I just switched from PaxilCR to Lexapro for anxiety, any experiences with Lexapro?
605613
Probably a good choice, but please don't take the Xanax.  So many primary care docs think Xanax is the answer for everything.  There are many much better choices (Lexapro being one on my list.  Not at the top, but certainly on the list.)  I hospitalize at least one patient weekly for detox from Xanax.  It is FDA approved for use up to two weeks.  Yes, it will make you feel great for two weeks, but seriously, if I gave you something that made you feel great, then yanked it away, would you thank me for it??  It's not nice to put people on Xanax.  It is dangerous in long term use and most people take it for years, not weeks.  Do yourself a favor and flush it down the toilet.  If you absolutely must take it, limit youself to the smallest dose possible (they can be cut down to 0.25mg easily) and no more than two or three daily.  There are much safer alternatives and in my opinion, Xanax is absolutely inappropriate for any patient.  I was the medical director for the Katrina response for Northwest Louisiana and since the hurricane I have personally treated many hundreds of people with anxiety disorders.  I have not written a single script for Xanax.
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..
450350
My husband was taking lexapro, and I can definitely tell you he suffered major sexual side effects. Your doctor can tell you more about the side effects, but usually if you are having problems your doctor can switch meds, until you find something that works for you.
455935
I am also on Lexapro and I am extremely tired too.  I thought it was just me.  I have been on it for over a year.  I think we both need to speak to our doctors.
1074429
I've read that Paxil is more dangerous than Zoloft, but all anti-depressants can mess you up even more than you already are. I was thinking of getting a prescription for one until I read several articles & books on the subject and decided against it. I'm doing just fine now! :)
14620
I take Celexa, which is about the same thing as Lexapro, only less refined.  There is a generic form of Celexa, and THAT's what I go with.
273312
I was diagnosed with panic attacks and they are truly horrifying. I really sympathsize with you because most people who haven't had one think "you can talk yourself out of it."  I was prescribed Paxil and valium but the side effects of the Paxil sounded just as bad as the attacks. This sounds kind of silly but it helped me to use products containing Lavender. At bed time I use a lavender room spray for my pillow and lavender bubble bath etc. I thought it was silly when someone told me lavender contained a natural calming effect but it has helped me a lot. Plus, I got rid of the most stressful thing in my life... A creepy ex boyfriend! Good luck to you and remember that us worryworts usually make  mountains out of a molehills!
478725
I dont recall if you mentioned your age, but mine started as my hormone levels changed in my 30's.  It was not everyday, but most days, and usually when I was finished for the day, and had time to relax.  Ended up on Lexapro... then switched to Wellbutrin.  (gained weight on lex)\n\nbest thing I ever did.  \nAsk your therapist to recommend a Psychiatrist.
840702
I can tell you my experience & opinions, but please make your own decision about taking it. \nI'm taking Paxil right now for the 2nd time. I took it about 5 years ago and could really tell a big difference when I was on it. I had to stop taking it for insurance reasons. The withdrawals were difficult, but not unbearable. I fainted twice & was told that was normal!\nI have seen things in the news about it. I saw one news article where a woman couldn't tolerate the withdrawals of getting off of it so she stayed on it & said she'd be on it for the rest of her life.\nHaving gone on and off of several different medications over the years I can tell you that for me personally I'd rather have a week of bad withdrawls (anything from violent vomiting to headaches so bad you feel like you should go to the emergency room) than live a life time on a medication that I don't want to take.\nDifferent drugs affect people differently. Paxil may or may not be right for you. You should discuss any concerns about it with your doctor. He/she can tell you what to expect.
444765
Sid effects of paxil are--headaches,nervousness,insomnia,drowsiness,anxiety,trmor,dizziness,fatique,sedation, and more. These are just what you MAY get-you need to give the body time to adapt to the medication-and you may NEVER have a side effect. Please monitor your blood pressure while taking this.
1186192
I took the same dosage, and it works well for me.  It made me feel funny the first time, but now I can take it and feel ok.  I don't take it regularly, only when I'm really anxious and can't sleep, or I feel like I'm going to have a panic attack.  Good luck, I hope it helps you!
70549
I am and have been for several years now. Over the past year, they have switched mine around so much that I have definitely had some of those effects. It depends on the kind though. As long as you keep your doctor informed, take them every day like you are supposed to, and never just drop them cold turkey, you should be ok. \n\nI was always very wired on Welbutrin and oppositly always tired on paxil. You may have to try a couple types before you find one that is perfect for you, but give them a couple months to reach full potency in your system. It is well worth the struggle once you start to feel like you are in control of yourself again! Trust me, I've been depress for almost 15 years now. I finally admitted it and got treatment a couple of years ago and it has made a world of difference. Make sure you have a good therapist to talk to as well. \n\nOff topic, I really like your avatar. I've seen it a couple times and it always stood out!
482468
I've had SAD for about 5 years. I take Effexor XR for it, but it doesn't really help me. I've tried Paxil CR and it didn't help either, so I'm glad your anxiety medicine works. When I am having an anxiety attack, I lock myself in the bathroom, sit on the toilet, put my head between my knees, and breathe. I just keep trying to do the breathing from yoga until my breathing slows down and becomes regular. I don't know what makes me better-being alone, sitting, head forward, or yoga breathing, but it helps me. Sometimes I can't be in a confined space though, so I go outside, to try and calm my breathing, by looking at the trees, listening to sounds, stuff like that. I mostly have problems when I'm really upset or when I am somewhere where there is a lot of people. When I feel anxiety coming on, I try to breathe slowly, remind myself that everything is fine, no one is looking at me or judging me or talking about me, and I clench and release my fist. Or I just leave the store. This helps me, hope it helps you, and answers your question.
338952
Currently I am taking Xanex and Lexapro. The Lexapro is working so well that I rarly have to use the Xanex. Lexapro has side effects as all drugs do, and they are super bad for the first few days (nausia, tired) but once you get past that it is great. I have been on it for 2 weeks and I went to the bank today without freaking out, and without Xanex.So I love it. I took Zoloft for a while and it made me feel different. In a bad weird way. I love the way that Lexapro makes me feel. Well I am not as sexually aroused and can't climax right now, but hey it's not perminant and it is going to fix things.
843712
they are both good drugs, reasons for switch commonly are fialure to respond to a drug or lack of coverage from the insurance! if you are doing good on prozac or feeling even better then it is great, if you feel worse then let the doctor know and request to go back on lexapro, good luck
929904
this is a good antidepressant, by the name of paxil in usa, i would recommend you to feel free to write to me and I could discuss the side effects with you, good luck
956341
I started 10mg of Lexapro about 4 weeks ago, the drowsiness for me went away about into the 3rd week.  Sometimes after a long day, I just lay down and take a nap.  It does help, the benefits though of Lexapro outweigh the side effects.  There are side effects with ALL medications.  The good news is with antidepressants they eventually evaporate, or should anyway, if after a month it gets worse, or no better talk to your doc, he/she may have to change either the dosage or the med, or the time you are taking it.  They will help you, BUT you have to be patient and give it some time to do the job.  I know, I was inpatient too.  He first put me on zoloft and I turned into a zombie for 3 weeks, he took me off and put me on Lexapro.  I definitly had less side effects.  Hang in there, it could be worse, trust me.\nGood luck