Lexapro Left Me More Depressed

In May of last year, three different doctors told me that they believed I was suffering from an anxiety disorder and would benefit from an anti-depressant.

After much discussion, research and net-searching, I agreed with the recommendation of my physician's assistant to try Lexapro. It was, she told me, least likely to create negative side effects.

I trust her and all the research that I had personally conducted agreed. Like many anti-depressants, Lexapro can take a few days to stabilize in the bloodstream. My PA had me return for a checkup one week after starting the medication and I felt great. I was sleeping better and had more energy during the day. I felt like eating again, instead of just forcing myself to go through the motions.

I think I saw her on a Thursday. By Friday evening, the newfound energy was gone. That night, I was up for hours, finally crashing in front of an informercial well after 4 a.m. I blamed my lack of will to do anything on Saturday on the later night the day before.

And, when I couldn't sleep Saturday night wither, I assumed it was because I had gotten off my regular sleep cycle.

By Monday, I had several messages from a friend asking why I hadn't called or returned her messages since Thursday. She knew I had started the Lexapro and was concerned about the side effects of anti-depressants. One of the most under publicized side effects is: depression. While this is most extreme in children and teens, it is the reason doctors require that one week checkup when starting an anti-depressant.

On Wednesday, just two weeks after starting the Lexapro, I knew there was something seriously wrong with the way I was feeling. Sadly, I just didn't care. It took another five days before I could garner the energy to call my doctor's office to mention how I was feeling. My husband was away at school, and I was able to put on a happy face for short bursts to talk with friends, but my friend Emily saw how bad it was and stood over me while I called.

The doctor's office said to stop taking it immediately.