[cleveland01]

I just started taking Lexapro the other day, but after reading some threads on this forum I'm not so sure that it was a good idea. When I went in and told my doctor that I had been suffering mild depression and anxiety for several years now he suggested I take an SSRI and said there was a good chance that within a year it would get my serotonin flowing normal again and I may be able to go without meds for good. Is this true? Everything I seem to read here says the contrary. Granted over the years I have learned that what you get on internet message boards is usually "worst case scenario" but I'm still not so sure.[]

Can an SSRI "train" your brain to function normally? If not, can you keep taking one and keep up the effect (assuming it works)? And why all the negative Lexapro feedback on here? Is it really that different or bad than any of the others? I have seen bad things about all of them here actually, so I'm kind of worried now. I'm almost thinking maybe I should have just left things alone and kept going on with my blah mindframe. It wasn't ideal, but now I'm afraid I might make things worse!

[cleveland01]

....whoops one more thing. Is it possible to be worse off than you were before from these pills?

[Casey55]

cleveland,

Lexapro, like all drugs, have helped many people, especially with depression and OCD. All drugs have side effects and just because it doesn't work for one person, or causes side effects for someone else, doesn't mean it will for you. There is just know way to know unless you try it. There are also ways to deal with many side effects as well, if you think the drug is helping your depression and you want to stay on it.

Just make sure you are having a psychiatrist manage your drugs and that they monitor you closely when you go on them and regularly while you are on them. Report any side effects your are having and you may need a dosage adjustment. Many of the side effects of the SSRI's go away after a few weeks, so if you can stick it out, they may improve.

If you find you are having side effects that you can't deal with, tell your doctor, there are many others you can try. Just make sure you don't stop any medicine without first consulting your doctor who will give you instructions how to wean off them properly.

It is trial and error, you just have to find the one that works best for you.

Good Luck,
Casey

[Shifty]

quote:Originally posted by cleveland01

I just started taking Lexapro the other day, but after reading some threads on this forum I'm not so sure that it was a good idea. When I went in and told my doctor that I had been suffering mild depression and anxiety for several years now he suggested I take an SSRI and said there was a good chance that within a year it would get my serotonin flowing normal again and I may be able to go without meds for good. Is this true? Everything I seem to read here says the contrary. Granted over the years I have learned that what you get on internet message boards is usually "worst case scenario" but I'm still not so sure.[]

Can an SSRI "train" your brain to function normally? If not, can you keep taking one and keep up the effect (assuming it works)? And why all the negative Lexapro feedback on here? Is it really that different or bad than any of the others? I have seen bad things about all of them here actually, so I'm kind of worried now. I'm almost thinking maybe I should have just left things alone and kept going on with my blah mindframe. It wasn't ideal, but now I'm afraid I might make things worse!

Get a second opinion Cleveland. I have gone periods on and off of Paxil and I have never felt the same with or without the drug. Don't take it unless you absolutely need it.

On the other hand, if you are missing work because of your anxiety, get treatment and quickly. It doesn't just get better when it gets to that point. I know from experience.

Listen to your gut-feeling, it is almost always right.


---

I am currently taking 20mg of Paroxitine HCL (Paxil). I have tried 25mg CR, 20mg, and 40mg.

My side effects are delayed orgasm and lack of motivation.

The Paxil seems to cure my anxiety in low stress situations, but makes it worse in high-stress situations.

The side effects on the 40mg were more intense. In addition to the above listed side-effects, I got minor headaches and a much more sedated feeling with no additional benefits.

Ask me anything, I would love to help you with my experiences.

Shifty