Just starting lexapro

[Ezin]

This paradoxical weight gain post-SSRI has been noted and described... there are those people who have had no weight problems on-drug & remained slim, who have experienced a swift (rebound?) increase once off-drug.

If you cold-turkeyed or swift tapered, then anecdotally it can mean a tougher w/d process.

Withdrawal checklist can be found by clicking on the 'Appendix 1' link : http://www.prozacbacklash.com/antidepressantS...

[Shreddogg]

so i took my first 10mg of this lexapro yesterday about 18 hours ago. i seriously cannot believe that doctors and shrinks are allowed to prescribe this stuff. i'm considering not even taking my second pill due to the following symtoms:

1. lock jaw
2. waves of near migraine headaches
3. tracers
4. a consistant'being drunk and having a horrible extasy hangover feeling) at the same time
5. mad me feel more paranoid and anxious
6. feel like puking..then when needing to eat...nothing sounds good/tastes good.

any suggestions? i'm taking this stuff for mild anx disorder. i've never been on meds for problems before..so i didn't know what to excpect.
i honestly cannot believe that this drug (which makes you feel like you are on a bad exctasy hangover) is legal. Is it actaully supposed to start to make me feel better in a few weeks without these symptoms??? if these symptoms remain, i'm down with this stuff.
thanks

[Ezin]

Please consider reading the drug info sheet that came with the medicine, or read a few on the web, e.g.

http://www.drugs.com/lexapro.html

Note the following... "Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects: seizure (convulsions), tremors, shivering, MUSCLE STIFFNESS OR TWITCHING; problems with balance or coordination; or AGITATION, CONFUSION, sweating, fast heartbeat."

From another sheet http://www.drugs.com/cons/lexapro.html

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur: Coma; CONFUSION; convulsions; decreased urine output; DIZZINESS; fast or irregular heartbeat; HEADACHE; increased thirst; MUSCLE PAIN OR CRAMPS; NAUSEA OR VOMITING; shortness of breath; swelling of face, ankles, or hands; unusual tiredness or weakness"

Call your doctor, asap.

If you are also finding the need to pace about (keep moving), and have heightened anger and irritability, then there is also the possibility of akathisia, which is commonly associated with these antidepressants: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akathisia

[Shreddogg]

Ezin wrote:

Please consider reading the drug info sheet that came with the medicine, or read a few on the web, e.g.
http://www.drugs.com/lexapro.html
Note the following... "Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects: seizure (convulsions), tremors, shivering, MUSCLE STIFFNESS OR TWITCHING; problems with balance or coordination; or AGITATION, CONFUSION, sweating, fast heartbeat."
From another sheet http://www.drugs.com/cons/lexapro.html
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur: Coma; CONFUSION; convulsions; decreased urine output; DIZZINESS; fast or irregular heartbeat; HEADACHE; increased thirst; MUSCLE PAIN OR CRAMPS; NAUSEA OR VOMITING; shortness of breath; swelling of face, ankles, or hands; unusual tiredness or weakness"
Call your doctor, asap.
If you are also finding the need to pace about (keep moving), and have heightened anger and irritability, then there is also the possibility of akathisia, which is commonly associated with these antidepressants: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akathisia

thanks
i called the doc...of course she's outta town for the week. i'm just kickin this stuff...i've been on a lot of meds in my life for many things (mainly pain) and i've never felt so GACKED out on anything in my life before.

i've had xanax before, and didn't have any of these symptoms..and felt total relief from my anx symptoms. should i tell my doc this?

[rocky]

What are the restrictions of alcohol consumption when taking Lexipro?

[Showgirl]

Hi all,
I have been on Lexapro for about 6 months now and find that it is helping my claustrophobia and the anxiety reactions I have suffered. It took several months before I really noticed anything. However, last week I took two elevator rides which is something I haven't done in about a year. I was stuck in elevators about six times and twice when there was a fire, so this, added to other life situations, contributed to my phobia in older age. I have not gained any weight and have not been watching, even though I need to. That will come. I am happy with the medication. Maybe one day I will get off if I can conquer the claustrophobia.

[Bill]

I noticed when i stopped taking the lexapro for about a week i started feeling what people call "electrical shocks" throughout my body it was a bad feeling just wonder how long will this last? thanks,

[Pro]

Wow, I'm amazed at some of the Lexapro stories!
I've been taking Lexapro for about a year and have to say that my focus has never been better. There does seem to be weight gain even though I run 3 miles every other day, skate 5to10 miles, workout at least 3 days a week, and play tennis in the evenings. My weight and appearance has definitely changed in many ways good and bad, but for the most part I'm impressed with what I've been able to achieve in my day to day schedule.

[Kelli]

Bill wrote:

I noticed when i stopped taking the lexapro for about a week i started feeling what people call "electrical shocks" throughout my body it was a bad feeling just wonder how long will this last? thanks,

It should go away within a couple days, Have you only been taking it a week?? I took for 2 days, and the weird sensations went away probaly 4 or so days later...Good Luck!

[Kelli]

rocky wrote:

What are the restrictions of alcohol consumption when taking Lexipro?

My doc asked how much I usually drank before prescribing and I told him 2 to 3 drinks per setting, he said cut back to 2 drinks and I should be fine.

[Kelli]

Shreddogg wrote:

so i took my first 10mg of this lexapro yesterday about 18 hours ago. i seriously cannot believe that doctors and shrinks are allowed to prescribe this stuff. i'm considering not even taking my second pill due to the following symtoms:
1. lock jaw
2. waves of near migraine headaches
3. tracers
4. a consistant'being drunk and having a horrible extasy hangover feeling) at the same time
5. mad me feel more paranoid and anxious
6. feel like puking..then when needing to eat...nothing sounds good/tastes good.
any suggestions? i'm taking this stuff for mild anx disorder. i've never been on meds for problems before..so i didn't know what to excpect.
i honestly cannot believe that this drug (which makes you feel like you are on a bad exctasy hangover) is legal. Is it actaully supposed to start to make me feel better in a few weeks without these symptoms??? if these symptoms remain, i'm down with this stuff.
thanks

I had similiar effects from taking 2 10mg pills for two days, I didn't like the feeling either, so I stopped the pills for going on 7 days now, I feel back to normal now. However, I read many entries and there are bad days at first, but I think eventually things get better and the pill starts working well. I am going to go back on, and give this a second try, but probably cut down to 5mg and see how it works, maybe you should try a lower dosage and see if you have better luck... Good luck

[Bill]

I had to go back on the drug because the weird sensations got worse. it felt like i was losing my balance most of the times i moved suddenly when walking or sitting down.

Kelli wrote:

<quoted text>
It should go away within a couple days, Have you only been taking it a week?? I took for 2 days, and the weird sensations went away probaly 4 or so days later...Good Luck!

[david c]

i just started taking 20mg of lexapro 2 weeks ago and my doc also prescribed me 1mg of ativan, is it ok to mix the benzos with the lexapro the first couple of weeks just to help me cope with my anxiety untill the lexapro takes its full effect

[Paige]

P ant wrote:

I have been taking 20 mg of Lexapro for 6 months. it has helped with depression/anxiety. However at this point I have gained 15 lbs. I am 5'1, was 120 lbs., now I am 135 lbs. My breast size has doubled, my arms are getting fat and have cellulite and I feel so heavy in the stomach. I am so uncomfortable. And my clothes no longer fit.

I have been on lexapro for 3 months and I have gained 10 lbs. I dont know what is worse insanity or being fat! I dont know what to do. I take 10 mg a day and I feel great, other than this weigth issue.

[kitten9199]

I took lexapro for 6 months and gained 20 pounds. It worked on my anxiety but was not worth the weight gain. I went back on Prozac a little over a week ago and have lost 3 pounds already.

[Rob]

Lexapro update

Week 1 done.
5 Mg day 1 & 2
10 mg day 3-7 so far

No side effects..maybe some dry mouth, that's all.
Also..no less anxiety yet

Waiting on Social Anxiety reduction !!!!
Anybody have success with it with Social Anxiety?

[alysha]

i've been taking 10mg for ten days. it's been alright for me so far (i did have a panic attack the first day, but after that i haven't experienced any side effects) but what i notice is that i seem to be a lot hungrier than before. i really don't want any of the weight gain everyone's talking about =/. and just wondering, about how long did it take until you started feeling better? i seem to be a little more upbeat already, but it could also just be a coincidence.

[Tried them all]

I have been on Lexapro for 6 months and i have gained weight, I have joined a gym to try to to lose some of that weight gain and i have been going about five months to the gym I work really hard and i havent lost a single pound. i am really afaraid if I didnt go to the gym the weight would be worse. for years my doctors have had me on everything, first celexa, then prozac, then zoloft, and wellbutrin, cymbalata-(horrid) last but not least I am on this lexapro i feel good on it but I am considerings after about fifteen years of going off everything. any suggestions??

[bad eyes]

I have gotten puffy, red, itchy, baggy eyes wiht redness after starting lexapo--anyone?

[Kathy]

To any and everyone - do not take this drug. Doctors and psychiatrists should read this or better yet, take it themselves. I've been on it for about a year and a half, am down to 2.5mg daily or less and would give anything to get off completely. My Naturopath and I are planning in mid-Jan. (after the holiday rush) to wean me off totally with supplements, etc. I have acupuncture twice a week also. Have tried a couple of times to get off - it's an evil drug. Not worth any amount of relief you think you might attain. I've weighed 107 for years (I'm 58) and have gained 8 pounds and belly fat that simply won't go away. Aside from the weight gain, the withdrawal is horrid but I'm determined. Please, if you're considering this drug, think very long and hard.