Has anyone taken Lexapro for anxiety (not depression) with good results? I am debating trying it and would love to hear from someone who has taken it with good results. Thanks.
i have been on it for about 3 weeks now. at first, i took 1/2 a pill for 2 days, then i took a whole pill, and it was a bad day. i read about side effects, and probably had every one of them, and it only made me more anxious. for the next 2 days, i took a 1/2, and ever since, i've been taking 1 (i believe it's 10mg). anyway, i feel it has helped me. i'm also seeing a therapist, and have just started week 5 of the program. i think the combination of everything has helped me. i don't want to be on medication forever; however, if it can help me now, then i think it's good. everyone is different. i have some friends who took lexapro, and hated it; however, it seems to be helpful to me.
Posts: 11 | Location: Atlanta, GA | Registered: October 05, 2004
I have not been on Lexapro, but was on Celexa for 3 1/2 years with no side effects. Lexapro is a refined version of Celexa. It takes out one of Celexa's inert ingredients that caused side effects -- so it is supposed to be better. Celexa worked great for my anxiety and panic until I decided to wean myself off and go it without. (I have since gone back on meds).
I have been on Lexapro for about two months now. I am on week 9 of the program. Between the two I am doing great. I did have a few side affects, but nothing that really bothered me and they are pretty much gone now. If I were you, I would try it.
Thanks for your replies all. My doctor decided on effexor xr instead, he said he has had better luck with that. Any input on effexor would be appreciated! I am like any typical panic patient, afraid to try it, afraid not to try it!! I will keep you posted!
Effexor is my choice. I have tried just about every other medicine out there, I have had positive results. If you think it will help you don't be afraid to try it. Sherra
I hate to be negative when so many people seem to have done well with Lexapro, but my anxiety problems became much worse the first day I took it--I ended up in the Emergency Room with severe anxiety. I thought I was going crazy because I'd never experienced anxiety like that before. They sent me to a psychiatrist who told me to cut the pill in half because the starting dose may have been too much for me. I did that for 4 weeks, and had it not been for the Ativan that I took along with it, I would have been in the ER every day that I was on it. I finally quit taking it and although my anxiety symptoms lessened, I've never returned to the level that I was at before I started taking the drug. I'm really angry that my doctor kept me on it when it was so obvious that it was making me worse--I trusted her when she said I would eventually feel better. It wasn't until later that I learned that up to 1/3 of people who take SSRI's (of which Lexapro is one) experience nervousness and anxiety. I would go ahead and try it if I were you, but if your symptoms worsen, don't keep taking it. You'll know after the first dose or two if your anxiety is worse. Good luck and trust your instincts.
I had the same negative experience with Lexapro, ending up in the ER as well. The ER doc said he has seen this many times with Lexapro and that ant-nausea meds can do this too if you react to Lexapro as I did. It basically was horrible anxiety with rapid heartbeat. It freaked me out for quite sometime.
Oh, and I never took another one. My doc said he wouldn't try another SSRI because I had 2 failed attempts, (the first was with Prozac that I took several years ago for depression, not anxiety).
Originally posted by brenda s.: [qb]I hate to be negative when so many people seem to have done well with Lexapro, but my anxiety problems became much worse the first day I took it--I ended up in the Emergency Room with severe anxiety. I thought I was going crazy because I'd never experienced anxiety like that before. They sent me to a psychiatrist who told me to cut the pill in half because the starting dose may have been too much for me. I did that for 4 weeks, and had it not been for the Ativan that I took along with it, I would have been in the ER every day that I was on it. I finally quit taking it and although my anxiety symptoms lessened, I've never returned to the level that I was at before I started taking the drug. I'm really angry that my doctor kept me on it when it was so obvious that it was making me worse--I trusted her when she said I would eventually feel better. It wasn't until later that I learned that up to 1/3 of people who take SSRI's (of which Lexapro is one) experience nervousness and anxiety. I would go ahead and try it if I were you, but if your symptoms worsen, don't keep taking it. You'll know after the first dose or two if your anxiety is worse. Good luck and trust your instincts.[/qb]
Hi Brenda,
10 mg of Lexapro is usually the theraputic dose for most people, not the starting dose. If you started out on 10 mg, it's no wonder you ended up in the emergency room! You have to start low and go slow, especially if you have a sensativity to these meds.
Posts: 135 | Location: USA | Registered: January 29, 2002
There is a site www.remedyfind.com it compares different meds. People rate the meds and post their experiences with them. It is a wonderful site whether you choose meds, herbs, and/or therapy. Look under "anxiety" it will list the top ten rated remedies. I always look under "all remedies" as well. Giselle
Posts: 109 | Location: warren, mi | Registered: May 02, 2004
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