Does Lexapro Help With Physical Symptoms
1 Does Lexapro Help With Physical Symptoms Loading
2 Does Lexapro Help With Physical Symptoms Loading
3 Does Lexapro Help With Physical Symptoms Loading
4 Does Lexapro Help With Physical Symptoms Loading
5 Does Lexapro Help With Physical Symptoms Loading
6 Does Lexapro Help With Physical Symptoms Loading
Questions and Answers
How long do Lexapro withdrawl symptoms last? I've tapered off Lexapro and the side effects are killing me! I feel fine as far as depression and anxiety are concerned, but the physical symptoms are awlful - dizziness, nausea, nightmares, night sweats, strange tingling in my face and head . . .

sunshine replied: "Two weeks to one month. It depends on how long you have taken it. Hang in there."

crazy_fuzzy_bunny replied: "The general rule on psychotropic / Antidepressant medication is two weeks in, two weeks out. It takes to weeks for it to enter and leave the system. Good luck!"

Does anyone continue to have the physical symptoms of anxiety even while on medication? i have started lexapro a week ago for depression and i also started clonazepam .5mg at night for anxiety symptoms. the thing is, i never feel nervous or anxious i just am sick of feeling sick, i feel nauseous, unbalanced, light headed and shaky and this is worse sometimes for no reason at all. the doctor cant find anything physically wrong so they have put it down to anxiety. the clonazepam has helped a little but i am still feeling the nausea and diarrhea and it makes me literally sleep for 18 hours a day. i hve not had any tests like gastroscopy or endoscopy etc, just blood, urine and feaces. does anyone still have physical symptoms like this even when on medication? what should i do, i cant stand this anymore. i havent been able to go to work and i am trying to look after a baby. any advice is greatly appreciated.

freemanmike808 replied: "I have something called Borderline Personality Disorder, the symptoms of which include anxiety and depression. I take busphar 10 mg for anxiety and Affexor for depression....they both work to a certain degree but it doesnt make me feel 100%. I find that excersise does miracles for relieving anxiety, stress and depression. Plus it is healthy and makes you look better. I know you don't feel like getting up and excersisng, trust me Ive been there...but once you start moving and break a sweat you feel better So my advice is excercise. Go take a walk with your baby stroller, or go run wiht your dog. hit the gym. good luck"

Lilith replied: "Could it be Post Natal Depression?"

cupcakexo108 replied: "Yeah. I have had these symptoms when I first started. Clonazepam will knock you out. When I first took it I was out for at LEAST 20hrs. Which is why your doctor prescribed it to you at night. You might be able to take your clonazepem earlier that you normally would to help you out a little bit. Like someone before me said, your best bet is to go outside and walk or find someway to actually make yourself get up. Anything to bring your energy back up. And to help your nausea you might want to try some chamomile or something like that to help you. Hot tea works well also. Hope I helped. :)"

Scarlite replied: "go to a real doctor there may be something else wrong with you. exercise. smoke weed."

Tim replied: "Your nausea could be a side effect of your antidepressant. I find the best cure for nausea is marijuana, sorry for all you haters out there. I also have anxiety and a little bit of depression. Clonazepam is a benzodiazepine, so you should not take it every night. I recommend using natural products such as Melatonin and Valerian for sleep. If anything, I'd take Clonazepam during a stressful situation during the day, it makes anxious scenarios very manageable. Did your nausea start after you started taking an antidepressant regimen? Try switching to something different. I was on Effexor XR which worked great for a few months but eventually I got used to it, when I stopped taking it, I had a few withdrawal symptoms but the anxiety and depression was at that point very manageable. Then, I got arrested for an MIP under a ridiculous scenario. It really put me through a lot of stress and caused my depression and anxiety to rebound. Perhaps something or someone has had an effect on you? Maybe you should talk to someone about how you feel."

Lexapro withdrawal-emotional/mental symptoms? Hi, I was taking Lexapro for two months and now stop taking it. I dosed down little by little (3/4pill one week, 1/2 pill one week, etc) and now it has been two weeks with no meds at all and one week of no St. John's Wort as an herbal supplement. I am flipping out. I have no strong physical symptoms (nausea, etc) except a little dizziness, but I am mentally everywhere. I am SO anxious, worse than before, filled with crazy fears that come and go, then feel depressed because I feel like this will never go away. These feelings make me dizzy and turn my stomach. My mind is always working and turning and at the end of the night I am exhausted. I feel like I must have huge problems. Is this rebound anxiety/depression? When I had my 1st panic/anxiety attack, I went on Lex before it got worse b/c it seemed unbearable but is this actual withdrawal?? It is indeed unbearable!

Jen T replied: "Did your Dr tell you to stop Meds??? Start taking them. You need them, and you know it. Or ask the Doc for something else."

The Tridentine Avenger replied: "It doesn't sound like withdrawal. I think it's more likely that the underlying anxiety and depression that you were trying to treat in the first place are still there. Depression cannot be cured, only treated. You may be on antidepressants for a long time. Years or decades, perhaps. But in light of what you're going through, I think you'll agree that taking antidepressants is far better than *not* taking them."

opester replied: "No, those symptoms are not withdrawal and represent the return of symptoms that the medication was previously helping to control. Serotonin withdrawal usually results in some nausea and lightheadedness/dizziness or a sort of spacey feeling, but not an increase in anxiety at the level you describe, particularly when you came off the lexapro gradually. Sometimes getting off the meds is the best way to determine whether or not you still need them, as many folks are able to do okay without meds after chemical imbalances and distorted thoughts have been corrected. Anxiety symptoms often tend to be more pernicious and tend to return once meds have been withdrawn and this usually indicates you will need to stay on them. I don't know your reasons for wanting to stop meds, but talk with your doc if side effects were a problem as there are various avenues for addressing them when the meds were actively working to control symptoms."

Kellie replied: "Well first off, did you decide to stop your medicine, or did your doctor? because I haven't heard of cutting your pills in to 3/4 before. Reguardless of which happened, It sounds like you definately need medication for depression and anxiety. Sometimes after you stop a medication like that when your symptoms return they increase, and when you go back on medication you need a higher dosage. You really need to talk to your doctor, and don't start or stop a medication without going through them. Also if you experience any problems consult your doctor also, so they can adjust your medicine appropriately."

pizzaboy replied: "I feel your pain !! I was only on it 1 month and fought a lot of demons in my head. The best thing you can do is first talk to your Dr. I did the St. Johns wort and still do and I do some meditative breathing and relax my mind and think positive of yourself and find something in your mind that makes you feel OK. I think of a field of grass on a summers day and long deep methodical breathing and it allows me to put things into perspective and don't let your mind race as it is a muscle and you are in control of it. You have to decide for yourself to do that and the rest will follow. I'm living proof of that I was just told by my wife of 20 years it's over, lost my job, and my mom is headed for a nursing home sounds crappy right. Well if I let it eat me up it will, so I take control as you should and if you really want to you can. Good luck and keep positive"

firedragon729 replied: "yes it is. it is the same kind of withdrawal as ppl go thru from other drugs and alcohol. i went thru the same thing as u from paxil. ur body became used to having the lexapro everyday, now that its not recieving it its 'undoing' the changes that the drug has made and is your mind is pissed off from not getting the drug. it should go away in 1-2 weeks. hang in there."

How did anyone who was on an antidepressant get off of it? I tried getting off of Lexapro and the physical symptoms are just so bad. Also felt so depressed too, so I had to go back on it. It does not help me and I feel detached. Has anyone gotten off of an antidepressant by going on something else or by weaning???? Any suggestions......I have not been able to function since Dec. 2006 thanks Dianne

tara replied: "this will help you. this is about all antidepressants"

past_princess replied: "I took Lexapro, and though it worked for me, it doesn't work for everyone. If its not working for you TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR!!!!!!!!! Get off gradually, do not get impatient, and try something else. Every medicine is different. Something else might work for you. but at least talk to your doctor about gradually getting off the lexapro."

Brittany M replied: "ahhh i'v been on lexapro since i was 15 (almost 21 now). During the sumers i normally don't feel like ineed it so i go off and then find myself suffering during the winters.. or maybe just that "one week a month" time. I know EXACTLY what you mean about going off of lex. suddenly... feel like your walking in a daze, deppressed easily.. etc... the best way i found to get off lexapro is for about 2 weeks when you know your going to be stopping do this 1st week: cut your pills in half and only take a half a day 2nd week: 1/2 pill every other day by the 3rd week you should be fine to just jump off of them.... as for suggestions about doing something else for your deppression i don't have one. I'm not a druggy but i beleive in antideppresseants.. when used as directed of course... i have tried alot of different things, excersise, meditation, etc. and found that they work on the daily times but if something happens that throws me off, i'm right back into the terrible times. If your not liking Lexapro you can tell your dovtor you want to try a different brand. there's tons of them out there!"

Sarah Kristen replied: "i was also on lexapro..didnt like it and switched to effexor. i am no longer taking anti depressants. it was extremely hard to wean myself off of it so i will be praying for you. you really should talk to your doctor, as soon as i shared my symptoms and side effects with my doctor she said okay lets fix it. ive been off of them for about 10 months and i feel better now. weaning me off with the effexor helped me alot! because we are both different people and made differently i cannot tell you what to do except to ask your doctor!! he or she is the only one who can truly help you for the better. good luck in getting your life back!"

fifty replied: "There have been lots of reports here about the difficulty of getting off several antidepressants. This is helpful information for anyone considering the use of antidepressants. It appears from your post that Lexapro reduces your depression but causes physical symptoms and leaves you feeling detached. It seems that it would be best to take a different antidepressant since when you got off of this one, you experienced depression. Since you need to get a prescription, talk with your doctor about getting off of this one. You might call your doctor and tell him/her that you need a different prescription and ask if you should come in before or after you are off this one. Ask your doctor how you should get off this one and onto the next one. Perhaps some overlap is warranted or perhaps your doctor will want you off of this one first. Someone above posted a decent way of getting off of your current medication. You can get a pill splitter at Wal-Mart and you can get off as slowly as you'd like. You can take 3/4 of a pill for a week or until you adjust and then go to 1/2, 1/4, 1/8th. Good luck."

zen replied: "Well Diane, if you have a mood disorder like I do, then it's a chemical imbalance. I have anxiety/depression and the doc said that seratonin wasn't going to my brain correctly, making me feel yukky. I an in my forties and have felt this way since kindergarten. I will be on the med for a lifetime. One pill a day to keep me feeling great! What a bargain!! My hubby is diabetic because of his glucose. He takes a pill a day so he doesn't die. Again, what a bargain! I took Lexipro, which worked good for me, but Paxil's my med of choice! I just got the prescription and started up the next day! Unfortunately, I got the "body's got to get used to the new med" side effects for the initial two weeks. You know, nausea and fatigue. But, it is worth my peace of mind and SANITY!!!!!!!"

jade129 replied: "Talk to your doctor - sometimes you need to be on an antidepressant for a while to kick start your brain then you can go off of it."

erin.savage replied: "I weened off of Cymbalta a couple of months ago and it was brutal. The withdrawal symptoms were horrible and it really took over 2 weeks for them to die down. is my personal addiction site but I have made a lot of posts about going through the Cymbalta withdrawal and what I did to make the withdrawal bearable. Check it out, maybe it will help."

If I am having bad Lexapro withdrawal symptoms while pregnant will a doctor put me on temporary disability? So, I have been taking Lexapro 20mg for about 4 years which saved my life. I was completely unable to function, couldnt leave home, couldnt drive, couldnt face people. Now I have just found out I am pregnant (unplanned) and because there is no concrete information or study on the effects of Lexapro on unborn babies I decided to get off of it asap. I've been weening myself off and am finding myself going right back to where I was 4 years ago only worse because I'm having these horrible brain spaz's, total confusion, emotional outbursts, etc... It's horrible but I want to fight this out, I'd rather suffer myself then risk having an abnormal child. What I'm wondering is if I can ask my doctor to put me on early disability or does it have to be an actual physical and not mental disability in order to qualify??

Paul A replied: "Well, Lexapro withdrawals are physical symptoms! I've been there, and done that. A couple years ago, the doctor switched me from Lexapro to Wellbutrin, and said there was no problem doing that. Ha-ha - was he wrong! I think the brain zaps (or whatever they're called) are the worse thing, they are horrible! It never hurts to talk to your doctor, tell him your concerns - and see if he will give you at least a couple weeks to get over the withdrawals. Best of Luck :-)"

Rambo replied: "That would depend on your insurance policy, or state program depending which state you're in."

Upping dose of Lexapro 10mg-20mg sight effects? I had nausea when I started on Lexapro for the first few days, when you up your dose do you have physical symptoms like your starting all over again? A friend told me you dont notice because it's already in your system??

Michele L replied: "Some experience temporary side effects and others do not. 20mg is still not a high dose of Lexapro."

Doctor/ People with physical anxiety symptoms please help? Hi, I really don't know where to start but Im so scared and tired of feeling like this. It all started age 19 during the summer ..On night I got up off a chair and felt like i was going to pass out It was such a horrible feeling. I went to sleep the next morning i woke up and the feeling was still there ...I felt head pressure, weakness, numbness, muscle spasms and general feeling of being ill the worst symptom was very bad chest pains. I went to ER as the chest pains were so bad I was told I had a long QT and told to stay in for tests .... I had several ECG'S and then a 24 hour heart monitor they told me to go home i was fine. I went home still with chest pains and with the words the doctor had told me before the tests saying i had a slight long QT. The week after a boy in my school died from this. I was so scared I went back to my GP who said that there was no signs of any long QT so he didnt understand why this was mentioned to me. Im 22 now I had got over the chest pains. I have been on lexapro and cymbalta but am currently only on xanax which i find is a great help. About 3 weeks ago i developed a lower back pain which got worse as the weeks went on I went to my doctor who told me I had a kidney infection .. When I finished the antibiotics I went back and the pain hadn't passed. Then sunday morning the pain got so bad I had to go to ER I was in so much discomfort, The doctor injected me with two painkillers neither of them touched on the pain. He did blood work with was all fine except slightly raised WBC and anaemia. I have had this raised WBC for a while but my GP tells me its nothing to worry about. Surely its not normal. I still have the back pain the only thing the doctor said came up on the xray was that i was constipated yet i have regular bowel movements. Im in pain right at this moment and feel generally unwell. The doctors keep saying there is nothing wrong with me but how can this be true if i feel so physically sick. I keep thinking it must be cancer somewhere in my body. My mind cannot cause all this. Im so scared ..I was training to be a teacher and my life fell apart ..I got excellent grades then had to drop out because of how i felt. I am due to start college next week again but will probably not be able to with this discomfort. I have been to see psychologists etc... and there is nothing to signify a trigger for this. Could I be seriously ill? Please help me ..I cry every night I just want to feel well again.

retox replied: "It sounds like you have chronic anxiety about your health. Everytime a doctor tells you are OK, you either don't believe them or find another reason to go back to them with another problem. If you are not careful, this will completely destroy your life. You are so young and right now should be having the best time of your life. At your age, the chances of you having cancer or a serious illness are very small indeed. Unnecessary blood tests are just going to make you feel worse - most of our bloods change on a daily basis - slight anaemia and raised WBC are nothing to worry about - it's not a sign of cancer. As for your heart/chest pains honestly, if you had something seriously wrong with you, you would have died by now! If you were seriously ill you would certainly know about it - if you have ever seen someone have a heart attack you will see what I mean. My suggestion to you is to go and talk to your doctor and ask for some counselling about your phobia and fear of illness. In the meantime, learn to brush off minor ailments and you will soon forget about them. It also sounds like your doctor is too quick to hand out anti depressants and antibiotics without looking at the bigger picture - I am no doctor but it is clear to me that you have anxiety."

nano replied: "When your doctor said you were constipated had he done an X-ray of your abdomen to see how bad the constipation really was? I had to pick my son up from school when he was about 8 years old. He broke out crying his eyes out with his back and chest hurting. Freaked the teachers out because he was never sick and never gave them any trouble. It didn't do anything for me, either. When I got to the school he couldn't stand up straight or walk. It turned out he was constipated, compacted almost to the point of vomiting it up. I had no clue he was like that because he was still going every day, or every other. We spent 5 days in the hospital. I would recommend you get an X-ray if he didn't do one, just to make sure. It's not something you want to mess around with."

Does this sound like depression or a physical ailment? I know this is a lot and the list is very long but please take the time to read this and take it seriously because I am truly suffering.This is a SERIOUS question look for serious answers. I am seeing professionals soon but I need to know right now what it is most likely to be and if I will ever recover. I am a 21 year old male and it has been twelve days since this started. I have seen little to no improvement. Here is the list of what is going on with me. Some things happen only sometimes and other things (like the uneasy stomach) I feel on a constant and unending basis. -wake up every morning with a soar throat (I have GERD, is this it?) -24/7 stomach ache that is sometimes worse but is always present -complete loss and lack of appetite where as before I would eat a lot -feel full or sick after small meals (most of the time) -significant weight loss since feeling sick -Pressure/pain in anus (doctor said it was a hemorrhoid but I'm not sure. I only feel this sometimes) -possible blood in stool (I had a fecal occult blood test and it was normal. I always check my stool after a movement.) -Feeling like I have to go the bathroom but I don't (sometimes) -Feeling like I'm choking (somewhat rare) -Feeling like it is hard to breathe (sometimes) -Aches and pains, including very short-lasting headaches (sometimes) -no sex drive at all (all the time) -generally feeling sick (all the time, sometimes it is worse) -frustrated (most times) -unhappy (most times) -can't get enjoyment or peace from anything anymore (most times) -feeling nausea (sometimes, somewhat frequent) -worried (most times) -thinking I'm going to die (most times) -thinking I have an illness (almost all the time) -constantly wanting/seeking reassurance (most times) -having a deep desire to be better or normal again (all the time) -thinking I'm not going to get better (most times) -feel short-lasting throbbing in back of legs (sometimes, what on earth is it?) -chest pains (sometimes) -tightening in center of chest (sometimes) -weird heartbeat (sometimes) -sweaty palms (sometimes) -restlessness (most of the time) -insomnia (sometimes) -shaking (sometimes) -lump in throat (sometimes) -tingling (sometimes, mostly during an anxiety attack) -need more effort to do things (most times) -yawning more (sometimes) -irrational fears (almost all the time) -feel weird things in body (almost all the time) -when i lay on my stomach I feel like there is a bump or something there (when I was laying on my stomach in bed last night it almost felt like a mass was there) -feel large bump in my chest (honestly I think it is my bone but I am over weight and it is more prominent on the left side) -feel like something is in my rectum (hemorrhoid probably?) -afraid to take medicine (whenever I need to take anything) -always looking/researching symptoms online for help or diagnosis (most times) -wanting doctor's to check me out (sometimes) -always thinking the doctor is not thorough or missed something (all the time) -desperate for help (most times) -regurgitation (acid reflux, not vomiting) -short stomach throbs (sometimes) -stool looks different (most the time) -feeling on edge (sometimes) -can't tell whether it is a physical ailment causing anxiety or anxiety causing physical ailments (all the time, it feels like I get physically sick BEFORE I get anxious or panicky) -fear of going places or being trapped (most times) -constantly taking my temperature (sometimes) -constantly feeling my chest to feel my heart or other parts of my body (sometimes) -trying to cope but I don't feel well all day everyday (all the time) -panicky (sometimes) -sometimes difficult to concentrate (sometimes) -panic attacks (sometimes) -sometimes i feel cold (i never used to feel cold, maybe chills?) -scared something is wrong with me (all the time) -very afraid that this 24/7 feeling of being sick will not go away (all the time) Does this sound mental or physical? Am I going to be normal again? It has been 12 days since I started feeling sick. Before then I was clumsy with taking my Lexapro and pretty much stopped taking it. I have started taking my medicine again at the first onset of symptoms 12 days ago. Please answer the following: 1) Does this sound mental or physical? 2) Do you think I am going to return to normal? Thank you so much. Responses are GREATLY appreciated.

Dominique replied: ", My friend has been thinking about trying the Acai Berry. She heard on Oprah and Rachel Ray that it works really well. You might want to check it out."

Lexapro - need help dosaging ? My doc has me on 10 mg. I started at 2.5 then 5 then 10mg. I feel great. Anxiety which I had terribly is GOne, but I have no sex drive which isnt important to me as I never really had one anyway, but I am so tired at night and have a hard time waking up in the morning which would be ok exceopt I have 3 children under the age of 4 and they wake up early - 5:30 AM. Would you say the benefits in my case outweigh having a hard time waking up or could I reduce the 10mg to 7mg? I can not do 5 mg because I regain my physical symptoms of anxiety which are terrible and I am also anxious then too. Any ideas? As I reread my question it would be nice now that I dont have the anxiety to be excited about a sex life, but I am willing to forgo that for peace of mind.

Rahrah replied: "Do NOT self regulate your medications. Talk to your doctor and see if he/she will change your medication levels - a good doctor will work with you to solve all issues."

CATHY J replied: "The side effects should disappear within time. I am glad that you are feeling better, so just hang in there. I am taking Lexapro too and more then that, it is hard to get up in the morning, but I did not think it was because of the medication. 10mg is the standard dose people take on Lexapro. So you are still within normal limits."

DepressionAwareness replied: "I am taking Lexapro (20mg/day). Lexapro is known to cause fatigue. How long have you been on the 10mg? It might take your body a little while to adjust to the increase. The best thing to do is speak to your doctor about this. I would not recommend decreasing the amount you take without talking to your doctor. Your seretonin levels could rapidly drop, and that would cause your symptoms to increase."

jdphd replied: "this is really a question for your doctor. no one on the board, not even a physician, would be able to give you the best answer because none of us know your particular situation. do not change your medication regime at all without speaking with your doctor."

Bob replied: "Talk to your doctor. I was up to 40 mg of Lexapro but that was fueling manic behavior. Lexapro does different things to different people - how much sleep are you getting each night? Try going to bed at the exact same time as the children for a couple of days and see if the tiredness and no sex drive go away BEFORE talking to your doctor."

Depression/Anxiety or Physical Illness? Please take the time to read this. I am afraid and need help. I'm a 21 year old male. I've been on Lexapro for years for panic disorder. I've recently been skipping many doses of my Lexapro and stopped taking it abruptly about 2 weeks ago. About 2 weeks after abruptly stopping the Lexapro I suffered what was diagnosed as a panic attack. I called 911 and went to the emergency room. Lungs look good. Throat look good. Heart sounded good. All vital signs seem fine. I've had a blood test a few months ago that was normal. I've started taking my Lexapro again in hope that this is a mixture of withdrawal symptoms and the underlying cause (my anxiety disorder) resurfacing. My symptoms are as follows: Stomach ache (maybe cramps?) Nausea Breathing difficulty Chest pain Decreased energy Unhappy Generally feeling sick Short-lasting aches and pains (very short head pain, additional stomach pain, and pain in random areas) Constant thoughts that I am dying The most upsetting symptom is the nausea and abdominal discomfort because it is constant. Sometime it feels better than other times but it is always there and it is very saddening and debilitating. Do you think this is a physical ailment? I fear that I am dying. Does this sound like I am? Do I have a right to be at a state of high anxiety or am I exaggerating things? I'm afraid that I am going to die.

Lab Chick replied: "You are NOT dying. It is a combination of your anxiety disorder and taking the Lexapro again. It usually takes a few weeks for meds for panic disorders to build up to therapeutic levels and kick in. Hang in there, you'll be fine."

xx replied: "THOSE ARE CLASSIC ANXIETY SYMPTOMS/SIGNS"

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