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Starting Lexapro! Need encouragement

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Posted 3/8/2011 10:16 PM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone. Well, it has taken me a LONG TIME....but I am finally going to get on some medication for my GAD(Generalized Anxiety Disorder). I am going to be starting on Lexapro 10mg. And, as you can probably guess....I am VERY NERVOUS! Of course I always worry about side effects..etc. Is anyone else taking this medication, and if so, how is it working for you? Any information or encouragement is welcome :-)

Dawn
Posted 3/8/2011 11:09 PM (GMT 0)
Lexapro is an amazing anxiety reducer and anti-depressant. I love it. Maybe you should start at 5 mg. though. I'm at 10 and started at 5
Posted 3/8/2011 11:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hello, Journey! Thank you for your reply. How long were you on the 5 mg before you went to the 10? Did you have any side effects with it..etc?
Posted 3/8/2011 11:43 PM (GMT 0)
Good Afternoon,

Glad to hear you are starting on a med. I know lots of people that have done well on this med so I hope it works for you.

Keep us posted.

Kindly,
Kitt
Posted 3/9/2011 3:48 AM (GMT 0)
hmm, seems like this medication gets positive reviews, I was prescribed 10mg as well but I haven't even taken it, wondering if I should start it though?
Posted 3/9/2011 10:03 AM (GMT 0)
I am wondering if I should contact my dr. and ask her if maybe starting at 5 mg would be better? This is my family physician who prescribed it for me...not a psychiatrist.
Posted 3/9/2011 1:15 PM (GMT 0)
I am sure it is the anxiety of the unknown that is holding you both back from taking the medication. You fear what will happen if you take the med. Be sure to read up on the side effects you may experience as you get onto the medication.

If med does not feel like the right thing for you to do there are many other things to try. Check our resources at the top of the page.

Kindly,
Kitt
Posted 3/9/2011 2:55 PM (GMT 0)
Ty, Kitt! I think I am to the point where I am just FED UP with being scared and anxious all the time...that I want to have a LIFE and have it abundantly...and I am hopeful that the medication will help me on my way to having one! I think my anger has taken over my fear...now I just want to get help and get on with my life! :-)
Posted 3/9/2011 6:41 PM (GMT 0)
good for you! sounds like you have the right attitude to make a difference. i have been on Lex twice so far with mixed results, but it seems like many more people than not have had great results with it. good luck to you
Posted 3/10/2011 11:55 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Dawn
I take lexapro fo GAD and find it to be a good medication I hope it works well for you.
Hibee
Posted 3/10/2011 11:56 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, Hibee! Thank you for your reply. I am picking up my medicine today and will be starting it :-)
Posted 3/10/2011 12:15 PM (GMT 0)
Hi

Good luck. It will take 6-8 weeks before you will feel the full benefit of this medication and you may experience some side effects during the first couple of weeks but this will pass as your body gets used to the new medication. Let me know if you need any other information on Lexapro I have been on it a while now.

Hibee
Posted 3/10/2011 1:44 PM (GMT 0)
Hibee, thank you so much for the information! Did you experience any side effects and if so...what were they? I tried Paxil in the past and thought I was having a heart attack! I got BAD PAINS in the middle of my back, sweating like crazy....shaky..etc. That was after I took the first pill. So I stopped taking it. I have no idea if those were side effects or just me having a panic attack because I had taken a pill.

Dawn
Posted 3/10/2011 2:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Dawn

I did not get that many side effects. I did feel light headed for a few days and I still get a dry mouth which is a common one but that was about it for me. Lexapro is the strongest of the ssri's and does have good results with people with GAD. The max dose is 20mg which I did try for a while but that was to strong for me so went back to 10mg. I hope it goes well for you and keep us posted

Hibee
Posted 3/10/2011 5:23 PM (GMT 0)
HI, Hibee! Ty again for your reply. I already get dizzy spells because of my anxiety so hopefully IF I do get dizzy with this medicine I won't freak out about it lol. Dry mouth I can probably live with :-) . I will keep you posted. Oh, is there a certain time of day you take yours? I am not sure if I would be better taking it before I go to sleep...or taking it in the morning?
Posted 3/10/2011 7:08 PM (GMT 0)
Hi

It is best to take this medication in the morning as it is stimulating.

Hibee
Posted 3/10/2011 8:26 PM (GMT 0)
I was just reading about it...and came across a section where it said "Also, to avoid a serious or potentially life-threatening condition, tell your healthcare professional if you are taking, or planning to take, any prescription or over-the-counter medications, including: NSAID pain relievers (such as Advil®, Motrin®, ibuprofen, Aleve®, or naproxen), aspirin, warfarin, or blood thinners ." Umm, that is pretty much EVERY pain reliever there is! Can't I take Motrin while I am on Lexapro?
Posted 3/10/2011 8:31 PM (GMT 0)
I know it is a trial and error right now. I have not found the "FIT" for me yet! I hope Lexapro works for you...You have to tell yourself that you don't want to live like this anymore. Take the pill and get one step closer to an answer...
Posted 3/10/2011 10:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hi
I take Naproxen every day and it has been fine.
Hibee
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