My H is starting lexapro. He is nervous to start because of the list of everything and anything that could happen in the side effects box. Meds are something that make him uneasy in general.
I feel like some people on here take it or have info to share. Any tips/common side effects/etc?
I don't know that I've had any side effects, tbh. However, I think it's time for a change b/c it's not really doing anything for me anymore. They HAVE to list every.single.thing even though those things may not be common at all. GL to your H.
I started taking half the dose (5 mg pill cut in half) at night to avoid too many side effects. I'd say it helped because I didn't have any, but perhaps I just didn't have any. Ultimately I topped out at 10 mg.
Also, I get pretty bad side effects if I miss a dose (like can't make it through an entire work day without the dreaded "brain zaps" and dizziness), so I make it a habit to have a couple extra in my purse just in case I've forgotten to take it.
Overall it's made a huge positive impact on my life.
I tried it for migraines. As I told my doctor, I wasn't suicidal but had a clear thought that I didn't want to live feeling the way it made me feel. I was a zombie on a super low dose but I'm very med sensitive and had bad reactions to other things too.
I started taking it about seven months ago (10mg) and it has had a very positive impact on my life. I have not had any side effects. I feel like a happier person every day now. I can emotionally deal with things I didn’t think I could before. I know everyone is different but I hope getting some positive testimonials might help him feel better about giving it a shot. Good luck!
Post by sarapocalypse on Dec 6, 2017 19:57:40 GMT -5
DH has been on Lexapro for about 2 years now. He had some brain zaps in the beginning and some general brain fuzziness for the first couple of weeks, but that all went away fairly quickly. He also experienced a decreased sex drive so his doctor added Wellbutrin and that helped balance everything out. Overall, the Lexapro has definitely had a positive impact for him!
I take it for PPA. I am actually not sure if I have side effects because there are certain things that could be side effects of the meds or could be caused by breastfeeding. I think I'm less anxious but slightly more depressed on it, but I started out about a half tick below constant panic attack.
I couldn't take it at night because it gave me insomnia. I take it in the morning. I do think it makes me tired, but I still have more energy that I did prior to taking it. It has made a huge difference for me. I was hesitant to start meds, but I'm so glad I did.
Post by leshoequeen on Dec 6, 2017 20:58:58 GMT -5
I also have extra anxiety about medications. Taking ADs has been life changing for me. I know I say that every time this topic comes up but it’s true. I’m on 10mg of lexapro now. I switched from Zoloft after gaining 15ish pounds. I’m down about 10lbs but I don’t feel like it works as well. I go back to the doctor next week and I’m going to see about either increasing or trying something else.
Does anyone else here take more than 10mg of lexapro? (Hope you don’t mind me hijacking your post 😊)
I take 20 mg of Lexapro. My doctor started me at 10, and upped it to 20 after about a month. I absolutely love it, and it has honestly changed my life. Super minimal side effects (a little nausea and fatigue the first week I took it, and the first week after I upped my dose). I had read that it could cause fatigue, so I take mine at night.
Oh! It has also made me a total lightweight. More than one glass of wine and I'm done. But overall, it's been great for me
Post by rupertpenny on Dec 6, 2017 21:08:38 GMT -5
I've taken a variety of ADs and am currently on Lexapro because it is considered one of the more pregnancy friendly drugs. I have fewer side effects on Lexapro than on other drugs, but it also doesn't work the best for me. It works fine, I just like Effexor better.
Anyway, your H should not just quit taking it if he feels weird the first week or so. I did that the first time I tried an AD and it was awful.
I had very vivid dreams the first week or so and some weight gain. But I started it for PPA and stopped breastfeeding when I started it (and lost my magic breastfeeding metabolism) so I'm not sure how much to attribute to the med. It helped me out of a really bad time and I feel better on it than I did before I was pregnant and not taking anything so I have stayed on it.
I haven't tried lexapro but it's common to have some side effects with all SSRIs when starting. I had a pretty rough start with Zoloft tho it works beautifully for me now. He just needs to power through the first few weeks.
Based on his googling side effects I am guessing he's being treated for anxiety?
Re: weight gain...I gained around 30 lbs on Zoloft and attributed it to the meds but the weight is almost all off now and I'm still on Zoloft so who knows. I think it increased my appetite and made me not care about weight gain but it didn't actually slow my metabolism. That's my theory anyway.
I tried it for migraines. As I told my doctor, I wasn't suicidal but had a clear thought that I didn't want to live feeling the way it made me feel. I was a zombie on a super low dose but I'm very med sensitive and had bad reactions to other things too.
My experience was similar. And the insomnia side effect was so much worse for me than the anxiety we were trying to treat. I ditched it pretty early on because I couldn’t cope.
I also have extra anxiety about medications. Taking ADs has been life changing for me. I know I say that every time this topic comes up but it’s true. I’m on 10mg of lexapro now. I switched from Zoloft after gaining 15ish pounds. I’m down about 10lbs but I don’t feel like it works as well. I go back to the doctor next week and I’m going to see about either increasing or trying something else.
Does anyone else here take more than 10mg of lexapro? (Hope you don’t mind me hijacking your post 😊)
I just upped mine to 20 after being on 10 for about 5 years. The increase helped a lot, it took about a week to see the positive changes. It did cause some GI issues for a few days, but nothing awful. I take it for anxiety.
PDQ Resurrecting this old thread because I’ve decided to finally get my anxiety under control and will be asking my doctor about Lexapro at my appointment next month.
For those who have said it’s life changing and has had a positive impact on their lives..in what ways, exactly? I don’t think I’m depressed but I know I have social anxiety and general anxiety. I also have a really short fuse most of the time, and I think that’s due to anxiety. I’m really looking forward to being able to talk to people without being awkward af, not obsessively worrying about every minor thing, and maybe being able to be more patient with DH and the kids.
I noticed the day it kicked in for me - the world just didn’t seem so dark. I worry less. I sleep better. I make decisions more rationally than emotionally. Total game changer.
I noticed the day it kicked in for me - the world just didn’t seem so dark. I worry less. I sleep better. I make decisions more rationally than emotionally. Total game changer.
This sums up Lexapro for me too. Lexapro mainly calms my anxiety (I take something else for depression). I'm not a constant worrying mess anymore. I don't freak out as much before social events. My anxiety was so bad that I could barely go grocery shopping by myself.
As for side effects: I get very edgy/snappy if I miss a dose and I take mine in the morning because it keeps me up if I take it at night.
I started taking the generic version of it (10 mg) just over a month ago. I take it at night and the first week had a little stomach cramps overnight but nothing major. The doctor did warn about that and the fact that it could make me more tired. I do feel more tired but I was tired before so not a big change there. However, it has been a huge help.
I feel like I am able to handle things a lot better and don't feel like I am on the edge so much. I went to the doctor for what I thought was possible depression and/or anxiety. I always felt overwhelmed, I wasn't finding joy in the things that use to make me happy and so much more. I know I haven't been on the medication very long but I feel like I'm generally happier and can easier handle everything.
Post by followyourarrow on Dec 17, 2018 14:33:40 GMT -5
edavis, I take it for anxiety. It doesn't fix everything, it just makes things more manageable. I no longer want to hide under my desk at work. I'm much better about going out now, when things were super bad I couldn't leave my house to even get the mail. I still have anxious thoughts and it seems like I maybe have a harder time than other people do with social things, but I'm naturally an introvert and Lexapro hasn't changed that, just made things a little easier.
If you want me to delete any of this just let me know.
Post by christy082 on Dec 17, 2018 16:28:12 GMT -5
And I now see this is an old thread I previously responded to lol. Regarding your new question, it's changed my life because without it, I am incredibly easily irritated and quickly become enraged over little things. Much happier on it.