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Lexapro (escitalopram) - Success Story
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Thereishope2122
New Member
Joined : Jul 2016
Posts : 4
Posted 7/11/2016 6:00 PM (GMT 0)
Hello, I just wanted to take the time to post a Success Story with Lexapro. Back story is that I have suffered with Anxiety my entire life. I was previously on Zoloft for 10 years back in my 20's. I stopped taking my medication because I naively thought I was cured from Anxiety. 1.5 years ago, after starting a new relationship, the anxiety reared it's ugly head. I tried to deal with it through exercise (daily), therapy, prayers (not enough) and meditation. Nothing seemed to stop the vicious cycle of anxiety that hindered my daily life. Things spiraled and I eventually had a panic attack while at work. It was 2 weeks after that I decided I could not continue to live my life this way and decided that I wanted to give medication another go. After working with my doctor I decided on escitalopram, the generic version of Lexapro, 10 mg (started on this mg and remain on this mg).
The reason I'm writing today is because the beginning weeks on medication was a nightmare. I spent countless hours on this forum (amongst others) trying to find someone/thing to relate to. Trying to hold out hope that if I continued to be persistent, that I would too find relief that I so desired. At around the 3 week mark, I did start to feel relief. It was gradual and from there it only continued to get better. I am currently starting month 3 and I no longer feel any panic (this went away after about
the third week mark completely but it dropped drastically almost immediately) and at around the 3 week mark my anxious thought patterns (vicious cycle) dissipated. As of today, I no longer dwell on things that are created by anxiety. I live my life. If an anxious thought creeps into my mind, I can easily dismiss it and move on. Before, I would live in that thought pattern for weeks before my mind could settle it - only to move on to something else almost immediately.
If you are here and in the early weeks of starting your meds - Hang tight. It DOES GET BETTER!!!! I felt helpless and honestly a few times hopeless (which was something I'd never felt before). Please know this is the medicine and it takes time to adjust. Just remember, that while the sky is grey above you now, there is always blue sky above the clouds and that never goes away. Give the medicine time. I know it's a struggle. I know how hard it is. I know what it's like to comb through pages and pages of forums looking for some type of relief. That's why I have taken the time to come back here, create an account, and hopefully give someone hope. Hang in there. It gets better. I'm happy now and I haven't felt like this in a long, long time.
xoxo
Rspwed
Veteran Member
Joined : Apr 2016
Posts : 590
Posted 7/11/2016 6:31 PM (GMT 0)
Glad to hear it! Good for you. Thanks for posting.
Alantra
Regular Member
Joined : Nov 2013
Posts : 42
Posted 7/11/2016 6:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Thereishope2122,
I am sooo glad I found this forum, I started on Escitalopram 5mg 12 days ago and hopefully I am seeing signs of slowly improving. I am hoping to move up to 10mg in a couple of weeks.
It is such a relief to hear a success story like yours, especially when on the same meds.
I am so pleased that you have managed to get your life back on track again and you have inspired me immensely to carry on day by day, good and bad.
I cannot express how grateful I am that you have taken the time to post your success...I hope this is an inspiration for many people, not just myself.
Wishing you continued happiness and Thank You !!!
Tracey xx
Thereishope2122
New Member
Joined : Jul 2016
Posts : 4
Posted 7/11/2016 7:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Tracey, My pleasure. I know these types of posts helped me through the dark time of the start up on this med. It's the least I can do. Hang in there :) Life is really good just on the other side of it! xoxo, Amy
Scaredy Cat
Elite Member
Joined : Sep 2006
Posts : 28868
Posted 7/11/2016 11:11 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you, again, for sharing!!
This will bring hope to many.:)
Your perseverance and hard work have paid off...you are an inspiration! :)
May your recovery continue to go well and grow.
Hugs and high fives!
S.C.
Hibee
Forum Moderator
Joined : Oct 2008
Posts : 7935
Posted 7/12/2016 8:15 AM (GMT 0)
Hi
Thanks for sharing I am pleased the Lexapro is working well for you thats good news keep us posted on your progress.
Hibee
Thereishope2122
New Member
Joined : Jul 2016
Posts : 4
Posted 7/12/2016 2:31 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you!
Stellina76
New Member
Joined : Jun 2015
Posts : 16
Posted 7/18/2016 6:19 PM (GMT 0)
Great!!! Same here! 3 months at 10 mg. and feeling great!
Good job!!
Rspwed
Veteran Member
Joined : Apr 2016
Posts : 590
Posted 7/18/2016 6:29 PM (GMT 0)
Good for you, too, Stellina76! Glad to hear it.
roxy8820
Regular Member
Joined : Aug 2014
Posts : 251
Posted 7/19/2016 1:56 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for sharing your story! It really does help others who are struggling. There is a light at the end of this dark tunnel.
I've been on lexapro before 3 times for situational anxiety and my life has been a disaster these last few months and have triggered my anxiety so looks like I'm headed down the lexapro way again. Just not looking forward to certain side effects. But it's worked before and it will work again!
Morgs28
New Member
Joined : Aug 2016
Posts : 2
Posted 8/22/2016 1:18 PM (GMT 0)
I ended up creating an account just so I could thank you for this post. I was on Zoloft for about
six years, successfully weaned off of it this past March. Honestly, I felt GREAT in a way I wasn't expecting, but due to a huge move to an area where I knew no one, my anxiety came back with a vengeance.
I've been on Escitalopram for about
two and a half weeks now — I started off on 2.5 mg for a few days then was on 5 mg for a week. Recently I moved up to 7.5 mg, then a quick change to 10 mg, and it has been utter hell. Increased anxiety, emotional numbness, muscle tension...all that combined with being alone in a new place has been tough, to say the least.
Reading your post makes me realize there's a light at the end of the tunnel, and I just need to keep pushing through to get the positive effects. So, thank you, from the bottom of my heart. I can't tell you how much it means to read a positive success story among and endless variety of negative experiences.
Scaredy Cat
Elite Member
Joined : Sep 2006
Posts : 28868
Posted 8/22/2016 3:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Morgs and welcome!
Sorry to hear of the difficulty you have had with your move...re
location can definitely be an understandable trigger!
I am glad that this post has helped you feel hopeful...we absolutely try to keep things positive here...so know that you can always come here for encouragement.
Please take advantage of our Resources at the top of the main forum page here. Practicing the suggested exercises there daily will make a big difference in how you feel!
Post with us anytime. ..we understand, care and support is key!
Talk soon,
Scaredy Cat
panicgirly
Regular Member
Joined : Dec 2012
Posts : 295
Posted 8/22/2016 11:08 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for sharing your success with this drug!
I'm on day & and already feeling better every day!
You are right where I aim to be!
Thank you so much and way to go!!!
serenity16
New Member
Joined : Sep 2016
Posts : 1
Posted 9/12/2016 8:41 PM (GMT 0)
Thereishope2122 you have no idea how much I needed this today! I'm on day 7 of Lexapro and it's been a struggle to say the least. Light headedness, disorientation/brain fog, and increased anxiety... but hearing your story makes me realize there is light at the end of the tunnel! I will hang in there and I WILL get better. i took Lexapro a few years ago when I had a really rough patch and it helped me immensely. I just don't remember the side effects being so hard the last time. But, I will keep it pushin' and focus on the fact that in a few weeks, I will have my life back. So thank you, thank you, thank you for this!!!
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