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.

Any questions or need support in starting this medication or others you can contact me at Ambrosia548@yahoo.com

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.