does anybody here take lexapro and if so, do they find it to be effective?
87491
I was on it for a while, but it never seemed to help me at all. I am now on Effexor, and it is working for me. But different things work for different people. Just make sure you talk to your doctor about it and keep him/her up to date so he/she knows to make adjustments or not.
1004988
I have been taking Lexapro for a few months now. I am a 37 year old female. I have experienced no side effects that I can think of and it seems to be really making a difference in my life in a very positive way. I have been on many different medications of this type and  Lexapro is one of the best. Everyone is different though   and it  will take some time before you really know for sure if Lexapro is a good choice for the patient. \nGood luck.
89191
I have been taking it for over two years now...I don't really think it helps with my anxiety, however it works wonders on my stress level and what I am able to deal with.
703269
There are many reports I have read across the internet of people sucessfully using 5-HTP for depression, aiding weight loss and insomnia.\n\nPersonally I have had success using it for mild depression, I can definately say it helped my mood!  Our pharmaceutical friend is welcome to be sceptical, but I have had a positive experience and I know of an insomniac who has also benefited from taking it.\n\nI have known two family members who have had negative and addivtive experiences with other prescription anti-depressants such as Prozac.  I only ever seem to hear bad things about these drugs. In many cases they seem to do some good but can be hard to stop and also have some nasty side effects.  5-HTP is by no means as strong and effective as these drugs, but is now more often being recommended by Doctors, along with St Johns Wort to treat mild depressive disorders.
876228
FROM ONE FELLOW SUFFERER OF THIS DISORDER TO ANOTHER:\n\nI have Social Anxiety Disorder. I don't know about Lexapro but I take 30mg of Diazepam (Valium) a day. Plus depression often goes along with this disorder so I take 75mg of Effexor XR a day.\n\n I see that Lexapro is for relieving the symptoms of depression and generalized anxiety disorder. And that the full antidepressant/anxiolytic effect may take 4 to 6 weeks.\n\n Please do yourself a favor. A family doctor is not the best person to go to about this condition. A psychiatrist is best because they specialize in fields like this. If you are not seeing a psychiatrist do so rather than a family doctor. And let your doctor know exactly what you have said here and that the first month you felt great but it is now not doing much for you. Expect to try several different medications till one is found that is right for you. Everyone reacts a little bit differently to medicine and what is good for one person may not have the desired results for you.\n Take care and good luck!
524522
I've been on Lexapro for a little over a year. I took Wellbutrin XR briefly, but went back to the Lexapro. I plan to ween off of the medication here in a few months. It has helped tremendously. I was a mess, unable to do the basic functions of my job. I know part of it is chemical, but the medication has helped me better understand and cope with life. It is a way of living, of dealing that I will be able to continue once the medicine is gone. \n\nGood luck, sweetheart.
955567
Yeah I think most of us depressed people get sick of hearing that stupid line "you're just suffering from depression" but no one will take the time to say which kind or what it may be compounded with.  Try lexapro 20mgs per day--and see a PSYCHIATRIST not a clinical social worker CSW. (I just put it all in caps because I feel that I do better with a real doctor ) Also, he may suggest a mood stabilizer such as Lamictal, the two work good together.\nDont be afraid to ask for the much needed help you are entitled to--Remember "Depression can be anger turned inward".
678601
I took it for a few months. It really helped my depression, but always made me really really tired. As for the weight gain, I never had a problem with that when I took antidepressants.
1160596
Emotional Freedom Technique- Accupressure. I've seen and heard of it's use. It does work on some people, but some not. Myself I just use Walbutrin. It takes care of the anxiety and I quit smoking, too. Thirty six days now. Expensive though. If you don't have insurance it's $120.00 If you do then it's only $20.00 for 30 pills. Non Habit forming , too.
630497
i just resently switched, but i use it because i have horrible panic attacks. the other medicines that i took made me feel depressed and so far this one hasn't. i have only been taking it for two or three months and sometimes it might take longer to see results. but so far, i am very happy with the results with Cymbalta. i also know a woman that took it for depression and she said that it made her sleepy. but i have never felt that way, guess it just works different for different people. best of luck to you!!!
1059377
I have never taken Lexapro, but I have experienced withdrawal from Effexor.  I was also very dizzy and irritable.  I did not experience diarrhea, but it is a common side effect.   I learned through several chat websites that some of these side effects can be relieved by taking one over the counter benadryl.  This is half the standard dose (which means you don't get quite as drowsy), and I found it really helped with the dizziness.   \n\nYou also might want to consider discussing tapering off the meds more slowly with your doc.  The larger the drops you make, the more you will feel these symptoms. \n\nHow long you experience them varies from person to person.   I experienced symptoms for about a month after I started tapering off.  \n\nGood luck!
1121041
hey.. im on lexapro now too...20 mg/day.  i dont know if it really works for social anxiety... i dont think any medication really does. lexapro (as i understand) just decreases your sensitivity to things around you... including people. it doesn't help you deal or talk with people, tho. i was on klonopin, but that did nothing for me. i'm on risperdal now which is a mild anti-psychotic.. i feel the effects of it right away; it is very calming and relieves my anxiety so i can leave my house. The price for that is feeling kind of zoned out and a little tired.. which is fine if i don't have to feel like everyone is stalking me. exchanging alcohol for actual medicine can be difficult.. but do NOT drink while on this stuff... trust me. hopefully medication is all just temporary.\n\nas for actually dealing with social anxiety rather than masking it with medication, i've also heard of these tapes and audio books ect. i found that there is a lot of this stuff available online since most people with genuine social anxiety (myself included) have a really hard time with things like talking to total strangers about your most personal problems. in my search, i found this site: http://www.socialanxietyinstitute.org/\nthere are some testimonials on there from some people who got good results; unfortunately i dont have $300.00, so i dont get to find out the secret to these people's success. i am on the mailing list of this group, however, and i keep reading about how wonderful this particular programme is.\n\ni see a shrink once a week. we occasionally touch on cognitive stuff; i have found that introspection is something i already do a lot of, since i am constantly worrying that there is something wrong with me personally. its important to beable to reflect on your introspection... i find it helpful when my shrink points out how irrational my fears are. sometimes i need to be reminded that everyone else is fine... and i am just one of them. he has also tried to help me figure out why i am messed up; i find this helpful, and sort of fun. today he reminded me that it takes will power to do anything at all. that seems kind of obvious... but it reminded me that every person is on zer own level. im scared to take a walk around the block because someone might see me... but its a step further when i just do it, and i feel better afterwards.. just like i am just going to send this really long "answer" even though im scared someone will actually read it.  it just takes practice!\nfeel free to contact me\ngood luck
821717
thats a good step in wanting to turn it over to God. God can deal with our problems. you just need a little help right now. so maybe the medication can help you in this process. you can take them while you are learning. i used to be so opposed to taking anti depressants or other such meds. but now i am on lexapro and it has helped me so much. now my relationship with God has grown because i am not so focused on the problems that i am facing with my anxiety and depression.
1079751
Well first of all, it takes awhile for the meds to kick in sometimes as long as 6-8 wks, I believe ppl want or think that they should be able to see results right away, and when they don't see the results they quit.  My sister has been on several times and only takes them for a bit and then quits - perhaps ppl are scared to be on antidepressants because there is a stigma that they will be labelled as "Crazy".  Which of course is sooooo untrue.  I myself have been on antidepressants for almost 4 year for anxiety and it really helps!!!  And I used to be one of those ppl that said, I will never take fake crap like that to make me feel better......well I guess I looked at the pro's and con's of them and decided that it would be of benefit to me - I am so glad I started, because the panic attacks that I was having were AWEFUL, and were getting worse each time!!!  So for all of you that are debating whether to take these or not - all you can do is try!!  What works for me may not work for you.  Keep in mind it takes awhile for the meds to kick in.
893138
I am in celexa and I take it for depression it has worked for me. I take a low dosage form 40mg.  It usually takes about 3/4 months for it to work, but also going to the therapist helps too.  It takes the edge off. \n\nThe only reason I agreed to celexa is that it had little side effects and you can be taken off of it.  Its not like zoloft or the heavier mao's that have more sever withdrawl symptons.\n\nAll i know is the i'm much happier and I can function alot better because of it.  I actually feel like my old self again.. I'm happier, its easier to deal with things,  I got rid of all the toxic family members(aka i don't speak to them don't need'm) and deal with dad's death, a friend dying of cancer, and my sister being raped, and my husband having a heart attack. \n\nI also meditate that helps very much too.
401052
Lexapro is not indicated for OCD/GAD. Lexapro is an antidepressant and while it has been marketed for other mood disorders, the benefit in this area tends to be mixed at best. There is only 1 treatment that is considered the gold standard for OCD/GAD and that is cognitive behavioral therapy (or CBT) and technique known as response-prevention therapy. Please look for the work done by Edna Foa, Ph.D. (adults) or Eric Storch, Ph.D. (kids and teens). Also, you should try and see a doctoral level psychologist (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) who specializes in anxiety disorders. The benefit of CBT is it is short term (10 to 20 sessions, maybe less) and you will be either full recovered at then end or have minimal symptoms that are minimally intrusive. OCD with this treatment is 75% curable for most patients.
920023
I never thought I would meet anyone who is going through the exact same thing as me with the Lexapro. I  myself do not want to be dependent on this medication, but every time I try to weine myself off I experienced chaos. Lots of crying, depression, anger, headaches, rage etc... I prey you find a way out as I am trying as well. Good Luck!