SillyMe Posted October 29, 2006 Share Posted October 29, 2006 I am about to take my first 1/4 pill (2.5 mg dose) of Lexapro, and I am really nervous about the potential side effects. Most specifically, I am afraid of "brain zaps," teeth clenching and brain fog. What should I realistically expect when I start taking this? Will I feel something weird??? I am so nervous about these weird side effects, that I don't even want to take the first pill!!! Will I be safe taking 2.5mg? Since it is such a low dose, will I experience anything unusual? Also, have any of you had any success with such a low dose? I really want to stay within the 2.5 - 5 mg range if it helps me at all with my anxiety. Thanks!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stable not balanced Posted October 29, 2006 Share Posted October 29, 2006 i did okay with the lexapro. started at 10mg, now 20. no noticeable side effects for me. i think the brain zaps are only when you go off. it did wonders for the anxiety. prefer it to klonipin, addictive (if i remember correctly). i hope it works as good for you as it did for me! kathy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Posted October 29, 2006 Share Posted October 29, 2006 I was on lex for a couple years. Started at 10 and got up to 40 without any brains zaps or brain fog. I did experience some lethargy the first two weeks or so on lex. The only reason I stopped taking it (tapered 10 mg. at a time) was that at 40 mg. I was totally anorgasmic and as a "quality of life " issue, that was one I could stand no longer. It didn't seem to lessen my anxiety so I was and am on klonopin. So I switched to effexor and, guess what... it's worse Almost tapered off the effexor, stalled at 75 mg. and increased my wellbutrin to 400 mg. Tommy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witchywoman Posted October 30, 2006 Share Posted October 30, 2006 I do remember having the teeth clenching and the sexual side effects the first time I tried lex. The second time, I had no sexual side effects but still had the teeth clenching. I never had any brain zaps, even when going off it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hollywoodfreaks Posted November 1, 2006 Share Posted November 1, 2006 You sound like me. I was incredibly anxious about taking psychiatric medication as well. Is this your first med? 2.5 is a good place to start but it is unlikely to have any positive effect--but you never know. I started at 2.5, maybe felt like the tiniest, tiniest bit like there was some change happening in my body, then went up to 5 after a week and stayed there for almost 2 months I think. The positive effects of a 5mg dose began to appear after just one week. If you have the right brain chemistry for it Lexapro is an *excellent* anti-anxiety med and a good anti-depressant. As far as side effects go--yes it caused teeth clenching for me, but you can lessen this side effect by upping the dose by small increments like you plan on doing. It almost completely killed my libido, one that greatly frustrates me at times. That is the only big downside for me so far and I've been on it for a year and a half. Oh--the other sucky side effect is that it causes me to sleep too long-10 or 11 hours, nothing too extreme but annoying nonetheless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hollywoodfreaks Posted November 7, 2006 Share Posted November 7, 2006 So, how's it going, SillyMe? Please don't let my side effects scare you if you are worried about sexual side effects. Most people don't have it as bad as I do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Latin Girl Posted November 7, 2006 Share Posted November 7, 2006 i did okay with the lexapro. started at 10mg, now 20. no noticeable side effects for me. i think the brain zaps are only when you go off. it did wonders for the anxiety. prefer it to klonipin, addictive (if i remember correctly). i hope it works as good for you as it did for me! kathy I do have teeth clinching. I try to stop myself from that. It sucks I am on 20mg and it is working for me. I have had no other side effects Good Luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loon-A-TiK Posted November 8, 2006 Share Posted November 8, 2006 when i was on lex, i had sexual side effects, and nothing else. i took 20mg. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stasis Posted November 8, 2006 Share Posted November 8, 2006 I had my share of the Side effects, But, the Lexapro 20mg reduced Depression and OCD, Yipppeeee the Lex triggered some marvelously fun mania, So couldn't keep having the fun part. Dysphoria, the crash. I'm still on 20mg pretty stable OCD quiet. YMMV,Stasis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiredofwaiting Posted November 8, 2006 Share Posted November 8, 2006 lexapro... Due to panic attacks that started a couple months ago i visited my doctor and he prescribed me 20mg of lexapro. i thought it was going to help it i kept telling myself that it would take a little while to take effect. After 4 months i stopped taking my daily 20mg and quit because i was tired of being dependent and was experiencing too many side effects. The really crazy and sad fact is that these drugs are NOT meant to be taken long term!! I've been reading about people taking them for years and you have been misinformed! The drugs prescribed to treat depression are only supposed to be taken as a jumpstart for up to 5 months. I've taken classes from pharma companies in college and studied the drugs themselves as well as 'tested' on myself and i'm becoming afraid of the products that these companies have been distributing. Lexapro was a reminder of how awful these drugs can be... while taking it i experienced lethargy, jaw-clinching, migranes, noise and light sensitivity, loss of lipido and weight gain. The withdrawal symptoms have really been difficult to bear... strange cloudy head pains, stomach pains, nausea, brain-zaps, dizziness, vivid dreams and anxiety. I can't wait til these symptoms will subside... honestly i'm feeler better not being on it even with the chaos. It takes a week to get out of your system and the effects of withdrawal can linger for around 2 months.. I can't wait to get through this hellish twisting of my brain. I'm actually starting to feel like my old self with emotions and all. I hope to fully recover soon. I'm really angry about the fixation that has come from all these pills and prescribed solutions from doctors when they are getting most of their information from salespeople. The drug companies compete to market their drugs to your doctor and most of the time they recommend whatever drugs their favorite reps sell. The information regarding the long-term effects is really not known since they put the drugs on the market so quickly after release. It sucks but its the truth. Think of how many people you know that are on pills!! Life is depressing and has ups and downs but damn i think i'd rather ride it out using natural solutions rather than relying on a pill to do the work for me. Believe me i was convinced that everything was going to be straightened out by taking doctors orders but the doctors now a days just write prescriptions. Therapy should be more sought after through family and friends or an outsider to listen... problems that arise should be thought out and not covered. I just wanted to share my story because I feel that depression can be beaten without all these prescriptions. I'm going back to the basics of using what nature gave us... one suppliment that i've found to help cope with all the craziness is omega3 fish oil. I hope that people understand what they are getting themselves into starting a drug collection of drugs that really haven't been fully tested... when you are trying to fix the mind with pills, a lot can go wrong. Good luck to everyone out there battling with themselves... =) Everyone has their gifts to offer this world, don't let pills get in the way of your true self. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SillyMe Posted November 9, 2006 Author Share Posted November 9, 2006 How much fish oil do you take daily? I usually take 1,000 - 2,000 mg per day... (That's 1 - 2 Carlson's Fish Oil pills). I am hoping that it is keeping me from experiencing the terrible side effects from the lexapro! lexapro... Due to panic attacks that started a couple months ago i visited my doctor and he prescribed me 20mg of lexapro. i thought it was going to help it i kept telling myself that it would take a little while to take effect. After 4 months i stopped taking my daily 20mg and quit because i was tired of being dependent and was experiencing too many side effects. The really crazy and sad fact is that these drugs are NOT meant to be taken long term!! I've been reading about people taking them for years and you have been misinformed! The drugs prescribed to treat depression are only supposed to be taken as a jumpstart for up to 5 months. I've taken classes from pharma companies in college and studied the drugs themselves as well as 'tested' on myself and i'm becoming afraid of the products that these companies have been distributing. Lexapro was a reminder of how awful these drugs can be... while taking it i experienced lethargy, jaw-clinching, migranes, noise and light sensitivity, loss of lipido and weight gain. The withdrawal symptoms have really been difficult to bear... strange cloudy head pains, stomach pains, nausea, brain-zaps, dizziness, vivid dreams and anxiety. I can't wait til these symptoms will subside... honestly i'm feeler better not being on it even with the chaos. It takes a week to get out of your system and the effects of withdrawal can linger for around 2 months.. I can't wait to get through this hellish twisting of my brain. I'm actually starting to feel like my old self with emotions and all. I hope to fully recover soon. I'm really angry about the fixation that has come from all these pills and prescribed solutions from doctors when they are getting most of their information from salespeople. The drug companies compete to market their drugs to your doctor and most of the time they recommend whatever drugs their favorite reps sell. The information regarding the long-term effects is really not known since they put the drugs on the market so quickly after release. It sucks but its the truth. Think of how many people you know that are on pills!! Life is depressing and has ups and downs but damn i think i'd rather ride it out using natural solutions rather than relying on a pill to do the work for me. Believe me i was convinced that everything was going to be straightened out by taking doctors orders but the doctors now a days just write prescriptions. Therapy should be more sought after through family and friends or an outsider to listen... problems that arise should be thought out and not covered. I just wanted to share my story because I feel that depression can be beaten without all these prescriptions. I'm going back to the basics of using what nature gave us... one suppliment that i've found to help cope with all the craziness is omega3 fish oil. I hope that people understand what they are getting themselves into starting a drug collection of drugs that really haven't been fully tested... when you are trying to fix the mind with pills, a lot can go wrong. Good luck to everyone out there battling with themselves... =) Everyone has their gifts to offer this world, don't let pills get in the way of your true self. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Posted November 9, 2006 Share Posted November 9, 2006 I don't care if it's fish oil or a magic crystal! If it works for you use it, but don't assume everyone else is misinformed because they use life-saving medications on a long-term basis. Tommy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angeljasmine Posted November 9, 2006 Share Posted November 9, 2006 I just wanted to share my story because I feel that depression can be beaten without all these prescriptions. And have you beaten it then? Maybe you weren't clinically depressed to begin with. I too, hate the side effects of antidepressants like SSRI's. I've tried to be med-free rather than put up with evil side effects, but my depression is almost always there in a low-medium grade and bad/negative life events almost certainly result in a sharp drop into deep depression and feelings of wanting to end it all, once and for all. I eat a lot of fish as well as take omega-3 supplements. But to no avail, I've got to the point where I'd rather NOT be a victim of my illness, or let my illness and associated warped thinking continue to ruin my life. I've got to a new stage, that despite some meds not being fully investigated before they are put on the market, anything is worth a try (except SSRI's as they're evil). I've studied pharmacology at university and am able to understand scientific articles about how they're supposed to work. Yes there are a lot of gaps in scientific knowledge of exactly how SOME meds work. For example, the mechanism of action of wellbutrin is currently unknown. And as for the case of SSRI's, I recently read an article that said that it hasn't actually been proven that depressed people have an imbalance (reduced) of serotonin levels, it has never actually been measured. Also, meds are not a magic cure all. All meds have side effects. Meds are only put on the market IF their benefit outweighs the associated unwanted side effects. (and of course they have to be safe). The question is to what extent you are prepared to put up with certain side effects, in order to feel better. And to change the subject slightly: Everyone has their gifts to offer this world, don't let pills get in the way of your true self. Everyone has gifts to offer this world, but for many their ILLNESS gets in the way of being their "true" self. The difference with psychological/mental ilnness is that they are MOOD disorders and this causes people to sometimes lose track of just what their true self is. Pills have the ability for some to achieve some feeling of "normality", and the chance to be their true self, but on the other side of the coin, side effects can also adversely affect being able to express your true self. Everyone is unique, and has their own individual circumstances. It's not a "one size fits all" when it comes to meds, what works for one may not work for another. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Velvet Elvis Posted November 9, 2006 Share Posted November 9, 2006 lexapro... Due to panic attacks that started a couple months ago i visited my doctor and he prescribed me 20mg of lexapro. i thought it was going to help it i kept telling myself that it would take a little while to take effect. After 4 months i stopped taking my daily 20mg and quit because i was tired of being dependent and was experiencing too many side effects. The really crazy and sad fact is that these drugs are NOT meant to be taken long term!! I've been reading about people taking them for years and you have been misinformed! The drugs prescribed to treat depression are only supposed to be taken as a jumpstart for up to 5 months. I've taken classes from pharma companies in college and studied the drugs themselves as well as 'tested' on myself and i'm becoming afraid of the products that these companies have been distributing. Lexapro was a reminder of how awful these drugs can be... while taking it i experienced lethargy, jaw-clinching, migranes, noise and light sensitivity, loss of lipido and weight gain. The withdrawal symptoms have really been difficult to bear... strange cloudy head pains, stomach pains, nausea, brain-zaps, dizziness, vivid dreams and anxiety. I can't wait til these symptoms will subside... honestly i'm feeler better not being on it even with the chaos. It takes a week to get out of your system and the effects of withdrawal can linger for around 2 months.. I can't wait to get through this hellish twisting of my brain. I'm actually starting to feel like my old self with emotions and all. I hope to fully recover soon. I'm really angry about the fixation that has come from all these pills and prescribed solutions from doctors when they are getting most of their information from salespeople. The drug companies compete to market their drugs to your doctor and most of the time they recommend whatever drugs their favorite reps sell. The information regarding the long-term effects is really not known since they put the drugs on the market so quickly after release. It sucks but its the truth. Think of how many people you know that are on pills!! Life is depressing and has ups and downs but damn i think i'd rather ride it out using natural solutions rather than relying on a pill to do the work for me. Believe me i was convinced that everything was going to be straightened out by taking doctors orders but the doctors now a days just write prescriptions. Therapy should be more sought after through family and friends or an outsider to listen... problems that arise should be thought out and not covered. I just wanted to share my story because I feel that depression can be beaten without all these prescriptions. I'm going back to the basics of using what nature gave us... one suppliment that i've found to help cope with all the craziness is omega3 fish oil. I hope that people understand what they are getting themselves into starting a drug collection of drugs that really haven't been fully tested... when you are trying to fix the mind with pills, a lot can go wrong. Good luck to everyone out there battling with themselves... =) Everyone has their gifts to offer this world, don't let pills get in the way of your true self. For a lot of us here these are the only things keeping us from killing ourselves this very instant. Hemlock is a natural solution. That doesn't mean it's good for you. At least with pharmaceuticals you know what's in it. If it's natural it's going to have a bunch of random organic compounds in it, the vast majority of which are not needed and only cause side effects. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alyson Posted November 10, 2006 Share Posted November 10, 2006 OK, "tiredofwaiting" are you from my ex husbands church, that told me to pray when I was in a state of true manic? In all your so called research, did you know that each time you have an untreated manic attack, that is from the real disease bipolar, you are more likely to have more and worse and closer together manic attacks? And no they are not a fun trip at Disneyland, nor can they be treated with fish oil. Fish oil and other supplements are quite lovely for supplements for your coronary, and yes for your brain as fish is brain food, but no they are not going to help anyone in a manic attack/state, anymore than they are going to help a diabetic in insulin shock. So, please take your Tom Cruise philosophy elsewhere. We all had a hellish road getting to even any point of help here. We have read and heard it all, from friends, family, and in the news. This is our sanctionary from all that madness. Please respect that. I have read so many places about all those brain zaps, etc. Before I was dx as bipolar, I was thought to be depressed, and panic/anxiety disorder. I was given lexapro 10 mg, it did not help me since was not for me. I stopped it stat after couple months of use. Not by doctors orders, but on my own, being new to the whole med world. I never had a brain zap. In fact I didn't feel crap. I know some people do. But the way you just blew in here, with your little paper and trying to scare us all. By the way, anyone that is MI, been through MI Hell does not scare that easily believe me. I think maybe you read to much. If you really are here for help, slow down and get to know us, and let us know you. I am Aly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hollywoodfreaks Posted November 11, 2006 Share Posted November 11, 2006 We aren't trying to attack you here, tiredofwaiting--I think what people are trying to get across here is that the people on this board usually suffer from the severe versions of these psychological afflictions. Scientific research has shown that non-medication interventions (when used without meds as an adjunct) are usually ineffective for severe psychological disorders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loon-A-TiK Posted November 12, 2006 Share Posted November 12, 2006 it is known that for MILD depression, exercise and a healthy lifestyle matches prozac in effectively beating depression. however, the population here mainly sufferes from worse than that- as has been stated, we're bipolar, MDD, DID, OCD, BPD, and all sorts of other disorders. we're not going to be cured by fish oil. obviously, the benefits outweigh the risks. as VE said, many of us (including myself) WOULD NOT BE HERE IF IT WEREN'T FOR OUR MEDS. i think it is dangerous to promote the idea that you don't need meds to lift you out of a moderate-worse depression or other disorder that calls for meds. some are treated with counseling, yes, and that is long term, but when talking about saving someone NOW, fish oil doesn't cut it. we're finally starting to understand the brain and how it functions. i think that tom cruise and friends take us back to the era of "let's pray for the schizophrenic person!". nothing wrong with prayer, but pass the zyprexa please. and while you're at it, since i'm clnically depressed, pass the lexapro too. i need to get above the clouds in my life to see what is happening under them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dutch_tony Posted December 11, 2006 Share Posted December 11, 2006 lexapro... I just wanted to share my story because I feel that depression can be beaten without all these prescriptions. I'm going back to the basics of using what nature gave us... one suppliment that i've found to help cope with all the craziness is omega3 fish oil. I hope that people understand what they are getting themselves into starting a drug collection of drugs that really haven't been fully tested... when you are trying to fix the mind with pills, a lot can go wrong. Good luck to everyone out there battling with themselves... =) Everyone has their gifts to offer this world, don't let pills get in the way of your true self. What a lot of bullshit. When you are realy depressed there is no "talking" AND/OR fishoil anymore... I used to enjoy sports very much and my dad said: "come on and do some sports, that will make you feel better..." If you are not depressed or has ever been, you can't understand what it is and what it does to you... it effects mind AND body.... dare to tell you can cure depression without medicine prescriptions.... IT IS SIMPLY NOT TRUE. Personaly i realy hope this LEX is gonna work for me, and i will NEVER ever going to stop. It is not worth it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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