I started taking this medicine about 2 months ago after meeting with my psychiatrist and discussing the struggles that I was facing. I was aware that it would take a few weeks to a month to take effect. I am so much better and different now, and most people in my immediate circle notice, including myself. My anxiety would only allow me to drive everywhere we went because I felt that was the only way I'd be safe. For the past month and a half, my husband is now driving us everywhere after 10 years and the relief of not having to constantly worry while in the car is amazing. I'm much calmer, more happy, and I can tolerate more in terms of my patience. I want to get out more and be around people more, compared to only wanting to be confined to my room. I now know that my depression and anxiety contributed to constant fights with my husband, and now, we spend most of our evenings laughing and making dinner together. If this drug doesn't work for you, try something else, but do not give up. We all deserve happiness and to function normally through our days.
from daily panic attacks, constant anxiety, high heart rate, shortness of breath, shaking of body, hot or cold flashes, extreme agoraphobia I couldn't even go outside the door, visiting daily emergency and medical specialists, derealization , fear of getting crazy, couldn't accept guests and visitors because of fear of not getting an panic attack in front of them etc. etc. etc. to totally disappearing all of this in just 3 months and feeling normal again, thanks to Lexapro 10 mg.
I didnt realise how wound up I was for my whole life. Almost instantly I felt so much better. Still had noticeable anxiety so bumped it up to 20mg and was able to get my drivers licence, talk to other people at my child’s school, do anything that was once near crippling to do beforehand. It’s really improved my life. Also, before this I have tried a bunch of other stuff that wasn’t the right fit. If it’s not doing for you the things it’s supposed to be doing for you? Change it. People saying “I feel numb sometimes but that’s the price” no, what the hell, change ur medication. It’s not the right fit. Nearly, but it’s still not. Don’t live with negative side effects change ur medication.
I just started this drug 18 days ago. I am still in the early stages however I have noticed a change in my mood and I haven’t spiraled with anxiety since taking it. The side effects were annoying but I was able to push through. So far this has helped alleviate what I have been struggling with.
this med was very difficult to wean off of due to the “brain zaps” associated with antidepressant discontinuation syndrome. depression and anxiety symptoms did not improve very much while taking for 4.5 years. multiple times asked my doc to help me wean off and i ultimately went back to the regular dose because the brain zaps were too disabling. i’d be at work and fall into the wall, because i feel like something is shocking my brain. very odd and unpleasant feeling. sometimes you can use a medication to get you to a point where you can open your mind up to healthier ways to live, and then you can quit taking it. but i can’t really recommend lexapro for that purpose, since the physical withdrawal symptoms effectively trapped me so i had to keep taking it way longer than i wanted to.
This medication has done wonders for me. I'm a teen with really bad anxiety and taking Lexapro has helped a lot. I'm on the highest dosage. I have anxiety tics where I pick my fingers until they bleed and now my fingers look normal again and I'm not embarrassed of them. It's helped me with my ed a lot as well.
Wow,I feel the best after a decade of depression.2 months in to this drug, I can feel joy now. Depression almost fully disappeared.Anxiety is 1/10 th as of before the medication
I recomend tbis med but it make sexual problems... like Ejaculation Delay etc
It didn’t work point blank period and made me really dizzy and please don’t take it for long periods of time you have to have your doctor wean you off A Hot Mess??
Escitalopram does work wonders for anxiety. Yes, it makes you feel a little numb sometimes, but if that's the price for not suffering from crippling anxiety every day, then I'm happy to pay. You only live once and it makes no sense to be paralized with fear, staying at home all the time, ruminating through all kinds of awful scenarios. Just be careful when you first start it, go SLOW. Begin with small doses and slowly work your way up. Yes, you will probably feel worse before it gets better and we don't want it to hit you like a truck. Initial struggle is common with SSRI, first two weeks might be rough (some doctors prescribe benzos for that period so you can cope more easily), but HANG IN THERE and push through and after 3-4 weeks you'll begin to see the results. Trust me, you will know when it kicks in. It's a lot of weight lifted from your shoulders. Remember - this drug is just to help you power through that rough patch in life, but you will fully succeed working through the issues using therapy, healthy diet, exercise, meditation etc. Also - DO NOT quit this drug cold turkey, ever. Gradually lower your dose and you'll be fine.
I have tried many antidepressants and none were very effective—until I started using Lexapro. I’ve been using it for over two years now and it has supported me through some very difficult times. I’m 2024, I’ve had two major operations, painful physical therapy, and two bouts of Covid. In previous times, using other medications, I would have succumbed to my depression, but with Lexapro, I’ve weathered these challenges with strength and resilience.
So far it is not working yet for me after 26 - 10mg pills. I hope it will eventually kicks in.
I started this medicine several years ago. It seemed to help somewhat for a while. I also take a couple of other prescriptions. But none are ssri or for depression. I noticed that my symptoms were worsening and other symptoms added. I developed so many issues that I completely shut myself off to the world. I have felt extremely stressed, and have had major avoidance and self sabotaging behavior. I have terrible heartburn, lots of physical pain from head to toe. Weight gain, and a weird thing going on with my face, as if I have no control of tensing the muscles, especially the forehead. I have felt like pure crap for a couple of years. I decided to look up symptoms of this drug and found all these horrible things are directly caused by this drug. I'm not going to wean off, I have just stopped taking it and after a few day's, I already feel so much better, more normal and less overwhelmed and depressed. My executive dysfunction has been extreme. Since I stopped taking it, I have actually been able to get started and complete tasks. I hope to get better by the day! I have felt like I didn't care if I died, as my life has had no purpose. I'm not even sure I will try anything else.
Once I was bumped up to 20 mg I started to notice a difference although it has taken me 3 months on 20 to experience this. Some side effects are weight gain and dizziness.
This medication is resolutely horrible. While relatively acutely diminishing depression symptoms, it later became a horrific substance to quit. Weaning off responsibly (after 4 years) under the direction of a physician has proven quite absurd. The side effects are not nearly worth the drug at its peak efficacy. This is a garbage medication.
I have had major anxiety that caused migraines, mood swings and occasional depression since I was 21, am now 62. I started Feb. 1, 2024 at 5mg. The first 2 weeks, I had an almost constant low grade headache and felt sluggish and "off". After the 2 weeks I felt much better but did not realize full effects until about mid April. Although I felt much better I still felt like I had a small hurdle to get over so Dr. upped me to 7.5 mg. Had another off week but within a month, wow, I have not felt this good in decades!!!! I still have a mild migraine occasionally but I can take 1/2 of my medication and feel great in an hour. I have not had to take my major rescue medicine for migraines since mid March (I used to have to take it 6-8 times a month). Everyone is different and I never even wanted to take medicine for my migraines much less anxiety but it has made me whole again in a way I did not think possible. My husband is amazed and even friends and family have noticed my new demeanor. This may not work for you but please do not tell people not to try it as no one knows what might work best for them, just keep trying and I hope you find something.
No one believes me but I feel the positive effects of taking 10 milligrams after about 7 hours...I self medicate...take 1 pill every other day...I am on and off Lexapro...it works for me...was so depressed I could not think straight and other bad thoughts too...better life through chemistry!
I don’t recommend this med. it Caused me gasses and abdominal discomfort
It works
Started Lexapro in 2019, had brain zaps and fatigue that faded after a few weeks. After 4 months I was in a much better place moving from 10 to 20mg daily; able to watch tv, go out, and adventure again. I progressed more and more as years went by. From panic attacks 15+ times a year down to twice a year when flying. I decided to get off as I was feeling good and having some emotional blunting. Went real slow tapering off over 6 months. Sadly at the end my anxiety and panic attacks came back full force. Decided to go back up to 20mg. It’s been 5 months this since I restarted and it’s been a roller coaster of good and bad. Not sure if Lexapro will work for me after the tapper and going back up. Not sure if I have to continue giving it more time.