Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 271095

Shown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Looking for Lexapro success stories

Posted by tiredman on October 20, 2003, at 11:32:49

My p-doc wants me to try Lexipro. I took prozac for a long time and have been off it for about a year. I've been reading through this forum trying to get a feel for how Lexapro has worked out (for those of you that have tried it). It took a long time to get off ADs and I am really scared to try a new one.

It seems like people have mixed opinions about Lexapro. Many people are taking it with other ADs. Have any of you benefited from just taking Lexapro?

 

Re: Looking for Lexapro success stories

Posted by recumbent on October 20, 2003, at 13:50:50

In reply to Looking for Lexapro success stories, posted by tiredman on October 20, 2003, at 11:32:49

>Have any of you benefited from just taking Lexapro?
I take 10mg/day. At first there were side effects, but they all went away. This is what changed: More compassion, Less compulsive behavior, More smiling, No loss of energy or creativity. Otherwise, all else is the same. I do get anxious as before, but can snap out of it quickly. Previously I had noticable compulsive behavior and mild depression. Little things disturbed me. My wife would say I'm now fun to live with.


 

Recumbent, what side effects?

Posted by tiredman on October 20, 2003, at 14:27:47

In reply to Re: Looking for Lexapro success stories, posted by recumbent on October 20, 2003, at 13:50:50

What side effects did you experience?

 

Re: Looking for Lexapro success stories » tiredman

Posted by Wildflower on October 20, 2003, at 14:45:46

In reply to Looking for Lexapro success stories, posted by tiredman on October 20, 2003, at 11:32:49

Honestly, I had a horrible time on Lex the first few weeks but I'm glad I stuck with it. It seems to work much better than Prozac or Effexor did for me. I seem to get much more done during the day and I'm more able to concentrate.

 

Re: Looking for Lexapro success stories

Posted by john1022 on October 20, 2003, at 15:20:16

In reply to Re: Looking for Lexapro success stories » tiredman, posted by Wildflower on October 20, 2003, at 14:45:46

Recumbent and Wildflower,

Can you please let us know what the side effects you experienced the first few weeks while on Lexapro? You both mentioned they went away though, right?

I might be starting Lexapro tomorrow and I am wondering what I should look for. I have had pretty bad experiences with AD's so far when I start them and always end up stopping them because they are unbearable (increased depression, increased anxiety, suicidal thoughts that come out of no where when I had not had them to begin with)

Thanks

 

Re: Looking for Lexapro success stories

Posted by Wildflower on October 20, 2003, at 15:29:52

In reply to Re: Looking for Lexapro success stories, posted by john1022 on October 20, 2003, at 15:20:16

I started at 10mg. My stomach felt uneasy and I had diarrhea for the first week or two. Nothing that OTC meds couldn't counteract. I also felt "spacy" and was forgetful but both went away in time. The people on this board were a big help in getting me through it. I'm now at 20mg and seem to be doing better.

 

Re: Lexapro success stories » tiredman

Posted by Mariposa on October 20, 2003, at 18:38:29

In reply to Looking for Lexapro success stories, posted by tiredman on October 20, 2003, at 11:32:49

> My p-doc wants me to try Lexipro. I took prozac for a long time and have been off it for about a year. I've been reading through this forum trying to get a feel for how Lexapro has worked out (for those of you that have tried it). It took a long time to get off ADs and I am really scared to try a new one.
>
> It seems like people have mixed opinions about Lexapro. Many people are taking it with other ADs. Have any of you benefited from just taking Lexapro?

I responded in the thread above ***Anxious because I still AM*** with the positives I have experienced from taking Lex.

I experienced a long list of side effects and would be happy to enumerate if you desire....???

I am only taking Lex, currently @ 20mg.

I consider myself a Lex success story!~~~8|8

 

Re: Recumbent, what side effects?

Posted by recumbent on October 20, 2003, at 19:26:12

In reply to Recumbent, what side effects?, posted by tiredman on October 20, 2003, at 14:27:47

> What side effects did you experience?

At (2) weeks I experienced anorgasma (inability to orgasim). This went away by the middle of the third week. I had an upset stomach, like acid reflux, until the fifth week. Since the fifth week everything has been OK. I've been considering going to 15mg to get a little boost. Good luck!

 

Re: Lexapro side effects

Posted by Mariposa on October 21, 2003, at 8:31:29

In reply to Re: Looking for Lexapro success stories, posted by john1022 on October 20, 2003, at 15:20:16

> Recumbent and Wildflower,
>
> Can you please let us know what the side effects you experienced the first few weeks while on Lexapro? You both mentioned they went away though, right?
>
> I might be starting Lexapro tomorrow and I am wondering what I should look for. I have had pretty bad experiences with AD's so far when I start them and always end up stopping them because they are unbearable (increased depression, increased anxiety, suicidal thoughts that come out of no where when I had not had them to begin with)
>
> Thanks

I do NOT want to scare anyone...this is what I experience starting @5mg:

Nausea, diahrea, loss of appetite, weight loss, insomnia AND sleeping way too much, lethargy, blurred vision, migraine-like headaches, sweaty arm pits, itchy rash on back and arms, bubble-head, dizziness, shakes when exerting myself, feeling out of breath, jaw clenching, anorgasmia, unable to concentrate or make decisions, called in sick to work whole second week w/flu-like symptoms and spent the whole week on the couch or in bed, anxiety attacks, increased depression, and I'm sure there are a few more that I'm forgetting.

HOWEVER, the GOOD news is all that has gone away, only thing I still notice is occasional mild clenching. Hang in there and it WILL get better!!!~~~8|8

 

Just Started and having trouble

Posted by Chotzy on October 21, 2003, at 9:08:27

In reply to Re: Lexapro side effects, posted by Mariposa on October 21, 2003, at 8:31:29

I have had some mild side effects and still experiencing some. I have had slight dizziness, loss of appetite, very drowsy. I have started taking it at night before bed. I don't know if this makes a difference I have not heard one way or the other if there is a specific time that you are suppose to take it, however, I notice that I am less sleepy during the day. I do feel better and I am on week 3.

 

Re: Looking for Lexapro success stories

Posted by Bill LL on October 21, 2003, at 9:47:38

In reply to Looking for Lexapro success stories, posted by tiredman on October 20, 2003, at 11:32:49

I have been doing very well on Lexapro for over a year now. Prozac did not work as well for me. Lexapro is more calming for me. I do not take other AD's with it. I think (I'm not sure) that most people on Lexapro take it as their only antidepressant.

I also have recently started taking DMAE to fight the daytime tiredness side effect of Lexapro. And also to increase concentration. It seems to be working but it's too early to draw conclusions.

 

Re: Lexapro side effects

Posted by john1022 on October 21, 2003, at 14:57:44

In reply to Re: Lexapro side effects, posted by Mariposa on October 21, 2003, at 8:31:29

Hmmm...I seem to be getting some of the side effects you are mentioning Mariposa when I first start trying AD's. It gets so bad though that after 2 weeks I have to stop taking them. I get extreme anxiety, much worse depression, nightmares, insomnia and a host of ear problems like hypercausis and tinnitus.

Is it common for AD's to make you feel much worse before you get better? I am just worried to continue to stay on them because they give me suicide ideation that comes out of NO WHERE, when I would never think of such a thing when I am not taking the AD's. I am confused of what I should do...

Thanks

 

Re: Lexapro side effects » john1022

Posted by Mariposa on October 21, 2003, at 16:52:03

In reply to Re: Lexapro side effects, posted by john1022 on October 21, 2003, at 14:57:44

> Hmmm...I seem to be getting some of the side effects you are mentioning Mariposa when I first start trying AD's. It gets so bad though that after 2 weeks I have to stop taking them. I get extreme anxiety, much worse depression, nightmares, insomnia and a host of ear problems like hypercausis and tinnitus.
>
> Is it common for AD's to make you feel much worse before you get better? I am just worried to continue to stay on them because they give me suicide ideation that comes out of NO WHERE, when I would never think of such a thing when I am not taking the AD's. I am confused of what I should do...
>
> Thanks

Lex is the only med I have ever taken. I started @5mg in Feb, currently at 20mg. I remember the 2nd week so well still, I was SICK AS A DOG, laid in bed or on the couch thinking (and wishing)I would die! A lot of people at work had the flu, and at the time, I wasn't sure if I had the flu also. In retrospect I believe it was all Lex, as the flu-like symptoms did not match what I have felt befor when I had the flu....I can't describe how or why I know, it was just different, even though I was just as miserable. I guess what I am trying to say is that if I had for sure known (i.e. no one at work was sick, just me) it was the Lex I'm almost certain that I would have quit right then. As it was, I considered quitting during wk 2, but hung on because of all the encouragement I got here.

Around wk 4-5 I got anxiety attacks and severe depression, and again seriously considered cashing in as I felt Lex was NEVER going to work for me and was just making things lots worse, and pdoc raised dose to 10mg. It was not until I was into week 9 before I felt any *better*.

For some like me it's been a tough road, but I have to say well worth it for me.

Please, you should give it an honest try (6-8 weeks), and if you are particularly sensitive, consider starting at 2.5mg (cut pill into quarters) and increase gradually.

Best of luck to you!~~~8|8

 

Re: Lexapro side effects

Posted by casiopea on October 22, 2003, at 11:36:01

In reply to Re: Lexapro side effects » john1022, posted by Mariposa on October 21, 2003, at 16:52:03

Hey, just hang in there. I belive some people have a harder time with Lex than others , you just have to wait for 6-8 weeks. I started taking Lex 6 months ago and the first two weeks were bad. I had nausea and dyzzines and I was really tired all the time.... I would sleep 3 or 4 hours in the middle of the day. It got better though... and it is worth it. I started feeling better at 6 weeks and then even better at 12...

Hopefully you'll feel better

C.


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