Why I am on Lexapro
Hello to all,
I just wanted to comment to all who talk about weaning off of
Lexapro. I wish I had that option. I am happy for all who can take
it and wean off of it when they feel better. I just wanted to speak
out for all of those like me who will have to take it for the rest
of their lives. I suffer from OCD and sever depression. Without
Lexapro I had suicidal thoughts and would spend days on end in bed.
Lexapro helps me survive everyday. I am happy, go to school, have a
part time job and a great marriage. I have been depressed my whole
life and it runs in my family. My doctor told me without taking
Lexapro everyday I would fall back into depression. My husband and
family would never want me to stop taking it. So I live with the
side effects (Some weight gain) happily because at least now I have
a good life. I do worry about having children because I don’t want
to pass my OCD and depression on. I would hate to see my child as
obsessive and depressed as I was as a child. Has anyone taken
Lexapro while pregnant? I wonder if it would cause birth defects? I
wouldn’t want to give birth to a child who was addicted. But
adoption is always an option for me because I am adopted myself.
I hope everyone the best!
Shannon
October 23rd, 2005 at 6:14 am
Hi Shannon,
My name is Tammy-I haven’t posted in a LONG time, but
you had asked about pregnancy and lexapro…
I started taking lex almost 2 years ago for severe
anxiety. At one point, I could hardly get myself
together to make it to school and work, I was
isolated, and spent a lot of time in the hospital w/
panic attacks. WELL, after taking lex, the attacks
subsided, and everything got better. I worried a lot
that I would be dependant on it, and when I found out
I was pregnant in July, the doctor assured me that
there have been no links to birth defects and
anti-depressants (ad’s have been around a pretty long
time, even stronger then than they are now). But,
when you become pregnant, your hormones do strange
things, including develop seratonin, so before you
know it, you don’t need the lex. I stopped taking it,
without any weaning process, and it’s been at least 2
to 3 weeks since I’ve taken it. I feel fine (aside
from some sickness)! I’m sorry that you feel, or that
your dr has told you, you will need this for the rest
of your life. I understand if it makes you feel
comfortable, but it’s possible to come off, and
definitely possible to have children. Don’t give up
on yourself that easily…
=====
Tammy Cantillon