6th day on Lexapro, feeling like a crack addict

[Kristen1]

I was just recently switched from amitryptiline to Lexapro. The first few days were ok. Yesterday I felt pretty anxious and today it is a constant back in forth between anxiety and the feeling of wanting to cry for no reason. I know it it supposed to get worse before it gets better and that it takes 4-6 weeks to kick in all the way. My question is how long do I wait before I come to the conclusion that it isn't working? I want it to work. I am tying to stay as positive as possible. Wait the whole month? Please advise ...anyone!

[Carryon]

The the side effects that you describe will dissipate over the next few weeks, when you will be in a better position to judge how the medication is starting to work.

[pauly j]

Hi Kristen


Give it at least a month!  If symptoms are really bad and intolerable, consult with your doctor!  If the side effects are tolerable, give it time to work as Carryon says, symptoms should dissipate over the next few weeks! 

pauly j

[RandyR]

I just started my lexapro today   I hate starting a new medicine. Good luck and I hope it helps the both of us.

[Kristen1]

thanks all for your replies. @Randy R. Please keep me posted as to your Lexapro experience.

[RandyR]

Will do! On number two today and waiting....

God Bless

Randy

[Carryon]

Will do! On number two today and waiting....

God Bless

Randy

Stop waiting. Keep busy. A watched pot never boils.

[RandyR]

Will do! On number two today and waiting....

God Bless

Randy

Stop waiting. Keep busy. A watched pot never boils.

I was always told good things happen to those who wait.

[Carryon]

Patience is a virtue.

[Habmommy]

My advice to you about Lexapro is dont take too high a dosage!! Please dont...

I did, 40mg a day and I went NUTS>. lost my inhibitions and it felt like I was in different worlds as I changed scenes. Like I would be at work and that place was the only place in the world to me, I forgot about family or anything else and I ended up doing something I completly regret.

[Carryon]

My advice to you about Lexapro is dont take too high a dosage!! Please dont...

I did, 40mg a day and I went NUTS>. lost my inhibitions and it felt like I was in different worlds as I changed scenes. Like I would be at work and that place was the only place in the world to me, I forgot about family or anything else and I ended up doing something I completly regret.

Wrong. Sorry but that's no better than the Google anecdotes -- to be ignored. Everyone reacts differently to medications; every situation is unique.

[Kristen1]

I am on day 8 and I wake up feeling really depressed and anxious. I am trying to stay busy, but it is hard when the second you wake up you feel bad. I am used to feeling anxious in the morning, but not depressed. I am tying to be patient but every day seems worse thn the day before. is this normal?

[Carryon]

Way too soon to pass judgment on the medication. Hang in there.

[RandyR]

I think I am going to stop mine today, last night while driving I had a feeling like I was floating for a few seconds...Don't know if it was the lexapro or anxiety though. I was having a good day and not stressed at all so that why I'm thinking it's the lexapro. Who knows. God Bless

Randy

[Carryon]

I think I am going to stop mine today, last night while driving I had a feeling like I was floating for a few seconds...Don't know if it was the lexapro or anxiety though. I was having a good day and not stressed at all so that why I'm thinking it's the lexapro. Who knows. God Bless

Randy

So you were having a good day, not stressed but had in inexplicable floating feeling for a few seconds and want to stop the medication after about a week or less. Doesn't make any sense.

In any case, this why the reported experiences of others with a medication are worthless.

[RandyR]

I think I am going to stop mine today, last night while driving I had a feeling like I was floating for a few seconds...Don't know if it was the lexapro or anxiety though. I was having a good day and not stressed at all so that why I'm thinking it's the lexapro. Who knows. God Bless

Randy

So you were having a good day, not stressed but had in inexplicable floating feeling for a few seconds and want to stop the medication after about a week or less. Doesn't make any sense.

In any case, this why the reported experiences of others with a medication are worthless.

Doesn't make any since? I drive a truck for a living, if this is going to cause this feeling then I'm not comfortable taking it. I never have felt that before so thats why I was thinking it was the Lexapro. But like I said I'm not sure if it was it or not, I thought I was clear in that statement.

[jedipwnces]

I totally understand the driving concern!!  I am having frequent dizziness now on Zoloft, but it was TERRIBLE on Lexapro for me, and I could not even get myself to and from work some days!  If the side effects interfere with daily life enough that you cannot function, you cannot fulfill your necessary responsibilities, I would think there is surely another solution.

Good luck in finding it.  :)

[pauly j]

That is a very valid point Carryon!

[Carryon]

Doesn't make any since? I drive a truck for a living, if this is going to cause this feeling then I'm not comfortable taking it. I never have felt that before so thats why I was thinking it was the Lexapro. But like I said I'm not sure if it was it or not, I thought I was clear in that statement.
[/quote]

If you stop the Lexapro and have another brief episode, then what? If you keep taking it and don't have one for two weeks then what? Sure if it impairs your driving, whether you drive a truck, car or bulldozer, you have a problem. But a few seconds out of a whole day? Then I would have stop driving for the times if felt sleepy or just day dreaming.

[mommyL]

Randy, these meds come with side effects, this can not be denied. All medications affect people different, and some (sometimes alot) people can NOT take these meds. Some people get on them and feel better soon, others have horrible experiences with these meds. It is totally up to the person taking these meds to determine if they want to grin and bare the side effects, or if they want to look for other alternatives. It does not make you a wimp or a quitter if you choose to look for other alternatives, they are out there and some work just as good if not some better than meds.

So have a look around. Theres lots of info out there and you know you have support, so you do what feels rite for YOU

Take care bub


Robynn

[Carryon]

Big difference between start up, which most people have, and permanent side effects after a month or so on the medications. It's the exception not the rule that people feel well quickly on these meds and misleading to imply that if they don't that's a reason to stop early on.  Nor are the lots of alternative solutions out there for everyone.

[mommyL]

Big difference between start up, which most people have, and permanent side effects after a month or so on the medications. It's the exception not the rule that people feel well quickly on these meds and misleading to imply that if they don't that's a reason to stop early on.  Nor are the lots of alternative solutions out there for everyone.

Well there are alot of people who are in such bad shape with physical symptoms, that they cant seem to get past the "start up" point, and I also know for a fact that alot of people end up with more issues once they stop these meds. You are more than entitled to your opinion on meds and their uses, but I dont feel you should push or make people feel like quitters if they decide the meds are not the route for them, its a personal choice.

And there are plenty of alternative therapies out there if one chooses to go that route as well, like I said, its a personal choice that one has to make on their own.

Robynn

[Carryon]

I am trying to encourage starters to stick with it for a fair try; you are encouraging them to give up. For instance, you refer to problems that some people have when they stop using the medications, which is very individual and thus totally irrelevant, yet you ignore that up until that point they may have been happy on the medication for many years.

[mommyL]

I'm not encouraging people to do one or the other. I simply stated the fact that there are people who are not able to go the anti-depressant route. I said several times it is a PERSONAL choice.

And for the record, I'm not ignoring anything. And there happens to be room full of people on this site on the chat room (which I know you are aware of) who are almost all on some form or a couple forms of meds, and they are all pretty symptomatic still from what I have observed. So those are the things that prompt my opinions on meds. Its a choice everyone has to make. They are life savers to some but not for everyone. Simples.

You do your thing, and I'll do mine. I did not come here to argue with anyone over opinions. I am sorry if I have offended you in some way with my opinions.

Take care

Robynn

[Carryon]

You don't offend me. Nothing said here ever could. But facts are stubborn things and one is entitled his own opinion, yes, but his own facts.

Again you made the same mistake, suggesting that you have strong bias against medications, which is you privilege, but inescapably personal. You say that there are people in chat on multiple meds. but still symptomatic. Whether that is true or not the facile observation does not mean they are not better off than they would be off medications. Medications are not a cure in all cases or many cases, but they offer many people relief, which is why doctors use them, and I submit that is a more positive messsage that implying if not stating that unless a medication is perfection it is worthless.