On lexapro 19 days no relief so far please help
What do you feel like when an antidepressant starts to work I have major depression anxiety ptsd?
Question posted by theresa06 on 7 July 2013
Last updated on 12 March 2021
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
38 Answers Page 2
Missy2122
23 Feb 2017
I am on Zoloft 100 mg everyday. I notice my depressive days are less frequent and I don't feel like crying all of the time. I also handle situations a lot better.
Inactive
23 Feb 2017
Hi Theresa: Your doctor might prescribe something like Buspar to go along with the lexapro. It is known to treat anxiety successfully in many people. It works for me.
target770
23 Feb 2017
Has anyone tried natural supplements as opposed to a prescription drug? I've had anxiety for basically my whole life, I'm a freshman in college now. Sometimes it's so bad I can't be in a classroom with other people, but I still think its somewhat mild because I still have some good days. I've been reading a lot about 5-htp or like Gaba. They seem to work for some people. Anyone have any experience with them?
PinkNails
18 Oct 2017
Hi, Yes I'm taking supplements for depression prescribed by a Naturopathic Doctor. They work quite well and are cheaper then antidepressants. I'm taking a Vitamin B Complex (B6 & B12) and Pure Seroplus which contains 5-HTP as well as 10k IU of Vitamin D a day. They will work, especially if mild. I take the B complex in the morning 2 pills and 2 Seroplus (one at night and one during the day). Beware that 5-HTP can have adverse symptoms for people just like anti-depressants. For me they worked fairly quickly though with no side effects. Hope this helps you :)
Le boy of centaur
16 Feb 2017
my name is andrew , trying to find out what anti-depressants do to the bran and perception?
generally speaking
self medicating isnt sustainable or wise long term.
Firecracker06
21 Jan 2017
I have a similar condition. I have generalized anxiety, major depression, and ptsd, but also boarderline personality. Lexapro was the 2nd antidepressant I tried, and it didn't work very well for me, but the good news is that everyone is different and it could be the perfect one for you! I've had to try many different antidepressants and it can make you start to feel like a bit of a lab rat bc of the long process, but My doctor told me that In 3-5 days if i feel worse than when starting emotionally, to call immediately, and that it normally takes 3-4 weeks to even start feeling better. Sometimes tho if it's not the right one for you it can make you feel worse much later on bc our bodies can adapt to them. Ideally it should have no affect until about a month the. Slowly start to work.
When I first started taking viibryd after about 3 weeks, one day it felt like I took sunglasses off, like the world I'd always seen had been dulled down in vibrance. It felt like the clouds above were parting and I began to start having urges to "do something" like go places and hang out with the neighbors in the back yard.
If I was you, I would take the risk of trying out what your doctor says to do. When our emotions are less heightened we are often less scared.
I am feeling scared too about taking the new medicine I got prescribed today for anxiety (buspar instead of vistaril) and decided to just down the stuff and revisit my fears in an hour.
Inactive
23 Oct 2016
Scout, you didn't mention if you were talking about being on lexapro (and getting off of it) or something else? You are saying you are better without any antidepressant at all? IF that is the case, good for you!!!
Scout668
22 Oct 2016
All's I could tell you is with me about 2 weeks after I didn't even notice but I started to feel so unbelievably good that I felt 10 years younger and not just happy but enjoyable of all the things I couldn't care less about before I felt like i was given a new life I could go on and on but after several years it changed I felt nothing almost a zombie I tolerated it for several more years but decided to come off of them and that was the total opposite I went through hell and I will never go back on them again I actually feel better now I'm off them good luck I hope you feel as wonderful as I felt in the beginning but the withdraws are horrible if you decide to come off of them weight one with the other SSRI,s are hard withdrawals I also battle with PTSD and anxiety
Gigika
15 Sep 2016
Because You need an Anti anxiety Med Like Klonopin... Clonazepam..Maybe with Lexapro which is an Anti depressant for depression.. Anxiety can cause Depression... but help the Anxiety with Klonopin first... and you can Breathe again, Have an appetite, and Not be afraid to leave the house.
shbookworm
1 May 2016
Warning! I suspect that Some people on here are working for big pharma! Use caution , and always remember ,your milage may vary
WildcatVet
23 Oct 2016
???
Crz4mrx
5 April 2016
Years ago, I had major anxiety with depression due to an extreme stalking and sexual harassment incident at work. I had a melt down lost 8 lbs in 6 days and I am a small person . Symbyax saved my life. It was odd to have it work so quickly but it was so incredible. So for years I have been fine, then recently lost my dad my brother and my brother in law within a year not. Lot of anxiety but just low grade no motivation depression . So started on generic Prozac. Ten days and I am so anxious and depression not better. Is this normal and how long before I see improvement? Don't want to go back on symbyax because of the weight gain and with a family of diabetics , don't like how it messes with my blood sugar . But I am concerned about whether this is the right medication for me or if I am not giving it enough time.
Davo86
17 Feb 2017
Hey there from what I heard Prozac can be very efficient for me Zoloft is very efficient. Let me tell you I think you arent giving it enough time it should take minimum of 3 weeks until medication starts working!
shbookworm
23 Feb 2016
Antidepressants made me stop having emotions and my personality started to disintegrate ! I felt"blank" ,"robotic" in my opinion they should be banned! I got off of them quickly.
Sandy7298
5 April 2016
That was ur experience but they shouldn't be banned bc of it. Many people benefit from these
Inactive
6 April 2016
bookworm, I agree with Sandy. I have had excellent results with bupropion sr to treat my anxiety/depression. I didn't want to go anywhere or talk to anyone. Going shopping, like, what's the use? I am so different now. I went to a wedding last weekend and totally enjoyed myself, even danced, lol. I am a better person with the help of this medication. If you continue to read posts on these support groups, you will realize how many peoples' lives have been improved with their medications. I hope you will try again and find the one that gives you a better quality of life also. Good luck!
"G"
Torra919
14 Sep 2017
So I'm diagnosed with depression and just started the medicine yesterday, when should I actually see improvement?
shbookworm
23 Feb 2016
Anti-depressants made me stop having emotions or a personality. I felt just like a robot or a zombie - totally blank!
missbliss
22 March 2016
What if my anxiety is so bad that it's made me unable to show emotions or a personality and I feel like a robot or a zombie and just totally blank! Its been this way for years without being diagnosed and prescribed something decent. Now I'm almost at the point where I'm too uncomfortable to leave my house and I'm desperate for something to work. I'm going to try again and hopefully something works but I will not try paxil, zoloft or any benzodiazepine because they all intensified my anxiety. It's too much of an issue for me, that I have no social connections and I never had any.
careernavygirl
22 Jan 2019
I was diagnosed in 2011 and retired from the military in 2012. I have worsened over the years and my world has become very small. The majority of my life now is spent at home, In my yard or at my mental health appointments. I have never had a support system other than my therapists. I was thin my whole life until the medication. I’m not me mentally or physically anymore. For the past 7 yrs I cried. Not at home but at every therapy session {Well, I still do that}, in public if someone spoke to me, in group therapy and talking on the phone. Everything made me cry. Then about a year ago I felt anger for the first time. Horrible anger that consumes me at times.
When I retired, I started working immediately at the VA while medicated. I worked for an abusive dentist. He would throw things against the wall if anyone said something he didn’t like, he head~butted me chairside one day and the madness became unbearable but I didn’t know how to quit. So mentally I became worse each day. I was taken from work by ambulance having the worst panic attack ever. The hospital thought I was a heart pt. I was hospitalized for 3 days. I never quit so my psyc dr kept upping my meds so I could survive work. After that job moved other things happened one after the other that are enough to set me back when I’m trying to move forward. I now fear people n for good reason for some atleast but my brain lumps them together. So much has happened and here’s the new kicker ... My adult educated sons have decided they don’t want me in their lives because of my PTSD and all that’s lumped within it. I given them everything they ever wanted. I was a single parent in the military so that part wasn’t easy for them but they have never helped me or have asked how I am. They are grown men, both married and having their children. I told them to have a good life. I have been mistreated so much since I became sick that I can’t deal with it anymore. I lowered one of my meds during the madness because I wanted to feel the true pain and heartache of my sons dumping me!! I’m not going to be in their lives ever again. I’m 56 and I have taken enough. I just want to get better.
Lahoftx100
12 March 2021
Me also. I was unable to grieve.
Lahoftx100
12 March 2021
Me also. I was unable to grieve.
melissapitcher
17 Dec 2015
Im sorry I also wanted to add... That it can take time to kick in. It can also take time to find the right one. I take Effexor 150mg a day. I used Klonopin for extra anxiety control when needed. Do your research. If one does not help find one that will. Dont give up!
blaaccypher
31 Dec 2015
How have you been able to deal with changing meds? I am at my wits end and can't take much more. You seem to have a good outlook on things.
Tarrenga
21 April 2018
I’ve been on lexapro 10 for 6 weeks now Lexapro 20 for 19 days my anxiety seems to have gotten worse not better and experience brain fog and anguish is this normal so far into it?
melissapitcher
17 Dec 2015
You feel like you can breathe. See clearly. Happy to see a new day. Appreciation for the birds chirping. It is a blessing. You will know when it kicks in. All of the sudden life does not seem to miserable. You can find your smile again. You feel less pain both physically and mentally. I am so grateful for antidepressants. They gave me my life back. I wish you the very same.
coloresue
22 Nov 2015
This is an old question but there are some newer questions and answers. I'll add my 2 cents worth on these questions about depression, anxiety and PTSD. There's several people waiting for antidepressants to work. The advice already here on that subject is good... wait for 6-8 weeks to give it a fair try before you move on to another antidepressant. Look up on this site the side effects of a drug if you're concerned about them.
Antidepressants alone don't necessarily take care of anxiety. Anyone trying a new drug will have some increased anxiety at first. That's normal and that's not the anxiety to be concerned about. Persistent anxiety that you've had for weeks or months that interferes with your everyday functioning may well need a drug in addition to an antidepressant. Talk to your Dr. about this. Don't suffer for weeks waiting for an antidepressant to take your anxiety away.
It probably won't.
PTSD is another animal entirely. Counseling is needed and lots of time to heal. Don't expect to conquer this one quickly and you won't be disappointed. Counseling is also very helpful for the other 2 problems, so you will be well off to find a good counselor from the start.
I've had all 3 so I've been where you are and you can recover with the right medications and counseling. You can feel well, happy and normal again. There's always reason to hope!
Sandy7298
20 March 2016
I don't think saying that anti depressants don't work for anxiety is correct.
Antidepessants are also for GAD and OCD.
coloresue
21 March 2016
I repeat: Antidepressants alone don't necessarily take care of anxiety. This is not the same as what you are objecting to.
Sandy7298
21 March 2016
And I'm saying that alone they do work.
coloresue
22 March 2016
Yes, for some people some of the time. But not necessarily for all people or all of the time. I would not want to leave hopeless that person who is taking an antidepressant and still having significant anxiety. They need to know to report that anxiety to their Dr. because a certain percent of people on antidepressants will still require an additional anti-anxiety medication.
Jools64
22 July 2017
Hi Ian on amatriptolin and been on them for 2 weeks was on metazapine for 9 months before that I take them at night but sleep all day
Related topics
lexapro, depression, post traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, antidepressant
Further information
- Lexapro uses and safety info
- Lexapro prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Lexapro (detailed)
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