has anyone taken the drug lexapro?

Question

i just got recommened from my doctor to start taking this drug. im really nervous to take it and am afraid of what people may think about it. Does anyone have any advice, im also concerned i will have to take it forever, has anyone taken it and then stopped after a certain amount of time and felt ok?

Answer 1

Dont worry about it. Its like celexa but its professional strength

Answer 2

I may not be the best person to answer this as Lexapro did not work for me. I took it for about three months. I did not care what people thought about it, I needed help with depression. It did not work well and it gave me headaches. I did research on it also and it has worked well for many people.

I am now taking Cymbalta and that has worked much better than Lexapro.

As far as anti-depressant medications go, not everyone has every side effect. Some people do not have any of them or if they do, the effects are mild and go away soon.

If you are having trouble with depression, go ahead and try the medication. You can always change if it does not help. As far as being on it forever, you may not need to be. Any time you go off of a medication, do so under a doctor's supervision. More than likely they will have you decrease the dosage gradually until you are off the medication.

Good luck to you and don't feel badly about needing an antidepressant. Take it from one who knows, it is a lot better than being depressed.

Answer 3

I began Lexapro a month ago after being on Prosaic for 20 years. I knew the Prosaic wasn't helping me any longer and that I still did need an antidepressant. Please, don't worry about what anyone says. It isn't like you have to announce it to the world. The things I really liked about Lexapro was I could stop taking the Prosaic and begin the Lexapro the next day, it only takes a few days to start feeling the effects and the side effects are very minor compared to others. A lot of antidepressants take up to 6 weeks to even begin, you have to be off of any for weeks before you start and many have major side effect. Please try it. If it works for you, that would be great!!

Answer 4

I started on 10 mg of Lexapro, supplemented by Xanax XR 2 mg for anxiety. It was a rough start and I had some side effects at first, but they went away. After a month, I felt like it wasn't helping as much as it should, so the doctor upped to 20 mg of Lexapro. I immediately felt better. I have now been on it for 6.5 weeks and I feel so much more like myself.

They say that Lexapro can be tapered down and gotten off of within 6 months to 2 years, depending on your certain situation. Never stop taking it on your own, as you have to do it carefully.

Answer 5

I have experience with a family member and they have had a positive experience with it. There are different dosage levels and your Dr may have to adjust if the lowest does not help, but there were no side effects.

Like any antidepressant, it is hard to tell if you will always have to take it, and I am not a doctor, but getting some regular counseling along with the meds is a good idea. If you do not like it, don't go off of it on your own, clod turkey..the dr. can wean you off slowly. Good luck, and don't worry about "what people think". If you are depressed it is not a character flaw, it is an illness, which you are treating. Best of luck.

Answer 6

Don't worry about what people think. So many people take anti-depresents, lexapro is just one in a long list. You could need the medication long term, you also just might need it temporarily to help you cope with something. Work with your pshyciatrist and a therapist (for talk therapy) if your goal is to someday not need to the medicine anymore. Don't be discouraged from taking it though.
Watch for side-affects however, I was put on that and cymbalta and it made depressed and have suicial thoughts. It doesn't usually do it, it just did in my case. So if you feel an increase in symptoms tell your doctor.

Answer 7

I took it and I had to stop because of the side effects. It is basically the same as Celexa but stronger. I felt okay after coming off of it but only after a couple of weeks. We all react differently to drugs so maybe you should just try it and if it's not for you then move on to another one. And typically the meds are supposed to be used in combination with therapy which can be for several years. But after a while you should wean off of it and try to live with out it.

Answer 8

I have taken Lexapro without any success but I have had friends that have taken it and it has worked very well for them. As far as what others think, I personally don't feel that its neccessary that I tell other people that I take anti-depressants, but that's your own personal decision to make. Doing something to make your health better I feel is nothing to be ashamed of, but I also don't share tell my friends when I take a Tylenol either.

Answer 9

All I know is that my daughter has been on edge since birth, moody, crying spells and then came Lexapro and walla! A magical thing happened, she is happy, actually smiles, talks to people instead of complaining and goes places where before she would stay home too much. Try it, I've known a few people it's worked wonders for!

Answer 10

I was given this drug a short time back, just a few months.i used it for three days and then quit,it made me feel odd and I started having weird dreams and restless sleep. I stopped on my own and have had no side-effects. If you need something for depression, though, ask your doctor about something, that has been on the market a little longer...no suggestions,,,this type of medication is not for me,,,but don't let your depression go untreated......I wish you,,,the best of luck and hope you find peace and calmness. Please take care!

Answer 11

Please be careful before starting any medications that you don't really need. I took anti depressants and at the time of starting i really couldnt function without. But 7 years later i still couldnt come off them and being in a constant plateau state of happiness is not very fun or healthy at all. If you have tried other alternatives and really do need them, then go ahead but be careful. I have now been off mine for nearly a year but i tried many times over the 7 years before to stop and could not go without them. So be sure they're right for you before you start.