Experiences with Escitalopram?
Experiences with Escitalopram?
Recently got prescribed 10MG by my doctor because he thinks my anxiety is affecting my hypertension. Been about a month now and it seems like it's maybe working, my BP is down. So far no side affects, my Doc said it could affect my libido or even give me ED, but so far I can still... uhhh... do the deed just fine. Also no weight gain, if anything I've lost a few pounds.
Idk just curious people experiences.
I've been on 20mg for depression for a while now and it's given me the least trouble out of the ones I've tried. It has dampened my sex drive a little bit, but that's okay. Recently had to switch to 40mg citalopram as a subsitute since my insurance ran out and my brother went on vacation to Mexico and that's what they had. Haven't noticed any adverse side effects.
Lexapro is pretty mild as far as that class of meds go.
I don't remember it bring substantially different to Zoloft. It was a lot weaker than the 120 mg of cymbalta I used to be on, which did reduce libido a bunch
Been on 20mg for depression for a few years now. Never heard of it being used for BP, but it's been good for my mental health I think. I definitely get brain zaps if I miss more than a day in a row tho.
Never heard of it being used for BP
I could be wrong, but @ManFreakBeast@hexbear.net may be using BP to mean blood pressure, not bipolar
Well it's more that my anxiety causes BP issues.
Wtf are brain zaps?
When you stop a lot of antidepressants, some people will feel like an uncomfortable shock going through your head randomly. Depends on the person and medication tho
I can't remember my dosage but I was on it in college. Made it impossible to orgasm... Would get right up to the edge and then...flaccid... Was absolutely not ok. And yeah getting off it meant brain zaps for a month which wasn't like painful or anything but was not pleasant.
Ive been on it for like 5 or 6 years. My libido was fine at 10 mg but at one point I went up to 15 mg and it got a bit worse (but its still good enough).
It also prevented me from being suicidal and living in a depression pit during really tough grad school times.
I have gained about 60 lbs since then but i cant blame it entirely on lexapro.
Just make sure to never miss doses. If you miss 2 doses you will absolutely get the brain zaps and just overall feel confused and weird.
Also, if/when you desire to stop the medication, you need to do a very slow taper, slower than your doctor says. People recommend lowering your dose by 10% a month, it will take a long time but its much better for your brain and you will be more likely to stay off it.
Personally, my life and mental health has gotten into a better place and soon im hoping to taper back down to 10 mg soon. Maybe go even lower afterwards. Its not perfect but it sounds like you are having some success so far and for me was better then the alternative
If you don't mind me asking, do you drink? Cuz I noticed they advise against drinking on the pill bottle but my Doc said that just means excessive binge drinking, and a few beers or some wine is fine. I like a nice beverage now and again but I don't wanna get messed up.
Have taken 10mg for anxiety. Take it before bed since it makes me sleepy. Has almost completely eliminated a lifetime of low-medium grade anxiety. Makes it difficult to orgasm which isn't great. YMMV.
Edit: also it makes my dreams way more "literal" than ever. Like I never used to dream about shit that happened that day. Now I always do. Also I'm now prone to kick in my sleep.