[loveiskind]

I remember when I was on Effexor, it was horrible coming off those, I didnt want them mentally but my body was going haywire. Evertime I stepped I felt buzzes in my leg, and I had the restless leg at night. I will never take that again. Then after I got off of it one day, I was like where have I been this last year. It was weird. But I have been off those now for over a year. Hope the best for your darling daughter

[RedPA]

Hi all,
Brewer - I can relate to some of the breast issues/weight issues also. I went from a C cup to a full DD the last couple yrs. The weight also crept on, almost not noticeable at first, but this last year - oh my. I can barely recognize myself in photos people show me.

and others with the bloated belly - I would really like to buy some pants. I have tried several pairs 4 sizes larger than my previous size - trying size 16's lately. However, not sure how to wear pants with this belly - nothing seems to work. Has anyone else considered maternity clothes?

I've been at 5mg Lex for a couple weeks now. Feeling somewhat ****py, but I also am looking for full time work, so it could be due to variety of factors (body image is pretty low lately - not feeling most confident). I'm definitely dragging myself around, and the sweating continues. I am up to two showers a day, even when I don't work out.

RedPA

[anti lexi]

I'm new to this forum, but I've been reading the posts for a while now.

I've been on Lexapro for about a year and a half, and have been weaning off slowly over the last 6 months or so. I was on 25 mgs and now I am down to 5 mg's. I never had any withdrawal symptoms until about 2 months ago when I decided to try to stop taking the pills altogether. The longest I have ever been able to go without a pill is 3 days, and usually by the 3rd day I can't take it anymore.

Brewer, I feel your pain. While I have only put on about 8 lbs from the Lexapro, I'm having a really tough time getting it off ever since I started skipping doses. It's driving me crazy. I finally was able to drop about 3 lbs by severely restricting what I ate over the last few weeks. I try to limit myself to 1200 calories a day and to exercise on a regular basis. Even though I have dropped a few pounds my stomach is still puffy (and my face too). I'm just trying to stay focused and hopefully I'll drop the rest of the weight soon. I will keep you posted.

Has anyone looked into taking Cortislim to get the weight off? I know that this product works by controlling the cortisol levels. Maybe it might just do the trick...[^]

[Scotty]

aunty-
I think it's only if you take too much ginko it can keep you awake. I don't know how much that is. There is so much conflicting info on the net it's hard to know what to believe sometimes.

Thanks for the advice about the seroquel. But I really get confused trying to keep straight what brain chemical does what. They say 5-htp ups your seretonin which is supposed to relax you and help you sleep. Can too much make you super-anxious like what I had with my bad reaction to celexa. Seroquel is supposed to inhibit both seretonin and dopamine. So if less seretonin is what is keeping me awake at night then the seroquel would be a really bad idea right?. But if I have too much would it be a good idea? I was mainly just looking for something I can rotate with Lunesta so I don't wind up addicted to it. It seems to be the only thing that will give me a good 6-7 hours sleep.

Thanks again for all that reseach!
How are your knees doing?

[auntybiotic]

Scotty,

Too much serotonin causes serotonin syndrome which exhibits itself with signs of Mania or the appearance of being drunk, Jaw popping or clenching, sweating then chills,hypothermia (can't get warm and shivering).
dropped ankle with difficulty walking, muscle jerking, pupils that do not dilate when exposed to light, GOOGLE Serotonin Syndrome to find more.

Lexapro causes the brain receptors to soak longer in Serotonin, not more serotonin production. Since the receptors are soaked in so much serotonin the mind trys to compenstae by dying off some of the receptors. Those getting off Lexapro have less seroronin receptors then before taking the drug.

Any medicine causing MORE serotonin such as St. John;s Wort and SameE and 5 htp can cause serotonin syndrome in Lexapro users because it is increasing the serotonin while Lexapro is already causing serotonin reuptake at the receptors..................causing a flooding of serotonin.

Great care even off Lexapro should be used in taking any of the above serotonon enhancers because POST LEXAPRO..............the brain generally has less receptors for the serotonin. That is why a percentage of persons can never stop taking the SSRI's once they have been on them awhile. The SSRI's can cause damage by reducing the available serotonin receptors.

Others are helped by supplementing (like Body E)............ just proceed with caution and know the signs of serotonin syndrome as it can be deadly.

Scotty, have you tried the benadryl to help with sleep, 50 Mg a hour before bed? It helps my daughter.

Ambien is very addictive, not sure about lunesta but I have seeen posts on this site from people asking for advice on how to stop the Lunesta so it may also be addictive.

Anti Lex,

Welcome, how much Lexapro are you currently taking? What symptoms did you get after the three days with no lEX? Crying, anxiety, feeling like you were losing it?

Have you tried the liquid lexapro to slowly wean off the rest?

Lexapro can cause CUSHING SYNDROME which is why many get the bloated belly. You can Google CUSHING SYMDROME TO FIND OUT MORE.I may have time this weekend to cut and paste.my new toy since I just learned how to do it!!

Scotty,

My knees are terrible. Surgery is Friday the 18th. If EVERYONE reading this will take a minute to say a quick prayer for a successful surgery..............I would be SO GRATEFUL. WOW, does that mean I may get thousands and thousands of prayers? Maybe then I wouldn't be so scared. I am unable to walk as both knees have torn miniscusis and now the left foot dropped from a pinched nerve from the knee damage and the pain is at least a 10. Maybe I will have to take pain pills for a few days after surgery.

Thank you Scotty for asking. So if this Lexapro Withdrawal site has helped anyone with advice or support, please "pay it forward" with a prayer that my surgery goes well. A thousand thanks.

aunty

[anti lexi]

Aunty,

Right now I am currently on 5 mgs. I plan to start cutting them in half and dropping down to 2.5 mgs in a couple of weeks (after Thanksgiving). Basically after 3 days without taking my dose I get a terrible headache, the sweats, and vertigo. It's extremely difficult to concentrate and I act very aggitated.

As everyone esle feels, I just want off this stuff. It's terrible that none of us were forwarned about this withdrawal. It's a shame.

[concernedhusband]

Hello.My wife has just began taking lexapro.I hate to just intrude,but is Lexapro bad?The reason I ask is that all she does is sleep now...and when she is awake,all she does is sit and zone out.This worries me and I happened on your forum while researching Lexapro.Any input would be welcome.Thank you.

Thanks

[bodyelectric]

Concerned:

Lexapro can be good or it can be bad -- depends on how your body reacts to it. Most people on here have had some bad effects from it either from taking it or from trying to come off of it.

My general experience with Lexapro is that it was great for my depression but was a disaster trying to detox from it once I no longer needed it. Not everyone has this experience. Some people have it better, some people have it worse.

The side effects you mentioned usually go away 1 or 2 weeks after you begin Lexapro. If they don't go away or get worse, I'd suggest that she see her doctor again to try something different. The good news is that there are plenty of medications out there to try, and sometimes it takes some experimentation before you find a "good fit."

Note that these SSRI antidepressants (Lexapro, Celexa, Paxil, Zoloft, Prozac, etc) should usually only be prescribed for two things: anxiety and depression. If the doctor has prescribed Lexapro for something different, I'd also recommend changing doctors while you're at it.

I hope this is helpful.

[Miss Lee]

Good Morning All!

I hope the long weekend left you a little refreshed! As for me I had a terrible day on friday. I literally was shaking, crying and dizzy all day. Here might be the culprit. I have been taking liver cleansing herbs and trying to up them to 4 a day (like the nat doc told me to) so I got to 4 a day on tue and wed, but didn't sleep at all. then smart me went to the chiropractor and the accupuncurtist on the same night (thursday) By the time I woke up on Friday, I felt like ****! I realize now that I cannot push this detox. I am too extremely sensitive to the LEx in my liver and when it is flushed it goes into my blood stream and I get nutso again.

So the moral of this story is to take it slow. It may be frustrating (believe me I know, I have been dealing with this now for about 2 1/2 months) but do not try to push it. Accpet the day and move on.

Hey I just read a great book dealing with the mind. "Battlefield of the Mind" by Joyce Meyers gives great insight on changing the way we think. Anyone out there read it??? If not, check it out and lets discuss.

Prayers are with you aunty. All the healing promises I know.

Miss Lee

[anxiousbabe]

Hey guys,

Hope everyone had a somewhat good weekend. My brain zaps came back this weekend and I thought that was strange. Aunty my thoughts and prayers are with you for a speedy recovery.

body e.....so good to see you back. We missed you.

As for all of you suffering with the weight gain, you all know my whole story because I must complain about it twice a week at least. Still struggling with the weight, but just trying to eat right and excercise and it has got to start working sooner or later. If anyone has any advice on what to do to move it along then please let us know. I started drinking some apple cider vinegar this weekend. Does anyone know anything about that?????? They say it's good for weight loss.

Well I will check back later.

Be well,
Florence

[Brewer]

Anxious,
apple cider vinegar? Yuck! How are you drinking it? I've been trying my Hoodia again. I took it for awhile pre-withdrawal with some luck, then I got overwhelmed with symptoms and forgot, so I'm back on the Hoodia 2-3 times a day.

I've been having a lot of pelvic pain and will go into my OB today or tomorrow. Don't know if that's Lex or something different.

Aunty, hang in there. The knee surgery will be over soon and you will be relieved to be on the other side! Send you my prayers...
Denise

Brewer was here

[Umur123]

It will be my first message to this forum. After a Google-search I found this forum, read a lot of experiences of withdrawals. I'm from Istanbul/Turkey by the way and sorry for possible grammar mistakes in advance.
I started to take Cipralex(I guess it's Lexapro in USA) about 7 months ago due to the panic attacks occurred after a traumatic event I've had due to my friends. After that event I began to have for the first time an extreme and meaningless fear such that I had the feeling that I could lose most of my friends since I spoke after him/her 2-3 years ago or did something tiny little thing sometime before. And I couldn't get rid of these thoughts, I was afraid, couldn't eat and sleep properly. Followingly I had used Cipralex for 6 months. Particularly after the third month I had no serious problems regarding my anxiety and obsessional thoughts. Everything was going normal and three weeks ago I decided to stop taking the drugs. For a while, I have experienced a huge dizzyness but it was completely Ok as long as I haven't had my anxiety symptoms back. However this week, (third week after I stopped Lexapro) with the stress of some exams in my university, I started to have fearful thoughts again and I do force myself to remember bad memories of the past. They do not lead to strong physical reactions, my heart beats normal, no serious problems with sleep or eating. But the quality of my life decreased again. Underlying sadness and somehow fear bothers me a lot. I don't know what to think about right now. Do you think it's only a simple withdrawal effect that will fade hopefully or did my disease emerge again with the start of the exams?

[Miss Lee]

Umur-

Did you quit cold turkey? Or stop taking it without cutting back?

Brewer and anxious-

I feel for your problems. There is nothing worse to feel so out of control of your body and life. Hang in there. You will see the end of this. I know it.

How is everyone else today? In my previos post i forgot to say that I again stopped all supplements for the weekend and today. My body needs a break.

Aunty- Your friend that weathered the storm (the extremely sensitive one) did she take anything or not??

[anxiousbabe]

Hello Brewer,

What is hoodia??? The apple cider is a little harsh going down, but I am desperate at this point and will try anything natural. My heart is very sensitive to anything substancial to take weight off, so I must stick to all natural.

Hey if you want to discuss weight more then email me fknight1@hotmail.com

I fell like a broken record sometimes when I talk about my weight gain from lex.

talk to ya soon,
Florence

[auntybiotic]

THANK YOU for the well wishes for my surgery..............had the presurgery consult and I am so ascared.

Ms. Lee,

My friend was unable to take anything, not even a asprin, no meats,
no carbs, she could only eat vegetables AND ABLE TO ONLY DRINK WATER.

THIS WENT ON FOR 4 MONTHS.

[Miss Lee]

I am on this same path. What happened after four months? I am at about 2 and a half right now.

Prayers for those knees..............

miss lee

[Jenjabe]

I just wanted to share my experience, for what it's worth. After about 8 months of increasing depression and suicidal ideation I consulted my beloved family doc. I was initially put on Lexapro 10mg, then increased to 20mg because there were no changes, no side-effects, no nothing after a month. A few weeks later we decided to discontinue and switch to Wellbutrin XL because Lexapro wasn't doing anything. On day one I took one Wellbutrin and halfed my dose of Lexapro to 10mg (what was recommended). The next day, also on Wellbutrin and 10mg of Lexapro, I woke and felt very odd... confused, disconnected, groggy almost... unable to deal. I have small children and new I wasn't in good shape to care for them, and considered calling a sitter. I didn't call a sitter because I knew I would leave the house and kill myself. I felt very out of character, very frantic, crazy. I wanted to tear my body apart. I didn't call anyone. My husband was at work (12 hour shift), I didn't call my doctor because I knew she'd put me in the hospital and I'm uninsured. I carved my left thigh, six times, and now two months later the evidence is still there. I used a steak knife. I felt like I didn't own my own body and I wanted to feel like I wsa me, like I could control me, could feel me, could own me... The self injury only made me feel horrified, embarrased and more disconnected. I went to sleep when my kids did and woke feeling slightly better. The next day I was still "out of it" but not as suicidal. I wish I had known. Why don't doctors know this? I could have killed myself, for nothing. For no reason. I have no reason to be suicidal or depressed, it's just an odd, possibly chemical thing for me. Thankfully Wellbutrin has been the answer for me, I'm calm, I'm back to rights... that and therapy has been a godsend.
Good luck to all of you, and be sooo careful going off of these drugs. They can make the strongest of us nuts.

[Umur123]

Miss Lee,

I don't know if I quitted cold turkey but after a total of 6 months of 10 mg Lexapro, I had used 5 mg for 2 weeks and then stopped taking it since I was feeling very normal and well for a longish time.
Actually, I've never thought of a sudden and continous weight gain could be happened due to the LExapro, but I see now more clear that particulary the more obvious weight gains after the withdrawal may be related with LExapro, maybe or is just me who eats more

[Miss Lee]

Wow, I need to post after the first post on this page because it brought me to tears! I couldn't handle the story. It made me feel back to the "icky" thoughts I had (in which I am still very fearful about). So here is my attempt to post strength!

Umur123- it sounds like to tapered pretty fast. Anxiety and shaking is a "normal" withdrawal symptom. Whatever normal means. I am not a professional, but hopefully our residents Aunty and Body will back me up.
Hang in there. Your stress seems high with your finals at school. Be strong and DON"T GIVE UP!!!!!!!

More later-
Miss Lee

[Stevzuzu]

I was on Lex for 2+ years after taking Paxil for 1 yr. Pax caused many side effects so I weaned myself off, with no withdrawl symptoms. (Except the relief of side effects!) I was on a max of 10mg of Lex until 3 or so weeks ago when I began weaning myself from it. I have become tired of "being drugged." Not many side effects, but just sick of having to rely on meds. Anyway... I lowered my doses incrementally over the last few weeks and stopped taking it last Wednesday. I am now experiencing the "zaps" quite often and I find myself becoming very agitated. I am really at a point where I want to feel free from a chemically altered life, but I'd like some reassurance that things will...chill.

[Brewer]

Stevez,
you've done the right thing by weaning slowly. Your side effects should not be too severe. It will chill- we all promise! I spoke to my endocrinologist about the time Lex is in your system and he said 30 days after your last dose it is gone.

I'm 30 days post and feel remarkably better than I did last week. I've had bad days and a few good days over the last 4 weeks, but this week more good than bad. I feel clear, I'm exercising, not snapping my kids heads off, having conversations with my husband... it all seems so normal, but when you've been away from it for awhile, you just feel happy to be back! And my body is waking up on its own- not forcing myself out of bed and trying to wake up for an hour or two.

I would suggest 2 Omega 3s, 3 times a day with your last dose being around 4 or 5pm. That helps the zaps dramatically. I've had bloating and weight gain, but I'm hoping it's now turning around. Not sure, but I feel better. Also lots of fiber and vegetables (or a barley greens powder) to help clean the drug out of your system.

Some people have tried Benadryl or Dramamine for the zaps and agitation, I haven't tried those because I'd be back in bed!

Please feel confident that it will be OK. Everything will chill.


Brewer was here

[Kendra]

Like so many others, I'm so glad I found this forum.

I've been on Lexapro since mid-September and started on 10mg. I went through a bad break up (from a very manipulative/verbally abusive relationship) and thought I needed to be on something because I was so sad all the time. After a month of talking to friends and exercising like crazy, my mood didn't improve as much as I thought it should have, so I went back to the doctor and my dose was doubled about 2 weeks ago. Looking back, BIG MISTAKE!

I purposely hadn't read about Lexapro side effects because I didn't want to have symptoms just because I'd read about them. Again, big mistake. I couldn't figure out why I was so tired all the time. I'd had so much energy and exercised so much after the break up but all of a sudden I was exhausted all the time. I am also ravenously hungry (a serious craving for carbs especially), nauseous, dizzy, dehydrated, having terrible sweats and overheating and my normally regular to the day monthly cycle was all screwed up (instead of my normal 5-day cycle, I've had spotting for almost two weeks).

Normally a high energy person, I've been jittery and have had strange cold or tingly feelings in my hands and feet and chest -- kind of like they've fallen asleep. I've also had feelings of unreality, confusion, forgetfulness and lack of concentration. Worst of all I have NO ENERGY whatsoever. Geez, I'd rather cry and be depressed than all of this!

The first thing I'd asked my dr. before going on this stuff was the potential for weight gain. She said it wouldn't affect my weight at all. So boy was I surprised when I did a search on Lexapro last week and found instance after instance of serious weight gain among Lexapro users -- even people who have not had weight problems before.

I found this site and again I was shocked at all the problems people have while on Lexapro. The strange thing is that some of the withdrawal symptoms some of you are having are some of the same symptoms I've been having while ON (or increasing) Lexapro.

Needless to say, after reading all I've read here, and how horrible I feel, I want off of this stuff. I haven't even contacted my doctor yet. I don't need an argument. I see now that my depression, crying and other emotions were a reaction to a relationship ending and all the pent up frustrations and disbelief over the entire relationship itself (I NEVER thought I was the "type" of person to be maniuplated or verbally abused). I was going through a normal mourning period and stupid me I rushed to be on an antidepressant.

I've been on this stuff, total, for almost two months now. For the past few days I've gone from 20mg (again, that I've been on for 2 weeks), back to 10mg. My head feels so numb, it feels the same way your head feels after you hit it hard on something. I can't focus and I can sweat buckets just sitting still. My heart races like crazy from time to time and the dizzy spells are awful. I'm terribly thirsty. My stomach growls all the time. I can't seem to eat enough food (I consumed an entire LARGE pizza in a day this past weekend). I have insomnia. I feel like I'm out of my body or something. It's just a very "strange" feeling of not being "here." I'm not sure at this point if what I'm experiencing is the beginning of withdrawal or the "start" of the 20mg taking effect.

If you are not on this drug already, PLEASE STOP AND CONSIDER the side effects and withdrawal symptoms and all that is involved. I wish I would have first! This is all SO scary.

I'll post again in a few days.

[Miss Lee]

Slow board today. How is everyone?

Miss Lee

[Miss Lee]

Hey what happened to everyone? I hope this means that you are all feeling fantastic! After my debilitating week with liver detox herbs, I am feeling a little better. BUT that week was knarly! I will take them again, but I need a rest.

Prayers for Aunty and those knees!

Miss Lee

[auntybiotic]

Ms Lee.

Good News and Bad news. My knees have very bad arthritis and I do not have cartilidge in both knees..will only get worse as I age. The doctor injected Synvisc into each bone joint of the knee.

This is a synthetic lubricant that will help prevent the pain of bone against bone from the arthritis. I do notice some relief but I am still not able to walk normally and without pain. I have to get two more shots in the bone of the knee spaced a week apart and then the results may be felt in four weeks. Although I have two torn miniscus..............the current problems are from arthritis. I have lyme disease so I am sure the tic bite had something to do with this arthritis as I am not old. Just one more turn in this crazy road of life!!!

Welcome to the new members Kendra, Sevzuzu and Urmar and Jen.

Stev,

Things will chill but it may take several weeks. You may consider taking supplements like Omega 3 Fish Oil and Magnesium to help you thru the withdrawals.

Kensra,

It sounds like you are experiencing withdrawal. Wait about three weeks and see if you begin to stabailize...........if you do this is witthdrawal. Once stable slowly decrease 5 tp 10% of your current dose. The lower the dose the harder to withdrawal from.

Umur,

Your tapering is almost cold turkey. Your body may be going thru Cushings Syndrome which can be caused from Lexapro usage and withdrawal. The weight gain, bloating in belly anfd thighs, you may also notice cravings for carbs and weight gain. You can Google Cushing Syndrome to find more.

Jen,

You are having withdrawals from the Lexapro..........can cause urges to hurt one's self and even voice commands. You can ease the withdrawal by reinstating the lexapro at the previous dose and then slowly tapering the dose. This is common in many people withdrawaling from SSRI's you are not going crazy..it is only withdrawal and will pass with time and proper nutritional suplements.

[bodyelectric]

Stevzuzu -- it goes away. Hang in there, it may take some time. You might also find SAMe helpful in addition to what Aunty already suggested.

Aunty -- I'm sorry to hear about your knees. And the lyme's disease. That's terrible. You probably know this already, but NSAIDs like Advil will make the situation worse -- they may mask some of the pain, but they also erode even more cartilege, making you worse over time. Shark cartilege, sea cucumber extract, cucumin (turmeric), and chondroitin sulfate may help with the joint pain as well as reverse some of the cartilege loss. I did a bunch of research on this back when I was writing for Dr. Atkins about 10 years ago. There may be even more effective natural relief they know about nowadays, I don't know...

[Kendra]

Hi, everyone.

I'm now almost a week into tapering off from 20mg of Lexapro to 10mg. Amazingly (and I noticed this a lot starting yesterday) I have a bit more energy (alert but not jittery), the dizziness has subsided, the tingling sensation in my extremeties has gone away and I'm able to breathe easier. The extreme sweating is going away gradually. I'm sitting here now, typing this, palms sweating (YUCK!) but not in need of a giant mop like I was last week at this time!

I've gained about 7 pounds since starting Lexapro. Unlike a few others who have gained weighed on this med, it didn't surprise me. I have been eating like crazy (and, like I said in my last post, have had NO energy to exercise). I wake up starving and eat something before I got to work at 8. By 10am I'm starving again and eat a second breakfast. Then lunch. Then a snack a few hours later. You get the idea.

Regarding my mood, I don't think I truly felt the "anti-depressant" nature of this drug. What has helped me the most is my great group of friends (I don't have a close knit family), reading a lot of books about people in situations similar to mine (victims of controllers and/or abusive mates)and joining chat boards like this one and boards for recovery (from meds and emotional issues).

I wish NONE of you had these problems, but then again, thank God (literally) for all of your posts. You have no idea how much its helping me. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU.

They say, "Misery Loves Company." But apparently, "Recovery Loves Company," too.

I hope everyone is doing well. I'll post again in a few days.

PS: Aunty, thank you for replying to my post!

[Miss Lee]

Hey all-

Good to hear from Aunty and Body!

Anyone-

So after my acute reaction, I am feeling slightly better. My symptoms seem to worsen during my cycle? Any reason for this? Could it be my liver trying to process hormones and the LEX at the same time??

MISS LEE

[molkat]

Just wanted to say that I have been on Lexapro just over a year and have been trying to wean off for about 4-6 months. I have done this very slowly as the "withdrawal" symptoms are annoying. I went on it for anxiety and it has helped but I feel now I may be able to deal without it. Also,I want to get off it because my sex drive is almost gone and I have gained 20 pounds in a year and I have always been a very thin person. I have been eating healthy and working out and still, I gain weight. I was taking 10mg once a day but then began to take 10mg once every 2 or 3 days; once my symptoms begin to appear. They include heart palpitations, brain zaps, and I start to feel like I'm getting a cold. I am now only taking 5mg every 3 days and I still get withdrwals but am trying to ride it out. I have not had any major mood swings or anixiety, but I have not stopped completely either. Does anyone know if the heart palpitations/brain zaps are dnagerous? I am going to see a dr. in a week so I will find out then but wanted to ask since it seems most dr's are not even aware of these problems . Thanks!

[overeasy]

Hi -

New here. Happy to say hello.

I have been on Lex for about three years, after trying Effexor (totally killed my sex life) and Wellbutrin (high anxiety, worse than the depression)

It has done what it's supposed to do, but the side effects are beginning to reach the point where I wonder if it's worth it. Weight gain has been terrible, despite the "clinical research" claiming otherwise. I was always amazed that Docs claim such low incidence of this side effect, until I realized they were simply quoting the studies and were afraid (lawsuit fear, I guess) to stray off the reservation and respond to the anecdotal, yet obvious weight gain they must be seeing with all their patients on this med. The last time I saw my PCP, she wanted to run blood tests to see if my weight problem was thyroid-related. I didn't argue with her. Just skipped the tests! Understand that I've been thin my whole life and have not changed anything else; it has to be the drugs.

Another major problem I have with Lex is the amount of bizarre dreaming it spurs. I wake up in the morning exhausted from dreaming! They aren't all nightmares, though I have my share of them as well, but I just feel overwhelmed by the vivid and tiresome dreaming. Weird, I know. In fact, an odd thing has started to happen; I have dreams about my dreams, wherein I dream about something (no real) that I dreamt about days or weeks before. My synapses are really busy....

And, of course, there is some sexual disfunction. I'm just not very interested, and having an orgasm is often more trouble than it's worth!

And, though I can't be sure this is related, I find myself having cognitive problems when writing. For instance, I'll write "what" when I mean "want," and other similar mistakes. I'm fifty years old, so I really don't feel like connecting this to old age dementia. Has anyone else noted this symptom as well? My main worry is that this is a permanent condition, and won't go away if and when I bail out on Lexapro.

All in all, I keep wondering what I should do. Like many here, I've been through the mill of different SSRIs and keep thinking; is there another solution?

Thanks for listening.

overeasy