Anyone on Lexapro 10mg for mild OCD/ GAD  how is it working?
401052
Lexapro is not indicated for OCD/GAD. Lexapro is an antidepressant and while it has been marketed for other mood disorders, the benefit in this area tends to be mixed at best. There is only 1 treatment that is considered the gold standard for OCD/GAD and that is cognitive behavioral therapy (or CBT) and technique known as response-prevention therapy. Please look for the work done by Edna Foa, Ph.D. (adults) or Eric Storch, Ph.D. (kids and teens). Also, you should try and see a doctoral level psychologist (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) who specializes in anxiety disorders. The benefit of CBT is it is short term (10 to 20 sessions, maybe less) and you will be either full recovered at then end or have minimal symptoms that are minimally intrusive. OCD with this treatment is 75% curable for most patients.
1087970
Yeah, it sounds like you need to switch to another drug in the same class. I had the same problem with 60mg of Prozac per day, switched to Paxil 30mg and noticed the difference in about a week's time.\n\nAnother good one is Lexapro.
739420
I took it for a short time....for depression. I had headaches, and gained weight.  Also, when I stopped taking it...my hearing kept going in and out.  I kept hearing this zzip..zzzip...I could actually feel a strange vibration going thru my head...and that's when I figured out it was my hearing....fading in and out.  Really weird.  And they say it is not habit forming....but, then they say "well, you can't just stop taking it..you have to be weaned off of it."  If that's not an addiction....then explain that one to me!! I ended up just going to a counselor and now I am doing great....I just had to have someone not involved with my life to help me figure things out.
1012657
I've heard that it works but don't actually know anyone who has taken it. I do know that if you are already on anti-depressants, you need to avoid St John's Wort as it has a bad interaction with them.\n\nAlthough I've been on anti-depressants myself for the past 7 years, I don't consider them a cure or a treatment in themself. I think we are often too hasty to pop pills for everything and expect the pills to do all the work. I think of my anti-depressants as an "assistant" in my healing from / dealing with my depression. \n\nEven if depression is caused by biological or chemical imbalances, there are a lot of personal and environmental things we can, and ought, to do to ease the symptoms. \n\nExercise is one of the best natural anti-depressants. Even if all you can manage is a five or ten minute walk in the fresh air, that's a good start. If you can walk in a pleasant environment like a garden or park or under an open sky (I sometimes go up on the roof of my building and walk there, it's beautiful to be among the clouds and the blue sky, I walk, think, talk to myself and sometimes even sing up there!)\n\nDrinking plenty of water helps, mainly because it's good for your health and fights fatigue - and when you're tired AND depressed it just feels worse. I drink 3 litres a day (it's also great for your skin,  and compliments about how fresh/young you look are VERY anti-depressing!!)\n\nDealing with your stress of course will make a difference - talking to a counselor or joining a support group can give you more comfort and confidence. \n\nAnd oddly enough, I find that de-cluttering, even just one drawer or shelf at a time, has a hugely uplifting effect. My favourite book on the subject is "Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui" by Karen Kingston. It's an amazing book and is more about why we clutter things up, the effects of clutter, and how to get over our psychological obstacles to de-cluttering. (It's not so much about wind-chimes and ceramic animals, in spite of the misleading name which might put some people off.) It's actually been the most impactful book I've read in the last two years (and I read a LOT) and de-cluttering my home has really had an amazing effect on how I feel about my self and my life. I really do recommend it. \n\nIf you're willing to make a holistic commitment to helping yourself in these simple ways, you can make a huge difference in how depression impacts your life. Good luck!
225297
Well, I'm not middle aged, but i am on Lexapro 10mg.  Some spaciness is normal for the first couple of weeks, it will taper off.  There are some sexual side affects that i have as well, but nothing like the ones i was having on other anti depressants.  Those too should taper off the longer you are on the Lexapro.
355498
Here's the side effects.  My girlfriend takes lexapro and had the oh so fortunate side effect of loss of sex drive until it built up in her system, as is common with most antidepressants.  That took about a month.  There's more on the source.\n\nSIDE EFFECTS See also the Warning section. Nausea, drowsiness, dizziness, fatigue, increased sweating, and trouble sleeping may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: changes in sexual interest/performance/satisfaction, uncontrolled muscle movements (e.g., tremor, twitching). Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: unusual or severe mental/mood changes (including rare thoughts of suicide), easy bruising/bleeding, black stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, fast/irregular heartbeat, fainting, seizures, changes in the amount of urine. For males, in the very unlikely event you have a painful or prolonged erection lasting 4 or more hours, stop using this drug and seek immediate medical attention, or permanent problems could occur. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist
1116230
Nothing to do with depression and homeopathy..Unfortunately.,if you suffer from OCD( Obssesive Compulssive Disoreder) you need to be patient and the best working SSRI antidepressants in those cases is Venflaxin..Prozak don't give satisfying results on OCD..Also of help is the Cognitive and Group Therapy..Wish you luck!!
1143960
i was on it when i was in college it was the best medicine i was spazzing out over the littlest stuff and it made me relax and was soo care free all the time - my mother said she didn't like me on it because i really didn't have any emotion but i never noticed it - i just remember how much better i felt - also i just got off it last august and being on it for a little over 2 years it trained my brain not to freak out so my anxiety is totally gone - i have only had one breakdown since and that was 2 months after i got off of it - to me it was a miracle drug - but i know everyone is different... if you have any more questions feel free to email or message me lilrebelchick@yahoo.com..
349211
i have to take it when i have an allergic reaction and every time i take it i go crazy. i can't stand the way i feel. i am aggressive and have the most horrible thoughts. i so do not feel myself and i even scare myself. not to mention the increased appetite and weight gain. the only suggustion i have is it just has to run it's course which feels never ending.  sorry i don't think there is anything that helps. \n\nthey should build you up to a higher dosage and then taper you off with lower dosages.\n\nI do promise it is temporary. Good Luck!!! I am with you and understand completely.
422434
I take like 5-10, I use alot...Alittle OCD here.
36915
I am on Prozac and it works great for me, I am on a 10 does, by the way
908091
I started Wellbutrin XL a week ago and have been having side effects on and off. One day I feel great, the next day I feel lousy (both physically and emotionally). However, overall the side effects have been diminishing and my mood has improved slightly (though this could still be the placebo effect). As many others have commented, every medication affects people differently. \n\nOne important thing to remember is that Wellbutrin is an atypical anti-depressant, as it works on ONLY norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake. Many people in Yahoo answers have given differing responses as to the mechanisms for Wellbutrin. \nLexapro is an SSRI and works primarily on seratonin. \n\nThis is an educated guess, but most likely your symptoms are a result of your withdrawal from the Lexapro rather than your new Wellbutrin regimen. SSRI's (Lexapro, Celexa, etc) tend to have relatively severe withdrawal symptoms in a great number of individuals. Nonetheless, Wellbutrin has also been known to cause many of the symptoms you've described, so that's probably an added factor.\n\nMy advice is to stick out the Wellbutrin. It is NOT advisable to skip doses of anti-depressants. If after another two weeks you continue to have unbearable side-effects, you should then consult your doctor about trying a new medication. \n\nAs always, the advice of your doctor should be followed first and foremost. However, I will say that many general practitioners are NOT aware of much of the literature published on these drugs. Doing your own research on these medications is highly advisable.
480983
I am currently using Zoloft and find it works for my situation really well. When I first started it, for the first 2 days, i felt a bit shaky and a little light headed but that went away and now im fine. Im on what i think is the low dose - 50mg. Remeber though, if you do start on an antidepressant and you find it doesnt seem to work for you, go back to the doctor and try a different medication - it can sometimes take some people longer than others to find the one that will work for them.
730517
Registered Nurse here; Lexapro anti-depressant, the onset is faster than with most anti-depressants, approximately 2 weeks to began feeling the real benefits and relief of symptoms.  Advair, you should notice improvement with initial dose.  I also hope you began to feel better soon.  Also, If I may, I suggest that your next physician's visit you make a list of your questions and concerns for your physician is your very best resource person.\nThanks for the opportunity to address your question.
999338
I take Lexapro 20mg once a day and according to the paper you get from the pharmacist,it doesn't have decrease appetite on it,but if your having these symtoms,you might want to talk to your doctor.
1008236
I have used it to regulate my sleep schedule.  After years of being a night owl, I needed to start getting to bed early for work the next morning.  \n\nLunesta works well if you take it 30-45 minutes before bed time and if you don't fight it.  (I find that an absence of stimulus is highly effective, IE no reading, no TV, no music.)  \n\nAlso, keep in mind that it will affect different people differently.  It says that you should expect at least 8 hours of sleep.  For me, I am groggy if I wake up before then and sometimes it actually takes 9 hours until the effects have completely worn off.  \n\nI find that I get a very good nights sleep with it, and feel no side effects (aside from the groggy feeling if I happen to wake early). \n\nIn addition, I do not use it every night, only when I can't get to sleep naturally.  However, since it is non narcotic, it is less habit-forming than the other pills out there.\n\nIf you use it at midnight, expect to wake up around 9 am.  \n\nGood luck and I hope this was helpful.
503683
Hi! Well first of all, you should talk to a doctor who can determine which drug is best for you. \n\nThat being said, I have OCD and I'am taking Paxil, which is also a SSRI (like Luvox). It has worked really well for me. However, different drugs work for different people. I am really careful about the medicines I take, and I visit my doctor regularly to check my meds and dosage. I do have strong withdrawl symptoms if I run out of my meds after 3 or 4 days.\n\nPersonally, hemeopathy didn't work for me. I ended up very frustrated about taking them for so long and not feeling better.\n\nIf you do have OCD, I hope you find treatment that's right for you and helps you feel better. It's hard but hang in there. Write again if you have any other questions.\n\nIf you don't have ODC, I hope this info helps.