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Lexapro does work! Give it a chance.

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Posted 9/2/2008 4:13 AM (GMT 0)

I recently began taking Lexapro... 4 weeks ago.  I suffered from depression for years and would never think of taking a drug for it, but finally I'd come to the end of my rope, realizing I needed to do something or my life was just feeling hopeless. 

I started Lexapro and during the first 3 weeks had many side effects, sick stomach, exhaustion, feeling dazed, absent minded, sleepless... but now in week 4 something else has happened.  I feel wonderful.  I feel contented and actually...happy.  I suddenly feel like playing with my dog.  Being silly.  I'm not hyperfocusing on negative things like I used to.  Not worrying.  I'm sleeping deeply.  My body doesn't hurt any more.  I feel motivated to clean my house.  I feel motivated... period.  All of the "negative" side effects of the drug came and quickly went.  I hung in there because my MD told me to give it a chance, and I'm glad I did.  I feel better than I have in so many years I can't count.

I wanted to write this because I see so much negativity and I'm afraid that others will be afraid to try it who may really need it.  I went for years suffering... feeling sad and negative and hopeless.  Suddenly, my life feels ... good, purposeful and even worth it.

My initial plan was to try the drug for 6 mos and wean myself off (if it worked.)  Or sooner, if it didn't work.  I almost didn't take it at all after reading all the negative boards!  But I'm so glad I did try it.  I'm so glad I took the chance.

Medical science is imperfect, certainly.  And these aren't wonder drugs,for sure.  But life is short.  What's the point of feeling so terrible, when there is possibility of feeling happy.

I wish the best of luck to you all and hope this helps someone out there!

Posted 9/2/2008 6:03 AM (GMT 0)
Hello,

Thank you for posting this! I had tried Lexapro before and I believe it was helping..however, I decided to stop too early and I think it was a mistake. I now feel horrible again and needed reassurance that it would be "ok" to start again.

How is the Lexapro still working for you?
Posted 9/2/2008 10:49 AM (GMT 0)
HI Sue,

 

Thanks for the positive post on lexapro.  It is good to get this information and to pass it around so that others can see that it is actually a good medication for some.

 

I take effexor which is a close cousin.  I am sure that you have heard horror stories about that medication too.  But it works well for me.  It is just going off the drug that is hard.  But that can be over come by going really slow.   Not that I am thinking about it, because it does work for me.

 

I wish you continued success with the lexapro.  I am so happy that it works for you.  And thank you again for the positive post.  We need that here on the forum.

 

Sue I want to welcome you to HealingWell depression forum.  It is always so delightful to have new members join our forum.  There is an introductory thread if you feel interested in telling us more about yourself.  This is a wonderful forum in my opinion.  Everybody is very supportive of eachother, kind and compassionate.  I think that you will liike it here.

 

Best wishes for a wonderful day.

 

Hugs,  ...Karen

Posted 9/2/2008 11:02 AM (GMT 0)
Hi there!

As Karen has said, its great to hear peoples success stories and its even better when people say "Yes, this med worked for me" since it gives others who are taking it hope.

Darren
Posted 9/2/2008 3:20 PM (GMT 0)

Hello Sue,

Welcome to HealingWell.  Thank you for the positive post about your medication and I know others will read your words and see that hanging in there for the 4-6 weeks really does work.

It is easy to give up when the med makes you feel ill and you already have depression, so kudos to you.

Keep posting.

Gentle Hugs
Kitt

Posted 11/12/2008 5:47 PM (GMT 0)
Yes thanks for the positive post. I am thinking about starting Lexapro, Celexa or Buspar... Paxil and Zoloft havent worked well (plus I have bouts of Diarrhea anyways and dont need the increased amount of it). However if siede effects only last a few weeks I can prob manage it.

What I always use reimind myself before coming on this site was that most of the people on this site are having problems with either their meds or their various illnesses and therefore the overall feeling of the forum might be negative or put negative thoughts into other people's heads etc. I hope that makes sense- it is is no way supposed to hurt anyone on this forum- just remember to keep an open mind.
Posted 11/12/2008 6:41 PM (GMT 0)

Terps19

Hi and glad to hear from you.  I agree that many members come with their issues and bad experiences so to have members come back and tell of their accomplishments is awesome. yeah

Depression is a tough disorder but we are trying to put some fun things on the forum so we have some "feel good" things to read and maybe put a smile on your face.

Lexapro,  I tried it but I ended up on Cymbalta.  I thought Lexapro was a good med and I read many good reports about it.  I just have a Pdoc who thinks I do better on Cymbalta. I am not sure how she knows idea

Everyone reacts different so I am freqently falling for someone elses success stories and then I am right back to Cymbalta.

HOpe this helps you.

Stay in touch.

Hugs

Kitt

Posted 3/17/2011 5:05 AM (GMT 0)
Short and simple, depression hit at a young age and i never recovered, it escalated into drug addiction and severe behavioral problems.
Financial problems, relationship problems, personality and self esteem issues. @ 25 years old I knew I needed to seek help.


In the mist of narcotic addiction and suicidal ideation I obtained a Lexapro script, figured i owed it to my friends and family to at least try and get help before i hung myself. First week I had trouble sleeping, but thats nothing new...by the end of the week people actually were making note of my changed more optimistic clear headed me. It was the first time in a decade that I had a clear depressed free outlook on life and it was amazing, I started taking positive steps in my life almost immedately to follow, detoxed, cleaned up, got a job, apartment, and pretty much a new life.

I took it for 8 months with incredible success , everything was going perfect, new job, promotions, new apartments, rebuilding relationships, rebuilding finances, rebuilding self. and then I stopped taking it under the impression I was healed and no longer needed to medicate. I discovered the withdrawals were quite noticeable. Within stopping the lexapro everything started to go bad, (job, relationships, finances, ect. ect.) spun into a major depression, jobless, broke,suicidal, on the brink, we it hit me....that I really may have a condition and medication is what i need.

So.....4 months later after quitting lexapro...

Im back on Lexapro.

Rebuilding again. =)



L turn
Posted 3/17/2011 7:06 AM (GMT 0)
i am glad that it works for you sue. did not for me. too many brain zaps and confused thinking, along with a massive brain fog. with compassion, jamie
Posted 10/11/2012 1:09 AM (GMT 0)
I am 40 years old, married 22 years to my wonderful supportive husband, and have a 21 year old daughter. My first mental hospital was at the young age of 14. Was in and out all through High School. The official diagnosis was Borderline Personality Disorder. I read my entire file as an adult. They were pretty right on. I married right out of High School, and PG right away. Working full time for the past 22 years, has taken its toll. Anxiety took over pretty much my entire adulthood. Xanax and Alcohol were the drug of choice. I have been sober from Alcohol for three years, and after months of dr prescribed Xanax, he finally cut me off. I begged him not to. I told him I was on the Paxil, the Zoloft, Lithium, and it did nothing. He gave me lexapro. I cannot tell you how much better I feel after only a few weeks! I am eating healthier, I have more energy, and my anxiety attacks are few, and last only minutes. I, like most I have read, are very aware of my mind, body, emotions. In my entire life, I have never been this "focused" and clear minded. Where I would normally lash out as a borderline, I pause, and the anger passes. It's almost as the drug allows me to think things through. For me, it seems like Lexapro helps two major aspects. 1. emotional outbreaks which caused anxiety. 2. Letting things go quicker, knowing I cannot control others. I know drugs work differently for some and others. However, kudos to my dr for finally helping me function.
Posted 10/11/2012 2:48 AM (GMT 0)
Hi MrsArya,

Welcome to the forum!!!

I always stress to members that meds work differently on different people, so not to go by what others say, but to try it and see if it works for them. I am so glad that it is working for you. Some people start on lexapro and then have to go to a drug called celexa if they can't afford the lexapro. I understand taht the celexa does not work nearly as well. So if they ever want you to go to a generic, don't do it. Stick with what works for you.

Congratulations on stopping drinking. It can be hard for some of us. I barely drink anymore. I made some homemade wine. From grapes that I grew. I may have an occasional sip of it. But I know drinking much gets you drunk and then it is a headache and throwing up. I learnd that one in the 90's the hard way... lol... I use to drink beer. But now I can barely finish one. And drinking is a depressant and makes us more depressed, so it really isnt worth it at all. And I don't like the buzz either, so I figured I wouldn't miss it much. lol...

Being focussed and in the now it so much help for the way we are feeling. It keeps us mindful... I also meditate and it really helps me. I do it at night before I go to bed, and it puts me to sleep.

Thank you for joining us. I hope that your evening is good. I am really happy for you for feeling better.

Keep posting...

Hugs, Karen
Posted 11/14/2012 2:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hello!

I appreciate the positive post on Lexapro.

I just started taking it today. My script was for 10mg and my doc told me to cut in half and take 5 mg for 2 days first.

This is my first shot at an AD ever so I'm a little nervous.

I've always had this underlying mild depression like a black cloud was over my head all the time kinda feeling - even when things were going well.

Well, after a rough breakup this year and the 2 year anniversary of 2 losses in my family, I'm just at the end of my rope and my depression was triggered and became severe.

When the medicine starts working, what can I expect to feel? or I know everyone is different so what are your experiences on how you began to feel when you noticed a difference.

Note: I did take St. John's Wort which I believed helped greatly, but I built up a tolerance to it in a month which sent me to the doc to try Lexapro.

Appreciate the comments! :)
Posted 11/14/2012 3:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Talia,

Different meds work differently on dfferent people. So you will have to decide if lexapro is right for you. It takes six to eight weeks to reach it full potential, but you may start feeling better before that.

The thing I hope you feel is less depressed. It doesn't make us feel anything per say, just better. Though I have never tried lexapro myself. I take pristiq. And abilify and xanax. This combination works for me. I had to try many meds before I found this combination. Though I took effexor for 15 years and it worked well.

I sure do hope lexapro works for you. Keep us posted. Oh, and welcome to the depression forum. I hope that you feel better soon.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 11/14/2012 5:34 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Talia and welcome,

Lexapro saved my life. It took about 2 weeks to work effectively for me though everyone is different and it could take longer. I finally felt like the dark cloud was gone. I didn't feel like I was trying to move through molasses anymore.

When you read complaints about Lexapro 90% of them are from people who have gone cold turkey (and usually without their doctor's knowledge or help). If you feel Lexapro isn't working for you, DO NOT just stop taking it. Call your doctor.

Pay close attention to your moods for the first few weeks. If you start feeling more depressed let your doctor know. Some people react badly to SSRI's.

Hopefully Lexapro will work as well for you as it did for me :) Keep posting and let us know.
Posted 11/16/2012 7:35 AM (GMT 0)
Hi. I just signed on here. Today my PCP prescribed lexapro for me. I've taken many antidepressants, and last summer found that I could wean myself off them. It was wonderful for a while. I felt that my sadness, when it came, not every day all day like depression, was appropriate, and was actually glad finally to be able to grieve my dead husband and son, as well as the loss of another loved one. However, as the days have grown short and gray, the real, deep depression with thoughts that I'd be better off dead have returned full force.

Thank God I remembered that lexapro had worked for me before, as had Celexa for a while, and some others, one at a time, over years. Now I am pretty sure I'll be OK, but will check in with y'all later with a report.
Posted 11/16/2012 2:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lady Anne,

Welcome to the forum. I am glad that the lexapro is working for you. Is your doctor on board with all of the switching around of meds? Will he continue to prescribe you the lexapro? Let us know about that.

I hope that you continue to feel well. Keep posting and know that we all care.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 2/5/2013 2:28 PM (GMT 0)
I am new to this forum. I was looking for info on how it feels when starting lexapro. I had been onit years ago after my mother died-was switched to Cymbalta for pain but after surgery went off it. I noticed a return of anxiety and negative thinking, lack of focus, irritability. I just started 5 mg lexapro yesterday and felt really calm last night and this morning. After my dose this am, I feel sick to my stomach and like not doing anything but lying in bed, which isn't common for me even when feeling depressed. I read it can take a few weeks to get used to this again. Any suggestions? Can I alternate days by taking every other day? I have things to get done and feel useless today...
Posted 2/5/2013 3:00 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the forum. This is a very old thread, you might want to start a new one to introduce yourself. It can take six to eight weeks for the medication to reach full potential, though you could start feeling better before that. Take it one day at a time, set small goals for yourself. Keep posting and know that we care.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 2/6/2013 6:48 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Aliyogaandarts,

I'm new to the forum too and have just started on Lexapro today after struggling with anxiety for some time and it recently started causing mild depression as well so I decided it was time to act and change something. I've only taken 1 x 10mg tablet so far and it's been a really weird day. The day so far has included nausea, headaches, no appetite and feeling really 'antsy' and twitchy. I read through the laundry list of side effects that are common with Lexapro and these are common for the first 1-2 weeks of taking the drug.

The fact sheet the pharmacist gave me also lists fatigue and feeling 'heavy' and tired as very common side effects for Lexapro too. From what I've been reading on various forums and information from pharmaceutical companies, Lexapro is one of those drugs you just need to have a little faith in and give it a good solid chance before making a decision if it's right for you or not.

I have spent all day ping ponging between relaxed and crazily anxious and I can only hope that it will improve over the new week or two.
Posted 2/6/2013 12:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hi vb0001,

Thanks for your post and welcome to the forum. I am glad you shared your experience here.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 2/6/2013 2:30 PM (GMT 0)
It's good to hear the encouragements. Day 3-waking up feeling ok but a little tired, ate breakfast, took med and back in bed more tired and nauseous. I was able to get up every day and go about my daily business but have even less desire to do so now. I hope this is part of the start up side effects. So I'm hanging in there and appreciate the advice. I'll keep y'all posted:)
Posted 2/6/2013 4:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hopefully these side effects will go away in a week or so. If not, then get ahold of your doc.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 2/9/2013 4:25 PM (GMT 0)
Hey y'all-day 6. Nausea gone but still a bit tired. Not wanting to get up and move-missing the gym. BUT my mind feels like it isn't racing
like it used to before. So that is really good. And even though I'm tired, I don't feel like I have to pump myself up to go out and do the things like I did before-frenetic energy. So I'm staying the course and I appreciate having this forum and the folks here to check in with. Thanks y'all!
Posted 2/9/2013 6:28 PM (GMT 0)
Glad you are feeling better, it should improve as time goes on.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 2/21/2013 2:05 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Everyone! I am new here...new to "forums" in general. I’m sitting here at my computer at work letting the grip of GAD work it's horrible hands over my body and mind.

 

Getting married in 5 weeks to "the one". Stopped taking lexapro 6 months ago, and came to a blow on the weekend when my always understanding partner stated "I just cant deal with this anymore, always having to check and see if you are ok" In 3 years he has NEVER said anything like this. He stated he was in a very angry mood as we had had yet another fight instigated by my anxiety. He came to a point where he said he just couldn’t handle it. (I can be very abusive when anxiety triggers an outburst). Could I blame him though?

 

I have now been back on Lexapro for 3 days (taking 10mg for the first week then uo to 20mg). Yesterday I was ok, today, fear has gripped my stomach, throat is tight. Horrible thoughts plaguing my mind. What if he really has had enough and changes his mind? Waiting for a re-assuring text message or something from him (I have not "waited" for a text message from him since we were first dating!)

 

I’ve tried having a green tea, breathing techniques, but my stomach is still just in knots! I know it's the lexapro setting into my body...but it's still not helping the thoughts!

 

I’m fighting all sorts of urges to ring him or tell him I'm having a bad day, so afraid this will just bring back the weekend and have him thinking....this is ridiculous, I cant even work without her contacting me to tell me she is having a "bad" day.

 

I am meant to be doing last minute wedding bits and pieces, music, finalizing vows, etc and I can't even bring myself to do it   sad  

 

Any tips on just "getting through the day" and trying to be more self sufficient rather than turning to my finance every 5 seconds?

 

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