this post was submitted on 12 Nov 2024
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Ive been on it for like 5 or 6 years. My libido was fine at 10 mg but at one point I went up to 15 mg and it got a bit worse (but its still good enough).
It also prevented me from being suicidal and living in a depression pit during really tough grad school times.
I have gained about 60 lbs since then but i cant blame it entirely on lexapro.
Just make sure to never miss doses. If you miss 2 doses you will absolutely get the brain zaps and just overall feel confused and weird.
Also, if/when you desire to stop the medication, you need to do a very slow taper, slower than your doctor says. People recommend lowering your dose by 10% a month, it will take a long time but its much better for your brain and you will be more likely to stay off it.
Personally, my life and mental health has gotten into a better place and soon im hoping to taper back down to 10 mg soon. Maybe go even lower afterwards. Its not perfect but it sounds like you are having some success so far and for me was better then the alternative
If you don't mind me asking, do you drink? Cuz I noticed they advise against drinking on the pill bottle but my Doc said that just means excessive binge drinking, and a few beers or some wine is fine. I like a nice beverage now and again but I don't wanna get messed up.
I have drank daily (low level alcohol use disorder), binge drank, and not drank and never had a problem, but your body might react differently. I also have used cannabis and currently do so pretty much daily. One thing my doctor said was that drinking and cannabis would "interfere" with how the drug is working and lower its efficacy, but we already know drinking isnt great for mental health. So i would hold off if you can, and when there is a special occasion or some other reason you really want to have a beer or a glass of wine give it a try. Stick to 1 drink at first just to be safe.
Yeah thanks. I used to drink a lot more (I actually worked in alcohol production so I go WAY too much free booze), realized it wasn't helping with the mental health or BP, and so have cut back a lot, but damn do I like a nice brewsky beer. Since starting the meds I've had the occasional beer out, but only 2 max and always with food.
Yeah i would keep it at that level. But i think the warning is just standard with any psychiatric medication