Lexapro

kitty4me · ‎03-21-2010

I was prescribed this once before and never took it. Now prescribed again since I'm dealing with Lung Cancer which was O was able to have been Operated for. Has anyone taken this? If so what for? What do you think of it? Does it help? Thanks!

Posh Poodle · ‎06-27-2011

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. What you are going through must be difficult. As an RN, I see the reasoning behind why you are placed on lexapro. Most, not all, cancer patients are prone to deal with additional issues during their treatment: some being depression, anxiety, and anemia. I think it's wise of your healthcare provider to prescribe you an anti-depressant (e.x. lexapro), and as long as there are no contraindications or allergies to you taking lexapro, then go ahead and start it now since it can take weeks for a person to feel the full benefits of an antidepressant. Also, has your doctor recommended an iron supplement? Depending on your case, it may benefit you as well since maintaining energy/strength during treatments and procedures can be quite challenging. Really, it's best to go ahead and start supplemental treatment like this early in the game so you'll approach your battle with cancer better equipped. It's hard enough going through the treatments, much less piling on top of that depression, anemia, and anxiety. I wish you all the best in your fight against cancer. Take one day at a time. If it's a good day, enjoy that day and what you can accomplish. If it's a bad day, then deal with those as they come. I pray for you to have a full recovery. Blessings to you.

K9buddy · ‎03-09-2010

My cousin takes lexapro for depression and says it's really helped her. Wishing the best for you.

MalteseMomma · ‎03-09-2010

I was prescribed it too and only took it for one or two days.Holidays are bad for me because I lost both my DH and my son on Thanksgiving. So when I took it I became horrible and ruined everyones Christmas

It takes a long time to work,it has to get into your system first,maybe about a month Maybe if I had stayed with it,it may have helped..

I was afraid of it. I am the type of person that hates to get hooked on anything ,so I did without it .

Wishing you all the best as you recover.

colliegirls · ‎05-13-2012

I was prescribed Lexapro after our son died and I was having panic attacks. It was a miracle drug for me and I had absolutely no side effects. For those who are going through some really difficult times, it is a life saver.

RedTop · ‎09-01-2010

I feel sure this medication was prescribed to address your anxiety, and prevent depression.

Trudey · ‎03-11-2010

@kitty4me I can't help with Lexapro but I do want to offer my best wishes for a full recovery.

Trinity11 · ‎11-16-2014

@kitty4me wrote:
I was prescribed this once before and never took it. Now prescribed again since I'm dealing with Lung Cancer which was O was able to have been Operated for. Has anyone taken this? If so what for? What do you think of it? Does it help? Thanks!

A relative took this and had a terrible withdrawal from it. It landed her in the ER with severe brain zaps and discomfort. She was so agitated she was there for days until they could get her stabalized. I would just ask my physician if there are any other meds that can help with depression with fewer side effects. This is purely anecdotal of course....do whatever you feel comfortable with but just a heads up.

As always, I wish you all my best and continue to keep you in my prayers, Kitty.

Reba055 · ‎06-23-2014

@Trinity11 wrote:
@kitty4me wrote:
I was prescribed this once before and never took it. Now prescribed again since I'm dealing with Lung Cancer which was O was able to have been Operated for. Has anyone taken this? If so what for? What do you think of it? Does it help? Thanks!
A relative took this and had a terrible withdrawal from it. It landed her in the ER with severe brain zaps and discomfort. She was so agitated she was there for days until they could get her stabalized. I would just ask my physician if there are any other meds that can help with depression with fewer side effects. This is purely anecdotal of course....do whatever you feel comfortable with but just a heads up.

As always, I wish you all my best and continue to keep you in my prayers, Kitty.

@Trinity11 @kitty4me Lexapro is usually well tolerated with few side effects. The reaction Trinity11's relative had is especially unusual. Lexapro works on serotonin only. Normally brain zaps and agitation occurs more with drugs that work on serotonin and norepinephrine ,with norepinephrine being the guilty culprit. Effexor is well known for that. Some people with an underlying mood disorder have severe reactions to antidepressants. Of course anything can happen. But I would say a severe reaction to Lexapro is unlikely.

Best of luck to you kitty4me.

winamac1 · ‎12-29-2010

@kitty4me wrote:
I was prescribed this once before and never took it. Now prescribed again since I'm dealing with Lung Cancer which was O was able to have been Operated for. Has anyone taken this? If so what for? What do you think of it? Does it help? Thanks!

I'm so sorry to learn of your diagnosis. I am sending prayers. Lexapro is a SSRI used for depression and anxiety disorders.

I used to promote to psychiatrists an antidepressant that competed with Lexapro. Lexapro was a very good product, and the physicians liked it as it appeared to have fewer side effects than a lot of the antidepressants. The best way to start on any antidepressant or psychotropic medication is to start at a low dose and then titrate it up slowly. I'd ask for the smallest dose possible, take it for 2 weeks and then move up. Start low, go slow with most antidepressants. You shouldn't have too many side effects with it anyway.

it takes time to for our bodies to manufacture new receptors and install them at the right locations in our cells. And this explains why, even if SSRIs boost levels of serotonin in the body pretty quickly, the benefit of taking the antidepressant isn’t felt for some time. The extra serotonin molecules need to wait until more receptors have come on stream before the signals they transmit can get ‘louder’, leading to a rebalancing of mood.

So...It takes about a month or so to see major changes. These drugs don't work overnight. You may start to feel better in 2 weeks, but give it at least a month or two before judging its efficacy.

Best wishes to you!

"friends don't let friends drink white zinfandel"