Lexapro - Has anyone tried
#73408 - 05/25/04 04:57 PM
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Ashley
Reged: 05/05/04
Posts: 46
Loc: Maryland, USA
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it for IBS? My doctor put me on it and I was just wondering if anyone else here has taken it or knows anything about it. I think it's a pretty new antidepressant but my doctor felt it was pretty safe. I am praying it works for me.
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Do you know what the generic drug name is? We don't get the trade names over here and I haven't learnt many yet!
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YEP! I was on it for almost a year. I started with zoloft, that killed my sex drive, went to Wellbutrin, thought that might have been making my c worse so I switched to Lexapro. I stopped it a couple months ago because I am trying to get pregnant. I went about 2.5 months and was MISERABLE! I decided to go back on the Wellbutrin until I get pregnant and try to stop again.
OK, I DID like the Lexapro. Didn't notice any difference in my IBS C with the different drugs. The thing I didn't like about the Lexapro was I found the side effects just AWFUL the first 2-3 weeks started it and again 2-3 weeks stopping it. I didn't have those problems with the other brands of the SSRIs.
how long have you been on it? Have you noticed any side effects? Starting it, I was paranoid, anxious, shakey, sweaty, couldn't concentrate, had a terrible headache, the list goes on. but after 2-3 weeks ALL the side effects went away and I felt pretty good. It didn't "cure" my IBS, I still had tummy problems but it did help keep me more "even" so I could better deal with things. When I stopped it, I thought I was going to die! I had the worst headache for 2 weeks staright (I rarely get headaches, ever!) I crashed so hard, I WANTED to die! And yes, I did taper off it slowly, I weened myself off of it for about a month.
With all that being said, I would still be on it today if I hadn't stopped to get pregnant. When I realized I couldn't go without medication I decided to start back on the Wellbutrin because that one only takes me a couple of days to get used to. I will stop the Wellbutrin when I actually do get pregnant and didn't want to go through the withdrawal of the Lexapro again.
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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It was the worst thing in the world- I was nauseous, anxious, dry sweaty, crampy, gaggy, the list goes on. Tried dosing at night, then cut back by half. I felt like it was what I've heard chemo-therapy was like. The bottle itself made me heave...But that's only my side-effects....I'm particulalry drug sensitive and this one obviously wasn't for me...
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I'm on lexapro right now as well as wellbutrin.
The first week was frighten/terrible for me. My mind was racing. I couldn't sleep for about a week. I go through chills then fevers. It was hard for me to stay focused while I was driving... I called my Doc. everyday because I that I was having an allergic reaction.
Like my sister said you "Flying high as a kite." I started out with 2.5mg.Then after a week to 5 mg then 7.5 then 10mg. Once I got to about 7.5, i didn't go through all those effects anymore. I'm up to 20mg.
I like lexapro. I have no spasm for my IBS-C. It's actually helping with the "C". One side effect that I don't like is the sexual side effects. I started taking wellbutrin for that problem. So far it's helped. I would suggest starting slow with the lexapro. You should probably start it on a Friday morning, so you have a couple of days before going to work. Or maybe take a few days off, because of the effects. The first night I felt like I was a tv set and someone was changing the channels every second. That happened only once. At work, I couldn't keep up with typing what I thought....I was thinking way ahead of myself. The same with talking to someone. I'm scared about going off of it because I heard you do go through withdraws.
Good Luck!
-CHELA 
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side effects it might cause. My doctor said the same thing like you that after 2 weeks the side effects go away. Thanks, Michele for your help 
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I do ok with it. I really need something to help me relax.
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My doctor seemed very happy with this drug and said that the side effects usually go away after two weeks. Thanks for your help
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Lexapro
#73699 - 05/26/04 05:01 PM
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jenX
Reged: 08/11/03
Posts: 3252
Loc: Richmond, VA
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now, i have a different experience. i was on Lexapro for a while, put on it for IBS. i don't know that it helped with the IBS, but certainly i didn't have the horrible side effects that others are talking about...
i know that doesn't help you about the IBS, but maybe it helps to hear that there are people out there who weren't suffering terribly from the drug itself.... and the theory about SSRIs and other antidepressants helping with IBS is sound, i think it's just very difficult to find the right drug for each person...
good luck!
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don't know where you are in MD or if you're interested, but we've got a new support group going here in MD and i just posted the dates and locations for the next few meetings....
Support Group Boards
Ashley, i don't know if you've been over there, yet, but c'mon over even if you're not interested in going to a meeting. the trick is you've got to register separately over there, 'cause it's on a whole different server from this board.
anyway, good luck on the Lexapro!
*j
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Escitalopram. That's all I could find Sounds like it's only available in the US
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Thanks for all your help regardign lexapro. I have had no noticable side effects as yet. I have been taking it for a week now.
The responses you guys gave to me makes me more confident in using this drug.
Lene
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God never promised life would be easy, but he did promise to provide a way out!
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I just started taking it Sat morning. I feel like I've had 5 pots of coffee to drink....... kind of shaking a little too. My DR did warm me.... and suggested that I start it over the weekend. Good thing I have Monday too! It otherwise has not effected me.
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www.facebook.com/shell.marr
www.myspace.com/shellmarr
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I had a similar experience. The side effects were mild for me at first and now I don't have any. I had a bit of insomnia, dry mouth, excitability, lightheadedness--I felt pretty on edge the first week, I have to admit. That coulda been depresssion though! Overall, I'm happy with it though.
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--Julie
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yes, escitalopram is correct and you can get it in Europe. I started taking it in Austria and had a hard time getting here, so go figure!
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--Julie
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Hi Ashley,
I have been taking Lexapro for about a year now. It was prescribed just as an antidepressant- not for IBS. But I saw all the bad reactions to it here and I wasnted to say it was a life saver for me. I did do well with other anti depressants- and this was great for me. No side effects that I am aware of anyway- I may be evil- but I always was- .
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Just wondering, why do anti-depressants work for IBS? Is there a link between depression and IBS?
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To IamPat
#74997 - 05/31/04 12:27 PM
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ibsgrl
Reged: 04/18/04
Posts: 1060
Loc: Canada
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here are a few posts/pages that may be helpful and answer your question...
web page
web page
web page
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Re: To IamPat
#75141 - 06/01/04 07:24 AM
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IamPat
Reged: 05/21/03
Posts: 6
Loc: Brampton, ON Canada
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Thank you! That explains a lot!
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Quote:
I just started taking it Sat morning. I feel like I've had 5 pots of coffee to drink....... kind of shaking a little too. My DR did warm me.... and suggested that I start it over the weekend. Good thing I have Monday too! It otherwise has not effected me.
I'm on day 13th.... I sure hope the side effects end soon. I'm wondering if it is not the Lexapro that is making me sleepy during the day..... I MUST nap in my car at the end of lunch if only for 10 mins this whole week. I NEVER needed a nap before.... I'm not sleeping "sound" at night and wake up with a very dry mouth. Being sleepy during the day is driving me crazy.... cross fingers that ends soon!
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www.facebook.com/shell.marr
www.myspace.com/shellmarr
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Quote:
Quote:
I just started taking it Sat morning. I feel like I've had 5 pots of coffee to drink....... kind of shaking a little too. My DR did warm me.... and suggested that I start it over the weekend. Good thing I have Monday too! It otherwise has not effected me.
I'm on day 13th.... I sure hope the side effects end soon. I'm wondering if it is not the Lexapro that is making me sleepy during the day..... I MUST nap in my car at the end of lunch if only for 10 mins this whole week. I NEVER needed a nap before.... I'm not sleeping "sound" at night and wake up with a very dry mouth. Being sleepy during the day is driving me crazy.... cross fingers that ends soon!
Dangit....I can hardly keep my eyes open... I keep putting my head down on my desk......(that can't be good)  Good thing the boss is gone most of the day...... about another hour and I can take a nap in my car at lunch again.
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www.facebook.com/shell.marr
www.myspace.com/shellmarr
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