I just read through the thread about antidepressants, and I see that a lot of you all hated Lexapro, which I just started... today.

I have HUGE concerns about taking anything, and I am mostly concerned about weight gain, not getting "better" (the anger thing espescially-- I can be a raving meanie!), and not wanting to be/ able to be intimate with my husband. Oh, and I am normally the kind of person who's always funny and witty, and I don't want to lose that part of my personality...

So... for those of you on Lexapro (10mg/day is my dose), or who were on it, if you have straight-up, I-lost-my-mind depression (I don't have anxiety and I specifically asked about bipolar because of what I read from you all, and apparently I don't have that either), what was your experience?

If you could pick, which drug would you want to take (because it works and "crack" is not an option!), and why?

thanks, ladies (and gents? seriously, are there men here?)

Everyone reacts differently to different medications. I took Lexapro for awhile but I switched back to Zoloft because it just worked better for me. It didn't make me gain weight or take away my tendency to joke around, but Zoloft seemed to be working better. Maybe you'll have success. Just remember that antidepressants can take quite some time before they work. It took me two months to get back to feeling semi-normal. Good luck <3

i have been on lexapro for about 3 years now, after trying several other anti depressants. i have to say that lexapro has worked pretty well for me. it has helped to keep my depression in check and helped me to live a normal healthly life. i have not experienced any weight gain from it.
i agree with what lessthan said, everyone responds differntly to differnt meds. good luck on the lexapro

Lexapro works well for me and no weight gain like I had with Paxil. Hope you have success with it.

I've been on Lexapro for about 3 months now and it has helped a lot with my PPD and anger issues. I am a much calmer person now. I started at 10 and am now at 20mg. It hasn't hindered my weight loss or sense of humor. The only really weird side effect is that I can't cry now....not such a bad thing when I was crying practically everyday there for a while. I feel sad, but physically, just can not cry (all in my head???) My intimacy with DH is lacking - but I did just have a baby a few months ago and am not getting any regular sleep so it might be more attributed to that then the meds.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Thank you so much for the insight, guys. Okay, it's been a day, so I admit this could be in my head, but since I took yesterday's (and today's dosage), I have eaten... nothing. A piece of pizza and a powerbar until just now (since yesterday at 3pm) when I HOOVERED 3 more pieces of pizza. I was finally hungry, so I don't feel badly.

Did anyone else have this right at the start? It's kinda nice, but I worry that over time it's going to kill my energy.

I take 20 mg of Citalopram (Celexa) which is the older sister of Lexapro and I just LOVE it. My urge to eat and eat and eat has gone and I'm following the Weight Watchers plan just fine without thinking "what can I eat next" all the time. I thought for sure that this wouldn't last, but I've taken this for over a month and am doing well. You'll be checking in with your Dr. soon I'm assuming and if it's bothering you still, be sure to mention it.

Best Wishes

Hello!

I've been on Lexapro for almost 5 months now (first meds ever.) My doctor started me on 10 mg, and I felt better right away (probably also due to just being glad to have taken steps towards trying to feel better) but around the holidays, I started to fray again...doctor upped my dosage to 20 mg, and that helped alot.

I have not experienced any bad side effects. I am losing weight by strictly counting calories, doing cardio 5X a week and weight training 4X or more a week.

crying - hardly ever, as opposed to ALL the time. My sense of hopelessness is just about gone. I still have my personality and can't wait for the snow and cold to be gone so I can ride my motorcycle

My only bad side effect - a lack of motivation on my days off! I am fine on the days I work (5 days a week, 40 hours) but on my days off, I HAVE to make myself get up early and exercise by 8:00 a.m., or else I just want to go back to bed. However, my wanting to get back to bed isn't how I used to feel, wanting to crawl away from the rest of the world....I just like being in my comfy bed with the clean-smelling sheets and warm blankets.

I hope the Lexapro works for you...we do know it takes a little time, but if you aren't feeling better than definitely share your concerns with your doctor! It's sure worth feeling better. I think back to my suicical thoughts from the past year and it's so scary that I had thoughts like that.

best wishes!

I have been on Lexapro (10mg) for about 4 months now. It is the first med I have taken and it is working for me.

I used to cry all the time over anything. If someone just looked at me wrong I cried or got very upset or both. Now I dont cry, It is great to not have to worry about crying in the middle of a store or while I am driving.

I also have no motovation, that is the one reason why I havent lost any weight. All I wanna do is snuggle up with a blanket and either watch tv or take a nap even though I am not tired. I have to really push myself through this and workout.

It took a while, maybe a month or so, before I really noticed a diffrence in myself. Like others have posted, every med is going to react diffrent to everyone, you just have to give it a little time and work with your doctor.


best wishes