LEXAPRO. need advice!

I was recently diagnosed with depression and prescribed Lexapro. After researching Lexapro, I am very apprehensive about taking it. I am extremely worried about the issue of weight gain and sexual side affects and withdrawal from Lexapro.  I am only 22 years old. Is there any recommendation on something else to take. Has anyone had a positive experience with Lexapor because all I seem to read is negative feedback on it.  Please help!

Thank You!

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

There are a half a dozen other equally effective antidepressants to consider.  The one with the fewest side effects is wellbutrin.
Ask your doctor about that, and also about counseling instead of medication, especially at your age.

[henry2]

Lexapro is very safe and effective.  I used it for a few years, and had only mild side effects that went away after a couple weeks (a little hyperactive, dry mouth, and actually an increase in anxiety before it reduced the anxiety).  I think you will find it has much lower incidence of weight gain and sexual side effects than other SSRI's.  In fact, I was on Zoloft and gained weight and had very little sexual desire.  It wasn't until I switched to Celexa and then Lexapro before my sexual desire came back.  I have lost a little of the weight, but haven't really be trying to lose it either.  If you take any SSRI, i would recommend Lexapro.  Incidentally, I am now taking Cymbalta instead of Lexapro, as the Lexapro seemed to poop out on me after a couple years.  I am feeling better on Cymbalta then I ever did on Lexapro or Zoloft.  Cymbalta is a combination SSRI and SNRI.  It seems to have little side effects as well, but I have heard it is much more difficult to withdraw from than the other two.  Good luck, and I hope you are one of the lucky ones that gets over it quickly.  I, unfortunately, am one of the chronic ones.

[kitkat31625]

Hi,  I took lexapro for several years.  It did wonders for me with no side effects.  I have always struggled with my weight. I actually was able to lose and maintain my weight while taking it. I stopped taking it cold turkey which I do not recommend. I thought I didn't need it anymore. I was fine for awhile and then relapsed into depression and GAD. This time around it was not as effective on me.  I wish it had been.  I am taking Celexa.

[fresnoborn]

i have been taking lexapro for 2 weeks now. i feel better, but have some brain fog and my appetite has picked up. i think it makes me gain weight. i needed to gain a few pounds but this is getting a little ridiculous. i feel okay, just fat. i used to be fat and i wasn't happy about it. also, my sexual libido is completely gone and i have cotton mouth all the time. good luck to you.

[xrayu2]

My sister was prescribed Lexapro when she was 17.  She would take it as directed and she would be a completely different person(very tolerable to be around, even-tempered, etc.)  The problem was when she missed a few doses.  When it would ocme out of her system, she would be even worse than before(pulled a butcher knife on my mother, ran away, etc.)  One day she took almost a whole bottle of Lexapro, she was on a vent for several days and took her heart several days to work correctly.  Her hair also fell out.  She did not sustain any brain damage, but was forced to get a wig because of her hair loss. To this day, her hair is still very thin. She is 20, now.

[mistysong]

Hi.  I switched Docs.  The new one wants to switch meds of course.  I was fine on the other ones.. Lexapro being one of them.  I have done great on the serotonin reuptake drugs.  But the first day she met me I talked fast and didn't make sense, but I know I didn't because I was SOOOO nervous in meeting her for a myriad of reasons.  She thought I was having too much serotonin in my body so she prescribed Wellbutrin (not a serotonin drug) instead and I feel like S*** on a stick.  GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!  She made a snap decision and it was wrong but there is no sense in telling her that.  I am so mad.  I am going down the depression slide and hope it isn't too late when she finally realizes that I am telling her the TRUTH.  Damn doctors don't listen.  

[kc391]

Trying to get off lexapro currently and it is a nightmare.  The first few days were dizziness, nausea, and crying.  By day 5 I had become violent and incoherent.  I gradually reduced my dose from 20 to 5 mg over a 6 month period and had no problems until I went from 5 to 0.  You need to be aware that for some people it is EXTREMELY difficult to come off of SSRIs.  I have been trying to stop taking them for about 8 years.  I got on the Lexapro to help me off Paxil, and am now having to take Prozac to help me off Lexapro.  It is a life ruining merry-go-round, and I would recommend not taking anything unless ABSOLUTELY necessary.

[Nezirov]

Check this out

http://ssri-side-effects.com/

Nezirov

[joss26]

I took lexapro in October in of 2004 and out of all the meds I took. I hate this med. when I first starting taking it I was zombied and was laughing at nothing and I could not stop laughing. For a month I could not drive because I was so out of it. I would past out in the afternoon. So I started taking it when I went to bed that helped a little but not much I still could not understand plan English. so on my own I just stopped I couldn't take it anymore I had a life to live and things to do that I just could not do this anymore

[puttsy]

hello,i started taking lexpro @ a year ago @ diag, with progressive ms.I knew t was time for something, i miss a dose and my head gets these sharp nerve thngys{hard to exlain} does anyone get these nerve stikes when going of or missing. other than that my kids know when i have mssed my dose {must be working and i don't think bad things 24/7.like i was.hang in there.

[TexasJim]

My wife  oh is 53 has been on cymbalta for over 2 years from a nervous breakdown. she was in the hospital for about 2 weeks to get cleaned out and put on somthing that would help her.so she has been like thsi for 4 years , went to different head docs and they would see her for about 10 mins.and say come back and see me next month, in a far non american accent that I could hardy understand ( im not predegist nor can I spell , but I would like to be able to understand them!!) how can they diegnoos my wife. she has been to 3 docs,, now last year she found someone who listened to her and put  her in a hospital, she became suicideel and needed a pysic center, That was the worst day in my life was to leave her there. so know the doc has her on LEXAPRO AND CYMBALTA  AT THE SAME TIME, , hes trying to take her off cymbalta and put her on lexapro, ,, any ideas, please, im a worried husband