Experience with Lexapro?

[OvercastingClouds]

Originally wasn't gonna make a thread but I decided why not.

I just went to the doctor and asked to have my medicine changed (I was originally given seroquel but it only made me sleep more) and I got prescribed an actual SSRI, being Lexapro(10mg)
I didn't think much of it, but they gave me a stack of paper with information about the medication which unsettled me a bit (since I didn't get something like this before).

I'm just really nervous about taking it. I'm probably overthinking it but still, it's for the best. I've always hated taking medicine and hate the idea of relying on it(especially if it's not necessary), which is why I'm reluctant, also worrying about side effects.

I wanted to ask if anyone here has tried this medication before and how your experience was with it, hopefully to ease my mind. What kind of side effects did you experience? Have you felt a significant change in yourself? Has the way you think changed(Really curious in this since I think deeply a lot, while it may be depressing it also gives me ideas)? How have your suicidal thoughts been while taking it?

This is kind of a big deal for me since I've never gotten help before and I guess this is a significant change? I'm still trying to think of what time I should take it and stuff also.

 

[huifu]

I've been taking the same dose as you of Lexapro for over a year already, felt really sleepy for the first two weeks (if I remember correctly), it's honestly the only side effect that happened to me. I'm honestly still anxious but at least I don't feel like a robot like with other meds, I guess it has worked a bit, but it hasn't done wonders.

My suicidal thoughts are triggered by specific events so I don't know if it has worked with that or not. I guess I don't really care too much about everything anymore but I'm honestly not sure if that's thanks to Lexapro or just because of some messed up stuff that left me feeling dissociated this year.
Sorry if this was not too much help. I honestly keep taking it out of habit and fear that my mental health will get worse if I drop it. Remember that everyone reacts different to meds!!

 

[ChosenUndead]

Hi! I take adderall xr (adhd) and lexapro (depression)! I personally take 20mg and have been on it for about 2 or 3 years now? Before lexapro, I was on fluoxetine for 9 years? I've taken different adhd meds and antidepressants for over a decade. There is definitely a change that I when I take my meds vs not taking it (which is super rare). Each person reacts to medication differently. One person can stay at the same dosage for years while another might need a boost to their dosage. Make sure you ask your psychiatrist about any questions you have! :0

I will admit, I personally have had suicidal thoughts while on lexapro but they were FEW and FAR between, SUPER RARE, most akin to a whisper that I could tell to figuratively shut up and could do while carrying on with my day. Despite those rare moments, it has helped as a whole. :)

 

[tsumihoroboshi]

i don't remember the dosage, but lexapro was my very first prescribed medication and in my experience it actually made my suicidal thoughts worse, but i blame the dosage maybe. this is a rarer side effect, lots of people i know who took lexapro had positive experiences with it! i just got unlucky i think. i was taken off lexapro and given other meds over the years.

i was also on seroquel for about a decade! started at 50 mg and by the end it was at 600mg (they wanted me to take 300mg in the day and 300 at night. i really dont think psychs understand what this medication IS.) it made me unable to function bcus i was so tired most times. i quit it cold turkey. my psych wanted to ween me off of it anyway.

 

[gottacheckout]

I take a high dose of seraquel at night and was taking a small dose of Lexapro then as well. Eventually suicidal thoughts really started taking over my mind. I spoke to my doctor about it and he suggested moving the Lexapro to the morning. Within a couple days my head cleared and I've had control of it since.

 

[25jiyuki]

It's helped me. I take 5mg. For me, 10mg was too high and caused me more suicidal thoughts. After I went back down to 5mg, it started to help. Took many months before I realized it was doing anything. But I feel more rational, and less hollow now. It didn't exactly make my depressive/suicidal thoughts go away, but helped me process and get through them better. If that makes sense.

 

[RosebyAnyName]

Got prescribed 10mg per day. Didn't take it for very long: it didn't change me mentally but I started to develop flu-like symptoms and had to stop. I even tried to start again with only 5mg, and still felt very physically ill. I couldn't tolerate it.

I've heard mixed opinions on if lexapro has a good acceptance rate or not, some people claim it's one of the lowest-risk SSRIs out there, others claim it's one of the worst. It's also possible that a lot of people who had a negative experience with lexapro are just intolerant to all SSRIs but blame lexapro specifically since it's the only one they have experience with. It's usually the first one people are prescribed.

I decided against going the medication route (learned later I have family members that are also intolerant to SSRIs, could just be a weird genetic thing?). If you still want to pursue it, just know that lexapro isn't your only option.

 

[hikaru13]

For me, the first time taking one back in 2023 was good. I felt better, ate proper meals, and had a good night's rest. The only downside I got from that was I would fall asleep so quickly. The new one I'm taking is the opposite; I wouldn't be able to sleep, eat properly, and it was harder for my partner at that time to please me (iykyk). It was terrible to say the least. Well, I guess it worked (?) knowing my suicidal thoughts stopped when I was taking it.