Lexapro report

[warmwaters]

Thought I'd offer my experience with Lexapro.

Background: In some cognitive testing, the results showed that I was depressed. At the same time, a neurologist suggested that regardless of my depressed status, I might find that an anti-depressant helpful with my brain fog. Ok, I said, worth try. Anything that will vanish brain fog.

Short version: for me, this is an awful med. I only lasted for three days on it.  The problems were that it shut me down, so that I could barely move, increased dry mouth a lot (felt like I had sticky goo in my mouth), and made me so dizzy/unbalanced that I didn't feel safe walking. I grasped walls and furniture to get around the apartment. Not ok. My significant other said he didn't feel that if he left me on my own, I was safe enough to function. And he's not an alarmist. So I discontinued. It also made me queasy, like I was seasick.

In general, I have not had good luck with SSRI's, so this doesn't come as a total surprise.

What about others? Have you had luck with Lexapro? Or other antidepressants?

[Cricket]

I have been taking Lexapro for about 4 years and I absolutely love it.  I screwed up with my refill and thought I had another and waited to long to refill it, so I was without it for 5 days, thought I would murder my husband.  Got it now and all is good.

[deeindiana]

I'm sorry you've had so much trouble with the Lexapro. It's miserable when SSRIs make us feel even worse.  I tried the Lexapro once for depression and, although I didn't have your symptoms, it seemed to increase my sadness. I now take Zoloft with pretty good results. It seems to take awhile to find the right medication. I hope you have a good doctor who is willing to work with you until you find the right one.
Deb

[rnathans]

I have been on lexapro for many years with no problems or side effects. On the other hand Prozac gave me horrible panic attacks, which I had never had before or ever again once I stopped it . Everyone is different. I am sorry lexapro was so awful for you and hope you are able to find another med that works for you.

[irish]

Wellbutrin is another med that is newer but is different from the SSRI's. Many people have had good luck with it. Irish

[TanyaFromTexas]

I guess im a crazy lady.. Im on wellbutrin and lexapro. Ive only been on the lexapro a month but I do feel a bit better. Apparently wellbutrin helps with depression but does nothing for anxiety so thats why they gave me lexapro.

No real side effects. Ive been on every antidepressant they make, haha.

It seems to me like everyone just finds what works best for them, by trial and error.

Error isnt fun usually!

Cymbalta made me feel worse than a zombie, prozac helped a bit... effexor is EVIL.

yeah I do sound like the crazy lady!

[Maria3667]

Hi Warmwaters,

Me too  !! Experience with SSRI's is horrendous....

Only 1 anti-depressants that helpend mood + dry mouth. It's called Agomelatine. I find it produces more saliva, but only if taken in a small dose. I only need 1/2 a tablet to feel it's effectiveness. Don't know if it's available in the USA yet, but in Europe it is. Also great for sleep (+ positive for libido).

Just a hunch.
Take care,
Maria

[warmwaters]

Wellbutrin is the only antidepressant that I've been able to tolerate. However the dr. I'm working with feels that since it's not giving me a "lift" in the way he would like, it was worth trying some of the newer SSRI compounds.  I did the "Lexapro report" in the spirit of - here's one person's experience.

The amazing range of responses of individuals to any of the SSRIs blows my mind. I have a scientific bent, and it seems pretty clear to me that there's a lot of "we don't know what this does to you, but hey, if it's good, that's great" in the "science" of antidepressants.

I find the whole process of trying these new drugs so frustrating - take a drug for 3-5 days and try to ride out the side effects. If you can make it that far, then wait up to a month to see if it works, and see if any of the fun long term side effects like weight gain, loss of sex drive, etc kick in. If you have to stop the drug, there's a tapering down period.

Of course, I don't think I've ever made it past day 5 on an SSRI, because I react so badly, but hey!

Wellbutrin is another med that is newer but is different from the SSRI's. Many people have had good luck with it. Irish