i finally decided i might need an antidepressant and was prescribed lexapro. ive read some scary things about it and was wondering if anyone here has used it. thx in advance.

I tried it once, it gave me anxiety and weird feelings of being "outside my body" if that makes any sense. Doc promptly switched me to Wellbutrin (buproprion) which has been working fine. But everyone's chemistry is different; the only thing you can do is try it and make sure you and those around you are on the lookout for any odd symptoms.

It's not uncommon for people to have to try several different antidepressants, or combinations, before they get it just right. My only advice is to keep trying until you find your own personal formula...think of it as mixing your own custom perfume. :-)

Good luck!

Hi Juquai
I took lexapro for a few years. When I first started taking it I used to get really tired but then I got used to it.
I stopped taking it around 3 months ago, When I first stopped I got a bit down but after a month or so I started to feel good again.
I hope this helps you
Clare

Though I do not have an SCI, I have been on Lexapro for generalized anxiety for about 2 years. I don't know if it will react differently to someone with a spinal cord injury, but I swear by Lexapro. It has released me from my severe anxiety-induced Irritable Bowel Syndrome and let me focus back on my normal life. I haven't noticed any side effects since taking it. I even drink while on it and haven't had any negative effects. If I miss a dose, I can start to feel the anxiety slowly coming back. It can't hurt to try it and see how it reacts to your body. Many of my family members are on Selexa for depression which seems to work well for them. Selexa is basically the generic form of Lexapro so it tends to be cheaper.

Of course, it's essential to follow professional medical advice because they know, and people like me on forums don't know much and nothing of particular personal situations. But I still can't resist a caution to taking medications for depression. Lots of depression is ok and just part of learning. It's usually a reaction to something adverse going on in your life, as in your body giving you a clear message that something in your life or outlook needs to change. A drug won't give you the answer.

Consider this from Wikipedia regarding Lexapro: "The side effect profile of escitalopram is close to that of other SSRIs, with nausea, somnolence (sleepiness) and gastrointestinal side effects reported as relatively common. Escitalopram, like other SSRIs,[17] has been shown to cause sexual side effects such as decreased libido, ejaculatory delay, and anorgasmia."

Often, by taking an antidepressant you are trading one unpleasantness for another. If you have to take a drug then so be it but I've got faith in your own strength and knowledge.

I took it for about a year, and it actually did opposite of what it was supposed to do.

I'm taking it now and not sure if I really want to continue. I'm taking 20mg once daily. Since starting it 2 months ago, I have had more headaches & more unsettled stomach issues than normal. Don't know if it's coincidence or not.
~Stella

I was on it many years ago and had severe side effects (seizures) from it. turns out I'm allergic to ssri antidepressants. I also found no relief from my symptoms. several years and 9 med changes later I've found a medication (mirtazapine/Avanza) that works and doesn't give me severe side effects like seizures! You need to try other meds if this one doesn't work for you keep trying til you find one that is suitable for you.

Cathie

Hello Missy -

Hmmm (NOT YUM!) ... lexapro, huh? Do a favor for me - and yourself, maybe. Go back a few posts and reread nomis'. Think about it.

I took lexapro for almost three years. Tho't I had a problem. Well, I did have a problem, but it wasn't depression. Sure, it presented like depression, But that was just a symptom. (You know all this stuff - I'm guessin' you just have to kick yourself in the butt once or twice like I did.) Once I got counseling, the reason behind the depression became evident, and with continued help, I took care of it. Now, I feel great and got rid of all the dope. I was on a boatload for a while. Tell ya' what, kiddo - you're way too young and too attractive to be messin' with junk like that. I know - everybody and their dog says that. Well, there's a reason: It's true. Get out more. Be active. Work out more. DO stuff and don't let that crap get hold of ya'. It took me months to shake it off. Not pleasant.

Best wishes to you, young lady. Be well!

Back in November I was on Lexapro for a very short while. I always hate getting on medicine and especially shy away from antidepressants because of the stigma of being on them. But I was going through a really tough time with a bunch of different things and well, I honestly did it just to try it and shut my mother up about me going on something. I called the gyno, and had about a five second chat with the nurse where she basically surprised that I wasn't already on something to deal with the added pressures of my life. She called in the prescription, I didn't even have to go in and see anyone. Well.... I'm disastrously bad at taking medicine anyway. I always forget or don't care enough to remember. And I didn't feel like I was "messed up enough" to be on an antidepressant. No side affects or anything but I also never took it consistently enough for it to make a difference either. Finally I think after about 2 months of still have an almost full bottle, I threw it out.

My wife was using Lexapro. Said it worked well for her. I can attest to that also! Something about the cost became an issue though. She's searching for an alternative.

I was one of the unlucky less than 1 % that lexepro made suicidal, luckely i got off it on to another quick enough.

I've been using it for awhile now and have had no problems. I don't feel drastically different, but people around me say I've been much improved, so I'd say its worked for me (ie. helping me w/out making me feel wierd).