Alternatives to Lexapro - Looking for Advice from Other Patients?

Question

I've been taking Lexapro for 5 years now, started it after having severe postpartum and Zoloft was tried first and didn't work. For several years Lexapro was my "life" pill - I had my life back. I'm normally a very happy person, high energy, can walk & chew gum, etc. For the last year or so I've done nothing but go to bed as soon as I get home from work. It's all I can do to get out of bed in the morning.

I started taking Savella last year and, OMG, I was on cloud 9 all the time. So much so, I stopped taking my Lexapro. Well, two weeks later I'm in the ER thinking I'm having a gall bladder attack. The pain was excruciating and we soon discovered it was a result of my poor judgment - quitting Lexapro cold turkey.

I called in sick yesterday (which is RARE) and slept all day and all last night and that just isn't me. Finally I had an epiphany and I'm starting to realize that the Lexapro just isn't working anymore. If anything, it's making me sick. I went to my primary care physician today and she wanted to put me on Wellbutrin BUT wants me to quit Lexapro all together before I start it. (She talked about weaning myself off for a couple of weeks... )

I'm looking for advice from people that have been where I'm at. I feel like I have the flu all the time (body aches & pains), I'm tired ALL the time (never wake up feeling rested), nothing makes me happy, etc. I've gained 45lbs since I started taking this medicine too and it's not because I eat like a pig. Last but definitely not least, I have NO sex drive. Thank God I have a loving, supportive husband. :o)

If you've been on Lexapro a long time and have switched to another anti-depressant, I would love to hear from you.

Answer

I too have been on Lexapro for several years. I do get a bit sleepy during the day (like a short nap) and I have not had any adverse reactions to the drug. I am unable to sleep thru the night but it has nothing to do with Lexapro; I have neuropathy of my left leg. Other than the sleep habits during the day, I would feel fine to give positive results to anyone asking.

Answer

I am a 50 year old woman been taking Lexapro for 6 years it was like magic in a bottle! Than out of the blue my anxiety came back full force! Doctor put me on Wellbutrin was on it for 3 months and I never felt so bad I was VERY easily agitated cried over the silliest things , and couldn&rsquo;t sleep... the worst! Have a doctor appointment in 2 weeks I&rsquo;m praying I can find something that helps...

Answer

Hello, I am on Cymbalta and does wonders for  my depression  and helps a little with my pain. I have sciatica and back and neck pain. I have no side effects. I hope this helps, Good luck. I was on Lexapro for a long time and it stopped working then I was on Zoloft, that stopped working and had side effects, but the Cymbalta has not stopped working so far.

Answer

Thank you for your question. I've been wondering about the Lexapro I started 8 weeks ago and feel very sluggish no energy and already gained 15 lbs! I was taking Celexa for 10 years and it was great for 5 years, no  weight gain . Since your question, now I will talk to my psychiatrist about a change. No used to wasting precious time. Cathleen

Answer

Hey dew,

I am presently taking Pristiq, which is a newer antidepressant, that I started a couple of months ago. It seems that I too have to change my anitdepressant every 5 years or so. I'm also taking Wellbutrin at the same time. My doctor prescribed it to overcome the sexual dysfunction side effect from the Pristiq. Not all people develop sexual dysfunction from Pristiq and Wellbutrin is known to have less sexual side effects than other antidepressants. The Pristiq is working wonderfully for me. I use to sleep 12-14 hours or more in 24 hours. Now I am down to 8-10 hours.

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You can taper off the Lexapro while starting the Wellbutrin. You can even take Wellbutrin with the Lexapro and not taper off if your doctor will prescribe both. I have to agree with previous post, I recommend you seek a doctor who specializes in mental health as in a psychiatrist. They are much more fimiliar with the psycho active medications and how to prescribe. Maybe your GP would make a referral, if you so desire, which might get you in quicker than if you call on your own.

If you decide to wean from the Lexapro take plenty of time to slowly reduce the dosage so to avoid withdrawls. Two weeks maybe a little fast, but I don't know what dose you are taking so it is hard for me to judge. My doctor always slowly tapers one while slowly increasing the other. Don't know if your doctor is versed in this method but it keeps from having a period of depression with little or no antidepressant in your system.

Wishing you the very best, keep us posted,

Laurie

Votes: +1

Answer

Hi dew8192
I have been in the same situation as yourself,i also was on lexapro,worked great at the start but then it didnt do so good,made my panic worse and heightend my anxiety to the worst.I finally got my pysc to change my tabs to prozac,I didnt get weaned off the lexapro,just straight off and onto prozac which was'nt good,i suffered all withdrawls you are describing so i would suggest if your coming off lexapro to ween yourself off slowly and onto the other ones.There are so many anti depressants out there its just to find the right one for you,but if you find the lexapro is doing nothing for you-you may aswell come off it and try something else.

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Im also going through the same motions as you,not wanting to get out of bed,no interest in anything-especially the bedroom department,and just so happy and i dont know why,but i'm hoping when the prozac kicks in,it'll all change,i feel a slight difference in my mood as it is,but i'm also suffereing from other health problems at the moment so i cant say if its that that is getting me down more so than the medication.Im also on xanax but thats for anxiety and it does help some. Would you consider therapy along with changing your meds,its not for everyone but it helps for some.
I wish you the very best with the change over,let us know how its doing and stay strong,I know its not easy but it will get better.
Hope this was of some help
Take care

Answer

I've had success with lexapro, but did reach a point where it stopped being effective. Wellbutrin is a good choice. It addressed my own lack of motivation and energy. I've had doctors approach change in medication like yours... gradually wean yourself from the old med before slowly introducing the new. One thing jumped out at me about your post - your primary care physician is prescribing your meds. If where you live is anywhere like my experience, it takes forever to get in to see a psychiatrist. I'm personally more comfortable with a mental health professional prescribing meds... more experience directly with patients and how medicines work and interact. While going to a pcp is okay, it seems to me like going to a gynocologist for a broken arm. I'm anxious to read what others will have to say. Good luck, Dew!

Alternatives to Lexapro - Looking for Advice from Other Patients?

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