Another week, another new medication!: Lexapro

[blueblitzkrieg]

At least it feels that way sometimes! I've been off Effexor for about a month after being on it for about a year and a half. I was okay at first but my deperession has come back in full force, so I'm trying Lexapro now. Today is my first day on it. Anyone have any experiences? Any side effects? I've read a bit about it on the web, and I've seen complaints of weight gain...which sucks because I've been working to get off the weight I gained while on Effexor, and I've gotten nearly all of it off :woohoo:, and I'd rather not just gain it all back again! :banghead: But of course mental wellness is priority #1. Anyway if anyone has any thoughts on Lexapro, bad or good, I'd appreciate hearing them, thanks. :hi:

[hedgehog]

1. I've been on Lexapro a few years with good results.

That said, I'd been on two or three other medications before that. What works for one person may not work for another. The SSRIs are not "me-too" drugs, they all have their own quirks and benefits. If Lexapro doesn't do the job for you, insist on something else. For comparison, my father-in-law went through about half a dozen NSAIDs before he found one that took care of his arthritis without tearing up his stomach.

[Digit]

2. I am menopausal and it made my hair fall out.

It grew back once I stopped it.
Of course things are different for everyone.
You asked.

[_TJ_]

3. My sister likes it a lot

It's about the best drug for depression she's had. She has it
combined with lithium - I think that boosts its effect.

She hasn't put on weight or had many side-effects.

I wouldn't mind a crack at it myself - I hear it's pretty good
for panic attacks too :D

[undergroundpanther]

4. Lexapro

Messed up my bowels.
I never had hemorrhoids until after I took lexapro. It gave me awful burning diarrhea and it was miserable..I was wondering if it acually damaged my body.

[petron]

5. Using it since June 2004

And my wife is very happy! :D

Never took anything before but wish I had. My mood swings are under control and I am much more social.

I was such a low self-esteem anti-social freak...ugg. :hide:

I am glad my wife talked me into seeing a doc about my head.

Basically it changed my life.
:woohoo:

[DemExpat]

6. Sounds very good petron.....

and you are lucky it seems for finding something that works well for you in one shot.

:kick:

DemEx

[petron]

7. I guess I am lucky

I really feel for those who need more help then just a Lexapro.

It's definitely a fight worth fighting. Mental illness can be so devastating.

[blueblitzkrieg]

8. Thanks everyone for the replies.

:hi: Some of them scared me a bit, lol, but I appreciate your honesty. Besides some minor stomach trouble, the medicine has been working GREAT for me so far, there's been a big improvement. I hope it lasts.

[hedgehog]

9. The comment on your stomach troubles made me smile

I've been on Prevacid for several years now due to severe heartburn. It turns out that this could be a side effect from any of the three medications I'm on.