Reged: 06/01/04
Posts: 7013
Loc: Maine (IBS-A stable since July '05!)
I'm on Lexapro 10mg. I started Sept. 1 on 5mg/day, and increased to 10mg on Sept. 9. This is my first experience with ADs.
Side effects were mostly extreme tiredness and dizziness, diarrhea and cramping. I was literally sleeping 16 hours a day for the first 3-4 days. The tiredness and dizziness went away completely by the time I increased my dosage, D and cramping took a little longer. The only long-term side effect I've noticed is sensitivity to heat and humidity.
I was put on Lexapro for anxiety, not depression. I felt better anxiety-wise by my 4th day! I'm not constantly anxious and nervous, I feel calmer and better able to cope with stress. It's fantastic. My appetite has increased a lot, which is something my doctor and I were aiming for, so that's been positive as well. I haven't noticed any good effects on my IBS yet, but I haven't been on it very long, so I'll be sure to come back and update if I do.
I just wanted to add that I was very, very hesitant to go on ADs. In fact, I was STILL dead-set against it, even as I was swallowing my first pill. I was afraid they'd make me an emotionless zombie, and that they'd destroy my libido, and that hasn't been the case at all. I feel like MYSELF again for the first time in years.