Escitalopram for Major Depressive Disorder User Reviews (Page 3)

• Ste...
• June 19, 2015

Escitalopram "With a rough family life, it's hard to know if this drug is working to its full potential. I've been taking Lexapro for almost three months now, and I can hardly tell a difference. I don't really think of suicide anymore, but happy? Is anyone truly happy? Maybe it's just my situation at the moment that brings out my pessimistic side, but I don't feel much different at all."

• Jux...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 14, 2019

Escitalopram "I've been on Lexapro for 3 days at 10 mg. My doctor prescribed it for my depression and anxiety. Every single day I've taken this, I've had horrible symptoms ranging from blurry vision, headaches, drowsiness, dizziness, disorientation, nausea, confusion, panic attacks, tightness in the chest. My whole body would begin to burn, and my hands would tingle. I'd have a weird jerking in my legs. Just bad side effects that affected my job and personal relationships. My doctor said she'd see me again in 2 months, but I'm not taking this stuff anymore, and I plan to call her in the morning. This is horrible!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 10, 2021

Escitalopram "I started Lexapro after my divorce about a year ago. I was having major depression, anxiety, and panic attacks. After seeing a psychologist and therapist, they decided to start me on 10 mg of Lexapro. During the first month, I started having extreme dry mouth, but by month 2 that went away. I started seeing results after about a month or so. I was no longer having intrusive thoughts, my anxiety decreased substantially, and I was no longer having panic attacks. It also helped with depressive episodes. I was so nervous about starting a new medication, but honestly Lexapro saved my life. A year later, I am so much more stable and able to make clear decisions. My head isn't so foggy, and my emotions are in control. I am truly thankful."

• Shu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 16, 2017

Escitalopram "My husband is a retired veteran from the Army. He has PTSD, depression, and anxiety. I introduced my husband to Lexapro, which I have taken over the years. I have seen a big change in my husband, and I am thankful. He has stated that I saved his life by introducing him to this medicine. Finally, my husband can enjoy life again. Lexapro is an amazing drug. Anyone out there who suffers from PTSD, anxiety, or depression, I highly suggest you give this medicine a try. Talk to your doctor. I, for one, can say it saved my husband's life."

• Hon...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 27, 2019

Escitalopram "So I just started Lexapro 10 mg 10 days ago. I still feel down and depressed, so Dr. upped it to 20 mg. I've been on that for 2 days, and anxiety and crying are intense, praying I will get better once my body adjusts to the new dosage. Anyone else feel this way with a dosage change?"

• ora...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 7, 2017

Escitalopram "For posterity, I'm currently also taking Wellbutrin, Trazodone, and I'll be starting Vyvanse soon. Past SSRIs include Prozac and Zoloft; Prozac worked great but then pooped out, and Zoloft didn't do much of anything. My depression and anxiety have easily tripled over the past couple of years due to being sexually assaulted and the deaths of two very close friends. As a result, I get agitated extremely easily at work and feel extremely low and hopeless at home. I'm currently taking 20 mg Lexapro, and I believe I just felt it kick in? It's like a warm hug for the brain. I'm not feeling irritable, I'm fairly relaxed, and I'm excited for the rest of my day. I feel like it's only going to get better from here."

• Bet...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 22, 2014

Escitalopram "Was on Lexapro for over 5 years for depression. I could definitely notice a difference for the better. Was no longer suicidal and could work and function on a daily basis again. But still think I could have been happier than I was. The only side effect was loss of libido."

• Cor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 17, 2017

Escitalopram "I was hospitalized back in June as a result of my depression and anxiety. Lexapro was the first medication they put me on, followed by hydroxyzine. The first thing I noticed was the minimal side effects. I didn't experience drowsiness or stomach pains or anything that I had expected to experience. Like all depression medication, Lexapro is one that needs to stay in your bloodstream for several weeks before you'll actually feel it working. It's not to say that it completely cured my depression, as there is no definitive 'cure' for depression, but half of my days were euphoric and the other half I was only feeling a bit down. That is a huge step up from feeling hopeless all the time. I would recommend it for both depression and anxiety."

• Han...
• June 4, 2019

"Hang in there. I was having a very rough time with depression. It got to the point where I had sort of a mental breakdown in which I couldn't stop crying for several days. My GP started me on Lexapro 5 mg, and the first week was absolute hell. I felt so tired, but I couldn't sleep, and my brain felt completely raw. I used Xanax the first week to sleep at night through the adjustment period and discontinued use after that. It took a bit, but gradually, everything began to improve. I continued with the 5 mg for several years until some life changes caused me to up it to 10 mg. The transition came with a lot of nausea, but it is evening out again. To the person scouring reviews to find relatable experiences, please know that brain chemistry is as variable as anything, and every experience is incredibly individualized. Take it one day at a time, and know that things will likely get a little worse, but then things get a lot better. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Just keep on focusing on the light at the end of the tunnel."

• Hel...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 16, 2019

Escitalopram "I do not recommend this drug. I am tolerant to it - when I say that, what I mean is I can’t stop taking it - the withdrawal is so, so, so bad that my doctor has said, ‘you may have to be on this for life.’ The withdrawal is debilitating, aggression, irritability, volatile, unpredictable mood swings, uncontrollable crying, vomiting, etc. The drugs work fine and as described. But the come down is traumatic. And I felt worse coming down than before the meds. I have also gained about 11 kilos, 20 pounds approx in 1 year. Size 8 - 14. Flabby gut. I work out 6 days a week, don’t drink, don’t eat sugar, and I am bloated like a prednisone patient. Do not take this unless you are prepared to deal with ALL the horrible side effects. My only option is to go on another drug. Disgusting. I wish I had never started it in the first place. Absolutely disgusted by the doctors too, who ‘don’t really know why it’s making me gain weight, just try another one.’ Awful 0/10."

• Sha...
• May 4, 2016

Escitalopram "After the death of my father, I was thrown into an extremely depressive state, and it only got worse as time went on. I was unable to get out of bed in the morning, go to school, and could not carry out my normal life due to the constant feelings of hopelessness, sadness, etc. I had lost interest in everything and everyone and also began self-harming. I've been on Lexapro (20 mg) for about four months, and it has helped me a large amount with my depression, but it makes me feel like a bit of a zombie. The side effects were not the best, but it has given me the energy and hope to get out of bed in the morning. Lexapro helped me an immense amount, and I would recommend that you try it."

• Tia...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 13, 2016

Escitalopram "I've been on many medications through the years, and this is the first one I've been on a medication that didn't make me drowsy and had side effects I could tolerate. Having Major Depressive Disorder, PTSD, and anxiety, but also having issues with psych medication side effects; I've been quite happy with this medication. It takes the edge off my negative moods and at times renders me ambivalent-which is better than before considering my PTSD anxiety was driving me to suicidal inclinations. However, if you aren't dealing with severe depression and anxiety, I'd suggest something less intense. Also, my Medicaid covered this medication, but many insurance companies won't, and the original price is naught to scoff at."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 10, 2021

Escitalopram "I've been on 10 mg of Lexapro for 5 months now for MDD and GA. I woke up this morning feeling great, no bad headache, absolutely wonderful. Everyone says 6-8 weeks, for me, it was the anxiety it helped after that time frame. Depression took 'til today to lift and completely get out of the headache foggy state, so please give this med quite some time for full therapy. Soul hugs, Jill."

• Lin...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 18, 2019

Escitalopram "I’ve had good and bad experiences with Lexapro. I suffer from MDD and CPTSD, and starting the medication was good. It picked me up and made me feel human again. When I started Lexapro, I was also going through therapy. When I stopped therapy, I felt a decline in my mood again. Not where I started, but I was still having a hard time keeping up with my life. Currently, I still take it, and it’s good for most of the day. When I near the end of my day, I have a crash. I wish the Lexapro would last all day. I think it’s a good medication to pick you up, but I also recommend therapy to go hand in hand with your healing process."

• bel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 30, 2020

Escitalopram "My first antidepressant I was prescribed, sex drive was at 0. I was on it for a month, and as the days went by, it got worse. I would say so far being on Lexapro caused one of my worst suicide attempts, and my self-harm was getting way worse. Immediately got taken off after I had my month checkup."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 26, 2023

Escitalopram "I've been taking Lexapro for a little over 3 months. After the first month or so, I could see a huge difference with my depression and even my anxiety. For the last few weeks or so, my anxiety has been out of control, and my depression is back full force. I take my medication every night, pretty close to the same time. I don't know what to do. This is affecting my home life and work life. I have heard so many good things about Lexapro, but apparently, it isn't for me."

• Cai...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 20, 2016

"I have been depressed for over 20 years, been hospitalized for a major depressive event and suicidal. I have been on numerous antidepressants over the years. None of which worked. I have been on escitalopram for 6 years (10 mg), and I can say that I am normal and happy. It works for me. I tried 20 mg for a while, but it made me too sleepy. The 10 mg works for me. My wife of 47 years passed away 2 months ago. I am grieving but not depressed. Sounds strange, but I definitely know the difference."

• Jam...
• June 9, 2017

Escitalopram "My experience with Lexapro has been overall well. I suffer from severe depression ever since I smoked very potent strains of cannabis, which triggered me to get severely depressed and anxious. I didn't take Lexapro until about 6 months of it sitting in my drawer after manning up and growing the courage to take half of 10 mg for a week until the side effects subsided and raised it to 10 mg. I felt less anxious at first, then after 2 weeks, I raised it to 20 mg and felt less depressed, and that's what I'm currently on. I'm waiting till week 8 to see if it gets better to know if I should keep taking it."

• Dre...
• March 24, 2016

Escitalopram "I'm on my 5th day taking Lexapro 10 mg, and the side effects have been horrible! The most I can put into my stomach is a breakfast essential shake in a whole day. I get heavy headaches, the back of my eyes hurt like hell. I wake up drenched in sweat, my whole body aches to the point where I can barely walk, I get very cold easily, and I sleep throughout the day. I was told the side effects will stop after a week, but will the loss of appetite stop too?"

• Jca...
• November 25, 2021

Escitalopram "Well. I was not able to sleep for 10 days. Benadryl, Advil PMs, and Seroquel did nothing for me. Insomnia, no sleep, restless to the point of exhaustion. Began to hear my brain sounding like white noise, more depressed and suicidal thoughts. In bed all day. Horrible experience. I had no libido, unable to have orgasm. Doing better after 10 days off this. Not worth it."

• Rlo...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 4, 2019

Escitalopram "On Lexapro 40 mg every day since 2017 for MDD and anxiety, and it works. With MDD, I used to have severe feelings of worthlessness and suicidal ideations. That’s lessened from 10 to 4. With GAD, I had severe, crippling anxiety to where I couldn’t be around lots of people and had insomnia from nonstop racing thoughts. Lessened from 10 to 5, no more crippling anxiety, but small daily bouts of being uncomfortable."

• Kay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 14, 2019

"I'm a 34-year-old female who has suffered from major depression, anxiety, and PTSD for over 10 years. I've been taking escitalopram 10 mg since July 1, 2019. I had minor side effects for the first two weeks while taking this (migraines, slight dizziness, and excessive tiredness), but now I'm feeling like my old self again. I still get bouts of anxiety from time to time, but it goes away as easily as it comes on. It's not nagging, nor is it debilitating anymore. My relationship with my husband has improved as well. I have not had a panic attack since taking this. The odd thing I've noticed is that I have not cried since I've been taking this medication. It's an odd feeling to have emotion but not cry."

• you...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 9, 2020

Escitalopram "I had several major behavioral changes, including aggression, troubles regulating temperature, decreased appetite, weight loss, and severe withdrawals when decreasing dose and when multiple doses are missed."

• roo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 14, 2024

Escitalopram "I've been on many antidepressants during the last 7 years, all SSRIs, SNRIs, and NDRI (Wellbutrin). So tomorrow will be the third time I will try Cipralex for my MDD. The last 2 times the benefits outweighed the negative side effects, I would say it made a difference for anxiety and also gave me some energy to get things done, things were not perfect, but overall I was feeling better. I was an anxious wreck all my teen years, Lexapro helped my GAD and SAD. For those who want to start this medication, all I can say, be brave enough and try it because it's a life-changer for many of us!"

• abi...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 17, 2021

Escitalopram "I was prescribed Lexapro for anxiety and depression, also OCD. Side effects of terrible dry mouth, headaches. It did, however, help my insomnia. Months in, my anxiety had slightly subsided, and my depression was noticeably gone. But I wasn’t happy either, honestly, I felt numb. The doctor upped my dose to 20 mg about 4 to 5 months in. Again, awful dry mouth and headaches, and now nausea and heart palpitations. Terrible nausea and headaches, and I had crippling nihilism and suicidal thoughts worse than when I wasn’t being treated. My anxiety came back full swing. I slowly stopped taking it. The withdrawal is almost as bad as the side effects. I’ve been off of it for a week now, and the withdrawal sucks, but I’m glad I quit."