Escitalopram for Depression User Reviews (Page 3)

• Ble...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 10, 2019

"I started Lexapro about two years ago after having a horrible panic attack from smoking marijuana and being too high, I guess. After that night, I kept having panic attacks. I thought I was going to die, my heart was pounding out of my chest, and I had shakiness. I was diagnosed with GAD and panic disorder. I was put on 10mg Lexapro and 0.5mg of Klonopin short term until the Lexapro kicked in. Long story short, I upped the Lexapro dose to 20mg and got off the Klonopin, and let me tell you, this was the game-changer. I have been off Lexapro, and every time I get back to it, I work my way up to 20mg, and it’s the LIFESAVER. My advice is, if you’re experiencing side effects from the medication like increased anxiety, etc., hang in there and work with your prescriber in increasing the dose if needed. 20mg is the magical pill. I hope this helps, and I can help anyone in need. You’re not alone in this, and you can fight depression. Trust me on this!"

• Mat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 24, 2020

"I am a 24-year-old woman whose anxiety and depression have recently worsened to an extreme. Desperate for help, I consulted my doctor. She started me on Lexapro 10mg a day and told me to split it in half and take 5mg for the first few days. It took me to the darkest place I have ever been, honestly. The first day, I was in the ER with a severe panic attack, and I was right back the next day. The reason I felt like I was having the attacks is that the medicine was causing severe burning/tingling sensations in my arms and legs that would not stop. My hands and feet would not stop sweating, and it made me feel like I had something else going on, but everything came back normal. The ER doctors told me to hang in there and that things might get worse before they get better. But honestly, I physically couldn't take it. So I have stopped it. And kudos to you guys who did stay strong and are seeing the benefits from it now ❤️"

• Sam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 2, 2019

"After having a stressful job and coming to a job less stressful, I had a few months of struggle with anxiety and depression. I finally came to a breaking point when I literally couldn't sleep at night and was running on 2 hours of sleep every night. I went to my doc who prescribed me Lexapro which I was hesitant to take. I finally gave in and just took it. The first few days to a week were tough but after the first week, I started to feel the cloud lifting. This is week 6 of taking the medicine, and I feel INCREDIBLE! I even feel more confident, and anxiety has decreased so much! I am so thankful to my doctor for sticking with me and not giving up on me!"

• Iam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 13, 2015

"Lexapro works! I didn't have any side effects except for small headaches for the first couple of weeks that would show up for 10 seconds, then be gone. I did notice for the first week that I would have carb cravings and I didn't get full as quickly, but I watched what I ate and tried not to give in to any crazy cravings. I have not gained any additional weight. The first day I took the Lexapro, it kicked in around 5-6 pm and I just got insanely giggly and happy. All of a sudden, it was like a breeze blew past my mind and the little gremlin in my mind that constantly said 'I hate everything' was gone. I do notice short-term memory is easily forgotten; out of sight, out of mind. I'm sure that's due to relief from anxiety. I am finally happy!"

• DMH...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 26, 2015

"I've been on Lexapro for two weeks now, and I can definitely say that my life has been so much better. I'm on 10 mg, and I take one every day. I haven't had any negative side effects except on my first day taking it, I felt dizzy and a little spaced out, but they subsided by day 3. Lexapro saved my life! I used to cry every day and think so much, but now all of that has stopped. I'm feeling better, sleeping better; life is just better. Give it a try if you have depression/anxiety."

• Nag...
• April 15, 2008

"I've been on Lexapro 10mg for 5 years now and it makes me 'me' again. It's wonderful! I've never had a side effect. I've also lost 90 pounds! I was eating because of the stress and depression and when that started to go away so did the overeating! I started to feel a lot better. It took about 4-5 weeks for it to kick in and I had to chart my progress through my doctor but I am truly thankful."

• Kgr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 17, 2016

"I took many SSRI medications in the past for anxiety/depression but was unable to handle all the negative side effects. I've spent the last 3 years dealing with daily fatigue to the point of just feeling sick every day, so work and bed became my home. I couldn't find the energy to go shop, visit my son, be with friends, attend church, I just felt sick. Daily crying spells every morning and an awful pain on the inside I can't describe. I didn't know what was wrong with me but I knew it wasn't normal and was only getting worse. Dr gave me 10 mg of LEXAPRO. First pill, very sick but have been on it 4 weeks now. Thank goodness for this MEDICATION! It took several weeks but as weeks go by I feel even better! :)))"

• Bea...
• March 3, 2017

"I started taking Lexapro for anxiety and depression. My anxiety was so bad at times, I felt like I was having mini panic attacks. The worst part of my day was the thought of waking up and having to go to work. I have 3 children and felt like I couldn't take care of them, thank God for my family. Besides the occasional Advil for a headache, I do not take any other medications and didn't really like the idea of being on this type of medication. BUT, you know what? I have a family, friends, a career, and house, so if I have to take a little pill to feel better, then so be it. I'm just glad I don't have to suffer and there is help out there."

• The...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 20, 2017

"30-year-old male. I was completely lethargic and had pretty bad anxiety. I always stressed about job assignments at work and rarely ever wanted to leave my room at home. I had no energy and frequently called in to work. I thought I had low testosterone, so I had some blood work done. My doctor prescribed me Lexapro 10mg in the meantime, and I felt my anxiety and depression just disappear. I remember the moment I knew the medication was working when I was sitting on my porch, feeling glad to be alive for once, enjoying the weather, and just smiling. I feel like my old self before the crazy depression. Yawning and diarrhea are annoying, but I'll take that to enjoy the little pleasures in life again."

• Avy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 8, 2014

"I always knew I was vulnerable to having the blues, but it wasn't until I lost my motivation, could no longer enjoy the simple things in life (music, TV shows, vacation!) and would randomly burst into tears, did I realize this was something more serious. The first two weeks were brutal (1/2 tablet in morning, 1/2 tablet in evening). I was extremely anxious, had debilitating fatigue and zero appetite. Third week the symptoms set aside and I was a bit better but still felt robotic. Then the past 2-3 days, I noticed I was singing, joking around, MUCH less irritable and wasn't haunted by negative thoughts of doom or self-loathing. My memory is even better. Give it a fair chance, I promise you won't regret it."

• dev...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 27, 2024

"Went to see a psychiatrist because I was suspecting ADHD, but it turns out my concentration problems are because of severe depression with anxiety. I got started with 5 mg, after two weeks, 10 mg. I felt okay. After 2 months, I upped my dosage to 15 mg. I am so much better now. I feel joy after like 6 years of severe depression. My concentration is so much better, and my productivity and enthusiasm for life increased a lot. Dry mouth and a little dampening of libido are the only side effects I have. It's pretty cool with me given the pros it gives me."

• Sla...
• August 23, 2013

"I was at a breaking point and couldn't take any more bad thoughts and sad days. It got to the point where I was crying up to 4 times a day, snapping at my husband and kids, having to call in to work because I couldn't pull it together long enough to function. It was bad. I had negative thoughts and obsessed about something bad happening to myself or my daughter and not at the hands of myself. Side effects were bad at first - insomnia, nausea, swimmy head, anxiety. Those only lasted until about day 5 and I was told to push through and tough it out. Every day since has been better and better, and I finally feel normal again. Lexapro saved my life."

• Hor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 24, 2019

"I was on Zoloft for 27 years. One day, I was driving and had dread come over me as I thought I was dying. I checked myself into the local ER and discovered that it was my Zoloft which worked well for many years. I was desperate, a friend I work with wrote me a prescription for Lexapro. After three days on 10mg, I could feel the change for the better. I cut myself to 5mg after a couple of months and feel really good. I am able to focus at work, and I sleep very well at night. One benefit is I lost 27 pounds, which I needed to. So now I feel better both physically and mentally. Thanks, Lexapro."

• the...
• April 12, 2013

"I was very depressed for at least 8 years. After barely being able to do my basic mom duties, I decided to get help. My GP suggested Lexapro and I haven't looked back in 2 years. My overall mood and outlook on life have dramatically improved and now, not every little mishap sends me to bed for days on end. I still have struggles as we all do, but this medicine has really been like the hand of God touching my life. Please don't wait as long as I did to change your life and get back to your wonderfully made self!"

• Jer...
• February 20, 2014

"I was diagnosed with a panic disorder. I was always well-traveled, worked hard, and had a great social life, then my life changed overnight. You can't explain to anyone the feeling of complete helplessness unless you are living it. Anyway, long story short, Lexapro saved my life, even though I could not orgasm while taking it and gained 10 kilos, but I was able to come off it after a year. And now I'm living a normal life again."

• dog...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 11, 2024

"I promised I would write a review on Lexapro once I felt better. I was on 10mg since pre-covid (my Celexa decided to stop working after 8 years so I was switched to Lexapro). Last year, fall of 2023, a close friend passed away, so of course, I attributed my increase in sadness to that. However, my stomach was causing me a lot of pain as winter approached and despite all of the testing, I apparently was 'fine' physically. Emotionally, I started to slide downwards to the point I had a very hard time eating and found very little joy in life. Nothing seemed to help. I was isolating and getting worse. I saw my doctor and he determined I was completely stripped of serotonin, so he increased my dosage to 20mg. Titrating up or down is living hell. I would read reviews on this site over and over and over hoping that someone out there was experiencing what I was so I would have a glimmer of hope. It took me 6 to 8 weeks to FINALLY see the light. I can’t thank Lexapro enough."

• dea...
• March 12, 2017

"I've experienced major depression along with high anxiety. Lexapro has been FANTASTIC for me in helping to get rid of my depression AND helping my anxiety significantly. I've tried Prozac, and compared to the two Lexapro has given me much less side effects, has not interacted with other drugs I take, works faster, and has given me my life back. Overall, I think anyone who is suffering with depression, but also has high anxiety can definitely benefit from this drug. It's been great for me and I think it's worth a shot for anyone who isn't having much luck with other SSRIs."

• stj...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 19, 2019

"I am on my 3rd day. I called the doctor today, thinking I wanted to stop, the first 2 days were not good. I felt like I had the flu. I still am not sleeping, but she said to stay on it and give it at least 2 weeks. All of a sudden, I took a turn and think it truly is working. I will stay in touch."

• Bra...
• March 6, 2017

"My anxiety and depression really bogged me down and made me bound to my bed until I started taking Lexapro. Honestly, the first 1-3 weeks the side effects are very rough as your brain has to get accustomed to the changing of chemicals. I had blurry vision, dizziness, sweating issues, and felt weird, but I stuck to it and eventually started waking up earlier than ever, which was uncharacteristic and started enjoying life. This drug is great and makes me want to major in Psych. Recommend"

• Luk...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 14, 2025

"I have struggled with anxiety and depression my entire life. When I first tried this drug in 2021, I felt a lot better, but I was tired all the time and had sexual side effects. I was in desperate need of a solution a month ago, and my GP prescribed 150 mg Wellbutrin XL and 10 mg Lexapro daily. I have so much more energy now, I can sleep, I can do my job normally, I feel like I have finally gotten my life back together. The Wellbutrin helped 90% with the sexual side effects, and it gave me energy. This drug has helped my life immensely, highly recommend."

• Rhi...
• April 25, 2014

"As a mother of two young boys, I started feeling down and depressed, and I couldn't even leave the house because of my anxiety. It started helping me after 2 days (half tab). Now I'm taking 1 and a half tablets, and I feel so much better. It's been a month since I have started this, and I love it. I have tried Celexa, Prozac, etc., nothing worked. THIS DOES! It makes me tired, so I take it at night."

• Pur...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 4, 2012

"After trying numerous SSRIs and mood stabilizers and ready to give up, I tried Lexapro. It was new and just on the market. I love it. It has completely turned me around. I'm normal again. It's good for anxiety too. No bad side effects. No weight gain. It's wonderful to have finally found a medicine that actually works. I hope it never stops working."

• Chr...
• September 1, 2016

"I have been on this drug for about 10 years. I have tried to slowly come off of it, thinking I'm okay, but it was a disaster. Don't let your pride affect your life! I was going through a divorce, stress at work, and overall angry thoughts and depression. What it did for me was make the bad moments less extended. I still get stressed and have normal bad days, but the lingering of these moments lessened. I never post this type of stuff, but I hope I can help someone. This med may have saved my marriage and my children's upbringing! I did have to increase dose after a couple years though."

• Bul...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 3, 2014

"Finally, I found a depression/anxiety medicine that has the least amount of side effects. I tried Elavil, Prozac, Desyrel, Paxil, and citalopram (Celexa), which is very similar to Lexapro, but Celexa made me sweat when I was not hot, caused jaw tension, insomnia, and hypertension. I think Escitalopram (Lexapro) is the best SSRI out there. I give it a 9 on the scale."

• Rob...
• August 17, 2019

"Started on Lexapro 10mg 2 years ago for anxiety. First 6 weeks were very difficult with erectile dysfunction, insomnia, constantly tired & not being able to focus at work. I nearly stopped medication several times as it was really messing me about. After 6 weeks, most of the side effects eased and anxiety management was improved. Earlier this year, I had an upheaval in my relationship & was very depressed. My psychologist recommended trying a higher dosage of Lexapro and the doctor agreed to increase to 20mg. Unfortunately, the side effects experienced two years ago returned. It took 4 weeks for the side effects to ease & both anxiety and depression are now manageable. Still seeing my psychologist, as it's just as important as the medication for me to ensure I have the right support structure in place. I am currently in the best place mentally I’ve been for several years, and Lexapro has definitely helped in my case. Glad I persevered through the initial side effects as the change has been positive."