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Posted 5/1/2014 2:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hi All! I hope today will be a good day for everyone! I went to my Doctor yesterday and she prescribed Lexapro. I was on Effexor about 6 years ago with no problems. I was given the green light by my Doc to stop the meds 2 years ago. When my anxiety kicked up again 7 months I was prescribed the Effexor. This time around it made me sick and I couldn't take it. Fast forward to now - I was prescribed Lexapro. I'm just looking for some input by others who have taken this. What's your experience? Good? Bad? Effective? Make you feel sick? Headachey? Also - has anyone had weight gain on this med? Lol...I work hard to stay at a healthy weight, eat healthy and work out. So I'm concerned about weight gain too.

I'm feeling anxiety today about taking medication again. It's a pain to be 'chained' to meds. And also my family and boyfriend were so happy with me when I went off the meds before. I know they will be 'disappointed' for lack of a better word. I know ultimately it's mine and my Doctors decision. But just having that conversation with them is making me anxious today.

Anyway - bottom line - your thoughts on Lexapro??

Thank you Everyone!
Posted 5/1/2014 4:11 PM (GMT 0)
Beth Be Well , Congratulations for taking care of you first.  It is a shame that your family is "happier" when you are off meds as there are times when some of us need medications to be able to cope with our disorders so please do not base your decisions on how others will feel if you start on meds.  If this were a perfect world, we would have one medication that would cure disorders without any nasty side effects. What a world that would be!! No pain, no nausea, no headaches, no itchy skin, no drowsiness and no constipation; wouldn't that be fantastic ? For now, we live in a world where medications do cause side effects. We can only hope that the medication chosen for you provides more benefit than harm. When you start your new medication, please expect some initial side effects that usually will go away within a week or two as your body adjusts to the new, foreign chemical. So you need to give this medication a good college try before a decision is made whether or not it will work for you. During this trial phase please alert your Physician   to any side effects that you may be experiencing. Everyone is different. Over time I hope that your physician   can find the right combination of medications that helps return some quality of life to you but does not cause more harm than good.  I have personally been on Lexapro years ago now. I thought it was the one that was going to work at the time as I did not have a lot of side effects but raising the dose to the max did not help my anxiety/depression.  This was during a time frame when I had a major depressive episode and not much helped. For you, I hope this medication works well. I have read many reports from people who do extremely well on Lexapro. Kindly, Kitt    
Posted 5/1/2014 5:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hi

I used to take Lexapro and found it to be a really good antidepressant I did not get many side effects from it and it worked well for my anxiety. I hope this medication works well for you and side effects are not to bothersome let us know how it goes.

Hibee
Posted 5/16/2014 5:49 PM (GMT 0)
 

  hello

I've been on Lexapro for over 8 yrs. I went on it originally because I have ulcerative colitis and was feeling suicidal at the time. its worked wonders for me.

I've only been on 20 - 30 mgs after all this time. its still working.

I haven't had any side effects. i'm very happy with this medication.

I hope it all works out for you.

my cousin is a non med person he feels its a mask for your problems.he's a health freak . he'd say well im not on anxiety meds I workout thins and that. some people need to except that one needs meds. its different for everyone.

family sometimes forgets to be companionate. i'm sure they were happy you were off meds but it doesn't work for everyone. don't be ashamed for who you are and if you need that help for a day to day life :-)

my fiancé has depression, anxiety , you name it same with my sister and I've seen both of them go thru hell on an doff meds.

you do what is best for YOU....

GOOD LUCK

DONNA

 

Post Edited (JOVIGIRL71) : 5/16/2014 11:52:01 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/17/2014 5:40 AM (GMT 0)
I've been on Lexapro (generic brand though, escitalopram) for ~2.5 years. Started at 10mg and up to 20mg (For the past year or so now). It works for me. It's certainly not a 100% be-all end-all type of drug, but it more than 'takes the edge off' so to speak.

As far as side effects, I think I had some slight nausea the first few days on it, which quickly went away. A bit of insomnia too if I'm remembering correctly. As far as weight gain, it can cause some. For a while I gained somewhere between 10 and 20 pounds, but I've long since worked that off, and haven't had too much of an issue with it causing weight gain (though I have been trying to eat healthy and such lately). Other than that though I've had no issues with it. I did get some VERY extreme nausea when trying 40mg, but that was the only time I've ever felt "bad" on Lexapro.

I hope all goes well for you, and best of luck! :D
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