I've never taken E, so I can't relate there; but I did start taking lexapro 2 weeks before I started tx. I guess I did feel a little cloudy(off and on), but it did even out rather fast. I, my girlfriend, and friends, all say they believe they are helping me considering what I'm going through on tx. Every ones different, sorry your experience doen't seem to be that pleasant.
Peace
If it works for you, that is cool, I had hoped it would work for me, maybe because i have been sober for years I am sensitive to this stuff.
I started Lexapro two weeks before treatment. The initial sides from the Lexapro were far worse than the hep meds.
When I started Lexapro I felt I was in a cloud or a haze. I felt anxious and would get that jittery feeling in my legs. I also had problems sleeping were I would wake up in the middle of the night and was unable to get back to sleep. And I had the worse case of dry mouth! I was so fatigued and exhausted, all I wanted to do was sit on the sofa.
I've read that your the sides from Lexapro go away once your body gets acclimated to the drug. It took 3 weeks before I felt completely normal. Anyway, well worth it, since I find that I'm much calmer now than before I started Lexapro.
I'm not on tx yet however I was put on Lexapro in the anticipation of starting tx a couple of weeks ago.....I had a "funny feeling" for about 2 days and then it went away. I am doing great on them now.....I think I have a bit more patience then I did before although I didn't realize how impatient I really was until I was on them.....I've been on them for about 2 weeks now maybe 3....
deb in az
I think I am so fed up with the sides I just dont have it in me to take on anymore I have ALL of the sides i have seen mentioned so far on this site......I wish i had the stamina to hack some more but i will stick with the WATER 5/6 litres a day plus electrolite sports drinks....bring it on!
i have been on lexapro for about 2 weeks now. the first couple of days i felt cloudy and edgey but it has gone away although, i do find myself dizzy at times. before i started taking it i was angry and paranoid all the time and my family was paying the price. i am glad i got on it, after all, it's just temporary. good luck to you in whatever choice you make. you have to weigh the odds.
I am a big big Zoloft fan. I am balanced and happy in my skin when properly dosed up. If I neglect to take it for a week, (not uncommon) all those loved ones who know me can see it. Little differnece pre/during tx 13/24).
Deb
Hang in there...things will get better. Water is key. I find if I don't drink enough I feel more fatigued.
Don't give up on the Lexapro just yet. The AD mellowed me out and I find I have more patience. I have read others on this site who said that an Lexapro really helped with Riba Rage. So if you are working, have children or a less than supportive spouse, I recommend sticking with an AD.
The side effects of AD are terrible. I had to fight to not take them. Then the treatment or me got so dark it was spooky.. so I had to take them again. You will get used to them and they do help during treatment.
I AM ON CITOLOPRAM AND ONLY TAKE 1/4 PILL A DAY AS ONE WHOLE PILL MADE ME REAL TIRED. I HAS HELPED GREATLY. MAYBE YOU MAY TRY BILLDING UP A TOLERANCE. HOPE YOUR DEPRESSION IS MANAGERBLE IN ANY CASE.
BOBBY
I just cant do it, I am in recovery for several years (NA) I thought the Ads would just hold the sides at bay and maybe stop the rage/grief/deppression cycle, but I felt SO stoned it freaked me out, not what I need, Im glad it works for you guys though, whatever it takes to get through the Tx. I may try seeing a herbalist or homeopathy, worth a try and I am learning about the water, loads of it.
whatever works for you, bright. not everyone can take lexapro. good luck to you and i send good healthy vibes your way. lol
I started on Paxill thought it was the worlds WORST stuff...and then got used to it and now don't notice that I ever take it.
It did take about two months getting used to it but I am glad I took it - because I am very "even" now.
Two more cents for those out there considering an AD. I never took any medications until I started this tx, so I was very apprehensive about anything. And yes maybe when I first started the lexapro I felt a little out of control, and it scared me. I'm glad I gave it time to adjust.
A friend of mine said the other day "When you're done with tx I hope you still keep taking those psycho drugs" lol. With the deep depression and anger I hear about some having tx, I know the lexapro is helping me. I was moody as h$ll before tx.
Everything does work for everybody. Peace
I meant everthing does NOT work for everyone. Peace
Glad to see your doing better now, hope you keep posting as you bring alot to this forum.
You made this statement............A friend of mine said the other day "When you're done with tx I hope you still keep taking those psycho drugs"
Do they come in the "mr natural" cuts???? Oh never mine i keep forgetting this is not the 70's
Take care and hope the rest of your journey flies by fast.
i have been in aa/na for 22years. i saw a friend die last year from hep c as his depression was so bad they stopped tx. this is a legit med. if you need it. if not better for you. meanwhile lots of luck.
bobby
very sad to hear of your friends death, I too have lost friends to HCV...I think what I was looking for was some valadation from recovery members and you have, I thank you. It still can be a fine line for me,when i had my biopsy it hurt like hell and i was i the recovery room, this guy the doc comes in and tells me they are sorry but they have LOST my biopsy sample! 2 mins and they lost it...straight back in and they do it again...needless to say I was given a shot of pethidine as i was in a great deal of pain..had no problem with that but this feels like such a head f..uck! what i may do is try a quarter or half...whats it like to come of this stuff? (ADs).....by the way i have had bed sweats all this week (5)enough to change my t-shirt twice a night, anyone have this?
Thank you, good feedback, i need to settle down a bit and then re think my stratergy...maybe the half or quarter will be the way for me to ease my way in.
i have sweats also-at nite&infrequently during the day..Takes almost nothing byway of exertion to bring it on...this is liberally mixed w/ chills...i'm changeing t-shirts&adding sweaters like a runway model-yeh,in my wildest dreams!!maybe this condition is agravated by all the water i'm drinkin,who knows? but you ain't alone!! By the way i'm takin Lexapro 10 mg a day; Sam-e 400mg twice a day:percacet 5mg twice a day if i really need em........maybe i could manage without,but i wouldn't want to try..this isn't ANY fun & the side effects are all too real...I plan on staying the course....Good Luck,tommy
They started me on Lexpro two week before I started treatment they said it would take a bout a month for it to really start working. At about week 20 they upped it to 20mg. I have had a problem with it and it done me fine. I would try it for a month or two beefore I passed jugment on it. Like just about all drug with sides you'll feel them first but normal they pass after a week or two.
Don
Hi everybody!
I start today with Lexapro.
I'm little bit scared.......
I take erlier prosac(1 year).
I from Poland so sorry for broken english:))))
I started Lexapro a couple of months ago, and so glad I did. I was very apprehensive about taking them. I had almost uncontrollable rage, wanting to kill everyone in sight. It took a few weeks to feel normal, and now I am feeling great. I alternate between a half and a whole pill every other day.
Try a lower dose.
Hope you feel better.
Lexapro is Escitalopram, Celexa is Citalopram
The reason I point this out, is I couldn't take Citalopram, so my Dr. tried me on Lexapro/Escitalopram. I was able to tolerate this. I also started off on 5mg. and worked myself up to 10mg.