Lexapro - what's your experience when it comes to side effects??
Question posted by drummerboy04 on 30 Dec 2017
Last updated on 21 July 2020
Hey everyone! First post here. Today is day 11 for me taking 10mg of Escitalopram. I'm also on 50mg of Lorsartan for high BP. I've been on Losartan before and didn't have any side effects with that med.
I spoke with my Dr today and he said that I shouldn't be having these side effects this late in the game. Especially after 11 days of being on it. Those side effects are: Tired/dizzy (I know that's common), constipation then diarrhea , jittery, clenched jaw, fidgeting alot, chest pains (which have maybe since ceased, but they were pretty painful), that somewhat severe fluttering or butterfly feeling in the upper chest usually accompanied by palpitations, lastly and most importantly I've been feeling that worthless/hopeless feeling where I get nervous because that feeling has only been there recently even before going on Lexapro, but I've had about 3 days in a row feeling that feeling. I'm able to bounce back from them pretty well, but I'm tired of feeling this way.
So, is this a situation where I just haven't been on it long enough to get the full effect? I realize it's 3-6 weeks for full effect, but should I still have these side effects? Should they have gone away by now?
Btw, this is the first time for me being on any anti depressants. 40year old male. Thank you for your help!
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4 Answers
NT
nthieret
9 July 2018
If you have diarrhea with escitalopram I have a few tricks 1. do not eat before taking. take on empty stomach 2. ginger ale to calm 3. crystallized ginger to snack on. Two days ago was agony. Now is is all gone.
Votes: +0
MA
mariesr
21 July 2020
I have that and nausea and all the side effects from taking just 1 20mg..what can I do to stop it..and how ling will it take to subside
EL
ellzeena
31 Dec 2017
Took it for four days, 10MG. Could not leave the bathroom, gave me colitis.
Votes: +0
DR
drummerboy04
31 Dec 2017
ellzeena, sorry to hear that. Aside from some dizziness and being a little tired most of my side effects have subsided. Not 100%, but close. I just have constipation now that I'm trying to take care of.
TO
tonestar
30 Dec 2017
Hi Geoff,
You mention its the first time you have ever taken any anti-depressant so it really could just be a matter of waiting it out to see if your symptoms change or improve. In the meantime I would be going back to the Dr to mention this again and see what they suggest. ( Believe me when I say it may take quite a few different medications before you find the best for you. ) You didn't mention whether you are taking it at night/morning ? I would suggest you eat something with it and try swapping day/night if that hasn't worked ? Anyway wishing you luck n hope to hear back how you go. Regards Tony
Votes: +0
DR
drummerboy04
30 Dec 2017
Tony,
Thank you so much for the response. I will clarify for you... I take it first thing in the morning without food because of jitters I don't want my sleep to be interrupted. The symptoms usually start around the early afternoon time 1/2pm and then upside about a few hours later. Yesterday, it was extreme dizziness which probably brought on anxiety. My doc did mention that if the side effects don't improve by this upcoming Tuesday to tell him so we can stop it and possibly go on another drug. I do want to mention that maybe the chest pains were/are due to me being constipated because things "moved" yesterday. Sorry don't mean to be gross lol. I've come this far so I really don't want to start over with another drug unless the side effects become unbearable. I've been told that Lexapro is possibly the best in terms of side effects and effectiveness, but again I'm new to all of this.
I do want to mention (another mention ;) that I haven't been diagnosed with any type of chronic depression or OCD or GAD. It's hopefully a temporary thing because of life events that have happened recently. Anyway, you guys are great and the insights are much appreciated. Hopefully, I have provided enough info for you guys. Lets see what today brings!
Oh, also since I am taking it in the morning if I were to change to the evening should i just skip the morning dose and take it at night? Take the morning dose and then the evening dose then the next day just go to the evening dose?
CH
chuck1957
30 Dec 2017
Yes, Geoff; your doctor is a bit confused, But this happens for the first 1 to 2 weeks is the worst part with the side effects and some people it can be less and some it can take a few days more but it sounds like it's heading in the right directions. One other thing is important is try to take this medication about the same time each day. Well anyway as you continue to keep taking this around week 4 you should start to feel the benefits of the medication and it will be no ware as hard also to reach the full blood lever it is 6 to 8 weeks. Which by then you should be feeling pretty good if this medication is the one for you. This is the hard part but at least you are already showing improvement. And soon even the fatigue and tiredness should be getting better hope this helps you out and give you the strength to keep it up. Good luck.
Votes: +0
DR
drummerboy04
30 Dec 2017
Chuck! You are a God send!! Thank you for taking the time to reply! There are so many different takes on this drug out there that I can't seem to trust anything anyone says. Thankfully, the chest pains from yesterday are about 95% gone so that's a plus, but today I had what I described earlier. Hopefully, that will subside as well. Monday will be the 2 week mark and I'm praying that I'll be fine and just let it do it's thing and ramp up in my system. I definitely take it at the same time everyday. I have my alarm set every morning. This is all good info you gave me. I wish you well and hope you have a great 2018! Thank you!
CH
chuck1957
30 Dec 2017
Drummorboy; THANK YOU SO MUCH AND VERY GLAD I COULD BE OF HELP. now as you know we are all different so sometimes the timing is given or takes a day or two. but don't worry about it as I said it looks very promising with what has cleared up so far. please feel free to bookmark us here I have been through a lot but I swear this is the best site on the web. and many good people here. But it's all good because at least we know how others feel because we have been there. keep up th faith and positive thinking. and thanks again
