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Posted 12/1/2013 12:45 AM (GMT 0)
Hello all. I have been off of Remeron since like April or so. It stopped working after about 8 months eventually feeling like my anxiety/depression came back even worse now. My Dr prescribed me Lexapro and Im afraid of the side effects even though my dr is convinced it has little to none. Im worried the most about the increased anxiety (It is usually sky high on a daily basis which I panic constantly, couldnt imagine it being any worse..) and irregular heartbeat (I already deal with palpitations that have been ruled out to be anxiety-related) that ive read about online. Also, for some, being sluggish and tired is another side effect. I have 2 kids Im a full time student and work in the evenings, I cannot be any more tired than I already am!! I do feel that I would benefit more from these meds if I didn't have the side effects but everyone is different. My depression makes me feel like crap everyday, I have no energy, I get headaches everyday, Its hard to enjoy life my mood is up and down like day and night, I just need to get better, but I know I cant do it without meds!! Any info on experiences with Lexapro would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks so much!!

Lacey
Posted 12/1/2013 12:54 AM (GMT 0)
I think you will get a lot of responses because there are a few people on this forum that take Lexapro or the generic for it. I haven't taken it myself. But many have. I have read good posts about Lexapro, though some people do have the side effects in the beginning. But just think, after a week or so, you could be feeling a whole lot better. It is hard to take a medication and not know what to expect. But we all go through it with depression. We have all gone through that feeling of not knowing how you are going to feel on the medication. But many of us had it work out for the best. You can always call your doctor if you can't handle it. Maybe they would change it or maybe they would have you go slower with it.

I would say if the doctor prescribed it for you, give it a try and see what happens. Like you said, everybody is different. You may be the one that doesn't get the side effects. Good luck...

Best wishes,

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 12/1/2013 2:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hello ......

   I have been on Lexapro (20mg generic) for about 2-months now - and I find it to be very helpful in lowering my high emotional levels. It has tempered my highs without affecting my lows noticeably.

   This is the first anti-depressant I have ever taken - so my point of comparison is not good. I have been on a hormone therapy for almost three years, so that has played with my emotions AND with my energy level.

   The Lexapro itself may affect my energy - but it is too hard to tell because of all the other meds I'm taking - mostly cancer meds! The side effects I have had have been very minimal with Lexapro .... but again, the side effects of the cancer meds have probably disguised the Lexapro SE's!

   Summary ...... the Lexapro has done what I was expecting it to do ... by calming down my emotional highs.

   Some have said that side effects, if any, may disappear in a couple of weeks. Most have said - give Lexapro 4 to 6-weeks to work .... although I felt some relief within two weeks.

   Best of luck to you.

Rob and Gizzy

 

Posted 12/1/2013 3:51 PM (GMT 0)
Lacey,

Take the meds as perscribed and see what happens, not everyone has side effects.

You could also benefits from a coping skill for practiced breathing.

Slow breath in, count 1, 2,3 slow breath out count 1 2 3 4. the longer exhale will naturally calm your body down. Slow your heart rate and calm yourself.

If your practice this on a regular basis, it becomes second nature when you become upset.

Peace
Trina
Posted 12/1/2013 7:13 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you both. I may start taking the Lexapro tonight and keep taking it around the same time every evening in case it makes me tired. I work in the evenings but I know I can go home and sleep at night anyways so it may help. I actually hope if I do get any side effects, Id prefer being tired in the beginning until it starts to work over increasing my anxiety. I definitely would go crazy if I had an increase in that! So I think from here it could probably only get better once I start the meds and stick with it. Thanks again!
Posted 12/2/2013 1:40 AM (GMT 0)
I'm probably not help as I've just started Lexapro on Thursday, but I first took it in the morning and I could barely hold my head up I was so tired. I switched to taking it at around 7:15 at night and it's been a lot better. It hasn't been making me as tired either. It has given me this uncomfortable tightness in my chest, like an anxiety attack, but that might just be my anxiety.

I hope it helps!
Posted 12/2/2013 1:51 AM (GMT 0)
So far it hasn't made me anymore tired than I already was. I started it at 6pm tonight that's going to be the time I take it everyday I'm pretty sure. I already take xanax which makes me tired so ill keep them separate hopefully I won't need the xanax at all soon!! I know what you mean about the tightness in your chest. .Its probably safe to say it's your anxiety because I have it really bad and my chest and throat always feels tight!! i know when I start a New med I tend to focus on what it might be doing to me as a side effect but that's just one of the many things that comes along with anxiety!

Thanks!!!

Lacey
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