AvgJoa: adverse reaction to Lexapro

[AvgJoa]

Hi all,

 

Hoping to get some support/reassurance. I took one 5mg dose of Lexapro 6 weeks ago. After the first tablet I experienced immediate sexual dysfunction and intense anxiety that night. After about 2-3 weeks of agonizing over that, I recovered about 90% function. But since that 1 dose I have felt off. More paranoid/stressed and felt on edge but overall felt good. Then in week 3/4 I suddenly experienced intense guilt/shame over past events, intrusive thoughts, and intense anxiety like I’ve never felt before. I would wake up feeling terrible. This was week 4 and day to day I seem to a bit better but my concern is if this was an adverse reaction from the one dose or is this my normal ocd/rumination/anxiety. 
 

I had previously experienced a panic attack about my health but it was brief and maybe felt like a 5 out of 10. This past week the anxiety I’ve felt was insane. 9 out of 10. Intense guilt over small things. Intrusive thoughts. Ruminating. I’ll also mention that I’ve ruminated and maybe had minor symptoms of OCD in the past but not like it has been. My therapist thinks it’s because I’m in a time of anxiety but it just doesn’t feel like normal me at all! Hoping that it’s a side effect of the med that will go away so I’m back to “normal” or if this is the new me. 
 

 

[Altostrata]

Welcome, @AvgJoa

 

We have a small number of members who have experienced immediate adverse reactions to antidepressants -- see the tag "immediate ADR". Though they stop the drugs, they go on to a symptom pattern very similar to protracted withdrawal, with very slow, gradual recovery.

 

You may want to read Adverse reactions to an antidepressant within a few doses -- how long for recovery?

 

In my observation, they recover quicker than people who have been taking the drugs for much longer -- if they don't upset their nervous systems further with alcohol, other drugs, overdoing anything, etc. 

 

On 8/15/2022 at 10:27 AM, AvgJoa said:

I had previously experienced a panic attack about my health but it was brief and maybe felt like a 5 out of 10. This past week the anxiety I’ve felt was insane. 9 out of 10. Intense guilt over small things. Intrusive thoughts. Ruminating.

 

Your experience must have been quite a shock to you, and it sounds like you might be prone to health anxiety. See

Health anxiety, hypochondria, and obsession with symptoms

 

Please keep in mind that your recovery will be very slow. You will need to be patient. You may wish to work with your therapist on this. See

 

Non-drug techniques to cope with emotional symptoms

 

Easing your way into meditation for a stressed-out nervous system

 

Music for self-care: calms hyperalertness, anxiety, aids relaxation and sleep

 

Ways to cope with daily anxiety

 

Dealing With Emotional Spirals 

 

Shame, guilt, regret, and self-criticism

 

To help us out, follow these instructions Please summarize your drug and withdrawal history in your signature You may need to use a computer to do this. Please let us know how you're doing, this can help inform others who join in similar distress.

[AvgJoa]

Hi @Altostrata thanks for reading my story and the advice. I seem to be feeling a tiny bit better but I also seem to have setbacks randomly. I’ll update my signature when I get to a pc but is this really all possible from a single dose of Lexapro taken a month and a half ago?

 

My brain kinda reconciled that it is since I had already forgotten about it by week 3 but noticed I’ve felt off the whole time. Then in week 4 just a sudden wave of intense OCD/shame/rumination AND anxiety. Nothing like I’ve felt before and I then I circled back to that Lexapro dose and it seems to fit ADR symptoms but it’s been 4 weeks already and my dr says it’s impossible! 

[ChessieCat]

7 hours ago, AvgJoa said:

but is this really all possible from a single dose of Lexapro taken a month and a half ago?

 

Yes.  Other members have experienced similiar.

 

Alto gave you the link to the "immediate adverse reaction" topic.  Here is  another link:

 

But I only took it for a Week - immediate adverse reaction

 

A search for the term "adverse reaction" in the Success stories forum:

 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/search/?q="adverse reaction"

 

At the top of the page on the left underneath the topic heading you will see a tag "immediate adr".  This is the link which resulted from clicking on that tag which is for all other members whose topic has the same tag:

 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/tags/immediate adr/

[peaceandlove]

Hey your not alone & your doctor is wrong, it’s not “impossible” it happened to me as well as plenty of others. I took ONE 10mg pill 4 months ago & have had the same symptoms as you. I’m here if you ever want to talk

[AvgJoa]

Hi all. Really struggling today. Is this really all an ADR? It’s so hard to see healing when I’m in a bad wave. It’s been over 2 months now(maybe 3? Idk). I know I’ve made progress but in a bad wave I seem to have been sent backwards. Will this really get better with time? The symptoms I have are still the OCD/rumination that leads to intense anxiety/hopelessness and cortisol spikes when sleeping. I tend to catastrophize everything and cant just focus on the positives. 

 

I’ve had some situational stress before but nothing on this level. I would have even considered myself happy and personable and enjoyed many parts of life despite my stress. I’ve read through all the links of ADRs but it’s just so hard to believe one half dose could have this prolonged of an effect! 
 

I’ve done everything: walks, cold showers, eating better. Nothing seems to be working. 

[Escitalopram21]

@AvgJoa

 

I am so sorry you are going through this. It seems so unfair for someone who only took 1 dose. 
 

I understand that you have a hard time believing what is happening to you. Please educate yourself as much as possible. People on the site has been through this before and it Will get better. 
cheering for you!

[AvgJoa]

4 minutes ago, Escitalopram21 said:

@AvgJoa

 

I am so sorry you are going through this. It seems so unfair for someone who only took 1 dose. 
 

I understand that you have a hard time believing what is happening to you. Please educate yourself as much as possible. People on the site has been through this before and it Will get better. 
cheering for you!

Thank you. I appreciate the support. One of the hardest parts for me right now is wondering if this was all from the one dose or not. I know I shouldn’t dwell on that but I just haven’t been the same person since then and it’s so hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I’m really hoping that this was caused by that one pill and I just need time to heal but was I bound to fall into this pit anyways? I don’t think I’ve had a history with anxiety or any of my symptoms besides some situation stress earlier this year but everyone around me insists it’s not the cause of a that small of a dose. 

[Escitalopram21]

I understand so well @AvgJoa

I go through times like that myself, when i question everything. 
Is this really withdrawal, maybe i am insane, everyone else thinks i am making this up or becoming insane. That is why this site is invaluable 🙏🏻
 

We are not insane, We are healing from these drugs ❤️

[Altostrata]

Please summarize your drug and withdrawal history in your signature before further discussion.

[AvgJoa]

3 hours ago, Altostrata said:

Please summarize your drug and withdrawal history in your signature before further discussion.

Thanks @Altostrata. Updated

[AvgJoa]

I’m wondering if I should just start taking the Lexapro again and maybe I need it?

[Escitalopram21]

@AvgJoa

Could you specify?

[AvgJoa]

Just now, Escitalopram21 said:

@AvgJoa

Could you specify?

All of my symptoms. Am I really going to recover with time? Or do I need meds? Idk. I’m just not myself and it’s so difficult right now. 

[Altostrata]

Please read this carefully. If you had an adverse reaction to the drug, you would not want to take it again. 

 

On 8/18/2022 at 4:31 PM, Altostrata said:

Welcome, @AvgJoa

 

We have a small number of members who have experienced immediate adverse reactions to antidepressants -- see the tag "immediate ADR". Though they stop the drugs, they go on to a symptom pattern very similar to protracted withdrawal, with very slow, gradual recovery.

 

You may want to read Adverse reactions to an antidepressant within a few doses -- how long for recovery?

 

In my observation, they recover quicker than people who have been taking the drugs for much longer -- if they don't upset their nervous systems further with alcohol, other drugs, overdoing anything, etc. 

 

 

Your experience must have been quite a shock to you, and it sounds like you might be prone to health anxiety. See

Health anxiety, hypochondria, and obsession with symptoms

 

Please keep in mind that your recovery will be very slow. You will need to be patient. You may wish to work with your therapist on this. See

 

Non-drug techniques to cope with emotional symptoms

 

Easing your way into meditation for a stressed-out nervous system

 

Music for self-care: calms hyperalertness, anxiety, aids relaxation and sleep

 

Ways to cope with daily anxiety

 

Dealing With Emotional Spirals 

 

Shame, guilt, regret, and self-criticism

 

To help us out, follow these instructions Please summarize your drug and withdrawal history in your signature You may need to use a computer to do this. Please let us know how you're doing, this can help inform others who join in similar distress.

 

[AvgJoa]

46 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

Please read this carefully. If you had an adverse reaction to the drug, you would not want to take it again. 

 

 

Thanks @Altostrata. I probably have read your reply about 100 times haha. I just can’t seem to convince my body and mind to relax. 

[Altostrata]

How has your symptom pattern changed in the last month?

 

You may wish to see a psychotherapist about your tendency to health anxiety, this could be making your symptoms worse by adding your worrying to your drug-induced symptoms.

[AvgJoa]

2 hours ago, Altostrata said:

How has your symptom pattern changed in the last month?

 

You may wish to see a psychotherapist about your tendency to health anxiety, this could be making your symptoms worse by adding your worrying to your drug-induced symptoms.

I felt pretty much the same the entire month. Not good. Not as terrible as the initial reaction. Then suddenly had another bad wave. I don’t really have any major windows of feeling myself. Just small moments of being optimistic but just barely.   This wave seems as bad or worse than the first acute event though. 

[Altostrata]

Waves can be quite intense. You'll probably get them now and then for a long time, you'll have to learn to surf them. See

 

 

The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

Non-drug techniques to cope with emotional symptoms

 

Easing your way into meditation for a stressed-out nervous system

 

Music for self-care: calms hyperalertness, anxiety, aids relaxation and sleep

 

Ways to cope with daily anxiety

 

Health anxiety, hypochondria, and obsession with symptoms

[Leftyhelen1117]

Good afternoon!

I’m not sure if you will ever see this, but a friend sent me your story and I had to comment on it.

I also suffered a severe adverse reaction to Lexapro. That was April 2021. I am currently 19 months out. Am I 100%? No. But am I a hell of a lot better than I was. Yes.

The symptoms and the things that you’re feeling or exactly what I have felt. And what I sometimes currently deal with.

My last remaining symptoms are low mood and the dark intrusive thoughts. Thank God they aren’t as strong and I don’t get them as often and I think what time they will eventually go away.

I agree with you the ruminating thoughts are very difficult sometimes. I even went to a psychiatrist once and she said I had OCD and try to give me Zoloft.

I’m going to tell you this. If you didn’t have any of this before you took the medicine, it’s not you. And unfortunately some days you just have to take in a minute at a time.

I remember when I first started out in Mý withdrawal Journey, I was looking for the quick fix like everyone else. And unfortunately and really time is the only thing.

surround yourself with people that you love. Pick up a hobby if you can. Be kind to yourself. Find someone close to your timeframe and lean on each other. Because honestly nobody will understand unless they’re going through it.

it will get better. It will not last forever. Some days simply suck. But then there are days that you can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.

I hope that you are getting better as each day passes. Just know that you’re not alone. And you’re not going crazy. And please don’t ever take Lexapro again.

 

[Thorin]

That was really good to read