Husband is on Lexapro and I'm scared.

[DarlinDenise]

I need some advice from anyone that's on or has been on Lexapro.

My husband was feeling some anxiety from work and the doctor put him on lexapro. I immediately noticed sexual side effects. Now after reading some of the other side effect and reading about withdrawal stories, I'm more concerned than EVER!

First my husband's doctor put him on 10 mg, and when he asked my husband if he felt better, my husband said that he felt the same. Since he took a leave of absence from work he stopped feeling anxiety, so when he said that he felt nothing he hadn't experience any anxitey attacks. But of course his doctor didn't realize this and increase it to 20 mg.

As side effects got worse, I just needed to convince him to come off it. Now his doctor lowered him back to 10 mg at his request. My main concern are the withdrawels. At this time, he doesn't even know that there will be withdrawals. I wanted to hear from other people and know what kind of side effects and withdrawels they have experienced. I also wanted to hear from the people who are on this medication and are doing great. How long? What dosage? What side effects?

If anyone has advice that they can offer in dealing with loved one on this medication would be great.

Right now I'm just scared! From what I've read, I can't find anywhere, that long term studies have been done. And according to the Lexapro website, you should never come off this medication. Well, we all know they just want to make sure they get their money.

[morticia]

Ive been on lexapro for 4 years 30 megs a day for depression i ve tryed alot of differnt anti dressants in the past and had no sucess I think your husband should be re evaluated and maybe treated with a mild traquilzer I think lexapro is a great med for depression not for anixety. good luck!

[auntybiotic]

Go to this forum and search LEXAPRO WITHDRAWALS.you will read about many stories.
I think this medication is poison. I would pay one million dollars to have never allowed my family member to strat this medication. The side effects are mild compared to the withdrawals.

[DarlinDenise]

I'm so angry at his doctor for putting him on this. But I am more angry at myself for not checking on it right away.

So far he's having problems sleeping at night and slight anxity about going to work. I advised him to call out sick and try to rest.

He's only been on Lexapro for about 1-1/2 months. I pray the withdrawals don't become worse. I hope he hasn't been on long enough for his body to crave it.

[auntybiotic]

Darlin D,
Am I correct that he is "wirhdrawling form 20 to 10 Mg"? You are one of the lucky ones because he has only been on it for 6 weeks it won't be so bad getting off.still hard but not earthshattering.

Find the forum in Featured Drug Conditions on Lexapro Withdrawal and read others experiences. Good Luck, you are a wonderful wife.
aunty

[DarlinDenise]

Thanks for the reply Aunty.

I hope I'm doing the right thing. I'm not a doctor, but I do believe that antidepressant medication is not something he needs to be on.


I never thought I'd be here, but I am. The only thing I can say is I love him with my whole heart and soul. I will see him through this no matter what.

Thanks for your kind words.

[withdrawalwar]

hi there. i've been on lexapro 40mg for about two years, as well as klonopin for anxiety. i didn't know lexapro was prescribed for anxiety at all and i can tell you that before i went back on klonopin, it did nothing to alleviate it. the good news is that the withdrawal is really not a big deal. your husband will feel dizzy and tired a bit probably but other than that, i've gone off of anti-depressants like this several times and it was not a problem--now one word of warning, IF your husband goes on a benzodiazapine like klonopin, which IS prescribed for anxiety he will not likely have sexual side effects but he WILL HAVE TREMENDOUS PROBLEMS WITH WITHDRAWAL when he wants to come off. they are highly addictive and though they DO help with anxiety a great deal, i would not recommend using them for a long time like me . best of luck to you.