My doctor just prescribed this med to me and I've only taken it one day, had side effects such as upset stomach, cramps, and a really dull headache. I also woke up about an hour and a half earlier than I needed to. I know that there are side effects with antidepressant meds, I was on paxil for several years. Just wondering if anyone tried this particular one and how long did it take for the side effects to go away, or at least get better?

By Imamommyx4 on Thursday, February 8, 2007 - 08:48 pm:

As a medical professional, it's a good drug that alot of people have had good success with. It takes about 2 weeks for it to reach its baseline effect. It's like all meds. It may be great for one person and horrible for another. Like penicillin is a great antibiotic. But for the people who are allergic, it can be deadly.

I have a friend who has been taking it for a couple of years and does well on it.

Dh was prescribed it last year. It was so not the drug for him. He went bonkers on it. It was bad news for him.

Google Lexapro. There are some sites that people give their testimonies--both good and bad.

By Luvn29 on Thursday, February 8, 2007 - 08:57 pm:

I have been on it for about 3 and a half weeks now. My side effects went away very quickly. I am doing much better on it. I would give your body a few days to get used to the drug as long as they aren't serious adverse reactions.

Good luck!

By Anonymous on Thursday, February 8, 2007 - 10:25 pm:

Oh thanks for the info, it was encouraging for me. I had the pill in my hand thinking do I want to do this again with the upset stomach, headache etc, I know that I have to be realistic because these meds don't work right away. I just had a really sick in the stomach feeling today at work almost like I was getting the flu, I don't remember anything like that when i was on paxil, I'll hang in there as long as it's nothing worse otherwise.

By Luvn29 on Thursday, February 8, 2007 - 11:26 pm:

I take mine at night. That way, I'm sleeping when the pill is first in my stomach and my system. Try making sure you don't take it on an empty stomach. A lot of people are very sensitive to meds. I know that several cause me to feel sick to my stomach if I take it in the morning or on an empty stomach...

By Anonymous on Friday, February 9, 2007 - 07:43 am:

Adena, When you started your lexapro did you have trouble with bad headaches, and also getting up before wanted to? For the last two days I've gotten up about an hour and a half before I need to, not bad actually I know. Oh and I've been taking mine at night already and yesterday was my first "day" with it in my system and I felt pretty nausaus with the stomach cramps. I am hoping that the side effects go away sooner rather than later. Oh I heard that weight gain is one unpopular side effect with this med, I am already 25-30 pounds overweight according to charts and can't afford to gain anymore so that is one I will be watching carefully.

By Tarable on Friday, February 9, 2007 - 09:48 am:

I also take lexapro and it has done wonders for me. I also take mine at night. It does upset my stomach if I don't take it after I ate and I have been on it for over a year now. As for the weight gain I have not noticed that it has done that. I would definately talk to your dr about stomach cramps if they last much longer because that could become serious.

As for the waking up early I actually do notice that I do wake up about 30 min before my alarm a lot more than I used to but it has actually helped me deal with my children better in the morning than I used to.

Good luck with the meds, sometimes it takes a while to find the right one or the right dose.

By Luvn29 on Friday, February 9, 2007 - 11:55 am:

Well, I can't really contribute that to the Lexapro because I have so many problems with the "suspected MS" that I wake up numerous times during the night every night. But I do think restlessness can be one side effect, and I do think the side effects are supposed to let up rather quickly for this med.

If the stomach cramping gets a lot worse, or doesn't go away after a few days, you might want to check with the doctor just to be on the safe side.

I had some headaches, but again, I was also having some problems with my back pain, which the drs. feel is a neuropathy. I couldn't find any relief from that, until I had four steriod injections in my back on monday. So the headaches could have likely been tension headaches from the pain and fatigue coming from my back.

By Bobbie~moderatr on Friday, February 9, 2007 - 07:57 pm:

Took Lexapro for over a 2 years.. Took it at night because I would need a nap if I took it in the morning. I also had issues (if that is what you want to call it) with early wake ups but I felt great. Keep an eye on the stomach but don't rule out Lexapro to quick.. Oh and I didn't have weight gain issues either...

I am on Cymbalta now, two weeks and having a bit of issues but I am on other things too so not sure what is causing what.. But everything takes time to kick in, so I'm waiting..
I was fine with Lexapro but I have Fibro and Cymbalta is supposed to work better for that condition... So I agreed to switch..

Best of luck to the both of us, or shall I say all of us on new medications.. LOL

By Anonymous on Friday, February 9, 2007 - 09:14 pm:

Thank you ladies, I will let you all know how I am doing!

By Christylee on Friday, February 9, 2007 - 10:55 pm:

I took Lexapro a couple of years ago but then switched back to paxil cr, now I'm thinking of switching again to something else. I did not have the weight gain with Lexapro that I did the paxil but do remember some stomach issues at the beginning. Good luck.