Lexapro, how quickly did you notice a difference?

Question

My Dr. just prescribed Lexapro to me. I am wondering how quickly people noticed a difference. I realize that it might take anywhere from 4-6 weeks to feel the difference.
Also how have you dealt with backlash from people who are close to you who do not believe that you should be medicated. I have already exhausted other options with my Dr. before starting Lexapro. My condition was gradually worsening and I saw this as a last resort.

Answer 1

It could take 4-6 weeks to notice a difference, but everyone is different. I know when I took another med like this, Cymbalta, I started to feel better in about 2 weeks. It really is quite a gradual effect. Hopefully this will do the trick for you. Sometimes, anti-depressants take a lot of trial and error before you find the right one for you. Prozac and Paxil for example, revved me up so much that I couldn't get to sleep at night.

Keep a journal and write down how you feel each day.

Regarding the people who are close to you who don't think you should be medicated.... There are still folks out there who think Depression is caused by the reaction to things in your enviornment and you can control it without drugs. You need to educate these people and let them know that you have a chemical imbalance and the medication is intended to establish a balance. Depression is so often genetic---so look at your family; parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles....did any of them have problems with Depression?

I commend you for seeking help rather then
continuing to feel miserable. Many people mask their depression with alcohol and illegal drugs.

When we are depressed, our thinking and all of our somatic functions (eating, sleeping) become disrupted. We start to avoid and may even isolate. We develop self-defeating behaviors. This is why many doctors suggest that you combine antidepressants with counseling.

To help with the Depression, you need to get 7-8 hours sleep and daily exercise. The exercise will increase the endorphins and seratonin in your brain (among the ones that are imbalanced). Avoid alcohol when you are on this medication.

I had been on antidepressants for years. Eventually your chemical imbalance may improve and you won't need to be on the anti-depressants. I was on these medications most of my life, but have been off of them nearly a year----but, still see a doctor every other month.

Best of luck to you.

Answer 2

Well last resort maybe not but it's a good medication. I know the common is 4-6 weeks. When I started celexa a very like drug. It only took about 1 week to start feeling better for me. As far as the back lash. It's hard to say how to handle that. The best thing is to sit them down and talk to them. Tell them the way you had always felt. People that have never suffered from depression can never truly understand anyway that sometimes there is no other way to deal with it.
I think you have made the correct step. When this drug starts working you will feel better. remember even if the other person doesn't agree, you have to do what is best for you.

Answer 3

I'm on 10mg of Lexapro and I didn't really notice a difference until the 6th week of use. My mom doesn't believe I should be on the meds either. But, you know what? Its my life and she doesn't understand what I'm going through. People that don't have anxiety or depression have no idea what its like. Stay on your meds and you shouldn't give a damn what anybody else thinks. You are improving your life with this medication. Just don't talk about it in front of your family. They'll learn to deal with it. Most people think Lexapro is a narcotic type drug, they are just uneducated and assume that we are all drug addicts or using these drugs to be numb. Well, they are all wrong and the first time in my life I actually feel normal. Lexapro has helped me tremendously and I hope it works for you too.

Answer 4

I was on prozac before my doctor put me on Lex. Prozac gave me very bad nightmares and I already had the medication in my system by the time I switched medications. So I really didn't notice anything different except for weight gain. That was the only thing I didn't like about it. I actually lost weight with the prozac. Oh, my family thought that I was crazy to do that...always telling me that I didn't need that stuff and was reluctant to even talk about it. I didn't suffer from a real depression though. I had a very bad reaction to birth control pills. They messed with my entire system, put me in a medicated depression....I got myself off of those and I gradually stopped taking lexapro...watch out when you stop taking it though...it is a doosy. Made me really emotional, tired, crazy feeling that week that I stopped taking them, then I was like I was never taking them at all, and I was fine.

Don't listen to what no one else says about how you should change your life. You know you, and just because they don't understand and want you off the meds doesn't mean that you should act on their impulse and stop medication unless you want to. It is entirely your choice. I hope things do turn out for you, it sounds like you are heading in the right direction...keep it up and I hope the meds work for you. Everybody reacts differently on them.

Answer 5

How should I take escitalopram?

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Try to take the medicine at the same time each day. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Measure liquid medicine with the dosing syringe provided, or with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
It may take up to 4 weeks or longer before your symptoms improve. Keep using the medication as directed and tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve.
Do not stop using escitalopram suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Follow your doctor's instructions about tapering your dose.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.


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Answer 6

i noticed a difference in 3 weeks, i didn't have to deal with people not wanting me on it, since my bf is in iraq they seen me get overwelmed by fear for him. People need this medicine for all different reason my sister-n-law takes it for slight depression. If people around u don't understand that their deal. I tried so hard not to take meds while he was gone but at month 7, I coudn't take the stress and depression, my body started going numb in my face and legs. Now I feel so much better, I still worry but not so much and i do things I used to. What I'm trying to get at is nobody can tell u what u need or don't their not in your head. Yes there are those people who will say maybe to u to suck it up, they never needed meds, but they probably from a differnet generation. good luck i hope u start feeling better.

Answer 7

It took me about 6 weeks and a dosage raise to notice a difference at all. I didn't have anyone close to me who thought I shouldn't be medicated. They all felt it was a long time coming for me and they were happy that I was finally getting help.

Answer 8

About 2.5 weeks. It did make me really hyper once or twice during the first two weeks while my body was getting used to it, but it's worth it. It's helped me tremendously. Try not to worry about what other people think. What's most important is your health and the quality of your life. If the medication helps you function better and improves your quality of life it's worth it. Life is too short to waste it feeling terrible.