1. < Depression & Anxiety
Profile picture for lonestarinitaly

Lexapro? Pros and cons, please.

Posted by lonestarinitaly @lonestarinitaly, Mar 5, 2024

Need feedback on pros and cons of Lexapro antidepressant.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Depression & Anxiety Support Group.

Profile picture for tc1945
tc1945 | @tcainaru | Jul 23, 2024
In reply to @1956windstar "Thank you for your response. Are you taking it for anxiety? If it’s for anxiety did..." + (show)
Profile picture for 1956windstar @1956windstar

Thank you for your response.
Are you taking it for anxiety? If it’s for anxiety did your anxiety act up and did you feel dizzy. When you first started to take it.
I tried other medicines and my anxiety was worst.

Jump to this post

I took Lexapro for 3 months. It did not help my insomnia so i stopped using it.

REPLY
Profile picture for bebrave87
bebrave87 | @bebrave87 | Jan 20, 2025
In reply to @h622467 "I’ve been on generic Paxil for several years. Lately I’ve been so depressed. Didn’t even want..." + (show)
Profile picture for h622467 @h622467

I’ve been on generic Paxil for several years. Lately I’ve been so depressed. Didn’t even want to go to granddaughter’s graduation party but forced myself. Lexapro worked for my mother and granddaughter but I used to drink quite a bit and you can’t do that on Lexapro. I’ve quit drinking now.

Jump to this post

Hello
I have crosstapered from paxil to lexapro, I am currently on 15mg lexepro and 2.5mg paxil.
I have extended release ativan I take once at night and regular release ativan I take as needed.
Dr also gave me 6mg Doxepin to help me sleep. (I haven't tried it yet)

But the first week I just felt anxious
Once I got down to 10mg paxil the anxiety got worse, some crying spells etc. Once I got to 5mg paxil The morning anxiety started and that ruins my day, It wakes me up before I need to be awake. It sets me off badly. Yesterday I was able to go to a friend's house and the mall, today the morning anxiety was uncomfortable and I just wanted to go back to sleep but I couldn't and this afternoon I've had some crying spells.

Is what I am feeling normal? I'm so scared its not normal and that I'm going to be stuck this way. I just want to feel better.

REPLY
Profile picture for cyncox9364
cyncox9364 | @cyncox9364 | Feb 12, 2025
In reply to @doane "I have written about this before in this Mayo Clinic category. Lexapro changed my life for..." + (show)
Profile picture for doane @doane

I have written about this before in this Mayo Clinic category. Lexapro changed my life for the worse. A small dose, only two months, and a savage onset of what can only be called a waking coma. It occurred daily for about five hours: could not move yet was totally awake, absolutely no will power even to life an arm, dissociative (my own identity was complete erased... I became little more than a camcorder), and suicidal. You just can't envision it ending or that you will escape. That was in 2019. Naturally I tapered off, using the advice my PCP told me. But the affects are still present. I measure them in percentages. For a month, maybe no onset. Then one comes on at about 40% of the full incapacity, or maybe 25%. I can function at 25%, if higher than 40%, I have to yield and lie down. I've had nearly every test conceivable. There is only disbelief and no explanation, no cure. I understand I'm an outlier. The drug has helped many. But here is at least one person who found it very dangerous.

Jump to this post

How did you taper off and how long? Mine is giving me too much brain zaps so I want to get off them.

REPLY
2 replies
Profile picture for daveshaw
daveshaw | @daveshaw | Feb 13, 2025
In reply to @cyncox9364 "How did you taper off and how long? Mine is giving me too much brain zaps..." + (show)
Profile picture for cyncox9364 @cyncox9364

How did you taper off and how long? Mine is giving me too much brain zaps so I want to get off them.

Jump to this post

I am always confused when someone says they want to wean off their antidepressant. If you truly suffer from clinical depression find another antidepressant.
All SSRI’s will give up zapping sensations. Find another SSRI that works better. Zoloft is very well tolerated by many people and Wellbutrin complements it very well.
I took 100 mg for many years and cut my dosage to 50 mg with no side effects. I kept my Wellbutrin at the same dose.
Good luck to you but if you suffer from clinical depression take something. Life is too short.

REPLY
Profile picture for dorothy1914
dorothy1914 | @dorothy1914 | Feb 13, 2025
In reply to @mitfit "I was not able to take it, it made me sick with diarrhea." + (show)
Profile picture for mitfit @mitfit

I was not able to take it, it made me sick with diarrhea.

Jump to this post

I was very sick on it too. Caused me to lose weight very rapidly due to inability to eat and diarrhea. I have tried at least 6 different meds over the past month and I am unable to tolerate any of them. Currently with no meds and I am suffering

REPLY
Profile picture for dorothy1914
dorothy1914 | @dorothy1914 | Feb 13, 2025
In reply to @melsmit1 "I am a huge fan of Lexapro. I have been taking 10 mg for 3 months...." + (show)
Profile picture for melsmit1 @melsmit1

I am a huge fan of Lexapro. I have been taking 10 mg for 3 months. Has completely stopped my panic attacks and anxiety.

Jump to this post

You are very lucky.I was on Lexapro for about 5 weeks and it totally destroyed me. I think the initial dose of 10mg 2x a day was too much for me. My doctor encouraged me to continue with it but finally I had to stop.

REPLY
Profile picture for brenalin2
brenalin2 | @brenalin2 | Feb 22, 2025

Was on it for 2-3 years and it changed my life. Will say that the withdrawal symptoms are severe, I experienced tremors, nausea, and had trouble sleeping.

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for sharonestes1111
sharonestes1111 | @sharonestes1111 | Feb 23, 2025

Haven’t taken it yet just got it but now I’m worried and wondering if I should even take it or just deal with my panic attacks

REPLY
Profile picture for sharonestes1111
sharonestes1111 | @sharonestes1111 | Feb 23, 2025
In reply to @brenalin2 "Was on it for 2-3 years and it changed my life. Will say that the withdrawal..." + (show)
Profile picture for brenalin2 @brenalin2

Was on it for 2-3 years and it changed my life. Will say that the withdrawal symptoms are severe, I experienced tremors, nausea, and had trouble sleeping.

Jump to this post

Did it help? I’m scared to take it after reading all the comments. I was on Xanax 16 yrs and had seizures when I cut myself off of it because I was sick of taking it 3 days of pure hell and seizures at home

REPLY
2 replies
Profile picture for kb2014
kb2014 | @kb2014 | Feb 24, 2025

Interesting posts. I am having constipation. Possibly related to this and lamotrigine I take for seizure prevention. Both meds are being reduced in dosage. I take 5mg escitalopram now.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.