Lexapro question

[dont]

I am very med sensitive. I noticed the question about blood pressure and Lexapro. I have been on 10 mg for almost 4 weeks. I am also on 2 mg of Xanax a day and in intense therapy.

My question is at the beginning of week 4 of the Lexapro my blood pressure has been running high/normal to high. It goes down to 141/88 after I take a Xanax but it concerns me that it goes up and down so much during the day.

I have always had heart palpatations even before the GAD set in but have never been diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse. Have had a normal EKG and normal cardiolite stress test.

My GP mentioned a while back that she could add a beta blocker to the Lex and Xanax. I have an appointment with her tomorrow to discuss it.

Do you think this is temporary due to the stimulant effects of the Lex? I found it odd that it would happen in the beginning of week four. It makes me wonder if maybe I cannot take SSRI drugs.

I feel lessed depressed and this is the 5th AD I have tried and the only one I have been able to stay on this long. Other than a few anxiety surges during the day and the high/normal BP I can tolerate it.

Can you PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE give me your opinion if the side effects will ever go away? Or since I have been on it for almost four weeks is safe to say they will never go away.

My psych doc even said maybe I just still anxious and need 20 mg of Lex but since the depression is lifting a little I'm afraid to up it anymore since it might be too stimulating already.

What is your opinion?

Thanks.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

I think there is definetly a stimulating effect which may account for the bp increase.  You can counter that with a beta blocker, and then let the Lexapro work for a while, and when you have achieved your psychological goal, start tapering off the beta blocker.

[kerriw]

Hello, I am the one who posted about blood pressure and Lexapro earlier.  I am curious, did your blood pressure rise only after several weeks on the medicine, or did it rise right away and stay high for four weeks, or don't you know because you weren't monitoring it that closely?  Mine was high at day 1--curious if you had the same or a different experience.

[dont]

Well I'm not sure because I was experiencing anxiety side effects from the Lex from day one but what me wonder about my BP being high was right after I completed week three at 10 mg I was getting light headed so I had someone take it and it was 150/96. It went back down later that day to 141/88. I have "whitecoat" high BP anyway which means I get really anxious and it goes up when I go to the doctor for anything even minor stuff and that was before my panic attacks and depression so it's hard to say for me for sure if it's the Lex causing it or still anxiety. I am still worried about all of my symptoms that my anxiety is causing and I do have health anxiety and have my whole life so part of me wonders if it's not just from the anxiety still. I went to my GP today and SHE said Lex should NOT raise BP and the doc on this forum said it could. She said it was either anxiety or true pre-hypertension which she said could be genetic because my mom has it. My mom is also very high strung and anxious. Prior to my attacks it ran around 120/80. I tool Zoloft in Feb and it went up as high as 165/103 and went back down when I stopped the Zoloft. I need to be on something because this episode has really depressed me so my GP gave me some beta blockers to try with the Lex. I am leary of taking yet another drug but I can't stop the Lex so I guess I have no choice. I'm really med sensitive and I tried 4 other anti dep before trying Lex. If it is the Lex I find it odd that it didn't occur until the end of week 3. Feel free to e mail me if you want to ***@**** if you have any other questions. Good luck!

[kerriw]

Actually you don't know when your BP went up because it seems you didn't check it until week 3.  Could have been before week 3.  I monitor my BP at home, which I recommend for others with 'white coat' syndrome  (I have it too!). I still think you should consider this a possible side effect, especially because the same thing happened with the Zoloft.  Zoloft and Lexapro are very similar, both SSRI's.  And you said your BP went back to normal after you stopped the Zoloft--this is important information.  I have heard of Paxil and Prozac causing this in some people--also SSRI's. Also the forum Dr. said it was possible, and as a psychiatrist he probably works with these medications a lot.

Anyway, your story is very similar to mine in a lot of ways--you are not alone out there!  Thanks for the info, and good luck to you.

[crash1man]

I have been taking Lexapro for anxiety for the last 4 months.  Has anyone experienced any beta blocker effects with Lexapro.  I exercise a lot and it seems it has lowered my heart rate ceiling.   Also, BP is much better now - bottom number runs in 60's-70's.  The problem I have w/ Lex is the darned weight gain.  Any help there?  Thanks.

[dont]

So you have started to take the beta blocker? What are you taking? I still haven't started it because my BP has gone down some since some of the side effects from the Lexapro has subsided. I am not gaining weight from Lex, actually losing it. Maybe the beta blocker is causing the weight gain.

If you have started the beta blocker does it make you tired and more depressed? I just hate to add one more drug to the Lex and the Klonopin I am already taking.

My doc said I could try a very low dose to start and it might be enough to help with the BP and the racing heart.

Let me know what you are experiencing taking the two together. I think there is a slight possiblity I have Mitral Valve Prolapse because I have flip flopping in my heart and racing even without attacks so I'm going to have that checked out on August 6 so I guess if I do I will HAVE to take the beta blocker.

Karen

[Sees]

Hi...I was wondering how your weight gain on Lexapro has been over the past few months. Has it decreased?  I gained 10 pounds (which is a lot for my body size, type and frame) since being on Lexapro...even though my doctor said it shouldn't cause any weight gain. I have stopped taking the Lexapro one month ago and have not lost any of the excess weight.  Have you stopped taking Lexapro, too?  Have you been able to lose the extra weight and if yes, how?  I tried taking a carb blocker, but that didn't work and it only upset my stomach.  I guess I am wondering how long it could take to lose these added pounds - I eat healthy the majority of the time and exercise routinely none.  I'm still taking Wellbutrin that has never caused any side effects at all for PMDD. Thanks and I hope all is better for you!