Lexapro

galenight, BSN, RN · Feb 28, 2005

I took it for about 6 weeks. I had several minor side effects, but the major one I had with lexapro was pure and total apathy. I didn't care about squat. I couldn't even make a decision about whether or not to continue the drug or try something new. I then tried Paxil and had such trouble sleeping and quite an increase in appetite I decided to stop taking that as well. I am just trying to deal with my crying episodes and depression one day at a time. I also wonder if it's not situational depression since I was recently diagnosed with MS. That's what I think it is anyway. Good luck to everyone

wnicj · Mar 1, 2005

Is anyone here taking Lexapro? Care to share you expirences with it, any s/e? Thanks!

I have been taking it for two years and it has been the best thing for me.

ZZTopRN, BSN, RN · Oct 21, 2005

I started on Lexapro 3-4 months ago at 10 mgs a day. It was great and I felt calm, less angry, and everything seemed normal. However, it has been losing its effect, or I am becoming tolerant to it. The doc just upped the dose to 20 mg a day so I don't know how I will react to that. I haven't been feeling very good since the dose was upped because of stomach cautery, so I guess until I feel healthy again, I won't be able to judge if it was good to up it to 20 mg.

That would be good if the increase in dosage takes me back to feeling as good as I was before the 10 mg pooped out on me. However, even if works with the increase to 20 mg I am concerned the dose will wear off and I will have to have it increased again. Then maybe it will get to a point it can't be increased anymore.

I had this experience with Wellbutrin. It dropping off and each time it was increased until a dose of 400 mg was reached, at which time I had to go off it.

I am hoping I can reach a dose on the Lexapro that I won't be tolerant to. It has really worked well for me. I can't bear the thought of ending back up in the depths of this &^% depression! Any thoughts? Thanks.

JentheRN05, RN · Oct 22, 2005

I'm afraid I agree with you Pete. I trust my neurologist more than the psychiatrist........ It seems that all antidepressants carry some side effects (to include lowering the seizure threshhold) - that was also an issue with the Prozac, but I managed to do well with it for 8 years until this latest increase....which is why I've stopped taking it. I have tried other alternative therapies over the years. I've been to more stress management seminars and classes than you can shake a stick at (not to mention imagery, gentle yoga, hypnosis, acupuncture). I'm not happy at the thought of being on any kind of med for the rest of my life, believe me. I really don't have any choice with the phenobarbital - and I'm beginning to feel that I don't have a choice about whether or not I need to take an antidepressant. I initially responded to this thread because I've heard so much about Wellbutrin, but it seems that there seem to be even better reports from the people who are taking Lexapro.......any thoughts there????

Lexapro increases your chance of seizures. I have a friend who is also epileptic, she went on it and within a couple of days had several grand mals. I personally think it's a wonder drug, but I had to switch to cymbalta because I couldn't afford the lexapro on my insurance (40 copay)

elizabells, BSN, RN · Oct 22, 2005

Lexapro increases your chance of seizures. I have a friend who is also epileptic, she went on it and within a couple of days had several grand mals. I personally think it's a wonder drug, but I had to switch to cymbalta because I couldn't afford the lexapro on my insurance (40 copay)

If you're taking lexapro (or any SSRI) and your doc puts you on a tricyclic as adjuvant pain therapy, DON"T DO IT and run to a different HCP. That little combo landed me in the ER...

lsyorke, RN · Oct 23, 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.

The comments made about the potential for bad side effects of any drug is NOT discouraging anyone. It's informing the patient about potential adverse reactions that can happen with any of the antidepressants. Since when do nurses only tell the "good stories" about any drug?? If a patient is informed about ALL potential adverse effects they can advocate for themselves with the doctor. There IS a suicide warning out on all of the ssri's from the FDA, with future hearings being scheduled. It amazes me that an adverse reaction to an ssri is treated with increasing the dose, instead of recognizing that they drug may not be the right one for the specific patient. What good does it do the patient deny the "new" thoughts that they are having?

debree2 · Oct 26, 2005

Where there is love of medicine, there is love of humankind.

-- Hippocrates

I am currently taking Lexapro and Wellbutrin and I am no longer having SE. My mental state and energy levels are at an all time high. I am 29 years old and I have about the same energy levels I had when I was 18. With this in mind, I think these meds are working just fine. However, for the first 4 to 6 weeks when I added the Wellbutrin to my med regime, I had severe headaches and nausea. The dosage I adhere to is 10mg Lexapro and 150mg Wellbutrin q morning at 8:00 a.m. I am particulary disciplined to take the meds at the same time each day to maintain adequate blood levels. I have to admit that occasionally I slip and take an extra 150mg of Wellbutrin to experience that jolt of energy it gives me. This is an interesting aside: After a llittle research in an Economic Botany Textbook, I realized that Wellbutrin acts on the same neurotransmitters as cocaine. I confirmed this with my pscychiatrist. Interesting HuHHH. I hope these meds work for you all. Good luck. In my opinion Lexapro and Wellbutrin are the ultimate combination and they are not contraindicated.

Don. B. @ library studying hard for ANATOMY EXAM!!!!!!!!!!!!

kacdeb · Oct 26, 2005

I was on lexapro for anxiety and it helped tremendously. When you are put in situations that usually give you anxiety you don't feel it. You start to realize that you should feel anxious and you don't. It was great. My fiance' at the time could tell when I didn't take it and actually most of my family is on it for one reason or another and everyone has a had a good experience. I didn't even have any major s/e.

lsyorke, RN · Oct 27, 2005

. I have to admit that occasionally I slip and take an extra 150mg of Wellbutrin to experience that jolt of energy it gives me. This is an interesting aside: After a llittle research in an Economic Botany Textbook, I realized that Wellbutrin acts on the same neurotransmitters as cocaine.

Those two comments should make you think twice.

maureeno · Oct 29, 2005

if anti-depressants are over used?

why cognitive-behavioral therapy is not first choice for treatment?

if perhaps our lifestyles are making us sick?

lsyorke, RN · Oct 30, 2005

if anti-depressants are over used?
why cognitive-behavioral therapy is not first choice for treatment?
if perhaps our lifestyles are making us sick?

Absolutely therapy should be the first option. But it's not since most insurance companies won't pay for it. So instead of therapy to deal with a transitional situation(alot of depression is situational) we alter brain chemistry. I don't deny that there is a small percentage of the population with depression that doesn't respond to therapy, but it should always be the first choice.

maureeno · Oct 31, 2005

it is macropsychiatry which interests me most now

human experience has always included conditions of pain, depression,stress

but today we look to diagnosis only the suffering individual as sick

we overstate and oversimplify our knowledge of brain chemistry

we offer pills so people can maintain in a dysfunctional environment

too much complication and contradiction overwhelms

too much feeding not enough nutrition

too much stimulation not enough rest

too much running around not enough excercise