lexapro - long term

[Matt]

Sandi wrote:

<quoted text>No way! Lexapro makes you gain weight, i don't care what anyone says and i took myself off this brain-inhibiting drug. All of these drugs do what they are designed to do but you must give up other things in return, like your figure, your energy and your sex drive. No thanks. You can have it.

Well, I agree about the weight gain, but it can be controlled with exercise (I do an hour of cardio a day). I have been on this stuff for a little over 3 years for GAD, and I gotta say, it's completely changed my life for the better. I used to be some combination of anxious, angry, and bitter pretty much all the time. Now I feel great, enjoy my life, and am more productive too. I'd say that's worth a few side effects, although mine have been very mild. I have no plans to stop using lexapro anytime soon... maybe never.

[chris]

I just started taking lex, its been about 2 weeks. I have been depressed and anxiety stricken for several years now. I think it started when my parents got divorce (im 21) I hope there wont be any long term effects. I wish my interpersonal skills were better then I could harness the power of support through other people. But I am afraid of people.

I hope I can leave lex after a couple of months.

[Eddie]

I have been on LP for over 3 years. Most of the time at 10 mg, but in the last 3 months up to 20 mg. Recently I started to experience strange itchy and burning all over my body. Also sensitivity to hot and cold ( sometimes filling chilled and sometimes hot). I also have a band-like headache and sensitivity to bright lights. My question is could one develop side-affects after 3 years (when there wasn't any before) or should I go crazy going from doctor to doctor getting tested for who knows what?

[Ezin]

Eddie,

The answer may be linked to the dose increase. SSRI side-effects appear to be dose-related, and a higher dose can therefore result in effects that were lesser/not apparent at the lower dose.

If you go through some of the Lexapro drug info sheets (there should be one that came with the prescription), or maybe head over to:

http://www.drugs.com/cons/lexapro.html
http://www.drugs.com/cdi/lexapro.html
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/lexapro_ad....

...you can check out the entries, in particular those that relate to: fever, chills, migraine, headaches, photosensitivity, vision changes (eyes becoming photosensitive is an effect that has happened to many people on SSRI antidepressants), itchiness, paresthesia (may cover your burning sensations, plus others, google for a definition)... etc

Google searches on: lexapro itching; lexapro itch; lexapro burning; lexapro light sensitivity... and so on, will bring up individual accounts that may sound familiar.

Something to discuss with your doctor?

[paul]

ive been on lexapro for 5 months and am experiencing weight gain i eat the same and exercise the same does the side effect decrease in time

[Kelly]

I've been on 10mg of lexapro for about 10 - 12 weeks. It has totally alleviated my depression. However, I missed one daily dose last week and woke up with EXTREME joint and muscle pain. It lasted for 4 - 5 days even though I resumed taking the Lexapro. Just saw my physician today--she was convinced that the Lexapro had nothing to do with it. Internet research (patient experiences) indicate that this is exactly what caused by aches. I'm going to slowly get off this after the holidays. My depression was mild but long lasting. I feel like this drug was like using a nuclear bomb to kill a fly. Wish my doc would have prescribed something that has been around for a longer time with less potential down sides.

[Tara]

I have been using Lexapro 10mg for approx 4 years, and yes I have experience wieght gain, although I have much less anxiety and panic attacks now. When I first started expeienceing anxiety the doctors submitted me to a lot of testing before putting me on lexapro along with valium. I only used the valium for about 2 months until I was able to build up the lexapro in my system. I have tried to stopp taking the lexapro but after about a 2-3 week period I start experiencing anxiety again and I go back to the lexapro. SO I just want to say to everyone that although we all may have different outlooks on the effects of lexapro I could NOT function without it. I get shaky, dizzy, feel pressure on my chest and feel like my heart is beating so fast, so for me I will continue with lexapro to avoid feeling all those symptoms because they really are crippling to you everyday life.

[lori]

hi deb. i have been taking lexapro for over a year now. i love what it does for me. i recently stopped taking it a few days ago and felt like i was losing my mind. needless to say i am going to go back on it. i am curious as to how long someone can safely take lexapro.

[jen]

I have been on lexapro for about 11 months now.my father suffered a heart attack and 2 months later i was having panic attacks.i was so depressed it was a stuggle for me to get out of bed. all i did was cry i felt like i was loosing my mind.i started on lex and it has helped me alot.i take 10 mg every day. i also take kolonipin with it for anxiety.i do worry about the long term effects of lex. i tried stopping it for a couple days and felt awful.my suggestion is do not try to wean yourself off consult your dr first

[Dave]

I have taken 10mg for 65years with 1.5 mg Klonapen ... No major problems ... Sex takes a little longer to complete but wife dont mine .... Good Luck ... Better life thru pharmacudicles ..or something like that ...

[kim]

I initially took lexapro for some really bad mood swings that I was having due to PMS. It has been a godsend to me in this area, I also have experienced some moderately troublesome general anxiety previous to taking lexapro,(which again has worked wonders for me.) No weight gain, no major side effects, a little drowsy sometimes, but rather be drowsy than whatever I was feeling before.
I'm planning on using this long term, now that Iv'e had all my children and am close to pre-menapausal age. I'm sure that it will help with that too.
kim

[lili 25]

I've been on 20 mg 5 years now, with no side-effects except nausea sometimes. I felt great. But i wonder about the long term effects. I only started to get sick once I tried to cut down on them. I really want off them though because I worry about the long term effects.

[Mark]

Tiger, I've been on it going on 4 years... before that it was Paxil for 7 years. Sometimes I get really worried about longterm effects as I'm not sure our bodies were meant to be on these drugs for decades. Can anyone offer an educated response?

Tiger22 wrote:

I have been on 20.mg Lexipro for almost 7 years. I to wonder what the long term side effects might be.
I've tried almost every anti-depressant that there is and Lexipro works the best for me. I don't think anyone really knows the long term effects. In fact, we are the guinea-pigs for any long term symptons. I wonder if I'll be on this the rest of my life.

[Shari]

Tiger22 wrote:

I have been on 20.mg Lexipro for almost 7 years. I to wonder what the long term side effects might be.
I've tried almost every anti-depressant that there is and Lexipro works the best for me. I don't think anyone really knows the long term effects. In fact, we are the guinea-pigs for any long term symptons. I wonder if I'll be on this the rest of my life.

Do you have blood tests to check for organ damage?

[wanda]

russ wrote:

Hi deb: not related but I am thinking about taking this drug for anxiety. are you satisfied or has it caused any unsetteling side effects.

Yes, I have taken it for panic attacks and it worked excellent on me. I have been taking it for 2 yrs on and off only small dose of 2.5mg

[wanda]

yes I have been taking lexapro for 2 yrs for panic attacks and it worked excellent on me. I only take 2.5mg daily.

[Victoria]

I have been on Lexapro for 6 months now for OCD and it has completely changed my life. I am now able to FUNCTIOn again, I had to increase dosage twice and will probably go to 40mg when I see my doctor as I am feeling a little worse than usual....I wonder if it is wearing off on me.....

I have gained weight too but I don't care and still think it is because I have stopped exercising. Even if it is because of Lexapro, I'd rather be a few pounds and be able to go out than weigh less and be stuck at home because of my OCD and thoughts...

[chelasd]

I was on Lexapro for about 5 years for mild depression. I went of it about 1.5 years ago. I was initially fine when i went off it. Then about 6 months later I started getting really bad anxiety attacks. I also tried Zoloft and Paxil before Lexapro. I didn't have any anxiety problems before going on anti-depressants.
Now I still have anxiety, I get it for no apparent reason. I also have chronic headaches that I wake up with and I'm lightheaded a lot. I don't know if these can be long term side effects. I'm trying to change my diet, eliminating refined sugars, white flours, etc. & cutting out caffeine, it helps with anxiety. I've done a lot of research on diet and depression/ anxiety and there is a lot of correlation. I would suggest looking into it if you want to go off Lexapro.

[Jack]

Jay wrote:

I've been on 20 mg. for a year now. I am for some reason having panic attacks again. But even with them I still feel better than I ever have without the drug. My biggest fear is that the doc will make me go off of it. I am more worried about that than the possible side effects of long term use. Has anyone else felt like their lives didn't start until Lexapro?

I have also been on 20mg for about a year for anxiety. The expression of my anxiety was profuse and very noticeable sweating in meetings or even moderately stressful situations. A real problem in my job. LP was a God-send. The sweating pretty much disappeared and hardly any side effects. About 4 months ago I had a major sweating episode in front of my boss. Since then I have been regressing with more and more episodes. My doctor is thinking of increasing my dosage but I don't know if that is really the right answer. I'm frustrated as it was going so well before.

[Jay]

Don't take it. The 5 years I was on this stuff is a blur. My wife thought she was losing me and I was hypnotized by the effects. I began taking it for panic attacks and the developing thoughts of suicide forced me to go cold turkey in 2005. The doctor wanted to increase my dosage and refill my xanax script, sure another golf vacation. I have since been panic attack free. Find a natural alternative.