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