes the brain chemistry ) At the time of me seeing my doctor in his office I was depressed and did not think about any risks, I just relyed on my doctor to give me the right medication. But now after this experience I read about each and every medication before I take it. And I have brought back a bag full of medication. Some would give you diabitis, and some other medication that can cause other health problems and some others that just didn't work.
READ ABOUT THE DANGERS OF THESE MEDICATIONS BEFORE YOU TAKE THEM.
Now I had to higher a lawyer to defend me on my actions that day. Lexapro did not work for me!
I felt mentally overwhelmed and super depressed and confused that day.

I was prescribed LexaPro and started taking it about 4 or 5 days ago.
I actually feel so much worse than I ever did before and just feel like I need to sit in a room with the door shut all day and not talk to anyone.
I feel more anxious now than before.
Does this get better, should I stick with it for a little while longer?
I hate feeling this way.

I think it's a tad stupid when people say "Lexapro is the WORST drug ever." We have to remember that our bodies' chemistries are all different. Personally, I've been on 10 mg lexapro 3 weeks, no side effects. This drug has been a MIRACLE drug for me. I started it after going to the hospital for suicidal thoughts, and it has erased all these thoughts completely and I feel great. The only thing is that I feel like I just don't care anymore - which actually, is good for me because I have anxiety and rage and this calms me right down. For reference, I am 16 years old.

My wife began taking Lexapro several months ago. After she said she didn't care about anything she began to try and wean herself off this medication. Once she was finally "weaned", she came to me and told me that she had never really loved me. I feel like this medicine has really screwed her up.

They say that each antidepressant effects each person differently... but for ME, that was a really scary time. Before the pill, sure I worried about things, but I wasn't like suicidal like how I was after I started taking the pill! Plus nauseous and didn't want to listen to music, eat, be around people I love, work out, or anything! Now that I stopped taking the pill, I've got the most terrible nightmares which are freaking me out. I hope that goes away!

I started Lexapro/Cipralex 6 months ago at 5 mg. I did have some nausea and anxiety symptoms for a couple of weeks but they were listed as possible side effects so I was prepared. I purposely started on a low dose to minimize the side effects. Within 5 days, I felt less negative, less irritable, more at peace. I have a history of anxiety and have done well with Cognitive Behaviour Therapy but this medicine has made a wonderful difference. I had given up on feeling normal, now I am hopeful again. I definitely recommend that you combine medication with proven psychological therapy for anxiety and depression (CBT and ACT therapy)and I am grateful for this medication. Yes, it has had its side effects from anxiety, nausea, memory loss, libido dampening BUT every single side effect has disappeared with time. I am now at 7.5 mg a day taken at night and feel normal and healthy. I sleep well and my mind is less reactive. I plan to go to the recommended dose of 10 mg with time. I also plan to wean off the prescription after a year and a half. Why then? I think this time will give me the opportunity to change my habits and learn better coping techniques. But, I will have no hesitation if I have to go back on the medication. Let me know your thoughts.

Lexapro worked really well for the first 2 years but when i had to quit taking it and restarted it it actually made the depression worse with extreme feelings of self consciousness. It also made me lose the ability to have orgasms while taking the med.

Ive been taking 10mg Lexapro for about 6 weeks, chiefly for anxiety. It does help with anxiety. But it also makes me a wreck of a person at times, either due to insomnia or as a separate side effect on its own. I feel tired but can't sleep. Grumpy, apathetic, frustrated and overall more depressed than when I started. I didn't even make a big initial complaint to the MD about depression. Now I would.
If I stayed on this med for a 2-3 months I'd probably go psychotic. I'm stopping today.

fennel, tell him to try a tribulus terrestris supplement. horny goat weed complex, damiana, maca, ginseng are all helpful too. try vit e if it is also an erection prob, this boosts the blood flow

I take lexapro for anxiety. Ive been om it now for 8 weeks. It was working greap but i got drunk 4 nights ago and i feel like crap. Like i did before i started the meds. When will it start working for me again?

while i know for a fact that withdrawal will cause strage vivid dreams , i haven't missed a dose. 20 mg 1 a day. everyday. most of the time this med doesn't relieve much of my depression symptoms..

me too, i tried once a long time ago and yeah, it didn't take long for me to take my meds and be glad i got 'em!right now i'm just looking for more info on it .something also affects my memory. thanks for listening,deb

Good to stabilize mood 5mg and 10mg maybe too much.
Loose knees possible? I have been on and off lexapro for a year now; partly because of availability to me and how tired it made me. I kept returning to it because it definitely calms me. At the 10mg level I had trouble sleeping restfully. At 5mg I feel good (not too tired, no fits of anger, and so far less looseing of the knees). When I go off it I have feel great for about a week then my temper shortens and I feel horribly angry all the time. I am going to try to keep cycling on and off it for now. Seems to be working well.

I am on minimal dose (10 mg) of Lexapro for over a year.
I had a severe depression and Lexapro helped me to get myself back, but when acute symptoms were gone I started experiencing the following side effects: Tachycardia; lethargia, feeling unmotivated, mind fogginess. I will be trying to slowly get off the medicatication.

I have been on Lexapro for 6 years. It has worked great for me. I have been on others and had bad affects. I have massive depressive disorder. I also take propranolol for anxiety. Both have been great. NOW my stupid insurance company is not going to cover it. I can not believe they take good meds that work away,,,,,,, I am frustrated....

i am 20 years old and i have been on lexapro for about a week. it's only 10 mg, it's for social anxiety. so far i don't know what to think, i've been crying randomly and staying up until 5am with racing thoughts. like my body is tired but my brain just won't stop. i can't motivate myself to do anything no matter how badly i want to do it. but my doctor insisted that stay on it for at least 6 weeks, i feel like this is going to be a very long and hard 6 weeks. he also gave me xanax to help when i can't sleep, but i really hate xanax because it makes me sleep for 14 hours or more.

I have made 3 attempts to continue 10mg lexapro. Headaches were first associated with it early on. Could not blame Lexapro as I am a migrain sufferer and headach frequently.
tried it again and had terrible hives all over my body combined with redness, itching all over. I had horrible abdominal pains as well.
I called the pharmacist and he wasnt sure.
Does anyone know. 50 mg of benadryl fixed the problem. I would like to take it and not sure if I should continue to try.
I did eat blueberries same day.
How can I tell if it was the blueberries or the lexapro? thanks for reading

please any help reguarding cipralex with drawal am going crazy with the side effects harkinpaul@yahoo.com

ive been taking lexapro now for about three weeks,prior to this i had taken lexapro for about 2 months.i had stopped taking the med only because of my own personal belief no med should be used long term.more of a kretch rather than a part of you.although,recently i found myself back on these meds...only this time adding lorazepam thisis my second day taking lorazepam.Im very new an uneducated in how these meds are supposed to be used or work.the doctor ive seen is not helpful at all more of a give you pills and send you packin.im very scared and unsure of everything.i suffer from post traumatic stress and general anxiety disorder...im worried to start taking such addicting meds such as lorazepam.any advice would be highly apreciated.

WOW Everyone's body and chemistry is certainly different. I've been taking Lexapro for over 4 years and it worked wonders for me. I've been on 10 mg but 10 days ago I cut it back to 5mg and I still feel good on the lower dose. I would like to get off of it and see if I am now well without it. Best of luck to all. Be careful with drugs.
I may try natural supplements if necessary.

I took lexapro (10 mg.)yesterday at 7:00 p.m. I have problems with insomnia and I could't sleep last night. I didn't have any side effects except that my stomach was sounding all night and the insomnia issue. The doctor gave a pill for insomnia but it it didn't work out.
Do you recommend me to take lexapro 10 mg in the mornings instead of the evening?
I appreciate your answer.

I have been on Lexapro for a little over a month now. My doctor didn't tell me to start off taking only half a pill, so I started taking whole pills and had really bad side effects. I woke up every morning nervous and feeling all stirred up inside. Eventually that feeling would fade as the day went on. I also experienced dry mouth which has also gone away. I stuck with it because I really wanted it to work and trust my doctors. I think it has helped me, but there is one side effect that hasn't gone away that I can't handle- my dreams. I have always had dreams but since taking Lexapro they have been every night. Every night I have a vivid, high definition, long, strung out, twisted and often violent thriller-nightmare. I am considering stopping taking Lexapro due to this. Because even though it has helped me, I wake up every day exhausted from my crazy dream and by the time I forget about one, its time to have another. Please let me know if you have experienced the same thing.

I took Lexapro at the urging of family members for anxiety. I am not depressed and have never considered myself depressed, but have been high strung and anxious a good portion of my life. Lexapro was a complete nightmare of the first order. The agitation and panic attacks it caused were unbearable. My husband finally had to call an ambulance in the midst of a full blown panic attack that was bad, my blood pressure was through the roof and I was tingling all over my body. I have learned since through an enormous amount of research that depression and anxiety are two completely different conditions entirely. You can have both, but they are not the same condition. Clinical depression is more of an imbalance in brain chemicals. Anxiety is a learned response behavior having absolution nothing to do with mental illness whatsoever. To think that you can treat anxiety merely with a medication is like putting a bandaide over a festering sore. It may numb the pain of the sore, but the sore is still there. There are so many better ways of treating anxiety without medication, but everyone wants a quick fix and the drug companies lull us into believing that drugs are a cure. They are not a cure. I will never again rely on drugs to treat anxiety. I have had fabulous results with the Linden Method. The cure is the address the underlying cause of the anxiety response. It's so simple, it's stupid, but it takes work, which most people are not willing to do.

Anybody know if cyst's are a side effect of Lexapro? I take 10mg at night

im taking lexapro a year and a half and my face is really bloated. has this happened to anyone else?

I was on 10 mg for anxiety for about 4 months and it worked for a little while only to end up being more trouble than it was worth. I couldn't get a good night sleep no matter how much I exercised. That to me is a big indicator that this stuff is bad. The body needs to sleep, period. I found myself just as bad off after being on the drug for a while as before I started it. So I've gotten off it. I am so thankful to be sleeping well at night again. It really wasn't worth it for anxiety. I've stopped seeing that doctor and will see someone new to talk about my issues not be drugged up.

I went off lexpro and my cystic acne cleared up immediately--but I hadn't but 2 and 2 together. After going off lexapro I initially felt good then my depression came back with a vengence. Crying thoughts of suicide very irritable. So, my doc started me o wellbutrin, it helped but my irritability was still bad. so i started on a small dose of lexapro with the wellbutrin--I feel great but the cystic acne is coming back

Hello I have been taking 10mg of Paxil for 1week and 2days.for anxiety /panic attacks. It scares me to hear about the withdrawals. I didn't really have any side affects is it ok just to stop

i have been taking lexapro 10mg at last night was one of my worst night i could not move both of my feet its like i had no control over them

It's the first time I ever felt normal and calm. But I'm a guy, maybe hormones plays a part for women.

Lexapro was terrible. It made me cry for no
reason and made me anxious and mean. I even
went to the hospital one night because I was
shaking so bad, crying and very confused. I
became obsessed with little things. I
felt like I was having a nervous breakdown.
Never will I take this drug. I'm back on Zoloft
which works well for me. Also, I never wanted
to get out of bed

I had been crying a lot and feeling suicidal most of the time. Plus i'm super sensitive an often had nightmares but not everyday. After a while i decided to visit the psychiatrist and she prescribed me with lexapro. And I will not suggest it as a good med for depression, anxiety, insomniac because everything seems to be even worst then before i took lexapro. Subconsciously, I actually feel more suicidal then before and everything around me seems to very negative and hopeless. Not to mention, I have an immense decrease of sex drive which destroy my sexual relationship with my husband.
AT first, it DID NOT occurred to my thought that it was the side effect of Lexapro so i kept on blaming on myself for not getting better instead but worst then before. As soon as I decided to stop lexapro for a almost a month, I realized I had better sleep and I dont feel suicidal that often anymore. I wouldnt say I'm totally recover from my depression and suicidal feelings but at least green is greener and I'm better then before after getting off the lexapro pill.

Wow, I just took first dose today at 10 mg, had bad nausea first couple hours but have me energy and lifted my spirits for sure! Have not had single bad things like described, just normal side effects listed on bottle. I feel much much happier already, I take this with Wellbutrin 150mg

I have been taking lexapro for approximately 6 months. I had suffered from depression and anxiety in the past and was being treated for add. I wad placed on this medication for assistance with occasional panic attacks. It has caused more harm than good. I consider this medication a poison. I started to experience side effects and was told to givr it a chance. Six months later I am suffering from extreme depression that had been under control prior. I am now starting to miss periods completely. I have gained almost 20 pounds when my doctor told me I wouldnt gain weight. I havent been able to sleep. My sex drive has also been missing this last month. I also have such severe headachesI cant function. This medication has ruined my life. I just quit it cold turkey last week because I was afraid jow worse things would get if I continued to take it. The withdrawl hasnt been fun but it has been better than that medication. I cant believe doctors prescribe this medication. I would rather suffrr than ever touch this again. I am hoping after the withdrawl I can get my life back.

Day 8. Feeling very strange. Headache and light headed. Feeling of not caring about anything. Work, children, responsibilities. I will give it a couple more days but really bad side effects. Bad, bad dreams.

I wish that I had never taken this drug. The first few months were fine...it helped and I thought that I could get through anything. Now, I feel empty. Lonely. Tired. Pathetic. Ashamed. Anxious. Empty. I feel like I do every single thing wrong and I cannot control it. I want to come off, and I've tried, but the side effects are atrocious. Send help. I'm raising the white flag, here.