Unfortanately, it’s trial and error and a lot of patience when trying
any medication…especially antidepressants. I’ve been on several
different ones for months at a time and although I never experienced
withdrawl, weight gain, or increased panic…I experienced nothing
with any of them(which to me is the same thing) and quit taking them
altogether until Lexapro. I did experience side effects on lexapro
but carried on from 10 to 20mgs because the benefits (much less
anxiety and fewer panic attacks in beginning) far outweighed the
discomforts. It’s been a little over three months and side
effects,for the most part are completely gone. On occasion, I might
experience something, headache - slight nausea - tiredness but
nothing compared to what I had prior to taking it (rages, not getting
out of bed, crying at the drop of a hat, etc.). Everybody
metabolizes drugs differently and brain chemistry is different in all
as well. No one can say that one medication is going to work for
everyone in the same way, or at all for that matter. It’s a personal
experience and we’re the only ones who can have them. My depression
is completely gone - a first for any medication and a first
in years…anxiety is leveled - stopped taking 9-14mg of xanax and am
on a PRN basis now, which I never thought could happen without
withdrawl. Is this going to happen to everyone…absolutely NOT.
Trial and Error and Patience are key in finding right
doctor/medication for you.
Good Luck and don’t give up!
p.s. reading the inserts is just smart research along with other
“reliable” readings on any medications, asking doctors ?s, talking
with others who’ve taken it…however, I try not to read too much or
it will override whatever “good” it might do by scaring me into
paying too much attention to the “possible” SE and not enough to the
benefits, therefore, I won’t even bother taking it and look what I’d
be missing out on…being happy - what a concept ;o)