Scared- from Zoloft to Lexapro

[lucinda]

I'm feeling REALLY off today. Not N* but dizzy and really weird in the head. And of course that always makes me scared I could be sick.


A little back story. I've taken 200mg (max dosage) of Zoloft for 10 years.


January 18th 2006, I started the switch to Lexapro. 100mg zoloft and 1/2 dosage of lexapro for one week, then January 25, I stop zoloft totally and start full dosage of Lexapro. On February 15th it will be one month on Lexapro, and 3 weeks since my last dose of zoloft.


Also its my time of the month so that could also be contributing. I'm feeling jsut really weird, like foggy and a little dizzy, and its jsut making me nervous.


I think its because Zoloft is almost all the way out of my system.


Ive tried 3 times very un-successfully to ween of of zoloft but I did research and found most has a smooth switch from zoloft to lexapro. Zoloft widthdrawls for me have been pure torture... I wont get it to them now but I'm just nervous that its the beginning of withdrawl.


My main problem with zolorft? I've gained over 80lbs since I started. I was always thin, I was a professional dancer (ballet) before I started zoloft. Now I'm in plus sizes, and very lethargic, I've heard alot of people that had my issue with zoloft once theyswiched to lexapro lost most of the weight in about a year. I honestly don't care about being 'skinny' just back down to a healthy weight, I really don't want to turn diabetic from all this extra weight.

[kutekim1217]

I will be starting Lexapro soon myself, did you suffer with any side effects?

[lucinda]

I will be starting Lexapro soon myself, did you suffer with any side effects?

so far thats my first significant side effect, it only lasted about an hour or so.I got a bit more 'zings' in the beginning (that almost electrical feeling mostof us with anxiety get every once in a while, like a mild 3 second shock that feels like it starts in your heart and spreads, then a second of light headedness), Other then that very mild lighheaded/dizzyness every once in a while, but nothing bad. Its supposadly very mild with side effects and I'm always super sensitive to drugs.


Have you taken any similar drugs before?

[brokenspirit]

I took Lexapro for a few months a few years ago. I NEVER take meds, I have a strong fear of them, so it was alot for my body to handle I think. I got jittery and a little more paranoid but then calmed down a bit. I did get an overall groggy feeling when I took it, like I was half asleep I guess. The other thing is it changed the way some things tasted, like it made cigs taste icky so I stopped smoking. It also changed the taste of mountain dew, my favorite drink.


The 'zings', is that like that feeling like when your foot or arm falls asleep and the pricklies take over for a bit? If it is then it is nice to know I am not alone, I have that too some times.


They want to put me back on meds but I am scared, do you think it is alright?


Stick with it and remember you have control. You can always ween down and stop taking lexapro if you are unhappy with the results and it is only temporary. Don't worry! Be strong!

[lucinda]

Yeah I also hate taking meds, but anything to help the anxiety from Emet


Weird, it changed the taste of things? I haven't experienced any of that yet.


The Zings are kinda like that, its so hard to expain what it feels like, its like all of 3 senconds long but yeah I think it feels a little like how when your hand or foot falls asleep. They seemed to only increase in the first 2 weeks of Lexapro for me, now I feel fine and only get them every once in a great while. Over all I like this drug alot more then Zoloft for me personally.


As far as getting back on meds. It depends on you, for me, I'd love to not take anything but I get such awful anxiety and panic attacks and the meds seems to take the edge off and make me able to cope with them. I also go to cognitive behavioral therapy 2 times a month and that had definatly helped with dealing with my anixiety, depression and panic attacks. I know all mine is related to the Emetophobia.


I think its true what most doctors say that if you do take meds you should also take therepy. They kind of go hand in hand and work better together. Though therepy alone also works great for some. I hope I can get to that point someday as well


Thanks for the kind words! I hope you find something that will help soon ^__^

[tabycat]

wow, you were a professional ballerina, that's so awesome. I hope you like the lexapro better than the zoloft. I am just in awe that you were a professional ballerina....

[lucinda]

wow, you were a professional ballerina, that's so awesome. I hope you like the lexapro better than the zoloft. I am just in awe that you were a professional ballerina....

yeah, you'd never know it looking at me now... I really REALLY miss ballet, that's one of my goals to get thin enough to do ballet again. i was with the Cleveland School of Ballet in the professional division (was also home of prima ballerina Cynthia Gregory) http://kakyuu.0catch.com/tomodachi/ballet21.jpgthats a pic of me at twelve, I was 98 lbs there same height as I am now (5ft 2in) and I'm actually 100 lbs heavier now Its depressing.


I hope with Lexapro I will be able to loose the weight I did weight watchers very strictly for a year when i was still taking zoloft and I lost only 10 lbs

[tabycat]

well I hope you can get back to doing ballet, I bet it's like me and singing. I couldn't imagine if I could sing. It's my life!

[lucinda]

Thanks Tabycat That's cool you can sing, I always wanted to be able to sing, but I just dont have a very good voice haha

[tabycat]

well I'm not a very good dancer, I tried once, it was bad. I'm thin enough, I'm just not flexible enough. we all have our gifts, I just hope that this switch will make it so you can go back to doing what you love

[lucinda]

You're right, we all have different gifts Itd be boring if we were all the same. thanks! I hope so too, I really miss ballet!