Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

LEXAPRO

AJC
I just wanted to share my story about Lexapro. I took one 10mg Lexapro pill and 8 hours later had a severe adverse reaction to the drug. My life was about to become a nightmare.(This incident happened 14 months ago)

My experience is rare but it is important to stress the dangers not explained by professionals in the field and there are many similarities between my experience and that of those who experience terrible withdrawal symptoms from SSRI's.

THE FIRST DAY: I woke up and jumped out of my bed terrified at what I was feeling. Terrible headache, nausea, crazy thoughts and visual hallucinations. Waves of energy ran through my body almost like I was on fire on the inside. I was completely physically agitated and could not sit down or eat. I had to pace or walk or run just to get the nervousness to be bearable. I actually ran circles around my house and one day I ran down my street in a sprint right out of bed, almost naked. I wouldn't eat for 3 days due to the nausea. I couldn't drive for a few weeks and I was cared for by my girlfriend to remain sane and mentally ok.

Keep in mind, I had no symptoms like this in my entire life before I took the pill. I know it was this pill that did this to me 100%. I was prescribed this drug for insomnia. There were so many side effects that I don't know where to start and also they would come and go in different combinations so it is very difficult to convey the experience.

Sometimes I could not lay down. Sometimes I could not eat too much. Sometimes I could not have sex. Sometimes I would feel as if I weren't real. Sometimes I would not be able to work out. Sometimes I had to walk for miles to release the energy. Sometimes I would freak out and cry and run down the street. Sometimes I would call for help and not know why. I would feel so scared for no reason. I would have nervous attacks lasting for hours or days. The first week , I remember my hands didn't feel real. I kept rubbing my thumbs against my fingers to feel if they were my hands doing it. Sometimes I would be nauseous for days. The waves of sensations I could feel when hormones were released was uncanny and frightening. I determined this from information I learned from my girlfriend, who was a nurse, and while studying the endocrine system. The waves that were waking me up screaming in the mornings were the hormones that normally would wake a person gently. It was like everything inside my body was amplified to the point of being painful. Sometimes I would watch movies and believe they were real. This was terrifying, especially if it was a horror movie or someone died. I would fall apart. All sensations were far too strong and I could not deal with my perception to the stimuli of everyday life.

It was terrible. Everything in my body was wacked out! I couldn't sleep at all some nights and sometimes I couldn't lay down or I'd have an attack of what people refer to as brain zaps. I believed I was going insane. I thought the symptoms would go away after a few weeks because the pharmacist and doctors told me this. The neurologist had no idea what was going on. The side effects did not go away. The first 2 months were hell! A rollercoaster of sensations, emotions and thoughts would come and go out of nowhere and last different amounts of time from hours to days. It was truly exhausting. By the 3rd month I was broken. I cried off and on for no reason for an entire month. I do not usually cry so this was very strange. By the 4th month I was somewhat better and the crying had dramatically slowed. I had not been able to work at all for 4 months and decided to work one day a week to get back on the horse. I had lost my house, job, savings, excellent credit rating and by the 5th month I lost my girlfriend.

It has been a very difficult time in my life. The most difficult time. It has been 14 months and I have been gradually improving over time. I am not completely well yet. I have chatted online with 2 other who have had this experience over one pill and they tell me it takes approximately 2 years to be alright again. I couldn't believe it when I first heard it but I believe it now. It is crazy. I have also met several people who have this experience and get well after approximately 6 weeks. Then there are those who are fine until they try to stop taking the drug and find themselves in between a rock and a hard place due to the withdrawal. I am assuming that these drugs are experimental and dangerous. In part, I say this because Pharma reps, doctors, pharmacists and my neurologists have told me that they have no idea what a normal amount of serotonin is, in the brain. I am also saying this because none of these professionals are aware of any way to help people with problems caused by these medications because they are unaware of what these drugs actually do in our brains. THEY DON'T KNOW. Noone seems to know.

Well, it has been 14 months and I am working 4 days a week, part time, until I get better.(If I do get completely better) I am in recovery but I receive no disability and apparently have no case for a law suit. If you think you are protected by the law, think again. It is unbelievable what these psychiatric meds. do to some people and why they are dished out to people like candy. Whether or not you have a good experience or bad, these drugs are unproven and dangerous. My experience has forced me to see a reality that I am disgusted with. I hope this information can help people that may be going throught the hell I went through. For me, at the time, a few people telling me I wasn't going to die meant everything to me. I had no idea except for what they shared with me. Contact me if you need some info.

My name is Tony: wdtony at Hot mail com.
8 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
333664 tn?1220800790
I took 1, 10mg. lexepro about 1 year ago. Freaked out and learned quickly about panic attacks and anxiety. I had tried celexa and effexor before the lexepro. All for mild /moderate depression and headaches.  SSRI drugs don't like me. Today I take .5mg. klonopin twice daily and 25mg. lamictal once daily. Lamictal hasn't really helped depression, upped the dose to 50mg. and got insomnia. Did I already have anxiety and panic attacks without knowing then lexepro brought it out? I don't know , I do know that I have been in a struggle since the day I took it. My whole life has changed , not for the better. I have to see a new psyc. this week and see what they want me to do because I am lost for ideas. From my point of view, I was depressed. I sought help from family dr. Tried 1 celexa, no go. Tried 1 effexor, no go. Tried 1 lexepro , gone. Depression with daily anxiety (klonopin helps) and panic attacks which I sit through. I think the drs. I see think I want a high. I could get that cheaper and more timely on the streets. I just want a little help so I can go back to work and help pay the bills. I can work on happiness later, I've already waited most my life.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
AJC
Well I do agree with you on the therapy aspect. I think almost everyone could benefit from a good therapist.

T
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
It does explain that all antidepressants do not work and sometimes cause those certain problems. I have been taking lexparo for a while. I guess it all depends on the person. I can't imagine having those symptoms for over 3 weeks...you must of been a mess and scared. Hopefully everything is working out for you. :)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
AJC
First of all, don't take it. Especially if you have had negative experiences with similar drugs.  You can always take it later, but I wouldn't advise this.

In the directions section of the lexapro pamphlet, it states: the patient should be monitored closely for the first 2 weeks and be given a bezodiazepine concurrently to counter the side effects caused by the medication.   I am sorry, this is not what happened to me nor anyone else that I have talked to in regards to taking this drug. I am assuming you are not being closely monitored or on a benzodiazepine.

Of course, I am not a doctor. I am, however, a reasonable person. I think it is a reasonable assumption to make the option of medication the last resort or at the very least, far down on the list of remedies.

I have researched SSRI's and anti-depressants. Although many people report success and a better life, there are no conclusive studies to prove this to be factual. If you read the clinical trials, SSRI's were not found to be more effective than placebo and in many cases many people had to drop out of the studies due to the side effects.

I do not claim that people are not benefitting from these drugs. I have no idea if they are. I do know there are no long term studies on these medications and the pharmaceutical industry has a tight grip on primary care physicians.

I have read and communicated with many victims of these controversial drugs thus reinforcing my opinion. My opinion is to not take these drugs. If you have exhausted all other possibilities and decide to opt for a medication research it extensively and read (and understand) every last word in the drug pamphlet. Start at the lowest dose possible and have family or support nearby for the first 2 weeks. Go online and look for negative feedback. (I say this because when I did research, I primarily looked at the positive feedback, big mistake!)

Good luck friend,
Tony
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
AJC

It was the most terrifying time in my life.

I write this because I am trying to prevent this from happening to other people. I am glad if it helps anyone.

I appreciate your sentiment. I am so much better now that at least I know I can live life. The first 3 months were unbearable.

Tony
Helpful - 0
212753 tn?1275073111
just because the med doesnt work for one doesnt mean it wont work for you.I take celexa and zyprexa for bi polar but that doesnt mean you would get the same results I have. sometimes you have to try these meds to see which one will work for you. I was on lots of other meds before the ones I am on now. I am thankful I didnt give up and I have a great life now thanks to the meds and therapy.
Love Venora
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
My dr. has prescibed this drug for me and I want to research it first. I dont like what i'm hearing. im scared this will happen to me. It happened with another drug before..same effects..what can i do?
Helpful - 0
242912 tn?1660619837
OMG, your experience must have been beyond terrifying.  Thank you so much for sharing your story because every time I even start to THINK that I might need to go back on an SSRI, I read a story like yours and the answer is clearly, NO WAY.  

My heart just goes out to you and I hope more recovery comes with each passing day.  

Take good care....
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Depression Community

Top Mood Disorders Answerers
Avatar universal
Arlington, VA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
15 signs that it’s more than just the blues
Discover the common symptoms of and treatment options for depression.
We've got five strategies to foster happiness in your everyday life.
Don’t let the winter chill send your smile into deep hibernation. Try these 10 mood-boosting tips to get your happy back
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.