Positive Experience with Lexapro

[jjh333]

While I had mild to moderate anxiety in high school, my anxiety became extremely severe while I was away at college sophomore year. I was terrified to go to class, ride in cars with people, or go to social gatherings that I normally would love to attend. Senior year, my anxiety became more mild/moderate than severe, and I graduated. Once I moved home, my boyfriend and I of four years broke up. The mix of the breakup, moving home without many of my friends, and living at home left me with severe anxiety and my first bout of depression.

I was finally coaxed into seeing my general doctor, who prescribed me 5 mgs of Lexapro. I began seeing a psychologist around the same time. The first couple of weeks I had a bit of a fog, but I stuck with it. I've been on the same dosage of Lexapro for a year now.

While I know all medicines (especially SSRIs) have different effects on many people, Lexapro seems to work for me. There are times when my anxiety seems much worse or I feel a symptom of depression and I want to up my dosage, but I need to remember that this dosage of Lexapro helps me live more normally than before, while still allowing me to try and cope with feelings (a major reason for my anxiety is the death of my mom 10 years ago, which I never dealt with).

If anyone has any questions about Lexapro or my experiences, please ask away!

[trainerash]

Hi,
I liked reading your post - I just started with Lexapro and Klonopin (the latter only during the period that Lexapro will take to kick in) due to severe anxiety. In my case, exactly because of my mom's suicide 2 years ago that I also didn't deal (allied with a fiancee that was just diagnosed with Stage IV Colon Cancer).
So I would love to hear how much time did it take you to feel anything from the Lexapro - what did you feel? Did you feel you were over thinking on the problems less? Or that you were just more zen? How did you know it was working? And did you only stay on the 5mg?

Thanks!

[jjh333]

For the first few days I was very foggy and not myself to the point of my friends asking if I was sick. (I didn't tell hardly anyone I started medication.) Within the first four weeks, I felt less anxious overall. I just felt more "normal". I realized that I wasn't pacing at all (something I thought was just part of my personality but then realized that it was a symptom of my anxiety when I felt out of control). At my 4 week appointment with my doctor, a lot of my anxiety was better, but I still felt the depression symptoms. She told me I could up my dosage to 10 mgs if I wanted to, but I decided to stay on 5 mgs and work on my depression with a therapist instead. One year later I am still on 5mgs. I definitely still have ups and downs, but the medicine does help most of my symptoms stay under control. How are your first few days with the lexapro? I know it is tempting to read a lot of the side effects, but those always made me overthink how I was feeling. For the first few weeks (and still when I have off days) I would write down my emotions for that day, anything that triggered anxiety, and what technique made it better. I would highly suggest going to talk to someone also! It has helped me begin the grieving process that I love to ignore.

[Enduronman]

Thank you for posting this. I have rarely ever seen any success stories presented here about (Lexapro) or escitalopram so this is much appreciated Jillian!!!

Have a great day too friends!

E-Man. :)

[alankay]

Didn't do much for me but if it helps you stick with it! Remember a good diet(low in refined sugar, caffeine and alcohol). A bit of exercise too. :) Alankay

[trainerash]

Thanks for the reply! Interesting reading about your experience. It's only been 2 days so I barely feel anything at all. The doctor gave me Klonopin to take for the first two weeks that the Lexapro is still kicking in. I feel that it's helping me kill some thoughts that become obsessive in my head - my problem is that my head creates these terrible loops of self-abuse that I don't know how to stop. The Klonopin has done a good job at putting them at bay. I'll report back in a few days to see how the Lexapro has kicked in. I'm so happy to hear it worked well for you!! :) Thank you so much.

[jjh333]

I wasn't offered or knew to ask for anything to help with the transition so hopefully the Klonopin helps subside some of the first week symptoms if you have any! Good luck and stay in touch!

[Enduronman]

You seem to be doing very well, glad to see this today!.

E-Man...:)

[jjh333]

Thanks for the reply! Interesting reading about your experience. It's only been 2 days so I barely feel anything at all. The doctor gave me Klonopin to take for the first two weeks that the Lexapro is still kicking in. I feel that it's helping me kill some thoughts that become obsessive in my head - my problem is that my head creates these terrible loops of self-abuse that I don't know how to stop. The Klonopin has done a good job at putting them at bay. I'll report back in a few days to see how the Lexapro has kicked in. I'm so happy to hear it worked well for you!! :) Thank you so much.

any update?? How is it going?

[trainerash]

Hi! So... I'm not sure if it's doing a ton of effects. I'm feeling calmer but not more motivated or happier. Just calmer. Which is, perhaps, what is supposed to be the effects of the pills. Maybe I need to wait a bit longer...

[jjh333]

After I started the meds, I had a four week check up with my doctor. I told her that my anxiety was a lot better but some depression symptoms were still there. She told me that most of the time patients say their anxiety symptoms felt a lot better before the depression ones did, so maybe check up with your doctor or wait a bit longer!

[trainerash]

Oh wow. That's good insight. I actually have a follow-up next week. That gives me some reassurance :) I felt better (mood wise) when I started them but it started to subside after a while. Must be a natural slump. Thanks!

[trainerash]

After I started the meds, I had a four week check up with my doctor. I told her that my anxiety was a lot better but some depression symptoms were still there. She told me that most of the time patients say their anxiety symptoms felt a lot better before the depression ones did, so maybe check up with your doctor or wait a bit longer!
Hi. So quick question - is it normal to feel much more depressed in the first 3 weeks? I don't seem to be getting better and it's driving me nuts.

[jjh333]

sorry I am just seeing this!! I don't think I become more depressed necessarily, it just didn't help my depression as fast as it helped my anxiety. Since sometimes it does take longer for the ssri to help with depression, I could see your depression symptoms lingering/becoming a bit worse even though your anxiety seems better.

I'm sorry it took me so long to answer. How are you doing? Have you had a check in with your doctor at all?