I took Wellbutrin for many years without incident and then it stopped working so I switched to Lexapro about 2 years ago. In the past 1-1/2 years I gained 30-35 pounds and developed an increasingly devastating case of apathy and horrible fatigue. I don't, however, feel deeply depressed - I just don't care about many things, e.g., housework, financial obligations, my appearance. I continue to enjoy my work and interacting with patients and even maintained my sense of humor. I neglected to add that I developed acid reflux during this time period, as well as erratic sleep. I underwent a sleep study test -- no sleep apnea, but some leg movement (not enough to be RLS) that woke me during the night. I'm starting to think that Lexapro has had something to do with these symtpoms as well.
I started Lexapro at 10 mg and increased to 20 mg after some time. I recently visited a psych nurse practitioner, reported the fatigue and apathy, and she increased me to 30 mg of Lexapro. The symptoms got WORSE. I just spent the last week at home, feeling so very tired and headachy and wobbly. I slept a good part of the week away and never felt rested.
I looked up Lexapro side effects on the internet and found several postings from people experiencing similar and worse side effects. I called the nurse and she agreed I should wean myself from the Lexapro. At the same time, I've resumed taking Wellbutrin and hope it will work for me again. I've already cut myself down to 10 mg Lexapro daily and have to tell you that after less than a week of slowly removing Lexapro from my body, I feel significantly better. It will take some time to get back to feeling normal again and even more time to get this weight off, but I feel extremely optimistic. I did feel a "brain shiver" this morning, have a bit of difficulty negotiating cognitive tasks and have a dull headache, but almost welcome these symptoms as opposed to the
Lexapro Lethargy.
Please let me know if you experienced any of the Lexapro symptoms I've described. I'm trying to gather information for my doctor and psych nurse. Thanks, and the best to all of you.
