Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

lexapro experience?

Hello, I have a teen with GAD and beginning lexapro.  I'm hoping some here could share experiences while taking this drug, i.e. especially bothersome side effects? how long before you felt a little less anxious?  sleep disturbances?  Thank you in advance.
17 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
3166043 tn?1514260018
Of water and had thoughts of drowning myself and then if I saw a cord plugged in i would have thoughts of strangling myself. It was terrible. But now that I've been on 20mg for 6 years now it works wonderfully (for my depression) i take Valium for my anxiety. I didn't know that lexapro was the least side effected medication. (Also i don't know why that posted twice)
Helpful - 0
3166043 tn?1514260018
Wow I'm guessing I'm the only one who had terrible side effects when starting lexapro. I think I was started on 10mg or 20 (I take 20 now) about 6 years ago. I was previously on Luvox and since my body was tolerating that, it was time to change anti depressants. WORST 2 WEEKS OF MY LIFE. I was being weined off my Luvox while adding the lexapro and I expierencing nightmares, nausea, crying spells, terrible anxiety and suicidal thoughts. I would look at a bathtub full
Helpful - 0
3166043 tn?1514260018
Wow I'm guessing I'm the only one who had terrible side effects when starting lexapro. I think I was started on 10mg or 20 (I take 20 now) about 6 years ago. I was previously on Luvox and since my body was tolerating that, it was time to change anti depressants. WORST 2 WEEKS
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I do think we've seen some change in behavior ever so slightly.  She has a difficult time choosing.  I'm not sure why, really.  She either doesn't want to be wrong (perfectionist) or she wants to give an answer she thinks we want (pleaser) or a combination of both.  Anyway, a few days ago we were choosing a place to eat.  I suggested something.  She said yes (agreed).  Then I said she could suggest a place.  She suggested.  My mouth fell open, like a cartoon character.  She does take her medicine at night.  She doesn't seem tired on this dose, nor is she agitated, so all good for now.  Thank you for your help.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
No need to clarify, I understood your comments in the spirit of good will that they were offered.  I appreciate all you have added and will keep it all in mind.  I'll look into CBT as well.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Have you noticed if your daughter is doing any better at all? It can take a few weeks for these meds to start working but sometimes it can take less time to feel some relief.
I've read about other people here saying Lexapro makes them tired at times so maybe this will happen with your daughter and she can sleep more. Dose she take her dose in the morning or at night? I take mine at night because it does make me tired and sleepy.
I really am glad they took your daughter off of Prozac. It's a strong med and like I said, can be stimulating for some people. Something a person with severe anxiety does not need.
Please keep us updated on how things are going.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
This is just clarification, not advice.  Since the FDA does not allow drug testing very often on any young people very few drugs are expressly approved for use by teens.  But as I said above, the doesn't mean they can't be legally prescribed by doctors.  Once FDA approves a drug for any purpose it can be used by a doctor legally for any other purpose unless specific restrictions are issued.  What it does mean is caution must be used by parents, because doctors only know pharmaceutical medicine.  If you go to one, you will probably walk out with a prescription, since that's how they're trained.  Doesn't mean you have to fill it, but in this case your daughter obviously has a long-standing problem and I didn't mean to suggest Lexapro wasn't the appropriate option, only to caution you to keep a close eye since young brains can react differently.  But truthfully, these drugs aren't tested all that much on adults, either -- the sample sizes in the studies are small, drop-out rates are high, half are on placebo, and the studies are short-term and weed out anyone with serious problems that would make the drug less likely to get approval.  So again, I didn't mean to suggest not being approved meant illegal, just to say, keep a close eye out.  As for therapy, anxiety by reputation, since hard data is hard to come by, responds best to CBT therapy, which most psychologists and counselors don't practice.  But it requires a high degree of motivation and participation by the patient, so I don't know how your daughter would take to it.  Perhaps if the Lexapro calms her down some she might be more able to take advantage of this therapy.  Good luck to you and your daughter.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I don't think we'll increase the dose for awhile. She is very sensitive to medicines so the smaller dose and very gradual increase will be best.  She is not a great sleeper, so tired might not be a bad thing, we'll see.  I questioned prozac from the start for the reasons you stated and it was very, very stimulating and caused awful dreams for her.  She was afraid to sleep.  I've gotten good feedback here and hope this is helpful for her.  I will update.  Thank you all again.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you for sharing your experience.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I think the Dr is smart to start your daughter off on a small dose. How long will she be on this dose before there's an increase? Or, have you talked about an increase yet? I only take 5 mgs and have for awhile now. I also take an anxiety med along with the Lexapro. The reason I take a low dose is because a higher one made me so tired all the time. I'm really hoping this med works for your daughter. In my opinion, they should'nt have started her off on Prozac first. It's the first SSRI to ever come out and although many people do very well on this med it can be a little stimulating for some people and not very good for anxiety. Please keep us up to date on how your daughter is doing.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I was on lexapro and I think it worked great for me. The only side effect I had was a sexual one which made me go off of it. But like I said other then the one side effect it was very good.

It took me about 4-5 days until I started to see the medication working. Others will take longer.

My dosage was 10
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
My teen has just started this a couple of weeks ago.  She is on the lowest .5 dose.  She tried prozac a few years ago with terrible results, prescribed by a highly qualified pediatric psychiatrist who would not change meds, just added abilify resulting in even worse side effects.  His approach was to treat depression which she doesn't have (anymore than a typical teen girl's angst).  She also had a counselor whom she saw 3x a week for 4 months during the prozac trial.  The two disciplines did not ever consult with the other; my daughter never opened up to either.  Again, she has awful, awful anxiety.  We ditched all meds and professionals.  We are now trying again, but with her fairly new pediatrician who pulled me aside after a recent appointment.  She said she thought my daughter had GAD.  I was like, ya think?  We've been saying this for years.  So, here we are on a low dose medicine.  Thank you again, for your input.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I'm sorry, I just reread your post and see that it's your daughter taking this med and not you. Can you say what dose she on right now and how long she's been on it? All of these meds can come with possible side effects. Lexapro can be a good med for anxiety but so can some of the other antidepressants. Give it the time your Dr recommend as long as there are no serious side effects. If you see no changes in her then it's either time to increase her dose or try another med. We're always here to listen and help anyway we can.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
thanks. i hear less in media about lexapro compared to other meds, but thought i'd heard it had fewer bothersome side effects.  hopefully that will be true for my daughter.  i appreciate your warning about kids, but believe it has been approved for teens.  my teen is a few months short of being an adult so i guess that isn't such a factor.  for now, she is taking the med without therapy.  we gotta get the anxiety down before she will talk to anyone (counselor, neighbor, relative).  she rarely speaks. i appreciate the help from this forum.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
thanks
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I took it, but it didn't do much for me, but my reasons for taking it weren't the normal ones.  One common side effect to watch out for because many don't attribute it to the drug is clenching in the jaw and the head and cramping.  Magnesium supplements can often help with this.  My only caution is that these drugs aren't approved for teens, although doctors can use them if they wish.  Just be careful out there, and don't let the drug be a substitute for therapy, if your teen must take a drug try to make the stay on it as short as possible.  I hope you've exhausted all other options first.  As the above said, we all react differently to meds, so one experience doesn't mean much to someone else.  Lexapro has a reputation for being one of the easier ones side effect wise, but there's no way to know if that's true.  Make sure, though, that the psychiatrist is well versed in how to take people off medication, and will closely monitor the situation when the time comes -- many don't pay attention to this aspect, and it's really the hardest part, so don't be afraid to quiz these folks to make sure you've got a good one.  Hope it all goes well.  And remember, teens are more adaptable than us older folks.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
It's really hard to say how you will do on this med because we're all so different. Can you say what dose you're on, if you've even started taking it yet? Many people do well on this med for their GAD. If you have any unusual side effects that your Dr did'nt mention call him if they happen. Most Drs will recommend that you give a med at least 6 weeks to see if it's going to work. You may need dose adjustments before or after that time. We're here to listen and help anyway we can.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Anxiety Community

Top Anxiety Answerers
Avatar universal
Arlington, VA
370181 tn?1595629445
Arlington, WA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out what can trigger a panic attack – and what to do if you have one.
A guide to 10 common phobias.
Take control of tension today.
These simple pick-me-ups squash stress.
Don’t let the winter chill send your smile into deep hibernation. Try these 10 mood-boosting tips to get your happy back
Want to wake up rested and refreshed?