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For those who take Lexapro

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Posted 8/13/2011 11:43 PM (GMT 0)
I was prescribed Lexapro yesterday for my GAD. And some hard-core anti-nausea medication, too. I'm at 10mg and I went to the ER this morning after my first dose last night because I woke up shaking, weak, and dizzy. I have attributed this to anemia, as I have no eaten more than a few bites of food a day for the past two weeks. The doctor at the ER told me that it wasn't my medication that was doing this to me, it was my anxiety and everything that went along with it.


For those of you who take Lexapro, how has it helped? What have your side-affects been like? I keep reading such scary things about it. I'm trying to keep a positive attitude, it's just hard. I'm a college freshman and I just moved onto campus today, 1800 miles from home. The stress is practically oozing out of my pores.


Thank you for your time!
Posted 8/14/2011 2:31 PM (GMT 0)
Hi

Welcome to healingwell good to meet you. I take Lexapro and have found it to be a good AD it is one of the stronger ssri's hence 20mg is the maximum dose. It works well for both anxiety and depression, I did not get to many side effects but every one is different give it 6-8 weeks to see the full benefit.

Hibee
Posted 8/14/2011 2:48 PM (GMT 0)
Hadricat

For all patients, 10 mg/day is the recommended starting dose of LEXAPRO. 10 mg/day is also the maintenance dose for many patients. If the dose is increased to 20 mg/day, this should occur after a minimum of 1 week. LEXAPRO can be taken morning or evening once daily, with or without food.

Your doctor may suggest a decrease in dosage if you experience side effects that do not go away after approximately 2 weeks. (Most side effects, like nausea, indigestion, diarrhea, headache, slight increase in anxiety, do go away within 2 weeks).

Once the side effects disappear, they usually do not return. However, if your physician recommends increasing your dose, the side effect may return for a brief period of time (usually no more than a day or two).

Do check in with your Dr. as I am not a professional and remember everyone reacts different to medications.   This is just information and not meant to replace the profesional advise of you Physician in anyway.

Kindly,

Kitt

Posted 8/14/2011 3:01 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you both for your responses.

I will be seeing a therapist on campus (yay for free student perks!) as soon as I get my schedule sorted out. My shaking has mostly gone away as I am forcing myself to eat more. Lots of fruit and complex carbohydrates and lean protein. I was really getting worried because I noticed that my jaw began to tremble whenever I yawned. Low blood sugar is really, really scary.

I am encouraged to know that the side affects usually go away. That lets my mind rest easy. I'm always terrified of how medicine will affect me. My doctor told me that my nausea and indigestion would actually improve with my medication, since my anxiety is causing it. I am actually seeing some improvement after only two days! I think it's the psychology of knowing what is wrong with me and that I can get better that has lifted my spirits.

Thank you,

Hadricat
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