Lexapro Side Effects
Wednesday November 3, 2004
Women's Health Forum
My doctor recently put me on Lexapro for depression and anxiety. I noticed a lot of posts about weight gain and mood swings. Has anyone else noticed any other side effects from Lexapro? Has your doctor prescribed Lexapro?
My doctor recently put me on Lexapro for depression and anxiety. I noticed a lot of posts about weight gain and mood swings. Has anyone else noticed any other side effects from Lexapro? Has your doctor prescribed Lexapro?
Comments
I have been on this medicine since lastweekm I have noticed that it makes me shake! I have a very big problem with anxiety, and stress. Since on this medicine I have noticed that i am happier and have energy.
I have been on this medication for five days and it makes me feel high at first, then super calm, then kind of numb, but it gets better every day…
I have been on lexapro for 5 days…. its made me feel very high and weird… I am being treated for both depression and anxiety.
Be very, very careful getting off of this drug. The withdrawal side effects are brutal. Ween yourself very slowly and even then you might not escape the effects.
my boyfriend is being treated for both depression and anxiety, he has been on lexapro for about a month, since then he’s had mood swings, been anti-affectionate $ selfish. we had our first fight in 11 months and it was over the way we both act…. i think it’s making him worse
I also was just prescribed lexapro for GAD. I agree with the feeling “kind of weird” after taking it. Not in a particularly bad way for me personally, just kind of “blah”. I’ve also noticed I’m kind of sleepy as well. Other than that the only other side effect I’ve experienced is dry mouth. I know my Doctor told me most side effects would go away with time.
I’ve been on Lexapro for about 6 months. While I’ve been feeling great the two side effects that are driving me crazy are: excessive sweating and lack of libido. I will probably taper my self off because of the side effects
I’ve been on Lexapro several months and have noticed an unusual tendency to yawn. Two other people that I know are taking Lexapro have also noticed the same thing, just since starting on Lexapro. Has anyone else experienced that?
I’ve been on Lexapro for 4 months. With a patient spouse, I’ve overcome the libido issue but I’ve had problems with weight gain, no matter what I do.
I’ve been on celexa for about a year and just switched to lexapro. I lost weight with celexa and am afraid of gaining weight with lexapro. Has anyone lost or gained any weight? Also, feeling tired and yawning a lot are common side effects that I experienced on celexa (it’s lexapro’s “sister” drug)–it goes away and yes, libido does come back.
been on lexapro for 6 years for depression and ptsd,it works verry well for that.side effects for me are,hard to ejaculate,wait gain.long term i have noticed a loss in short term memory that has me verry worried.good luck trying to get off it,i have felt dizzy and shock like feelings after 2 days. not to mention the anger after a few weeks off.feel stuck on ot now
I’ve been on Lexapro for 2 weeks after being on Cymbalta for over 4 months. The side effects for Lexapro are much more minor than Cymbalta. Cymbalta worked for my depression pretty well but I was always sleepy and almost always in a fog. Other effects would come and go. With Lexapro I am not sleepy, am much more functional at work although still feel numbness or heaviness in my head. I do have the yawning as well but all that is minor so far. I am somewhat forgetful but hope that passes.
Lexapro caused major weight gain for me(20lbs) I was always hungry, as well as just feeling blah and having no energy. I also had joint pain, shakiness, heart palipatations, and felt very angry with lots of mood swings. Coming off of it was very difficult.
I have been on Lexapro for 3 years. I have never tried to stop because I beleive it has really helped. However, I am starting to realize a short term memory loss as well and it takes me forever to wake up in the morning. Terry
I have been on Lexapro for approximately 4 years now. I have have a tremendous weight gain, constantly in a fog, weird nightmares, memory loss, feeling sluggish all the time, and lately I can only explain it as an electrical feeling – like being shocked periodically throughout the day. I want off – but the sides effects are horrible. Have an appointment with Dr. next week.
I have been on Lexapro for two weeks and I have expierenced a serious lack of libido, also I have also felt a somewhat lack of emotion when it comes to sad situations, like its hard to feel empathy for other peoples problems. Dry mouth is another common issue, but its dealt with with a pice of gum. One thing that has improved was my sleeping issue. Before Lexapro, I was always tired, and now it seems i can get 6-7 hours and be alright.
taing Lexapro three weeeks now. First couple of days I felt like I ws on a cafein high whe I tried to go to slep, but it may have been MSG which I usually try to avoid, but ate canned soup based meal for lunch both days.
I have RA so tire very easily and I gradually have seemed to relax more and sleep better/longer, but think I sleep too much. Now, as before I started Lexapro, I fall asleep if I sit down to relax. Before I was like a pin ball bouncing from one project to another in the middle of projects, but now I almost don’t care if I start a project or not. Before I might work 12 -16 hr a day, many times not breaking, and when I got totally bone tired would take a break and fall asleep for half an hour-or maybe an hour and then up working on my little projects.again. I slept never any more than 5 hours a night if that much,wakening several times to streth my body to relieve the pain of the RA.
Last night I slept almost 9 hours with only a few breaks; some to move my body and once for the bathroom.
my mouth has been on the dry side from INSAIDS etc so can’t blame that on the Lexapro. So far I am fairly pleased with it; time will tell. I am 78 yrs old and in good physical condition otherwise. I do water walk which is good for the RA.
Leo
Hi, I have been taking Lexapro for only about a week and yes, I am experiencing the yawning and “blah” like moods too….I am also extrememly nauseaus particulary in the middle of the night and first thing in the morning. I also am used to being a 8-hour-a-night sleeper and I have become very restless. Is anyone else experiencing these sorts of side effects?
I have been taking Lexapro for approx. 14 months for GAD. The biggest side effect has been weight gain (12 lbs.) No matter how hard I try I cannot take the weight off. Other than this,short term memory loss, very irritable if I forget a dosage and sleep a lot. I have started to ween myself off…
Been on Lexapro for just about a month. Depression and Anxiety are better, side effects, loss of appetite and weight, sick stomach, sleep apnea and then sudden sleepiness. No libido, no organisms, even when arosed. Menstrual cycle shorten by 2 days.
Dr’s appointment next week, not sure what to do.
I’ve been on Lexapro for about two months at 5mg. I never went to the fully prescribed dose of 10mg because I felt 5mg was doing the job. I experienced naseau, dizziness, insomnia, and that electric feeling (people have mentioned) within the first two weeks. These symptoms slowly subsided after the third week. I have lost about five pounds since I’ve been on Lexapro.
My lack of concentration has come back and I’m having short term memory problems. I’ve increased the dose to 10mg in hopes that this will help. But now that some of you have posted that short term memory is a problem…this might not go away. Which isn’t good because it is affecting my studies.
I’m on week three of Lexapro. No side effects apart from a headache 24/7 and a slightly upset stomach. My Dr says these effects will go away after a few weeks. Remember everyone, these tablets are not miracle pills straight away. You need to give yourselves at least 6-8 weeks to allow them to work. If I can do it, anyone can, believe me!
I’ve been on Lexapro for almost two years. The biggest side effects I’ve noticed: weight gain (40 lbs!!) and libido issues. The libido issues went away after the first month or two; the weight gain has been MUCH harder to deal with. As far as my symptoms – it hasn’t fully addressed my depression issues, but my anxiety issues are almost completely gone. So on a scale of 1-10, I would say that my satisfaction with it rates a 7.
ive been on lexapro for about 3 weeks now…for the past 2 days ive noticed im hungry constantly..ill eat something and only get the full feeling for like 20 minutes and then my stomach feels empty again..i really scared of gaining weight..is this a normal side effect and is there anything i can do to subside it?
I have been on lexapro on and off for two years. Trust me, if you go on it, do not stop unless your doctor tells you to do so. I am in worse shape than ever and trying to start back on a cycle again. It does work if you give it time though. Good Luck!
I’ve only been on Lexapro for 2 days but the yawning hasn’t stopped since about an hour and a half after taking my first pill. I also feel like I am walking through water or quicksand. I am so tired although a friend of mine says that this will go away after about a week or so. God I hope so and I hope I actually get some relief from this insaneness that I’ve been feeling for the last two years.
I took my first dose of Lexapro, 5 mg, about 12 hours ago. I feel weird and sick: feel like I might stop breathing, heart palpitations, stiff neck, headache, short of breath. My feeling of depression is completely gone, but it’s been replaced with a feeling that I will soon die. I slept like I was dead for about three hours, but I’ve been up all night since. For the past four hours or so, I’ve been sitting on the couch massaging my scalp which seems to help until I stop. I will not continue this medicine. Depression and anxiety are much more tolerable. I guess, in the sense that I prefer to be depressed than take this medicine, I am cured.
I took Lexapro a few hours ago. I feel really slow, shakey, numb, and (nobody else mentioned this) my hands are really sweaty when normally I don’t sweat at all, and especially never on my hands. It’s very disconcerting. I’m extremely nauseous — I can’t imagine this causing weight gain considering how nauseous I’ve been all day. Also I’ve noticed the yawning thing, and when I yawn it makes me more nauseous. I don’t know if I want to keep up with this if, as everyone says, it’s so brutal to come off of it.
I’ve been on Lexapro for a week. Side effects so far…hunger, nausea, anorgasm, yawning, mood swings,fatique, zombie like feeling. I decided to discontinue today. I am on Wellbutrin for depression and my Dr. added in Lexapro for anxiety. There’s got to be something else. I do not want to gain weight and good sex is too important to me. Just celebrated 14 years with husband and was unable to orgasm – very unlike me. I want to quit before I’m hooked and it’s too hard to stop.
Drs. are wanting me to take this drug. AFter reading all of this, I cannot feel positive about it. I am in a bad marriage with young children and experiencing alot of pain associated with raising them alone, and then a prospect of divorce, my husband threatening to take kids away. I want to deal with these issues but dont believe I need a drug to do so. I have had history of panic disorder all my life, but have always survivied. I want to survive this next chapter in my life but do not feel I want to take this drug, after researching what these side effects are.
I’ve been on it for about a month. At first I thought I was getting better. But now I realize the headaches are worse, the nausea still exists. I feel like I’m always on a bad high, but not different than I am naturally. The anxiety is worse too.
I was put on this med for hypertension & anxiety, not depression. My anxiety has much improved, but I have terrible numbness in my hands & joint pain. I just changed to Lexapro from Zoloft. Weight gain was horrible from Zolof. Has anyone lost weight from Lexapro???
I feel like i’am losing my mind sometimes,lack of arousel also this sucks…
I have been on Lexapro for 8 weeks now and my anxiety/panic attacks are much, much improved. I have gained no weight at all, infact, have lost a few pounds! Thankfully, I truly have not had any of the side effects mentioned here. I feel “back to normal” for the most part. The anxiety is still there, but it isn’t as bad. The only thing I have noticed is my menstrual cycle went from a 35-day cycle (which was normal for me) to a 28-day cycle.
I’ve been on Lexapro off and on for about 6 months.The side effects I feel most are, very groggy when I wake up in the morning,even after 7-8 hours of sleep.Also sleepy during the day.Sometimes headaches and lightheaded feeling.But it does even out my perimenopausal moodiness.
I just began taking Lexapro yesterday. So far I have taken two doses (one yesterday after leaving the Dr. and one this morning). I have experienced nausea, racing heart and a metallic taste in my mouth. I am confident these will go away. I would much rather live with those symptoms than my crushing depression. Dr. told me to cut my dose to 5mg. I am going to try that tomorrow. I wish all of you a happy-as-can-be holiday.
Started on Lexapro 2 years ago for PMS. My husband just recently began taking it as well. It helped both of us a lot at first, but as for me, it exagerrated some OCD tendencies and kept me awake at night. Best thing is to take it first thing in the morning if at all. I gained 20 pounds on this medication and lost my libido completely. I weened myself off by taking 5m every other day for a couple of weeks and then stopped back in November. My raging PMS hasn’t returned & I don’t miss the drug. I also had problems with empathy/emotional issues and experienced suicidal thoughts more than once. I am 40 yrs old, not a teenager.
My husband had one good month and has decided not to take it anymore either. He has had the to inability to ejaculate or even get aroused in addition to dark thoughts and obsessive tendencies. My opinion is that it just isn’t worth it.
I’ve been on Lexapro for 3 days. Very soon after my first dose (5mg)I became very shakey and a little nauseous. The 2nd day I was a little nauseous soon after taking the pill. Today I’ve been fine. I take it immediately after breakfast. The first night I experienced “restless leg syndrome” for a little while, but haven’t since. In reading everyone’s comments, my concern would be the weight gain and getting off the medication. I’m on it for anxiety (which I have experienced for years) and mild depression. So far, it has seemed to help – especially with the anxiety.
I’ve been on Lexapro for a week now. The only side effects I’ve experienced so far are really strange dreams and a slightly upset stomach. I’ve actually found that it’s much easier for me to control my eating than before I started the medication. The feeling of hopelessness is gone and I’m praying that this will continue to help me.
I was taking Lexapro for 21/2 months. Gained about 4 pounds, constant yawning in the first month. In the second month lost all energy, could sleep for 10 hrs straight, wake up and still want to sleep. Normally the type of person to clean the house and run errands on the weekend, but found myself sleeping through the entire weekend. My depression worsened and my feelings were completely dulled out. Stop taking it a few days ago and have terrible nauseau and dizziness. This drug did not help me at all. My dr. is switching me to Welbutrim tomorrow. Supposedly, Welbutrim is excellent for weight loss and excellent for people who do not react well to Lexapro. I looked it up and it seems to have less side effects as well. Wish me luck.
Ive been on this drug for 2 days now.
I have only experienced headaches.
The comments I’m reading sound scary
but Im feeling optimistic.
I’ve been taking Lexapro for a little over a year for anxiety. It worked wonders for that, but I put on a lot of weight and it seemed like I stopped caring about things that were always important to me in the past. I initially had headaches and got extremely fatigued, but both subsided over time. I anticipated using it for a shorter period, but for various reasons stayed on for the full year. I’ve been weaning myself off (10 mg every other day) for a couple of weeks and stopped completely this week. The anxiety hasn’t come back and I feel so much more like the me I liked before I started taking it. I haven’t had any problems stopping so far. I hope the weight comes off now too!
My doctor suggested I take Lexapro at night. I woke up nauseaus, but it didn’t stop me from falling asleep. I have noticed a decrease in appetite, no yawning.
Studies show that the medicine either works or it don’t. Your symptoms won’t go away a little with a little bit of Lexapro, it’s either all or nothing. The dose would have to be increased if it is not working, for it to do ANY good. Good Luck all. Weigh your options carefully before starting any therapy. This drug is not habit forming, but it is strongly recommended to ween off of it. It is likely your body will pick up the slack and produce it’s own serotonin, unlike it did previously.
My spouse just up and left our life. I’ve been forced into bankruptcy, we’re losing the house, the car everything. I just found out that he never refilled his Lexapro prescription at the end of October. Can the withdrawal from this drug create such radical and drastic changes in feelings? He told me he loved me (adored me, actually) almost every day, right up to mid December, then just left, saying his feelings had just “stopped” … Can it be a result of his not taking the drug? He was on it since summer of 2003.
Been taking Lexapro for about 2.5 years now. Seemed to help for a while, but then stopped. Tried to get off and had a horrible time. Feelings of dizziness, being in a “fog.” The side effects of trying to wean myself were so bad that I decided I would stay on the medication just to avoid them. I have also gained about 13 pounds since taking the medicine.
I was on lexapro for just over six months and I had all kinds of strange things happening to me. I was tired all the time dizzy, feeling more depressed, weight gain, sick to my stomach ,feeling spaced out. I guess you get what I’m saying. Now I have been on other medicines and each one had some kind of reaction. I weaned my self off Lexapro, but I did consult my Dr. Coming off is hard, I’m having brain zaps dizzyness, electrical shocks going through my body. I did alot of research first. Omega 3 fish oils helping me through this,Vitamins. Not too much just enough to help all the symtoms of coming off. I really think its helping me. I told my Dr first. She is real supportive of me. I was afraid to tell her but she really listened to me. I’ve. been on medicines for 8 years now for OCD and depression which was caused by OCD I beleive. I wanted to know if I could be off meds.and become my old self. I’M hoping my disorder of OCD does not return. I would like to stay off these horrible poisonous meds. They took my symptoms of ocd and depression away but changed me. My personality and all the side effects of these drugs. Please pray for me, that my disorder does not come back and I will make it through this withdrawal period. Oh, I am exercising daily. On the tread mill and stretching. This also helps me get through some of the witdrawal symtoms. Withdrawal symptoms are real. My Dr say only for about two weeks. I’m hoping this is true. Some people say it took longer. I’m going to beat this and look at the bright side and stay on track with exercising and have a positive out look. Thank you for listening and praying for me. I’ll keep you in my prayers.
Hi. I have been on Lexapro for around one year. At first i did feel that “out of it” feeling and feeling like im numb, but it goes away. My concern is getting off it, sometimes i dont refill my prescriptions in time. I know its the worst thing to do, but i didnt know the effects would be so bad. DO NOT STOP COLD TURKEY OR JUST SKIP TAKING IT FOR ANY REASON. I mean this stuff has me so hooked, that when i stopped abruptly I went completley up the wall. I would randomnley cry, pick fights with my husband, get severe anxiety and panic attacks, and just wanted to to end this life ….seriously, PLEASE BE CAREFUL!!!
Wow!My 13 year old son’s doctor prescribed this for his anxiety disorder today. He is to start tomorrow am – If I start him on this and he has these side effects and then refuses to take the meds and gets even worse side effects he will NEVER trust me again to treat him. I can’t start him on this drug I am horrified and very greatful that I found this site. God Bless all of you who took the time to write.
I have been on lexapro for about one month. I have noticed also a decrease in libido,but I seem to be gaining weight in my boobs. It definately makes me sleepy and causes a pressure headache in the back of my head at times. Has anybody else experienced these affects?
I’v been on Lexapro for about 1month for depression, so far I’ve had a slight upset stomach, don’t seem to be gaining weight. The 1st week I was on Lexapro I did have a very scary episode of a panic attack right before an important meeting with a client. I am sleeping a lot, which I dont mind. I don’t seem to have the problem of being drowsy durning the day. Short term memory loss? I’v always had a bad memory,so now I have an excuse.:0). Good luck to us all.
I was put on Lexapro back in May of 2006 (10) mg. and did okay for a short while, but the weight gain was getting out of control. I would go to bed at one weig ht, and wake up the next morning, five pounds heavier! I took myself off of it about 10 days ago, and did not have any problem doing so. I had foot surgery last year, and the weight gain did not help it. I only hope now that I can get this weight off without too many problems.
I have been on lexapro now for 6 mos and the only thing I have gotten from is the dry mouth. I dont have the problem when it comes to sex I have a high sex drive anyway. and as far as gaining weight well I dont feel hungry on it at all. I feel really great on it I am able to think and act comelly. The only thing I did notice is I can tell and everyone eles can is when it starts to wears off ,I get really high strung and get bitchie.I take 10mg But I take it at night and it helps with my insomia I have it bad and I also take vistaril 10 mg inhance the lexapro until my next dose. and that is all I can say I hope I was some help Becasue I have anxiety , depression , insomia and it cause fatigue bad I was on flexareal xr it was a time release but it cause me to be mean and hateful and tired all the time but I hope you all find somthing to work.
I’ve been on 3 months, and I think lexapro is great. My only question, Can hot feet at night be a side effect?
I was on Lexapro for the past 2 years. It really helped with the depression & anxiety. I came to a point though that I felt nothing, I wasn’t happy and I wasn’t sad. I was even able to give the eulogy at my mothers funeral without crying, that’s when I got worried. I gained 40lbs in 2 years on Lexapro. I have since stopped using Lexapro and all my emotions are back, big time! I am not depressed anymore but I do find that I’m having to deal with emotions that I haven’t felt in 2 years. I’m also at the gym 5 days a week trying to take off this awful weight I’ve gained and it’s hard, really hard…Lexapro fixed my emotional depression but then I had to deal with the depression of weight gain…Mentally, overall I’m happy that I had it when I so badly needed it and I have no regrets other than the big booty that’s following me around… :0)
I have been on Lexapro on and off for close to 2 years. I have experienced an appetite decrease though friends on it have had the opposite result. I do feel the dizziness, the lack of labido issue went away after 1 month, no memory loss and it really takes the edge off. I am on a low does 10mg and would not increase it. I did develop a very bad cough but noone seems ot have had that symptom. I did yawn alot at first but have that under control
I have been on Lexapro for 2 years and for the first year it was great. I felt like I could live again. But for this second year, I feel cranky, tired, moody, and worst of all I have gained 45 lbs!!!! I had just lost all my weight and was at 125 finally when I started lexapro, so you can imagine my dissappointment.
I have been on lexapro for a little over 3 weeks for anxiety and depression. When I first started taking it, I was constantly yawning. I am no longer doing so. On the positive side, I am not as angry for no reason, the panick attacks/feeling like i was having a heartattack from the stress have lessened considerably. However, today I started feeling “odd”- not quite all there- going in and out- dizzy and lightheaded- almost like i was going to pass out- I had to hold onto something to steady myself. I called the pharmacist, and he advised that these are classic/normal lexapro side effects- and that this is my body getting acclimated to the drug as it builds. He suggested that I take it at night to avoid these symptons- and then change to daytime over next month or so. I have never felt like I did today and it makes me seriously re-consder taking. p.s. i have also lost weight.
As far as the hot feet thing goes, at nighttime I can’t stand to wear socks or even have my feet covered up. And I’ve noticed considerable weight gain but I’m always too tired to work out.
Wondering if anyone is living with someone who is on Lexapro and has seen a huge change in their personality?He was always supper sensitive and now he is like another person. Constanly aggitated and doesn’t care about our relationship. Never was like that before. He went on org. for anxiety and ocd.
I have been on Lexapro for 10 days now. I have noticed I have more energy and my depression ’seems’ to be abating (placebo effect?). Those are the good effects. On the negative side, I seem to have lost my appetite completely and I have had trouble sleeping through the night. Last night I woke at 2:30 and lay in bed wondering why I have unexplained weight loss and loss of appetite. I began to worry if I have a serious illness…so I want to thank everybody who has written in because now I see that about 1 out of 4 people who experience weight changes seem to lose weight and appetite. I would be interested to know if this will flip around later to weight gain…anybody know? All in all, I feel a little unusual, but if I keep busy and try to not be TOO introspective, I can pretty much ignore the negative side effects until I adjust. At least, that is what I am hoping. I send my best wishes to everyone here who are dealing with depression and anxiety.
I started Lexapro about 2 1/2 years ago. Had very good side effects in the first year. I was more focused, less emotional, lost weight, and more upbeat. I have attempted to get off of this drug two other times prior to this current attempt. You cannot go cold turkey as someone else stated. I have weaned myself and yes, exercise does help. Will also try Omega 3 fish oil to see if that helps as someone else stated. I wish to get off since the past 1 1/2 the side effects seemed to go from good to bad: weight gain, short term memory loss, shaking, reved up too much of the day, head in a fog, bad nausea, and lack of emotional response -unable to cry. It has been almost 2 weeks with this attempt to remove Lexapro from my life. I pray this is it this time.
Hi I am 29 years old with two children. I have been taking Lexapro for over 1 year. I take 20 mg before I go to bed everynight so the side effects hit me while I am sleeping. This medicine has worked wonders for my anxiety. I do notice that shock like feeling in my body and it feels weird but it only happens once in awhile. I do notice just recently an increase in my appetite, I don’t ever feel full. This medicine has really helped me. Give it a chance to work. When your ready to go off have the doctor work with you. Good Luck
I started taking Lexapro 2 days ago 10mg for anxiety. The first night I did wake up several times but I was able to return to sleep. today I feel kind of “out of it” and have a dry mouth. I really hope this work for me. Good luck to all!
I have been on it for 2 1/2 months. The first month was fine, but now my anxiety is back with an vegence. I don’t feel I am able to control my thought process as readily as before. I want off all of this business.
I started Lexapro 2 months ago as I was very depressed, not sleeping, bad dreams etc. I have been taking only 5mg daily as 10mg made me feel too ‘thick/heavy’. Talked to Dr start of April about coming off it – 5mg every 2nd day for 2 weeks, then stop. I am now stopped & getting the same side effects when I started it – bad dreams, poor sleep,etc. While I was on it I lost interest in sex and did put on some weight, but it did make me feel more able to cope with family & work. At present I am feeling really space-y, but looking forward to being totally ‘off’. Oh, yes, I did have nausea & dry mouth while I was getting used to it. Would I go back on it? Not if I could help it, although it did the job for me earlier. I would not recommend it to anyone.
Started Lexapro 10 days ago. I have chronic fatigue and am hypersensitive to many meds. I also have been having the worst OCD and anxiety. The inside of my head felt like a train wreck. This Dr. wisely started me on 2.5 mg every other day and now I am on this dose every day. will see the Dr next week. Side effects are drowsiness, that Dr said may pass. I had initial aggitation with the first couple of doses which has passed. Since I have had a sleep disorder for years, fogginess, memory loss, fatigue, lack of libido and weight gain (eating too much for my diminished activity level) it would be really difficult to tell if I am having any of these side effects. So far this has had less side effects than other anti-depressants I have tried. The good news is although I am still anxious and OCD (I am sure I need to work up to a higher med dose) I am feeling calmer. The inside of my head still feels like a train wreck but I feel more detached from it. Good luck to all, this anxiety, depression and OCD stuff is really tough.
was on this last year for about 5 months and it worked for the most part and have been back on it for about 3 weeks now. my migraines have been a LOT worse and i have CONSTANT headaches—awful. but i think i’d rather have a headache than be stuck in a dark pit of depression and anxiety.
I’ve been on laxapro for 4 days now. I, too, have been very tired and yawning a lot. Like others, I almost feel like I’m on a cloud…which I don’t mind
I haven’t noticed any dry mouth but I have noticed a decreased appetite, which I hope stays!
I’m on lexapro for anxiety and mild depression.
So far, so good. I just hope I don’t get the weight gain like others did….
I have been on Lexapro now for about 3 months. I have noticed that my appetite has increased tremendously. I have gained about 15 lbs already. I was prescribed lexapro for my panic attacks. It has stopped the panic attacks for the most part, but the depression seems to be getting worse. Also, I stay so tired. I have no desire to do anything anymore. I wake up and just want to go back to sleep. I don’t feel like cleaning or cooking. I am usually a very outgoing, energetic person. I go to the dr. today and I am going to get off of this medicine and find something else.
I have been on Lexapro for just over a year for depression. I, too, yawn all the time, though I don’t mind that as much as the feeling of being tired. The depression has all but lifted, but I have gained 20+ lbs on this medicine after holding the same weight for over 3 years. As I have blood sugar issues, I am weaning off Lexapro, because additional weight is a huge health risk for me.
I have taken Lexapro for 2 days now and I FEEL HORRIBLE! Haven’t gotten much sleep in 2 nights and when I was sleeping the 2nd night I woke up suddenly as if I was shocked in my sleep…then everything just started rolling…worst bed spins I’ve ever had in my life…I saw lots of colors too…scarey!!! Now I feel like the walking dead…can’t stop yawning and I’m achey too…my neck is killin me…my head is fuzzy. I will NEVER take this crap again…now I realize I didn’t feel so bad before…Time to suck it up and get tuff!!!
5 hours into my first Lexapro, and I am high as a kite. Not anxious for the first time in 11 years. Works instantly!! Not looking forward to any of the wicked side effects that the others have spoke of. I feel very sleepy and stoned. Not bad, definetly not anxious.
I’m on my fourth day on Lexapro after two years on Zoloft. I’ve been having problems staying awake the last couple of months and the last few days that seems to have worsened. It’s probably too early to tell if I’ll have the same negative side effects as I’ve had with Zoloft – anorgasmia, weight gain, dulling, apathy. The SSRIs have helped immensely with the depression and anxiety though. When I forget my meds, I immediately get agitated and show signs of depression. I’ll be looking into dual-action drugs or talk therapy because I don’t think my depression is in remission.
I have been on 10 mg since 1996. My doc tried to increase it and all I did was sleep. I want to try to stop taking it, as my entire life has changed and perhaps what was causing the issues is gone now – my husband! He wanted a divorce. I tried to stop…oh my God – it was awful. Now I am going to try to wean, but I am not sure how to do this and not suffer so!! But, I encourage people to use it for a while. It helped me for years deal with family dying all around me and I was able to help and be productive for all of them. Peace.
I came off of Zoloft because it was no longer doing its thing. I am considered dysthymic.Some recent career issues and work enviornment things had thrown me into double depression which as you may know is rotton. I was coming off “z” and began wellbutrin 150 am /150 pm. This coupled with gaufisan for congestion( sinus issues) , ok well i reslly became super psychotic for a bit-really really bad times. i called my dr and said there needs to be a change right now>!!!! I requsted lexapro , i had never tried it before. I began 10 mlg , she said to take at night along w/ 150 of wellbrutrin. things have calmed down so much more for me- the apathy is stll there which is ok-helps with my job. the focus is better, appetite decreased – but man alive can i sleep. I feel that is it working relativly good – i am still kinda numb feeling, but its ok- its better than acting like a train wreck as well as feeling like one. The sex part, no libibo, but its ok. Peace..
I came off of Zoloft because it was no longer doing its thing. I am considered dysthymic.Some recent career issues and work enviornment things had thrown me into double depression which as you may know is rotton. I was coming off “z” and began wellbutrin 150 am /150 pm. This coupled with gaufisan for congestion( sinus issues) , ok well i reslly became super psychotic for a bit-really really bad times. i called my dr and said there needs to be a change right now>!!!! I requsted lexapro , i had never tried it before. I began 10 mlg , she said to take at night along w/ 150 of wellbrutrin. things have calmed down so much more for me- the apathy is stll there which is ok-helps with my job. the focus is better, appetite decreased – but man alive can i sleep. I feel that is it working relativly good – i am still kinda numb feeling, but its ok- its better than acting like a train wreck as well as feeling like one. The sex part, no libibo, but its ok. Peace..
I came off of Zoloft because it was no longer doing its thing. I am considered dysthymic.Some recent career issues and work enviornment things had thrown me into double depression which as you may know is rotton. I was coming off “z” and began wellbutrin 150 am /150 pm. This coupled with gaufisan for congestion( sinus issues) , ok well i reslly became super psychotic for a bit-really really bad times. i called my dr and said there needs to be a change right now>!!!! I requsted lexapro , i had never tried it before. I began 10 mlg , she said to take at night along w/ 150 of wellbrutrin. things have calmed down so much more for me- the apathy is stll there which is ok-helps with my job. the focus is better, appetite decreased – but man alive can i sleep. I feel that is it working relativly good – i am still kinda numb feeling, but its ok- its better than acting like a train wreck as well as feeling like one. The sex part, no libibo, but its ok. Peace..
I came off of Zoloft because it was no longer doing its thing. I am considered dysthymic.Some recent career issues and work enviornment things had thrown me into double depression which as you may know is rotton. I was coming off “z” and began wellbutrin 150 am /150 pm. This coupled with gaufisan for congestion( sinus issues) , ok well i reslly became super psychotic for a bit-really really bad times. i called my dr and said there needs to be a change right now>!!!! I requsted lexapro , i had never tried it before. I began 10 mlg , she said to take at night along w/ 150 of wellbrutrin. things have calmed down so much more for me- the apathy is stll there which is ok-helps with my job. the focus is better, appetite decreased – but man alive can i sleep. I feel that is it working relativly good – i am still kinda numb feeling, but its ok- its better than acting like a train wreck as well as feeling like one. The sex part, no libibo, but its ok. Peace..
I was on lexapro a few months ago and felt better so i stopped. Was okay for a while and then became severly depressed as before. seen Dr today who has told me to start again. Took first tab today again. I have runny stools and very light headed, dizzy and in a daze. I had these exact symptoms last time but i know they go. Symptoms last time lasted for approx 2-3 weeks. It helped me alot with my depression though. Oh i also have decresaed appetite as the same as previously too. I think the people who put on weight is probably due to the fact that you end up having no energy due to the lexapro therfore weight gain happens.
I never wanted to get anti-depressant drugs, but felt they were my last resort about four months ago, I was so down and exhausted from lack of sleep and stress. I was described Lexapro, they seemed to help in the beginning, but now I have noticed I’m going back being moody, have terrible muscle pains all over my back, I’m really tired and empty-headed. After reading all the comments about the drug and ist side effects and withdrawal symptoms I want to get off it now!! and not to go back, I don’t care what side effects I get, this drug cant be good for you????
I’ve been on lexapro and ativan for over a year now but my weight gain is horrible. It has helped me tremendously though as fair as my panic states. I’m almost back to normal.
I am just starting to feel awful because of my weight.
I to was put on Lexapro for depression/anxiety. I already have a headache and am yawning like crazy, also seem to have a very sensitive gag reflex. I know these are not uncommon side effects and will go away. However I am concerned about weight gain. I have already gained 70 lbs. For a 5′1′ tall person this is not good. Also with all the other side effects listed and the headache I have right now I will cut this dose in half and stick with that for awhile. I do have the Xanax to fall back on for those extremely anxious days. As one a few others have mentioned God bless up all.
i have been on lexapro now for a little over a month. i almost stopped taking it b/c of the nauseau, diareah, dizziness, shaking, yawning, tiredness..all the craziness. but now about 98% of the syptoms are gone and i feel great! i have even lost 9lbs because im not crazy and depressed and eating all the time anymore! i love it!
I have taken Lexapro for 4 days now. I am having headaches, fogginess and the worst diarrhea. I’m scared to continue because of the stories about getting off of it. I’m also really tired during the day.
Kelly – Let your doc know about what you are experiencing, and talk to he/she about your fear. The symptoms you describe typically cease in about 2 weeks – or sooner. Varies from person to person. You may simply need to stay the course and let your body adjust before dropping off of the therapy. Don’t rely on a web chat to make your decisions. Talk to your doc. Peace to you! T
started Lexapro alomst 6 weeks ago, for major depressive disorder and genralized anxiety. It did wonders for the anxiety, but the depression is getting worse. I have had a terrible case of the “sads” for a number of weeks now. Its starting to get worrysome in that I felt a gun to the head would be better then how I am feeling. I have had zero energy and have gained 5 pounds with no change to my diet. The weight gain stresses me out horribly, seeing that I have been working really hard for the last year to lose weight via weight watchers.
I’ve been crying at the drop of a hat.
Called the doc to start weaning off and go back to prozac, plus something for the anxiety.
I have been on the Lexapro since June 9th. Since then the headaches have gone away, the fogginess is also better. No longer have the yawns like I did unless I am truly tired, then they seem to be a bit excessive. I did decrease 10mg a day to 5mg because of the side effects. Seems like 10 is just too much for me. The anxiety is more bearable and on the bad days I do take the Xanax. For me it helps. I have not cried once where as before I couldn’t stop. As for emotions, I think it has made me numb. Perhaps for not this is not so bad.
I am so scared though about the withdrawls once I stop taking this, which is one more reason I do not want my dose to increase. God Bless
I have taken lexapro for four months for depression and it made me very sleepy and tired for the first month but I kept with it. around the third month things seemed better and still do although I have now gained 15 pounds. I stopped taking it for this reason and I have some of the withdrawal symptoms but at this point they are less important than getting my body back to normal. Good luck to those of you who are having successful runs. I don’t think I will take this again.
I have been on Lexapro for about 1 month. I too felt a little wierd and anxious for the first week which subsided by early in the second week. I now feel normal again after several years of moderate depression. I never had anxiety though. I am still experiencing difficulty ejaculating. I hope this passes. One very unusual and disturbing incident occured today which may or may not be attributed to Lexapro. Uncontrollable handshaking came on suddenly while playing the guitar. This was a performance in front of a large audience. The shaking became so bad that I had to stop twice to recover. This has never happened to me before. I believe it was a combination of stress and Lexapro. Anyone else had problems with uncontrollable shaking?
I’ve been on Lexapro for about 7 months at 20 mg/day. My side effects have been yawning, sleepiness, and weight gain. (It’s hard to exercise when you’re tired all the time). I experience the sudden muscle contractions (”shocks”) when trying to fall asleep and lately have had insomnia, some mood changes, and forgetfulness. **I did find that setting an alarm to wake up, take the pill, and go back to sleep for 2 more hours made it much easier to wake up. It certainly helped treat my depression and I’m glad I’ve been on it. Zoloft gave me restlessness, fidgeting, and memory loss (I felt stupid) a few years back. Good news for all is that all the side effects (like memory loss) went away after tapering off the Zoloft. Good luck to you all–it is a difficult situation but things can get better.
I’ve been on Lexapro for 6 weeks now…the first 2 weeks I found myself ajusting to the meds…I had mood swings…and considered taking myself off of it completely…but I’m glad I stayed on it…I’m doing much better today.
I have been taking Lexapro for 8 weeks.
The first week I had the headaches, nausea, lack of appetite and increase in libido! Now the headaches and nausea are gone. I have lost 10 lbs and we have more sex than before. I feel like the world is so much brighter. I can’t believe how long I/we suffered.
Good luck to those who are still looking for their cure. Don’t give up…
I just took my first dose about 4 hours ago, 10 mg lexapro. I attended Colorado State back in the late 60’s when psychodelic drugs were everywhere. About two hours after taking the Lexapro I had an out of body experience similar to those back in my college days. It feels like I am on acid, laughing wildly at the postings I am reading on the website. I suppose the laughing is a good sign, I’m not depressed. My fear is the awful weight gain many have experienced. I can’t afford any more pounds. I will see how sleep is tonight; insomnia has always been a big problem, even on Temazepam. I should add that I was a smoker and drinker forever; I managed to quit smoking for 4 years, started up again, and now have cold turkeyed booze and cigarettes; it’s a nightmare but maybe the lexapro can help. Maybe I’ll just keep laughing and all will be well. Good luck to all of you; I wish you well.
I’ve been on Lexapro for three years for anxiety and panic attacks. Although I love it,I’m finding it harder and harder to get through the day. I have gained about 40 lbs in the three years I’ve been on it, probably because of the constant feeling of sleepiness and lethargy has made me unable to exercise. I may have to talk to my doctor about going off of it. But knowing how I feel when I miss a dose, going off of it could be tough.
I have been on Lexapro for about 2 days now. I notice that I am yawning constantly and my hands won’t stop shaking. I also have so much more energy and I am constantly wanting to tap my feet and move. I got sick a few hours after my first dose and have been feeling nauseous ever since.
i have been taking lexapro for about 5 months now. I take 20mg a day. I have been having very strange dreams and sometimes cant remember if the dreams were real things that have happened or not. I have gained about 20 pounds and never feel full and can eat all day. I havent felt as depressed or anxious but i have started to have panic attacks. I dont know whether to continue or stop the medicine.
I took lexapro for 1 1/2 years. While taking this medication I did feel less anxious with no depression. While taking it I noticed my insides would shake and I had an all over weird feeling. The withdrawl was the worst thing that I have ever experienced in my life. I vomited every day terrible headaches and dizzy spells. It took me 45 days to feel better and I did ween myself from 10 mgs to 5 mgs then to 2.5 mgs. I do not reccomend this drug to any one.
I would just like to say to people who are taking lexapro stop reading the bad stuff, i have been on lexapro for 6 week and i have sweats and a bit of shaking i feel like my jaw is a bit locking when i sleep, but i am better and i want to go out now, i have anxiety and panic but i don’t care about it now and i don’t feel like i am going to die, its passes now, i don’t fell great yet but i do feel better, rather then having no life and not going out which i use too do, as for getting of them i will worry about it then as my friend said “people have come off worse drugs, my friend is on lexapro too she was a nervous wreck and now she gose to tafe and dosen’t worry about crap anymore she has been able to stop the methadom she was on for 5 years and now has a life she has been on lexapro for 2 years and has gained a bit of weight but she said its because she eats more because she is happy, i on the other hand have lost weight and although i ate lots the first week i am not feeling hungry or sick i have stopped smoking marajwanna and this is a big thing for me as i have smoked for 10 years i hate the way lexapor is making me feel but the good out ways the bad and its only been 6 weeks comming of might be hard but so is giving up a life
also i would like to add that i would rather have to spend 45 days coming off lexapro then spend my life in a house not trying new things and not coping with stress crying and panicing about nothing worring about little thing i have been better just think what it alcoholics go through to get well or heroin addicts lexapor gives you brain what it is missing all drugs that alter the brain will make you feel weird but that is because your brain dosn’t make enough of it for you to feel right so stoping and starting is hard but when it
levels in your brain you will be right everything work diffrent on everyone some people will be good some bad and some will be slow getting there forgetting thing short team things can be from to much stress and just because you take lexapro dose not mean you wont stress and forget stuff if you rushing round you will forget stuff as i said before my friend has just completed a tafe course and past all her tests, every one is diffrent the brain can compensate
for short term memory lost anyway even alcoholics can become better after stopping other parts of the brain compensate for the loss ask your doctor
if you are worry about this and live people that what this is all about
I’ve been taking Lexapro for 5 years. My depression seemed to come with the onset of menopause.Lexapro helped me leave the house and start a new career. I was no longer afraid to fly.I accepted the weight gain. What I gave up were my emotions. I don’t feel happy or sad.
Thank you so much for your info. and comments. I told my doctor I wanted to get off antidepressants. I’ve been taking Wellbutrin for about 4 years and heard if was particularily difficult to withdraw from. I asked my doctor if I could switch from Wellbutrin to something that would be easier to withdraw from and he prescribed Lexapro.
Then I started reading about the bad experiences some people were having after taking Lexapro. I was rather shocked. I’m glad I ran across this info. so soon (I’m only taking 5 mg. and only for about 2 weeks.) I saw a sign several years ago (in a doctor’s office no less) that said “Your health is much too important to put in the hands of your doctor”.
I’m going to phase out this Lexapro starting today. Does anyone have a better suggestion as an interim drug. What about switching from Lexapro to Prozac and then withdrawing from Prozac. Would I be better off to just slowly withdraw from the Wellbutrin? Any suggestions. Again, Thank you so much for this blog.
I have always been afraid of taking anti-depressents. I am going though a major struggle in my life and want to be able to think clearly. My counsler suggested taking lexapro this would help. I feel I need to have feeling not just shut down. I have taken three doses so far. Someone please help. The doctors say one thing and I feel God will provide.
Wow- I just took my first dose an hour ago. I am scared to death and I have a custody battle to be alert for,now I am wondering to stop it now. I have alot of major life changing experiences going on right now, I had just asked for some nerve pills and the doctor gave me sample of this. Plus I don’t want to gain abunch of weight!Don’t know what to do– I need to be thinking clearly!!
I’ve been on Lexapro for 2 months. Best thing that ever happened to me! My anxiety attacks stopped and the mood swings are gone. The only side effect is the sweating at night, but then again I’m also menapausal. I was groggy the first few days on 10 ml, but Dr reduced to 5 ml and it’s much better. I haven’t experienced any weight gain, in fact I lost 10 lbs because I’m nolonger stress eating. Everyone is different.
I have been on Lexapro for about 3 months now. I started on 10mg, but now has been increased to 20mg. My symptoms are including vivid dreams, pain in the left leg (which prior to my investigation on this drug I thought was due to my sciatic nerve), and strangely I cannot eat dairy products anymore, actually if it is not a whole food my body will not allow it. Meaning I feel bloated, gassy, and I get either constipated or have diarreha. And though the scale reads the same my clothes don’t fit right, I look bloated my stomach sticks out and I don’t understand, yesterday I was all “pooched” out and today it is flatter.
My armpits are constantly soaked from lexapro. I hate it. Anyone else have this problem?
I have been taking lexapro for a few months and to me it isnt worth it at all! I was depressed and when taking this i felt many side affects like, lack of affection towards my boyfriend, bad temper, weight gain, tired, restless legs, and more..I tryed to go off of it with consent from my dr, and within 2 weeks the brain zaps were so horrible that I had to call a pharmacist and she told me to go back on it and it would take about 6 months for me to get off slowly and completly.. BE VERY CAREFUL GOING ON AND OFF OF THIS! I dont trust this at all, and wish that I didnt have to be on it any longer!!
Well seems as if my body just could not handle the increased dosage from 5mg to 10mg. (which was originally proscribed) In July my Dr wanted me to try the 10mg again. So in August I was switched to Wellbutrin. The first week was really tough. Second week much better and so on. I am happy with the results so far. While on the Lexapro I did indeed stop the crying and was much more calm however I felt nothing. I did not care about anyone or anything. I was truly numb. That is not me or who I even want to be. I have actually lost a few pounds since the switch however one could say it is because I do more. I no longer feel like a zombie. My life is not perfect and a pill will not make it so, however since the switch I am much more able to accept my responsibilities and do what I need to fix me and my life. I also cry now. Which I think is good for the soul every now and then.
I wish all of you the best on your quests for happiness and peace.
I have been on small doses of Lexapro for about 2-3 years. Lexapro was a life saver for me. I experienced trauma and was not able to sleep, had severe inability to digest foods and felt meals were dreaded to me. I was diagnosed as having Generalized Anxiety disorder and it was suggested I try Lexapro.
(*Please let me make a comment here: I was not “put on” Lexapro. People can always say to a doctor, I will research it and get back to you) But, I was so desperate I tried it. The Doctor looked me in the eye and said, “once you start the Lexapro you will have to be on it for the rest of your life.” I did not beleive her.
Very soon after starting treatment, I was able to sleep. Not long after that I was able to eat meals. My panic and anxiety were much less.
Very little side effects, except a small nervous feeling. I took some Xanax at night, until the Lexapro settled in and began to work.
That is the good part!
My next comment will be the not so good side-effects.
Ok…so I have been on Lexapro for 2-3 years.
My entire life switched around. I used be very physically active. I gradually, day after day, became more and more comfortable – just spacing out. Mind you, I am only taking 1/2 pill of the lowest adult dose of 10mg. I take 5 mg nightly.
I beleive there is a reason that people have anxiety. anxiety is good, if is not extremely excessive(like it was for me 3 years ago when I could not sleep nor eat..)
But, even at the low dose of 5mg for 3 years, I just don’t worry about anything. I NEED to worry about some things: like my health, my finances etc.
And, I put on significant weight.
I do not want to supplement my Lexapor with another drug..and then another drug to aid with the side-effects of that drug. A never-ending list of drugs is something I wont to avoid.
Well, guess what. I am experiencing another side effect(my opinion) of the Lexapro. I have completely lost interest in writing and have completely forgot the point I was trying to get across. Yeah Yeah..I know..forgetfullness happens.
But, “I” know “Me” and “I” without the lexapro – is alert and ….
anxious. I guess.
I have tried to reduce from 5 mg to 2.5 and beleive me, it sounds ridiculous, but, I have major sleep disturbance and people just don’t seem to like me (LOL)because I get very self-protective and ambitious. (hmmm. good qualities) However, not getting sleep, just creates great fatigue in me and I can’t exercise anyway.
So, I guess my point is: I am stuck. I feel “addicted” to the Lexapro. I feel the Lexapro is hurting my overall health! But, it is the only drug that has ever given me sleep, reduced anxiety and good mood.
A trade-off I guess.
Catch up with up people later.
I hope I did not talk too long and talk nonsense.
Take care,
Bernie
Uh, Question?
How do I get back to this discussion.
I do not see a Http:// up at top of this page?
Please email me and tell me ..someone? lol
I’ve been on 15 mg lexapro for about 6 months for anxiety. i never experienced any side effects, even in the beginning, and i lost 10 pounds like i do every summer because i waitress (and living in maine, thats just the way we roll), so think about this – the people that write on these boards mostly compain because they have something to complain about, but the rest of us, with success stories, are out enjoying life
I am a 30 year old stay-at-home mom and I’ve been taking Lexapro (10mg in the am)for anxiety for about 2.5 weeks now. I really liked it from day 1. The first couple of days I was like “oh well” which I have never been able to say or do. My husband got a big kick out of that. I was finally able to let the little things slide and finally RELAX. Before I couldn’t even sit on the couch in the evening and hang out-I had to be doing something. Also-my neck used to ache sooo bad (which I didn’t realize was from my tension and anxiety). We even bought a Tempur-pedic bed thinking that would help. It sounds weird but my neck felt instantly better from the first dose of Lexapro. I have noticed a little sweating on my feet and a little shaking in my arms, plus a lower libido but these side effects are nothing compared to how great I feel otherwise. I took Xanax the first few nights and slept like a baby. I am sleeping fine w/o the Xanax and feel like my old self again. I am curious how long I have to be on Lexapro and hope my anxiety is gone for good!
hi, i wish i had read this before i started lexapro. i have been on it for years and the last two years things have gone from bad to worse. there are the nightmares, the lack of sexual desire, the lack of desire for life. i feel very unlike my old self. i even have thoughts of suicide, i can not control my mood swings.the list goes on and this drug was suppose to help? i would advise anyone not to take it and maybe do better research on some of the other anti depressents. i wish you well.
My 7 year old son with Asperger’s Syndrome started Lexapro 5 days ago for anxiety. Since then he has been running into my bedroom at night complaining of bad dreams. In school it has gone from bad to worse…totally non compliant. I called the psychiatrist who prescribed it but he assured me these behaviors are not from Lexapro and encouraged me to keep him on it. I’m not sure what to do after reading all of this. He is just a child and he may not be communicating how he feels, if he as other side affects. I’m really worried now.
I have been taking Lexapro for 10 days for anxiety. I do experience the fatigue (especially in the mornings) and my appetite has decreased. I do also yasn (quite a bit), but I have a side effect that I can’t find on here… When I yawn, afterwards, it makes me clench my jaw. It only happens when I take a medicine that effects my seratonin levels. My doctor can’t esplain it, and my jaw and teeth hurt so badly that I am discontinuing my use of this medicine. I do wonder, however, if anyone else has experienced this? I almost feel like I am getting TMJ.
I just started taking Lexapro 10mg today. I have felt severe nausea and I notice that I did have a few headaches today which I attributed to not eating as much because I am nauseous. I have felt heart palpitations and anxiety as well from this drug today. But I have been feeling anxious anyway. I started taking this drug because I am going through major life changes and suffer from the loss of my mother. I have been battling going on something for the past 1 1/2 years. After reading what everyone has wrote I am very nervous. Any suggestions for battling anxiety/panic attack and crying?
I first started on 10 mg of Lexapro about a yr ago. I was told to take it in the morning and noticed that the first few days my heart was racing and I felt sick to my stomach. I then noticed uncontrolable teeth grinding and difficultly sleeping. I then switched to taking it at night. I noticed that it definitely helped my anxiety, and gave me a ton more energy, but over the past 4 months or so, I have noticed that it is not working as well. I have been feeling more lethargic and “blah”. I seem to have difficultly waking up in the morn, but then I have a ton of energy until about 3 pm when I “crash”. By 8 pm I am absolutely exhausted. I have had extreme mood swings and just simply have not felt like myself. After reading all of these comments I am nervouse about getting off of the Lexapro. I am concerned that the bad side effects are outweighing the good.
I’ve been on Lexapro for 3 mo. and I’ve gained 10 LBS! I’ve been a consistent weight for the past 6 years and I eat a strict vegan diet. The ONLY difference in my routine has been the lexarpo. The med also makes me extremely tired so I started taking it at night. I’ve always been a morning person but I have had the hardest time waking up since being on Lexapro. I have cut my dose in half to see if it helps with these syptoms. I have read many blogs from people taking this med and about 90% talk of weight gain.
Hi, I have a question and a comment. Has anybody out there has taken this lexapro for 3 weeks (10 mg) and then quit cold turkey? I have not taken it for two days now and I dont feel any of the bad symptoms everybody is talking about, are they going to come later? Any info is apreciated. As for when I started it, I did feel the nausea and spacey feeling every body describes here, also the loss of libido wich is the main reason I’m quiting. Me and my husband were very sexual, with high sex drive and this is affecting our relationship, it did help my depresion but now I’m worring about my relationship with my husband, so the pill took away the depresion, but now I feel depresed because I might be losing my husband. Also another side effect is that english is my second language and I’m finding harder to remember how too spell words. i hope someone can help me.
Man, I wonder if some of you were prescribed Lexipro for true clinical depression and anxiety? I was serverely depressed, anxious, and manic. I have been on nearly all the antidepressants, but found that a low dose of lithim and a higher dose of Lexapro helps me want to live. Really, true depression is the empty feelings, loss of interest in life, thinking that it would be better to die than live with the emptiness or pain. All the weight gain and other side effects pale in comparision to life with depression. I have been on Lexapro and Lithim for over a year, and although I do experience the “blaH” feeling, perhaps I had lived inthe high and low of manic depression so long that feeling normal feels “blah”. In this mode, I no longer have fears that keep me from doing things in life I have always wanted to do! I am happy to live today and look forward to adventures. To me, that is worth the incovenient side effects… So if you are thinking of taking any antidepressant, the diagnosis should be accurate so that it is really worth the side effects. Brenda
I took Lexapro for the past 6 monhs due to anxiety, I felt it really helped me through a rough time. After consulting with my GP i was told i could just go ‘cold turkey’ VERY BAD AVICE!!!
I suffered a constant persistant headache, insomnia, extreme dizziness when standing and generally feeling unwell. I strongley reccommend that you do not stop taking this drug ‘cold turkey’ even if this is reccommended by your GP.
This drug has caused me to gain 13 pounds in 2 months. I am so frustrated, aside from the lack of libido, crazy dreams that are confused with reality, yawning, cravings for sweets & carbs, tired, lazy, and feeling like I am in a fog. I started at 10 mg and went down to 5mg because I was expereicning anxiety attacks whihc i did not even have off the medicine. I had not had one in 7 years! I was on Zoloft 7 years ago which worked very well, aside from me gaining 20 pounds. And I am only 5′4, it was horrible and I got off it after 1year. I was fine for 7 years. I dont recommend LExapro. I just dont think the side effects are worth it! I just want to be myself again!
I have taken this drug for 2 years. People..you HAVE to give it time to work! Of COURSE it will have weird effects on you at first! It took me 6 months to get used to it but it’s WORTH it now. I almost ended my marriage because of my clinical depression, OCD, social phobias and panic attacks. My family couldn’t live with me. I’m a different person now! I still have problems with depression but usually that’s just during menstruation. I still am a tad OCD but it helps me to get things done! Yes I have side effects like increased appetite, yawning, fatigue and a few other things but it was WORTH the trade off for the horrible things I was going through. I alleviate most of those through EXERSIZE. People…EVERYONE needs exersize which helps a LOT of things, including increasing the release of seratonin (sp?), burning off the weight or possible weight gain, helps with energy levels and just all around makes me feel better the days that I do it. I think it’s ESSENTIAL that one exersizes with this drug. It helps! This drug is a GOOD drug! We are a happy family now. I seriously weigh a bit less than I did when I first started taking it. I think the weight gain is mostly by inactive people or people who aren’t CONSISTENT with good activity/exersize. It does make you more fatigued so do things that kick up your energy!
Anyway, now that I’m back in control of my life because of this drug then I can do nothing but promote the hype about it. I am just sick of the complainers who have only been on it from a few hours to a few months. GIVE IT TIME! Such impatience. I didn’t like it at first either. Remember what I said…it took me 6 MONTHS to get used to it but if you want your life to change then you’ll find patience. Good Luck and God bless.
when i started lexapro 3 years ago, i noticed some blood in my stool. i did go to the doctor after about a month of this, was examined, and it stopped right after that. fast forward to this fall. i decided to wean myself off, so i took 10 mg every other day, for about 2 or 3 weeks. then i just stopped. wrong move. i was so edgy that after two weeks, i started again. i have been back on 10 mg a day for about 3 weeks, and have blood in my stool and am nauseous every time i eat. also have very bad smelling gas, but i think that is the blood in my digestive tract. has this happened to anyone else? i don’t recall the nauseous/gas from the first time i started it. also, can anyone suggest how long the effects last after stopping – i waited two weeks but it really did not seem to be getting better.
I’ve taken Lexapro 3 years now. I used to feel bad and paranoid all the time and lie around the house. This stuff is very effective for me. Stomach cramps are gone. Weirdest side effect is strange dreams. Also can’t drink alcohol – buzz never comes. I do okay in the sex department with occasional help from Viagra, so I’m pretty happy.
After reading all these comments I am not sure what to think. I have been on Lexapro now for a month. I have never felt better. The only thing I find negative is I have bad pain in my fingers. I stopped hating my job, stopped yelling at the kids so much, stopped being so bitch to my husband, and am just much more tolerant. It takes me longer to climax but who says that’s a bad thing!!
I have been on lexapro for 2 years. I had a terrible time getting used to it but I was having such severe anxiety that I didn’t know if the side effects or the anxiety were causing my anguish. The immediate side effects are nausea, dizziness, crazy dreams,etc. After I got used to the drug, I became ravenous. My appetite is now normal. My dreams are occasionally crazy. I gained maybe 5-10 lbs total but I feel so good that I enjoy meals. I used to have such anxiety that I couldn’t eat. I used to have horrible raging pms also. I feel really good, calm, and much better with my kids and spouse. I am afraid to go of it so I don’t. I think you have to give it a lot of time to become adjusted to it. My husband also takes it. He yawns a lot! Doc said it was a side effect.
I started taking Lexapro today and my first side effect was that my entire mouth and throat went completely dry. I called the doctor who told me that there were no side effects. He in formed me to stop taking them for a few days. I probably won’t take them at all since I felt like I was going to choke.
I’ve taken this for three days now, in the morning. My doc told me to take 10mg and I did for the first two days, but WOW did I feel odd. I’d yawn ALL the time and everytime I yawned I’d shake really bad. Plus, I got the chills something fierce. Very unpleasant. Granted, my anxiety symptoms are nill, but I feel weird. Sleep is off, too. I have racing thoughts when I try to sleep…
after the attempt to quit in december, i decided i didn’t like blood in my stool and wanted off. instead of taking 10 mg ever other day, i took 5 mg every day, then dropped to every other day. i haven’t had any lexapro or symptoms for the last 3 weeks. i feel great – like i just woke up from a long winter nap. good luck!
Ive been on Lexapro for 3 months and im noticing little jots in my hands and legs. It only happens once in awhile but it feels like a nerve jumps. Has anyone ever experienced this?
I started with 10mg Lexapro about two weeks ago for GAD. My anxiety left right away. I had euphoria, laughing outloud at tv commercials and mania-cleaned my whole house, rearrainged cupboards- all the while talking constantly-I scared my teens! “Mom are you ok? you are so happy and busy!?” MY Doc told me to keep on it after a full week the sweating, jaw clenching, mania subsided, but the anorgasmia and apathy was too much for me. I really wanted it to work, I was really happy and getting a lot done. I spaced out at a traffic light with kids in the car and I called my doctor right away and we lowerer my dose to 5 mg. My libido and orgasms returned right away. I still feel energetic, but I more “normal” I feel some of the sweating again, and my period is kinda messed up and light, but I want to cook and clean again, and feel productive and have no pelvic pain which I had for a long time intermittely. And most of all, I am not constantly worrying about my kids and what if….circular thinking. So, even though all these comments scare me, especially the withdrawl stuff, I am going to keep on the 5mg. and add vitamin supplements(saw on some site)to help avoid weight gain. I will light a candle tonight at Church for everyone taking this medication. God Bless you all.
Three years ago I took lexapro for about 8 months. The first week I had really bad side effects. Then everything was great. When I decided to stop taking it I was nervous because I had heard that I would go through withdrawal and get sick. I stopped taking it cold turkey and was fine.
I just got a divorce and my depression has came back really bad. My doctor put me back on Lexapro and I have been taking it for almost a full month. This time I have had really bad side effects including nausea, can’t sleep, stomach cramping and pain, cold, increased heart rate, dry mouth, jaw clenching, loss of appetite, increased thirst, short attention span, have been forgetting a lot of short term stuff. The side effects are so bad I am missing a lot of work and have no energy to do anything. I have decided that I am not going to take this medicine anymore. I even cut back, I am only taking 5 mg a day and the side effects have not lessened.
I have been taking Lexapro now for 10 days. I have not felt like my normal self for the past 5 days. My doctor only started me on 5mg and I was only suppose to take that for the first 8 days. I do not want to go up to the full 10mg right now because of the way I already feel. I am constantly exhausted, having stomach cramping, loss of appetite, really bad vivid dreams, can’t sleep, tired during the day….I normally work out 6 days a week, and have not worked out for the past 5 days. It is very aggrivating and I think I am going to call my doctor. I am wanting to get better, not feel worse. I am forgetting things lately, and that is not good. I will see how things go and give it a few more days.
I come from a depressive family and have been depressive all my life; have tried many of the drugs from Elavil to Prozac to Welbutrin, most of which had unacceptable side effects. After losing my husband a year ago, I started on Lexapro. Didn’t notice any side effects: no nervousness, shakiness, or weight gain. I haven’t felt happy, but have been able to function somewhat better, and haven’t had the actual physical pain around my heart that accompanies severe depressive episodes. But, I recently have become alarmed about short-term memory difficulty and unusual lethargy, and not caring whether things get done or not. So, after reading all the remarks here, I’m going to try to taper off. Many thanks to all of you.
I have been on this medicine for 6 years..I have you all beat! No complaints. I do believe this was a life saver for me. I am very thankful for my “happy pill” Even weight loss. But don’t you dare skip a day because it is very serious and dangerous. I can say I become a different awful person who challenges everyone who come in my path. So just remember to take it and it really works.
Hello everyone…..today is only my 2nd day of this LEXAPRO. I was on EFFEXOR XR for about 3 years and took myself of tha drug because I had extremly bad reactions about suicide and being very mean towards my husband. So it has been a little over 2 years now since I have been on anything and I am a TOTAL WRECK, don’t know if I am coming or going and am always mad for no reason and crying. All of which I do not understand why I am going through any of this and do not want to say that I have a depression problem, but if runs in my family very strongly and I know I have one, but I run away from it. So now I am starting Lexapro 10mg. and tha only thing I have noticed is the feeling of sickness in my tummy, like I need to throw up all tha time, not so pleasent, but I can deal with it and I went to sleep and slept hard for like 6 hours and woke at 4 this morning and could not get back to sleep. They say there is little side effects and I do wanna believe that, but no matter what you take in this world….it all has it’s very own little or even big side effects, it’s weather or not you can tolerate them is tha question. I just really hope that this drug works like they say it does because I do now admit I need help badly with my depression. I wish you all tha best who are taking any kinda med’s for depression or any other problems accompanyed with depression *smile* it’ll all be ok. An tha thing is I’m just a 27 yr. old female who has been threw alot of this for most of my life, but I try to look at tha bright side and sometimes it’s really hard so like I said I just hope that it works.
Hi there! I have been on Lexapro for 4 months now and love it! I have been on 2 others prior to this one and it, by far, has worked the best. I had a few minor side-effects in the beginning, but they went away over 4-5 weeks. Just give yourself some time and let the medicine do its thing. You’ll feel much better! If not, make sure you are keeping in touch with your physician so they know what is working and what isn’t. Good luck!
ive been taking Lexapro for a week and have experienced sweating especially at night, yawning, and sleepiness. The verdict is still out on this I will give it more time but I noticed that I have been excessively sleeping. Has anyone else experienced this as well?
I need halp with the zaps…they are driving me crazy. Two professional Psychologists did not even give me the perverbial time of day when I brought up my biggest complaint of the Brani Zap. How can these professionals not know. I amgoing to see a GENERAL PRATICIONER, Whom I trust and have a good relationship. I am going to bring a load of printed copies from multiple forums of ordinary folks with this side effect. Maybe I will have some info that is usefull
I just took myself off of Lexapro. It helped me get through a really tough past several months. I’ve had about every side effect people have discussed. I have now gained so much weight and I can’t stand it. I have to pick my battle depression and a decent weight or depression and being obese. I don’t ever recommend going off cold turky like I did. Talk to your Dr. first and have a game plan. I hope I can find a “happy pill” that will stabilize me but not cause significant weight gain. Best of luck to everyone. I wish you health and peace!
I have been on Lexapro for about a year. I still feel the need to sleep ALOT (like 10hrs at a time) when before I could sleep 3 hrs and be fine. Other than that, I highly recommend this medicine. It works WONDERS…
Hello everyone. Well it has been just a little over 2 weeks now that I have started tha LEXAPRO and it is working. I do have a few side effects like feeling sick here and there, but not always and headaches and I don’t feel hungry at ALL. Also I have lost weight really fast on this. I have just seen my doctor this Monday and I am doing good. I just hope that it will be a good med. for me to continue to take. I do wish you all luck with taking this medicine. As with any med’s there are so many scary things that happen with taking it and it can be very upsetting to read about others side effects, just remember that it effects EVERYONE diffrently…..SO GIVE IT A CHANCE… it really can help you and change your life. Of course that is why there are so many diffrent med’s out there cause not all them work tha same with everyone. Well good health and god bless you all.
Someone Please Help me
I am a mum of 7 children !
I have depression and Anxiety.
My worst prob is I always get this shock feeling,
BUT it is not in the chest, It is in the throat,
It lasts for s couple of seconds then goes, it feels like i loose my breath for that couple of seconds.
I have heard of this as a feeling in the chest, but not in the throat..
Does anyone else have this problem with anxiety or stress?
I fear something else is wrong.
???
I have been on Lexapro for about eight months. I am sleepy all the time and have gained weight. I did not think Lexapro was the reason until a friend of mine told me they stopped for the same reasons. I have been off it for about a week. I feel much better and do not eat as much.
I started Lexapro last night. I didn’t sleep for even one minute. I feel so depressed today. I’ve been shaking like a leaf and am so dehydrated.
I’m nervous about being able to withstand the side effects and staying on the meds. I have been depressed pretty much all of my 23 years and I am worried that I won’t feel like myself, which is exactly my goal, but that it will make me quit. This whole road to recovery deal scares me. Scared to open the floodgates. Good luck to all of you. Wish me luck, I’ll need it.
Hi–
I started the lexapro today – nothing yet. But I wanted to comment on you guys on wellbutrin. A few years ago they were marketing it under the name Zyban to stop smoking, and people were having seizures and some died from it (not many). Anyway they took it off the market and a few years later put it back on as wellbutrin (its the same drug). When it was zyban a friend of mine took it for smoking and said a stranger walked up to him at work and said “man, you look like a deer in the headlights!” I have depression problems so went and paid $100. for the zyban (back like 9 years ago still), and my brother made me throw it out. I wanted to warn you guys about that. It’s amazing what the drug companies get away with.
Kathy
I have taken Lexapro for 5 years, gained 40 pounds have most of all of the side effects listed they are most recently getting worse, I went of it for 3 months and lost a lot of weight, however it created home problems almost left my family, went back on it and everything was ok, however I am having blurred vision lost sex drive so I am now going to doctor to switch to something else, also I am looking forward to going off Lexapro the drive comes back after about a week, however the head achs and heart racing are bothersome, we will see what the doctor has to say first. DO NOT GO OFF WITHOUT YOUR DOCTORS HELP IT CAN HURT YOU>I learned this the hard way.
I have been on Lexapro for about 3 years. It helped me so much in the beginning to overcome a tragic ordeal. Also, it helped me sleep better (in the beginning). I was originally put on 10 mg at night, but reduced that to 5 mg on my own. On 10 I woke with powerful dreams. It was a goddsend in the beginning, not worrying about everyone constantly, not anxious all the time. But, now I want to try an get myself off it. Yes, I have gained about 15 pounds and figured it was due to my layed back attitide attributed to the medication. But now my worse fear and trama has been lack of concentratin and absorbing information and retaining short tern informatin. It’s getting harder to ignore, so I looked up the medication thinking I need answers. I am having trouble remembering things and feel I am suffering from short term memory loss. Loss of libido, too. I have got to try and get off of this slowly. For awhile I just blew it off as being a part of my aging process. But after reading what others are saying, I don’t think so. I am now taking 5 mg every other day. And will eventually cut back on that. I want my energy back.
I am pissed. I should be sleeping at 3:30AM, for I have a big test tomarrow. I have been on Lexapro for around 2 weeks. Side effects = terrible for 3 days, but then nothing except very hard to fall asleep. Tonight especially. I really hope I don’t loose my sex drive or gain weight. Damn Doctor didn’t tell me about Lexapro’s side effects.
This drug is crazy! If you feel crazy or depressed or anxiety you will only pray to feel like your old self again after taking this drug. I took it for five days and it was the worst poison ive ever put in my body. It made my stomach have this constant burning feeling..I never felt full yet I didn’t have an appetite. I had horrible head aches and I couldn’t even put a complete thought together. I would not recomend this drug to anybody.
I’ve been taking Lexapro for about 2 years and have recently increased the dosage per doctor’s recommendation. Lately, it feels as if the back of my head is being slammed with a sledgehammer. This is not the best alternative to depression.
I have been on Lexapro for almost 2 months now. I don’t feel totally changed, but rather, I feel it is the difference between having a solid piece of ground to stand on and being on a slippery, tippy, unstable floor with gigantic, bottomless potholes.
My questions for others out there are: 1) does it make you crave sugary, starchy comfort foods? I’ve been going crazy with eating–esp. at night, when I had made real progress on that front with behavior modification techniques. I’ve gained almost 15 pounds in 2 months–I’m so bummed.
Also, I’m experiencing unusual problems with my menstrual cycle. I use to be on an extremely regular 28-day cycle, always the same ’symptoms’, but since on Lexapro, the cycles are totally irregular, very, very light, almost watery, with none of the usual cramps, etc.
Is anyone else having any of these problems? I was warned about the loss of libido/anorgasmic sensation, but even that is getting better.
Not so with the appetite and the menstrual problems. Is anyone else out there having this happen? On the whole, I’ll take the stability that the meds give, but the other two things are sort of getting to me.
Thanks for any and all help on this!
Been on Lexapro about 4 months. Gaining lots of weight, feeling moody most of the time. I can’t seem to get enough food to eat. I want to go off. I’m tired all day long, and have no energy.
Been on this drug since 9 am this morning and I still feel awful.. I felt like I was going to pass out this morning with extreme waves of nausea. Burning feeling in my stomach, headache. THis is awful! I don’t think that if this med was any good for you that it would be this horrible on the first day. I am not taking this med. again. Will find other ways to deal.
Been on Lexapro for almost 6 months. Although it helps with the anxiety I sometimes have – I am starting to experience sleeplessness I can be knock down dead exhausted – then get in bed and stare at the ceiling! Part of the reason for going on it was to help with the anxiety that kept me awake. It’s not doing that anymore – now also have to take Ambien to get to sleep. Also experiencing EXCESSIVE SWEATING – which as a professional woman… is extremely embarrasing! The hunger thing is bad too – eating constantly and never full! Definately have gained weight. Also have the nect, head and shoulder pain. I am so glad I found this site – I was starting to think I was losing my mind. Some forgetfullnes and a general feeling of “Whatever” – which is sooooo not me! I can’t seem to get motivated to do the simplest of choirs. I actually feel some depression (which I never struggle with) creeping up on me! I will be asking my doctor to wein me off.
Was on Lexapro for almost a year, with the last 3 months being a weaning off period. It didn’t help my depression/PTSD at all, although at first I thought it was helping. Realized later I was just feeling better as I worked through the grieving process. While taking Lexapro I had problems with memory and insomnia, screwed up menstrual cycle, and the blah, foggy feeling others have described. Weaning was tough too, but Omega-3 capsules and Evening Primrose oil (to get my hormonal cycle back on track) helped with that. Talk therapy, healthy diet and exercise have helped me now more than pharmaceuticals.
I have taken Lexapro for 3 days now and I FEEL HORRIBLE! suddenly my head feel numb and when I lay down for bed everythings spins, and I feel so sick …my…my head is fuzzy. I will NEVER take this crap again… my DR, wanted me to try this for my panic attacks well I have been on doxepin for years and will stay on it because it is a safe drug and because lexapro has made me feel not normal.. night now I do not feel normal and pray I will get back on track again
I’ve been on it for 5 days now and continue to feel exteremly sick to my stomach. I am not sleeping well either but will continue to take for an additional week for side effects to improve….?
I’ve been taking Lexapro for one week now. I’ve also been taking Xanax too for one week, so it’s hard to tell which medication is doing what. I think it was the Xanax that was making me yawn and feel sleepy all the time. I don’t feel hungry at all, not yet anyway.
I feel like this drug has given me my life back. i’ve been on it for 2 months, and my long-term depression and mild anxiety seem to be GREATLY decreased. The only side effects so far are yawning (not too annoying), and I think that I sweat alot more when working out, but not when just doing daily activities. No weight gain either.
Today is my 3rd day on Lexapro. I am taking if for anxiety and moodiness. The side effects that I have noticed are feelings of lala-land, gitty, food doesnt seem to have as much taste as it did before, and yes I too can eat and not feel satisfied, no yawning during the day really but I yawned during the day before Lexapro too. My husband actually tickled me today and I laughed. That was my first time I noticed an improvement in my moods. So far, so good. I have tried Prozac, Zoloft and Paxil and none of them seemed to help. I am really hoping this drug is my last one to cure my horrific mood swings so I can get on with my life!
I took zoloft for many years for depression and gradually stopped about a year ago. Things did not improve as I had hoped and my Dr. put me back on zoloft however I became increasingly and cripplingly anxious, a physical and mental wreck not able to eat or function. It gripped me even before my eyes opened, to do anything I had to talk myself through it step by step, such as to get to work “ok, now just get in the car, you can do this ,just walk to the car” My Dr. perscribed Lexapro 2 weeks ago and I feel like a normal person. I had exhaustion from being so tensed up all the time, headaches, body aches, nausea etc and confused thought before I went on it and to date the only side effect is a slightly metalic taste in my mouth. No hunger issues. I feel for those it hasn’t worked for, and frightened about the consequences of withdrawl, but to not be crippled by my anxiety and depression is so liberating I am prepared to deal with the consequences as the time comes. I am 50, I reckon I’ve delt with worse. Go well and I hope you all find what you need to feel healthy, happy, strong and loved. x
How does anyone ever really make a decision what to do. There are so many negative comments left. Where are all the people it has helped?
okay… so i am extremely tired but cannot go to sleep! i just found this website, and i am certainly glad that i did.
let me tell you… i have been on lexapro for about 2 years or so. in that 2 years, i have had 4 hip surgeries which i had difficulty in dealing with, of course. i also had someone in my family that attempted suicide, and i didn’t take that one very well!
:):)***
let me insert a note here…***everyone has SOMETHING that they have to deal with, you know? you can never compare your own pain to anyone else’s, don’t forget that… you are not them!!!
for obvious reasons, i have stayed on lexapro. i haven’t really had a lot of side effects… or SO I THOUGHT!
i just read several of the postings on here, and i am quite amazed at how many of the symptoms i have had all of this time!
i just thought that my weight gain was due to ONLY my inactivity. i eat really late, and i crave carbs, too. i can actually eat, and my stomach will still growl. it’s really weird. my ‘body-clock’ is all screwed up… i don’t go to bed until 5 am! i just looked at the clock and it is 5:25!!! ugh!!!
anyhoo, although my weight has been stable for a good while (though not where i would like it to be), i am now considering that i should gradually go off of this stuff. it’s not a good idea for anyone with congenital hip dysplasia to put on any weight, and top that with hypothyroidism and it doesn’t make for a good combination!
you know… we are fed this idea that all of these medicines will help us. not to say that they don’t, but what about when they start to lose their effectiveness? i have heard that you have to keep changing medicines… and now that i think about it, i have changed mine at least 5 times over the past 10 years or more.
i wonder why there aren’t depression medicines for short-term use? i never stopped to think about the fact that my life has changed, and i have changed. i have much better ways of dealing with stresses and losses than i used to.
yes… i think i will do this slowly and just see where it takes me. i have a good outlook. if i can deal with all of those hip surgeries and going off of narcotics by choice, i think i can put up with even the nastiest withdrawal symptoms!
wish me luck! i wish you all the best, and just because i am going off of mine doesn’t mean that you are any less of a FABULOUS human being if you don’t go off of yours!!!
:):)
much love to you all!!!
I have taken Lexapro for just over one month. I have experienced the nausea, a heightened sense of smell, irritability and extreme mood swings, dark irrational thoughts. I have begun weening off it tonite by reducing from 10 to 5. I was originally on Paxil, but gained alot of weight so Lexapro was recommended by Dr. No thanks!
Hi, I just wanted to leave a comment. I have been on lexapro for 4 years !!! although lexapro has many side affects to me the option of not having it is far far worse. I remember the days of sitting on the floor of the shower with a broken razor in my hand and blood coming out my wrist! Please people if you are depressed than you need help, living is worth so much more than any side affects ! I was depressed for 5 long years before I actually admitted to it and got help, its a hard thing to do especially when people are saying such negative things about drugs. But if you need them than you need them. No one knows really how i lived (no one knows your life either) i hid each day behind a fake smile. Days and years go by…
huge hugs all my fellow lexaproins!!!
Anyway with that said yes there are side affects that i have had, dry mouth, the memory stuff drives me crazy hate that. the fact i cant think of more than one thing at once. delayed reactions to things too. Good things too though the fact i can actually get outta bed in the morning, to walk to the mailbox without looking down the street to see if no one is about. to go shopping and not worry. to enjoy my children not to be annoyed by them.. to be smiling while i write this.. the fact i can actually sit here and say i was really bad once ! Yea i wanna come off the stuff soon and i hope i can, but its gotten and me though 4 years which i am so very thankfull
I don’t want to sound like a pro, but I was on Prosac since 1991 and in 1999 switched to Lexapro that was supposed to help my fear of driving. Well 10 years later and I am really in a bad shape…Can not think clearly, have a constant feeling of a fog in my head, forget things, can’t function in bed, go to the store and forget what I have to buy… and so on and so on… I don’t even remember what is my real personality anymore… Tomorrow is my Birthday, today I got into fender bender… to summarize I don’t know what to do and how to stop to take this medication. I’ve been on this way too long to face consequences without fear. Help… Please…
I have been on Lexipro for about 3 weeks now and I have had some really bad stomach issues lately. I am slightly nauseous, but the worst is that I feel bloated and full all of the time. Does anyone else get that feeling? As far as it working for anxiety it seems fine. I was taking Paxil CR before for a year and that was fine for me too, but I wanted to try something else with all the negatives on Paxil. However, I think the Paxil CR was better if this medicine is causing the stomach problems. Any thoughts? Thanks!
My daughter took Lexapro for six months. She gained 40 pounds. She was always on the thin side and now she is a mess. She weaned off of it and it’s been five months now and she has not lost any of the weight. She also stopped getting her period, but all tests were normal. Did this happen to any other females also??
Been taking Lexapro for 8 months. My doctor just told me the weight gain, 25 lbs (210 to start) was not due to the drug. Other side effects: always hungry, yawning and feeling the need for a nap mid day. It did calm my anxiety noticably, but now I am contemplating quitting so that I don’t have to rebuild my wardrobe. I work out all the time and keep a pretty low fat diet but this constant weight gain is driving me crazy. In my late 40’s I take the longer to finish side effect as a positive, although some days I don’t think my wife agrees.
Wow! Lots of negative comments! I’ve been on Lexapo for two years, and I am very happy with it. I have gained about ten pounds, mostly due to sweet cravings. I had really bad side effects (pretty much some of everything mentioned), but the doctor encouraged me to hang in there for a week or two, and I’m glad I did. The only side effect I’m really having now is yawning (which is tolerable), strange dreams (not nightmares, so it’s tolerable), and the hunger (less tolerable). Lexapro really helped improve my moodiness – which was like constant PMS – and made me be able to continue in my job and stop being mean to my family and friends. It sounds like some people had worse side effects, but that’s the way it is with drugs!
I was on the lowest dose and it seemed to work for about 4 months…no side effects; I felt a little better – but then anxiety and depression really kicked in. Doc increased dose to 10 and while I do feel better – here come the side effects….sweats as if I have hot flashes (at 43 I’m slightly young for peri-menapause and ironic that they just started NOW) and absolute insomnia; I have this weird tight clenched jaw/teeth and neck feeling which is very bizarre. I started noticing all of these side effects about 2-3 weeks after the increased dose. However, I am sticking it out for now because I feel better emotionally. Anyone have the teeth jaw side effect. its very wierd!
started lexapro today 5mg. felt dizzy, light headed, anxious and wierd around my lips and tongue. i felt sudden rushes of adreinaline that made me feel like i would pass out. i took it at 11:00 this morning still feel like i have a medicine head. my doctor said if this didn’t work i should try just taking Klonopin for anxiety. that is my major problem.. i feel like i forget to breathe, or over breathe. anyone else suffer with this? i will not take the lexapro tomorrow since i just started today. after reading all the responses i don’t think it is right for me. the only drug that has worked was serzone. but they quite prescribing it due to liver problems.
I have been on lexapro since 07 after post partum depression and my husband leaving me…I LOVE IT…but ..I have just started birth control and HAVE not been myself…I feel like I want to be alone! NOT sure if it’s because the divorce finally went through! or it’s the 2 meds together!…anyone else have this problem
I started on Lexapro about 4 weeks ago. I started on 10 mg a day, but went up to 20 after two weeks. The first week was all side effects-nausea, diarrhea, headaches, and that terrible locked up jaw feeling that some here have had. This was not new to me because it was part of my panic attacks, so I did the same yoga breathing techniques I use for those. After the first week, I felt somewhat better, then had a crash the third week, which is when the doctor inceased the dose.
I am glad I am taking Lexapro overall. I was very depressed, and now that I am feeling better, I can see that I have been depressed for a very long time. My depression was hurting my concentration (I am in grad school), but I just took a final this week and felt very sharp for the first time in weeks.
I do have problems with menstruation–light, thin period and skipped one–but I am also 47, and it may be the beginning of menopause. This is not a drug without side effects, but today I laughed at a funny tv show, and the sound of my laughter shocked me. I haven’t laughed much for a long time. The drug is helping, my doctor wants me on it for about 6-9 months to work through some issues and get more lifestyle changes in place. you have to weigh the benefits and the side effects, and for me, I am glad I am taking it.
In peace,
Laura H-S
I took my first half tablet of lexapro yesterday and let me say i WONT be taking any more. It was the most horrific experience. I felt instantly tired within half hour of taking it, then I felt very very stoned, unable to concentrate, and would lose what I was saying. Its 24 hours later and I still feel like this- i dont make any sense! Last night was horrific- i could not sleep for throwing up constantly and the most severe muscle cramps ever. I cant eat anything because i also have diarhhea. Im bloated, my stomach is still spasming. Sure this is not right! I think i will stick to herbal remedies
good luck all
Hello I am 28 and recently took myself off Lexapro. I was on Lexapro for about 6 months. It might have been less or more than 6 months but I dont remember. I was a person who had an exceptional memory however side effects from this drug were memory loss ( can only remember few details if any from before I started taking the medicne and while I was on it), It it made be numb, no feelings could not cry when upset could not laugh when something funny. It was like I was here able to talk but had no emotion (BLAH person). Had some weight gain, sleep to much, headaches, feeling dizzy, dry mouth, NO ENERGY, no SEX at all had no desire for it. Still to this day now being off the medicine for almost 2 months I am having a hard time remembering anything like what happened while I was on it and even the things that happened before it. I even have a hard time remembering little words that we use on a daily basis.There were other problems but I cant remember. I took myself off this drug for the simple fact that this doctor tried to say I was Bi-Polar. When I heard that I knew that doctors jump at the chance to slap someone on drugs to get there money from these companies. I knew I wasnt Bi-Polar. I know 3 other people who were said to have the same thing and I know they don’t. One of them was depressed due to she just lost her 5 year old son. She too realized that she was not bi-polar. To this day she still suffers from memory loss. I dont mean to be so forward but I am just telling what happened and how I am feeling.
I have been on Lexapro for about 2 1/2 years. I really feel like it saved me. I am experiencing side effects such at major weight gain, memory loss, yawning and sharp pains in jaw, throat and leg. I also have really restless legs. Despite the side effects, I am still happy to have my anxiety controlled. I was terrified all of the time!! I couldn’t stand it and Lexapro was the only medicine that releived these issues. I do want to come off of it, but I am scared about the withdrawl and the fear of my anxiety returning. I feel like I could control my anxiety on my own now, but I want to be certain before I stop taking it.
I am so happy to have found this site. I often feel alone in my anxiety and my family and friends don’t seem to understand it. It is so nice to know that I am not alone. I am also really happy to know that so many of the issues I have been having are actually side effects. I thought I was losing it.
I will pray for all of you!!
I’m 19 years old and I started to take Prozac about 12 years ago. I had been taking it everyday all up to last year. My doctor told me to possibly try something different. He put me on Lexapro and now I have been taking it for a year and a half. It makes my mood feel a little better, but there are side effects that really made me overall become more depressed. I have absolutely no sex drive. I feel as if I could go without sex for the rest of my life I have no interest in it. It’s hard to be like that when I have a boyfriend. I have also gained 40 pounds since being on it, and I cannot lose the weight no matter what I do. There are also times where I feel I have no emotions towards certain things. I have some memory loss but it’s not that bad. I decided to try and come off of it a few weeks ago. My doctor told me to take it slow because with previous attempts to get off of prozac I was very unsuccessful. The withdrawl symptoms were so horrible I could not take it. I was on 20mg and he told me to go to 17mg for a few weeks, then to 15mg, and so on. So far its okay. I am a bit more moody and feel weak. I have also felt very sick and I constantly think about the medicine. So far I am doing good though, I’m really trying to get through it. I am currently down to 10mg and I am very happy for myself. It is still very hard. I really hope I have the strength to stick to not going back on the medicine. I want to finally be off of medicine after 12 years. If anyone else has been through this I would love to hear what happened after you came off the medicine. I am a little scared. I hope everyone else has luck with whatever they choose whether it is staying on the medicine or not.
I’ve been on Lexapro for about a month now and it has changed my life for the better. Depression runs in my family and I’ve battled it for close to 20 years in varying degrees. I’ve also had issues with anxiety. Most of my depressions have been mild but they come in waves that can last for months. After work and on weekends I wouldn’t leave my apartment and couldn’t be bothered to shower until I had to get up for work on Monday. Housekeeping was non existent. I just sat around like a lump. I’d also go through periods of insomnia where I could only sleep 2-3 hours a night for weeks. At work I was moody and angry. During my last performance review, I was told I needed to control my anger since it was affecting the entire department. After years of debating about going on medication, I decided that was the sign that I need to try this.
After a month I feel like I have my real self back! I’m happy and in a good mood. I’m sleeping a lot better and feel energized during the day. Things at work don’t stress me out and I no longer snap at people. I get up on weekends and look forward to just running errands to get out of the house. My social life is on the way back. I’ve actually had people tell me they never knew how funny I am since I was always so moody, distant and generally pissed off. I’m making plans for the summer and looking forward to each day.
My doctor told me to expect weight gain but I have actually lost weight. I think it’s because I’m sleeping better and craving healthier foods. I want fresh vegetables instead of carbohydrates. I’m also getting out of the house and not just sitting around.
I have had some side effects. My stomach has been acting a little weird and I’ve had bad gas. That may be all of the vegetables I’m eating now! I also yawn a lot for about an hour or so after taking my pill. I can live with that though and will see what adjusting my diet does for the other problem.
My mother has been on 2 anti depressants before she found what worked for her. All of us are different and I think we need to remember depression and anxiety are due to a chemical imbalance. Lexapro happens to level me out and got me back on track. If this one doesn’t work for you, don’t rule these medications out entirely if you really need them. Find one that works for you. I feel like I got my life back, I have things to look forward to and for the first time in 10 years I am truly happy.
Starting to come off Lexpro after 4 years.
It has helped somewhat, but not with everything.
Am coming off slowly(with doctor’s help).
I have GAD and was also taking for menopausal symptoms, stress, migraine and agoraphobia.
I am at 5 mg. now and have really had no bad symptoms yet.
I just decided I wanted to come off it and see how I do.
I have been on Lexapro for about 9 months now. At first it was great for the depression and energy level. Since then I am developing side effects like, panic attacks; sore neck/shoulders/back; irritability; insomnia and I also have frequent urination which some seem to get from this. I have decided it doesn’t seem to working anymore so I think I’ll ween myself off it. It doesn’t have fewer side effects as it touts it does, just different ones. If it helps the depression, try it for a while. I never gained a pound on it either.
Began taking Lexapro 5 months ago. Have noticed a series of side affects: weight gain, INCREASED anxiety at times, mood swings, a STRANGE compulsion to SMOKE!! although I’ve never smoked; memory loss, insomnia, leg cramps, and more. Though it seemed to help at first with mood swings, now seems the opposite. I want OFF this drug. If I had known about the withdrawal issues-would NEVER have taken this. Withdrawal: dizziness, nausea, feels like brain is swishing around, headache to kill. It’s been 4 days. Hope this goes away soon.. UG!
I was prescribed Lexapro after succumbing to depression after my Dads passing. Along with some counseling , at first it seemed to be the miracle drug, stopped the anxiety and the feeling of being emotionally out of control. Then came the nightmare, sleeplessness, profuse sweating, nausea, vomiting, urinary incontinence, and most of all the weight gain. Have piled on nearly 20 kilograms in 6 months. I stopped going out ,seeing and talking to friends and became a virtual hermit. found myself getting nervy and anxious when i was near the end of a pack, worried that pay day wouldn’t come in time and I would run out of the pills, I decided to wean myself off it. I started by taking it only every second day , then every third etc etc until I was weaned off. I had a few scary moments of heart palpitations, but in all managed it well. I supplemented with vitamin b6 daily, and bachs rescue remedy if i felt out of control. I did not consult my doctor as she would have vetoed it, but hey I cannot understand why a doctor would have put someone who was already overweight and on the path to losing it , onto a drug which is known to cause weight gain. My opinion is that doctors are believing what they are told by the pharmaceutical companies and NOT doing enough research of their own before prescribing. I am well now, clear headed and feel back to my old self.
It is interesting to read all the comments from people who have suffered from depression and tried Lexapro to help them.
I have had two major and one minor bout with depression over the past 15 years. The first time I was given Elavil – now there’s a medication that makes you feel like you are a total zombie! But at the time, it saved my life – as some have mentioned, when you are in that awful dark place, side effects are nothing compared with the anxieties and misery that the medications take away. I went off the Elavil after about 9 months, but had a recurrence of the depression 5 years ago and this time was put on Lexapro. After two years and some of the symptoms mentioned (fatigue, memory loss, weight gain, inability to cry) I successfully went off Lexapro with no side effects last summer.
This past January I could feel the anxiety and depression creeping back and I had to go back on Lexapro. The side effects have returned – RATS – but trust me, they are much less damaging than the anxiety and depression!
Hope this gives encouragement to those who wonder if this drug is for them.
Hi , I’ve been on Lexapro for ABOUT 3 years the mood and anxiety are under controle by that I mean (I feel cam and dont worry about everything all day long and dont get down )
So I would have to say it working great .
“BUT” let me know if others are feeling these side efffects : Every “Bone Joint” in my body akes as if I were hit by a truck Hard to sleep at night and I know others have this but I’ll say it anyway short term memory is messed up.
But the big thing is the joint pain let me know if others have this .
Hi,
Hi have been on lexapro for over 2 years and can safely sat that it saved my life.
Before going on it I experienced severe panic attacks after my dads death and truly felt that life was not worth living.
The first 2 week of taking the meds was the hardest.I felt worse and extremely depressed but you have to give the medication a chance.
I have since finished my degree and masters. I could not of done this without lexapro considering that before the meds I was anxious leaving the house.
Over the past 6 months I have reduced my dosage from 30 mg to 10 every 2nd day. I hope to be off the meds within the next 6 months.As regards side effects I never put on any weight(actually think i lost a pond or 2) but did lose sex drive for a while.Despite that I got my life back.
As regards people on this forum who have just started taking lexapro. I remember that I was extremely fragile and reading anything negative about your condition or medication is unhelpful. My psychiatrist told me not to read any books articles etc on anxiety/ panic attacks until I was out of that fragile zone and feeling better. The first fews days/weeks are the lowest part but you just need to survive everyday and you WILL get better. My advice is to leave your research(on anxiety/ meds)until you feel strong enough to view it objectively.
Best of luck everyone
Reading all these coments is amazing. I have VERY bad depression (runs in family — only sibling committed suicide) plus anxiety disorder when under stress. I was on 30 mg. of Paxil, then 40 mg., then (and still) on 60 mg. (Paxil) My psychiatrist started me on 5 mg. of Lexapro., then to 10 mg, then 20 mg, then 30 mg. (noticed no difference) so went back to 20 mg. again. I’ve had no noticeable problems with. If anything, I have less appetite. No memory loss problems. The med that gave me *horrible, intolerable* side effects was Wellbutrin. It put my usual tolerable, sub-clinical off the scale. I know the electrical-zap-in-the-brain effect of going off SSRIs because I had an HMO with a lousy pharmacy and they would be out of Paxil for indefinite periods of time so I would be forced to involuntarily to off it cold turkey. Main effect of Lexapro plus Paxil is I’m not suicidal now but still too depressed to do much. Thanks for all your comments – it was helpful to read.
I’ve been on Lexapro for 8 weeks for GAD. Had terrible side effects first 2 weeks because I started at 10mg(constant dizziness, no energy, no appetite, shaking) but all anxiety was gone after 5 days. Went down to 5 mg and side effects were much milder. Please – stick it out because the side effects do go away. The only problem I have now is that I feel like I’m vibrating, sometimes my legs, sometimes my arms, around my mouth, or at the back of my head. It’s tolerable because it’s not painful but it is driving me crazy that it won’t go away. It didn’t start until about 2 weeks ago. Does anybody else have this vibrating feeling? It’s hard to explain/describe to doc. He suggest I either increase my dose to 10 or switch to different drug.
I’ve been on Lexapro for 6 months for GAD. The first 2 weeks I felt that numb, “blah” feeling others have commented on, but after that I felt more like myself than ever. I lost weight (10-15lbs) in the first month. I wake up more refreshed than I used to. I did notice a decrease in libido, but that improved over the months. One strange thing I noticed was that I seem to sleep “deeper” and have more vivid dreams. Not a complaint–just strange.
Started Lexapro yesterday. In a dream like state today. Very drowsy and clearly not fully functional. I am not taking another pill. I do not agree that individuals should take a drug that makes them suffer with egregious side effects. Trade offs exist to be sure. Nonetheless, the ones I have experienced and the symptoms reported on this message board are unacceptable. I question the sensibilities of individuals who believe they should suffer through such ill effects. It’s a sad commentary on reality if that is the case. Your body is telling you it does not like the drug. I suffer from depression. I know the trade-offs.
I was on lexapro for about one year or maybe more and it was a real life saver for me. I had anxiety, depression and was dealing with some OCD. I was always worried and paranoid that my spouse was cheating on me and I was unable to concentrate. After taking Lexapro I was able to get over my depression, I was no longer paranoid, I was able to focus on my job, anxiety went away, I was able to fall asleep without my brain going crazy thinking about “stuff”. The only bad side effect I had was about 10 lbs weight gain which is the only reason I went off of the drug. When I first started taking Lexapro I did feel weird at 10 mg. the side effects were strong for me which is normal because I am sensitive to meds, but after a serious depression spell I started taking .5 mg and that is what I stayed on for the rest of my time on it. I recommend this anti-depressant to anyone and it doesnt make everyone gain weight. Now I am on Cymbalta for 4 days and I am going to have to reduce my dosage to 10 or 20 mg because it is making me feel very odd and my friends are asking if I am high. We will see how this one works. But I loved Lexapro and wish it didnt make me gain weight because it made me feel great.
I was so looking forward to taking this to feel better. Have taken lexapro for 2 days and feel strange and nauseated. Can’t do this anymore. I tried herbal remedies before but they only work great for a month of so…. any ideas?
I`ve been on lexapro for almost 2 years now and yes it did make me gain weight 20 pounds which i`m not happy about BUT on the flip side i feel wonderful. when you do first start it it does sometimes make your symtoms seem like their 10 times the normal but it does go away and you start to feel better at least thats what happened to myself. yes you do feel a little lazy i think thats because your more relaxed, that also can be why you tend to put on weight. does anyone know if when you stop lexapro do you loose the wieght ???? and what is the best way to get off with the minamal amount of side effects >>>
I thought that I was just lazy and gluttanous lately but it is my Lexapro. Why aren’t they more forthcoming about the side effects? This drug did pull me out of a debilitating deep anxiety and depression but I can’t help feeling disappointed that the trade-off is being tired all of the time and weight gain. I can’t seem to get up in the morning and by early afternoon I am ready for a 2 hour ‘nap.’ My day is planned around eating and sleeping. I have started to force myself to work out even though I feel so tired and I haven’t seen any results, I just keep gaining. Sometimes I really get blown away by the freaky side effects of these anti-depressants…but I need them! Hopefully modern medicine will keep providing us with new and better alternatives as the years pass.
I’ve been on Lexapro for about 2 yrs now. I call it my “happy” pill. I suffer from depression. My depression symptoms were: being spiteful/hateful towards hubby and the kids; getting annoyed at the slightest thing; couldn’t concentrate at work; rushed home from work to do nothing; didn’t want to go out shopping for anything; suicidal thoughts; didn’t want to go out with friends; lack of emotions; cussed at red traffic lights. Actually that last symptom was what finally made me realized that I do need help. I was on other anti-depressants prior to Lexapro. I find that Lexapro is what makes me feel the most normal. I got my concentration back after being on Lexapro. I do experience short term memory loss, but don’t know if it’s related to age (I’m 45) or having had a hysterectomy (that I wanted). The worse symptom that I experience is weight gain or should I say lack of weight loss. I think it’s been about 5 years since I’ve been diagnosed with depression and I’ve steadily gained wait that I’m now about 75 pounds overweight. After reading just about all the above posts, I feel very comfortable continuing with Lexapro. As I’ve explained to my friends, my mental health is more important than my physical health.
A couple of months ago, I have started doing volunteer work at a hospital and I’m working on starting an exercise routine to try and lose the weight…also I’m trying to eat better. I use to have the determination to do something and did it…went from a size 16 to 8! Unfortunately I’m an 18w now, but am hopeful that I am mentally ready for exercising, eating nutritiously and losing weight.
Good luck to all of you starting on Lexapro.
hey, im 14, and i am started Lexapro. and im kinda scared after reading all the comments. im on it for depression. if anyone around my age could email me with any advice, its maryeroo@aim.com plzz help me
I have been on lexapro 10mg for almost 7 mos. My life has completely changed I’m able to deal with my gad and depression. The side effects that our the most bothersom is the weight gain i have gained 15 pounds and it keeps going up i have battled with my weight and i just lost 35 pounds now i’m back into my fat jeans. I dont want to stop with this med because my condition was so bad I’m a 24yr old single mother of a young child but it really is worth it it works.
I was on Lexapro for 3 years. I didn’t have any problems getting used to it or being on it as some other people have. I will say, now that I’m weening myself off I am feeling awful!! I’ve put on 10 lbs (put on 20 going on Lexapro initially) trying to come off this and have been throwing up, having diarhea, etc. If I weren’t trying to get pregnant, I would just stay on it because it does help!! Just a few words of advice to others: If you are going to discontinue from this drug, please be sure to see your doctor before hand and just be ready to have some ill-effects.
I work with a girl who was but on Lexapro
in December and since then it has drastically
change her personality. The once kind sweet
girl we worked with is self centered, obnoxious
and cares for none of her co-workers, and she
was never like this. believe me. I think this
drug should be researched more before giving it
to someone. She has picked up weight on it also, but no one cares about her weight it is
crappy attitude. I hope she sees this soon cause of right now she doesn’t and she is driving us crazy. and we really do like her we just don’t like the person she has become.
Today is my 4th day on Lexapro. I have bad nausea & some vomiting. I have a constant headache, having problems sleeping, constantly tired I feel some of my anxiety symptoms are worse. Im really worried about the weight gain because thats something I can do without!
I’m only on day three and this is awful! I can’t stop shaking, I’m not sleeping well, even with sleeping tablets (yet when I do sleep I get really vivid and disturbing dreams – weird as usually I have lovely dreams!) I feel nauseous and cant eat. My heart is constantly racing. I feel dizzy. Cant sit still. I hate this. I think I’m going to stop taking them. This isn’t for me. I’m not depressed, I’m just unhappy and lack self esteem.
I’ve been taking Lexapro for 4 weeks now for GAD. I have noticed a huge increase in sweating. It’s horrible! The first few weeks, I felt extremely sleepy about 30 mins after taking it (good thing I was taking it at night), I couldn’t keep my eyes open. My main source of stress moved out of my house a couple weeks ago so I’m not sure if the Lexapro is working or if my stress is gone so my anxiety level is back to normal. I go back to the dr next week and think I may try and back off of it to see if I need it or not.
I have been on Lexapro for almost two years, started off at 15mg and have been upped to 30mg for about 4 months now. The decrease in libido has been the biggest side effect; that’s gone on since I started taking it and is surely frustrating. The sweating has been really bad since going up to 30mg, good to know I’m not the only one. Starting 250 mg of Wellbutrin in addition this week to take the “edge” off the nights because i get truly irritable as night goes on. Not working “like it used to”??? We’ll see – however, one word to anyone taking this medication on a full time basis: DO NOT JUST STOP TAKING IT!!!! The withdrawal effects are simply horrible – not worth anything. Do yourself a huge favor if you’re going to get off this medicine – taper off slowly. Not doing so will make you feel like you are going through hell on earth.
I’ve been on Lexapro for almost a year and I’m very happy with it. My anxiety is almost completely gone. I can ride the train to work and not go nuts. I can be in crowds and not have panic attacks. I’m not screaming at my family for no reason. My kids don’t call me the “mean mommy” anymore. I’m much more relaxed — my husband sees a big different. As for side effects, I’ve gained a little weight (less than 10 pounds) and my libido is down, but it’s gotten better in the last couple of months. Fortunately no problems with orgasims!I don’t think I want to go off of this – ever – especially since I’m reading about bad withdrawal effects.
I was on lexapro for nine months, after going throgh a realy bad divorce. My Doctor put me on it just to get through a rouhg time. I gained 12 pounds which was even more depressing to me. I stoped taking it the side affect were not too bad. It’s been three months and the weight is really hard to lose. I hate the weigh gain. I work out all the time and never had a problem with weight. How can this be a good thing. Anyway that’s my story.
About 2 months ago, I started Lexapro. Since then, I have put on 15 lbs. But, I feel much better. My appetite has increased though. Lately, I have been getting back into biking. It helps with my depression, and helps me build muscle. I have excepted the fact that I may not be able to lose weight. Even though, at times I do get down with my weight gain.
been on lexapro for a week now.. aside from the strang dreams i feel fine. every once in awhile i get cold sweats but i feel great! (10mg)
DO NOT TAKE THIS MED. I first took this med. on 10mg. The first week I did nothing but sit on the couch cause I had bad nausea. I could not move. After that went away I noticed I was extremely irritable. I felt nothing but side effects. Depression didnt get any better so after 4 weeks my doctor put me on a higher dosage of 20mg. I have been on this med. for 2 months now and I cant take it anymore. Some of the side effects I had during the whole 2 months is nausea, irritable, and one night I was talking to my husband and I just all of a sudden passed out hunched over in a chair. My husband poked me and it woke me up…it scared us both. I have not had an orgasm since this medication. Do you know how it feels to have sex and never have an orgasm. No matter how hard I try it just wont release.
So I havent taken a dose in a week and OMG…the withdrawal side effects are horrible. For days now I have been either on the couch or in the bed. Im so weak, dizzy, blurred vision, crazy dreams, hard to breathe, urges to cry for no reason. Yesturday I was sleeping and woke up not being able to take a breathe. People these side effects are happening to a lot of people and doctors need to stop prescibing this horrible med.
This is the 3rd. depression med. I have tried in 3 years. This has been the worst one. Ive been on Prozac and Zoloft. Im ready to get of meds. completely. Im done and I hope these effects go away soon so I can have a normal life again.
I love my Lexapro and hope I don’t ever have to stop. Have been on it over one year, and am so much happier. My dr. prescribed it for depression, although it has also helped with my anxiety. I find myself smiling a lot more, and for no reason other than I’m happy. Wish I’d tried this YEARS ago.
When I first took it, I woke up in the middle of the night with the severe urge to move. So I got up and scrubbed, scrubbed, scrubbed the bathroom. Was still feeling energetic and almost giddy by breakfast. Called the dr., but he said stay with it. I felt shaky the next day, but all was better by the 3rd day. Frequent, but not always, anorgasmia has been the major side effect, but I can live with that if it means I feel better overall. I should probably talk to my dr. about it at my next checkup. I have recently had more drowsiness and trouble getting up in the morning, but maybe I just need more sleep. Again, it’s worth the improvement in my mood. If you’re new to Lexapro, give it time!
I’ve been on Lexapro for 5 years now and love it. I’m on 20mg, and while it does take awhile to get used to being a bit tired, it’s so worth being on it. BUT, everyone’s body reacts differently to meds.
Lexapro has changed my life – I got my life back and can function now. This is one medication that I feel is a miracle drug
I’ve been on lexapro for over 4mon and I’ve had very similar side effects. I am alwayd tired, never have energy however I do still make myself work out 3-4 days out of the week. I also sweat alot especially when I wake up in the morning. I have also had wait gain but I think it’s because I don’t feel the same way I did before I got on Lexapro I’m much happier now. I have a doctors appt so I can get off these pills however I’m afraid now..
I have been on this medication for five months for anxiety and depression and in addition to the short term memory loss, nausea, and bloating others have mentioned (scale reads the same but clothes are tighter) I have had two episodes of fecal incontinence. Has anyone else experienced this?
i have been on lexapro 30mg and wellbutrin 150mg for about 6 months. i have lost weight. i cant sleep. and my hair is falling out. i dont know if its related. is anyone else losing hair?
No, I haven’t lost any hair..if anything I have gained it, but It’s been VERY hard for me to keep weight off. I gained a bunch of weight a few years ago and it’s slowly coming off. I have to constantly work out. I have been on Lexapro for about three years now. It helps me out emotionally a great deal. I’ve been through the nightmare of trying to be weaned off of it, and then experienced the notorious suicidal feelings which are pretty intense if you have never experienced them before. I am not a suicidal person at all….I love life so I told a family member immediately so they could intervene. It’s important that you are monitored when you are being weaned….it’s some harsh stuff! My main issue is memory loss and slow recall and I have been discussing it with my Doctor and anyone that will listen to get this issue resolved. Has anyone tried an herbal approach to combat this issue?
I have been on Lexapro for 5 days now. It makes me feel high at first then super sleepy the rest of the time. I feel like I could sleep forever. I still don’t feel normal, though. I’m hoping it will kick in within a few more days. I had an okay day yesterday, and today, I feel like I’m worse. Does anyone know how long it really takes to kick in permanently?
Laura,
I have been on Lexapro 10mg for a little over a year. I started on 5mg for the first week.
I think it is great only because I’m not a screaming bitch and I don’t constantly worry about everyone now. But, I have gained over 40 lbs since I started it, the doctor says I just like to eat. But, I am a diabetic and this med is not helping my blood sugars because of the weight gain. Now I’m depressed
about the weight and like all the others have said I have not been able to get it off. Now I have to take more insulin. So think realy hard about taking Lexapro. I have tried to cut back to 5 mg and I end up crying for no reason.
I started Lexapro 5 mg yesterday in combination with my Wellbutrin. So far I haven’t had any serious side effects but I do feel tired but really no more than I normally do. From what I have been told Wellbutrin will counteract the loss of your sex drive and possibly prevent the weight gain. I hope so because if I gain one pound I’m stopping! I suffer from GAD, OCD and slight depression.
Yes, I’ve gained 15 pounds and have been swimming and biking to no avail. I find that the drug makes me feel nothing. I’m freaked out about the weight gain.
After experiencing anxiety attacks with Wellbutrin, my doctor started me on Lexapro (10mg) yesterday. I felt like a zombie all day, was very nauseous (but ravenously hungry at the same time), and even had feelings of apathy and hatred for my toddler. Needless to say, I’m definitely NOT taking Lexapro again today, or ever. I’d rather be depressed than feel crazy like that again.
I have been on 10 mg of lexapro for over 1 year. In one year I have gained 20 lbs. Twenty pounds is significant. I am weening myself off and it has been extremely hard. I started with cutting the pills in 1/2. I did this 1/2 (5 mg) for about 2 weeks. Then, I started 2.5 mg for a couple of weeks and then none. But….the zaps in my head and the dizziness are extremely intense that I had to take 2.5 mg. the other day. Maybe I am not weening myself off slowly enough?? Nevertheless it’s pretty scary to have those feelings in your brain. I also have NO appetite which is scary also. I would not recommend this drug to anyone. If you can maybe take up yoga and exercise to combat your anxiety.
I’ve been on lexapro since May 07 and have had serious issues with my weight. I went from 65 to 80 kg in around 6 weeks and have not been able to move the weight. My waist went from 30 inches to 38 inches and just won’t budge. I take 40mg per day and have noticed that i am getting depressed even at this dose and experiencing anxiety, panick attacks and (although i’ve never had it before) paranoid thoughts. I also have developed a drinking problem. I want to get off the medication but am very concerned about the withdrawals.
My husband has been on this medication for almost four years now. In the last year he has gotten argumentative and disoriented with time. He was never like this before.has anyone had any experiences like this??
My third day…first day took 5 mg. and had a panic attack,(I am taking this for GAD!) call dr. told me to reduce dose to 2.5. Second day, was afraid to take, 3 day took the 2.5 dose and felt okay during the day, but can not relax at night..took a few Jack and Cokes and feel somewhat relaxed. Going to take this dose but somewhat concerned from what I read about withdrawl…any comments would be greatly appreciated.
About 4 years ago my doctor put me on 10mg of Lexapro for anxiety. I gained 10 lbs and expeienced some dizziness and headaches. After going through several traumatic circumstances 2 years later, the same doctor increased my dose to 20mg of Lexapro. I have a total weight gain of 25lbs. I am 41 now and I can’t seem to drop the weight, even with healthy changes in my lifestyle and diet.
I recently cut my dose back down to 10mg in hopes of dropping a few pounds.
I’ve been on Lexapro for over 5 years. It’s been a blessing for depression, but has really affected, in fact stopped my ability to have a orgasm during sex with a partner. It’s like being on Viagra with no payoff. It’s hard to be intimate now.
i just took lexapro for the first time 3.5 hours ago, i am also on 900 mgs lithium and klonopin.
i feel itchy, pins and needles, acid reflux, confused, slurred disorganized speech, drunkish, agitated, and i keep feeling like i am having premature ejaculation, and have a little bit, with no sexual stimulation.
i have experienced NMS on the last three nuroleptics i have tried, one of which has left my right inner forearm numb for almost 3 months now.
anyway, i feel i should stop the lexapro 10mgs btw, but should i be concerned about the aforementioned side effects, as in call the doc, or just ride it out?
I have been taking 10mg of Lexapro for only two days. I was diagnosed with bipolar 2 disorder but the Dr. said I sounded more like an aggitated depressive. About 3 hours after each dose I felt completely wired and like everything around me was moving in slow motion. I have gotten about 5 hours of sleep in the last two days and feel somewhat blah and numb. Now my biggest worry is becoming nocturnal again. If I start gaining weight I will immediately have to stop because that will only worsen my moods.
You are not alone in this! I’ve been on L for 1.5 years after 3 years of Cognitive Behavior Therapy, 6 months of Homeopathy and every other kind of help I could find. I just did not want to live any more. I was abused and abused myself and did not want to continue with another drug. I had to face the fact that I would not live if I did not give up my pride and fear.
Take the drug if you’ve tried everything else–Including prayer! There is a purpose and a plan to your life. All the symptoms and withdrawl stuff are in the above postings. The things I can add are this: do life with others, love others and yourself (I’m not talking sex), stay active and get help **even if you take meds!** Talk with a psychopharmacologist–NOT a regular MD–for these issues!
I pray I can get off L someday but for now I am still alive, stopped cutting, drinking, smoking, wishing I was dead and working on my codependency. You are worth this and we can stop if we need to. Just be good to yourself when you do and have LOTS of support. Heck, do that anyway! Throw in extra Omega 3-6-9, B vitamins, get lots of hugs and call a friend when you can.
Love and blessings to you all…
I started to take Lexapor about 3 weeks ago, for the first 2 weeks 5mg, then the Dr. said to take 10mg. I have been very tired and feel sad. I am not happy with Lexapor I may stop taking it.
I was on lexapro for 4 years for depression and anxiety. I actually lost weight on lexapro ( I was happier and not self medicating with food ) My panic attacks were few and far between, and my anxiety nearly dissapeared. The first week I experienced nausea, but after that the help lexapro gave me was well worth it.
I know you’re supposed to wait a few weeks to see what happens with Lexapro.. but i’ve only been on it a few days, and already can’t make myself go on. I am sick. I feel like I am higher than a kite, unable to think and i zone off for up to 10 minutes at a time. I have anxiety attacks and depression, but right now, i feel nothing. I can’t laugh, cry, anything. I’m extreamly sick (nauseaus), last night i yawned atleast 100 times before i finally dozed off, and I really just want to sleep. My eyes are dialated and i have huge circles under them. I have short term memory loss, forgetting what i’m talking about mid-sentence.. basically, I feel like i’m on serious drugs. I hope this works out well for other people.. because I can’t do Lexapro anymore.
I have been on Lexapro for 3 days and haven’t eaten more than a couple granola bars since my first pill. I also feel numb and yawn all the time and just want to sleep. I can’t do anything at work other than sit and stare at my computer (and I used to be productive) The side effects are a lot worse than my anxiety!
I took one pill at 10 in the morning. Initially I felt shaky and my hands shook. I went to church, where I normally feel apprehensive around everyone – I felt fine, but I couldn’t concentrate on anything the pastor was saying – which NEVER happens at my church. EVER. I was less irritable all day, got along with my family, was very patient and happy and laughing a lot more. My stomach was burning and I couldn’t really eat anything all day though. I tried to fall asleep about 10 PM because I was totally exhausted, but it took me quite a while to fall asleep. Once I did I had scary dark nightmares and now have awoken at 2 AM and cannot get back to sleep at all. My stomach is burning and I feel more anxious than I ever have in my life. Needless to say I won’t be taking any more of these.. my daily anxiety is definitely worth this.
Following the above comment – I went into a state of panic, sweating, heart racing and nausea, and did not sleep until 7 AM. It was one of the worst nights of my life. Never again.
I have been on Lexapro for about a month and I started noticing that I was hungry all the time and I could not settle the hunger with what ever I ate. I just feel like all i think about is eating. I noticed that I have been more tired than ever and no energy at all. I also take Wellbutrin and at this point i think I will discontinue the use of Lexapro.
Take 10 mg of Lexapro every night. First two nights racing heart. First week shaky hands and INTENSE yawning. The yawning was miserable. On my third week now and I’ve gained 7 pounds. I don’t eat more, I think, so much as I have no desire to get out of bed. When I do have to get up to go to work or school, I motivate myself with thinking, “When can I take a nap?” I used to work out a lot for fun and now I have absolutely no desire to. My anxiety is much better but now I’m worried about the state of my body, internally and externally.
My doctor put me on Celexa last week for insomnia that came from anxiety. After four days, I was so nauseous, she switched me to 5mg Lexapro. I took it at 10pm, slept one hour (I was exhausted after only about 2 hours sleep per night lately), then I woke up and started shaking violently. I haven’t had a panic attack in years; my only problem lately has been a mind that won’t shut off and let me sleep. So, this was like the mother of all panic attacks for me. Luckily, my husband was there, and I asked him to get me to the bathroom because I was so weak, where I started throwing up. Oh, did I mention the burning sensations on my arms, forehead and back? Then came the diarrhea. I understand it may take a few days or more for symptoms to subside, but I don’t know if I can face another night like that. The worst part was the sense of terror inside. I HAVE to start sleeping at night. I start a new job next week, my first teaching position, and I’m so afraid I won’t be able to do it because I’m such a mess. I tried Ambien, but it only worked the first few times. I don’t know what to do. Praying really hard. Good luck to all of you. I’ll pray for you, too. At least I’m not alone.
I’ve been taking Lexapro for about a year and a half now, and although it did seem to help initially, I’m ready to jump ship and move on to something else. Weight gain-25 lbs.-blurred vision, strange dreams/nightmares, short term memory loss, sexual dysfunction, feelings of apathy in general-I just can’t continue feeling like this.
I have been taking lexapro for only 2 days, and so far, I dont like it at all. I feel really high and wierd. I cant even drive because I feel disoriented and kind of dizzy. It makes me feel absolutely exhausted, I literally slept all day long today and I’m still tired!!
I used Lexapro for about 3 months and I have to say that it really helped with my axiety. However, I did experience all of the well known side effects. When it was time to go back to the doctor to get a new refill, I decided to stop so I started taking it every other day instead of everyday (10mg) to reduce the withdrawal symptoms. To my surprise, I did not experience any major issues other than having a hard time containing my anger over every little thing for about 2 weeks and also some minor dizziness.
I have always been scared of developing a dependency of anti depressants, which is why I stopped.
Hi – I have bad anxiety and sometimes get depressed. The doctor started me on Lexapro 10mg and told me to take only half the first 7 days. I took my first pill at night and 4 hours later in the middle of the night I woke up with racing thoughts, My body was BOILING hot and sweating, and my heart was racing. I will not try another Lexapro – too scared. The doctor told me I should have taken a Xanax with it. I told him I wanted to try something else and I am about to try the generic of Zoloft — hope everything is ok
My godfather was prescribed this drug.
My family wasn’t aware of the drug’s side effects. He encountered drastic mood swings which eventually dumped him into extreme depression. A few days later (yesterday), he committed suicide. Be very careful. It’s a decision you or a loved one will have to live with. I was researching the drug just to get an idea of what it was all about, and I thought this forum could use this tidbit.
I have been on Lexapro for approximately 3 weeks. At first I was a little zoned out~ but nothing bad. Then, it seemed better. My sleeping habits have improved, my anxiety is almost zilch the only kind of weird thing I’ve noticed is I yawn ALOT. Its a nice relaxing yawn but it just happens so much and I’m not sleepy!! Kinda weird. Otherwise, I’ll continue it because although I’m calmer, I still experience feelings that I don’t want to go away like every now and then getting upset that the house isn’t clean…. lol
I have been on Lexapro for a couple years now. I initially took it because of anxiety of having my firswt kid with someone who seemed like they weren’t getting divorced like they promised me. Lexapro does work!! But like you read – it works if you don’t miss a dose. There were times I misseda dose or two in a row, and I found myself unusually irratable at everyone!! almost all of my figts with my girlfriend has been because I misseda dose or two, or when I tried cutting back. I take 20mg. I can get by with 10 when life is “good” When there are other stresses, 20 seems to help a lot better. I have always had problems with anxiety my whole life, and this drug really does help. I was hoping I would be able to get off of it for fear of becoming addicted to medication! But my family can’t take me if when I did try to, so am stuck. At first I thought this was a bad thing, but after thinking about it, I am a lot better off taking it… for the rest of my life… or until I can have a month or so of alone time to get of of it without ruining any relationships! But overall I am happy with it. As for the other side effects mentioned here – weight gain – none to 5 lbs, but that’s about average for my age (36) with someone who now cooks for me the past few years!!
Am a little more tired, definitely cured the insomnia I used to have. Sexually – it does take me a little longer to ejaculate, but Iam more in tuned to the time ittakes my girlfiend now, so that’s not a bad thing. No problems getting erections… Slight dizziness from time to time but rare. NO stomach issues actually has helped some of the ulcers I think I used to have, but I also take Protonix too for that past problem. My recommendation – take it in the morning first thing. and a red bull in the morning will cure the yawning!! I’m not a coffee person. Good luck with this if you decide to take it – for me, it saved my relationships with my spouse, family and kid, helped me stay satisfied at work, and helped me get control of my finances and not worry about all the little things like I used to!
Also thank you to all who posted – itwas nice to find this to see that I wasnt the only person having the addiction issues to it!
I have been on it for 5 weeks; feel I’ve LOST weight. Anyone else??
I posted a little over a week ago about the horrible side effects I had the first night I took the Lexapro. (It’s only 5mg–I’ve always been very sensitive to medications.) Well, I stuck with it, and after about ten days, I’m doing so much better. My only problem had been that anxiety was keeping me awake at night, but when I took the Lexapro, I started having awful, awful anxiety and panic attacks. I used to have bad anxiety when I was a teenager and in my early 20’s, and I didn’t like the memories this brought back. But each day, the symptoms have been less and less. Now I’m sleeping through the night, and other than being a little jittery now and then and a little stomach upset just once in a while, I’m doing really well. So for anyone starting out who is upset by the side effects, if you can tolerate it at the beginning, it does get better. At least, it has for me. Although I know not every medication is suited for every person. Wishing you all the best.
I have been taking 5 mg/1 a day at night before bed for about three weeks, with almost instant calming of my anxiety from day one. I am also losing weight due to lack of appetite. I am normally a grazer, and lately have been almost forgetting to eat. I also yawn all the time, and feel a bit lazy, a nice change from the boucing off the walls I used to do. I think this is doing what it is supposed to, and I needed to lose a few pounds of the stress weight I gained anyway.
I have been taking lexapro for 5 months now, I am surprised most of you were told to take it in the morning. I take it at night and have no weight gain issues, in fact I have lost 45 pounds! I suppose I just don’t feel the hunger pains or jitters etc while I am sleeping. I started off on 10mg’s and am now down to 5mg for GAD. I supplement that with Xanax as needed , but I have been panic attack free for several months now and as far as the sexual side effects, yes it does take a little longer for me to climax, but the orgasms are more intense. Hang in there !! This drug has worked wonders for me.
My husband has taken Lex for a year now. Only up to 10MG. I recommend never going higher until you know what it is changing in you! My husband before LEX: 24 yrs married, thin, dynamic, forceful, head football coach, a leader of young men, he had emotions and knew exactly what he was doing all of the time.
After about 6 months he started to drink socially with misfits from work and he created a “new” personality. During sex he could not ejaculate so he decided to see if he needed another woman.
He was so out of touch and numb to family. He did not care about our teenage son and how our day was. He started to live a second life.
He tried to coexist with having 2 personalities and 2 lives. When confronted he had no emotional response and no feelings showed. He DID nothing wrong and was convenced of it.
We are in the process of bringing the “old” person back and getting OFF this medicine.
BE CAREFUL when you wish to be like someone else. You may not approve of who you become!
I started Lexapro on Sept. 10. Two days later I was rushing myself to Emergency with a panic attack that was one of the worst ones I’ve ever had. Pins and needles, racing heart, with fear I’d be dead before I could finish the long drive. I grabbed a pill called Ativan just before I left home and within 20 minutes it started to calm me back down so I did not actually have to enter the hospital but sat in the parking lot where I fell asleep. I’m determined to stay on it because I can’t take the anxiety anymore. I’ve slowly felt a bit better each day since the hospital trip but do have the shaking and some yawning. I do work out so I’m hoping weight gain will be a non-issue. Everyone who suffers with this has my deepest compassion…I know first hand how hard it is to live like this. Keep praying and stay strong. Don’t give up no matter what, life is too precious to throw away. God Bless
I have been on 10mg Lexapro for about a month now. At first I was only experiencing night sweats but now I have excessive sweating all the time. And I am only 20 years old at a University, so walking to school is TERRIBLE! I have decided to stop talking this because I can’t handle it anymore. I have also noticed a loss in short term memory… I will forget someone’s name almost immediately after meeting them. It’s scary but I am hopeful things will change. I am just glad to see I am not alone with these side effects, especially sweating.
I gained weight with Lexapro. I workout often and never had weight problems until a couple months in to taking it. I am not weening myself off. It’s not too bad. I get these weird sensations in my face and a little split second dizziness. It’s takes just as long weening off as it does going on the medications.
I’ve been on Lex for about 4 weeks, really feel much better, it makes “mole hills” out of my “mountains”. I sleep great without the constant anxiety at night. Don’t have the desire to drink alcohol as much. Decrease in libido but more affectionate, better balanced, no weight gain but I work out on a tight schedule. Have experienced some excessive yawning and body aches and when i skipped a day i was told I was my “old self”, which apparently was emotionally erratic. Have not interest in staying on the drug but for the balance it brings to the family life and the new sense of ease and focus
I started taking Lexapro in Jan, 2008. I stopped once to try Zoloft since I was always hungry and tired. Zoloft was better as far as no increased appetite or tiredness but after a week I got terrible migraines and was too sick to function. I stopped Zoloft for a week, problems stopped. I tried again, same thing. I went back to Lexapro but take it at 7pm. Still have unexplained weight gains such as 3 lbs in one day, then gradually lose it again. After being on Lexapro the first time, about 1 month, my mind was clearer than in years. I am trying to finish writing a book and the words poured out and my mood was better than in years. Then it all went away and I can’t think at all. The last 2 months I feel like I have alzheimers. I can’t remember what I’m doing or what I have done. I’m going to the dr. this week for advice before I buy more meds. After reading all the comments at least I know I’m not the only one. i started taking this because of vestibular migraine. It hasn’t done well for my dizziness but better than nothing. I did take nortriptaline which worked better but after 4 years I was tired of the side effects and suffering from an undiagnosed blood disorder that improved when I got off it. I don’t know what to do now. I can’t go back to taking nothing because my balance gets so bad I can even walk.
I am a 40+ female. I’ve been on Lexapro 4 years for anxiety and hypertension. The first week I used it, I felt giddy, as though I was drunk. That subsided. Overall, it made me less depressed and less anxious. I called it my “happy pill”. Unfortunately, I’ve gained about 40 pounds which I attribute to Lexapro. I started gaining weight immediately. Another symptoms were strong, vivid dreams but these have stopped in the last year. Recently, I’ve been very anxious and depressed. My dosage was cut in half. I’m now feeling much better. Hope this info helps.
Well…I’ve been reading these comments and I’m a little scared. My Dr. just prescribed Lexapro to me today. I’m not really sure I want to take it now. This is so scarey to me…..Sounds a little tough to get off of. He said I only had to take it for a few months but not sure it’s worth it.
I have been on it for almost 2 years. No side effects that I can complain about. It has helped some because I actually do have good days and am able to put on a good show when I don’t.
I was put on Lexapro in July for anxiety/depression. My sleep pattern immediately became disturbed- often awake all night.A week later I developed a pain in my sternum which my GP thought was an ulcer so I was put on an ulcer healing drug. The pain in my sternum was very sore and I was continually belching to relieve it.I then began having hot flushes and night sweats and was absolutely exhausted all the time. Then my menstrual cycle was affected big style – frequent bleeding for which I was prescribed more tablets.My GP also tried to increase my dose of Lexapro from 10mg to 20mg but I refused.
Last week I decided to stop the lexapro -ALL my physical symptoms have stopped and I feel so much better. I haven’t had any withdrawal effects apart from a bit of light headedness. I did lose weight on it but that was cos I couldn’t eat because of the pain in my sternum. I have never contributed to a site like this but I felt I had to express my view.
I will NEVER take Lexapro again. I am a mental health nurse and realise that there are times when SSRI’s are necessary but I don’t like this one. I am totally medication free now and my body feels better than when I was on the different medications.
After 5 days I am super tired and yawn all the time. I feel high, unfocused and weird. Today i had the first anxiety attack in a few months after taking midol with the lexapro, does this have anything to do with the caffine, or do I have attacks to look forward too?
I am 15 year old girl and I have been prescribed lexapro for GAD, and my moody and “hateful” behavior towards my family. My Dr. thinks it will help but I don’t want to take it anymore. I have only been taking it for 6 days.
My sleep cycle is totally out of order, I used to get by on 7 maybe 7 1/2 hours a night but, now I can hardly stay awake in school, and I have been nodding off as I do homework. I had a panic attack the first time I took the pill but, there is no stress in my life right now so I don’t know what brough it on. I have had very vivid dreams, dry mouth, I feel high, I can’t focus on anything, I feel less myself than ever before. Does it get better with time or should I ask to switch meds?
My Dr. is also treating my mother for GAD, and she thinks she has responded well, but she has no emotions. My mom was one of the most passionate women I knew until the Lexapro. She no longer gets angry, sad, or happy she is just there.
With all my side effects will I also loose my personality?
Help I need answers and my parents think this is the only thing that will help, but I can’t function and they won’t listen.
Signed,
Scared to death of becoming a pod person
Today was day 3 for me. There will be no day 4. I was on 10mg and the headache alone was almost unbearable. the nausea and extreme tiredness kept me home from work today and in bed most of the time. I felt like I was in a zone…or high…or something. It was not a good experience for me and I’d rather be anxious than a zombie.
This is my 1st day on Lexapro 10 mg.; I took it last night before bed. Immediately started feeling a bit sick to my stomach. My throat feels like it has a lump in it. The frontal headache I had prior to taking the Lexapro has now intensified significantly. I woke up in the middle of the night for a while, which is unusual. However, I am already feeling not so depressed which is a relief! Was even singing along with the radio on the way to kids’ school at 7 a.m. today and felt calmer with the kids this morning before school. Still feeling a bit queasy, though – if I lose weight, that’s great.
Was married 13 years, divorced my ex-husband 2.5 years ago. Drank for 22 years to medicate for emotional pain, and quit drinking all together 6 months ago – which takes a lot of courage. I’m 40 years old. Work 30 hours a week, have 7 and 9 year old sons, no help from family, a crazy ex-husband, a big house to run, lots of responsibility, etc. Was having a hard time dealing with life on life’s terms without taking a drink, which I know is not the solution. Think I’ve been depressed since I was 5. Think my Mom is bi-polar. Pulled the Mayo Clinic’s symptoms for depression, and I have most of them. Have never been on anti-depressants because I never wanted to give up alcohol – until now.
Am really hoping Lexapro works. When your 9 year old son tells you not to stress, to be happy and smile, and you can’t, you know something is sadly wrong. Am extremely afraid of weight gain. Had eating disorder when I was 19 and recently have gained a couple of pounds. I’m an “athlete” and do not want to lose interest in running and step aerobics.
Also concerned about the cost of Lexapro, compared to other anti-depressants and need to call health insurance to see how much it will cover, as it has 4 stars on price scale, compared to Zoloft and Prozac which have 1. Has anyone found a more reasonably priced, effective drug that will not cause weight gain? Sorry this is so long.
Started Lexapro one week ago, having nausea, medication has not affected my mental status yet! Concerned about weight gain but if this nausea continues this will not be an issue as I can not stand the sight of food. Has the weight gain been because of increased appetite or decreased metabolic reasons?
I’ve been taking Lexapro for a little over 2 months now for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. I haven’t really noticed any bad side effects, except maybe slight weight gain, I thought it was just what I was eating, but my Dr. says Lexapro may be causing it.
Looks like I am the senior Lexapro taker. I’ve been on it for several years. Certainly 3, maybe more. I take 20mg in the morning. I have tried just about all the anti-depressants. I’m 62 years old, and have suffered from depression/anxiety since childhood.
Only one antidepressant caused weight gain for me, and that was Serzone. I liked that drug best, but a report came out that it caused serious liver problems, so I went off it.
I have not felt any notable side effects from any of them. I can’t say that any of them really helped much either, although it’s hard to tell how bad I’d be if I wasn’t on anything.
I do take Klonopin when I am especially anxious or can’t sleep. I know it is addictive, and I don’t really care at this point in my life.
Also, I have withdrawn from all the various meds I’ve taken without any problems whatsoever.
I took Lexapro for 6 days and it was the worst drug ever for me. I started on 5 milligrams once a day, day 1 was great! Day 2-Day 6 side effects included, increased anxiety, severe thumping heartbeat, fast heartbeat, pulsing sensation in both sides of my neck, extreme confusion/delerium, feeling like I was going crazy, feelings of unreality, (like I wasn’t there), my face turned bright red while taking Lexapro, hot flashes (I’m NOT menopausal), delirium, shakes, inside tremors (very bad) complete loss of appetite but feeling SO hungry, diarrhea, crying spells, feeling like my skin was crawling- feeling the need to pace through my house for hours on end for no known reason, extremely sore legs- probably from all the pacing, do I really need to go on? I went into my dr’s office and he said I should have stopped sooner- he also told me these AREN’T normal side effects and that no one should live like this or be miserable.. he put me on Ativan (as needed) and yay, I’m me again-
After reading 2 years worth of comments…this is where I stand:Age, weight, dosage, diagnose and other individual history are all key factors to each individuals results. I recommend that when a doctor prescribes a medication, it is the patients responsibility to follow up with visits, coming equiped with notes as to when, how long, and what was observed. So for me, after reading all these comments, I agree with one persons comment ‘the negative are here complaining, while the majority of those it works for – are out having a life!’ I’m hoping that when I finish typing this, and pop my first Lexapro, I will have a life.
Will I come back? We’ll see. Anyways, in case I follow up (or croak), here are MY stats:
50 yr old female. 2008 one major crisis after another (job,family,romance & start of menapause?or just stress related menstrual screw up). I am 175 lbs to start, 5′6″. 50 of those pounds came on over the last 5 years, and in places i never had problems with before – age, life style, and eating habits are to blame. I could use a little weight loss as a positive side affect of Lexapro – we’ll see. Anyways, emotions are all over the board, I have no tolerance for other people to be human (human errors), i cry, be bitchy, give ‘motivational speeches’ to uninterested audiences, and basically feel like I’ve been treading deep water for a year now…I’m tired…the waves keep crashing over my head, one after the other, and I’m just too tired to mentally figure out which way the shore is, or physically to turn to look, and the thought of SWIMMING, on my own, towards it… oh, hell no! nah, I’d rather stay under my bed covers, wake me up when my kids are all grown, when the bill collectors give up, when our national problems subside…never mind, don’t bother to wake me up…’cuz I really don’t even see THAT happening in MY lifetime…and whoa to my children…ok, there, i’m blithering…ok, time to try mothers little helper…lets see if this ‘chill pill’ works for me…Dr. gave me 14-10mg tablets (sample box) with a prescription which I never even read…I will pick it up monday….Oh, and since I never got ‘written’ instructions with the samples, I went on line to ‘research’ and have decided to chop that puppy in half, start at 5mg for a few days. The only thing I’m concerned with,is that some medications when the tablet is tampered with (cut in half/smashed etc) the intake results are different – time release is screwed up….my doctor is not in today…so I’m taking it upon myself to do 1/2. If ANY of the afore mentioned ‘ickies’ happen when I take this, I will be sure to speak with pharmicyst on monday and or my dr.
Thank you for taking the time to read my 2cents. Hope for love and peace and content to all who read this post.
Good luck, Chelle. In my experience, the first night is by far the worst, then the bad side effects taper off (for me within about a week), and you start feeling much better. Yes, you can cut the tablets in half. I cut my original 10’s in half, also. If you’re ever unsure about anything about a drug and your doctor is unavailable, ask your pharmacist. I’ve found that they will often offer more information than the doctor.
I am so happy I came across this site. I have been VERY forgetfull to the point of walking in a room and forgetting what for. My face is red and hot alot, I am starting to feel a little pudgy. I have feelings like I want to be upset or yell, but it just doesn’t come out like that. ( which is a plus ) I have been taking lexapro for about 2 months now, I switched from Zoloft on the advice of my doctor who said the side effects are less with Lexapro. ( no libido ) I did notice a change for the better, but not until my cycle would normally have me more frisky.
I was on Lexapro for a year and weaned myself off a couple years ago. The withdrawal symptoms were uncomfortable but they went away after a couple weeks. During the time I was taking Lexapro, I lost 17 lbs. I’ve been going through some hard times and have had some trouble controlling my panic and anxiety so I’ve started Lexapro again. To those who have just started Lexapro, the symptoms do diminish.
I have been on Lexapro for about a week. The only thing I have noticed is diarehia that started yesterday and is continuing today. No yawning, no nausia, no feeling of blah. I am calmer. I don’t have the OMG feeling all the time anymore. I am taking the full dosage in the morning, but it does hurt my stomach if I don’t eat before. I have lost about 2 pounds so far, but contribute that to the diarehia. I am afraid of the weight gain and am currently in an exercise program and am really watching what I eat. Hopefully, the diarehia will go away, but the not feeling OMG all the time will stay.
The “high” feeling goes away. It’s a side effect like things tasting bad or your hands feeling weird when first taking Topamax. You may also feel that “high” feeling if you stop taking Lexapro suddenly.
(been there, done that)
Ok. Today is day 1 for me and now after reading all these comments, i am panicing a little. I want to feel better, not worse than i already am.
LMAO…as I read the comments, I wonder if some folks might feel better with a simple placebo?? I have clinical depression and have had it for years. When I take my meds, I’m feeling fine. I am a recovering alcholic so when I went to rehab 4 years ago, they gave me Lexapro. Good stuff. I don’t want to cry all the time and it has helped keep the valleys and peaks at more respectable levels. I have noticed some weight gain (didn’t think about it being from Lexapro) and the libido is pretty much kaput…
I suggest ANYONE who suffers from true depression to keep up with the meds. I like Lexapro. I am normally an up-beat person, and I feel like my self again.
Hi All,
I have just started taking the lexapro from Yestarday Oct 2 2008 and after reading all this I have decided that I will stop taking it. I think it better not to start lexapro as it has lots of side effectes and It will be diffcult to withdraw the drug later. I think I will try myself to come out from the sleeping problem I have due to the OCD.
I am finishing my 4th week of Lexapro (10mg) per day and my side effects began with a sick feeling, lack of appetite, and relief from the obsessive thoughts, of the depression and the anxiety. Currently, I am still able to eat less, I have lost some weight, but I am fighting the lack of energy (obviously this drug slows my metabolism) by exercising twice a day. I am much slower with my work outs than before. I have not had a problem with lack of libido thank goodness. ..so far so good. It’s better than wanting to die all the time.
i’ve been on lexapro for six weeks at 10 mg then up to 20 mg dose which seems to work for me. at 60 years old i wish i was introduced to it at an earlier age since anxiety, depression, mood swings and iritability controlled my life. since taking lexapro all these symptoms have virtually gone away. i experienced some weight gain and difficulty reaching orgasms. i’m told this will go away in time, but to be honest, even if it doesn’t, i don’t care because i feel SO much better and my life and outlook have tremendously improved. good luck to all who give it a try and my advise would let the drug ‘ramp up’ until you get the full effects.
To those worried about withdrawal, I took Lexapro (5mg) for about 5 months, stopping about a year ago. While I had trouble adjusting to being on it, I had absolutely NO withdrawal symptoms whatsoever when I went off it. Unfortunately, the symptoms that I originally went on it for have come back (anxiety and insomnia), so here I go again. This time though, I’ve had a lot of nausea, which I didn’t have at all last time. (Wonder if the Ambien I’ve also started taking might be causing that, maybe in combination with the Lexapro?)
I’ve been on it for 3 years now. Immediately felt better. Did notice that it kind of flannened out my emotions though – not too angry – but not too happy either. Also, stopped menstruating for 6 months. Once I started to get my period again, my symptoms of anxiety/depression started to come back. So increased dosage. And cycle started again. This happened again after 8 or 9 months. I’m at the point now where I need to increase dose again, but I think I’m at the highst dose – 20 mg. Any advice?
Only side effects are hot flashes (which subsided for a while, but are back in full force now) and dizziness if I miss a dose. No weight gain. I feel these side effects are worth it!
I have taken lexapro one time for depression. I woke up feeling sick and now this morning I feel high. I feel worse than I was before and I don’t think the side effects are worth it. Exercise helps much more than this medicine. I can’t focus and can barly even type or have a conversation. This is the worst drug I have ever taken! Never again. One pill was too much!!!!
I have been on Lexapro for 9 hours and after about 8hrs I experienced this burning sensation all over my body. Have anybody experienced that?
Yes, the first night I took it, I woke up with a huge Lexapro-induced panic attack, shaking all over, burning on my arms, back, and forehead, then throwing up. Absolutely awful! But I’ve stuck with it, and after a month, I’m doing pretty well. Strange, isn’t it, that a drug that helps anxiety can initially cause EXTREME anxiety. But just knowing it’s a temporary side effect helped me through it.
dont take any form of chemical mind altering drug. its not worth it. it destroyed my dad and my family and it could do the same to you.
I have been on Lexapro for approximately 6 months now. Yes, I have gained weight, and find I am very compulsive when evening comes & I want to eat, eat, eat. Also, I beome nervous & find it hard to sit still in the evening at times, but since I am somewhat handicapped I cannot exercise, but feel like I want to run. I get tired easily (all of a sudden) & just cannot keep my eyes open. I take under 5mg a day. “Short term memory” is somewhat of a problem. My “bad” symptoms from this drug become less & less. I take Ativan in the evening to sleep. Basically, the quick temper, anxious feelings are gone now (had that in the beginning). I do not take a lot of this drug, nor do I want to take more because of the side effects….so I continue to take a small dose & it is working to take away most of the depression & anxiety. Wellbutrin stopped working for me, so, I shall stick with Lexapro 5mg (less than this amount actually) for now.
been on it for two weeks so far, no effects either good or bad.
I’ve had a NOVA T put in for about 18mths ago after brith,and now I’m getting a discharge off and on about one week after my period. I’m fishing as to what can be the cause.
I have been on Lexapro for three months and have gained about 20 pounds! I have even decreased my food intake and cannot quit gaining weight.
Lexapro has made me very sleepy, I think. Since taking it. about three months now, I can’t get excited about anything. Is that really helping? Also I still have random crying episodes. I take 10mgs in the am. I have been on effexor before and it is worse. Especisally with yawning and general nervous issues. Doe anyone have other/better experiences for GAD/depression???
I have been on Lexapro now for just over 3 weeks. I started taking it to relieve anxiety and I feel so much better. For the first week, I had nausea, diahhrea, a hand tremor, and hot flashes. These side effects all went away after the first week. Now I just have a reduced libido and am having issues with dry mouth but these side effects are worth it because the drug has gotten rid of my debilitating anxiety.
I was put on Lexapro a week ago. I had to stop taking it due to severe adominal pains, back pains, and diarrhea. I feel cloudy, fogging, and numb. I took Cymbalta for a while and I absolutely love it. Made me feel ten times better and took away the aches and pains that depression has caused me. I am only 21 and suffer from severe depression. I hate the feelings and thoughts that run through my mind. It’s like I have no feelings but self pity. The Cymbalta gave me energy but for some reason my ARNP took me off and put me on Lexapro and now I feel the worst I have in months! I have been in bed the last few days with terrible adominal pains, dry mouth, strange dreams, backaches, and loss of appettite. I have an appt tm and I am hoping she puts me back on Cymbalta. I do not recommend Lexapro.
I was put on Lexapro a week ago after being on Cymbalta for months. I love Cymbalta. It made my aches and pains go away as well as giving me energy. On this Lexapro, which I cannot stand, I am restless, cannot sleep good, have severe adominal and back pains, cannot eat anything without rushing to the bathroom afterwards. I have been clinging to my bed the last few days with strange side effects. I dont like the way this Lexapro makes me feel, gloomy, groggy, forgetful, and crazy dreams. I go back to the docter tm and I am hoping she switches my meds. After reading some of this stories, I believe I am not the only one who suffers from side effects.
I took my first dose of Lexapro 10 mg at 6 am today, by 7:30 am, I felt as if I had taken ecstacy, my throat had a lump in it and the street lights had tracers. I tried to eat when I got to work, but could barley get the food down due to the lump in my throat. Pupils were dilated and felt very weird. Has anyone experienced these unpleasant side effects and continued on with the medication ? Did these side effects eventually go away and the medicine do what it is suppose to ? I have already had severe side effects from Remeron, which is why the Doctor switched me to Lexapro. I don’t want to give up on this medicine too early if these side sffects are “normal”.
I have been taking Lexipro for a good 3 months, but will admit I have missed days throughout last month. I noticed that I have had the most horrific nightterrors since ebeing on this medicine. I constantly wake up because I’m screaming and yelling. I’m pissed every time… I don’t have these spells of screaming every night, but it comes in waves… I know it is the medicine, but really I’ve noticed knowone else really is complaining of an extreme case of nightmares in this blog. Is this abnormal?
I have only been on this med for a couple days but i am shakey as well and just feel out of it. Kinda dizzy and lathargic but not necissarily bad, just wierd! Will it go away with time?
took lexapro for a few years, weaned off, last dose 2 weeks ago….now Im feeling really weird…mood swings, irritability, anxiety. could this still be the drug wearing off or do I need to go back on it? I got off because of poor memory, fuzzy thinking, dizziness. I want to try to deal without it.
I was on Lexapro for a year. I had no side effects and when I wanted to stop taking it, I just did. NO withdrawals. Well a few months ago me and a long term boyfriend broke up and i needed to go back on it and I had a craving for caffiene and cigarettes. I never smoked before that so i thought that was weird. I took the drug for a month a smoked for that month. i stop taking the lexapro and my craving went away and i quit smoking. no side effects this time either.
I have been on Lexapro about 6 months now.I lost 17 pounds on it as most of the time It makes me not hungry.The only time I eat alot is when I have PMS,which isnt anything new.
When I first started taking it,I was taking it at night,as told to by my doctor,and it made my insomnia worse! I would be up all night and barely getting any sleep at all,which made me pretty grouchy.
I switched and started taking it in the morning,and now I fall right to sleep at night!
I do notice I care less about things and feel less empathetic,but for me this is a good thing as I used to cry alot over seemingly silly things.
I have less PMS as well and am just generally happier.
I still have some anxiety,mostly in social situations,but I take xanax if I get really stressed which isnt too much now.
The only thing I hate about this drug is that I have no insurance so I pay 100 dollars a month for it out of pocket.So for me,that would be the biggest reason to try to quit.
I have missed a few doses here and there by accident and never noticed any withdrawls though.
It takes alot of trys with these medicines to find the right one for you,so if you have problems speak up and have your doctor put you on something else.
After coming off other medication, I’ve found lexapro much softer on the body. I had trouble sleeping before going on it but now I don’t seem to dream when sleeping, nothing like I used which was quite vivid and fluid. I also find this makes me feel more tired, like I’m unrested. Anyone else?
Is pupil dialation a common side-effect that goes away? I took lexapro for a few days & had this happen & I ended up stopping the med.
I have been on Lexapro for about 5 years now. When I started taking it I noticed a significant weight loss (about 10 lbs). I also felt a lot better emotionally as well. Now five years later, I’m looking into more side effects of the drug and some of the items mentioned also have effected me more recently. I have noticed I tend to need a lot more sleep and still feel exhausted in the morning. Also in the last year, which would be year 5 I’ve gain about 15 lbs without having any major fitness changes or eating changes. I also feel like my anxiety problems are coming back. I’m planning on changing medication.
I have been taking Lex for ten months for anxiety. I think it is great. I feel normal. I get more done. I don’t procrastinate as much. I tolerate my environment so much better. I feel in control. I still have moments of anxiety but they are so much more bearable. I can even put up with my kids legos on the floor:)
As to the libido issue. I think I have experienced some of that but who cares:)No weight gain. I have been able to drop some weight for the first time in my life. I have fallen off my work out program almost completely for the first time in 18 years.
For me – it’s a great pill.
I have been on Lexapro for two years now. Gained 4 pounds total. I haven’t had the weight issues. I do have side affects if I do not take it religiously. I get dizzy, tired and still anxious. I feel Lexapro is the best out there. Nobody needs a drug to cure our fears. We have to face them and be able to handle it. It is very safe unlike others I have researched and causes no long term disabilities. I suggest anyone who suffers anxiety (depression) to take Lexapro and also seek counceling. It may take some longer to get past some side affects because of the amount of absent serotonin. Stay strong and have faith.
I just started Lexapro 2 days ago. Took it at night before bed. When I got to work the next morning, felt very nauseous and sleepy all day. Also developed very bad heartburn after I ate and can’t get it to go away. Anyone else get bad heartburn from this med. I remember a few years back being on Effexor and having to be put on Nexium for very bad heartburn – I cannot go thru that again as it is a terrible feeling and you don’t want to eat as it makes it worse. After reading these other side effects – I may stop taking or cut it in half and try that.
I have been on and off Lexapro for several years. I have NEVER had any problems with withdrawal at all. That is not the case with Zoloft or other anti-depressants. The main reason I have stopped taking Lexapro include decreased libido. Zoloft has the opposite effect for me.
I have been on Lexapro for 6 months now. I went off of Welbruitrin (bad med for me. I began Lexapro at 5mg and in about a month increased to 40mg (insurance company does not like that either).
Pros
Does WONDERS for my anxiety
Helped reduce my compulsion to self harm
I can actually make myself do things
Cons
I have gained oodles of weight, but that is probably from my eating disorder. i have had one for seven years and varies between anorexia and compulsive overeating-depending upon the year.
I have taken lexapro for six or seven years now. It is the best SSRI out there with minimal side effects. Withdrawal effects were pretty bad; dizziness and then after two months, panic attacks, heart palpitations, shortness of breath. I have started taking half the dosage again. Feeling much better now.
I am having a similar complaint about pupil dilation. It seems to make things seem bright and hard to focus. I am on day two. Anxiety can affect pupil dilation with me anyway. I would like to know if anyone else has had this problem also.
I took my first pill last night (20mg). I woke up for about 2 straight hours in the middle of the night just feeling like my thoughts wouldn’t be quiet enough to let me sleep. I’m not sure that’s related to the Lexapro though being that it was the first pill. Today I feel a bit nauseous but again I’m not sure it’s related as I had some horrible Chinese food for dinner. I usually try to explore the other possible reasons for things like this rather than assume it’s a side effect.
Thanks to everyone who has mentioned the timeline thing. My doctor was very quick to mention that it’ll take at least 3-4 weeks for everything to normalize and to feel “good” like I should. Until then it’s normal to feel ups and downs just as I did before I started taking Lexapro. It’s leveling out the Seratonin in your brain and that takes time. So… my plan is to keep a journal of everything I’m feeling and experiencing and if at the 6 week mark the side effects outweigh the positive effects, I’ll taper off.
I have been on Lexapro for a couple weeks and I have zero sex drive and feel tired all the time. This is very frustrating!
I have been on lexapro for about 3 weeks now. I feel much better but do not feel like myself.I have no sex drive at all. Can someone please tell me this is going to go away.
I took Lexapro today for the first time and feel sleepy and yawny, but relaxed. Reading through the comments though, I feel I should stop it before it takes over. Who wants the side effects.
I started Lexapro 10/29/2008 and INSTANTLY I noticed the difference!!!! I can relax!! I discovered last week, that I have panic attacks when I go to the doctor’s office. My blood pressure & heart rate was OFF THE CHARTS!!! I went to the emergency room & all of my numbers (blood pressure & heart rate)soon returned to normal, we figured that I have “white coat syndrome.” So these last 7 days on Lexapro for my anxitey have been a new experence for me. I feel at peace. People are telling me I even “look” relaxed.
I guess the biggest side affect for me the that I have NO APPETITE!!!!!!! I have barely eaten in days!!! Which is great for me; I need to lose weight. Also I do have the dry mouth & the foggy feeling. But this is a small price the pay to feel this calm peaceful feeling.
The first morning I tried Lexapro I was sick to my stomach and felt very tired. I decided to take the second pill at bed time. Despite feeling nauseous, dizzy, in a “fog” and extremely tired, when I closed my eyes to try and fall asleep I never could. I was up all night! I think I’ll pass on this medication!
I have been on 10mg of Lexapro for 6 years now and want to leave my comments for the people that are just starting out. Any medication takes time for your body to adjust so try to stay with it. Prior to Lexapro I tried several other similar medications and found their sides affects after 6 months never disappeared but they have with Lexapro. I found it is best to take it first thing in the morning and then it will not interfere with your sleep. The only side effect that I have is very intense yawning spells approximately two times a day, mid morning and afternoon that last about 15 minutes and I do feel like I will just pass out and go to sleep, but that’s never really happened. I suffered since I was 4 years old of terrible nightmares and sleep waking, none since I’m on this. I no longer have heart palpitations, anxiety attacks, or depression. Good luck to all of you. As I said give it time to adjust and you will feel better than you ever have in your life.
I HAVE BEEN ON LEXAPRO FOR 5 YEARS….FOR THE LAST 2 MONTHS I HAVE BEEN INCONSISTENT WITH TAKING MY MEDICATION. I WILL TAKE IT IN THE MORNING AND THEN NOT TAKE IT AGAIN FOR A WEEK AND THEN TAKE IT AND NOT TAKE IT AGAIN FOR 3-4 DAYS, ETC. AFTER SEEING MY DR. ON MONDAY I AM TRYING TO GET BACK ON IT ON A REGULAR BASIS BUT AM HAVING A HORRIBLE TIME. I HAVE NEVER FELT SO ANXIOUS IN MY LIFE. I AM SO SO ANXIOUS IT IS MAKING ME NUTS, I CAN’T EAT, CAN”T SLEEP, VERY AGITATED. ANYONE ELSE EVER FELT THIS WAY?
I have taken Lexapro about 7 months now. I have depression and anxiety/panic attacks. It has helped tremendously with both. It has helped lift a very dark depressive episode, and I have only had about 2-3 panic attacks all summer.
There are significant side effects. My libido is pretty low, and I have gained weight. Periods are irregular, but that can be the onset of menopause at my age (47). The other physical side effects–upset stomach, tingling electric feelings in extremities and my face–have pretty much gone away with time. I am having joint pain, but I had that before the medication, so there is need to talk with my Dr.
I know someone else who was on Lexapro, and it stopped working. That can happen with any of the psychotropic drugs. If it stops, you have to wean off and try another drug. Also, meds are only half the way back. Lifestyle–healthy eating and sleeping, exercise, vitamins and Omega 3 oils–is essential. I mainly think the meds get me to the point I can function enough to do all those. They are strong drugs with side effects, but the alternative was lying in bed crying a lot, unable to function. It’s better with the meds, for me.
I’ve been on lexapro for about 2 months now. At first, things were great and I thought everything was really funny for some reason, similar to the feeling you experience when high. But lately things have been awful.
Slight weight gain, 5lbs in 2 months.
Extremely sweaty palsm, 24/7.
Shaking, short of breath, about to faint.
Def, switching medication.
After being on Zoloft for 5 years and it no longer working, my Doc. decided to switch me to Lexapro. I was on Lexapro for about 3 months to treat both anxiety and depression For the first two weeks, the drug worked great! My anxiety was non-existant, BUT the depression was still there. By the end of month three, I had a constant fuzzy feeling in my brain, and just did not feel myself (although the anxiety was so much better).I was having one good week, then one bad week and could not take the roller coaster. I made the choice to switch to Cymbalta.
I have been on Lexapro since my husband left without warning. I tend to overreact to things so being on this drug for 8 months has been a God-send! From the first 3 hours, I have felt very happy and have had almost no side-effects. I bounce off the wall laughing if on 20mg so I take only 10mg which seems to be a better dose for me. Over the years I had been on 2 other meds for situational depression. Didn’t like the side-effects so I didn’t stay on long. Lexapro does effect my short-term memory, leg shaking and libido (only climax, not desire) but the benefits outway these for me right now. I have been thinking of going off…but I hear so much about it I am nervous
I am a 42 year old woman and I first began taking Lexapro about 3 years for depression. I have subsequently been on and off of the drug to deal with my bouts of depression. While on the drug, I experienced several side effects such as nausea (only in the beginning), that “electric feeling” (which I found kind of soothing), drowsiness and a lack of an appetite, especially after having coffee in the morning. The benefits that I later experienced was a decrease in anxiety (I noticed this after not getting upset over an issue that would have normally sent me in a tailspin) and the ability to sleep through the night. I subsequently stopped taking Lexapro because I never had an appetite and in a matter of just a few months; lost nearly 35 pounds from a small frame that initially weighed 140lbs.
I am currently taking Lexapro 10mg. The first few days were ROUGH, I was shaking teeth chattering, racing heart, pounding heart. I feel batter now but I do shake sometimes. When I wake up I feel weird like I’m in a rush. I sometimes wake up in the middle of the night in a panic, I take deep breathes to calm myself down. My appetite has decreased. I am nursing a 6month old boy so i have to remind myself to eat constantly.
i have been takign lexapro for two weeks at first i was really shaky and anxious for a few days.. i noticed an increase in my appetite and grinding my teeth… i feel paranoid.
After reading all of this, I’m shocked to see how differently everyone reacts to Lexapro! A few years ago, I was diagnosed with having anxiety and mild depression and started taking Wellbutrin, along with Xanax XR and Ambien. The Wellbutrin was ok, but I always felt a little out of it (not good when you work in accounting). When I switched jobs (and insurance plans) I changed doctors and the new one prescribed me everything under the sun for depression, but I wasn’t really depressed. At one point, he also told me that I was bi-polar so that he could prescibe some new medication for it. (I read in an earlier post that some others had this happen to them also.) My company was later bought out and my insurance switched again and again I found a new doctor. I did a lot of research on my own before my appointment and realized that I actually had a form of ADD, which was causing the anxiety and the insomnia that I had for years. Once I began treatment for ADD, I no longer needed the Xanax or Ambien.
I have been fine with just taking one medicine until my boyfriend of three years broke up with me about a month ago. I asked my doctor if there were any anti-depressants that I could take with my ADD medication and right away he told me about Lexapro. I had heard good things about it, so I was excited to try it. I did not want this depression to take over my life and was willing to try anything.
I didn’t experience any side effects at first, at least, they were not noticeable or bothersome. My doctor told me to take it at night and it pretty much knocked me out, which was fine. I didn’t feel many physical side effects, except a few mild headaches. Mentally, I felt great, but sleepy during the day (which is very normal for me). My ADD medication helped with that, although, I do feel like I need to take it more than my usual 3 times a day. I think that I may have gained weight, but I needed to (don’t hate me – the other med decreases my appetite and I can’t eat when I am depressed). However, I ended up taking a couple of days off (from the Lexapro) after my 2-week sample ran out and I went to the doctor for a Rx. (I had been on about 2 weeks). Ever since then (about 2 weeks ago), I cry for hours at a time and have started having suicidal thoughts. My family just came down to visit, and I love them to death, but I just could not shake these crying spells even while they were here. Even my mom was at a loss for what to say to make me feel better. I’m tearing up just now (at work) thinking about it. My doctor said that it would be fine to just take it until I get over this break up to get myself normal again and I have heard it will take 4-6 weeks to really kick in, but I just feel horrible now. Nothing like a broken heart huh?
Anyway, I just thought I would share my experience so far. I will continue to take Lexapro, but I am curious to know if my 2-3 day break contributed to me feeling worse, or if that is normal waves of grief that can’t be controlled?
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. I appreciate everyone sharing their experiences here. If anyone has advice for me on getting over a relationship, I would love to hear it!
Does anyone have any positive things to say? These comments are scary. My Dr just prescribe me Lexapro fro GAD
I have been on Lexapro for 9 months. I first started on 10 mg and I had to go to 5 because on 10 I couldn’t sleep at all and was too hyper. I’m great on the 5 but I have to say I have gained more weight and my libido is gone. Thank goodness my husband is patient!
Anyway, I’ve been weaning myself off for the last 2 weeks. I’ve been taking 2.5 everyday and now every other day. The doctor told me I could go right off. No thank you. Can’t say how I really feel because I’ve been ill with a bad sinus infection. Hopefully when it’s gone, I’ll know how I really feel.
Heather:
It has helped me alot but I do still have side effects. I have severe anxiety so I will take the side effects over that any day.
I have been on Lexapro for seven days now. I have had a loss of appetite which I don’t hate. I have also notice the yawning spells and the fog that don’t really seem to bother me. I am on 10 mg a day and it seems to be working. I wanted to post a good review b/c i am reading so many negative ones. It seems that it is not for everyone but if you are suffering from panic attacks like I have you will want to stop at nothing to put them at ease.
I have been on Lexapro for a little over a year. I am having severe hair loss. It is not falling out, just not growing back in when i do loose one. I have lost almost half of my hair. This started last November. I had been on lexapro for about 3 months. I do not have any of the side effects i have read here. I am a little lethargic. Has any one else noticed hair loss. I am thinking of stoping lexapro and going back on prozac. I do not have anxiety, I am not sure I am even deprssed any more.
I have been on lexapro (10-20mg) for four years. I love it! I have not experienced the weight gain everyone speaks of, but I also began exercising at the same time I began lexapro. I’d rather be fat and happy than skinny and depressed anyway.
I have noticed that every six months or so, I need to switch from taking lexapro at night to taking it in the morning. As long as you are consistant…
I definately recommend Lexapro. It saved me. But having been on many meds, and knowing many people on meds, I know it’s pretty much trial and error. What works great for one person may not work at all for another. Just keep trying and communicate with your doctor…together, you WILL find the right combination.
For those that experienced the racing or pounding heart, how long did it last?
This is to Court. Don’t get too broken over a relationship that did not work. It is better to fail now than to fail in a marriage. Each relationship has a reason and you will learn from it and understand more of what you are looking for. God has the right person for you just don’t give up. Now as far as the Lexapro…I see alot of people pulling themselves off of it and if you don’t do that right that is the worst thing you can do. I started out on 10mg and had some side affects in the beginning but they went away. After about 7 weeks it seemed like my depression was returning so the Dr. upped my dose to 20mg. So far so good. The doctors told me to give it 8 weeks for exactly what to expect from the drug. For me it is such a blessing to have something to help those of us who are stricken. I had alot of head injuries when I was young and always wondered if it knocked a screw lose LOL. I’m sure Lex is not for everyone but don’t give up hope. Enjoy this life while you can and don’t mess it up by harming yourself. I have spoken with two different people who tried to end their lives and thank God they didn’t and I was there to help in there crisis. If they had ended it all they would have missed out on what I see in them today. One now is happily married and the other won a large sum of money in a lawsuit and regained custody of his daughter. If either of them followed through they would have missed those blessings. Take care all, Robert
I’m in my third week of Lexapro. I started with 5 mg, was to increase to 10mg after 10 days. With the 5mg, there was an immediate decrease in my painfully constant cravings for carbs and decrease in obsessive daydreaming thoughts, but I notice some drowsiness and inability to concentrate on tasks at hand. My libido has completely disappeared and I’ve become anorgasmic. I yawn all day.
I increased to 10mg as prescribed. The effects were very negative! I was unable to think straight. The sleepiness increased until I was actually nodding off at my desk. I couldn’t concentrate at work at all, by the time I read the end of a sentence, I couldn’t remember what the beginning was about. All day I was asking people to repeat themselves because I couldn’t focus long enough to comprehend all of a question. I scheduled a meeting and then didn’t remember what I wanted to talk about. I got so little done that my boss repremanded me…of course, he didn’t know I was struggling just to comprehend what he was talking about.
When I went home from work, I literally was counting the minutes til I could respectably go to bed (after making sure my kids had dinner and were ready for school the next day). It was awful.
I went back to 5mg the next day and was less sleepy and a little better able to concentrate, but the libido is still completely gone. In a way, that is freeing, but it’s not so good for the other person inviolved. I also feel very chilly all of the time. Let’s hope it helps the depression and anxiety.
I took my first dose of Lexapro two nights ago (10mg)before going to bed. I slept well but woke up feeling very sick, my muscles felt heavy and at times it felt like my legs would not support my weight. I am finding that I am tired and sleeping constantly (whereas before I was tired and would just doze occasionally). My mouth was dry and I felt kind of shaky inside all the time. I find it hard to keep my eyes focused at times.
My Dr told me to only take 5mg for my next dose which I did and today I have had all the symptoms above but worse and then I even started to panic about getting lost even though I knew where I was. I couldn’t stay away at work and even forgot an appointment (I never forget things). Today I find myself easily agitated and disconcerted but cannot even say why and I am responding to things differently to how I would normally. Dr has told me to take no more and I have booked in a proper appointment to see her again.
I have been on lexapro for one month today. The first week i did feel a little odd, i found it hard to sleep, even harder to eat and felt sort of high. It was a little hard to sit still, my teeth grinded a little and god did i yawn but it wasnt anything horrible. Within the first week and a half i started to feel normal for the first time in a long time. Now thats it’s been a month i really do feel great i havent had any other side effects since except little to no sex drive. i now have energy and i dont dread everyday i would reccomend this med. to those who suffer from anixety/depression give it a chance its worth a try..
I have been on Lexapro, for depression, for about three weeks now. I felt very nauseaus about an hour after taking it (10mg) the first two days, but not after that. After about two weeks, my depression had lifted and I had much, much more energy than before. I feel much better. My appetite has greatly increased (too soon to talk about weight gain). On the downside, I have experienced some loss of libido, and drymouth, mainly at night. Just recently I started experiencing pain in my elbow and knee, and this is starting to bother and worry me a bit. It started with my elbow — felt as if I had bumped it on something and bruised it. Then my knee — last night it throbbed and woke me up. I may try some over-the-counter pain relievers and see if that helps. Overall, my experience so far is good because it lifted me over a bad depression linked to being laid off and other bad breaks of late. good luck.
Today begins my third week on Lexapro. I have had CONSTANT headaches since I started. The pain is very consistent, although it has lessened a bit in the last week. Concentration can be difficult.
Has anyone experienced a persistent headache for this long?
If these symptoms subsided, when did you experience relief? Did they subside completely?
I’ve been on lexapro for about a year now. after my cousin died I experienced severe anger and depression, as well as stress and anxiety. It does help me, but it doesn’t make me happy. I think it just kinda numbs my emotions a little.
I have been on Lexapro for about 8 months now for GAD. The first 2 weeks were horrible – nauseous, shaky, no energy, no appetite, barely able to function(cycle of not eating= no energy). I was told to take my pill at night to “sleep through” some of the side effects. I was able to sleep without problems-no change from before. The next week, the side effects subsided a little, but I was ready to quit taking them because I was still having heart racing and anxiety upon waking (which was why I was prescribed in the first place). My doctor told me to hang in there – takes 4 to 6 weeks to get the full benefit. By the end of the 3rd week, it literally seemed to “kick in” and I have been doing very well since then. I have occasional yawning episodes about 2 hours after taking it – I still take it at night, so I just go to bed. I sleep well and wake up refreshed.
This drug has been like a miracle to me – my life is much happier and manageble. I think people with bad effects to the medication tend to come this site looking for answers – but people with positive effects don’t necessarily come to the site, therefore it seems to be more negative than positive feedback of the drug. The most important thing is to hang in there and keep in touch with your doctor so it can be adjusted or discontinued – but working with your doctor is critical to the success of any treatment.
PLEASE give it time to work.
I agree with SharB.
I took my first dose of Lexapro yesterday @ 0700. About 1230 i became really really sleepy so I took a nap. I woke up about 1530 to vertigo. The room was spinning like the hangover from hell, and when my eyes were open, I became very nauseous. I laid curled up in a ball for 2 hrs with my eyes closed and the spinning finally went away, but the nausea lingered a few hours longer. Let’s see how tomorrow goes.
I have only taken lexapro for one day. already i could tell a difference in myself. although I had a numbness feeling in my head all day. but it did go away. i didnt feel happy just like my feelings or emotions has lessened alot. I have been crying every day for 3 weeks and just dont want to feel that anymore. yesterday was the first day i didnt cry about the same thing. even when i tried to make myself cry i couldnt. so thats how i know that it had been working. even after just one day! the only thing i dont like is i noticed i cant orgasm as easily. and actually i cant orgasm at all. which really concerns me only after on day. i dont think i can deal with that. but i know there has to be compromises and giving up something in order to gain something else. and i dont like to cry and feel the way i have been. but i also dont like to not be able to orgasm. its frusrtating! and i would hate to take this for a month and then get off of it and then have issues having an orgasm. anyway i have not taken my second pill yet today and not sure if i even want.
This comment is going back to Court’s comment. I too have been trying to get over a breakup. I have cried every day for 3 weeks. my boyfriend decided to walk out of my life which was a shock to me since I thought things were going well. Before that I had been going to therapy for myself just to talk and work things out on my own. Now since the break up I couldn’t stop crying and all I could think about is the relationship. Among other things that have been totally overwhelming me(my job, and im still in college). So I decided to try to get on a medication to help relieve the emotions that I’ve been feeling. It’s the first time that I have ever even been on an antidepressant. But this break up has really thrown me over the edge in my life. I’m wondering if I should even continue taking the medication just to get over this person. if it’s even worth it. but it’s not worth the pain and sadness that I have been feeling. although I cant orgasm in just one day! and im talking making myself orgasm not during sex. anyway the point is I understand how much you must be going through because this relationship has really messed me up. just hang in there. i know its sooo cliche but time will subside everything. hopefully!
I have taken every Psych. drug none to man kind including Lexapro funny enough the reason I was put on it was because I was told by both a female therapist my male psycharistrist that it was bieng promoted as a weight loss drug but I as well gained a ton of weight but I had no problem getting off it. I am now on prozac tried and true. As for the female fans complaining of anorgasmic my fabulous gynecologist prescribed a cream to help arousal I have done a lot of research and this was the first time I have ever heard of such a thing maybe because its a female doctor? anyways you have to have a prescription and you have to get it from a compound Pharmacy its called L-ARGININE/AMINOPHYLLINE IN VANISIN C. APPLY 1/8 TEASPOON TO LABIA ONE HOUR PRIOR TO ACTIVITY I hope this helps some P.S If you any has questions about any other drugs feel free to ask. I am currently taking Prozac 80mg Seroqel 800mg and Topamax gets you skinny. But as I said I have taken them all:)
I have been on Lexapro for almost a month now. I feel like my old self again without the mood swings and anxiety. My husband is happy because he says I’m calmer now and even my closest friend says I sound much better. I do experience the sweating once in a while and it seems like I’m having a problem reaching orgasm during sex. But for some reason today I have been really hot and bothered so I’m hoping tonight will be the night things get back to normal there ! I do hope I don’t have to be in this medicine for long. I am afraid of the side effects everyone has mentioned with weaning but am more afraid of being on it forever. So I hope therapy is helping me learn new ways of coping with stress. Good luck to you all as well.
I also been takin lexapro and experiencing annoying yawning – so much that it hurts my jaw! I keep on getting headaches also and feeling fatigue -HOWEVER I’m no longer depress or experiencing any anxiety!
About five years ago, I was placed on Lexapro for depression. After two weeks on the meds, I ran to my doctor to be taken off of it. The medication did not work well with my body chemistry. I sank into worse anxiety. I wanted to kill everyone around me and myself. My nerves were a wreck. I could feel my body shake uncontrollably. Aggression is not my temperament. I must have been a wreck because the doctor gave me a hug while I cried my eyes out. He took me off Lexapro. I felt better in no time. I have heard of other people’s anxiety increasing to the point of wanting to do harm to others. Be aware when prescribed this medication. I have heard of more harm then good coming from the use of this medication.
I have been on lexipro for one weeks and the side effects have been awful! Suicidal tendancies and all the other. In an attempt to stop a huge anxiety attack, I went to the health food store and ask for something to relieve my issues. She highly recommended L-Theanine and I am so grateful ,I just can’t believe it! Minutes later I felt relief. It has been aprox. seven hours since taking 100mg for the first four hrs, then another 100mg and I feel almost no side effects. I am still going to take ambien to try to sleep tonight. Will follow up with more info in the morning. Good luck!
Started Lexapro yesterday, got no sleep at all last night. Went through the night with nothing but thoughts of my ex. Got up this morning with real feeling of suicide, I will probably not continue with this drug. I realize I have to be patient, but with thoughts like this, how can I make the 6 to 8 week period?
Is 10 pounds worth feeling better?
In my opinion it is. I read so many comments from people that stopped taking this drug because of a weight gain, I don’t think 10 pounds is significant enough to call it quits.
I am on day 4 with 10mg. I feel pretty damn good. I have a slight touch of nausea and a little sleepy today, but the benefits I’m noticing (after only 4 days) far outweigh the negative.
I noticed a decrease in appetite immediatly, I’m an emotional eater and I’ve totally lost the desire to eat out of boredom or “just because”
As far as being sleepy, I’m HAPPY that I’m sleepy! I had such a hard time shutting my brain off for such a long time that I would stay up till I was absolutly exhausted, just to get some sleep. I feel well rested and I’m actually able to take a nap now, something I have never done before.
So I am going to stick with it and see where it takes me. This is just the beginning and I am very optimistic that things can only get better from here!
I have been on Lexapro for about 2 years. Started at 10mg for first year and increased to 20 mg in second year. You will get the best feedback on this blog from those taking Lexapro for at least a year. Those that are posting after taking this medication one day, one week, one month…give it a chance. It takes a few weeks/months for the drug to work the way it should. There are side effects (decreased libido, weight gain) as with anything else, but for me, the benefits far outweigh the side effects. This drug has worked extremely well with me for depression, anger and social anxiety. It has helped my marriage and professional life. I hate the fact that I have to take medication but at this point it is my best option. Good luck to all.
been on lexapro for short time. feel blah, still depressed and anxious, also heart racing, shaky, nauseated and diarrhea. also gained a bunch of weight between this and remeron. tried to not take remeron once and ended up hallucinating. i want off all this stuff, but the effects of getting off are scary. this stuff is evil.
Hi all,
After reading everyone’s posts I thought I would contribute, since it’s been so helpful. I’ve just had changes: a move, a break up, a lack of employment, etc. that basically broke my not exactly strong mental constitution.
I’m on 10 mgs of Lexipro in the morning and a small dose of Remaron at night to help me sleep. Like many others it’s only been a week, but I was on Zoloft five years ago for one year, which worked wonders for getting me through a bad patch, before my life stabilized again. I did wean very very slowly after hearing horror stories. I was on a low dose to begin with, and actually shaved curls off the Zoloft pills with a razor, until I had tapered completely. And I had no withdrawal effects.
I will say after reading all the negative posts, I almost couldn’t bring myself to start the meds (after months of procrastination already), but I’m GLAD I’ve gone through with it. I’m very resistant to drugs, hating to even take aspirin, but after months (years?!) of uncontrollable crying, depression, insomnia and suffering realized I just couldn’t take it anymore, and would rather suffer a few side effects than live like that anymore. As for shaking, night sweats, pounding heart, etc. I was feeling like that stone cold unmedicated because of my anxiety. I hadn’t slept for six months and felt like I was slowly going insane.
The weight gain concerns me, but I plan on continuing my yoga regimen (I had begun going every day in an effort to fight my depression, but it just wasn’t enough). Also, I’ve began taking Omega 3’s and a B complex, and I plan on learning how to meditate. I hope someday to be in a stable situation again where natural remedies can work. It’s important to not ignore diet and health and exercise, thinking a pill will cure everything. Shrinks are med happy, and it’s good to be aware of that. Still, all these people who have gained weight, I wonder if they have paid the same attention to diet and exercise?
Back to the Lexapro/Remeron: Within one day I could sleep. Within 2-3 days I have had moments of thinking life might actually be worth living. I feel a bit fuzzy and I can’t concentrate very well, but it’s better than living life as a hot sobbing mess. I wasn’t exactly the productivity queen anyway because of all the anxiety. I remember going through this with Zoloft. If it takes drug to get me through this time so be it. I’m doing it! I feel MUCH better, although I will say so far (and it’s only been a week!) Lexipro has been better for anxiety than the depression.
I have been on Lexapro now for 12 days. I take 5mg at night before bed. Makes me feel kind of stoned and sleepy. Never dreamt before due to mild sleep apnea, but now it seems to be taking that away. I sleep good, wake up feeling good and dream all night long. My Doc put me on 25 mg of Ritalin a day to contereffect the sleepiness, I have little ones, and it has been wonderful. My appatite started to wane on the ritalin, but 4 days later he added the lexapro and it went bye bye for a little while. I was able to wean off of caffine, excessive sugar, (up to 4 sugary sodas a day), and 10 mg ambien for 4 years, and I eat probably half of what I used to. I feel good. Sleep helps. The side effects for me were minimal and the ritalin probably helped with that. I have mild depression and am an over worrier, so this is good for me. I am happier than I have been in a long time. If you decide to go down this road, take at night and resign yourself to a week of getting used to it. Don’t know when I will come off, my husband says never as I am a changed person. Btw, lost 4 pounds in the 12 days as well. Hope this helps anyone.
I started Lexapro 1 week ago in conjunction with the Wellbutrin I’m already on (as it doesn’t quite seem to do the trick anymore on its own). The first few days I experienced headaches and extreme fatigue – all I wanted to do was sleep! Then for the few days after that I felt kind of “blah” – was hungry, but couldn’t be bothered to eat. Weird! But I did notice my feelings of hopelessness had subsided which was the whole point of it all. Today, I’m now experiencing an array of side-effects that many other people have posted about — shakiness, feeling a little “spacey” and “out of it”, dry mouth, and excessive yawning. One other positive is that my cravings for chocolate and ice-cream (my comfort food) has subsided. My doctor said I might want to try taking the medication before I go to bed, so I’m going to try that now and see what happens. She also said to give it 4-6 weeks to see what it does for me, and if I don’t like it, we’ll try something else. Wish me luck!
I tried Lexapro 1 year ago. I took a 10mg pill at 9 p.m. and about 10 p.m. starting having chest pains so I laid down and they went away. But I woke up at 3 a.m. soaking wet with sweat and my heart was beatng o fast an hard it felt like it was going tocome out of my chest. My whole body felt like it was on fire. Especially my face, hands, and feet. This happened off and on for the next 24 hrs until the drug was out of my system. The pharmacist and ER Nurse said the tachycardia and sweating were known side effects but they had never heard of the extreme burning sensation. I also felt like something was moving around inside my brain. I had a hardtime concentrating and speaking.
Reading about Lexapro. Been on it for several years and it has been a live saver. Was on Prozac and had alot of suicidal thoughts. Very few with this drug. Take it with Prozac and now I am alot better. Have a problem sleeping and sleep until about 12 noon everyday. Am retired, so what the heck. Play on computer until 3 am . Biggest problem I am having is I’m on 20 mg. a day and Dr. must be out of town. Didn’t realize I was out of refills and I think I must be having withdrawal. So dizzy and head feels very weird. Gained alot of weight, but whatever. Had alot of issues in my life. Just nursed and buried my Dad a year ago and got through it. Son just diagnosed with terminal illness and I think this drug may help me get through it. However, this cold turkey thing is an issue. Guess everyone has to find the RX that works for them. Heard Selexa is pretty good and costs less. Son’s stepson is switching over next month. He is only 13, but has major issues. Lexapro seems to help, but they are switching because of cost. Lots of luck to you all. It’s been very informative.
Sorry about previous comments. Don’t take Lexapro with prozac–I take it with valium. Sorry, didn’t want to misinform anyone. Still was having anxiety with Lexapro so taking the valium.
My husband’s doctor prescribed Lexapro after his bypass surgery almost a year ago. There were no symptoms of any kind, but apparantly major depression is common following heart surgery. The doctor finally said it was OK to quit taking it, but didn’t say anything about “weaning” himself from Lexapro. My husband now suffers incredible mood swings and is often violently angry. He was NEVER unstable and now anything can set him off.
I have been taking Lexapro for 3 days for anxiety and depression. Side effects I’ve experienced are diarrhea, dry mouth, some agitation, and about 12 hours after the 1st dose, a feeling of calmness. On the 2nd day I experienced the side effects except for the calmness. I got aggravated over something with my “ex” and it took me 5 hours to calm down.
My doctor prescribed me Lexapro for anxiety disorder. After reading all of these comments, I don’t believe I want the weight gain & everything else. I will deal with it like I have. I don’t need the symptoms along with my Thyroid condition! Have a healthy holiday season!!
I HAVE BEEN ON LEXAPRO FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW, THE YAWNING YOU ALL ARE TALKING ABOUT IS FROM TAKING IT NOT A SIDE AFFECT. MY SEX DRIVE HAS YET TO RETURN, AND I HAVE GAINED ABOUT 10 POUNDS AND ITS NOT GOING ANYWHERE. MY ANXIOTY ATTACKS ARE MUCH BETTER AND I AGREE WITH SOMEONE WHEN THEY SAID ITS HARD TO HAVE EMOTIONS, LIKE YOU JUST DONT CARE! AND PLEASE BEWARE YOUR SHORT TERM MEMORY IS HORRIABLE! I CANT SEEM TO REMEMBER ANYTHING ANYMORE, A SHORT TERM SIDE AFFECT….. NOT!!!!! I THINK IT HAS BEEN THE BEST THING FOR ME, BUT BY NO MEANS DONT DRINK WITH IT, DONT TRY AND SLEEP CAUSE IT DONT WORK. I FIGURED AFTER A MONTH OR SO THINGS WOULD GET BETTER BUT THERE NOT! I DONT KNOW IF THE GOOD OUT WAY THE BAD HERE, I KNOW MY PANIC ATTACKS ARE SO MUCH BETTER, MY DEPRESSION COMES AND GO’S BUT MY SHORT TERM MEMORY IS SO BAD! BUT WILL TAKE IT ONE DAY AT A TIME. GOOD LUCK ALL =)
I have been taking Lexapro for 4 weeks and have noticed that overall I’m feeling better but when ever I drink alcohol I get high very too quickly and have terrible hangovers and night sweats after just a few drinks. I’m getting up much earlier and sleeping much earlier too. Not really a problem but come 9pm I’m ready for bed. I have lost 1/2 kg for no reason too, I guess that must be the extra engery that I have in the day time. I’m on 10mg and so far so good I guess
Okay, i’ve felt a few but the one that is messing with me the most is the fact that i feel like i’m geeking about an hour or so after i take the pill, my pupils dilate, i get anxious somewhat panicky, then it subsides, anyone else deal with anything like that?
It’s so easy to get frightened reading this stuff… After having been on many other depression/panic disorder meds for 20+ years, I have learned the following:
1) Everyone is different. They have different side effects, benefits, sensitivities, absorption rates, etc.
2) You may actually need a lower dose. Sometimes you need less over time; sometimes you need more because your brain becomes acclimated.
3) Most of these meds have weird side effects, but hang in there if you can. Try a lower dose. They take 3-6 weeks to truly build up in your system to get the final benefit.
4) We can’t expect a single medicine to solve our problems. If a medicine replaces one brain chemical, but you actually need a different chemical, a particular drug may not work for you. After having been on Tofranil, Prozac, Zoloft, Effexor, Paxil, Wellbutrin and Lexapro, I was happy to discover that I feel almost normal taking not 1, but 2 medicines each day. I take Lexapro at night(10mg) and Wellbutrin in the morning (150mg XL). Wellbutrin was prescribed at way too high a dose at first and I thought I was dying. I cut the dose in half, and I was a happy camper. I lost weight on Wellbutrin and didn’t have the sexual side effects (if anything, I had more libido, not less). So it was a perfect complement to Lexapro, with its libido issues and weight gain.
5) I needed to improve my diet. I was more worried about the chemicals in pills than I was the chemicals I was ingesting every day. I went off caffeine, all sodas (diet soda has chemicals that turn to formaldehyde in your body), increased fruits/veggies, reduced white bread/pasta/chips, ate yogurt every day and drank lots of water. I also take B-Complex vitamins, Calcium (helps with PMS), Magnesium, Vitamin C. The vitamins have helped as much as any medicine, especially B-Complex.
6) Get counseling. Life is hard.
Good luck everyone!
I suffer from GAD with a depressive mood. I am on day 4 of Lexapro, and not sure if I want to continue. I have been in a fog for the past three days – very lightheaded and dizzy. Decreased appetite, stomach issues, and I have been waking at night with severe panic attacks. I awake to a heart racing, shortness of breath, burning sensation throughout my whole body and fear that I’m going to die. Last night I had the worst panic episode that I’ve ever experienced. The anxiety would subside for a brief period of time, and then come back. This went on for over 2 hours. I am also nervous about long-term use and the terrible side effects that will occur when I attempt to come off it. I was on Paxil for 7 years, and even though I weaned myself off of it, I had the worst withdrawl symptoms. I don’t want to experience anything like that again.
Help!!!
I have MAV and my doctor suggested that try Lexapro and i took it last night for the first time.
About and hour after I took it I was nauseated and felt very strange. Almost like I was drunk or hung over.
I laid down and woke up every hour until 2AM when I finally got up because I could not sleep , I was sweating, I was nauseated and had a splitting headahce.
I am in bed today which is where I will probably be all day. I am not taking any more of it I can not go through these side effects with the Vertigo issues I already have that make me sick.
This is my 3rd day on meds. I feel horrible. I also suffer from relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis and severe panic disorder. I am taking this along with 1mg of clonazepam. Does anyone else wake up suddenly at night with dizzyness and nausea? I am worried that maybe I should stop the meds and just take the clonazepam. I am also yawning like crazy and it’s affecting me at work. I am an accountant and I am really unable to focus.
Any advice would be appreciated.
I’ve been taking Lexapro for 4 months. The first month I noticed the “electric” feeling when I yawned – i felt really foggy and clouded and numb. No weight gain or loss. All of my side effects (nausea, shaky hands, memory loss) has subsided, but I still can’t seem to get enough sleep and have trouble getting out of bed even after 10 or 11 hours of sleep! Will this side effect taper off? I slept through a lot of my classes this semester.
I have taken lexapro for 4 years now. I had severe panic attacks. It has helped with those 95% but i have gain 30lbs since starting this. I am deciding to come off the drug now because I feel I no longer need it. If I get off of it and need it at a later date, I wouldn’t hestitate about starting it again. You do have no sex drive at first but it will go away. I also remember having dry mouth too. All of these symptoms will fade but also remember you are taking it for anxiety and how much of that is the symptoms too. I had to realize that as well
good luck
I started this today. I think I will quit. Hand shaking ,Oh that’s good ,I’m a heavy equipment operator!I used to get drunk every day for 10 years. I used to smoke a lot. I feel high. Like I’m stoned. I went through a lot of effort to stay straight and this makes me feel like a junkie. I’m not kidding.From reading these posts, it sounds like a Pandora’s Box.Full of Evil!
I started taking lexapro a little less than a year ago for GAD. It made a world of difference for me at the beginning. Life without overwhelming anxiety was wonderful. However, now, even on 10mg, I seem to not really care about anything. I don’t just not worry as much, I don’t seem to worry at all. Even about things that a norma person should worry about! (classes, finances, relationships, etc). I haven’t taken a dose in about a week and the effects are AWFUL. Brain zaps every few minutes and bad headaches. I think I am going to fill my last prescription and try to wean myself off. BE CAREFUL getting off this med! It really is hell.
ive been on lexapro for about two months. it has not quelled my anxiety and i still have to use xanax sometimes, but it is definately helping with my generalized social anxiety issues.
Been on lex ,2 mth’s as well,had similar side effect’s but one thing I cannot understand
Went out for wkend and had a really bad HANGOVER ulcer’s inside my mouth, this has never happened before.Has anyone else had shocking hangover’s,only drank 2 twice and felt like I was gonna die ,with the bloody hangover????
I took Lexapro for anxiety and irritability for 3 years (after being on Paxil for 3 years) and have been off it for 3 months. I couldn’t afford the cost of it and started to wean myself off. I noticed that I started losing weight after not taking the Lexapro. I started taking Lexapro a couple of months after having my third boy. I hadn’t lost all the “baby” weight yet and I started gaining a ton of weight. I never really put two and two together. I normally weigh 150 or less and I was up to 240! My doctor ran thyroid tests among others because we couldn’t figure out why I was gaining weight. I haven’t changed my eating habits or exercised more since I got off Lexapro but the weight has been coming off. I’ve lost 15 pounds already. I just feel like my body is alive again and I’m not as tired as I used to be while on it. I might be a little moodier (but my husband says that’s nothing new). So if there are moms out there that have had trouble losing weight and they are taking meds for depression or anxiety meds that very well could be the cause.
I was on Lexapro. After being on it a week, I felt great… THEN…. about 2 months after being on it, it took a total swing! I wanted to beat the first person that even looked my way. I flushed them down the toilet! Talk about a bad mood!
For anyone wanting to come off Lexapro go to http://www.theroadback.org for info on how to do it gradually and with vitamin suppliments. very informative. Also watch the movie “food matters” as they talk about anxiety/depression and the natural way to combat this. Good luck!
The first 2 days I was extremely happy and full of energy. The third day I was very low. The fourth day I was very calm. My hands and feet sweat. Nausea getting worse. Dizziness increasing. Headaches severe. Everything seems to be in slow motion. Walking is strange (like walking through quicksand) I have taken this drug before with few side effects. Im gonna stay on it and see if these things decrease.
Lexapro…exessive yawning, weight gain and lack of orgasm…not good!! Been on it for 1 year and now am quiting it. Been 4 days, feel fine so far. Looking forward losing weight, feeling awake and having good sex again.
I have been on Lexapro for 3 months now. I started on 10mg and moved up to 20mg in two weeks. I love it. It has been a life savor for me. I no longer fell anxious or like everyone is out to get me. I actually can enjoy my family in the evenings when I get home from work. I can go in public places and not have anxiety attacks also thanks to zanax. I have had a few side effects both nothing compared to the hell I was living before I started taking Lexapro. It takes about four weeks max to feel the full effects of the drug. The symptoms you are experiencing in the begging I promise you will go away. I have had insomnia my whole life and now I sleep really well. Most weird thing I think I have experienced is itchy skin. I don’t ever want to imagine my life without lexapro.
I have been on Lexapro 20 mg for more than 3 years now for GAD. Some of the side effects I had at the beginning are gone now, because the weight gain wasn’t the fault of the mededecine it was my fault : i was just over eating but without the medecine I did not know.
I tried to stop lexapro progressively with my doctor’s help after 2 years, but I had to start again, life was hell , i was so nervous, so anxious, yelling at the kids, crying, so now I will not stop , even if I was against the idea of strating a medecine for your life when you are only in your early 40s.
I have been on Lexapro for about almost 3 months now. I went on the medication after losing my home in a fire at the beginning of August. I went on it with the idea that I would just take it for a few months just to help me maintain my sanity with everything going on. It helped ease my anxiety, nightmares and lack of ability to focus and concentrate. However, after not even 3 months, I asked my doctor to prescribe me a years worth. I feel so much better on this medicine. It has helped me extremely with my overall well-being.
I didn’t have any side effects except for the yawning, which is more annoying than anything and the gaining of 9 lbs in only 2 months. However, I am also on birth control which can also cause weight gain, so I kind of have two strikes against me. I would recommend Lexapro to anyone dealing with anxiety and/or depression.
i’ve been on lexapro for a year. i did a titration to slowly increase my dose (liquid form). we started with 1 ml and now i’m up to 9ml 1x’s a day. we also added deplin to increase the lexapro’s effectiveness. i had all the side effects listed in this blog: yawning, diarhea, stomach aches, fever, short term memory loss etc. A year later, the slow increasing of the dosage has made a big difference in my being able to tolerate lexapro to where it could become effective. i still have bad days…but the depression is managed. while i did gain some weight, that’s because i don’t excercise and eat too much. when i get to the end of the bottle, i’ve noticed that all these side effects return and I get flu-like symptoms. not sure why, doctor isn’t sure why–this isn’t a suspension yet I do shake it each time before dosing. like anything, do not adjust your meds, try to go off etc without medical supervision…this is something i noticed while reading the blog and you should never do that on your own.
Took first dosage of 5 mgs. Lexapro after leaving doctor’s office – just wanted some mild tranquilzers for anxiety. Am feeling very out of it and dizzy. WILL NOT take this crap.
HELP
I’m eighteen. Been on Lexapro for two years. It really did help, I was truly depressed, running away from home but I believe its run its course but it’s been the worst month I have experienced.
The Process: I went from 10mg to 5mg for a week and a half and then from 5mg to a 2.5mg for another week and then 2.5mg every other day for a week but I’m constantly dizzy. Headaches, nausea, hot flushes and so damn tired.
Anyone who has come off lexapro, HELP I need some pointers as to what will help make this easier, I refuse to go back on Lexapro if this is what its like to come off it.
Happy to recieve emails, maddy_fletcher@hotmail.com
I have been treated for anxiety and depression for a year now i have tried prozac with buspar it worked well but i had to keep increasing my dosage of prozac which i didnt like and my weight gain was ridiculos. Then I switched to wellbutrin which i like but i started getting anxiety attcks so now ii am on lexapro and wellbutrin. The lexapro makes me yawn, i feel constanly blah and i have no desire to have any physical contact (ie sex) OH and i yawn ALL the time.. . Aside from all of that i have been able to keep it cool and spend quality time with my kids that is as long as i can stay awake. I dont know if i should keep taking it and see if the symptoms fade or if i should stop. Any suggestions?
I stopped taking Lexapro 13 days ago. My doctor said it is fine to stop without tapering down. I respect his recommendation (he’s a board certified psychiatrist). I’m feeling fine, however, I’m not sleeping well. Any one else experience this after coming off? I was on 20mg daily (2 years?) for Panic Disorder. The Panic Disorder improved when things stabilized with son with Bipolar Disorder. He is twenty one… if he is not able to get on his own 2 feet and move out my anxiety/panic could resurface. I am open to going back on if necessary … I will tolerate the short term memory loss and few extra pounds. It worked great!
Been taking it for approx 6-7 weeks. My side effects NOW are occasional dizziness, and heart palpitation. Is this normal with this drug?
i have been on it for 2 1/2 weeks now. I have actually lost a couple of pounds, but i have noticed that I yawn a lot, and I too feel very tired throughout the entire day. It has also messed with my sleeping patterns. I have always had sleeping problems, but this stuff makes me pass out around 8pm, i take it at about 7 am, but it makes me wake up super early. I also feel the heaviness in my head and sometimes feel like i can’t think/ comprehend things especially when i read. It seems like I have some sort of moodswings, because it seems like i snap at my boyfriend a lot now where as I would usually just shrug it off. It also seems like i am now just unmotivated to get my school work done, i think the head heaviness doesn’t help, but my overall complaint would have to be the sleepiness all day long. Is anyone else experiencing this type of lethargy?
To Kristin and others who may be able to give me feedback:
I too have been feeling very lethargic. I am a full time grad student and I also work as a substitute teacher. I have been very lazy and not interested in working or going to school. I haven’t noticed a positive change since I began the medication 6 weeks ago. I just feel tired all the time and uninterested in many things. I did not feel like this before.
Other side effects that are bothering me are lack of sex drive and interest, extreme sweating at night, even in light pajamas, and I talk in my sleep ALL NIGHT! I’ve talked in my sleep before but my boyfriend says its constant and at a louder level than normal. I feel bad because I keep him up now. Has anyone else dealt with the talking side effect? Does it go away?
today was my second day of taking lexapro for depression and i have only noticed the “high’ feeling, very ligh-headed. although, i already feel like i am back to my old self again. i took the lexapro (10 mg) at night and had a lot of trouble sleeping the past two nights. im skipping it tonight and am going to take it again in the morning for my third day. i hope it helps my sleeping pattern. im concerned about the sex drive everyone is talking about, not being able to orgasm would put anyone in depression! i’ve lost about 10 pound in the last year, so i won’t complain about a little weight gain as long as it doesnt get out of control. depression runs in my family so i’m really hoping that this will work for me, even though it sounds like everyone reacts differently. i just want to be my old happy self again! i’m going to stick with it until my follow up in 2 weeks hopefully with no more side effects
Hello, I have been taking 10mg of Lexapro for a week and a half now. Some side effects I have experienced:
Dry mouth on day two. This only lasted one day and I’m not sure if this was a side effect of the medication or caused from switching over to green herbal tea in hopes to eliminate caffeine from my diet for good. Due to the dry mouth I started to drink more fluids which my body lacked which eliminated the symptom. Before starting this medication I never seemed to get thirsty so my fluid intake consisted of three coffees a day. I notice I seem to perspire under my arms within minutes of having any caffeinated drinks.
First week on the Lexapro I experienced uncontrollable or constant yawning lasting roughly an hour, which would happen a few times a days. Over the past three days I have noticed I have had only five minutes of constant yawning only two times a day. These yawning fits are becoming less frequent and barely noticeable and I figure they will stop once my body adapts to the Medication.
Lastly, I feel extremely hungry and nauseous if I skip a meal or if it has been more than five hours between meals. I feel this has been a rather positive side effect as I often forget meals from lack of appetite when my anxiety levels are high.
Apparently the Lexapro will take 4 – 8 weeks to begin working so there is no telling if it’s working at this point. Check back in a few weeks and perhaps I will have more information regarding my experience with this medication. I really was against the idea of taking medication because I fear the many side effects all drugs seem to cause with my body. I once tried Paxil and the side effects caused me far too much anxiety to continue the medication.
Over the past few months my anxiety seems to have become too much for me to handle on my own. After researching different drugs and finding this forum I came to the realization that perhaps my body just didn’t agree with Paxil and there might be something else out there for me.
My body seems to be adapting to Lexapro with very little side effects and I hope to continue taking it to help manage my symptoms caused by anxiety until I learn how to control my anxiety through Therapy.
Best of luck and I hope you find a way to manage your own anxiety level be it drugs or no drugs.
I was on lexapro for 5 days. I was prescribed it after being taken off of prozac due to inability to climax sexually on prozac. Lexapro made me moody, overly sensitive, and very angry to the point of starting arguments.
I’ve been on lexapro about a month. So far, I’ve been feeling a little sick, dry mouth-and I’ve fairly late on my period. (At least I’m praying that’s the lexapro!) I have had that weird electrical problem. It felt like my brain had been shocked. Appetite is strange, I felt great at first, but then very hungry-then when I ate just a little bit my stomach hurt-only to feel very hungry 20 minutes later. I also feel jittery. After time, I would hope this all subsides. My Dr says it should.
I’ve been on this drug a few years, so obviously it has improved my quality of life in some ways. My anxiety and depression issues have greatly improved since starting lexapro at 10mg, but there are a number of side effects that I can directly associate with a morning dosage of this particular drug (Lexapro is just one of 4-5 medications I take on a daily basis). After taking the medication I get a feeling that I am “drunk”; I see double, I laugh a lot, my lips and the tip of my nose go numb, I get disoriented, but I do NOT feel nauseated. This generally only lasts for 30-60 minutes, whether or not I consume food, although there are random times where I do NOT get this side effect. I have tried to recreate the conditions later only to find that the side effect comes back. I have gained at least 20-40lbs since I first started Lexapro, but as I am on other medications that have the same side effect I can not be certain that this drug alone is to blame. I have NOT had problems with libido from this drug (although I had to cut my birth control medications due to libido problems). I vaguely remember beginning this medication and I do know the side effects were worse, and there were many side effects I no longer get.
Just as of 2 days ago, and with the permission of my doctor, I have begun to take 5mg in the morning, and 5mg in the evening. The previous “drunk” feeling has completely disappeared, but instead, late at night I become manic and anxious and tend to stay awake longer. This leads me to believe that the “staying power” of 5mg a day just is not cutting it, and it makes me wish they made a time release version of this drug.
I have decided I prefer the manic feeling over the “drunk” feeling and the current split dosage allows me to be more productive in the day, so I will continue along this path. My biggest fear of switching medications now is that THIS medication has made my life so much easier to live after YEARS of searching for a drug that would help and switching many times. I do not wish to take a step backward in my recovery, I just don’t want the sometimes debilitating side effects!
I started taking Lexapro yesterday. I am so nauseated, cant imagine gaining weight…hopefully I wont! I also feel exhausted and shaky. I am optimistic that these effects will go away with time, hope I am right!
I have been taking Lexapro for two months and feel great for the first time in two years! Previously experiencing GAD and depression symptoms. I had horrible nausea the first two weeks, gradually subsided; but, still have heartburn/reflux. Now taking Prilosec OTC for these symptoms, but would absolutely not stop Lexapro at this point. Hang in there, side effects improve and the Lexapro has been truly life changing.
hi
have been on Lexapro 20mg for 6 months for anxiety. It was great for me because it took away all the anxiety and I could function as a person again instead of a worry wort and I was not focusing on all the bad feelings anymore. I decided to take myself of because I felt so great and didn’t need them anymore (so I thought) I must say the side effects coming of this medication are hell. Crazy feelings in my body that I can’t describe almost tempted to take tablet again so they will stop. I am going to try and stick it out as long as I can because I don’t want to rely on these pills anymore. They are great for what they do but are hell when you think you don’t need them anymore.
I’m also trying to come off. I’ve been on 20 mg for a year. It was helping but now I want to try to live without it for a while. I’ve changed my situation in life and think I can live without meds for now. I did do some weaning by reducing the amount to 10 for a few days, then 5 for 3 days. I havent have any for over a week but still feeling zaps, nausea and light headedness. I found the website about weaning off with supplements and I just started those yesterday. It’s alot of pills (20 per day) but at least there is a chance it can help. I’ve gained about 20 lbs in the last 6 months, and I feel and look pregnant. Over the last few months I’ve been feeling twitchs at night throughout my body. The med was somewhat helpful when I needed it, but coming off it is hard. I went through this same thing with Paxil which I stopped cold turkey a few years back. I ended up in the emergency room and they didn’t find anything wrong with me and said coming off Paxil would not have caused what I was feeling. I believe today that has been proven false! Because of my personal experiences with these drugs, and withdrawals, I think I’m going to try some natural options (herbal and vitamin therapies) in the future first before going on another poison.
1st time I’ve ever posted a comment anywhere, but after reading the comments of others, I decided that I would give it a whirl. I am 52 and have a stressful job. After managing stress really well, one particular aspect of my job tipped me over the edge. My Dr. prescribed Lexapro 10mg but after 3 weeks there was improvement, in fact I got worse. Several weeks off work and upped the ante to 20mg and my life has changed drammatically for the better. It did take about 3 – 4 weeks to kick in, and haven’t had any bad side effects except for weight gain (8kgs)and tension headaches at the back of the neck. My libido is fine, no problems making love, but cumming can take a lot longer – not that this causes any complaints with the ladies lol. All in all, it’s the best I’ve felt for years and have only been on it for 5 months now.
I’ve been taking Lexapro since July 2008 for panic attacks that had started becoming very frequent and depression symptoms that had been ongoing for about 10 years. I was very reluctant to start taking this medication at first. It took me a good week after being given the perscription to convince myself to go through with it. The truth was that I had to do something about the panic attacks that were becoming too debilitating.
Here is a summary of the good and the bad about my Lexapro experience:
The good: With Lexapro, my panic attacks have significantly diminished. I haven’t had one in at least two months now (after having at least twice a week before Lexapro). I seem to be somewhat more focused at times, and I don’t seem to get as rattled by negative things people say to me.
The bad: Initially, Lexapro increased my panic attacks (the first week of taking it). But these went away. My doctor said that this happens to some people when they first start taking Lexapro. Additionally, I’m gaining weight now. I’m more drowsy now than ever before. It takes me forever to get fully alert in the morning, and I feel like I experience a lot more daytime sleepiness than before. I yawn more than I’ve been used to doing. And every once in awhile, I’ll feel restless.
Sexual side effects – I can say that in the beinning, I definitely felt the side effects documented about Lexapro – decreased drive, decreased responsiveness, etc. These seemed to go away to a certain extent about two months after taking Lexapro. They re-emerged once again shortly after my dose was increased from 10mg to 15mg. Now that about two months on the higher dose, these side effects seem to be decreasing somewhat.
Some intesting things that have happened:
I remember taking my first pill in the evening in anticipation of the drowsiness that it might cause. I did feel drowsy and went to sleep. The next morning I woke up with this unusual feeling for me – a clarity of mind and a sense of focus that I had never felt. What made it even more unusual was the fact that it happened initally upon waking up. I was never used to feeling so clear, focused and alert then and ever. This feeling happened to me a few more occassions that first week after starting taking Lexapro, never to be felt again since then. I remember not needing to drink coffee to wake me up one morning because I felt so alert.
I continued, and about the fourth day, I started to feel alert but jumpy and anxious. This then progressed to a panicky feeling even though I was just at home watching television.
Before taking Lexapro, I had been having my panic attacks while driving my car and in stores. So this having a panic attack while at home watching television was somewhat different than what I had been used to, and it was a taste of some things to come.
I started noticing that was more restless than usual upon going to bed. Then, one morning at about 4am, I woke up suddenly with the ‘clear mind’ feeling I explained earlier. I remember laying there for a few minutes not knowing whether to cherish the feeling or to try to go back to sleep, when all of a sudden I had a feeling of nausea come over me and then anxiousness. It then progressed to a panic attack. The doctor had prescribed Ativan – which I took to counteract the anxiety. I went back to sleep about half an hour after.
There were several occassions where I felt panicky walking the dog around the block – never happened to me before. I felt more panicky than ever driving. I had to really prepare myself. With the Ativan, and with the fact that I was on vacation, I was able to get through this initial period of side-effects.
Thankfuly, though, I have not had the anxiety return to that extent again. It re-emerged somewhat in September, but the doctor has increased my Lexapro dose from 10mg to 15mg, and has helped in the anxiety department.
In all, Lexapro has helped a great deal for the anxiety – the primary reason why I started taking it in the first place. But, it isn’t a ‘cure all’ pill.
I’ve been taking Lexapro for over 16 months and have just found the side effect I’ve been experiencing for over a year on a list of side effects! I’ve complained of itching all over my body to 2 primary physicians, a nephrologist and a dermatologist – no help! I thought of Lexapro earlier but didn’t see “paresthesia” on a list. My next stop was psychiatry as it is truly driving me insane! Have used SSRIs for 11 years, never had this problem. Will get something different now!!
Wow, its a good thing I didn’t read this first, else I may not have started the meds. I was put on this four days ago, for GAD. So far, the side effects have been very mild, a slight headache, and some constant nausea, which have both passed already. I guess I am one of the lucky ones. I do feel much calmer, and I am not constantly getting annoyed by small things. I am more able to take it all in stride. So, we are all different, and react in our own unique ways to meds. All I know is, I have gotten the best sleep in years after beginning this medication.
My experience with Lexapro is a combination of many of what several of you have wrote. I took it for a period of 11 months for anxiety and depression and I was tired all the time. When I started it, I did not really notice anything until about two weeks. I began feeling very energetic, not sleepy like I used to be, and I was very happy. My family immediately noticed how happy I was; always smiling. Nothing really bothered me. I did not gain any weight. Because of the energy I had, I began working out and became the most physically fit I have ever been in my life. I feel it increased my libido. I was numb to anything bad. This is what kind of concerned me about this since at times I almost felt I did not know wether I should be sad or angry about something or not. After 11 months, I decided to slowly get off it. I was on 1.5 pills a day, so I started to take away a half pill at a time. After the first two weeks I felt horrible. Very dizzy and lightheaded. Things around me seemed like they were shifting. It scared me at first so I immediately got back on to 1.5 again and it went away. Thats when I realized I needed to go through the effects of the withdrawal. This time, I took a half off every two weeks,l so in 6 weeks I was completely off. It was hard as I had dizziness and lightheadedness during this time. Even after I stopped it went on and slowly tapered off during the next month. I have been off it 5 months now. I have to say that it was very helpful for me during a time when I felt like I could not go on with life. All is good now and I have never had any more side effects. I think it affects everyone different.
Started lexapro 10 mg qd 14 months ago prophylactically for SAD. Worked for that, and worked for my compulsive eating disorder (over 8 months I went from 172 to 150). Other effects? Libido went to zero, dry mouth. Without intending to, I stopped lexapro cold turkey 7 weeks ago when I forgot to bring it with me on a one-week trip. No immediate effects. After a couple of weeks I began sleeping a lot, resisting exercise, resisting for whatever strange reason wanting to brush my teeth (they felt normal dirty!), and overeating. Weight is back up to 176. Libido just returned. No more dry mouth. Will update this if I decide to restart an antidepressant.
I’ve been on Lexapro off and on for about 4 months. I noticed within 4 days of taking that my mood was much calmer and I was no longer sad…Then my menstral cycle changed. It went from 7 days long to 4 days in length. When I quit taking it I had a cycle that was 7 days again. After being off the drug for 3 weeks I resumed taking it and had a 2 week cycle then a week without and then I am on my cycle again. Is this normal?
I started Lexapro about a week ago and I slept for the first 3 days! It was great too, I needed some rest. I would wake up and feel so relaxed that I would fall back asleep. I am on it for anxiety and I guess my anxiety was so bad it took my body a few days to refresh itself. I now feel great and just relaxed and calm. I do find myself yawning all the time but, I’ve read that should go away and it is a sign that the medicine is doing its job. I haven’t gained any weight but I’m a small person so I don’t have to really worry about the weight gain. I’m glad after 2 years of going thru therapy for social anxiety that I finally decided to go on medicine. Lexapro has been great for me. My husband and my son also are glad for it too.
I have been on lexapro for about three months and i havent noticed any side effects at all im happier and feel great
I’ve been on Lexapro for about a month and a half and I’ve noticed serious issues with my sleeping. I sleep for about 12hours a night and I’m STILL tired in the morning and throughout the afternoon…not sure if this is because I’m holidays at the moment or not!? I also suffer with dizziness especially when I stand up, sometimes to the extent that I lose my vision. I’ll be bringing that up with the Doc though. I can’t drink alcohol anymore without feeling sick and dizzy and just awful which is a bit of a pain and I have the weirdest dreams…very realistic ones too. Does anyone else suffer from strange dreams?!
Apart from that the Anxiety and depression are improving alot and I feel generally more up beat about things. I’m going through a bad break up at the moment so I imagine I’ll feel even better when that’s out the way!
This med is great for anxiety & depression and the weening is hard because I have had to do it before. You can take dramamine or bonine and it makes all the difference in the world. At least you will not be nauseous.
I’ve been taking Lex for 2 months. My moods and anxiety have really improved, however i seem to sweat in intervales throughout the day. Have anyone else dealt with this?
Have been taking for 2 months…feel alot better; however, i do get a day here and there where the depression seeps in. I too, as noticed in the previous comments, have occasional dizziness and heart palpatations. Overall, much better. Very expensive..is there a generic? One added note; i have occasional very wierd dreams.
I’ve been on Lexapro 10ml for about a month. At first I felt like I was in “lala land”, had trouble falling asleep and concentrating. I am getting a lot better now. My eating habits got a lot better too, no weight gain:)
I have been on Lexapro for about three weeks now proceeding the death of my beloved grandfather and in less than six months after that the sudden and unexpected death of my father. Also in the last year my son got into trouble and was sent to a residential treatment facility. I live in a town with no close family around me and very little support. After my father died I started taking Lexapro to “take the edge off”. when I talked to my doctor I burst into tears and she seemed sure that this would help me. After reading these posts and going through the last few weeks thinking something was wrong with me I have decided to just quit taking the pills. I am going to focus on diet, talk therapy, and physical activity. Since starting this medication I have been plagued with vivid and disturbing dreams nightly (I always have had vivid dreams and nightmares, but these are even more vivid and realistic and leave me wakening in the morning feeling intensely angry, exhausted, and snippy at everyone around me). I have also completely lost all sexual interest to the point that I don’t care if my boyfriend touches me or not and would quite frankly sleep alone in bed. I forgot a dose yesterday and man was I ANGRY. I am tired all the time and have developed a loss of emotions as well. Since I began taking the meds two of my girlfriends have passed and I did not attend the funeral of one and at the other I only went to the viewing, I did not cry and I did not feel anything but empty. That is NOT me, I am usually a very feeling person. Very sensitive and caring and I feel like I have become like an empty shell. I would rather be depressed and have a personality then take this crap and feel like the empty hull of a ship. Good luck to all of you – I quit!!
Well, it’s kind of weird with lexapro.
I was on it for 3, 4 years or so. And when I was on it, it did make me happier, in a way. But it was odd, because I felt kind of numb – like all I could experience was being happy, but not actually happy. And I felt somewhat conceited while I was on it, and I was apathetic to a lot of things. But not being on it, I get some social anxiety, and just feel like crying sometimes. I never felt like I could experience a full range of emotions on it though, which was incredibly frustrating. Heh, I would want to be able to cry, but the tears just wouldn’t come. So, I figure it’s best to just deal with the issues if you can, because this will just mask the problems, but it doesn’t actually solve them. It can be quite frustrating.
I’m taking Lexapro for mild panic attacks & GAD. I’m not depressed, but I have had a history of depression. My mother has been on Lex for a couple of years and LOVES the way it affects her mood, but she has had stomach issues the entire time she’s been on it. I just started taking it this week. It’s made me feel “high” and entirely lacking energy. I also go home after work and fall asleep and wake up in a daze, not knowing where I am or whether it’s morning or night. I normally have an extremely hearty appetite, but I just don’t feel like eating anything now. Several hours after I take it, my head gets hot and feels swollen like a hot air balloon, then after that I just get a bad headache, then I go to sleep. I know these side effects will go away so I’m sticking with it. It’s just hard at the beginning to believe in a drug that makes you feel this weird. My doctor said her patients love Lex and have had lots of success with it.
all right guys most of these comments scared the hell out of me. i am taking this med from approximately 3 years now. and i feel pretty happy right now probably more happier than i used to feel before i was taking it.i am taking this lexapro 10mg for the treatment of OCD. i was in really bad pain. hated myself most of the time stayed alone in my room some time hours and hours.after i start taking this med i start feeling better i don’t know if it is because the med or i just start changing myself.this med does have side effects like any other med.but for me i am glad i took this magic pill.in my opinion its better to be little fat than sad or angry all the time because u know how hard is it to deal with any mental illness.i am 190 lbs 6feet tall i control my weight by exercise i don’t think this med has anything to do with weight loss or gain the only thing i felt that happen to me is that i just want to chill out all the time and relax. i am engineering major student in my last year and i am partying more than ever. i hope GOD will help you all
I have only been on Lexapro 10mg for 6 weeks but I feel my life is better as a result…despite a few minor side-effects. In the first few days I suffered from a headache that seemed to travel around my head which was not pleasant but my head was ‘crammed’ before I started the medication so it seemed to get things moving in a good way. Four days after starting Lexapro I experienced a sharp pain in my jaw which did not ease and radiated pain into my ear and head behind my temple. The pain has continued (including throbbing at night)and I was concerned as the Pharmacist and Dr both doubted that it was to do with the Lexapro so I had Xrays and a dental examination to reveal no cause of the pain…which made me anxious that I had other health problems. Now after reading posts here I realise that others have experienced this jaw and teeth pain from teeth clenching and constant yawning. I had some massage and acupuncture treatment on my shoulders, neck and jaw yesterday and the pain has eased significantly. In the first couple of weeks on Lexapro I found it impossible to cry which was a weird feeling. I still yawn 24/7 (when I am awake!!) which aggrevates my jaw pain but I can sleep around the clock!!! All in all though I think emotionally I am coping better and I am feeling calmer and more in control of my life and feelings. Some posts are pretty negative about the effects of Lexapro but then most ppl with depression and/or GAD have a tendency to be negative too. My aim is to stay on this medication for at least 12 months, get myself sorted out, get my life back on track then hopefully get off the medications…but I am not going to worry about withdrawal side-effect til then…gee this stuff must be working if I am not worrying about things!!
I resisted going onto anti-depressant medication for years and now I am glad I did as life is so much better.Don’t be afraid of Lexapro as the vast majority of ppl get very positive results. DON’T LIVE IN DENIAL AND AVOID MEDICATION IF YOU REALLY FEEL YOU NEED IT!!!
Thanks to you all for giving honest info on the medication.
Ive been on 10 mg for 3 days and im stopping it as instructed by my doctor. It made me throw up
I have been on 10 mg Lexapro for 3 days now. I have been instructed to stop taking it by my doctor. The first day I was vomiting and had really bad diarrhea. The next day, no more vomiting but the diarrhea was even worse. And the insomnia? Oh my god. 10 hours of sleep in 3 days. This medicine isnt for me
I went on Lexapro for two weeks and of for two weeks and really noticed how mucha dufference they made to my life. I went back on and have been on them now for a couple of months. It has changed my life. I am only on 10mg 1ce a day and am the person I want to be. I am happy again and my family sees the difference too.
I feel like I drank 50 cups of coffee, I dont like this feeling. I thought is was supposed to relax you. Will this go away
I TOO AM ON LEXAPRO FOR 8 OR 9 YRS NOW. 1ST 5MG THEN 10MG. I SUFFER FROM CEREBRAL ATROPHY(SHRINKAGE OF THE CEREBELLUM)CAUSED FROM AN INFECTION OF THE BRAIN AS A CHILD.THE PROBLEMS I WAS EXPERIENCING PRIOR TO THE DIAGNOSIS WAS ALOT SIMILIAR TO THE SIDE EFFECTS MENTIONED. THE FEELING OF WALKING IN A FOG,DIZZINESS,FATIGUE ETC.SERVERAL DOCTORS ASKED IF I FELT THAT I WAS DEPRESSED AND I REALLY DIDN’T FEEL THAT I WAS. LONG STORY SHORT. SHORTLY AFTER BEGINNING THE MEDS THE FOG EFFECT SUBSIDED, THE DIZZINESS GOT BETTER(BUT AM TOLD I WILL ALWAYS EXPERIENCE COORDINATION AND MOTOR SKILL PROBLEMS DUE TO THE SHRINKAGE) BUT FOR THE BEST PART THE LEXAPRO HAS ALWAYS SEEMED TO HELP.DUE TO FINANCIAL ISSUES @ TIMES I COULDN’T GET MY REFILLS ON TIME AND MY SYSTEM ASSUMED I WAS GOING “COLD TURKEY” AND I TOO AGREE, IT’S HORRIBLE!!! AFTER READING ALOT OF THE COMMENTS I HAVE COME TO NOTICE THAT I TOO OVER TIME HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THINGS THAT I DIDN’T BEFORE. LIKE WEIRD DREAMS,SLEEPING HARDER(I USE TO BE A LIGHT SLEEPER) THE YAWNING,HEADACHES,MORE FATIGUE,FORGETFULNESS, ETC. ALTHO FROM “THE GET GO” SEEMS TO HAVE MADE ME MORE OF “A HAPPY GO LUCKY PERSON”. SO APPARENTLY I WAS SUFFERING FROM DEPRESSION. (SORRY THIS IS SO DRAWN OUT) BUT I DO HAVE A QUESTION- IN BEGINNING LEXAPRO I DID NOTICE A CHANGE IN MY PERSPIRATION (AND IN AREAS NEVER BEFORE) AND CONTINUES TODAY. I’D LIKE TO KNOW IF ANYONE ELSE HAS EXPERIENCED A CHANGE LIKE THIS? KEEPING IN MIND THAT BEFORE I DID NOT PERSPIRE MUCH AT ALL. I WILL BE 45 YRS OLD THIS YR AND AM TRYING TO FIND OUT IF IT IS THE LEXAPRO OR A PRE MENOPAUSAL SYMPTOM. ANY FEED BACK IS MUCH APPRECIATED!! THANKS!!
I was on Lexapro a little over a year. My husband and I recently decided to have a baby. I talked to my Dr about coming off the medicine. He told me that he’s had plenty of patients that stayed on it through the pregnancy and they all turned out fine. I didn’t want to risk it, so I just completely stopped taking it. I’ve been having heart palpitations ever since. I was just wondering if this is normal and if it is dangerous. I read that heart palpitations are normally not dangerous, but I just wanted to make sure.
I have been prescribed lexapro for treatment of several things, as i was told that it was a drug that could target anxiety, depression, and obsessive compulsive disorder. All of which i suffer from, but with less side effects.
I have been taking it for a week now and i have felt the following side effects: dry,metalic tasting mouth, headaches, feeling way to tired in the morning but feeling wide awake like on a caffine hit at night, during the day i have periods of exaustian,and then periods of an extreme rush feeling, like i have had way to many cups of coffee. My appetite has decreased,i yawn constantly even when i feel wide awake and rushed, i do get sore joints, I have little to no libdo.I am however been told i seem much happier, even though i do have foul moods. My depression has calmed down, as has my OCD. My anxiety has improved but only at times, sometimes when i feel rushed i feel confident, then other times i feel nervous and cautious thinking people can see how rushed i feel. In all it is better then endep thich i was on previously, i am taking 10mg of lexapro and i will keep taking it and keeping notes of my progress. Thanks for all your posts, it is good to see im not the only one experiencing these side effects.
I took my first (and last) dose, 10 mg., approx 28 hours ago and am still feeling effects from it. Experienced headache, dizziness, throwing up, nausea all day, felt like my brain was on fire, yawning like crazy, exhausted, blurred vision and a very restless nights sleep. Today still have the blah feeling and blurred vision. I can see how some people think it helps them due to the “zombie like” state it puts you in therefore not aware of what your issues were before Lexapro. Not interested in finding out if the side effects will subside or not but glad to see it helps some of you.
I just took my first 5mg dose of Lexapro yesterday before bed. I’ve been put on it for anxiety and depression. I got that “high” feeling and was really wide awake. After sleeping a few hours I woke up with my heart racing and was unable to get back to sleep. It almost felt like a panic attack. I also experienced some shakiness. I contacted my doctor about the “panic attack” and he’s going to call me back. I’m hoping i don’t experience some of the other side effects mentioned in the other comments. My prayers go out to everyone with depression and anxiety.
Took my first pill last night. Felt fine for about 30 minutes, then like I’d been hit by a car…felt SICK TO MY STOMACH. This then progressed into shaking which then progressed to vomiting my brains out. Tossing and turning, could not get to sleep…started feeling anxious and OCD tendencies from childhood came up. THIS IS AFTER ONE PILL. I don’t think I will continue on this med.
Please, please if you are taking Lexapro, continue taking it for a minimum of 6 weeks. The first week or so is rough…nausea, sleeplessness, dizziness, yawning, etc. However, once your body adjusts, you will begin to feel so much better. Take this medication in the morning, this will reduce sleeplessness. Lexapro is a very beneficial medication when taken consistently. If you follow your doctor’s direction when it is time to stop taking this medication, the side effects will not be as dramatic as some would think.
So yea I start my lexapro tomrow and I am nervouse now after reading all these comments anyone have any suggestions if I have any problems such as vomiting or anything like that please email me linnythepooh92@aim.com thanks bunches
I have been depressed and having little aniexty attacks for the last couple of months,Dr. prescribed Xanax and Lexapro.I have taken Xanax before and not had a problem.
About 2 hours after taking Lexapro I had diaherra,dry mouth and than heart palpations that lasted for so long that I ended up in the E.R. I will not take this ever again.
I have been taking the Lexapro for about a week and a half now. Same side effect of dry mouth, but really for me that has been it. I have been treated for depression, ptsd & sometimes OCD symtoms for over a decade. I can tell you that even though it has only been a week and a half, I feel really, really good. Seriously. It was to the point that I didn’t want to leave me house, didn’t want to have to see or deal with anyone, wouldn’t even answer the phone. This last week has felt like a new lease on life. Just now I got back from the home improvement store. I know, doesn’t sound like much, but it is a huge deal for me. Before I would not have wanted to go, wouldn’t have wanted to deal with anyone and then it would have taken me forever in the store because I would get so overwhelmed by all of the choices that I wouldn’t be able to make up my mind. I know it sounds crazy, because it was. I would end up buying two or three of everything just because I couldn’t make up my mind and then have to come home and sort it all out in my house where no one could see me because, like I said, my actions were crazy. Seemingly easy things were like being in hell. Now, today, I got up & got dressed, decided I wanted to go and do some home improvements, went to the store, got exactly what I wanted and came home. I feel like a new person. I am so happy. None of the old anxiety and worries. I pray for everyone that suffers with major depression and I hope that everyone is able to find something that works for them. For me, I cannot say enough about Lexapro. I actually feel normal. I’ve not had any naseua or stomach problems and only one headache last week. My Dr. instructed me to take it in the mornings and I am taking 10 mg. I know that others have had bad side effects and I feel lucky to not have those. But, this new life is worth everything…I can’t believe I have been missing out on so much! I would say if you are suffering please try something to help you….this is almost like a miracle for me. May God bless us all.
This week I went to the doctor to tackle my ever-present elevated blood pressure. I’m 52 and it was time I took care of myself. The doctor started me off with a low dose of BP meds. However, when I mentioned to my doctor that I was having trouble going to sleep at night, he recommended I take Lexapro. I had been taking Benadryl to help me sleep before, which had worked just fine. So I left the doctor’s office with samples of BP meds and Lexapro. I took them both at 8pm that night and went to bed around 11pm. I’ve never felt such a lack of control of my body in my life! I tossed and turned all night. Any sound was amplified and was extremely annoying, The breeze from my ceiling fan drove me crazy. I was sick to my stomach and I felt horrible the next day from lack of sleep. That day I was jittery and could not concentrate at work. The next night I took Lexapro and also took Benadryl to (hopefully) help me sleep – it did help. But… the next day, I felt as high as a kite, all day! Again, I had trouble concentrating. It felt like I was on pins and needles, everything annoyed me! I felt dizzy and my mouth was so dry it was difficult to swallow. Simultaneously, while dealing with the Lexapro side effects, my blood pressure actually seemed to be getting worse! So, yesterday I called the RN at my doctor’s office and she told me to quit taking the Lexapro and come to their office today. When I went to my doctor’s office today, the Dr. insisted I continue taking Lexapro. Well, after reading some of the side effects from fellow Lexapro “users here, I have decided that Lexapro WILL conflict with my blood pressure issue (gaining weight, anxiety, etc.)! So, I’m going to listen to my body and not the doctor. I thank God that I have never had problems with depression, anxiety or any other major disorder. On the other hand, my daughter is taking Paxil and it works WONDERS for her!! I’m just going to take my BP meds and Benadryl (or other sleep aid) from now on. I’m also a smoker and the Lexapro made me so nervous I wanted to smoke more, too! The possible addiction to Lexapro and short-term memory loss mentioned by others, sealed my decision – no more Lexapro! I am happy for those of you that it does work well for…
Male/51
►dosing 10mg Lexapro/day to treat GAD & possibly, pre-hypertension
►5th day on Lexapro
►continue to dose 108mg Concerta/day for ADHD
Situation
◄drowsy, sluggish, “desensitized” feeling (despite Concerta)
◄ejaculation requires SO MUCH EFFORT & CONCENTRATION – - -it is no longer any fun (question: is THIS why we have monks? or frustrated guys that can’t get off, so then they turn to a life of agression & violence to burn off their accumulated testosterone?)
◄motivation level zero
Query
♦Should I get off of this stuff now, before I don a clerical collar, and before I start getting a bad case of the DTs??
Thought
♦ The names of these chemicals should be descriptive of their effect: “Sleepy, Dopey, Horny” might be a good name.
Taking Lexapro for about four months. 0.5 mg of klonopin at night — good combo. Good points: dramatically improved my overall depression; regained interest in hobbies; can hear music and taste food again; much better concentration. Bad points: sort of “zeroed out” emotionally; groggy and very hard to get up in the morning; don’t really feel like exercising (but have lost weight due to appetite loss and nausea). Dry mouth as well. Was worried about sexual side effects but sex is actually way better as I can ‘let go’ with partner and not worry about trying to hold off orgasm to have it simultaneously. This is actually the best side effect for me as I can really just go at it! Overall the positives outweigh the negs. I was deep in grief after my mother died and this pretty much took the edge right off the heavy grieving.
I am 17 years old and started lexapro for depression about 2 weeks ago. I take 10mg a day. I have many side effects from this drug, good and bad. I’ll start with the good ones first. I am no longer sad and living in a bad dream. Life seems to be a little more worth living. I used to cry alot for things that had happened in the past for me the things people say that will get better in time, like heart break, loss of love one…ect only get worse over time. I dwell on the past. I am also able to eat now which is good for because I would stop eating and became under weight. but sence Lexapro I have felt much better. My boyfriend has noticed a huge change and he likes it. But now it’s time for the bad side effects. I have the dry mouth and had it about a day after I started it. I feel the fog everyone is mentioning. I now have a very hard time staying asleep, I wake up at night alot, and I cant sleep in anymore even if I went to bed really late. Lexapro has made me so dizzy. I will randomly get dizzy expecually during activities. I have had very bad nausea starting 2 days after on it. Last night while in the shower I just got really dizzy and everything turned yellow, my hearing went away and I thought I was going to pass out. then after I could see/hear again I started to feel very sick I threw up and almost passed out agian. I hope this goes away. But all together I feel much better than I did before and people say the bad side effects can go away so I’m hopefull. thanks for reading. best luck to all!
this stuff made me feel real funny like i just wanted to flush my whole insides away and too think i was only testing this stuff for my mom and some days i would double up’all i know is that this is not the drug for me
I’ve never posted on a board like this but wanted to share. It’s been affirming to read these comments because I wondered if I was imagining the weight thing. I’ve been on it four months, and it has helped me a LOT–I’m one of the lucky ones who did NOT experience many side effects in the first few weeks, jst a few relatively minor effects (some sleepiness in the afternoons, some of what they call “activation” or the skin-crawling wanting-to-jump-out-of-your-skin feelin which every SSRI apparently causes and every dr should warn about, and also something I havent seen on this board AT ALL: muscle tremors, like finger and eyelid twitches. I started at 5 and went to 10 after about 2 months, going up slowly frm 5 to 7.5 to 10.
Other than the minor effects listed above, I had nothing but help from the drug–I was suffering depression and PTSD after a series of too many major life traumas and changes, didn’t want to take drugs but really needed a bridge over the too rough waters. It worked fast for me. i felt better emotionally within 48 hours, sort of “restrained” from feeling the worst, and it’s helped me ever since (so I do think, so far anyway, it has been worth it). I’ve been overall much better, and better all the time. And I must be on the right dose, because I CAN cry and feel (sad,happy, angry, joyful, hurt)–sometimes I worry that i feel ‘too good” or not enough, but things do “break through” the shield if they are big enough, but there is a shield from feeling he worst of everything. Takes the edge off. Can still work on stuff in therapy, just not overwhlemed.
BUT–in the past few WEEKS I have gained so much fat that I can’t get into my clothes. It seemed to happen overnight. i have NOT been exercising and I should be, but I wasnt much before either and my body has stayed the same for years. I am vegetarian and eat super healthy, and take lots of supps, but like many have posted, I seem to be suddenly insatiable and especially at night! I’m always hungry and the old “I’m done now” signal seems to be broken. I hvent changed anything except I probably do eat more and dont stop when before I would. I am used to having a great body and it is weird to suddenly have fat thighs and nto be able to pull up my jeans oveer my butt over night.
I also sleep a LOT, like 9-12 hours at a time. This has been for a while. I assumed this was because I was catching up on sleep from the sleepless stress of before. It may be partly that, but sounds like many of y’all have the sleeping-more, hard-to-wake thing too.
Hope this helps. It’s gotten me through a tough time when things were overwhleming and I needed the help, but I hope to be able to start weaning off it soon now that things have stabilized. I may try exercising more and seeing if that helps.
I started taking this medication around 3 months ago… the first few weeks i lost around 4 kilo’s but then i got my apetite back.
I used to cry daily and very frequently but since being on Lexapro i feel i cannot cry or have much emotion. I find this to be really frustrating sometimes as i can’t express or let out my emotions.
I am worried about stopping this medication as in the passed i have skipped the medication for a few days and ending up in a very depressed and dangerous state.
I must admit within the first 2 weeks, i definately noticed a major change.
Lexapro has actually changed my life and i’m glad i listened to my friends and family. Like i said before Lexapro gives you a sort of neutral feeling, sometimes i am so used to being upset that i miss it a little sounds weird but i’m sure some will understand……..
anyway everyone just have fun and make the most of life because you only live once
This drug sent me on an emotional downward spiral that led to me becoming suicidal, losing my job, and now going through two months of emotional treatment to get back to “normal.”
I would recommend avoiding this drug.
I have been on lexapro for a week now. i feel hungry a lot but nothing really satisfies me. feel like im tripping on acid sometimes. wierd electrical feeling. like im on speed or something. i have been on it before years ago and dont remember feeling like this… restless at night especially. but i do remember it really helping me after a few weeks. felt happier and it helped the anxiety
Thank you for everyone’s comments. Now I know I’m not CRAZY! I am a kindergarten teacher in an extremely difficult school and was experiencing so much stress and anxiety and some depression that I decided to go on Lexapro.
It did nothing but replace old symptoms with new ones! I have gained almost 20 pounds in 2 1/2 months that I’ve been on Lexapro. My doctor told me there is no chance for weight gain…I see a new doctor in my future. I’ve also experienced yawning, dizziness (thought I was nuts!), low libido and good-bye orgasms!
Lexapro helped me to make it through my days with less stress and frustration…except I’ll take better sex and being skinny any day over being fat and happy!
I am 38 and have been on Lexapro for several years for panic disorder and some depression. It never occured to me to pay attention to the side effects. I have been having problems with marriage and career, etc. I have experienced the dizziness, I am clumsy, very forgetfull, trouble sleeping every night, and most of all I have no motivation. I have plenty of a sex drive but have trouble getting to orgasm sometimes. Oh…and I am very forgetful (a little humor never hurts). I am convinced I need to stop taking this drug before I am divorced, unemployed for life and living on the street. However, from what I have read here, I am scared to death to start the weaning process. My wife is on Cymbalta and she has even worse side effects. We are going to have to time our med changes differently. Otherwise we’ll be divorced in a second…
It also sounds like we all need a Lexapro support group! I had no idea that a lot of these symptoms I have been having for years were related to this drug. Sometimes we trust doctors TOO much. I am thankful for this blog…
I JUST started taking Lexapro yesterday. And have to admit, all these posts are making me VERY nervous. But I am going to give it a fair amount of time to get past the side effects (trouble sleeping last night, sweaty palms, yawning, increased heart rate, nausea and the urge to dry heave, less appetite and food looks really gross). My doctor told me that once I am on this, it will probably be for life, and she gave me Xanax to help with the initial increased anxiety that was the be expected (and has definitely been evident, almost had a panic attack this am, first time in over a year). I have had mild depression that comes in waves since I was little, and just went through a program last year for anxiety (which worked very well, look it up: Attacking Anxiety and Depression by Lucinda Bassett, total life saver!. The program helped to rid me of anxiety (till I took the Lexipro yesterday..lol), but the Depression, while better and fairly manageable, is not gone. This is what lead me to asking for an anti-depressant. I have tried natural remedies, therapy, and so many self-help techniques, but nothing has been as effective as I would like, so anti-depressant meds it is. I hate taking meds, but have come to the conclusion that this is really my last option. My step-father is on Lexipro for anxiety, and it has helped him tremendously with little to no side effects. I hope once these side effects cease, that I will be on my A-game and able to finally focus, and maintain the motivation to make things happen in my life.
Everyone’s chemistry is different, and while some people may have horrible experiences on a drug, others may react to it quite well.
Fingers crossed I react well to it, and I wish you all the best of luck as well!
I was prescribed Lexapro yesterday. Took 1/2 a 5mg tablet. I didn’t feel any side effects until last night. I had intense diarrhea, nausea, sweating, numbness in my right foot, tingling in my left hand and I couldn’t sleep at all. Woke up this morning with a dull headache. I’ve never taken any meds like this before. I supposedly have a severe case of OCD and symptoms of anxiety. I’ve been dealing with my OCD for just about all of my life. I really don’t feel like I need to take this medication. I have 3 friends who referred me to this doctor and they all take the same meds he prescribed me. Kind of makes me wonder if he has a case of Lexapro he’s trying to get rid of. I can’t handle the effects of this medicine, so I will not take anymore. Maybe there’s something else out there for me.
i just noticed this is a womans blog, but i have been reading through the comments.. i just got this today i took it this morning.. i am literally on the verge of a panic attack just from taking this and i haven’t had one in awhile.. i feel dizzy, hot, stomach sick..which never happens to me.. just as i was typing this i had to run to the toilet to throw up.. it was a false alarm though.. if you need this that bad take it.. otherwise STAY away this stuff is horrible..
I’ve been on a 5mg dose for about a week and a half. I havent had any really bad side effects, except that i sometimes feel really nervous or guilty for no reason, for example i was watching tv and my mum walked in and i suddenly felt like i was doing something really selfish, even though i’d done everything i was susposed to. I’ve had a few trippy dreams, but nothing too scary, and i’ve been very tired. But it has also helped a lot with my anxiety/depression so for me the trade off is worth it and the symptoms are getting better so i think i’ll ride it out for the 6-8 weeks. Not having angry outbursts/moodswings is fantastic.
Lexapro may be a good drug but it almost killed me! I had a negative side effect called Serotonin Syndrome which is potentially fatal if not caught in time. I was very lucky. Use it if you must, but be sure to monitor and immediately report any and all strange feelings brought on from the use of this medication.
I have been on Lexapro for 4 days, i hav’nt notice anything yet. I was waiting for at least a week or two to past to see if i can detect any changes. with these comments i dont think i want any changes. i’m quiting!!
Since the posting of my first comment (#315), I can still say that the period of “suffering though” the body’s adjustment to Lexapro is SOOOOO worth it. The only real side effect that I can see is the decrease in my appitate (YAY!!!) and the occasional metalic taste.
Lexapro has REALLY become my “HAPPY PILL”
I’ve been taking Lexapro for 5 weeks and at first I was prescribed 10mg in the morning and I felt extremely tired, dizzy, and yawned constantly. Now I’m taking 20mg at night and am feeling much better and it’s even helped with my insomnia! Only side effects I’ve noticed have been dry mouth and some yawning still.
I started Lexapro 7 months ago at 10 mg. for preimenapausal depression symtoms and 3 months into it I started waking up about 1 1/2 hours after I fell asleep at night with a pounding, racing heart – like I had just run a mile. It was very scary, and I would just try to calm myself down, but the heartbeat and pulse would take 15 minutes or more to quite enough for me to go back to sleep. The incidents would happen once a week or so. I cut back to 5 mg, but the incidents continued for 3 months until I stopped the med, as directed by the Dr. Withdrawal was very unpleasant; lightheaded, super confused and forgetful, could not stay awake for two days. Have been off the med for 5 weeks. After discontinuing med, I had one bad incident of night waking, followed by three more, all lessening in intensity. Also, daytime palpatations are less. I am seeing an accupunturist now for depression and although it is probably too soon to know if it is helping, I still feel better being off the Lexapro.
With any depression medicine you must take it every day like your doctor prescribed. you will build up a scale each day you continue to take it and when you don’t take it you fall three steps lower then have to build yourself up again. so be sure you are taking it everyday about the same time. Consult your doctor about your issues, it seems normal because your body is adjust to a new drug in your body.
I have been taking Lexapro for 7 months now and notice a lot of side effects, it’s almost like I am ‘not here’ sometimes and in my own world. I am always yawning and when I am not doing that I think I am hungry so I constantly eat, and can’t ever get enough sleep. Has anyone had problems with going to the tanning bed while on Lexapro? I have tanned in the past and never had problems but just recently started again and have been getting this horrible rash on my back and arms. It is raised, itchy and bumpy- I have even been been cleaning the bed myself with anti-bacterial wipes. If anyone can help me with the tanning issue or if you have any tips for me to ween myself off Lexapro I would appreciate it!!
I’ve been on Lexapro for about six months now, and have to agree that it has become my happy pill. My doctor suggested that I try it for situation depression, and I had heard of Wellbutrin being used in some cases to help with ‘mental fog’ from low and autoimmune thyroid condition. He suggested Lexapro. I had researched Wellbutrin, but not Lexapro. He said if I could at least give it a month. The first weeks were hard: headaches, sleepiness, yawning, high feeling, nausea, dry mouth, stomach problems, aches and pains at night (similar to fybromialgia, and restless leg syndromn). Wanted to sleep all the time. I usually didn’t sleep.
Learned to take it with food to stop the nausea. Chew gum and hot teas for dry mouth. No sex drive first four weeks, trouble reaching orgasm. Advil PM at night to sleep.
i would say that it took about three months for all the side effects to subside. Sex back to normal, dry mouth hardly ever. Sleep normal . Put on 10 lbs, but loosing it now. It happened overnight like someone else said. Learned from someone that it makes you crave carbs. It is best for me not to eat any carbs during the day, or I cannot stop. Only eat carbs at night. Gum also helps with the craving.
Exercise helps with drowsiness.
Now I cannot think of my life without it, and I worry that I was only supposed to be on it for a year or two, and I don’t want to loose this feeling. I was always a cup is half full in public, but I am obnoxiously that person all the time. I like being alone, taking up hobbies, and trying new things all the time.
hang in there if you can, it was not fun in the beginning, but now it is.
I just started taking Lexapro (10mg) a week ago. Initially, I would already consider myself a pretty wierd person and now I just feel wierder and a blah feeling at that. My head is constantly pounding and I usually feel nausea at the sight of food. The stomach aches I get as well makes me want to just slouch and fall asleep and they always come at the wrong time. On the positive side, it sure helps with my anxiety but the side effects would sadly depress anyone I believe. Being still in my teenage years, I would recommend this to anyone my age at least. Thanks for all the great info and concerns. Good luck and peace to you all
I started on lexapro a week and a half ago, i can’t stop yawning and when I yawn its so intense I feel like I’m gonna pass out! i can’t remember things, generally thinking alot slower and I can’t get up in the morning. I just feel like a zombie. I feel uncoordinated too. I really hope this passes, as I have become really unsociable at work and have no libido and my boyfriend thinks I think he’s unattractive. So far its really crap, but i’ll stay on it.
I started on lexapro a week and a half ago, i can’t stop yawning and when I yawn its so intense I feel like I’m gonna pass out! i can’t remember things, generally thinking alot slower and I can’t get up in the morning. I just feel like a zombie. I feel uncoordinated too. I really hope this passes, as I have become really unsociable at work and have no libido and my boyfriend thinks I think he’s unattractive. So far its really crap, but i’ll stay on it.
Thank you everybody who has commented! i have spent like the last hour reading all these comments and the cons of this pill out weigh the pros by FAR! i was givin this pill today, i am only 16 years old and i have anziety problems. but thanks to many of you i have decided to not even chance this pill! THANKS
I have been on 5 mg of lexapro for only two days, but i have had a non-stop horrible headache, and have been extremely tired. The Dr. gave me this for general anxiety and depression instead of Zoloft because zoloft was giving me panic attacks, but I’m not takinng this either. It sounds too hard to come off of, and I would rather just try and exercise every day to increase my serotonin levels instead of taking this crap. Unless you need it….I wouldn’t take it (why pay money to feel like this)?
I have taken Paxil for approx 10 years, and have decided to try a change. Dr prescribed Lexapro and I have slowly been going off Paxil,so taday I am on half of it and added 5 mg of lexapro. I am at work and I wish I wouldnt of done it. I feel as if I could have a seizure,SCRATCHY
i have been on lexapro for 2 years. I was put on it because of cancer, I am cancer free now but still taking Lexapro. I have started to have all kinds of side effects joint pain stomach pain, emotional upset for no reson. I will be takling to my doctor to get off the stuff, am a little concernd about the side effects of getting off. Is there anyone who has no problems getting off?
Carol
hello e-one…I have been on lexapro for neally 12 months now.I was put on them for my anxiety and panic attacks.These have now settled right down but my side effects are mood swings,night sweating,weezing,palputations,weight gain and until i changed from taking the tablet from morning until night i was feeling hungry half hour after i’d taken 1 10mg tablet.I suggest taking this tablet just before u go to bed to stop some side effects.I do not suffer from insomnia.I also have nausea most days.I tried stoping this tablet for a week and i cried and cried for nothing for one whole week.So I started again not sure how i’m going to get off now, but i’d love to…
been on lexapro x5 days- no weight gain only loss; feels like a boost of ephedrine, only without the effects of spastic mvmts. Would say no to this if possible- trying it for separated marriage- no real change- need to experience it personally/mentally/emotionally-but lexapro was quick fix- i say no to it- experience pain and problems, but then regroup yourself- not worth the time and effort(feel pain)
people with anxiety disorders are always so wound up they are less likley to gain weight. taking ant-depressents doesn’t make you gain weight, it’s the more relaxed calm feeling you have that triggers your appetite.
My Fiance has been on this drug on and off over the last year. She says that when she takes it her legs get restless and she feels that “Blah” feeling Ive heard about here. She also said that she was having a problem with empathy and headaches. When she goes off the medication she has no libido and is hungry all the time. I’m not sure if we should try another medication but it’s so hard to get her to the doctor.
Well, After reading all the post and experiencing what I have on Lexapro I wish I would have read it before. At first My doc prescribed me 10mg which made me extremely blah so I only took 5 mg. now after 3 months I feel it is not helping, I am always hungry, have gained weight and my libido is horrible. I felt that getting off would not be bad since I was only taking half…well well well…I have headaches, a horrible temper and I never had this before. I am in Lexapro hell, Help!!!
I just wanted to update since my other post (#434). I feel really bad for everyone that has had such bad side effects. I think if I had those same effects I would have probably stopped taking it also. But, now it has been a month and I just really want to say that Lexapro has made such a difference in my ilfe. I mean, I still have the dry mouth, but that is it. Other than that, it has really been a wonderful thing. Like I said, I feel really bad for everyone that has had side effects. I think if I would have found this blog BEFORE starting the Lexapro I might have never taken it. I agree that everyone’s bodies are different and the side effects could be major or minor. I feel blessed that I haven’t had to go through the side effects described here. But I would also say to anyone who is suffering from depression/anxiety/ocd symptoms that this medication works for me. Dr has had me on so many different medications trying to get the right one and then, finally this one comes along. I had honestly thought that the life I was living was just the way it was going to be. Lexapro has shown me that it isn’t. There are so many wonderful things to experience out there and now I truly get to experience them the way I know other people have been for so long. I apologize for going on and on, I just wanted to say to anyone out there who is considering Lexapro and may be somewhat nervous about taking it that, believe it or not sometimes it’s not all bad. And sometimes it is the best thing ever. My life has changed for the better so much in the last month. My husband says I am always in a good mood and he loves it, my kids are so happy now that I want to go places and do things with them all the time. I don’t have any sleep issues. I truly can’t say enough about the Lexapro except I feel like it has given me my life back and I am so happy that we finally found something that works. I will continue to update as time goes on to see if it is still the same or if any side effects start. Until then, I wish everyone the best and I am so thankful that I found this blog for sharing and comparing experiences. I wish everyone the best.
hi i hav been on lexapro for a week for anger problems. i have seen no result in success in making me feel calm and less aggressive. they only side effect that i hav noticed it that it is impossible for me to cum which is really annoying for an 18 in highschool. anyone noticed this drug’s lack to do any use?
this is my eight day on Lexapro taking it in the am and each night it gets harder to fall asleep and stay asleep. the first three days I would wake up with a mild headache but that has stopped. I am only take 5 mil per day. I do feel one step remove from everthing giving me a more mellow response to things that would have wound me up and made me really angry. I am hoping the insomnia goes away
I read every comment and I am a terrified of taking this med. I have a mild case of anxiety, maybe 1 or 2 times a month and can’t see taking this daily. I am sure my dr. will be annoyed at my not taking it, but I want to try other things before II get hooked on Lex. Any suggestions for natural help?
I realize now that this is a serious problem for so many of us. It is so sad to have to suffer with anxiety/depression while the rest of the world sails through.
My prayers are for all of us who need any kind of help.
I don’t feel so bad now
On the tail end of a 2 year divorce and other personal tragedies. Dr. put me on Lexapro to prevent me from going ‘postal’. Stuff works great after about 2 weeks of use. Calm demeanor has returned, not laying in bed stessed out all night hating, people not telling me to slow the heck down any more.
Too bad the evil side affect that will make me quit this stuff after my divorce ends. Sexual climaxing has almost become an impossiblity, and I am as active and healthy 39 yr old guy as they come. Those primal thoughts and feelings have almost vanished. Girlfriend likes the more affectionate me, but thinks the performance issue is because of her and I feel badly. I tried to explain, but still she doubts it.
OMG…I was just prescribe Lexepro today by me dr. I found out my husband was having an affair and I was having panic attacks and have dealt with depression in the past. You all are really scaring me! I’m wondering now if I really should be taking it. I’m a scared 49 year old and now wonder if it’s worth it all. I had the libido problem when I was on Prozac 10 years ago…I went of of after one month and took Wellbutrin, that was a blessing.
I’ve been on Lexapro- 10 mg for about a week now. I was switched to it from Effexor XR (weight gain), and from Prozac (made me way too dizzy) before that. The only side effects that I experienced so far are constant brutal headaches 24/7, as well as cranking up my heartburn.
Hey Roody,
I would suggest a healthy dose of excercise for you. This med is for more serious symtoms than once or twice a month. Try booking a day at the spa. That helps as well. Good luck!!
First two weeks: appetite loss and felt a bit “shaky.” Also found that some of my anxiety was manifesting itself in some rather vivid dreams.
Currently (about a year later): some occasional feelings of apathy & sometimes anxiety manifests itself as an upset tummy and appetite loss in stressful situations (as opposed to my old neurotic behavior).
I may not exactly love Lex, and it certainly isn’t for everybody, but it has definitely helped me.
• It seems to have helped a bit with my insomnia issues.
• I had a fairly high libido to begin with, so it has leveled me out a bit there – which has actually turned out to be a good thing for my relationships! (OMG! there’s more to my boyfriend than just a penis!)
• The fact that it makes the people I care about more comfortable to be around me since I’m no longer “a ball of moody or nervous energy,” makes the side effect worth it for me. I used to isolate myself a lot because I could sense that I made others uncomfortable. Now, I don’t feel like I have to be alone anymore.
BTW, EXERCISE really does seems to boost the positive effects of Lex and seems to help a lot of people with fatigue and sexual side effects. I figure it has to do with the fact that it boosts the “feel good” endorphins in your body’s own chemistry for the medication to work with. My doc actually prescribed yoga with my Lex and I can see why!!!
Nao git off yer bums & help Lex out a bit – don’t make the mistake of expecting a miracle without at least a little effort on your part besides just remembering to take a pill!
I STRONGLY and I do mean strongly advise anyone who is going to try this drug to consider an alternative first. I was put on it for severe depression. I gained at least 10 lbs, and for the first month it appeared to be working because I had happy episodes. But then I realized that I would instantly crash (I mean within minutes) from being excessively happy to barley being able to stand up because I was so depressed and tired. I had memory issues, and because of the huge difference in my mood my mom said I seemed like I was drunk for an entire three month period. It made me sick and naucious a lot and it helped me sleep, but only in the sense that it made me so depressed I didn’t have the energy to keep my eyes open or even stand up. I had episodes where I completely freaked out and had a panic attack. I had been depressed for two years prior and this was my first medication so I didn’t realize that it was making everything worse. One night I experienced shortness of breath and had gone from what felt like the happiest moment in my life (for no apparent reason) to the lowest of lows. Suicidal thoughts rushed in and I had a seizure. They decided to keep me on it a little longer to see if it was the medicine giving the side effects (yeah smart move on the dr.’s part, NOT) I was in such a zombie like state that I can barley remember that summer but I did end up spending the end of it in a hospital. They switched my medicaitons while I was a resident there and being taken off Lexapro didn’t solve my depression but it took away all of those rediculous side effects that I just described. Another girl I met in the hospital had increased suicidal thoughts after being put on Lexapro too, honestly.. It’s not even worth the experiment. Try wellbutrin or lamectil, i’m on both and they have a nice balance to them but I sincerely believe that there is no cure to depression, but they do help with the side effects. I really hope this helped someone and prevent another seizure victim that ends up spending the end of the summer before her junior year in a mental hospital. Stay strong everyone. And if you are ever feeling down, check out a group called “To Write Love On Her Arms” they change lives without risky meds haha and they actually know what they are doing.
All medications have side effects! Even the natural ones can have side effects. Over the counter medications have side effects as well. e.g. Tylenol; liver problems… according to the AMA more people die from Tylenol associated cancer of the liver then Alcohol!!! I didn’t know this one until recently. I have chronic headaches! Of which Tylenol is the prime ingredient.
Cure the headache, kill the person. Lesson here take; keep away from Tylenol as much as you can. You don’t have to stop taking it. If you’ve been on it for awhile, have blood work up done.
All that aside here is my experience with Lexapro.
Me: I’m 70yrs young… 5′9″… 153 lbs.
My wife died of cancer 6 yrs ago, I was not exactly in a good frame of mind. My oldest daughter was and still is taking Lexapro suggested to me to ask the Doc about it as she was and still is on it and doing fine with it. So three yrs ago I went on it. I was on it for several months. Probably close to a year.
No weight gain or loss. No libido loss. No help for my insomnia at all. Problem sleeping since the age of 16yrs old. I still take a medication for the insomnia. Nothing out of the ordinary as far as side effects are concerned.
Maybe I did experience a slight problem taking Lexapro; I did complain to the Doc once I can remember “no energy”… “I don’t know if I can attribute that to the Lexapro or not. I have a sleep disability and sometimes I have periods I just don’t get enough sleep.”
10mg twice a day, for probably at least 10 months.
I felt it was a waste of money to be honest with you. I still felt the same, depression, I don’t care attitude.
I decided to quit and did. I had no withdrawal symptoms at all!
“I just stopped taking it, period. I had no withdrawal symptoms. None at all.”
I was on 10mg twice a day.
My oldest daughter has Sarcoma cancer and she has been on Lexapro since being diagnosed. Thank God this works for her! But she has had weight gain. But I do not know if this is from Lexapro. I’m sure the Lexapro has helped some with the weight gain after reading the comments.
My youngest daughter has been on Lexapro for about 6 months now. She still weighs the same and wants to put some weight on. She tells me she eats well, drinks milk shakes and still is not able to gain weight. She looks awesome, it must be nice being almost 40 yrs old and only look like your in the low twenties! Yesterday she called me (she lives in FL) and told me no matter what she does she can’t gain weight.AND the big thing now is she has no energy and is sleeping 14 or more hours a day. This only in the last 6 wks. she has always had more energy then she needed. (i think u can call it nervous energy)
An after thought about my youngest daughter the Lexapro has no effect with her libido!
Okay… three people in the same family taking Lexapro and all three with different tolerances and effects.
Me… no gain from being on it, no problem getting off it. (20mg total a day)
DAUGHTER 1… well “I do not want to see her off it! It has helped BIG TIME!
DAUGHTER 2… jury still out on this one.
I am going to call my youngest daughter and try to get her off Lexapro. It might be what is causing her loss of energy.
I should here mention that it has helped my youngest daughter with her depression. It has also helped my eldest who needs it most. (Look up Sarcoma cancer.)
To sum this up, “it’s going to be a big help for some.” “A little help for others” “And no help for still others”
And still for some others the side effects are not going to be worth them taking this medication!!
After a period of time I will again comment on how my youngest daughter is doing.
I will check back in two months.
If this medicine helps take it!
If this medicine has to many side effects don’t take it!
There are alternatives natural as well as prescribed.
I’ve had my depressions, anxieties, panic attacks in life. If there is any thing out there that will help YOU take it. Life is meant to be lived. Not depression, not anxiety or panic attacks. (panic attacks are caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. (some doc’s don’t seem to know this)
Smoking pot helps some with nausea for example, it helps many other health problems also. If it’s legal in your state and it can help take it.
I hope this helps some persons. We are all different, even in the same family.
Frank…
I just took my first dose of Lexapro this morning. I was worried yesterday, after having ready all of the symptoms listed here, but I’m doing GREAT!
I actually walked past a mirror without thinking horrible thoughts about the way I look.
I haven’t been hungry today, when normally, all I do is think about food.
As far as symptoms, the yawning thing is pretty hilarious, and I’m feeling the need to tap my feet.
I’ve never been able to just enjoy life, I’ve always been thinking.
I hope this continues to work for me!
I’ve been on Lexapro for about a month now. My doctor prescribed it because I was suffering from depression and severe anxiety attacks because of stress I was having at work and difficulties dealing with a boyfriend. It got so bad that I was having trouble going to work and functioning normal, extreme bouts of crying and could barely leave my house.
I was given the medicine with a presciption of Xanax as well. Within 72 hours I noticed an incredible improvement in my mood and was able to return to work. I only took the Xanax for the first 10 days or so and don’t have a need for it anymore. Over the last month I’ve made a lot of improvements at work and don’t dread going in like I did before. The on-again/off-again boyfriend has also noticed an incredible improvement and we actually have more fun being around each other. He says it’s like I’m a different person now and likes to see me smile as well. We actually spend more time together than we did when we were dating. (we’ve broken up a couple of times and officially we’re not a couple anymore, but we still see each other a few times a week and still sleep together)
The side effects are like the others, tired, fatigue, yawning, nausea, loss of appetite, having incredible problems getting started in the morning and at first a lot of problems sleeping at night. A lot of that has waned by now. Some jitters and I find I’m always shaking my foot and leg a lot. No unusual dreams, but then I’ve had really vivid dreams and reoccuring dreams all my life. I’m not noticing any focus issues or memory loss.
However, over the last week or so, i’ve noticed the sexual side effects kick in a bit. My libido is just as strong as ever, but I find I’m not able to have an orgasm, even when I do it myself. Needless to say, the boyfriend has been feeling inadequate because of this and not sure he is seeing the connection with the medication. I have a doctor’s appointment tomorrow for a checkup and I’ll be able to discuss this side effect, so we’ll see. I’m feel encouraged since other ladies here say it’s been resolved after a month or so or by cutting down the dosage.
Has anyone found that the anorgasmia problem going away on it’s own or does is it definitely tied in to lowering the dosage? I’ve suffered depression since childhood and the anxiety for most of my adult life. I actually feel great on this medicine. I enjoy work and life again. I enjoy friends and going out and being active and productive again. I know this medicne doesn’t work for everyone, but it works for me.
It should go without saying, not everyone will have the same possitive experience I’ve had, but that’s because everyone is an individual and medicines don’t help all the people all of the time.
I hope eveyone finds the medicine and dosage that works for them. I don’t want to stop this medicine yet, but the sexual side effect is a real bummer.
well from the looks of it i see everyone is talking bad about the sideffects and i have to take lexapro tomorrow or either monday. i used to take paxil and quit because of the side effects.
I’ve been on Lexapro for about 3-4 years now, and it’s not easy to summarize the damage it has caused me, although I will admit it helped with depression. Yippee.
In the meantime I developed uncontrolled spasms of my neck and shoulder muscles that really got unbearable when I tried to go to sleep or otherwise relax (ever try to meditate while your head is jerking around?). I’m praying that this is not permanent, because it is a worse hell than depression itself.
I started tapering off two and a half weeks ago and today it’s been 3 days with no Lex at all. The muscle spams are worse than ever, brain shocks that go down to my feet, terrifying chest pain, heart palpitations, dizziness, difficulty speaking and forming words. All this *after* tapering the dose.
For everyone above reporting their experiences 5 minutes after taking Lexapro for the first time or whatever – don’t take anymore. Talk to your doctor, inform him that his drug rep is either an ignoramus or a liar if he said there are no side effects, or no withdrawal, and figure out some other course of action or medication.
Lexapro is a nightmare, IMHO and experience.
I have been taking lexapro for 3 years. Started on 5mg, then moved up to 10mg eventually 20 mg. The first side effect I noticed was a mild headache then cotton mouth for 6 weeks. The biggest side effect has been the weight gain. I gained 20 pounds and not happy with it. Told my doctor about it but she said “It’s happy weight.” Like that makes it any better. I also notice it makes me sleepy so I have to take it at night. I also have feeling of selfishness and I the “I don’t care attitude.” I have tried twice to get off this medication, as many of you have tried. I tried weaning myself off slowly that has been a nightmare. I have tried cold turkey which is where I am now, severe headaches, irritable. I am doing research into trying the more holistic approach. Like SAM-e, 5-htp, passion flower tea. I have to say that lexapro did help me dramatically with my sucidial thoughts and my severe anxieties that I was having but now 3 yrs later the depression has gone and the anxieties are slight. So I feel I need to get off lexapro and try a more holistic approach. Exercise, meditation, yoga, diet, natural homeopathic medicines. Nature provides, she always has, we have just forgotten about her.
Somethings I forgot to mention the first time around: I lost my sex drive and having an orgasm didn’t happen. Short memory, yawning, Although the loss of desire has since past, it definitely isn’t the same as it was. Orgasms resumed but not as frequently. I use to be able to have 3 or 4 a day now I am lucky if I have 1 or 2 a week. The yawning is annoying, as well as the short term memory. And the DREAMS or absolutely insane, freaky, crazy.
I started taking Lexapro 4 days ago for stomach problems related to anxiety and cancer. What I feel is a dizziness, slight trouble walking, feeling out of it. I was not convinced it was the right thing but this has convinced me. I hope this feeling goes away soon.
To anyone who cares….
Check out “The Green Pharmacy” by James Duke
A wonderful book on holistic healing.
Check out “Energy Medicine” by Donna Eden
helping alot
Good Luck Lisa with the cancer….. Check out the books you might be surprise by what is out there. I wish you the best
I have been on Lexapro since December of 2007. Since Feb. 2008 I have gained 30-35 pounds. The thing is I don’t seem to eat much more then before. I sometimes have trouble concentrating on things and now since my weight gain I am even more depressed..If I don’t take my pill at a certain time, I have a deathly sick headache and feel miserable, sick to my stomach. After taking Lexapro, I feel groggy and very sleepy. I have thought about trying to wean myself from it. I am taking 20 mg a day. Any advice on how to do this without suffering would be greatly appreciated…
Mel, First, get the book “The Green Pharmacy” by James Duke. Really good with alot of info. Then start tapering down to 10 mg everyday then, after about a week or two, depends on you, go to 5 mg every week. Then do 5 mg every other day, then every third day and so on. Then go without and then start taking 5htp 50mg, once at night when you go to sleep. This is what I am doing. I have lost 4 lbs in the eight days that I have been off lexapro. Taking arnica, for the headaches, drinking passionflower and starting to feel better still having some withdrawals. I am more sensitive to others feelings now. Still happy as can be. Still have weird dreams. Sex drive way, way up, orgasms alot more intense and more often. Irritable but normal amounts. Not eating everything in sight, My cravings for sweets has pretty much disappeared. Loosing weight and loving it. My head is out of a fog. Trust in yourself and gather knowledge where you can. Good Luck
Lexapro has taken away the feeling of “dread” that I feel every day when I go to work. Some people call it a numbness, but I find it just makes everything “OK” so I can just deal with it.
No real side effects except libido is reduced and a gradual weight gain that worries me considerably…25 lbs in 2 years that refuses to go away no matter what I do.
Craig the weight gain is NOT going to go away and the libido isn’t going to get any better. Good Luck
I am on my second day of taking 1/2 a pill. I was fine all day but then this night it slammed into me like a Mack truck. SEVERE panic attack- like feelings: heart beating out of my chest like crazy, severe dizziness, feeling like I’m going to faint, whole body gets hot then cold, shaking, out of body experience, and nausea. It’s flipping AWFUL. I called the pharmacist and they told me to stop taking it immediately since it’s only day 2, and to contact my physician on Monday. I’ll take mild depression ANY day over this. I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy.
i’ve been on Lexapro for about a year, always under a doctor’s care, and recently
(2 months ago) my dose was upped to a “thereaputic” dose.
i am relieved to see that others are having the same side effects as i am:
-short term memory loss
-in a fog – “crap i missed my turn”, “did that really happen, or was it a dream”, daydreams, mind wanders, lack of focus, etc.
-weight gain and always hungry
-weird dreams
-dry-mouth
here’s my advice and coping strategies:
-get into therapy. depression and anxiety are only treated by pills, they are cured by therapy.
-never start or stop medication without your doctor’s advice and guidance. if lexapro isn’t for you, then express this to your doctor. if they don’t listen, continue to take it until you find another doctor who will.
-if you are on 5mg, your doctor may then up you to 10mg in a few weeks (and even to 15mg if he/she sees fit). NEVER skip a dose.
-carry around a pad of paper and a pen to jot down notes. i know this seems elementary, but for me it’s the only way i can continue to do my job without forgetting things.
-express self-control when it comes to eating. yeah yeah, i know it’s like a diet plan! i keep a shelf in my pantry with sweets on it, and eat one per day (if that, i’m not really a sweets person). i snack on healthy stuff like veggies and chips & salsa. i also work out three times a week – i am sorry to report that i only maintain my weight.
-chew gum and drink tons of water. don’t drink soda; the sugar in soda makes dry mouth worse, and the caffeine actually makes anxiety worse. this you should also discuss with your doctor as caffeine is a drug.
i have been on zoloft and klonopin, and lexapro is the best thing for me. those of you who have only been on it for 12 hours, 2 days, or a week, give it time, it takes at least 2 weeks to get into your system, balance out and begin to do its job. every time your dose is upped, it takes that long to feel the effect of the new dosing, too.
i hoped this helped, thanks for starting this thread way back when ♥
ive been on lexap for about 5years its been okay for the last 4 years.but ive been having alot of problemes latley wait gain my head to seems to be buzzing alot .and if i move my .eyes sto fast it about makes me sick i have depression bad .and exssesive compolsive dissorder and it has helped i just cant undrstand why ive been feeling this way we have increased it to 20millogram .and its got worse for me
.is ther
.any body that has the same problem i do please help thank you for just .listning to me
I’ve been on Lexapro for a little over three months. I still haven’t decided whether the positive effects (a generally pleasant, relaxed mood, with greatly reduced suicidal ideation) outweigh the negative (anorgasmia, loss of erection, excessive sleeping and resting, lack of motivation to do any real work, and constant vivid dreams).
Before the meds, I had lost my will to live and actively sought to die. Nothing brought me any happiness. For a few weeks I also had very little appetite and lost a lot of weight. Since I started on Lexapro, I feel as though I’ve transformed into a stoner– I lie around, eat and sleep a lot, and have a happy and goofy demeanor, but no drive or discipline whatsoever. I worry about failing out of grad school, as I’ve barely done any work this semester (previously I always did my work on time and always got A’s).
Which is worse?
my wife has been taking this for a little over a year now and the doctor just doubled her dose to 20’s. after a few months of what seemed like everything was going pretty good she has decided to just up and leave and doesnt care about our marriage anymore. now for as long as i have known her she was always dead set that marriage is forever till death do us part. after reading all the stuff on here about the side effects i cant help but wonder if its not the lexapro taking over. looking back after reading all the side effects that others have posted i have realised that she has a lot of these: headaches, complaining about cramps (pms) irregular cycles, crazy dreams, always sleepy, complete loss of sex drive, weight gain, a lot of times at night i would roll over and cuddle with her and she would be soaked in sweat from head to toe, and over the last couple months i noticed a lack of emotions from her and others have noticed this as well. about 3 weeks ago she just up and left me saying she just didnt care about the marriage anymore. i want to try to save our marriage but i feel like as long as she is on this drug its not going to happen. can anyone give me any insight to this and how i could possible confront her about it? i have talked to her gyn doc about it but all he says is if there is a problem she needs to call. they wont even make a curtesy call to check on her. i thought this was supposed to be monitored closly? im going to see a physc shortly and will ask him about it as well. but if there is any input i can get from anyone please help.
To “Someone who cares” I am going to make this short and to the point. The lexapro is making this happen.
Part of the reason I went off was because I really didn’t think I wanted to be in my marriage either on top of all the other problems I was having, dizziness, weight gain, no libido, no motivation, blood pressure went up, ibs, water retention, vivid and bizarre dreams, short term memory, cotton mouth, sleeping all the time in fact any chance I could, joint pain, stomach problems and so on. My husband and I just celebrated our 24 anniversary of marriage.
I knew something was wrong when my health was getting worse. Yes, Lexapro worked wonders the first year and half and then slowly the problems began, more severe, began to happen. For the last year I have been trying to get off Lexapro and it has been extremely hard. I am now in to my second week without it and withdrawal symptons are starting to get better, slowly but better. My weight is starting to come off, my sex drive has sky rocketed, My husband is having trouble keeping up with me. Orgasms have tripled. My marriage is beginning to repair itself and it is great.
I don’t know how long yall have been married, but the more you push the more she will move away. Why not let her read this web site and see if that doesn’t change her mind. I wish you the best of luck.
And to anyone else….. the answer to the most common question I have read here is “WHAT IS WORSE LEXAPRO OR DEPRESSION/ANXIETY” The majority has spoken in these 499 comments and the majority is saying “LEXAPRO” Good luck everyone.
I have been on Lexipro for 2 wks now and it has completely taken away my anxiety. I am absolutely thrilled with the results! I originally came to this site however about 10 days ago as I was having a lot of the symptoms mentioned on this site (pressure headaches in the temples, electric pins & needles up and down the body).
The symptoms disappeared into this air a few days ago and I am now left feeling fantastic. When I came to this site and read all the doom & gloom though I almost took myself off the tablets on day 3.
Thank god I stayed the course and persevered. I have since realised that people come to this site because they probably google “lexapro side effects” like I did. The people who don’t have any problems don’t come here at all. And I think for those that have side effects, once the side effects abate they forget about this site and get on with their lives.
I am returning to let you know that in my case the side effects went away and I feel a WHOLE lot better than I did before the medication. I can now take charge of my life again without being a victim of my anxiety and mild depression.
I just wanted to share my story and let you know that this drug definitely can work.
David and I had the same experience (see my original post #341)where we almost gave up because of the side effects in the beginning. It takes awhile for the drug to “kick in”. I have now been on Lexapro for about a year, and noticed it didn’t seem to be working as well as it did in the beginning. My doc increased the dose from 10mg to 15mg, and after a week of some mild side effects, I am back on track!! I also agree with David regarding the reason there seems to be more negative feedback than positive feedback on this site. I am sorry for those people that this drug does not work for, but like I said last November, you have to give it time to work! And work closely with you doctor!! Good luck to all!
I have been on either Paxil or Lexapro for the better part of the last 10 years. For the last 4 I have been on Lexapro, which worked extremely well until my mom moved in with my family
I switched back to Paxil and went to a therapist for a few months. I felt I was ready to go back to Lexapro – it seems to have a lower incidence of side-effects (for me personally). My doc wanted me to combine Paxil w/Lexapro for 5 days to transition to just Lexapro. Due to pharmacy mix ups (darn Walmart!) I was completely out of Paxil for about 3-4 days and only taking Lexapro. What bizarre dreams!! I finally got the Paxil refilled and am following doc’s orders, so I will probably feel more normal in a few days.
One thing I have found since being diagnosed with GAD, is that whenever there is a change in meds, I get a little anxious wondering if it will work or if it will turn me into some mutant half-human. This has resulted in panic attacks more than once. One doc told me that the meds will not 100% prevent an attack, but will help take the edge off.
All of this is to say – sometimes it takes trial and error to find the right meds or combination of meds that will work for each individual. Therapy is a huge help as well. Some can wean off the meds with therapy, so far I haven’t been able to do that. The best advice is to hang in there and work closely with your doc (all of them if you have more than one – make sure they all know that you are being treated for GAD, depression, OCD, whatever.)
the office stress, had a real freeking jerk i was forced to work with, tried it for a year, desided not to kill the office jerk. But my sex drive died, wife thinks i’ve lost intrest. so been off it for 1 week, now i hear weird sounds, hammer wacking a plastic tub 100 feet away. sex drive is comming back, hurray for my marrage.
I’ve been on Lexapro for about 3 months now and am seriously considering getting off. I’ve been on 20 mg for the better part of the last 3 months and am starting to see some side effects. Most of my anxiety is gone now but I’m not sleeping at nite and feel pretty worthless during the day. I’m always tired as a result of restless sleeping and uncontrollable cold sweats at nite. I wake up completely soaked through every day and struggle with staying awake throughout the day.
I can’t decide if my anxiety is bad enough to continue to deal with this. I live in a house with my boyfriend and his 5 friends so I worry that if I come off the pill my anxiety will only escalate because of my living situation. As is I find myself reaching a breaking point every few days but haven’t had a complete break down which is probably due to my being on Lex.
*sigh*
OMG, my doctor started me on 20 mg of lexapro. I took it at 11:00 am and seemed okay during the day. At 1:00 am I woke up feeling nauseated. I got out of bed and all of a sudden my whole body felt on fire. I headed back for the bed and prayed it would stop, but it kept getting worse. I called 911 and they said it was the Lexapro. It has been 3 days and I am still getting these episodes of this burning feeling in my arms and back…noooo fun. This drug is not for me. I was getting scared and then I read a couple of posts here of people who felt the same thing. I read only 2% of people get this burning feeling. I don’t know if the amount of my first dose had anything to do with it, but I have been reading that a lot of you were started on 5 or 10 mg, not 20. I only weigh 125 pounds…I am off this drug forever.
I’ve been on lexapro for about seven months for depression and anxiety. I have actually lost weight while I’ve been on it because I don’t feel the need to ‘comfort eat’ all the time any more. The only major side effect that I have had from it is the loss of libido, which is annoying, but I would rather be on lexapro than feel like I did before I was taking it.
Every drug affects every person differently. Period. Listen to your body, and talk to your doctor. I’ve had clinical depression my whole life, and also developed severe anxiety. My symptoms often worsen around my monthly cylce. I go crazy
I developed severe post-partum depression last August, and Lexapro was a lifesaver. All antidpressants kill my libido, and Lexapro did too. This drug gives me tremors, caffeine-like high, slight nausea, and tiredness, but those go away after first couple of weeks. Never have been able to recover my libido while on an antidepressant, but I’m so up and down when I’m drug-free and depressed, that my libido doesn’t matter that much anyway. I’d rather stay alive and happy for now.
…PS – And oh yes, WILD DREAMS! Never had dreams like that before…
I have been on Lexapro for four days for acute anxiety. My anxiety is less. I can still concentrate. It actually has freed my mind so I can work without feeling dread. The first night I took it, I woke up about 4 hours after taking the pill & couldn’t get back to sleep. The next night, I woke up in the first hour of sleep and then every hour after that. Then I began taking it in the morning. The first night I slept through, the second night, I slept for a few hours, woke up, but it was easier to fall back to sleep.
The only thing I can say is, this medicine is supposed to get you through a temporary crisis until you are strong enough to handle things. That at least is what I’m using it for. I plan to take it for one month and then get something milder until I am finally weaned off medication and can go back to my “normal” life, without meds. (This is the first time I’ve ever taken anything.)
Hi everyone. Well I have been on Lexapro for about two weeks now. Luckily I have not experienced any of the side effects besides dry mouth (which is not bad, it’s good to drink a lot of water to begin with) I have not noticed an increased appetite, actually it’s decreased a tremendous amount and when I was on prozac I ate so much and gained about 20 lbs. I have lost 4 pounds already in counting.
You all cannot think about these side effects and think everyone is the same. Everyone will have a different reaction to different medications. This has been a success for me. I have chronic depression and anxiety. I have noticed an increased concentration, happy thoughts, energy and it is unnessary for me to sleep all day long now. (which I did for about three months when I went off prozac) As for the sex drive (because we all know this is important) it it still there, but I can’t say that it has changed much because when I am depressed the last thing I’m thinking about is getting into any kind of physical thing. Shakiness to me is probrably your body trying to fight the drug that is trying to overtake your nerves. Give this prescription a try and don’t think about these side effects. That’s part of anxiety is thinking about things so much that you make your body worked up and out of control. Relax let the pills work and go on with your life. You will know if you body is really rejecting it, but don’t overreact and don’t over think. I wish you all the best of luck and happy days. 
Life is very difficult nowadays and just keep yourselfs surrounded by nice friends and family. Happy St. Patricks day! 
Love,
Brooke
I just took Lexapro for 1st time; experiencing nausea, dizziness, and more anxiety than before taking it. Thank you for your posts, after reading other posts, Im am taking myself off immediately
Have been taking Lexapro for 4 years. Had anxiety and agoraphobia. For the 1st 2 years, took only 5mg. (now take 10 mg). Didn’t notice a change in feeling for 6-8 weeks. I’ll go as far to say that the drug helped me get a relatively normal life back. I’m not sure I’ve had any side effects. May have had a little weight gain…but also could be that when I’m more relaxed, I tend to eat more in a good way. I may experience a little fatigue, but again not sure. Frankly, once my anxiety got better, the sexual function and general happiness was definitely better. I’m curious as to the people that have had a positive experience on it and feel it makes them tired…
I’ve been on Lexapro for 4 days now for GAD and Depression and I can already see how it has helped. I am much calmer. The things tha usally upset me or make very depressed don’t. I have a lot blah feeling though.
I am not having any real side effects to lexapro, besides feeling better and as for the weight gain…well watch what you eat people it may not always be the drug!
I have taken half of pill one today, five hours ago. The side effects were almost immediate, within one hour of taking the first 5mg dose. It makes me feel even more anxious than I was before I took it, makes me feel volatile like I could blow up at any minute and feel like theres an explosive mood lurking beneath the surface. I also am breathing strangely. I can breathe fine, but it feels like I am inhaling when my body feels like exhaling and my breathing generally feels out of sync. I am sweating and feeling flushed for no reason as well. So after only one pill, I feel anxious, flushed and sweaty, volatile, am experiencing abnormal breathing and overall feel just INCREDIBLY STRANGE. All these unpleasant side effects are the result of a HALF a dose, and I don’t intend to continue, it seems the side effects are worse than my original feelings and Ive heard this is a hell of a drug to come off of and it has long term serious damage to your brain. I am not taking it anymore you can bet on that.
I have taken Lex for 3 weeks now. I am only taking half a pill every morning. Last week I took one each day and I was so drawsy and dizzy that my doctor told me to take only half. The half has done miracles. I am calm – not happy which is really not my goal either. I feel normal. I haven’t had any weight gains but I’m a very healthy eater and I excercise a lot. I have not idea if on the long run I will gain weight but it hasn’t happened till now.
I first started taking Lexapro 5 years ago. I had to go to a psych guy to get approval for gastric bypass surgery. After talking to him he recommended Lexapro because I was dealing with anxiety and depression and never really talked to anyone about my feelings. Thought all these things were normal. I have experienced so many side effects and dealt with it because other drugs could be worse. Constant yawning, sweating, pushing myself to do anything because I’m tired,electric shocks at night that make you jump off the bed, dizziness,nausea. Some of these things I attributed to menopause or my surgery. After I had the gastric bypass I lost 115 lbs. But, lbs were creeping back on and I wasn’t changing anything. I thought I would get a hold of this weight gain. Joined WW so I would get weighed every week and stay on some kind of program. Have been struggling for 1 yr. I got angry and stopped the drug cold turkey. Was taking 20 mgs. I am feeling terrible but have lost 11 lbs in 3 weeks. Went through this surgery and no drug is going to screw it up for me. Going to the psych guy in 1 wk for my regular appt. and discuss this whole mess. I’m sure that he is not going to be happy but he is going to have to find me meds that don’t cause weight gain. Finding something for my anxiety and depression is important but right now this weight thing is making me crazy.
I slowly went off Lexapro reduced to 1/2 tablet a day for a month, the side effects were nausea, vertigo? Then 1/2 every second day for two weeks. I have been off all together for nearly a week and the vertigo feeling has increased to every five minutes. It is awful, like something is under my skin and heat flushes. Im to young for menopause. Has anyone else had this andhow long did it last?
I am 17 years old and have been on Lexapro for about 1 1/2 years now. before taking lexapro, i was very depressed. crying multiple times per day, sometimes not even knowing exactly why! Now, I feel soo much better. almost 100%. I raely cry and i have a very postitive outlook on life! But one thing i will have to say is that i feel like i have no emotions. i never get upset, even when i should. im not able to be sympathetic towards people either. I also am way more tired than I used to be. a normal day for me now is waking up at around 8am going to school, getting home at 12ish then sleeping till 7pm , waking up for a little then going back to bed around 11. I have also experienced tremendous weight gain. I was 120 and at my highest, i reached 160. so i gained about 40 pounds. I have been dieting for about 3 months and have lost 15 pounds, but its been very hard. I also feel sick to my stomach alot.
I just started taking Lexapro 1 day ago. My doctor said that Lexapro is least likely to cause weight gain. I’m looking forward to feeling better. I am scared of the sexual side effects.
For the yawning: drink a glass of water. It sounds odd, but it works. I’ve noticed for years that I yawn when I’m thirsty. I recently started taking Lexapro, and noticed I get yawning “attacks” — so I drink a glass of water, and they stop. I’m not drinking silly amounts of water, only enough to stay well hydrated. Bonus: it’s good for you!
I’ve been on Lexapro for over 5 years and, of ALL the ones I’ve tried, it has worked the absolute best. I take other meds so I’m not sure which one made me (and continues to make me) gain weight. I still yawn alot, though I’m not tired. My libido is nonexistent but I’ve learned to deal with it. (My husband is also on Lexapro!) But one precaution: I am bi-polar and without doc’s advice, decided to increase my lexapro dose to 20 mg. WARNING: it’s called “anti-depressant-induced mania.” Not pretty. Expecially with Lexapro, don’t mess with your dose. More is not necessarily better. for those who freak out about others’ side effects, please note that ALL anti-depressants have side effects (all drugs of all kinds do). For me, the risks FAR outweigh the benefits
My dr put me on Lexapro 20mg, I was on it for two years and I felt better than I ever remember feeling. I have Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Basically, I have no meaning nightmares, get anxiety on things that happen throughout the day without even realizing it that it bothers me. On the medicine, I feel happier, more energy, better sex drive, and calm about everything I do or that happens day to day.
I got pregnant so I stopped taking the medicine without consulting my dr first. I started hallucinating, brain zaps, nightmares, etc. I called a counselor who advised me to ween off it by cutting back 5mg every week and it was easy to get off it with no side effects.
Its been a year since I was on it and I feel the need to go back on it. It worked wonders for me before.
I advise anyone to be carefully monitored while on it and if you decide to stop taking it, get the advise of a dr so you don’t have any complications.
I was on it for a few years. But i only took 5 mg. I had a huge fear of taking meds after trying Cymbalta which freaked me out. So Dr told me to just take 5mg. I ended up staying with that. Im a petite person so i felt i didnt need as much. I think it worked great. Libido was down, but i did not gain any weight or have any other side effects. I got Preganant and went off it cold turkey. I think b/c i was only taking a small dosage, that it didnt effect me as much as it should have. I had dizziness and major mood swings, and a slight depression..cried a lot. But iw as also Pregnant which can bring those things on as well. All in all, I think it did wonders and i will consider getting back on it after my baby is born.
I have been on lexapro 20 mg for over a year. I was prescribed this for severe depression, anxiety and panic attacks. It seemed to work but there were several side effects, dizziness, confusion, lack of concentration, sleepiness, like everyone else, I felt like I was high, but the worst effect was the weight gain. I gained 40 pounds, and I can honestly say my eating pattern never really changed. Ok the weight gain is enough to make any person severely depressed..I just kept gaining and gaining so I decided to go off of them myself. I started just breaking them in half and taking 10 mg, well I did this for about 4 or 5 days then I just quit taking them all together. I have been off of them for well today is day 17. The side effects weren’t as bad as I thought they might be. I did have a very bad headache almost every day and still seemed “confused”. But now, I seem to have swelling in my left leg, sometimes my hands and smother alot. Which I didn’t do before. I do find that it don’t take much to get me ticked off, but I am hoping and praying that all of this will go away and I can get back to my life. I do have an important question for the people who have went off of this medicine…HAS ANYONE LOST ANY OF THE WEIGHT THIS HAS PUT ON THEM AND HOW LONG DID IT TAKE BEFORE THEY STARTED ACTUALLY LOSING?? I don’t expect to lose any so soon, but there are days that I don’t eat hardly anything and I can’t seem to drop a pound. Just please give me hope that I can shed some of this. I will never go back on this medicine and never will suggest it to anyone. Good luck to you all who are on it. I hope it does help you and don’t cause all of these side effects on you..
I have been on lexapro for a month. I took Klonopin for over a year. I started for a week on 10mg and then to 20 per day. In the first two weeks i became crazy tired, drinking water constantly, yawning, and even gained 15 pounds. I HATE this medication. I am insomniac and take medication for that as well and as sleepy as Lex makes me, i can not for my life get to sleep or stay asleep!!!
I have been on lexapro for about 3 months. I have noticed that I don’t have the anxiety attacks, But I am gaining weight, can’t sleep and have jut flat out become lazy. Though I have not really lost my sex drive or able the to get erect or climax, I have noticed over the last week thatI have have blood in my seman and urine. The doctor says I have no infections and I have had been tested for everything known to man. Has anyone else out there had this problem
I am 18 years old and I started taking Lexapro 3 days ago. The first day I was extremely shaky and had a fast heart beat and I felt really high. I felt nauseous and couldn’t eat anything. I also felt extremely dizzy and like I couldn’t concentrate. My mouth was extremely dry and I had to constantly drink water. The second day was the same and I was just feeling hopeless about the whole thing. I wanted to stop, but I knew I would feel even worse. Today, I took my fourth pill and I must admit that I think I am getting better. I can sleep for at least a few hours at a time and I ate today for the first time since I have been taking this medication. I still feel slightly high and I’m still really shaky, but I think that it’s going to get better soon.
I’ve been on Lexapro since last week. My anxiety seems worse than ever and mood swings are horrible. Feeling blah and can’t get a good nights sleep or get motivated to do anything.
I had been taking lexapro for depression for over 3 years. I weaned myself off them over a 4 week period and it was the worst month of my life, within 3 days I was getting dizzy spells alond with the shocks and wierd noises in my head, massive anxiety attacks and total confusion sometimes. After 4 weeks I am still getting the shock and dizzy sensations.
While I was on the drug it did control the depression to a degree it was accompanied by the loss of libido, loss of sensation in orgasm, tiredness yet inability to sleep and weight gain.
My 10 cents worth is don’t bother with this drug and give your doctor a wack on the back of the head for suggesting you take it, 10 minutes on the internet will confirm this.
My condolences and best wishes to anyone trying to get off it, hang in there.
I have been on Lexapro for about 7 years, I now have terrible joint pain, swelling and heat in my joints, sometimes I sleep all the time sometimes I am so tired I can hardly stand it and I can’t sleep. I have a really slow heart rate now, shortness of breath, and when I try to go off Lexapro the brain zaps and the ringing in my ears are sooooooooo bad I can hardly stand it. I spend most days just setting on the couch, I have no life and didn’t realize this was all from the Lexapro till reacently. I take 10 mg and I don’t even take it everyday, I did for years, now I only take it every two or three days. It’s terrible stuff
Hello from Australia here….
I have been prescribed Lexapro 10mg once daily for the treatment of PMDD.
I have been on it only 2 days.
Day one I felt nausea and headache. Which I assumed would pass in a few days.
Day two was very different. Same symptoms as mentioned above but with more adverse effects.
An overwhelming feeling of doom, suicidal thoughts, uncontrollable shaking, hallucinating & crying for no reason.
Not to mention I would open my mouth to talk and a whole lot of gibberish would come out.
I knew that all of these were due to the medication as there was nothing to trigger these thoughts or reactions.
I was happily going about my motherly jobs and it hit me like a ton of bricks.
I am off to see my doctor tomorrow for an alternative medication.
Good luck to each and every one of you.
Kristy
Sorry,
I forgot to mention the overpowering lack of energy.
Yawning all day and taking so long to complete what should normally be an easy task.
Kristy
I have been on Lexapro for 4 weeks and have had shaking in my hands, heart palputations, extreme yawning, and some thoughts of sucide. I stopped taking it for a week with no side effects. For the last week, I cut the 10mg pills in half and I do not have the symptoms as with the whole 10mg. I am going to continue the half pill and see what happens. It has stopped the sudden weeping and stress.
I am on lexapro for a month now. I started with a quarter of 10 mg tablets for 2 weeks and half for 1 week after that I took complete 10 mg Tablet for 3 three days.
The side effects I have first dry mouth and lips, funny hart biting and losing weight libido issues. Second last three days when I take hall tablet makes shaking, anxiety and thought of suicide or afraid of dying.
Is that helping someone?
Jim
it makes me shake too and figit constantly. i heard it only lasts for a few weeks though. as if that’s pleasant. it makes me so tired too. If i didn’t have to work I could probably sleep for more than 12 hours.
Well, I have been taking LEXAPRO for about 7 years now… The only side effect that I have is a vertigo like felling in my eyes and head when I move my head quickly. That is the best way to explain it. That is usually when I forget a dose. A friend of mine just went off LEXAPRO because she became pregnant. She said that the “come down” was horrible and she was in bed for weeks. She can’t wait to give birth so she can go back on it… It works for me.
I just read a post about a women who was on it for 7 years and does not take LEXAPRO every day and sometimes takes it every other day… This does not work. You need to take this med every day around the same time every day or it will not work…. Either slowly go off this med or take it right… I hope it works out for you..
I’ve been on Lexapro for nearly 2 years now. It works very well but I do notice some short term memory loss. Anxiety is so much better but I do notice I still tend to worry somewhat but I don’t dwell on it like before. On a positive note I last much longer in the bedroom my erections last longer so it’s almost like a form of viagra!
I have been taking Lexapro for the past 2 months to counteract my depression and anxiety. I have taken wellbutrin (made me angry) prozac (made me vomit daily) and zoloft (made me totally numb to the world.) I absolutely love Lexapro, and for the first time in my life I actually feel capable to pursue the things that I have wanted to, and feel like I can handle adverse situations. I do not constantly worry over things, and I feel that I can be far more rational and productive. I have had no adverse side effects, except maybe a little memory trouble, but then again I have always had a bad short-term memory. I am not sure if it helps others, but it has definitely made a positive difference in my life and I hope that it continues to do so.
i was on lexapro a few yrs back and for the first year or so i felt great! yes, i did gain weight, but i had no more anxiety and depression..but then i felt like it stopped working, and i became very sluggish, foggy, and so i switched to wellbutrin…that alone worked good….i stopped it april 08 and in october 08 i had a major breakdown with severe panic attacks, constant anxiety, and depression…so after a few trials of other drugs like prozac i went back to lexapro and wellbutrin…it worked great for the first few months, now i’m foggy, groggy, and my anxiety is coming back…i don’t know what else there is to take for anxiety besides buspar which i tried, but only for a week-i felt worse!! i want off the lexapro since i have no energy to do anything and it seems to not be working anymore (again) any suggestions? please email me at em1122@msn.com. i almost had to take medical leave of absense at work last oct, but got better, and now i’m afraid its going to get worse like it did and i can’t afford not to work!! someone help!!!
I have been diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. A few months back I tried Lexapro as I have had chronic depression from quite a young age. I never wanted to take drugs thinking they were some kind of conspiracy to keep deep thinkers in line. Anyway I bit the bullet and decided I would give them a try as they say”if you can’t beat them, join them”. I took them for two weeks but I stopped taking them(with no side-effects) because I decided I was going to commit suicide so it didn’t matter. I did attempt suicide but it didn’t work(obviously). I still had a script left over so I filled it yesterday. I took 5mg’s yesterday and 5mgs this morning. I feel great! But it’s like I’ve had a bit of speed. I don’t feel sick .But after an hour of exercise yesterday the drug kicked in again, giving me another high. I know it’s early days, but I hope these are auspicious signs of a good drug. I so need it because I haven’t been able to work. I feel so anxious!
this medicine does make u gain weight and it makes you have bad mood swings.i dont recommend it, but trileptal is a good medicine, but i dont think abilify is good.
I’m on day 1 of 5mg for anxiety/sleeplessness/mild depression – my first ever anti-depressants. After trying some natural things, exercise, St John’s Wort, I felt it was time to ‘cross to the dark side’ and seek medical help. Also I’d started smoking cigarettes again, which was ridiculous, considering I was too scared to take anti-depressants because they were unhealthy!!. I wanted to clear my head of foggy negativity and constant sadness. I was so flat I couldn’t do anything, and I have a job interview tomorrow plus uni assignments due. Well, the result? After 5mg last night, I had 8 hours sleep, woke up, took a shower, then went back to bed for another couple of hours. Now 1pm, I have a headache, neckache, dry mouth, my head is in a fishbowl, I want to sleep, and it’s been one of the most unproductive days of my life! I can’t move. I won’t take it again tonight, as I can’t afford this feeling tomorrow…. What a bummer, it looks like this drug isn’t going to work… Good luck, all.
I was on Wellbutrin, but it wasn’t doing anything, so I started Lexapro last night. I took 10mg last night before bed and this morning I had to call in sick to work because I felt like crap. My jaw is really stiff and I have a dull headache. I feel really agitated and I feel neauseous. I’m probably going to take 5mg tonight and see if I feel any better. I was on this medicine 6 years ago when I graduated high school and I remember feeling awful the first two weeks. After two weeks I felt like I was floating all the time. Not sure if I’ll continue this.
I have been on Lexapro 5mg for over 6 months now. The first couple weeks were BRUTAL. I had the burning sensation all over my body, my heart would race and I felt like I was high, I couldn’t concentrate at work or focus on anything for that matter. After being on the drug for so long now I have absolutely no sex drive whatesoever. I cannot reach orgasm either. I am setting up an appt with my doctor to see if he can put me on something else. It did help my anxiety a little bit but I have not noticed much of a difference after 6 months. Good luck to everyone.
Have been on 30mg Lex for 6 months now for depression and panic and anxiety disorder. I would say the dep, and anxiety is 96% better now. However have had side effects. At first, was insomnia, shaking, inceased sweating, and anxiety. That went away after 2 wks, now I am just 20LBS heavier! Am getting married in 3 wks, so don;t want to stop/switch meds b4 the wedding, but will definatley look into it after. Though my Dr. has said some people take a while to lose the wieght b/c it effects ur metabolism & can take a while to get back to normal. Great!
I’ve been on lexapro for a litte over a month and I’ve notice that I’m happier and a whole lot less stressed, but I have an incredible lack of libido which makes me upset being a newly wed.But I fing my emotion being a whole lot less then what it used to be. More evened out and balance but then a little lacking with my husband. I love my husband very much so this isn’t good.generally though I feel much better. No wieght gain and more energy.
I have been on Lexapro for about three months now. I have been working with my Dr to gradually increase my dosage, and have noticed few side effects that were unpleasant. However, I am far more content, have energy, sleep through the night, and no longer have anxiety dreams or lay in bed thinking and overthinking situations. Negative side effects for me have been a decrease in Libido, extreme yawning/dry mouth (when on 10, am now on 15 and don’t yawn wierdly or have dry mouth), and constipation.
I have actually lost about 15-20 lbs, but have changed my diet and excersize daily (even if minimal excersize)in conjunction with the medication.
I have dealt with anxiety, which has been continually increasing, my entire life. My anxiety had gotten to a point in which it was so extreme that I could see no way out. I was certain that I would live inside of my anxiety for the rest of my life, be unhappy, mean, and uncomfortable for ever. This medication has changed my view of myself, others, and well.. life in general. I feel that the side effects are slim in comparison to the gains which I am currently living.
I took my first 5mg Lexapro pill on Tuesday afternoon and felt pretty out of it for the rest of the day. On Wednesday morning, I woke up really nauseous, shaky and felt like a zombie, but that mostly wore off during the afternoon. I decided to wait until bedtime to take my next pill. I took it at midnight and, an hour later, started getting this dreadful burning sensation in my hands, arms, chest, face, throat, tongue and the back of my neck. This lasted for several hours, and the only thing that kept me from totally freaking out was the fact that I found this website and read posts from people who had similar experiences! Finally, I fell asleep and at 7AM woke up drenched in sweat, my body felt like it was on fire, and my heart was racing so fast that I thought it was going to explode. I cannot imagine ever going through this again — I decided to stop taking Lexapro.
I have been taking lexapro for 3 weeks now, the doctor started me on 10mg but said she will put it up at our appointment this week. for the first two weeks my deppression and mood swings really settled and i had appite loss (which was great as im trying to loss weight). But this past week Ive felt angry and eating all the time, im worried by reading everyones comments now. I in the middle of an assignment and cant focus on it at all!!!!!!! Im starting to worry about the libo loss that others described. I also had two drinks the other nite and felt like i was going to die!!!!! But the two weeks it helped were like heaven, i started falling asleep straight away and my house got clean!!!
I have been on lexapro 10mg for almost one week and afew days and I all I do is sleep.
I just started taking Lexapro for the 3rd time in my life. This time, I do not feel nauseous and my depression and anxiety has
been quickly disapperaring. My food habits are the same. Hope my libido will be okay, only more time will tell.
Been on Lexapro a month-Increased appetite, but I watch what I eat and dont keep chips or cookies around, so no weight gain. Night sweats are a definite, CRAZY vivid dreams, sweaty palms a little bit, a bit of shakiness, DO NOT DRINK WHILE TAKING THIS-Two drinks will make you black out and you will fall all over the place, even if you were a big drinker before. DONT SMOKE MARIJUANA while taking this medicine-You will twitch uncontrollably. (I’m in college, cut me a break.) Insomnia, so dont take afternoon naps!
I havent experienced anything really disturbing about Lexapro, except the drinking and smoking part, which I have learned very quickly.
I’ve never been someoneo try medication. Have been dealing with anxiety and depression for 20 years!!! (Am 25) Came from an unusual upbringing that had a lot of emotional and physical abuse. Didn’t know what anxiety was until recently. Major complaints were always lack of ability to concentrate and remember things, moodiness, hypersensetivity and low self asteem. Thought I might have ADD, but tested negative. Severe anxiety turned out to be the culprit. Doctor hinted that some symptoms are similar to PTSD. Have made a lot of progress on my own, but the more I overcame the wall my anxiety had created the more I was dealing with a nagging moody depression. The ups and downs were getting nearly manic before I finally decided to go on the medication. After many months of being stubborn about any medication with my doctor constantly recommending this medication I finally tried it.
Even when I got the medication waited a week before actually going on it. 5 mg for a week followed by 10 mg.
Let’s start with the positive I’ve noticed a consistency in mood that has really helped me keep a positive attitude. I’m extremely proactive about overcoming my anxiety and depression but had a hard time wiling myself out of bad moods which is what made me decide to give this a try. I am much less sensetive than I was before, which is a good thing. I used to be so affected by certain things that they could trigger near panic. So it’s made me feel very evened out, and I’m hoping that the medication continues to aid me in overcoming depression and anxiety.
Other Side effects. I’ve noticed delayed ejaculation, but not a loss in libido. I felt a little “stoned” when I first started taking the medication and a slight hungover feeling in my head (I’m not prone to headaches, so this was significant). Nothing that really inhibited my ability to function, but noticeable. Worst side effect is fatigue. I constantly yawn and often get unexpectd drowsy spells that demand nap to recover. This side effect is very difficult since I am a busy student, and no amount of caffeine seems to get rid of this tired feeling when it comes on. Nearly fell asleep on the road today. Early on I switched to taking the pill in the night to deal with this but caused immidiate sleep problems. My body temperature seemed to fluctuate when I slept. I would fall asleep super cold, and wake up covered in sweat and take a while to fall relax and fall asleep.
I also feel a little bit twitchy. This is really irritating and I catch myself reacting to thigns and twitching my face, or feeling slight body twitches from time to time. As far as I can tell this is nothing that has been major, or noticeable to others, but definately noticeable to me.
Overall my mood has been much more consistent since I have upped my dosage. I do feel sad from time to time, but my emotions don’t preoccupy like they used to. I still feel anxious from time to time, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It has nto numbed me out. So far this medication has done exactly what the doctor said it would do. It has taken the edge off and given me some more room to more aggressively cope with underlying issues of anxiety and depression.
I don’t expect this medication to solve my problems for me, and hope to ue it as a tool to cope with long term anxiety and depression. If the fatigue continues to be a problem, I may ween myself off the medication, or start taking half of the recommended dosage since is the most inconvenient side effect. It feels like my fatigue is getting worse the more I take this medication. I have taken fishoil and flaxseed oil for a few years before I started taking this medication, but stopped recently to save a little extra money. I may start this up again to see if it helps with any of the side effects I’m experiencing.
I hope this helps anyone who has been recommended this medication.
After a couple of days, I developed a very itchy back, then my throat and tongue became very itchy. Finally my throat started to constrict and I was having problems swallowing. Taken off it immediately, for I was getting to a situation needing hospitalisation.
Hi I am 31 yrs old and have been taking Lexapro 10mg for 1 year. I was prescribed this med for PTSD after the sudden death of my husband last year. My entire life I have never had any problems with depression or anxiety whatsoever. The only med I had taken in the past was an occassional xanax for insomnia. 2 months after my husbands death I experienced my first ever panic attack which opened a flood gate to copious others. My MD prescribed Lexapro 10mg and Xanax.
Since taking Lexapro i’ve noted the same dizzy, foggy, lightheadedness, dreamlike state. I also have lots of headaches and an ache at the base of my neck in between my shoulders. My vision seems very different. Double vision and haziness esp in bright sunlight, at dusk and in stores or places that uses florescent type lighting. I also feel at times numb in my arms and legs. Like I know im standing/walking or holding something I just cant physically feel my muscles doing it. Some times I find myself having panic attacks because of the side effects. I will have to pop a xanax cuz my neck hurts, I cant feel my legs, my vision is so crazy it sets off the panic.
I have had no weight gain, no dry mouth, havent thought about sex yet, do have insomnia but that has been the one affliciton ive suffered with my whole life. No yawning, no ‘electric’ feelings. I have had memory loss and excessive sweating in hands and feet. Tonight I started halving my med to Lexapro 5mg to see if the side effects get better if not will try weening off slowly.
I notice alot of our side effects are the same but has anyone else noticed the vision changes, neck pain or numbness in limbs?
I took it yesterday for the first time. I felt high, and weird and then instantly tired. I took it before bed so I fell asleep quickly. I woke up 4 hours later and couldn’t get back to bed, and was very nauseous. I’ve been yawning SO much. I’m going to give it a few more days.
I started 10mg 2 days ago. I went to the doc because I can’t sleep, and because of this, I cry all the time. Well, I have felt like complete crap since I started taking it. Fell asleep quick last night about 11, but woke around 2 and could not go back to sleep. I am going to just quit, I hope that 2 days on it isn’t going to cause bad side effects, that’s the last thing that I need. I have 2 kids at home, and my husband in Iraq… I don’t need the drug! Stay off it if you can!
These comments are all so interesting. I think anyone taking these drugs needs to realize that part of what they experience may be driven by the nature of the illness they suffer – i.e., anxiety and depression, which is why we have all been put on this stuff in the first place. An unexplained weird feeling all over and other such things are classic anxiety and may not be the drug at all. Having said that, I have been on Lexapro for about a month, after a trial of Wellbutrin (a disaster) and quite a few years on and off of Paxil. So far the biggest positve effect has been on the anxiety – I no longer wake up in the morning with cortisol and adrenaline dumping into my bloodstream. I feel calm and don’t overreact to situations anymore. A small loss of libido, perhaps, but not horrible. So far no weight gain or unusual eating. Sleeping very well. BTW – stay off Wellbutrin if you have any kind of anxiety issue. I felt very unstable and like I wanted to lash out. Good luck to all.
I am taking lexapro for the second time for PPD. Last birth 2.5 years ago, I didn’t actually start until I quit breastfeeding at 6 months post-partum (I was in definite denial). I was past due on the meds, so it was really hard to tell the side effects. I didn’t have any problems weaning off it, I did it quite quickly without major problems. But I was also doing a wholebody cleanse, so i went off my migraine medication, my asthma medication, OTC meds for headaches, vitamins, etc….and then started over.
This time, I’ve been on since day of birth. I am noticing some more side effects, but they are hard to attribute to Lexapro. I have major night sweats, but thats very normal for 3 or more months postpartum due to adjusting hormones. I am starving all the time, but very common while breastfeeding as your caloric needs go up by 500 calories a day. I am SUPER tired…but I have a newborn and a 2.5 year old
I have been doing ok at losing my pregnancy weight, so I don’t think weight gain is an issue yet. The only thing I find really annoying that has to be from the lexapro is dry mouth. It seems to only happen at night nad it drives me super bonkers…
I’ve been on 10 mg Lexapro for two weeks. I’ve been on Xanax for anxiety and Ambien for insomnia. Since starting the Lexapro, I’be been able to fall asleep but not stay asleep. I think I’ve experienced the electric shock feelings having been jolted awake twice. Once awake, I haven’t been able to go back to sleep. This has make me anxious and angry. Upon waking, I have numbness in my hands and a stuffy feeling in my head, like hearing throug a filter. I’m not angry as before I began Lexapro, nor have I noticed a weight gain. I’m feeling the side effects are not worth it. I see my doctor in two weeks. I’ll continue till then, but my get off.
lexapro can cause rapid cycling of mood swings. meaning going from hyper manic to depressed quickly.
if you are trying to ween off of lexapro, get the liquid form and decrease by .5ml per week.
Lexapro is amazing. A lot of the reviews I read were very negative and it scared me, but since medications effect everyone differently, I wanted to see how it would be for me. The initial side-effects were increased anxiety (which the doctor told me about and gave me Xanax in the interim), shakiness, excessive yawning, sweating more than normal and sleeplessness. After about a week, the sleeplessness went away, as did the anxiety and shakiness. The yawning and sweating lasted a bit longer, maybe a month. I’ve been on it a little over 2 months now, and my family and I see a big difference. I was treated for mild depression and anxiety. Both are practically gone. The doctor told me since I had been dealing with depression since I was in my early teens (now 30yrs old), that I would most likely be on this for life. I don’t mind, as this has helped me in so many ways, I am more motivated to do things (clean up, more productive at work, exercise and take better care of myself, finish projects) and my anxiety is practically gone (aside from normal triggers, i.e. lost purse). I take it at night, as exactly 2.5 hrs after taking it, I get very tired. My only concerns on this medication is when time come to have children, I would have to be weaned off it, and I have read that the side-effects coming off it are pretty bad. But again, medications effect everyone differently, so maybe it won’t be so bad. =) I would recommend to anyone dealing with depression to try this medication if you’ve tried therapy alone and it wasn’t successful. I have been through numerous programs to help depression as I did not want to take meds, and I finally came to grips that I had no other choice. I am very glad I made that choice.
I’ve been on Lexapro for one week, just upped my dose from 5mg to 10mg. I feel terrific, very buoyant, my mood is greatly improved. The first several days, however, I had a pretty much constant headache and stiff/sore neck all the way up the back of my scalp. Fortunately this has passed. It does seem to make me emotionally withdrawn, which I don’t mind but is difficult for those around me to deal with my apparent apathy toward what SHOULD be an emotionally distressing situation. I also seem to have a lot more energy and haven’t noticed any change in my appetite.
I was on this drug 4 like a month. Hated it. It like zapped my energy. Took away my personality. I was like mr whatever. It was kinda like that song. cant get no connection. cant get thru. where r u. The only side effect was a sexual thing. hated that too. I like my personalities. Had to get off this drug. Good luck to others. Was in the twilight zone while on this drug. SERIOUSLY
on the first day i took it i was rushed to the hospital,by rescue w/a blood pressure of 198/110 and heart palps. i felt like i was high all day it came in waves. my doctors aren’t 100% convinced it was the lexapro but i am it was the only thing different i did that day. now i go to the gym 5 times a week and take .25 xanax once a day & feel much better, no antidepressants for me. anyone else out there get spiked blood pressure or more anxiety from it?
I have been taking lexapro for about two months. Rapid speech and short term memory loss. Don’t like it; am weening self off.
after reading all of this i dont think i wanna try this i already have problems and the reason im gettin on this one cause me and my bf want to have a baby and i want to get of my klons and if u get a caffeine high this aint for me my anxiety is way to bad for me to get on something thats going to make me uncomfortable when i already am ive been tryin different depression pills and my body reacts different like its to sensitive i cant even have benadryl or i dont drink pop or juice or have anything sweet jus so i dont overwhelm myself so i think i need to talk to my doctor again about this drug if most of you aint feeling good on it i dont want to bother cause im trying to get better not worse what would you do would u take it or try something else i mean i want of the klons and have a baby but after readin alot of ur stories im scared
I began taking lexapro two months ago after spending a night in the hospital with a full heart work-up only to find my heart was perfectly healthy. Doc said it was anxiety and gave me a list of anxiety symptoms. I only half agreed at the time, but now, after taking 10mg per day for 2 months, I realize just how anxious I was. I run my own company and raise three small children by myself. I also lost my dad to cancer recently, and felt I was losing my mind. I’ve never suffered from depression, but the anxiety crept up on me until my body overloaded.
Currently, I am loving the lexapro. I’m more relaxed with everyone, especially my children, and I don’t sweat the small stuff. I haven’t noticed any of the side effects until today when I felt dizzy 3 times for no apparent reason. No lack of libido and no weight gain. However, I do sleep well at night, and for the first time in 3 years I don’t wake up with a headache every morning. My TMJ is becoming less apparent, I can only assume because I’m not clenching my teeth all night long during my very restfull sleep.
Good luck to all taking or considering taking this med. I think it’s wonderful.
Well started a week ago and I feel a little floaty. More elevated awareness and energy but also kinda tired and yawning. Was tired a lot before though and sleeping during the day. Felt a bit high for two days then more flat. I’ve had a lot of problems with self organisation and tidyness before taking the drug and hope that I will become more focused as anxiety levels go down. Feel a bit quezy but this may be due to the neural transmiters in the stomach area changing as seratonin levels increase.
My level of depression is not that bad but it is not shifting. Took a course of prozac about 6 years ago. It had alot of side effects then but my level of depression and axiety was a lot worse. At the time I became more outgoing and able to connect with people. I was glad to get of prozac though as it caused inzomnia.
Fingers crossed this helps
was very skeptical to try this, but my anger and anxiety got to the point where I decided to give it a shot. The first week was terrible, headaches, nausea, and very tired and out of it. However, the second week I started to feel pretty good, a little better every day. I only take 5 mg. Just wanted to write this for everyone having terrible first week/days symptoms like I did. It gets better and seems to work pretty well.
Well I was on Lexapro for about two years with no side effects really, other than low libido, but who knows if that was psychological or biological. I have to say I stopped cold turkey “on accident” and never came back to it and experienced “zaps” and aggravation, the latter of which I took, frankly, as a good sign, after two years of never getting annoyed at anyone but myself. I just started back again and have had a headache all day, weird sleep patterns, and I’ve recently started laughing when I should be sad, which I find humorous, but everything seems a bit humorous right now! Aaaha! Ok but honestly, my anxiety and depression are lessened. So is my happiness and excitment. Who knows..
was on lexapro since xmas 08 for panic disorder. it done its job and got me back to normal, i am weaning myself off it at the moment and the withdrawal is terrible, cold sweats, nausea, stomach cramps, migraine etc. i would advise anyone to seriously consider this medication before they go on it long term anyways as its tough coming off it. best of luck to you all
Yikes. After reading these comments, I don’t think I want to start this. I enjoy some beers now and then and do not want to gain weight. Was prescribed this yesterday for clinical depression/anxiety but I think I’d better deal with this in another way. Thanks!
I have been on lexapro for two weeks. I noticed that the first week I was walking around as if I didnt have a care in the world and had NO appetite. This week a little better eating somewhat better..I hope i don’t gain….
I suffer from Severe GAD/panic attacks/mild ocd. I am very scared to be taking any medications, especially everyday. I think the feelings are mainly because the problem we have is Fear and Compulsion (that is probably why we are glued to the computer researching every bit of infornmation we can get our hands on). I personally think my anxiety would go away if i could just forget about it. Seems I am caught in a loop. Does anyone agree? Anyway I could not function anymore being around co-workers as it would (trigger) bad anxiety/panic attacks and i felt as if everyone could tell, which increases the problem. The only answers I could come up are either suicide or medication, as i have been trying to deal with this for years and i have recently peaked. So i fugured I would try the medication thing first, lol.
I have been on lex for 4 days now, and symptoms are as follows: day one feels like i did meth, but only enough to make me feel bad.Very hard to sleep at night. Day 2: felt a little strange jittery, yawning slept good because exhausted. Day 3 Funny taste in mouth, less jittery feel like am in cloud little