After trying to bear this anxiety and depression the natural way, I have decided to start Lexapro. The natural did work a little, but I need something better. My doctor just sent it the subscription to the pharmacy. I am scared about starting it because I have tried for so long to use natural products, and stay away from medication. I have read a lot of success stories of people who have found relief with lexapro, so I can confident it will work. But I am really nervous about the side effects.
Have anyone had any serious side effect or just side effects that lasted a long time? and how long does it take to start seeing a little improvement?
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stovall1992
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That give me such hope! Thank you so much. do you have any side effects? My friend who was on Lexapro said it really worked for her, but her anxiety increase a bit
Yes just pick up a pill cutter from your pharmacy store, you will be ok maybe try 2.5 mg for 2 weeks then 5mg for 4/5 weeks then 7.5mg for 2 weeks then up to 10mg you will NOT have any problems
that was the first medication i tried for my depression/anxiety. unfortunately it really reduced my libido and ability to get pleasure from sex. i wasn't ok with that and i've now switched to wellbutrin which gives me better results all around especially for my depressed mood. see how it works for you and just be aware of how it affects you in case you need to try something else. good luck
Oh my goodness I'm experiencing the same symptoms. My libido is gone. Lexapro has done wonders for me but not sure what to do. My husband is not a happy camper but very understanding. But realistically it will eventually cause some issues in our marriage. I'm so torn and confused. I will certainly ask about my doctor wellbutrin. What are known side affects with this medication?
I have been on Lexapro since April. It’s helped a lot for both my anxiety and depression. Although I still have days where I don’t want to do anything besides lay on the couch, today being one of those.
It’s helped but not a miracle worker. I don’t know but I think after being on this drug for so long maybe it ‘poops out’ (if you know what I mean) after so many years taking it. It will help you though. Take care keep us posted on how it’s going.
oh okay. hopefully I won’t be on it too long. but that you for the information!
I’ve been taking this for almost 3 weeks. I did have side-effects between days 4-11. Mainly excessively yawning, foggy head, unable to concentrate and mouth dry and generally felt pretty rough. These side effects now 90% gone - still a bit slow to get going in the morning (I take 10 mgs after lunch) but generally feeling loads better. Certainly sleeping better. Still wake up a few times but much more relaxed. Hope it works for you. Give it time. I’m hopeful this medication is good for me. Good luck!
oh wow, sorry you experienced those side effects. Did it affect your blood pressure in any way? I have a semi-low blood pressure (103/63 most of the time), and it’s because of my iron-deficiency anemia (lab result confirmed my ferratin level was a 4). I’m already fatigued and sluggish and I take iron pills now, but my doctor said the lexapro won’t affect the iron pills.
No didn’t affect my bp but I take medication as I have reverse issue. Hypertension! But my readings are the same as before starting escitalopram (Lexapro).
You are taking a big important step that will help you if you are able to stick with it.
Very good luck, my thoughts are with you, feel free to message me anytime.
I have had major positive results from antidepressants, transformed my life but I did need 3 dose increases so I am on a fairly high but not top dose by now. I wanted to leave some room to go up if I needed to
I've been on lexapro 20mg for 6mo now it's been a blessing and I've had no side affects. Give it time to kick in you will feel the difference. At least 2 weeks. Never give up!
I have been on Lexapro for 6 months now. No side effects and it took about a month before it seemed to work. I started off with the lowest dose and had to slightly increased it once. I hope it works for you.
okay great. I have anxiety more than depression, and it’s mostly the anxiety symptoms that get me. But I also thinks the symptoms are due to my severe iron deficiency anemia.
Hi! Congratulations on taking the decision to start the medication, it takes bravery for sure. I have been on Lexapro for about 3 months and I am doing very well. I have anxiety and anxiety attacks and Lexapro has done wonders keeping my mind at ease. When I first started Lexapro I was sleepy, not to the point of passing out anywhere (quetiapine did give me this horrible effect) but at a point in which you are just sleepy, functional but sleepy. It took about a week for me to get rid of the sleepiness altogether however, each day was better. For the full effects I could probably say for me it took about 2.5 weeks, but each day I feel a bit better little by litte. Good luck!
Did experience increased depression or suicidal thoughts while taking this? I just got my prescription and i’m reading the medication guide. I know everyone is different when it comes medication, but I was just curious if anyone experienced this?
No increased depression or suicidal thoughts, and I had suicidal thoughts before I started taking it. I agree with agora, write down the date, time, medication and any side effects on a notepad. I did this when I started my meds because I was worried of side effects.
that’s what I heard as well. my friend takes paxil for her depression and I had a friend who took zoloft, but my doctor gave me lexapro. i wonder if taking a half a 10mg pill would help decrease the side effects.
The first time I tried Lexapro I did great and after a while decided to come off it because of the weight gain. The second time I went back on it, it was horrible. The side effects were so bad that I ended up in the hospital. I haven’t taken anything in a year now. I found other ways to manage my anxiety and depression through natural supplements and I have a doctor now that doesn’t want to put me on anything. Good luck to you
I’m so sorry you experienced that. My friend was talking lexapro and while it did work for her, she’s taking natural supplements now. She trying to make sure I make the right decision of taking lexapro because she knows I really wanted to stay away from medication. What natural supplements do you take and how has it worked for you?
While going through a divorce, I needed help to manage the sadness and anxiety that came with the territory. My Primary Care prescribed Lexapro. She immediately set me up with 20 mg. It left me feeling like I had concrete blocks on my head and seltzer water going through me body. Bottom line, she started me at too high a dosage. It was very scary. In the the end, I found a specialist that solely work with prescribing meds and offered therapy and monitoring of my new medication intake. Celexa worked best for me but I started at 5 mg and worked up slowly with her guidance and support. I am no longer on this medication but it helped me cope for the 2 years while going through a difficult time. Coming back off the medication was also a slow, weening process. Also, the Calm app changed my life by helping me with breathing and bringing my mind back to center during difficult moments. Exercise and friends too.
I was prescribed Celexa at one point, but didn’t take it. The medication that my doctors have recommended me for so long is Lexapro. I guess because it has the least amount of side effects? I don’t know. I have the calm app and I tried it, but my anxious mind got in the way, and I became discouraged.
I think it helps the physical symptoms as well but you can still feel anxious if you get worked up enough (like in response to a situation that actually warrants a reaction versus uncontrollable random physical symptoms).
Hi! Have you started the Lexapro yet? How’re you doing? I’m a month in (started 5 mgs increased to 10 mgs after 2 weeks and doing well! Feeling better each day. Good luck 😉
Hi! I haven’t started yet. I’m about to switch to a new therapist, so I kinda want to want and see how that goes first.
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Have you had any side affects
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Days 4-9 were quite bad. Almost stopped taking it as felt vacant, fuzzy headed, excessively yawning and just not with it. Pretty much all side effects now gone and definitely sleeping better. Still waking up a few times but more gently rather than how I was before starting which was usually with a start after a nightmare. Only thing is that I am still a bit low when I wake up but I feel better after a shower! I definitely feel calmer and less stressed out about everything. I’ve now been taking 32 days and on 10mgs which I take lunchtime. How you doing Chrispali?
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The same I still haven’t started them because I am scared!
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If you’ve been prescribed them, you should go for it! But give it a couple of weeks to kick in. I’m still standing!!
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Is it worth it
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Depends how bad you were before. Presumably you were diagnosed and prescribed these to make you feel better. I do feel better than before so I’m pleased that I have so worth it for me. 😊
Hello there! I wondered how you were getting on. Have you started the Lexapro yet? You were switching to anew therapist. How’s that? I’m now 8 weeks in on the meds and much better - just a bit lazy in the morning.
Hello! I haven’t started the Lexapro yet. I’m so worried about getting my iron levels up because they are extremely low. My doctor said I would feel 100 times better once my iron levels are up. He also said my Vitamin D is very low as well, which could contribute to the depression. My therapy sessions haven’t started yet, but I an looking forward to it when it does. I’m still going to take the Lexapro, but I just need to get my iron levels up a little.
I’m around 8 weeks now and certainly the depression and anxiety levels have substantially decreased but I do feel I have less energy too. I’m taking 10 mgs in the morning now (I was taking it at lunchtime) to see if it helps getting me going a bit better when I wake up. I have a bit of a ‘can’t be bothered’ mentality and I wonder if this is a normal trade-off for less anxiety/depression. May be still part of my body adjusting. I was thinking that by 8 weeks I would have been at the expected maximum benefit but maybe not. 😊
so sorry for the late response!!! But i’m glad that the Lexapro is working for you. I can’t take the Lexapro. It made me feel absolutely terrible. I know that you’re suppose to give it time to work, but I felt terrible, and not like I was just having bad side effects, but my whole body felt terrible. So my doctor stopped me from taking it, and now win afraid to take anything else.
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