32nd day on Lexapro

[ChicagoFan689]

So I am a month in to my treatment with Lexapro (10 mg/day). Prior to this, I had never seen a psych and had never tried any psych meds.

I can honestly say that my anxiety level has gone from about an 8 to a 2. No more crazy mood swings. No more waking up in the middle of the night feeling terrified my heart is going to stop. No more racing thoughts/googling symptoms trying to figure out whether or not I'm dying. I'm in a much better place.

Some sexual side effects...I can get going fine, but whereas I used to reach orgasm in a matter of 5 or less minutes, I now only orgasm about 50% of the time, and it takes longer. There are worse things, and I am hoping this will go away after a while...

No weight gain per se, but I'm trying to lose, and with the Lexapro has come an increase in appetite. Probably not due to the medication itself, but to the fact that I don't have a heightened amount of adrenaline rushing through my body everyd ay.

I was given a 30 day supply of Klonopin to use as needed. I still have 14 pills left. Mostly took it in the beginning before Lexapro kicked in, now take it occasionally if I feel like I might have a hard time sleeping.

I should also note that I am supplementing with very regular exercise (at least 3, usually more times per week), and the Yogi Stress Relief Tea (Kava) which honestly works wonders. I also occasionally will do some guided meditation/relaxation if I'm feeling anxious but don't want to take the Klonopin to fall asleep.

One thing that I want to put out there is that I think you have to be willing and open to these medications if they are really going to work. You will get some benefits even if you think they won't work on you, but I do believe that there are some parts of anxiety that are purely mental. I still have problems occasionally with racing thoughts/irrational fears because it is such a habit, and it's hard to break. If I let myself go there, I can...but I can never get worked up in to a full panic attack anymore because my body simply doesn't have the chemical resources to get that terrified, pit-in-the-stomach, heart-racing, sweaty feeling.

So that's my story. So far so good. Hopefully this will help others who are thinking about trying it.

[JustaGal]

So I am a month in to my treatment with Lexapro (10 mg/day). Prior to this, I had never seen a psych and had never tried any psych meds.

I can honestly say that my anxiety level has gone from about an 8 to a 2. No more crazy mood swings. No more waking up in the middle of the night feeling terrified my heart is going to stop. No more racing thoughts/googling symptoms trying to figure out whether or not I'm dying. I'm in a much better place.

Some sexual side effects...I can get going fine, but whereas I used to reach orgasm in a matter of 5 or less minutes, I now only orgasm about 50% of the time, and it takes longer. There are worse things, and I am hoping this will go away after a while...

No weight gain per se, but I'm trying to lose, and with the Lexapro has come an increase in appetite. Probably not due to the medication itself, but to the fact that I don't have a heightened amount of adrenaline rushing through my body everyd ay.

I was given a 30 day supply of Klonopin to use as needed. I still have 14 pills left. Mostly took it in the beginning before Lexapro kicked in, now take it occasionally if I feel like I might have a hard time sleeping.

I should also note that I am supplementing with very regular exercise (at least 3, usually more times per week), and the Yogi Stress Relief Tea (Kava) which honestly works wonders. I also occasionally will do some guided meditation/relaxation if I'm feeling anxious but don't want to take the Klonopin to fall asleep.

One thing that I want to put out there is that I think you have to be willing and open to these medications if they are really going to work. You will get some benefits even if you think they won't work on you, but I do believe that there are some parts of anxiety that are purely mental. I still have problems occasionally with racing thoughts/irrational fears because it is such a habit, and it's hard to break. If I let myself go there, I can...but I can never get worked up in to a full panic attack anymore because my body simply doesn't have the chemical resources to get that terrified, pit-in-the-stomach, heart-racing, sweaty feeling.

So that's my story. So far so good. Hopefully this will help others who are thinking about trying it.

I am just under two months back on Lexapro with good results. Still need quick anxiety relief. Trying not to take the Benzo's. Gonna see Pdoc thurs for alternative to Benzo.

[superchick22684]

I'm 4 weeks into using Lexapro and have experienced really bad side effects and thus will be switching to something else. Glad that someone has found it to be helpful though.

[ec2455]

ChicagoFan689,

How is the Lexapro working for you? I was recently prescribed it and am torn, kinda scared to take it.

Thanks for your time.

[JustaGal]

ChicagoFan689,

How is the Lexapro working for you? I was recently prescribed it and am torn, kinda scared to take it.

Thanks for your time.

Very good for me. I am doing much better than I was. What part scares you? I do think I had that discontinuation syndrome symptoms from stopping it after 12 years. I was not at a place to wait it out. I am much better on it.

[ec2455]

Very good for me. I am doing much better than I was. What part scares you? I do think I had that discontinuation syndrome symptoms from stopping it after 12 years. I was not at a place to wait it out. I am much better on it.

Thanks for you response.

That is good to hear. I think that I am scared of the side effects and becoming dependent on it for the rest of my life. This anxiety thing is extremely new to me and occurred after the death of my step-mother in August, had what they think was a mild anxiety attack exactly 2 weeks after she passed. I worry about worrying about my health and being anxious, thinking this will last forever. I have been to a psychologist and that has definitely helped but not enough. I still worry/get anxious everyday but seem to be able to manage it. My PCP first prescribed my Ativan to take at night to help me sleep which helped during the early parts when it was really really bad. I think I have taken 5 pills in the 20+ days I have had it. Still not feeling overly great so my PCP prescribed Lexapro to use for about 4-6 months to help my body calm down enough to be able to process whatever it is that is causing the anxiety (Most likely not grieving).

Sorry for the long response but figured I needed to provide some background behind my question.

[JustaGal]

Sorry to hear about your step mother. If it is situational depression, then if it was me I would avoid Lexapro. Because your are right, I think I am stuck with it for life. Especially if you say you can manage it.
In may case, I tried a couple times very hard to get off AD's and it did not work out.

In my opinion, you have a life issue that can be worked through with out Lexapro. I say that without knowing the rest of your life history. Start with a grieving process first and take it from there : )

[ec2455]

Thank You. They seem to think that is part of the issue that I don't know how to grieve. I automatically go from Death to Acceptance. I have always been like that though and usually don't let things affect me. I seem to be able to manage it from becoming into a full blown attack but I still dwell on it all day long and if I'm not busy then I dwell on it even more. I think thats the reason why the PCP wants me to take it for a couple months.

[JustaGal]

Thank You. They seem to think that is part of the issue that I don't know how to grieve. I automatically go from Death to Acceptance. I have always been like that though and usually don't let things affect me. I seem to be able to manage it from becoming into a full blown attack but I still dwell on it all day long and if I'm not busy then I dwell on it even more. I think thats the reason why the PCP wants me to take it for a couple months.

Hmm.. the answer will come to you, but I personally think you can function with out it based on what you say here. You will know for sure if the day comes if you need it. Who is to say what the correct grieving process is anyway...

[gad1993]

Hey Chicago,

I was recently prescribed Lexapro (about 12 days ago), with a starting does of 20mg. I initially started with 10mg and instantly felt better during the first week. However, these last few days have been hell as I feel the anxiety has come back. I have increased my dosage to 15mg to minimize my side effects, and will be increasing to 20mg in a week or so. I am wondering how long it took for the Lexapro to kick in?

Thanks!