Any good feedback from people on Cipralex ??

I have been on Cipralex for 2 years noand it literally changed my life for the better. I had been battling Panic Disorder for many many years and white-knuckling my way through life until I finally couldn't do it anymore. My Doctor said I tried hard enough and now to try some medication. I went on 5 mp of Cipralex and it took about 3 weeks to fully kick in. I used to drink quite a bit to ease my anxiety but for the first 3 weeks I didn't want to drink alcohol and I lost my appetite so I Iost 20 lbs which was great because I needed it. Slowly over those 3 weeks my anxiety lessened and I began to feel that for the first time in a long time I might be "normal" again. By the end of the 3 weeks I was much improved and by the end of the 1st month Is back to "Normal", back to my teenage years before the Panic Disorder evr took hold of me. It was and still is the best thing I have ever done and wish I had found it sooner. My only complaint is short term memory loss but I keep mentally active (I work in Computers) and I do crossword puzzles and read alot. Don't be afraid to try it and stick with it, it could be the best thing you have ever done. Good Luck 

Hello dear,

i hope y re feeling much better now, and have no effects anymore. 

In fact I have started cipralex with 10mg since June 15, with no effects , after 3 weeks, increased the dose to 20mg with no effects as well. But on October I reduced myself the dose to 10mg, stupid of me, so I had not a clear result concerning stress problems and anxiety. A month ago I have started again the dose of 20. Half the morning and half the night. To tell y the truth generally I feel better, but when I have to face one of my previous phobias, as to go shopping with my 15year old daughter and driving far away from home and shop in a mall for example, in this thought I feel very stressed and think that I have also to take a 5mg of lexotanil (Valium) in order to feel better.  Sometimes I wonder could I ever stop taking benzo to feel relaxed? Today I have started to read the mental benefits of the whole breath and from now on I try to be focus to the whole breath that helps of stress problems. Thank y that y listen to me. I wish y good health!

Hey everyone

I'm starting to use escitalopram for my ADHD, starting by 5 mg for 4 days then step up to 10 mg and continue with it.

I just need to ask about two things:

-my college finals are very soon and I'm studying nowadays, will escitalopram make me feel drowsy and sleepy? I'm on the 2nd day of medication and I cant judge, plus I have no Idea what will happen when the dosage is risen to 10 mg, so I ask.

as for a student, do you advise me to take it when I wake up or before bed? I don't want to waste days in fighting drowsiness.

-also I need to know if anyone on 10 mg has encountered sexual side effects (lipido decrease and impotence).

thank you all in advance.

Hi Damon,

I have been taking Cipralex for one year now, 20 mg. I found that my body was becoming too used to this drug- As it no longer worked for me anymore. When my DR tried to switch me- I began to have withdrawal symptoms. My DR had to put me back on Cirpralex- We are now trying to find another drug.

This drug will make you drowsy.

I have struggled with anxiety and panic attacks my whole adult life. The term for what 99.9% of people on this thread are going through is called Social Anxiety Disorder or what I like to say SAD. I have been to dozens of GP;s, psychologists, and psychiatrists, and they all wanted to prescribe anti-depressants to me.

That was like prescribing sugar to a diabetic, for me. It's a genetic disorder just like alcoholism or dibates, etc..Now I am sure anti-depressants are lifesavers to manic depressants or people who suffer from severe depression, but wouldn't you think that it makes sense to treat anxiety with anti-anxiety medication? I take Clonazepam for my anxiety and it is the only thing that reduces my anxiety. It is also called Klonopin, I think. Why don't doctors want to give this to their patients?

2 main reasons, in my opinion. 1 it is a benzodiazapine and as such, drug addicts will get high off it if they can get there hands on it.2 If the patient got well with the proper medication, then they lose a patient, which is the cynic in me, but in some cases, not far off. My nephew suffers from the same anxiety and panic attacks that I do and he is only 18 and I don't want him wasting his time on anti-depressants that do nothing for him. I also don't think medication is the only answer. Once on the proper medication, a person should do either or both relaxation techniques and'or meditation to increase the effectiveness of the drugs so one is not solely dependant on them. Also, regular physical activity is paramount, because, besides keeping you healthy, it releases endorphines which are released in response to pain and stress and which in turn help to alleviate anxiety and depression. lastly, have a healthy diet, I make sure to juice..that is using a juicer, several times a month. your diet can be a big contributor. Why would anyone want to take a strong stimulant like coffee or black tea that just increases your stress levels!

I think all people who suffer from severe social anxiety are OCD and perfectionists and are probably extremely bright. Hope this helps.

Hi Damom,

I am 24 years old and have been on Cipralex 20mg for about a year now. This medication really did save me and my anxiety/depression. I wouldnt say this drug is a negative, I just noticed that as time passed- It didnt work as well for me, which I had to add other drugs.

My body became VERY dependant on it- When I tried to switch off Cipralex onto something else, I started to have withdrawal symptoms and had to go back on it.

The nervousness and jitters are normal. If you are only on day 8- you still have some time to go as it does take a couple of months for it to work properly.

I am on cipralex for about 5 days at 5 mg in the evening. I am having a lot of sleepiness, yawning, delayed or no ejaculation, decreased sexual desire. Should I stop it?

But feeling is slightly improved, i don't know, with this or due to clonazepam which I took for one to two day in a recent panic attack.

I am having this low self esteem and depressive mood since childhood. I think I got much much less what I deserved due to this low self esteem.

I feel that exact way. I'm just not quite sure if im ready to start this medication. Im 21, and just started my new job. I dont think I would be able to go through all those side effects; but my depression has also become quite crippling.

Hi Damom,

Sorry to hear that you appear to be struggling with side effects from Cipralex. I think that 8 days maybe too short a time to adjust to a new antidepressant, but only you know. I've was on 20 mg. for seven years and recently titrated to 10 mg. I don't remember what it was like when I first started, I've been on several ADs. Cipralex has worked well for me, and is reported to have few side effects compared to other ADs.

I wish you well and hope this drug is going to work for you.

I've been on Cipralex 20mg for 10 weeks now and before that I started on 10mg for about 2 weeks. I also take lorazapam on an as needed bases, however I am taking it almost every day. I was also on Remeron at night time which I recently stopped using since 4 weeks. 

Cipralex has helped my to some degree however I always wake up feeling panicked, anxious and nervous. I know that I'm making myself this way but I can't seem to beat ythis. I was hoping the Cipralex at 20mg was going to help. I'm actually better since I stopped taking the Remeron as I was so much worse.

So I wake up and the anxiety and nerves increase as I get ready for work. At work I usually make the decision that I just can't function as all I'm thinking about is my anxiety and breathing. The breathing is fast and heavy and I can feel my throat burning. At ths point I take 1mg lorazapam. This usually helps to relax my breathng and the anxiety with 1.5 to 2 hours. However sometimes 

My question to everyone is; 1, after 10 weeks on Cipralex, should I expect I could get better or should I be thinking about another med.My doctor suggested the possibility of Zoloft.; 2, Sometimes the lorazapam doesn't work for me. This may be too much stress, I don't know. I've been ready how some people are supplementing with a Beta Blocker.

I would really apprciate some help on this.