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Originally Posted by nhojttennits  So now I'm on day 3 of taking Lexapro and am scared to continue after reading some of the stories on here. I have a few questions:
Why are you stopping?
Is it because of the weight gain? or because you don't want to be on meds for the rest of your life?
Does everyone gain weight from it?
How effective was it in handling your anxiety?
Is the withdrawal worse the longer you take it?
Thanks! |
Why I want to stop SSRI med's:
1. NO sex drive....I am a 35 yr old woman and SHOULD be in my prime! WRONG!!
2. Sexual disfunction! difficulty achieving orgasm. Significant loss of intensity when I do.
3. Lack of R.E.M /deep sleep. CONSTANT fatigue.
4. APATHY! when you are at a point that you no longer CARE about anything, you realise how beautiful life was when you "had" feelings that you did not label as "BLAH".
5. Stomache problems: acid reflux, gas, bloating and constipation.
6. Prolonged antidepressant use is hell on the hormones....and that sucks.
The list could go on indeffinately. The longer you use antidepressants, the more difficulty you will have stopping them. Withdrawls are HELL but, not just from lexapro. ALL SSRI have a discontinuation/withdrawl associated with them, some worse than others. If lexapro helps you and you wish to continue taking it then, that is your choice however, please keep in mind that lexapro (any SSRI realy) is not intended for "LONG TERM USE" these medications alter the way that your brain functions. They DO NOT "fix" the problem, they merely alter brain function to compensate for the problem. SSRI do not in any way help the body to produce more serotonin. SSRI simply prevent the uptake of the serotonin that is available so that it stays in the cleft longer, "soaking" more or less. So, if the theory that low serotonin levels is at the root of the problem then, the "problems" associated with this would be better treated by raising serotonin levels, not by altering the function of the neurotransmitters. If I had only known all of this 11 years ago, I would have been off of SSRI med's a LONG,LONG, LONG time ago. This is my oppinion. Educate yourself the best that you can about this class of medications so that you may make an INFORMED choice. Psychiatrists and General practitioners are not likely to acknowledge issues associated with this class of medication and many will tell you that the "withdrawl" symptoms are rare or, something equaly as rediculous. I am NOT trying to scare you here. I am only giving you "the heads up". I wish the best of luck to you...Peace....Erin