is lexapro the best SSRI out there?

[leo79]

Gumption, I have reconsidered my opinion on this after reading about studies using supplements. Instead of trying drugs I would look at SamE, Omega3 ( at least 2g of EPA, no DHA ), Zinc, Magnesium, DHEA, and even 5HTP as all these will cause fewer problems than an SSRI.

[Songbird]

I haven't tried Lexapro, but I have been on Celexa, which is supposed to be similar. I found it very similar to Paxil, it wasn't any better for side effects.

I would be skeptical of these studies. I would bet it's probably something like, on Paxil 60% of people had side effect x, but on Lexapro only 59% had that side effect.

[caira]

I was switched directly from Paxil to Lexapro sometime between 12/2003-1/2004. I don't remember much about that time; but I know I was somewhat functional. But now that I've tapered off of ADs altogether (slowly) and feel better, I know that this is what I should have done rather than a switch.

Bad things happened when I switched: I got "sick" all the time -- I thought I had a virus each time. I had neck spasms that my GP thought must be from coughing (but I didn't have a cough) and was prescribed muscle relaxers for them and had to wear heat patches.

Every time I have switched from one AD to another I have had new physical problems to deal with. With Cymbalta it was headaches on a daily basis and worse insomnia. In fact, I started the Cymbalta for my "pain problem" (the muscle spasms -- I thought it was an example of "depression hurts"!).

Now that I'm off it my headaches are fewer and there has been a little improvement with the insomnia. And I can't remember the last time I had a muscle ache or spasm.

I guess my point is, although Lexapro wasn't as debilitating as the other meds I've taken, that's really not saying much. I agree with everyone who says that if you must do anything go back on Paxil and do a slow taper. If someone had told me that a few years ago, I could have saved myself a lot of agony. I wasted many years trying to find the right drug. There just wasn't one.

[texgirl]

Originally Posted by shellpooge

seriously now,
The findings have shown that Lexapro does have less side effects than Paxil. If he really needs to be on something, even temporarily to get through this, some people have had a better time switching to something like Lexapro which is similar to Paxil to help them wean off the Paxil. Remember what I said about the body shutting down after three months if you don't sllllloooowwwww the process. However, if on Lexapro for some time, you will be in the same boat as Paxil.
If you need to just take the "edge" off while coming off and that's all it is, maybe your doc can prescribe valium or clonazepam to keep you calm and help you sleep while withdrawaling.

I ended up on Paxil and clonazepam as a result of taking Lexapro, and wouldn't recommend that route to anyone. It took 3 years to get all the crap out of my system, and at 5 months off I still have physical sfx from the clonazepam. There's absolutely no evidence that Lexapro is any different from other SSRIs as far as effectiveness or ease of withdrawal, and clonazepam and valium can be dangerously addictive and worsen exisiting depression.

[since95]

Originally Posted by shellpooge

Counseling isn't going to help drug withdrawal.

I disagree with this statement. Though counseling may not help with the physical w/d symptoms, it can help with dealing with anxiety and depression. I personally beleive that it is very important that people try this route before they try a "magic" pill to correct a chemical imbalance that we have no way of measuring or knowing if one actually exsists.

In regards to Lexapro, my Psychiatrist tried switching me to Lexapro in the middle of October and I tried it for a month and a 1/2 while tapering Paxil. It did not help me one bit and may have made my situation worse. Hope this info helps.