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Suicidal Thoughts on Lexapro

bryan21

bryan21

Bluelighter
Joined
Jul 26, 2010
Messages
152
Location
Toronto
I dont know if this is the right place to post this or if it has been discussed before but heres my story.

This week was the first time I ever sought mental help for depression from my doctor. He put me on 10mg lexapro daily. Ive been on it for 5 days and feeling great, I was able to get out of my depressive slump and begin turning my life around (working out, focusing more on my music, etc.).

Last night I played a really good show with my band and I was really happy about it, I had no reason to feel sad last night. But then I got home and was overwhelmed with a sense of hopelessness/ worthlessness and basically wanted to kill myself because I didnt see any point in enduring the future, which is kind of dumb because if anything the previous night gave me alot to look forward to.

Im going to take a stab at it and say it was my medication that caused this. Should I stay on it? Its only been 5 days afterall, maybe this was just my brain's response to a new drug in the system and maybe it'll go away once the effects are fully kicked in (my doc said should take about 2 weeks).

Does anyone have similar experiences with lexapro?
 
YES STAY ON IT.

I had the **SAME EXACT** issue on lexapro. Luckily however I was being monitored when it happened and was able to tell my doctor immediately. He told me this is normal. I told him "dr but sometimes its really bad and I feel like I want to kill myself". He asked me "do you think you're going to actually try?". I told him no, but I just didn't like the way it felt.

So thats also likely why he told me to stay on it. But I know exactly what it feels like. I went from joking around one minute, to this dark pit of nothingness, and I was just so damn serious and depressed out of nowhere I hated it.

The GOOD NEWS however. After 2 weeks it never happened again. And when it did happen is was never all too that severe anyway. Like suicidal thoughts for a few hours then I would usually pop out of it and just be a bit depressed, but not suicidal depressed. Once that lexapro kicked in however, and started working, it was the BEST SSRI I have ever taken. And in fact the ONLY ssri that ever did shit to me.
Paxil failed me, zoloft and prozac failed me. Lexapro was the bomb in every way you could imagine. It floored my panic disorder and anxiety levels which were through the roof, and gave me a year of normal living back. Untill that point I starting getting the side effect of apathy and had to come off.

But even more good news at that point. Depression/Anxiety never returned, and coming off lexapro was very easy for me. 4 weeks of tapering and the occassional brain zap, but it was nothing at all really. Lex is one of the easiest ssris to come off of. Has some of the lowest side effects, and is used in all clinics in NJ as a main goto anti depressant. No it doesn't work on everyone, but that doesn't mean it still doesn't work on a lot of people.

My depression never returned after coming off it, and I really had nothing but a wonderful experience all around with lex.
And for anyone who wants to come here and say "I took lex for 2 weeks and didn't like it", don't even listen to their feedback cause lex doesn't generally even start to work till after a couple of months. I mean after a month you'll have an idea its working, but after 2 months was when I really noticed "holy shit this med rocks".

G/luck hope you have a good experience like I did.
 
^ This
...do tell your docter the effect its having on you...you are being very objective about this whole thing which is admirable but dont be alone with the effects.
I personally have never taken it.
How are you doing at the moment Brian ?
 
I personally can't take SSRIs ( like Lexapro and Zoloft) it makes ME more suicidal.
WAY More.
Call your Dr. RIGHT AWAY, taper off (YES TAPER IS A MUST OR IT CAN GET WORSE) and try something different that isn't an SSRI!
 
Zoloft did the same thing to me when I was 16. Of course now they don't prescribe under 18 because of this issue.

Whether you do or don't stay on it is up to you and your doctor, no one else. I used to take Lexapro without any instances like yours, but suicidal ideation is a side effect and an important issue to deal with.

Please discuss this with your doctor and do not hesitate whatsoever to do so if you think you might act upon it. Heck, even if you don't think you'll act upon it, it is still very serious. If you cannot get in touch with your doctor, I believe this constitutes as an emergency and would advise using their emergency contact. Any moral practicing psychiatrist should have one.
 
Tromps said:
Two completely different response. Honestly, don't listen to anyone here, other than someone telling you to speak to a professional medical doctor. Only take advice from your doctor. It will get better, take it easy bud :)
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Why do you guys always think doctors know best, because they have a diploma sitting on their wall saying so? Give me a break, LoL........
 
No, they don't always know best. My first psych got his diploma in Mexico. But when it comes to emergencies such as this, they have the proper arsenal to help. They can prescribe something sedating to quell the suicidal thoughts if they're that intense until some better arrangement is found.

SSRIs are not the answer for long term depression. In the end you've got to take care of it yourself. But when you're on the brink, they do help until you find your footing again.

SSRIs, like ANY drug, are not the long term answer. But some fit the bill for very severe depression.

And as for side effects, Effexor fucked me for two months after I got off of it. Sure. Pure psychosis. But when they gave it to me in the hospital after I put myself in a coma, it really was the only thing that brought me out of that dark place where life is not worth living.

They're not for everybody, and they won't relieve all your problems in the long run. And some of the side effects can be nasty, again, like other drugs out there. But they do have their merit in the right place in time.

Sheesh. Way to give a suicidal guy hopeful and helpful advice. Hang in there, OP. Let us know how you are.
 
anterrabae said:
No, they don't always know best. My first psych got his diploma in Mexico. But when it comes to emergencies such as this, they have the proper arsenal to help. They can prescribe something sedating to quell the suicidal thoughts if they're that intense until some better arrangement is found.

SSRIs are not the answer for long term depression. In the end you've got to take care of it yourself. But when you're on the brink, they do help until you find your footing again.

SSRIs, like ANY drug, are not the long term answer. But some fit the bill for very severe depression.

And as for side effects, Effexor fucked me for two months after I got off of it. Sure. Pure psychosis. But when they gave it to me in the hospital after I put myself in a coma, it really was the only thing that brought me out of that dark place where life is not worth living.

They're not for everybody, and they won't relieve all your problems in the long run. And some of the side effects can be nasty, again, like other drugs out there. But they do have their merit in the right place in time.

Sheesh. Way to give a suicidal guy hopeful and helpful advice. Hang in there, OP. Let us know how you are.
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Dude, I wasnt saying ignore his doctor by all means, all I was doing was responding to the other poster. Obviously he has to contact his doctor & tell him whats going on.......Obviously his doctor will switch him to something else or whatever but what im saying is all these doctors prescribing SSRI's like its the all mighty God itself in curing everyone with depression isnt at all right.

These doctors are just following protocol, meaning do what we tell you to do or its your ass. Most doctors wont think outside the box to cure someone because its their ass on the line.
 
TheLostBoys said:
Why do you guys always think doctors know best, because they have a diploma sitting on their wall saying so? Give me a break, LoL........
Click to expand...

Who does? You? A random person on the internet who knows nothing about him?

In this situation, a doctor would be able to most accurately evaluate him knowing his past history and current mental state. I don't see how anonymous people of all ages and backgrounds on the internet are more qualified to advice someone on his medication regime than his own doctor. I could say "yeah lexapro worked for me so stay on it!" and then another person says "stop taking it, it doesn't work!" and both of us could be right, but it only relates to our own personal selves. This is someone unique. A doctor may not get the right drug or dosage the first time, but he would be the best to help him make adjustments along the way, after all, it is a practice. I never said doctors know best, but they sure know better in regards to this then the average bluelighter, that's for sure. :p

These doctors are just following protocol, meaning do what we tell you to do or its your ass. Most doctors wont think outside the box to cure someone because its their ass on the line.
Click to expand...

It is unfortunate that it seems to be the go-to drug for anyone in such a diverse population. Personally, I'd love to see more experimental treatments for depression using psychedelics :D
 
TheLostBoys said:
Dude, I wasnt saying ignore his doctor by all means, all I was doing was responding to the other poster. Obviously he has to contact his doctor & tell him whats going on.......Obviously his doctor will switch him to something else or whatever but what im saying is all these doctors prescribing SSRI's like its the all mighty God itself in curing everyone with depression isnt at all right.

These doctors are just following protocol, meaning do what we tell you to do or its your ass. Most doctors wont think outside the box to cure someone because its their ass on the line.
Click to expand...

Sorry for misunderstanding. The lack of direct conversation over internet forums does that.

Yes, it's sad that most doctors won't think outside the box. Like I can't give a low dose opiate a try to help my depression, I'd have to go to a rehab center even though I mainly have my use under control. And the lowest does they give me would probably be way too much.

It's just the current state of affairs. Probably won't change any time soon either unfortunately.

Didn't mean to jump down your throat man, just some of the responses on here were complete ludicrous. Stop immediately and taper?? Taper how? How about just stop CT and get some brain zaps and other potentially fun effects.

Again, sorry man.

OP, you okay?
 
anterrabae said:
Sorry for misunderstanding. The lack of direct conversation over internet forums does that.

Yes, it's sad that most doctors won't think outside the box. Like I can't give a low dose opiate a try to help my depression, I'd have to go to a rehab center even though I mainly have my use under control. And the lowest does they give me would probably be way too much.

It's just the current state of affairs. Probably won't change any time soon either unfortunately.

Didn't mean to jump down your throat man, just some of the responses on here were complete ludicrous. Stop immediately and taper?? Taper how? How about just stop CT and get some brain zaps and other potentially fun effects.

Again, sorry man.

OP, you okay?
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LoL.....I dont get offended my friend. I like a good conversation/debate & in this matter, we are both trying to see whats best for the OP. Of course my methods may be unorthodox to some on here but thats the way I flow.
 
Tromps said:
Two completely different response. Honestly, don't listen to anyone here, other than someone telling you to speak to a professional medical doctor. Only take advice from your doctor. It will get better, take it easy bud :)
Click to expand...

You stay on it until the Dr. Oks you to go off and will taper you off.
Going off all of a sudden CAN make it MUCH worse.
But I did say, go to your dr.
Call them at the least if you can't get an appointment!
 
SSRIs obviously can make suicidal tendencies amplified or create them altogether. Sudden stops in use can ALSO - absorb everything you can from the feedback here AND with your doctor. Be safe buddy, hope it works out :).
 
TheLostBoys said:
LoL.....I dont get offended my friend. I like a good conversation/debate & in this matter, we are both trying to see whats best for the OP. Of course my methods may be unorthodox to some on here but thats the way I flow.
Click to expand...

Cool beans. Unorthodox thinking is more of what we need nowadays.
Peace.:)
 
Anyone suggesting anything other than the op going to the doctor is an idiot. It's not the time or place to debate about doctors or give out e advice if somone's suicidal.
 
nuttynutskin said:
Anyone suggesting anything other than the op going to the doctor is an idiot. It's not the time or place to debate about doctors or give out e advice if somone's suicidal.
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Um.....he was depressed before going to the doctor, not suicidal & after seeing the doctor & being prescribed Lexapro, he now has suicidal thoughts......not for nothing, but these thoughts were probably brought on the meds this doctor prescribed. The basis to my statements were that SSRI's have caused what he is going threw to alot of people, hence our debate.

Whether you think any & all of us are idiots for discussing this is a matter of opinion on your part & something I wont lose any sleep over.

Another thing is this is the internet & he did come here for "e" advice as you call it. If he didnt think this was a cool place to hang out & ask for help, he wouldnt be here, he would have went straight to his doctor. I think there are people here on this site that have helped people w/o a doctors intervention.

Obviously Bryan has to go back to his doctor & tell him whats going on with these meds, there is no way around that.

I still stand by my words that SSRI's cause more damage than good from what I have seen in people I know & from what ive read.
 
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