is lexapro the best SSRI out there?

gumption · 01-08-2008, 12:30 PM

as far as these drugs go...is lexapro the best SSRI?
Thanks.
Ty

LCrawford67 · 01-08-2008, 01:04 PM

Gumption, you've asked about Effexor, Cymbalta, and now Lexapro. What you're going through is not going to go away by taking another drug. I think we've all mentioned this to you.

You're going through Paxil w/d, plain and simple. No other drug is going to stop that. However, you should try going back up to a small dose of Paxil to help ease these symptoms.

Yes, you've been off for a few months, but it's well worth the shot, instead of adding another pill with it's own set of side effects, plus you'd still have the Paxil w/d.

Dawn B. · 01-08-2008, 01:13 PM

Gumption, I was going to private message you, but your's is not turned on.
I see your signature says 'Terrible withdrawal'. What are you going through? Did you get off my 20 every other day then just stopping?

pax80 · 01-08-2008, 01:57 PM

who told yout that bunch of lies... search for lexapro or cipralex withdrawal.
It can be as bad as any kind of SSRI.

Zant808 · 01-08-2008, 01:58 PM

There is really no "best" SSRI. They all cause brain trauma.

slappyintheface · 01-08-2008, 02:19 PM

Isn't that like asking if arsenic is the best poison? Please stop looking for relief in a pill. Take the time to let your body heal. Take care of yourself - going on another AD will not help the situation.

leo79 · 01-08-2008, 03:12 PM

I mean how bad are you feeling? Can you function? Lexapro does not help for Paxil withdrawal for most people. It depends on how bad you are. If I was utterly desperate, and I mean severely depressed ( and you will know if that is how you feel. You might think you feel like that, but you will have to really assess this well to know whether you are in hell. I don't mean functioning and dysthymic, I mean hell, and having to count each minute of each hour as it is that bad, the suffering ), then I would take one of the longer half-life drugs like prozac or one of the tricyclics.

Bern · 01-08-2008, 04:19 PM

Quote:

is lexapro the best SSRI out there?

That's like asking, "is Pepsi the best soda out there?"

Everyone is different and everyone has different reactions to each and every individual medication. Everyone has a different preference.

texgirl · 01-08-2008, 07:03 PM

Lexapro is stimulating. If you suffer from anxiety it's not a good choice.

Songbird · 01-08-2008, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bern

Everyone is different and everyone has different reactions to each and every individual medication.

Absolutely! There is no 'best' SSRI for everyone. Paxil worked okay for me, but gave some people horrendous adverse reactions. And even when they work okay, there is still the problem of withdrawal, some people withdraw easily, others have a terrible time trying to get off. I think you are looking for something that does not exist. If you are in paxil withdrawal, another SSRI is unlikely to help.

AntonySandler · 01-09-2008, 05:10 AM

I think lexapro is worse. It is just like celexa, and that is what did me in.

nicemom · 01-09-2008, 05:23 AM

I have read here that many people had very bad reactions to lexapro after switching. Horrible anxiety.

You might feel better if you just accept how you feel and make the decision to 'get through it'. It is what it is. I told myself that a lot. It gets better as time goes on and then one day you are done. Adding new drugs into the mix does not encourage healing. If you decide anything, if the paxil worked for you, then going back on that one at a low dose is best, in my opinion.

Griffin1 · 01-09-2008, 09:20 AM

I can't wait to get off lexapro. It makes me tired and I'm not in touch with my feelings. I'm currently down to 7 1/2 mgs. I was originally on 20mg. I'm going to continue tapering off my elavil first (2mgs.) and then back to tapering off lexapro in one month.

Johnnny off Paxil · 01-09-2008, 09:46 AM

There is no"better SSRI"..they are all poison , they all alter the brains chemistry and they all have horrendous side effects and all are difficult to get off of......people constantly"underestimate" the danger these drugs pose..thinking that its just like taking an aspirin..don't make that mistake....your in withdrawal... taking an SSRI for withdrawal is not the answer.

Regards, Johnny

gumption · 01-09-2008, 11:26 AM

Thank you for your opinions. I understand where you all are coming from.
My main symptoms are ruminating (like every .5 sec., constant, catastrophizing thoughts and the inabilty to think straight and my vision.
There is a feeling like I have no identity and then being put in situations where I need to be confident and strong. I also feel so lazy...like with the littlest things, like putting on my coat. ARGH. Isn't this classic signs of depression? Isn't this classic anxiety?
How can we be sure that this is paxil withdrawl and not just the anxiety and depression.
It has been 7 months...no it has been years of this depressionized feeling, this foggy brain. My quality of life is very low and I feel fake everyday cause I try to fake it and seem ok, and smart... I am a teacher, but I can not teach when I constantly judge myself. When I contantly am lazy. I feel so week saying these things...so weak thinking about going back on a drug, but i am ready to see some sort of normal again.

scotty · 01-09-2008, 11:29 AM

The 7 month post weaning period is notorius for these types of feelings. We don't know why, but it happens to SO many people. Going back on something you always a choice for you, but know that this is "normal" in withdrawal and does pass with time.

01-09-2008, 02:05 PM

read my signature line to find out more about lexapro w/d....

babs · 01-09-2008, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shellpooge

according to the studies, there are less side effects of Lexapro.

What studies? Studies funded by the pharma company that makes Lexapro, perhaps? I take ALL studies with a large grain of salt now because I know companies cover up data they don't like.

I don't agree that a certain group of people "needs" SSRIs. SSRIs are an option, one that should be offered along with complete disclosure of potential side effects, long term effects and withdrawal problems. If that option is not chosen, then are other treatments for anxiety and depression that seem to work just as well.

Amaya's Nana · 01-09-2008, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shellpooge

not to go off thread, but yeah, Pepsi is the best pop out there. haha

Oh I so agree. But of course, everyone around here knows what a huge pepsi drinker I am.......Homer made me spew it all over my computer screen many times when I first came to PP.

Amaya's Nana · 01-09-2008, 02:39 PM

Gumption - I tried Lexapro in month 4 of Paxil withdrawal. Oh boy was that a mistake. I lasted 7 days. It just didn't work. You've been here long enough to know its a crapshoot to restart one. I'm just telling you my experience.

scotty · 01-09-2008, 03:04 PM

I don't believe that we've seen anyone successfully do a switch to Lexapro to combat Paxil withdrawal. Not that it hasn't happened, but we haven't seen it.

01-08-2008, 12:30 PM	#1
gumption Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 26	is lexapro the best SSRI out there? as far as these drugs go...is lexapro the best SSRI? Thanks. Ty __________________ 2000 -10 mg Paxil for general anxiety/panic attacks 2001- 20mg Paxil tried to get off c/t 2002 -Tried to get off c/t 2004- Off cold turkey for 4 months -Hell- 2005- 20 mg Paxil 2006- 20 mg every other day - unknowing withdrawl 2007- June - Paxil Free - terrible withdrawl "Just when the catapilar thought the going to end, it became a butterfly." I think I can I think I can I think I can! Chew Chew!

01-08-2008, 01:04 PM	#2
LCrawford67 Moderator "Everybody poops" Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 34,484	Re: is lexapro the best SSRI out there? Gumption, you've asked about Effexor, Cymbalta, and now Lexapro. What you're going through is not going to go away by taking another drug. I think we've all mentioned this to you. You're going through Paxil w/d, plain and simple. No other drug is going to stop that. However, you should try going back up to a small dose of Paxil to help ease these symptoms. Yes, you've been off for a few months, but it's well worth the shot, instead of adding another pill with it's own set of side effects, plus you'd still have the Paxil w/d. __________________ aka LC aka Laurie C. Paxil, 20 mg since 1997, for IBS Two unsuccessful attempts to quit. Started tapering 11/27/06 PAXIL FREE 12/29/07 Today is the best day, EVER!

01-08-2008, 01:13 PM	#3
Dawn B. Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Ramona, CA. Posts: 1,351	Re: is lexapro the best SSRI out there? Gumption, I was going to private message you, but your's is not turned on. I see your signature says 'Terrible withdrawal'. What are you going through? Did you get off my 20 every other day then just stopping? __________________ Mt 19:26 'With God, all things are possible' Started Paxil 2000 for post partem anxiety Happily on it until it pooped out 2/07 Started cutting down way too fast 7/07 from 20 mg. to 10 mg. and got very sick. Found PP, went back to 13 mg. Waited and waited and never stablized. Began slow wean, down to 7 mg. over a year. Never felt well. Trashed the paxil at 7 mg. in Aug. '08.

01-08-2008, 01:57 PM	#4
pax80 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Portugal Posts: 3,787	Re: is lexapro the best SSRI out there? who told yout that bunch of lies... search for lexapro or cipralex withdrawal. It can be as bad as any kind of SSRI. __________________ 2002- 10mg diazepam(for a neck pain) 2003- 20mg seroxat(for benzo wd) 2005-stopped diazepam (1 year taper plus acupuncture) 2006-stopped paxil (1 year taper) 4 years free from drugs

01-08-2008, 01:58 PM	#5
Zant808 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: USA Posts: 309	Re: is lexapro the best SSRI out there? There is really no "best" SSRI. They all cause brain trauma. __________________ Down to 750mg Depakote ER. Please remember to avoid all alcohol and caffeine (GABA affecting agents) forever in the future after you are done withdrawing!

01-08-2008, 02:19 PM	#6
slappyintheface "doesn't use the big stamp" Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 6,601	Re: is lexapro the best SSRI out there? Isn't that like asking if arsenic is the best poison? Please stop looking for relief in a pill. Take the time to let your body heal. Take care of yourself - going on another AD will not help the situation. __________________ 1/05/07 20mg-17.5 1/20 17.5-15 2/24 15-12.5 3/08 12.5-10 3/29 10-7.5 4/12 7.5-5 6/15 5-3.75 6/30 3.75-2.5 7/28 2.5-1.5ish 8/11 1.5-1 8/25 1- zero "Keep lighting candles, eventually nobody will be in the dark" me "Time does not come in pill form" me http://www.slappyintheface.com

01-08-2008, 03:12 PM	#7
leo79 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: UK Posts: 1,442	Re: is lexapro the best SSRI out there? I mean how bad are you feeling? Can you function? Lexapro does not help for Paxil withdrawal for most people. It depends on how bad you are. If I was utterly desperate, and I mean severely depressed ( and you will know if that is how you feel. You might think you feel like that, but you will have to really assess this well to know whether you are in hell. I don't mean functioning and dysthymic, I mean hell, and having to count each minute of each hour as it is that bad, the suffering ), then I would take one of the longer half-life drugs like prozac or one of the tricyclics. __________________ Poisoned by SSRIs.

01-08-2008, 07:03 PM	#9
texgirl Regina Benzodictius Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,087	Re: is lexapro the best SSRI out there? Lexapro is stimulating. If you suffer from anxiety it's not a good choice. __________________ Adverse reaction to Lexapro led to Paxil, 10 months use, 2005. One month taper. Benzos (Xanax, then Klonopin), 2-1/2 years use, 2005-2007. 8 month taper. Completely free from psychiatry since 8/5/07 Face. Accept. Float. Let Time Pass. — Dr. Claire Weekes *We either make ourselves miserable or we make ourselves happy. The amount of work is the same.* — Carlos Castañeda

01-09-2008, 05:10 AM	#11
AntonySandler "Has bulb burns on his buns" Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: PA Posts: 522	Re: is lexapro the best SSRI out there? I think lexapro is worse. It is just like celexa, and that is what did me in. __________________ 20 mg of citlopram (generic celexa) Nov 2004 for insomnia worries over another deployment in less than two years 40 mg for a few days (suggestion of a therapist) 20 mg for a few weeks ct withdrawal Feb 2005 2 days later horrible homicidal thoughts (never before experienced) 20 mg a few days later realized it was withdrawal, went back on to withdrawal slowly End Sep- begin Oct 2005 completed withdrawal 2006 New Years day things got worse Still looking for the light

01-09-2008, 05:23 AM	#12
nicemom Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 3,181	Re: is lexapro the best SSRI out there? I have read here that many people had very bad reactions to lexapro after switching. Horrible anxiety. You might feel better if you just accept how you feel and make the decision to 'get through it'. It is what it is. I told myself that a lot. It gets better as time goes on and then one day you are done. Adding new drugs into the mix does not encourage healing. If you decide anything, if the paxil worked for you, then going back on that one at a low dose is best, in my opinion. __________________ Diane On Paxil for 5+ years Weaned from 40mg to 15 over a 1 1/2 year period. From 15mg-0 May/June 06 (before finding PP) Protracted w/d from c/t. First 10 mths up and down but tolerable. Akathesia hit at 11 months. Many months of terrible mental and physical torture. 3/09 started Prozac but too stimulating. Currently on 15mg Lexapro and feeling so much better. Not all who waunder are lost.

01-09-2008, 09:20 AM	#15
Griffin1 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: L.I New York Posts: 63	Re: is lexapro the best SSRI out there? I can't wait to get off lexapro. It makes me tired and I'm not in touch with my feelings. I'm currently down to 7 1/2 mgs. I was originally on 20mg. I'm going to continue tapering off my elavil first (2mgs.) and then back to tapering off lexapro in one month.

01-09-2008, 09:46 AM	#16
Johnnny off Paxil Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Persona Non Grata... I am No Expert on Nothing Posts: 3,105	Re: is lexapro the best SSRI out there? There is no"better SSRI"..they are all poison , they all alter the brains chemistry and they all have horrendous side effects and all are difficult to get off of......people constantly"underestimate" the danger these drugs pose..thinking that its just like taking an aspirin..don't make that mistake....your in withdrawal... taking an SSRI for withdrawal is not the answer. Regards, Johnny

01-09-2008, 11:26 AM	#17
gumption Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 26	Re: is lexapro the best SSRI out there? Thank you for your opinions. I understand where you all are coming from. My main symptoms are ruminating (like every .5 sec., constant, catastrophizing thoughts and the inabilty to think straight and my vision. There is a feeling like I have no identity and then being put in situations where I need to be confident and strong. I also feel so lazy...like with the littlest things, like putting on my coat. ARGH. Isn't this classic signs of depression? Isn't this classic anxiety? How can we be sure that this is paxil withdrawl and not just the anxiety and depression. It has been 7 months...no it has been years of this depressionized feeling, this foggy brain. My quality of life is very low and I feel fake everyday cause I try to fake it and seem ok, and smart... I am a teacher, but I can not teach when I constantly judge myself. When I contantly am lazy. I feel so week saying these things...so weak thinking about going back on a drug, but i am ready to see some sort of normal again. __________________ 2000 -10 mg Paxil for general anxiety/panic attacks 2001- 20mg Paxil tried to get off c/t 2002 -Tried to get off c/t 2004- Off cold turkey for 4 months -Hell- 2005- 20 mg Paxil 2006- 20 mg every other day - unknowing withdrawl 2007- June - Paxil Free - terrible withdrawl "Just when the catapilar thought the going to end, it became a butterfly." I think I can I think I can I think I can! Chew Chew!

01-09-2008, 11:29 AM	#18
scotty Administrator Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 47,004	Re: is lexapro the best SSRI out there? The 7 month post weaning period is notorius for these types of feelings. We don't know why, but it happens to SO many people. Going back on something you always a choice for you, but know that this is "normal" in withdrawal and does pass with time. __________________ AKA Laurie "Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." MLK

01-09-2008, 02:05 PM	#20
emmy Posts: n/a	Re: is lexapro the best SSRI out there? read my signature line to find out more about lexapro w/d....

01-09-2008, 02:39 PM	#24
Amaya's Nana An "A bucket" gal! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 6,467	Re: is lexapro the best SSRI out there? Gumption - I tried Lexapro in month 4 of Paxil withdrawal. Oh boy was that a mistake. I lasted 7 days. It just didn't work. You've been here long enough to know its a crapshoot to restart one. I'm just telling you my experience. __________________ a/k/a Lisa PAXIL FREE AS OF 3/18/06! Fully recovered! Focus your attention on the here and now. Recognize it for what it is: the one moment of the only life you will ever have that you truly possess. Rare is the individual who has come to completely accept that the past is no more than a memory and the future an assumption about unborn events.

01-09-2008, 03:04 PM	#25
scotty Administrator Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 47,004	Re: is lexapro the best SSRI out there? I don't believe that we've seen anyone successfully do a switch to Lexapro to combat Paxil withdrawal. Not that it hasn't happened, but we haven't seen it. __________________ AKA Laurie "Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." MLK

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)