the antidepressant lexapro and it's benefits? Just was prescribe lexapro.. I'm hoping it will work for me. Can anyone give me some idea as to how they fared with this drug?
precious replied: "I've been taking lexapro for a year now and it fares well with me. Everyone is different and every medicine may not do someone the same as someone else. At first when I started it made me feel calmer and more relaxed. I was in traffic that day and normally I have road rage, but I didn't I sat there just as if I was at home. The lexapro works great for me. Much better than the wellbutrin or the paxil. Just pay attention to the side affects cause it does make you drowsy sometimes. I've gotten use to it."
How have your experiences been with Lexapro anti-anxiety medication for IBS? My gastroentrologist put me on lexapro. He said to take half tablet for 10 days and then from day 11 to take full tablet. He told me side effects would be strong and there maybe discomfort initially but in 2 to 3 weeks, the side effects should be gone and lexapro would start to benefit.
Any other IBS patient been put on lexapro? if so, did it work?
minx replied: "Lexapro for IBS??? hmmm, IBS is a b.s. name for a collection of food intolerances mate....... i was diagnosed with IBS ...... after being diagnosed with a plethora of other "ailments" .......... it turns out i'm lactose intolerant, coeliac, severely intolerant to soy and processed sugar and an array of chemicals they use to "preserve" our foods..... that was nearly 2 years ago that i finally addressed it all ........ cos i had to ditch all the nastynastytoxicsludge antidepressants they'd pumped me full of first ......... i'm full of bounce these day.
Change your physician mate and get a second opinion........ go and get yourself fully assessed by a naturopath or nutritionally oriented physician ....... get them to do testing for food allergies/intolerances and chemical sensitivities .......what you ingest and absorb through your skin and breath can have a vast impact on the way you think, the way you feel and your overall health and vitality ....... seriously, you can live a pain free drug free life if only you know precisely what chemicals and foods are upsetting your system .... it could be something as simple as lactose intolerance or an intolerance to processed sugar or wheat ...... disorders from which people suffer due to intolerances to food or chemicals in their diets can cover almost the whole spectrum of physical and mental illnesses ..... an extraordinary concept but mind blowingly true....... do yourself a favor and go and get allergy tested.
in the meantime, try to eat as much whole fresh foods that you prepare yourself that includes a wide range of leafy and green vegies, some low sugar fresh fruits like watermelon, cantalope, pears and strawberries, some lean meats and fishes, brown rice, organic nuts and seeds like almonds, brazil nuts and sunflower seeds and lots of fresh filtered water .......... feed your body from God's table and wean yourself off any highly processed, packagedsludge that has little to no nutritional value anyway.
In the meantime..... a good quality probiotic is a good idea to take too .... Probiotics are helpful bacterium which produce the enzyme lactase which helps digest lactose, a milk sugar............take a supplement before your main meals as this will help with the digestive process by encouraging the growth of beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract, it will also help maintain optimal intestinal pH, which, in turn, helps with complete digestion...... probiotics will increase the absorption of minerals, such as calcium, magnesium and sometimes iron too..... they also produce some of the B vitamins, including biotin, niacin, folic acid, pantothenic acid, vitamin B12 and vitamin B6...... the B vitamins are essential for healthy neural, digestive and immune system functioning.
The freeze ~ dried form (powdered & necessary to refridgerate) is most stable and easily used by the body...... buy a dairy free variety as this will be the easiest for your system to use.
Try to pinpoint any food intolerances or allergies you may have as well as bad digestive symptoms such as bloating, acid reflux, gassiness and tummy aches can all be symptoms of lactose intolerance (or simply that you've just finished a course of antibiotics) .... try ditching the milk and dairy products for a few days to combat such digestive issues, and instead eat loads of leafy and green vegies, some organic nuts and seeds such as almonds and brazil nuts and some fresh tuna or salmon .... all are rich in calcium...... as are fresh vegies such as carrotts and fruits such as oranges........Or simply drink organic rice milk fortified with calcium ...... the fish are rich in both calcium and vitamin D..... vitamin D is needed for effective calcium assimilation and is known as the sunshine vitamin so make sure you get 10 - 15 mins per day of safe sun exposure.
You should feel a difference within a few hours of taking them .... but it really is imperative for your bounce and vitality that you pinpoint the cause of your digestive issues ......... ;0)
peace baby
"
Does anyone know why the drug Klonopin would be added to Wellbutrin and Lexapro? I've been trying to get the right mix of drugs with my therapist for major clinical depression and GAD. I get it that Welbutrin can enhance the Lexapro somehow, but what exactly is the Klonopin for? Says somehing about seizures, which is certainly not my problem. I can't afford a drug that is of questionable benefit. Dumped Buspar for that reason. I'd talk more with my shrink but can't afford another $160 right now. Any imput would be truly appreciated.
I just want to thank all those who gave such informative and caring answers.
chloe replied: "reduces anxiety. many drugs have multiple uses. another use of this medicine is seizure...for u however, it's an anxiolytic.
don't worry about it having questionable benefit...it's a good anxiolytic. just need to try it out and see. try it for at least 2 weeks.
it works much differently from lexapro and wellbutrin."
Diaboyos replied: "Klonopin is like a strong Xanax. It takes longer to enter the bloodstream than Xanax but it stays in the system longer providing sustained relief."
Manda replied: "lexapro and welbutrin is for depression and klonopin is for anxiety but i would think if your on the welbutrin and lexapro there shouldnt be a reason y u need klonopin i would say u need a knew doc. good luck"
dawneve13 replied: "Klonopin is a medication used to reduce anxiety. You can compare it to xanax and valium. It is highly addictive but if medically needed really does work well to destress the superstressed. Just be careful. Have the Klonopin monitored well by your Dr. Take it exacly as prescribed, or less if you can handle it, and be sure to be monitored while taking it. If you stop taking it without weaning off of it you will most likely experience withdrawel symptoms. I hope you have a highly skilled Dr. and a highly skilled and very caring therapist. Klonopin is not a drug to be taken lightly. Be well."
Paula P replied: "Klonopin is an anti-anxiety medication. It is for your GAD. It is in the benzodiazepine family like Valium, Ativan, and Xanax. It is used for short term treatment of anxiety and is addictive. If you take it for a few months, do not stop it suddenly because you may have severe withdrawal symptoms. You can experience withdrawal symptoms in a shorter time but they may be a bit less severe. This is a good medication for anxiety but 50% of the people who take it have excessive sleepiness or are tired (at first).
There are many different combinations of medicines and if you have a good psychiatrist, you will likely get a good combination that will work for you, eventually. You will save a lot of money with your psychiatrist if you make notes between visits about the way you feel from day to day. Also, make a list of what could be medication side effects. Always ask why he is prescribing a medication and ask about side effects or other facts that you should know. Ask him why he (or she) is giving you the combination of medications that you are receiving. Give every medication at least 4-6 weeks to work. Some of them have adverse side effects that go away and some take a while for you to even know if they work for you. Your doctor needs all of the information that you can tell him to choose the best medications for you and your chemistry. This is not an exact science, everyone is different in the way that they react to the different combinations so you need to be informed and make sure that your psychiatrist is, too."
what are the beneficial effects that I am supposed to be feeling on lexapro? ive been on it for two weeks and i've felt nothing (as well as no side effects)- so what are the benefits that you would describe after taking it?
iheartart<3 replied: "well lexapro usually takes like a month to 8 weeks to start working and you should feel much more relaxed and less depressed so give it time at least you don't have ay bad side effects."
annainthebox replied: "At first, you should just expect to feel...not better, necessarily, but less bad. However, that should improve as you continue taking it. If you aren't feeling better after a few weeks, you should talk to your doctor about getting a different type or dosage."
When will the lexapro kick in? I have been taking 5mg of lexapro for 12 days now. It was prescibed by my doctor to treat anxiety. So far all I have noticed is negative side-effects. Heightened anxiety, fatigue, giddiness, nausea, broken sleep and sexual dysfunction (nooooo!). How long will it take for the benefits to be seen, also will my sexual dysfuntction pass? If not, can I take anything for it without interaction?
humpty dumpty replied: "Any ssri takes from 3 to 6 weeks to work. I have to say I don't know your body weight but 5 mil. seems a pretty small dose."
beth1723 replied: "You should START to see changes by 2 weeks. If after 17 days or so you still see no difference in your anxiety level then you should call your doctor. There are other anti-anxiety meds that may work better for you. As for the side effects, you want to give that at least a month to start to wear off. Again if they don't and are too bothersome you may want to look into switching to another med."
babydoll replied: "There is no one drug that will work for everybody. What solves all problems for one person might only cause side effects for somebody else, and not treat the symptoms at all.
Give it a few weeks, and see if the benefits do kick in, if you're not satisfied after a month that anything is improving - and the side effects are causing more trouble than good - go describe everything to your doctor, they might have a better prescription for you - sometimes it can just be a case of trial and error.
but don't give up yet - you might find in a few weeks your anxiety is improving and these side effects are no longer an issue, just be patient."
Jeff replied: "So far all I have noticed is negative side-effects. Heightened anxiety, fatigue, giddiness, nausea, broken sleep and sexual dysfunction (nooooo!)
And you want to keep taking that S H I T !"
Paul A replied: "Hi, I take generic Wellbutrin SR (150 mg) in the morning and at lunch, and Lexapro (10 mg) with dinner, for depression and anxiety. I've been taking that for over two years, and it's working very well for me.
The Wellbutrin SR seems to help me to be more alert and active - and wanting to do things - while the Lexapro makes me more mellow, and it helps me sleep better, too. They are relatively low doses of each medication, which keeps side effects at a minimum. I really can't tell I'm taking any medication at all.
What you're experiencing right now is what is known as "break-in side effects". Some people get them, and some don't. On 5 mg of Lexapro you shouldn't really have bad side effects, although it depends on your chemistry. The break-in side effects will last a couple weeks or so, and will eventually go away.
A lot of difference with the drowsiness and fatigue depends on when you take the Lexapro. I found out (by experimenting) that the best time for me to take my Lexapro is about 5 to 6 hours before I go to bed (so I take it with dinner). I sleep better at night, and I'm more awake the next day.
I've seen where a lot of people take Wellbutrin with their Lexapro (and other SSRI's as well). That helps to counteract some of the "less desirable" side effects of Lexapro - drowsiness, weight gain, and the sexual side effects. If you still have those after a couple months, you might ask your doctor about trying that.
Best of luck to you :-)
Paul."
Is Lexapro able to be taken sublingually? Many substances diffuse easily into the bloodstream via the buccal mucosa, but is this route a viable option for Lexapro? Many times if I forget to take my pill on time, I start getting the "withdrawal symptoms" like the brain zaps, and swallowing a pill takes about 2 hours before I feel the effects of the meds. If I can get this benefit faster by going the sublingual route it would help greatly.
skackles replied: "put it this way.. it's like a job. if you fail to take it on time then you have to put up with the consequences. If you dont like them get off the lexapro. simple as that"
amy f replied: "It is possible and it will get into blood steam quickly but its not meant to be used like that and will not last as long in your body because it went immendately to your bloodsteam so you will have withdrawl effects now or later sorry"
Has anyone ever taken Lexapro when pregnant? Did everything turn out ok? I am about 13 weeks pregnant and have stopped my lexapro for the first trimester, but feel that I really truly need my lexapro back as my depression is severe.
Any thoughts?
Please don't say talk to my dr. because I already have an they have said that you can take it if the benefits outway the risks, but I am looking for people who have actually taken it and their opinion! Thank you
szegv replied: "I was taking 10 mg of lexapro while I was breastfeeding my son. I had ppd pretty bad and It was the best thing for me. My son is the happiest of all 3 of my kids. Completely happy and very smart for his age.
It really needs to be a personal decision for you. If your depression is really bad, than you have to take care of yourself. Best Wishes!"
Sexual side effects for Lexapro? If you or someone you know has taken Lexapro, have you noticed a significant sexual side effect? How about weight gain? Did the benefits outweigh those s/e's?
Mistystars replied: "didn't really care if i had sex or not while on that med. and i lost weight on it too. but as with all my meds so far it seemed to stop working for me."
Tash replied: "I took it for one month and saw no difference. My husband took it for close to 8 months, and saw a big decrease in libido. sorry, but most anti-depressants do that. Sometimes you will see the exact opposite, but it is a big minority of the people taking it. His Doctor switched his to wellbutrin, and it helped some. Benefits and side effects have to be weigh by each individual person, because some may benefit more than others. But I wish you the best of luck, if that one don't work out there are plenty more to choose from (smile)."
RM replied: "Lexapro is another name for Escitalopram! ( I had to look it up!!) We in the UK call it Ciprolex! However it can Cause lack of libido or lack of interest and ability in sexual intercourse! I am not sure what u mean by significant Sexual side effects!
In men it can lead to prolonged and Painful erection which needs emergency attention and is called persistent priapism! It is only if erection lasts more than an hour and is painful!Treatment is in the A&E under specialist suppervision and as i presume u are female, it shouldnt be a problem ! Loss of libido and loss of orgasm is some thing which should revert to normal when u stop the medction and usualy it takes 2 weeks for the drug to completely get out of ur system!"
katy k replied: "I have been on Lex for a few months now, and at first i had some trouble becoming aroused, but now i'm back in sync and i haven't had ANY weight gain. in fact, i've lost a few pounds. i am on 10mg and trust me, it has saved me."
Hi, Dr just prescribed lexapro so I have to stop breastfeeding-anyone going through this? I have always been an anxious person, had mood swings but I have never received treatment. I have 3 children 2, 3 and 12 weeks and am now suffering very mild pp depression. I have not taken my first dose of lexapro and I am struggling a little with having to stop breastfeeding as I enjoy the closeness with my child- health benefits too of course. I obviously will not take the lexapro and continue to bf but I am struggling with the idea of having to stop so I can start my medication, any advice? anyone else been in the same predicament? Thanks:)
Thank you Hope for your sincere and thoughtful answer. This helps a lot
Hope replied: "Postpartum depression can be unpredictable.
I'm the mother of 5 children. I suffered from from postpartum depression everywhere from mild to as severe as it can get. Yes, I was recurrently suicidal. With one baby it hung on for over a year - unmedicated.
By 12 weeks you should have come out of it by now if you are able to do it on your own.
I am 100% for breastfeeding as long as possible. Well, maybe 99%. Here are some questions to ask yourself and your Dr.
-- Is there a medication for depression that a breastfeeding mother CAN take?
-- Are you aware that when you stop breastfeeding that you will also go through major hormone swings that can increase depression?
-- In your current depressed state, are you truly able to ENJOY and cherish these moments of baby, children and motherhood? Would you like to be able to ENJOY?
-- Freedom from depression can increase your energy as well as your mood, making you more enjoyable for family and friends to be around you. Are you missing these things?
-- A bottle feeding mom can still snuggle skin-to-skin, tummy to tummy with baby for bonding.
-- When bottle-fed, baby can be fed by someone other than you sometimes. This can increase bonding with other family members, and allow you the freedom to have some time away for yourself - increasing your ability to enjoy your family after taking a walk, etc.
If I were in the same predicament you are facing, If I had it to do over again, I would relieve the depression. Maybe I couldn't continue to be a nursing mom, but I could be a "better Mom", able to respond to my children, able to make my own decisions, able to keep myself and my children safe and away from danger. I would get treated to avoid becoming suicidal again. - That was a terrible place to be. The guilt I have experienced over the years has plagued me. My body was there, but the rest of me just wasn't there for my kids. I wasn't the MOM they needed me to be during my postpartum depression."
Lexapro users...past and present? Hi, I'm 17 years old.
I have mild anxiety and depression.
Infrequently panic attacks do ensue.
I have a therapist, but I don't feel any great changes.
Recently, I've been to a psychiatrist who prescribed me Lexapro..I am very much apposed to meds and their side effects..
Can you please tell me your experience w/ this drug?
Do the benefits outweigh the disadvantages?
thank you so much..I really need help making this decision!
10 mgs.
I am terrified about the weight gain, but I heard it can go either way (weight loss)
Gabe replied: "Could you please state the mg's it is? 5? 10? 20?
I was on lexapro 20mg, it did help some but my g/f said no nad i listened. (stupid me, but shes my ex now) i took it bad after that, meaning some days i would others i wouldnt.
I think its a good medication besides the weight gain. i gained about 5 pounds on it. wasnt too bad. Be consistant though, dont do what i did or you will get very very bad depression.
Also citalopram is the older version of it, i was put on that 40mg but it didnt work at all. go figure
Edit -
Lol. Weight loss. Yeah, in my dreams. They always say that, even about Seroquel the drug that leads to diabeties! You will expirience weight gain. I only got 5 pounds because i didnt take it consistantly, so it never built up in my system. Just watch out for it. It could make you gain a hell of a lot"
beautifullyundone replied: "I took 10mgs and it did not cause me to gain weight. It varies from person to person."
Paul A replied: "I take generic Wellbutrin SR (150 mg) in the morning, and Lexapro (10 mg) in the evening, for depression and anxiety. I've been taking that for over two years, and it's working very well for me.
The Wellbutrin SR seems to help me to be more alert and active - and wanting to do things - while the Lexapro makes me more mellow, and it helps me sleep better, too. They are relatively low doses of each medication, which keeps side effects at a minimum. I really can't tell I'm taking any medication at all.
The last time I was in the doctor office, I had lost 8 lbs - not a lot, but in the right direction. I give the Wellbutrin SR the credit for the weight loss, since it does help me to be more active."
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