Lexapro

[savantgarde1982]

So my doctor wants me to try Lexapro for anxiety, which I started a week ago. I've read mixed things about it as far as side effects, and coming off of it as well. I know everyone reacts differently to these kinds of meds, but I was wondering if anyone else had any experience with Lexapro specifically.

 

[SwitchHit50]

Savant: what did you wish to know?

 

[dunno260]

I have been taking Lexapro for depression and anxiety for probably three years now and its been fine. I had some initial drop in libido for a few months when I first started it but that went away. Other than that I didn't notice any other problems and have been fine with it.

I don't know if its me or the medication, but I can't drink too much alcohol or I get a really bad headache, far sooner than I should based on my body weight (two or three drinks of any kind can make me feel awful sometimes). This seems to vary widely with people though.

Really though, I don't know of any SSRIs, or really any anti-depressants that people seem to universally love or hate. It works well for some, not for others. I tried zoloft prior and it didn't help me at all, but I didn't get any side effects forit either.

Physicians however seem to think that lexapro is the best of the SSRIs and like to start with it.

Oh, if I miss a dose, within about 36 hours or so I start to get a minor headache that any pain reliever gets rid of.

Give it a shot for two months and see. Thats really when the full benefit is seen but any side effects usually go away sooner, especially if they are more severe.

 

[drhladnjak]

A friend of mine went on it a while back after being on something else (I think it was Paxil). The previous drug totally killed his libido, while lexapro did not. Don't be afraid to work with your doctor to try other drugs if you're not tolerating specific side effects as typically there are lots of options in this class of drugs.

 

[savantgarde1982]

During the past week I've had sweaty palms, nervousness, incessant yawning, drowsiness and nausea. I'm waiting to see if/when they go away before I decide if I want to stay on Lexapro.

A few years ago I tried Zoloft, but if had no effect on me whatsoever, and then went to Paxil which worked quite well. I told my doctor that I took Paxil with success, and he still wanted me to go with the Lexapro - from what I have read, everyone's doctor tells them side-effects are rare; discussion boards prove otherwise.

Anyways, thanks; was just wondering how other people were handling Lexapro.

 

[oz_doc]

Discussion boards are a terrible way to find out informaton abot a drug because the patients for whom it works spectacularly well or spectacularly poorly tend to congregate there, and in my experience more people with bad effects go because the ones who get good effects are getting on with their lives. The vast vast majority who have some benefit from it and a few side effects, none particularly intrusive, generally feel no need to discuss it on a web board or blog.

Its a great drug for many, it is not without side effects however most people do not find the side effects particularly unpleasant or intrusive. As with most drugs some dont tolerate it at all. I would suggest trialling it, assesing your response with your doctor, discuss any adverse effects as well and make a decision about sticking with it or trying something else.

 

[dunno260]

During the past week I've had sweaty palms, nervousness, incessant yawning, drowsiness and nausea. I'm waiting to see if/when they go away before I decide if I want to stay on Lexapro.

A few years ago I tried Zoloft, but if had no effect on me whatsoever, and then went to Paxil which worked quite well. I told my doctor that I took Paxil with success, and he still wanted me to go with the Lexapro - from what I have read, everyone's doctor tells them side-effects are rare; discussion boards prove otherwise.

Anyways, thanks; was just wondering how other people were handling Lexapro.

Your side effects don't sound out of the realm of possibility. Should go away within a week or so. As I said, Physicians love lexapro and think its the most clean of the antidepressants. At least you have a likely fallback though, so thats good.

 

[maxpowr9]

When I had depression, my doctor first put me on lexapro and it actually made my depression worse. The doctor then switched me over to Prozac and I got better.

My person opinion is that if one drug doesnt necessarily work or is giving you bad side effects, there are plenty of other anti-depressants out there. Just remember, anti-depression drugs only deal with the symptoms. Usually something brings on the bout of depression and you have to deal with that.

 

[tommyj]

worked great for me for the few months I was on it...Only issue I had..the first week incessant legs rubbing together causing my hair to chafe. Only first week tho

 

[savantgarde1982]

worked great for me for the few months I was on it...Only issue I had..the first week incessant legs rubbing together causing my hair to chafe. Only first week tho

Speaking of which, the past few days I have been shaking my right leg almost incessantly; only stops when I notice I am doing it and force myself to stop. Quite irritating, it is.

 

[LotusOnBuddha]

Depending on your third party Rx coverage Lexapro may or may not require you to try generic Celexa first. Lexapro is the steroisomere of Celexa. Lexapro is Celexa's cuter less side effect riddled brother. The only reason i bring it up is because some doctors will start you on samples of lexapro then you go to fill the rx only to find out you either need prior auth or have to try generic celexa first. It might be worth while to try the generic celexa before the lexapro. Most people have cheaper copays with the generic celexa than the lexapro altho more people report sexual side effects, however they normally resolve. Its very important not to discontinue any anti-depressant with out first talking to your dotor.

I'd also like to add that i think no anti-depressent by itself is a cure-all for depression. Taken on a daily, regular basis it can help you overcome whatever issue you're having, but it might be worth going to a thearpist for regular appointments to help talk out and resolve your problems that way while on the medication.

 

[Críostóir]

I've been taking it since 2000. I don't expect I'll ever come off it.

 

[Críostóir]

Speaking of which, the past few days I have been shaking my right leg almost incessantly; only stops when I notice I am doing it and force myself to stop. Quite irritating, it is.

That leg shaking thing is something I've had since I was a child. Oddly enough, I'm not sure I still do it now that I'm on Lexapro. Go figure.

 

[tommyj]

Speaking of which, the past few days I have been shaking my right leg almost incessantly; only stops when I notice I am doing it and force myself to stop. Quite irritating, it is.

Savant, sorry I missed your post.Just back from vaca. Did it stop or still doing it?

 

[Matthew-]

Never tried Lexapro, but I tried Paxil and it didnt work.

 

[gameboy 11]

Um, I'm on it currently and was on it in 2005 too. It was used for depression for me but I had not one side effect. It worked in 2005 very quickly. But I was a lot lighter then (which my mother thinks could be a reason that it isn't working so fast).

Like I said, it hasn't kicked in yet, but thank goodness there were no side effects.

 

[Kester]

I've also been on Lexapro for a few years. The only real side effects I had were a decreased sex drive for a bit but that only lasted for a couple of months.

 

[Matthew-]

I think most antidepressants have a decrease in sex drive as side effect.

 

[LuvBoys]

I don't know if I could sacrifice my sex drive for anti-anxiety! Can't take away one of the most enjoyable activities there is to do!