Just starting Lexapro

[Kayell]

My Dr. just started me on Lexapro. I have been trying to do all of this without medication but things have been too stressfull in my life so I needed some help.

I just started last night and I was just wondering what others felt when they started. My body is trying to relax but my muscles feel like I have run a marathon. Also, it has bothered my stomach which is just annoying and has given me a slight headache. I also have sinus problems so I have to deal with that too.

I know it has been one day and I know each day it will be easier but just wondering what others felt when they started Lexapro.

Thanks,
Cathy

[Guest]

Hello,
I was taking Lexapro for about a year. My side effects included at times nausea, hot flashes and sweating, and feeling like my body and mind moved slower, like extra relaxed. It's good to take it at the same time everyday. But I do have to say, it did help me through my tough time and when I was feeling better, and when the side effects started to annoy me, then I started thinking it was time to stop taking the medicine. I have been off for almost seven months.

[Guest]

I use to take Lexapro. Several years ago we went on a trip, and in my hurry to get out the door I grabbed the wrong pill bottle. Since I was new to the medication, I didn't realize that the "weird" feelings I was having several day into the week were like a withdrawal. I keep taking it for a couple of more years, but honestly didn't really notice that much of a difference. I didn't like the out of control feelings I had when I needed to take a pill. I started cutting back, and finally went off a few months ago. I can't tell a difference in my anxiety level at all. I know my problem is the way I think, and I really don't think the Lexapro was a help for that!

[Guest]

Kayell
I took lexapro,, it worked well for me.. Everyone is different. But, i realized it was better for me to take it in the morning,, after i had eaten breakfast... I honestly didnt have any side effects when i took it that way... Give it some time, it takes more than a day to work,,, Take care Nelly:)

[Guest]

I am also a previous user. It was an answer for me when I really needed it. It was a newer med at that time, several years ago, and it worked well for me. I took it for about a year. I don't recall any issues of side effects. As long as I was not crying and feeling hopeless, I was grateful and better.
Hope it works.

[Guest]

I want to thank everyone for their responses. I guess you get so used to feeling the way you do that when something changes it feels weird. Today the nausea is not as bad but I do have a wicked headache. I guess each day it will get better.

I know this is something that I need right now and hopefully I will be able to relax and go through the program again and hopefully learn how to relax and deal with it.

Thanks,
Cathy

[Guest]

Cathy,
I started Lexapro (10mg/day)about 9 weeks ago. My first symptoms were headache and stomach ache. Although at that time I was in middle of constant high level anxiety, day and night. So I was having all sorts of unusual pains through out my body.
It takes from 2 - 6 weeks for Lexapro to start working so don't look for any instant results. My Dr. also gave me Xanax in the meantime to use until the Lexapro started working. But watch out for Xanax, it's very addictive.
Getting back to Lexapro, it finally kicked in after about 3 weeks and I started feeling much better. I am now off the other meds (xanax & sleeping pills).
I am also experimenting with getting off Lexapro, I am only taking 3/4 pill for this month. If I continue to feel ok I'll cut it back to 1/2 for another month or longer and continue to gradually cut it down to zero over several months as long as I continue to feel ok. My Dr. said I must stay on full dose for a year or more but my research indicates that can and often does cause a very difficult withdrawl period. That scares me. I want to be drug free as soon as possible. Remember the longer you are on it the more difficult it may become to get free of it.
Hopefully I'm not frieghtening you, Lexapro has helped get me over my first major anxiety caused breakdown. I am greatly relieved to have had that help. I just want to make sure I can handle life's challenges in the future without drugs and the problems associated with them.
I have HIGH hopes and faith in this course to show me the way to live drug free without suffering from major anxiety attacks. God Bless you and keep us informed about your experiece with Lexapro. Don

[Guest]

I have been taking it for over a month now for OCD symptoms. I notice the night sweats, I am considerably more sleepy and it is hard to get out of bed, and also I have a hard time orgasming when having sex with my wife. The latter is probably the most frustrating for me...but my wife is not complaining. LOL

[Guest]

Don,
My experience was nearly a mirror of yours...on lexapro and xanax. My side effects with lexapro also included muscle twitches (infrequent, and usually at night when I tried to relax...but annoying...as if we all don't feel wierd enough with our anxiety and panic), severe nausea, loss of sex drive and ability to orgaxm (bummer) and dry mouth. They lasted about 2 weeks and then went away - except for the muscle twitches. I recently had to go back on medication and my doc switched my to Zoloft. Same side effects (minus the muscle twitches) but to a lesser degree. I have now weaned off all meds and am full time into the program and excited. Good luck!

[Guest]

I also was just put on lexapro 10mg. for depression and panic attacks. first week 1/2 of the pill(so 5mg) and the start of the second full does for a week. Also taking xanax .25 mg (2 tablets) 3 times a dat, so a total of g(1.5 mg a day-maximum) on my good days dr. told me to at least take 3 xanax even if no symptoms.was also told it woul take 2 to 6 weeks to kick in, but i havent noticed any side effect, except a bit of dry mouth.
Let me know how u do with it!!Thanks
Aimee