Good afternoon. I was recently told that I have manic depression and a severe case of anxiety. My doctor prescribed me Lexapro 10mg which has gone horribly wrong. A couple of hours after I took the first pill, I started losing consciousness roughly every 30 minutes and was basically paralyzed from the neck down for about 7 hours.
I have been out of the hospital for about 8 days now and I still get some of the bad side effects like extreme cold/burning sensations in my chest, back, and the back of my neck. When I get these sensations, my hearing lessens and I also get blurry vision like I'm about to pass out again. I have been to multiple doctors since my ER visit to get tests done and re-done for second and third opinions on what it is or how to treat it and they all say there is nothing wrong with me and all of my lab work / scans / x-rays shows I'm perfectly healthy.
I'm at a complete loss as to what to do. Has anyone experienced this or have any suggestions?
Liked by Ginger, Volunteer Mentor
Hi, @jwat1537 – welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Glad you've connected with @stsopoci.
The loss of consciousness every 30 minutes and being basically paralyzed from the neck down for about 7 hours after being prescribed escitalopram (Lexapro) do indeed sound concerning. Now that you are out of the hospital, experiencing side effects like extreme cold/burning sensations in the chest, back, and back of the neck, plus lessened hearing and blurry vision like you're about to pass out again, also sound like you've been having a really hard time.
I can imagine that having multiple doctors get tests done for second and third opinions on what it is or how to treat it — yet all say there is nothing wrong with you and that your lab work / scans / x-rays show you're perfectly healthy — would be very confusing. Hoping that members like @guener @lioness @jenniferhunter @lee00 @mommabird74 @aliali @gingerw will have some input for you on what's been happening with your body since you started the escitalopram (Lexapro) and where to potentially go from here from their own experiences.
Have you inquired about a change of medication for your manic depression and a severe case of anxiety, @jwat1537? What is your wife's thought on what you've experienced?
I have been diagnosed with depression and my physician described Lexapro, 20 mg. It is very convenient to me. You may wish to ask your psychiatrist to change your antidepressant. It is very normal, as far as I know, that a certain antidepressant works for a patient absolutely good, while it works totally bad for another
Liked by Lisa Lucier, lioness
Sounds like you had an allergy maybe? The cold/ burning sensation you described sounds neurology to me. If so, no labs will detect that. Some homeopathic mds may can test neurological components but otherwise I would eat lots of healthy fats like ghee, avocados, wild Alaskan salmon, boiled eggs, raw cashews soaked in water overnight then dried out in oven. Only eat grass feed beef and pasture raised eggs/ chicken. Your brain has been assaulted & you need to heal. Stay away from alcohol or anything that’s chemically laden. I speak all this through working hand in hand with homeopathic md who helped me ween lexapro after 20 years. Good luck and I’m saying a prayer for you!
Liked by Ginger, Volunteer Mentor
@jwatt1537 Hi I'm so sorry you are having these symptoms . I reread your post and thanks Lisa for asking me . I would get off Lexapro right away . Here is a website you can look at for the side effects. Drug.com /Lexapro . THis is not unusual ,everybody cant take the same med as our bodies constitution is all different . As a former nurse , I suggest you be your own advocate or have someone advocate for you . You can change Dr,s remember if you want to . Good luck and let us know how you are doing . We all care here
Liked by Ginger, Volunteer Mentor
@jwat1537 Thank you for joining us at Mayo Connect. Although your dr is the only one who can truly give you medical advice, we will share our experiences car here. It sounds like a terrible reaction! Check with your pharmacist for someway to clean your system. Check with poison control if there is anything to be done. There may be some prolonged psychological reaction causing extended side effects. We hope your medical team can steer you in the right direction, and that you return to let us know?
Ginger
Liked by Lisa Lucier, lioness
Just a quick update. My doctor has stopped all medications since my last post. All of my symptoms have pretty much gone away except the cold sensation in my chest. They have set me up with a cardiologist and to get a CT scan done. Hopefully they can figure something out.
Liked by Jim, Volunteer Mentor, Lisa Lucier, lioness, BoneHead
On 7/16. They're really concerned with my breathing since my respiration rate averages about 8 a minute. I've always been a really slow breather so I thought it was normal until I was told by multiple doctors it is not. In the past I've woken up from my sleep gasping for air and they said that would explain it. Apparently, there is more wrong with me than I thought.
Liked by Lisa Lucier
Hello all how are you ?
sorry about this question but i gotta ask cuz i`m scared from it .. im 26 – i was using Escitalopram for 9 month , when i was lowering the dose to 5 mg i noticed this problem when i masturbate , i feel good and everything is fine , no sexual problem BUT when i CUM ! .. i feel nothing the pleasure is gone ..
its 4 month since i stopped the Escitalopram , and still having this problem, i ran some tests the Testerstrone , and everything was fine , even i went to the urology and he said nothing wrong with ur prostate ..
so any thought ? what should i do ? cuz i asked the psychiatrist and he said its 4 month now .. i dont think its related to psychiatry ,
i really dont know what to do or where to go
Hi, @darweshalassi – you'll notice I moved your post about orgasm issues due to escitalopram oxalate (Lexapro) to this existing discussion of side effects of this medication so that you can interact with others who've been talking about a similar topic. Hoping members like @jwat1537 @lioness @stsopoci and others will return and offer their thoughts on what you've noted about feeling no pleasure from orgasm during sexual activity anymore, from the time you were still on it and lowering the dose to now being off the medication for 4 months. @jakedduck1 @lee00 also may have some input on this.
Also, you may be interested in Mayo Clinic's information on this medication https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/escitalopram-oral-route/side-effects/drg-20063707?p=1. You will notice in the section on side effects, various sexual side effects are listed as occurring more or less commonly with escitalopram:
– decreased interest in sexual intercourse
– ejaculation delay
– inability to have or keep an erection
– loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
– not able to have an orgasm
Have you considered seeing someone who specializes in sex therapy, such as what is described in this information https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/sex-therapy/about/pac-20384613?
@stsopoci
Sorry to hear the pain you are going through from lexapro. Have the doctors suggested any help at all. I know withdrawal from lexapro is hard. I hope you will find a solution from a psychiatrist that knows what they’re doing. Most are competent and will eventually find something that works for you.
Liked by Lisa Lucier, lioness, jwat1537