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Prescribed Lexapro , any advice is welcome

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Anxiety & Panic Disorders
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Posted 3/16/2016 10:35 PM (GMT 0)
I am a 22 year old male that is graduating from College in May. Right now seeing another doctor is not a possibility.

I have had anxiety issues the past several years. Mostly with health anxiety and if I can't find something that is wrong with my health I start focusing on other issues that cause anxiety such as a unknown number calling me or whatever the case may be. My doctor swears by lexapro . I am prescribed 30 mg a day , but never reached that dose and do not currently take it. If this helps it is a college town , and I think the doctor gives students what they want so he gets repeat visits. I have been on clonazepam for over 3 years and the dosage is scary. I take that at least twice a day at 1 mg. More days go by in a week that I take it then I don't take it is what I am trying to say. So I know I am going to have hell to pay when I finally decide to get off of it. I had talked to my doctor about trying to switch AD's and he said he could but he would reduce the Clonazepam . So I am not too sure what he would of switched it too.

It is a beautiful day outside, and I just feel a cloud over my head. I feel depressed and sad. I need help and I plan to get real help when my I get a job in June and have my own health benefits. I am just torn as to whether or not to take the lexapro. I know everyone is different , but even on here I just don't see great reviews about lexapro. I don't understand anymore. It went from anxious to being depressed and now a mixture of both. It is getting worse.

Any advice you could share would be appreciated.
Posted 3/16/2016 10:49 PM (GMT 0)
Lexapro worked very well for me. I've tried a number of antidepressants, and Lexapro was especially effective for my anxiety. That said, start-up really sucked, but after about a week things calmed down.
Posted 3/17/2016 12:48 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Humble. I am not a doctor so I could never give anyone medical advice. Having said that, you might consider trying the Lexapro, but starting at a lower dose and slowly working your way up, as needed. That might reduce the initial side effects and help you see whether it works for you and if so what dose is needed. If you start at 30mgs, you might have significant start-up side effects. As the Lexapro works, you might try to wean off -- or at least reduce -- the benzo -- but gradually and under medical supervision.

But as I said above, I am not a doctor so you should probably take what I say with a grain of salt.
Posted 3/17/2016 2:48 AM (GMT 0)
H.,

Wishing you the best in whatever you ultimately decide to do...and know we support you in any direction b you take! :)

Be sure and use your coping skills when/if you decide to start up...and keep us updated so we can keep you in support.

S.C.
Posted 3/17/2016 9:13 AM (GMT 0)
Hi

I found Lexapro to be a really good medication so I hope it works well for you keep us posted.

Hibee
Posted 3/17/2016 11:08 PM (GMT 0)
It's been a good med for me but yeah the start up anxiety was a bit rough. Had some klonopin I took to help smooth things over during the ramp up phase with Lexapro. This lasted a few weeks but then I got completely off it. My doc calls benzos "freeze dried alcohol" and didn't want me to get hooked on those, so Lexapro it was.
Posted 3/18/2016 1:22 AM (GMT 0)
Hi humble. If it helps I took Lexapro for 13 years recently stopped working so I'm switching to Prozac and I have unbearable anxiety . But Lexapro 10 mg was all I needed for years I took 0.5 Xanax in the morning have a Xanax at night 0.5. I was able to get a Xanax completely . and feel totally like a normal person to tiredness except for normal tiredness happy enjoyed life . Recently I have had to have a transaction from Lexapro to Prozac and it's been very rough. But hoping for a good out come " I can't stress enough how much I know fear " i'm back to thinking like you do something else must be wrong with me and it's very hard not to think that way . I hope this helped you give it 10 mg and a few weeks if not try Prozac but start at 20 mg if you do
Posted 3/20/2016 10:08 PM (GMT 0)
I took 10 mg lexapro for 3 days and stopped because I could not handle the side effects. I have heard that it works great for many people. I just reached really poorly to it(didn't have any additional anxiety) but some of the other side effects made it not worth sticking it out.
Posted 3/21/2016 10:49 PM (GMT 0)
Is it best to take lexapro day or night ??
Posted 3/21/2016 11:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there, I'm new to the forum, but couldn't help but notice your post regarding lexapro. I was started on 10 MG of lexapro when I was 13 for severe anxiety and panic. It worked well for me with no start up side effects for 12 years! I always took mine in the morning, with or without food, it didn't matter. I am now 25 and the only reason I am struggling is because I had an issue with increased panic while trying to increase (didn't know that increased panic was a side effect of dosage increase) and decided to take myself off med's completely without a slow taper. Bad idea. My suggestion for you would be to meet with your doctor and ask about starting the lexapro (or a similar ssri if u don't want the lexapro) but at a small dose...like 5 MG of lexapro for at least 1 week, then take 10 MG (10 MG is I believe said to be the normal starting dose, but by using a small dose first, you lessen your chances of severe start up side effects). I personally would never start out at 30 MG...lexapro is a powerful medication and can be hard to start. But, if you are feeling truly aweful, the first few weeks of start up effects will be a small price to pay for treatment success! Keep your head up....I know it is hard, I'm still struggling too, but I keep telling myself it will get better...life was not meant to be easy...we will all get through this!! Have a great night!!
Posted 3/22/2016 12:56 AM (GMT 0)
I am told by dr to take 5 mg lexapro first 5 days but never said take at night or day time .. What is best from y'all's experience??
Posted 3/22/2016 8:04 AM (GMT 0)
Morning for me Chikigal but you'll figure it out after a couple of weeks what works best for you.
Posted 3/22/2016 7:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, I felt okay taking Lexapro. I took a few years ago but stopped due to weight gain. I gained like 40 lbs in 6 months so I had to discontinue. I was eating a lot because I felt hungry all the time. So I think it works well but be mindful of your food intake (I was not). Good luck and I hope if works for you.
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