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Is Lexapro really that bad?

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Posted 9/6/2014 10:57 PM (GMT 0)
I recently got diagnosed with GAD. 3 months ago I had my first major panic attack on an airplane and have had anxiety and panic attacks ever since. It's weird. I am 35 years old so it's not something I have always suffered with. I initially got prescribed xanax and now I am prescribed lexapro. I plan on taking my first dose tonight (10mg) but am pretty nervous. My dr plans on keeping me on it for less than 6 months. I have Friend who says she loved lexapro except for that she couldn't cry. She had no side effects at all.
I guess I'm wondering what I should expect. Any input?
Posted 9/7/2014 1:21 AM (GMT 0)
I've had a filled prescription for lexapro for about two months now. I have not taken it yet. Please update us on your experience please:)
Posted 9/7/2014 1:31 AM (GMT 0)
Hi momfrmtx I was just on Lexapro 10mg it was awesome had some chills but I started feeling the effects very soon from it within a couple of days seriously everyone is different but I changed to celexa because Lexapro is too expensive without insurance try it out don't be afraid I was too but I'm sure you don't wanna be having those awful god panic attacks ughhhhh 😕😊
Posted 9/7/2014 1:42 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks 2serious. That gives me hope. We shall see how this goes.

And momtogigiandquinn- I will definitely keep everyone updated. I have had my prescription for a couple weeks and am now finally getting up the nerve to take it.
Posted 9/7/2014 2:57 AM (GMT 0)
I started taking 10 mg of lexapro in July. Had some minor side effects (weird dreams, headaches) but they passed after a few weeks. Lexapro has worked well for me. A couple of weeks ago, I started having pretty bad heart palpitations and my doc increased me to 20 mg and I've felt really good. Everyone is different and you have to find the right medicine for you. I took Paxil back in June and it about sent me to the ER but others love it. Don't be afraid of the lexapro....I'm sure your doc can switch you if needed.
Posted 9/7/2014 3:02 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you teacher 9075. I already have vivid dreams and headaches bc I clinch at night. I am hoping the lexapro doesn't make it worse. I took it about an hr ago and I'm actually relieved I got it over with. Were your heart palpitations from anxiety? Did you have those before lexapro? I am going to give it a chance. I will keep everyone posted.
Posted 9/7/2014 3:22 AM (GMT 0)
Honestly, I didn't have the heart palpitations before lexapro but they didn't start until a few weeks after I started the lexapro. Once I went up to 20 mg, they stopped. My doc said that my anxiety might have been trying to manifest itself in a new way since I was taking meds. My heart did pound for a few minutes last night but I was able to calm it down. I started out taking my lexapro at night because I was afraid of being drowsy. But when I doubled my dose, it kept me up all night so I switched to mornings. No drowsiness at all!
Posted 9/7/2014 3:28 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for answering my questions. I am glad I found people to talk to who understand the whole anxiety thing. My friends and family don't really get it.
Posted 9/7/2014 5:06 AM (GMT 0)
for me, strangely i found lexapro way too intense. man did i get the brain zaps!!! keep well. got to give it a chance. i wish you well. healing thoughts i send.
Posted 9/7/2014 7:11 AM (GMT 0)
I'm sorry you didn't have a good experience. Were the zaps happening as you were weaning off or as you were taking them? Well I am up at 2am unable to sleep. I thought it would make me tired so I took it at night and now I am unable to sleep. I also have a weird feeling in my arms like they are hot from within. If I decide not to take anymore tomorrow, I hope I don't have to suffer any consequences. :/
Posted 9/7/2014 9:27 AM (GMT 0)
hi, they happened upon taking them. this might sound different and i have mentioned this on a few forums that for me if i get a side effect from a new medication then it is beginning to do it's job. just me. thought i would share this. keep well. side effects do pass, don't chuck the baby out with the bath water just yet!!! lol. sending healing thoughts your way.
Posted 9/7/2014 1:04 PM (GMT 0)
Lol. Thanks Happy Turtle!
Posted 9/7/2014 1:07 PM (GMT 0)
When it kept me up all night, I just switched to mornings. Not medical advice obviously but personally worked for me. I did get some burning sensations under my skin for a few weeks but they passed.
Posted 9/7/2014 1:12 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks. A few weeks sounds like so long. :( so when you switched to mornings, did you skip a day and start the next morning?
Posted 9/7/2014 2:38 PM (GMT 0)
Hi

I used to be on Lexapro and found it to be a good medication and after the first couple of weeks of taking it did not get any side effects. I always recommend that you do some talking therapies alongside medication such as CBT as it is that which you will really notice the benefits from.

Hibee
Posted 9/7/2014 2:55 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Hibee. How long were you on it? Was getting off as hard as everyone says. I definitely want to try CBT. Just am not sure where to start. I guess I will ask my dr to refer me to someone.
Posted 9/7/2014 3:00 PM (GMT 0)
I was on it for about 3 years and it just seemed to stop working it was no problem to discontinue though and I did it very slowly over a few weeks. Yes the best person to ask in your doctor re CBT but check out www.moodgym.com which is a free CBT programme.

Hibee
Posted 9/7/2014 3:09 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you :)
Posted 9/7/2014 7:37 PM (GMT 0)
When I switched to mornings I just skipped my nightly dose end then took it when I woke up. My doctor told me that was okay for me to do.
Posted 9/7/2014 8:41 PM (GMT 0)
Been on Lex for 7 years, weaned off for a year and now I'm back on.. I love Lexapro..Not a great sleeper to start with and still can't sleep like I did 7 years ago but I'm good to go with .50 traz
Posted 9/7/2014 9:16 PM (GMT 0)
How was the weaning off process for you? Hopefully not too bad. How long before you got back on it?
Posted 9/8/2014 1:38 AM (GMT 0)
I take Lexapro, and found that 10mg was way too much for me. It kept me wide awake like I was zooming in my mind, but physically exhausted. I went down to 5 mg and was still a bit on edge. Now I break the 10mg into 3rds and take 1/3 of the pill a day and it is just right. You may need a smaller dosing, or extra time to adjust at a higher dose.
Posted 9/8/2014 1:59 AM (GMT 0)
I think I might need smaller dosing too. I just have so much anxiety about taking this pill. I'm suppose to take my second one tonight but think I will wait until the morning after I take my kids too school. I don't want another sleepless night.
Posted 9/8/2014 1:50 PM (GMT 0)
I had major anxiety when they first gave it to me as well. I said, "Is this pill going to kill me?" Lol. The poor nurse probably thought I was crazy. Haha. Then they tried giving me Ativan and I pretty much freaked out thinking that was going to kill me as well. Anxiety sucks. But Lexapro changed my life, so I am hopeful you'll get the same positive experience!
Posted 9/8/2014 1:56 PM (GMT 0)
I have taken lexapro twice in the past! its a great med! I recently started taking it again and I'm on week 1...yes the first days are hard because your body has to adjust... the first days I was super nauseous and i had the hot flashes and my anxiety had increased a little....the side effects have lessened now... my anxiety is not really there in the mornings anymore...

Give it some time I know exactly how you feel..
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