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Anyone Experiencing Extreme Fatigue, Dizziness re Lexapro?
My husband has Parkinson's Disease (9 years). In July 2021, he had deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery. He was also diagnosed with Guillain Barre syndrome in 2015. His neurologist (a movement specialist) prescribed Lexapro (a/k/a Escitalopram). Since taking Lexapro, he has experienced debilitating fatigue coupled with extreme dizziness. My husband mentioned these symptoms to his doctor for several months. She has NOT changed his medication. I recently joined this group. This discussion may have occurred here before. If there is anyone who has experienced extreme fatigue or dizzy spells (as well as OTHER symptoms) while taking Lexapro, please share your thoughts/experience. Thank you.
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Hello @nancys1979 and welcome to Mayo Connect. I can understand your concern about your husband's fatigue and dizziness. Parkinson's presents enough challenges without adding more fatigue and dizziness. Has your husband specifically asked the doctor to either change the med or to reduce the dosage in order to see if a change might reduce the fatigue and dizziness? If not, I would encourage you both to address this concern with the doctor by phone or through the patient portal.
Here is some information from WebMD regarding Lexapro. If you click on the "Side Effects" icon you can get more information about the side effects that many people experience.
--Lexapro
https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-63990/lexapro-oral/details
You don't mention the reason for the Lexapro. Did the doctor say what symptoms the Lexapro was going to treat?
Yes my mother did and I had her changed to Effexor for the rest of her 10 years. It was a huge success and when moved to a nursing home I had other caretakers asking me whyy my mother was the only delightful resident! I assured them that before Effexor XR she was very hard to handle!!! I also went on it myself much earlier as it co trails GAD which is the precursor to PD anyway! Now my adult son is on it as well as my adult daughter as GAD runs in the family. The four who refused it all have PD! I am a thousand times happier as is my relieved family.
Results BEFORE & AFTER Effexor please ? Amount of first dosage ?
My husband has PD.
When his left hand started shaking all the time about 3 years ago he went to the Dr. We are both retired. He's getting more nervous as time goes by. I feel I have a Bah Hum Buggar in our house. Everything coming out of his mouth is negative and he sometimes sounds paranoid. He's going to his DR. next month. I will try and look it up online but I wanted your feedback as well.