Lexapro

Lucy4 · Jan 27, 2005

I used Lexapro for six months or so and was tired all the time. Over the years I have taken most of the antidepressants at one time or another. Some didn't work and some I built a tolerance to over time. Wellbutrin XL has worked best for me. I am taking it along with Lamictal now asit has been released to be used as an antidepressant for those who are resistant to other drugs. Everyone is different and will respond to drugs differently. Often times takes some trial and error to find the best drug.

EricTAMUCC-BSN, BSN, RN · Jan 27, 2005

I have to agree with movingalong that often times it is hard enough to get someone to admit they are depressed and even harder to get them to help themselves. Any remarks discouraging medical intervention should be avoided.

Purple Princess · Jan 27, 2005

My counselor wants me to try lexapro. I've had problems with depression in the past and was on prozac but stopped because I then had trouble concentrating, felt sort of isolated, weird like, and anxious. I still get nervous alot and people say that i am insecure. Lately I've been sort of " feeling like a caged animal with a ball and chain" cause it's been 3 years since i've done anything in the way of vacation!!! I've been busy with school and work but would so love to get away. It has caused me to get depressed, anxious, and very tempramental. I've been in college for 3 and a half years just graduated and now will be going to another school for 2 more years. So I went to Italy in 2002 ( gosh I miss it there:o ). and it will be at least 2007 before I can do anything let alone travel like that again. But I decided to try changing my diet, tea, yoga class, and swimming and lifting weights. to relieve the stress and tension. I'm a cna and that about says it all, stress city!

sarita279 · Jan 27, 2005

Maybe if you just made your font a little less obnoxious, we would could be less harsh on your posts.

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Jan 27, 2005

My 15 year old takes 10 mg Lexapro QD for depression. The only side effect has been increased sweating. The doctor says that an expected side effect, also some loss of appietite is normal in the beginning. We haven't noticed that. He looks and feels great. He also takes Strattera on school days. He's a totally different child than he was several years ago and has gone from failing to A & B's in honors science, history and english and is in ROTC.

We had been the therapy route since he was in the 4th grade and at times it got better and then again it would get worse. The depression started taking over his personality in a big way once he hit middle school. Now he's in high school.

I have suffered from depression but not ADD since I was about 12. I've been on Zoloft for 8 years. I wish there had been help around for me when I was younger. I resisted putting him on medication because of his age but it sure has made a tremendous difference for both him and us.

I would not discourage anyone from trying an anti-depressant just because someone had a bad reaction. For every drug in the PDR there have been bad reactions so there's no case there. The only advice I can offer is only take an anti-depressant prescribed by a psychiatrist. I do believe they should be the only one's legally allowed to prescribe anti-depressants because they are the only one's who should be diagnosing mental illness. I know that won't change but as much as I trust my Internist I wouldn't let him prescribe the anti-depressant.

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Jan 27, 2005

Maybe if you just made your font a little less obnoxious, we would could be less harsh on your posts.

Sarita, I couldn't agree with you more! Large fonts are considered screaming.

Blackbird, I'm sure you don't want my advice... but it would be to tone it down. You have posted everything in large fonts and some of your posts are abrasive. We are all intelliengent people capable of dealing with different opinions and having intelligent, respectful and responsible discussions.

Everyone here is very supportive and can give you invaluable help. You're currently training as a CNT to be able to go to nursing school. I see trouble in your future if you don't learn to chill.

nursingblahblah · Feb 2, 2005

i have been takeing it for about 3 months and so far so good :) i do not feel as upset and it helps me keep calm i am on 10mg and would not change it for anything I HATE meds more then anything but this i love

blondebritbrat · Feb 2, 2005

oohhh I was on Lexapro too... But i was on a lot of other medications also. I still don't know if it was one of the other medications that I was also on for depression or if it was that specific drug. But I started having paranoid delusions and really weird dreams. I put up with it for about two months and finally told my psychiatrist and he immediately took me off of Lexapro. But he changed my medications constantly. I was at one time on Strattera and I am not even ADHD or ADD and he had me on several bipolar medications too and I am not bipolar either. So I eventually quit going to him and finally went to another pyschiatrist this time a woman one because the first dr. (man) was completely indifferent due to the fact that I had gone from 125 # to nearly 200 # in a year. I went to her for about two months and she weaned me off of the other medications and put me on Wellburtin. I LOVE THAT DRUG! I was doing so well she actually released me from her care but told me to come back if I ever had any more problems with depression. So hang in there and if you still don't like the side effects and your dr. wont change them or reduce them or whatever go get another opinion. Plus I highly recommend not going to a general practice doctor go to a psychiatrist.

nursingblahblah · Feb 3, 2005

I stress to all who take anti-depressants - look at other avenues of therapy first, check to see if your doctor has the right credentials: not all GPs are trained to deal with mental health issues and to listen to those who tell you that you're changing. Last but best, listen to yourself.

EXCUSE ME!!!!! I am sorry but in ALOT of cases "other avenues" don't do CRAP and ANY DR. that gives an RX for this or any anti-depression drug will tell you if thoughts or feelings get worse come in right away.

nursingblahblah · Feb 3, 2005

I have to agree with movingalong that often times it is hard enough to get someone to admit they are depressed and even harder to get them to help themselves. Any remarks discouraging medical intervention should be avoided.

I FULLY AGREE

nursingblahblah · Feb 3, 2005

My counselor wants me to try lexapro. I've had problems with depression in the past and was on prozac but stopped because I then had trouble concentrating, felt sort of isolated, weird like, and anxious. I still get nervous alot and people say that i am insecure. Lately I've been sort of " feeling like a caged animal with a ball and chain" cause it's been 3 years since i've done anything in the way of vacation!!! I've been busy with school and work but would so love to get away. It has caused me to get depressed, anxious, and very tempramental. I've been in college for 3 and a half years just graduated and now will be going to another school for 2 more years. So I went to Italy in 2002 ( gosh I miss it there:o ). and it will be at least 2007 before I can do anything let alone travel like that again. But I decided to try changing my diet, tea, yoga class, and swimming and lifting weights. to relieve the stress and tension. I'm a cna and that about says it all, stress city!

Try it out give it two months trust me it may be worth it ...... I never knew how crappy i felt untill i took it and felt loads better

jaimealmostRN · Feb 3, 2005

i have been takeing it for about 3 months and so far so good :) i do not feel as upset and it helps me keep calm i am on 10mg and would not change it for anything I HATE meds more then anything but this i love

Cool, I think you're the only other person on it for anxiety! I've only been on it for a week now, and I have a feeling it's not going to work for me, but I"m going to stay on it for at least a month and then discuss d/cing it with my PA. Thank you all for the responses. :)