Starting Lexapro
I finally decided to start the Lexapro. I did a lot of research online this
morning and it seems the pros outweigh the cons. I fear the nausea that may come
with it to the point of vomiting, this scares the hell out of me. I can deal
with the other side effects but nausea and vomiting, forget it. On Sept. 1st, Im
going to take 1/4 of a pill for a couple weeks. Baby steps I guess you’d call
it. I think I’ll take it in the morning with milk and crackers. If I seem to do
ok with this small dose, I will go to a half, 5mg at the 3rd week and see how I
do on 5. How does this sound to you all? Larissa
May 26th, 2006 at 4:53 pm
Larissa,
This sounds like a good plan for “weaning on” the Lex. One recommendation based
on my experiences though…I too was afraid of nausea, etc. and have done much,
much better taking the Lex right before bed. Any uneasy stomach feelings would
have taken place during the night, for the most part. I have a very weak
stomach but this method has worked great for me!
I finally decided to start the Lexapro. I did a lot of research online this
morning and it seems the pros outweigh the cons. I fear the nausea that may come
with it to the point of vomiting, this scares the hell out of me. I can deal
with the other side effects but nausea and vomiting, forget it. On Sept. 1st, Im
going to take 1/4 of a pill for a couple weeks. Baby steps I guess you’d call
it. I think I’ll take it in the morning with milk and crackers. If I seem to do
ok with this small dose, I will go to a half, 5mg at the 3rd week and see how I
do on 5. How does this sound to you all? Larissa
[
May 27th, 2006 at 1:03 am
Hi Larissa -
I haven’t had any nausea starting up the Lexapro. I am starting on 5 mg,
and I take it at night. I tried once before to get on it, and I had headaches,
and felt a bit jittery, but, this time I have had no problems at all. Maybe
I was just anxious the first time…lol.
Hopefully, it will be smooth sailing for you!
Marilyn
May 27th, 2006 at 7:57 am
my first nite with lexapro.. sent me to ER.. I was throwing up so much…. then
i cut it in half and now im doing very well.. i have to take it at nite or else
i get really really sleepy..which is nice.. i sleep so much better…. good luck
Are they sure it was from the med?
May 27th, 2006 at 11:51 pm
Hi Sue C-
I agree with you. I read about all the side effects, and I took my Lexapro
for 2 days, and chickened out. I had really bad experiences with Paxil,
weight gain, and the sexual side effects, and even though my doctor told me
that
only 9 out of 10 people experience side effects, I am still afraid to
continue taking it.
I am going to see how I do, and, if I still feel I need the Lexapro to calm
my anxiety, I may give it another shot, at a later date. I do go to
counseling, and I am hoping that if I can get help there, and continue doing the
things that relieve my stress, I may not need medication.
But, I am staying on this list, and I am going to keep Lexapro a
consideration.
I know that when I was on Paxil, I worried way less! I think I worry about
EVERYTHING, including the side effects of Lexapro!! I liked the Paxil, and
took it for years, but, I gained so much weight, and had trouble with sex,
that I just wanted to get off of it. Also, it started to take away ANY
emotion.
I didn’t care if I went out to a movie, or sat on the couch, I was happy
either way. I had no motivation to do anything.
Maybe the weight gain, and sexual side effects are a result of the anxiety,
or depression, and not the medication? I am not saying for everyone, but,
possibly, it could be a contributor to the problem…
Marilyn
May 28th, 2006 at 7:26 am
In a message dated 8/23/2005 7:40:30 A.M. Pacific Standard Time,
gvhoulihan@… writes:
My feelings is that if one concentrates on the negative POSSIBLE adverse
effects of a med., sure enough you’ll have these side effects.
I agree with you, Annie, and was wondering that very thing myself….
And, I have a headache today, and I am NOT on Lexapro…lol.
Marilyn
May 28th, 2006 at 3:02 pm
In a message dated 8/23/2005 8:00:54 A.M. Pacific Standard Time,
brenpatsa@… writes:
I never knew that life without the burdens of fears and constant anxieties
could exist for me but I am happier than I thought possible.
Hi Mary S -
Wow, Mary. That is great. Makes me want to be fearless, and try the Lex
again. I don’t know what to think. I definitely was scared off by the tales
of the side effects.
It is good to hear about the positive side effects, not the negative.
Marilyn
May 30th, 2006 at 11:57 am
Hi Sue C-
I agree with you. I read about all the side effects, and I took my Lexapro
for 2 days, and chickened out.
What made you chicken out?
May 31st, 2006 at 3:08 am
How can a post like that possibly help someone on this board? There is no way
to say that a night of vomiting was even related to the meds yet countless
people are reading it and are being frightened away from the very real
possibility of improving their lives dramatically.
I was one of them. I have a fear of vomiting and when I saw that I went into a
panic. I am working up to starting it. I have taken Atenolol and Alprazolam in
all my years and never really had any side effects with any of them, so I’m
hoping Lexapro will be the one for me. I still have yet to read here or on the
web where Lexapro helps people with severe anxiety and agoraphobia. Larissa
May 31st, 2006 at 3:02 pm
I’ll contribute a positive Lex experience. On it a little over 2 months now.
Had minimal side effects. A little dizzy first few times, very vivid dreams
first month and my appetite is not the same. Usually do not feel like eating
and the suddenly one day I’m ravenous. I think its how a pregnant woman
would feel. I’ve lost about 4 pounds. I think I was more depressed than I
though and this medicine has helped that a lot and therefore has helped
decrease anxiety and social anxiety. I can talk to people without blushing -
that’s a big one for me. Everything - life events don’t feel SOOOOOOOO
overwhelming. That’s where anxiety has calmed down. Now I do use Benzos and
those help a lot, but the days I don’t are more bearable with the Lex than
without. Some days I feel anxious and sometimes I feel a backslide coming
on, so I’ll talk with my doc about that. All I can say is I’m better than
before and it’s a step in the right direction.
June 1st, 2006 at 1:56 am
I have taken Atenolol and Alprazolam in all my years and never really had any
side effects with any of them, so I’m hoping Lexapro will be the one for me. I
still have yet to read here or on the web where Lexapro helps people with severe
anxiety and agoraphobia.
I should clarify that the Alprazolam Ive been on for 3 years, and the Atenolol
was because my heart rate was at 95 due to anxiety. I was only on that 3 months
and had 3 of the rare side effects, cramps in my calves, small pinpoint bruises
and comd cold feet. Larissa
June 1st, 2006 at 10:13 am
Sue -
I chickened for many various reasons, I suppose….
I was afraid of the side effects, especially weight gain and sexual side
effects, which, I experienced on Paxil.
Maybe I feel that my anxiety is not bad enough to require medication. Some
days are good, some days are bad, like anyone else, I suppose.
Those are the biggest reasons, I guess….
However, I do notice that I can handle my anxiety/depression as long as
things are flowing smoothly in my life. But the minute the boat gets rocked, I
easily resort to anxiety, and, following that, some depression.
Question - Do any of you enjoy a cocktail now and again while taking
Lexapro? I am not a drinker, but, I do enjoy a social drink with friends, now
and
again…
Marilyn
June 3rd, 2006 at 6:40 am
-Hi,
This is my 23rd day on Lex.
I’m feeling so much better!
It took only 5 days for me to start feeling better and to stop
having suicidal thoughts.
The first week was the worst with the side effects but they have
mostly dissapeared. The sexual side effects are gone, the dizzy
feeling, the tiredness, etc. The only thing I have right now is alot
of dreaming and it’s hard for me to get up in the morning.
I had a down day yesterday, feeling a little overwhelmed but not
like it used to be.
I have gotten so much done around my house and I don’t get angry.
I was so terrified to take any meds! The first time Lex was
prescribed to me I did not take it and I wish I would have, it would
have saved me alot of pain. Yes, I have read all the horror stories
and about how evil SSRI’s are but I know my life before Lex was a
horror story. I don’t know how my husband stayed married to me.
I was so scared of the side effects but the benefits outweigh them.
I can be a normal person now and I can be a better wife and mother.
I can love again.
Destroying my life and my family is not worth saving my self from
the side effects.
Lex is one of the better SSRI’s from what I’ve read.
Everyone is different but if you are suffering I would give it a try
be committed to the first week or two of going through some side
effects. The side effects were far from the worst physical things I
have ever experienced. It was weird and uncomfortable at first but
the body has to adjust.
I asked my Doc to prescribe me 20 mg so I can cut them in half and
save money, he said no problem.
I just hope it keeps working for me.
ann
– ]
June 3rd, 2006 at 3:25 pm
Ann -
What a great e mail! How wonderful to hear how much better your life is!
Thank you for writing that.
I have started, and stopped, Lex 2 times out of fear….and, I just made a
commitment to myself to start it, and give it 2 months. Your post gives me
hope. Thank you.
It is hard, sometimes, to realize when we need help, and take it. Recently
I am finding myself in bad mood most of the time, unable to tolerate the
people around me…my family. I am impatient with my 21 year old, I dread the
grandchildren coming over, and my husband coming home from work. I don’t want
to do any housework, and then, I feel guilty for not getting enough done
during the day.
The only time I am really content is at dance class…probably because it
stirs up my endorphines…yet, I cannot force myself to go to the gym anymore.
I have some hope that the Lex will help me get my life back…I thought I
was taking it merely for anxiety, but, I realize now that the anxiety is moving
towards depression also. I have struggled with depression my entire life.
Marilyn
June 4th, 2006 at 2:37 am
Good Luck. I’m glad you are feeling better.
June 4th, 2006 at 1:04 pm
–
Hi Marilyn,
I’m so glad you have committed to taking it for 2 months.
That is why I did not stop taking it at first when it made me feel
like crap. It was so hard for me to take the first step but when I
did, it was a commitment to myself to get better.
Life is to precious and to short to live in depression when we
don’t have to! You are so right about admitting we need help.
I had the same feelings, Every morning when my husband left work was
my favorite part of the day and I also hated him coming home.
I did not want to talk to anyone.
I also was in the terrible roller coaster of not being able to get
anything done and then feeling as a worthless good for nothing
person
because of the guilt.
The only time I felt good was at the gym.
I also quit going, it makes me so mad.
But I still consider my self adjusting to the Lex so I have given my
body a break from the exercise for about a month now.
I will start back soon.
I really hope you will start to enjoy life and your family again.
Living like this sucks and the wonderful thing is you don’t have to.
Many great people have suffered with depression and did not have the
meds to help them so I thank God for the medical advances we have to
help us. We are not weak people for getting help, we are smart!
ann
P.S. I noticed the Lex did not cause nausea when I took it with a
little milk. I still take it in the morning but wished I would have
started taking it at night. I’m still considering switching to night
but not sure if that means skipping a dose and I’m afraid to do that.
June 5th, 2006 at 8:36 pm
Hi ann -
Thanks for your post, and the support!
Now that I have actually committed to doing this, I am happier already!
Just knowing that I have made a decision to try it and see, relieves my mind.
I
totally agree, that I should not have to struggle with anxiety, and
depression, and that life is short, and if there is help out there, I need to
take
it. I also take meds for high blood pressure, and I will look at this
medication in the same way that I do that - that I do it to live.
Thanks for your support. It helps a lot to know there are people who
understand. And, yes, we are strong, for admitting we need help, and taking
the
steps to get it. Yeah, Us!!!
Marilyn
June 6th, 2006 at 11:48 am
Thanks so much, Sue C. I have committed to do it. All of you have been so
helpful. I really appreciate it. Now that I have actually made the
decision, and put fear aside, it seems like that HOPE you offer will be a
reality. I
tried, for 2 years, to tough it out without meds, but, I think it is
catching up with me….My doctor is very encouraging about the Lex, and I trust
his
judgement.
Marilyn
June 7th, 2006 at 3:00 am
Yeah, Ed! Good to hear that you have had positive results for so long!
Marilyn
June 19th, 2006 at 6:15 pm
wow Brenda,
I am sorry you have been through so much. Listen, I am terrified of all
these drugs .. and I am highly drug sensitive. .. lexapro ..I really
think it may have the lowest rate of side effects. If you think you need
medication it is worth a try.. I get liquid stuff and I started on one
milligram. now I am up to 5 ..you could go onto that slow and the liquid
gives you total control. - wishing you all the best - hugs …many hugs-
alison
Didnt you say you vomited when you upped the med 1 milligram? Larissa
February 14th, 2007 at 10:19 am
I havent started my meds yet, still on Alprazolam, and was wondering, my doc
said I could start taking it at 2.5 mg. So I cut several of the 10mg tabs into
quarters. He said I could start as low as I wanted for as long as I wanted. What
are my chances of getting side effects at this dose? Can I still take my
Alprazolam 3x a day like I have been doing for the past 3 years? Should I take
it with food? Would I notice any changes on such a low dose? Sorry for all the
questions but i’m very anxious about startiung meds. This will be my 2nd time at
ever taking a prescription med. Terry