Success stories with Lexapro

[jmg85]

Hello. This is my 1st post. Sorry if I miss anything or do something incorrect. Anyways, I am diagnosed with GAD which also throws me into a depressive state every so often. I also experience depersonalization(which I think comes from the severe anxiety) I have been on Paxil in the past and it was a pretty good experience except for the massive weight gain/lethargy/withdrawal effects. I was then put on Prozac and I gave it 6 weeks but it really seemed to agitate my anxiety. The reason I tried Prozac was the long half life. I was hoping for better results. Third, I tried Celexa for about 4 months. I was on 20 mg and it seemed to help a bit in the anxiety department but did nothing for the depression. I tried bumping it up and I went bonkers. So I am here to ask(I have a pretty good understanding off all SSRI Meds bc my uncle is a pharmacist, and I bug the shit out of him all the time lol) but I'm curious has anyone had a good result with Lexapro. I know Lexapro and Celexa are quite similar drugs and I am thinking of giving it a try. I was really just looking for some positive feedback on Lexapro. Also any other info that might help. Start up effects, weight gain, sexual side effects(which I know is pretty normal with these drugs).. Thanks for reading I appreciate any feedback.

[bhamlaxy]

I have had an incredible experience with Lexapro.

Very briefly- I've had minor panic attack issues during extreme-stress times at work for a year or two. This latest one was EXTREMELY stressful. Smoked marijuana one night, had a massive panic attack, and was messed up every day after- Would wake up in a panic every morning, extreme derealization, constant panic attacks. Was reliant on .5mg dose of ativan a day to stay sane.

Slowly progressed up to 15mg of lexapro over the course of a few weeks. Minor initial side effects- trouble sleeping, slightly spiked anxiety. It was about 5 weeks later when it finally hit me. Everything changed over the course of a few days. Didn't need the ativan anymore. Felt more balanced overall. Could wake up every morning without having a panic attack.

Since then (4 months ago) I have used ativan once (panic attack related to a very odd physical symptom from something else). I'm not totally back to normal (still get minor anxiety/panic once in awhile) but I feel 90% better. Only side effect was a month or two ago I was getting itchy hands/feet once every week or two (never happened before) but that has totally subsided.

It has given me the stability I need to live a fully functional life while pursuing weekly therapy and working on the issue.