Has anyone been on Lexapro for years and is it still working for you? I have tried almost every antidepressant out there and Lexapro by far has been the best one. I have depression, anxiety and panic attacks. It has helped me regain my life but now I feel like it has either stopped working or I am having break through anxiety. I’m dealing with grief over my mother passing away 2 years ago. I have no idea why I’m just now trying to come to terms with it but I would say it was because I was drinking wine every night. My doctor added klonopin to help but even that doesn’t seem to take everything away. He doesn’t want to take me off Lexapro because it has worked so well and during a time when I’m unstable he doesn’t want to switch me because you have to go through so much. Thoughts please?
Lexapro for 8 years, need advice?
Question posted by Jujubeaner45 on 9 June 2022
Last updated on 24 July 2022
3 Answers
I have been on Lexapro for 8 years too. It never stops working like other psych meds i taken before. I believe its breakthrough anxiety and real life stressors that over power the meds. Suggest increasing Klonopin dose by your doctor or changing to Xanax XR and your good to go. All the best!
Thank you for your reply! My doctor did exactly what you said. He increased my klonopin and so far it seems to be working. He didn’t want to switch my Lexapro since I have been doing well with it even after my mother’s passing. But when the second year anniversary was coming up I was a mess. Plus with drinking wine almost every day, which lowers the effectiveness of Lexapro didn’t help either. I stopped drinking alcohol all together and that has helped as well. Thank you again!
Great I am happy that happened and I hope you feel good again and i am sure you will feel even better! Will check on you from time to time :) I should have studied psychology then lol I had the same stressors+real life major issues and increasing the benzo helped a lot even in the middle of the real stressors. Its the stressors no more. All the very best
Thank you so very much!
Hi, Jujubeaner!
Unfortunately I was on Lexapro for over 7 years before it "pooped out" on me... the same thing happened with Effexor after years of use. The problem is that's it's the drug itself that becomes ineffective and the drug is the same in the name brand and generics.
When I was on Lexapro (I took the generic escitalopram) an increase to 30mg did help for a couple of years but then we added Abilify to booster it's effects. Rexulti is another option you could discuss with your doctor.
Congratulations on your sobriety... self medicating only leads down a crooked path.
Don't give up hope before you look at other ways that may get you through this!
Best regards,
Wildcat
PS, have you tried therapy... CBT or CPT? It's done a world of good for me.
Thank you for your response. My doctor doesn’t know if the Lexapro stopped working or I’m having break through anxiety. It still is helping with panic and depression so he hates to take me off. This has happened one other time but not as bad. My husband and I had separated and boom, everything came back. My doctor didn’t switch my Lexapro but added Klonopin for 4 weeks and it really helped. Of course I was in therapy as well. We got back together after 4 months.
Now with using alcohol over a 2 year period off and on it can play havoc on your mind and medication. My doctor did tell me that I shouldn’t drink while on Lexapro. I didn’t care though. So what I’m finding out is that alcohol doesn’t increase the effects of Lexapro it actually decreases it and makes your anxiety, panic and depression worse. So I’m wondering if it’s like starting over again with the Lexapro? I have not had a drink since May 14.
I woke up that day with so much anxiety that I thought I would lose it. That is when I decided no more alcohol ever. My doctor has talked about increasing it to 30mg but wants to see how I do with the klonopin. He also said something about Depakote? Not sure about that one.
I have taken almost everything out there and Lexapro has worked the best is there a way to test to see if the Lexapro still works?
Thank you in advance.
I’m just now starting CBT. Usually it’s been just talk therapy but now I’m trying both.
I don’t see my last comment on here about my doctor saying he thinks it’s break through anxiety? Did you receive it?
No, it didn't come through... it happens sometimes.
Your doctor may be right and that's where the CBT comes in. It'll help you start to recover from a traumatic event in your life and you'll be able to recognize triggers and develop better coping skills.
Good luck with it and keep us updated, okay?
Great and thank you so much! You are very wise in your words and knowledge.
I'm very sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. It makes sense that your grief is manifesting more now since you mentioned you previously were coping with alcohol.
Regarding Lexapro, I too feel it's the best one available, especially for panic disorder. I took it for several years, and sadly had to stop because I gained 100lbs, experienced nightmares, and suffered myoclonic jerks. I was on 20 mg.
What dose are you on? I honestly see where your doctor is coming from. Starting a new med during a difficult time could do a lot of harm in the beginning. Is he able to just increase your dose of Lexapro?
Thank you for your response. I’m on 20mg but he said there are studies that show you can take up to 30mg to help. How many years were you on Lexapro? I just wonder if it has stopped working altogether or is it the emotional pain I’m dealing with. I did hear that with alcohol it can diminish
Some of the Lexapro. My last drink of anything was May14. I gave it up because it was causing more anxiety.
I’m sorry you gained weight on it. I gained some but nothing as bad as Paxil. Over 30lbs on Paxil. And the worst withdrawal ever. I’m wondering if I switch to the brand name if that would work better? Thoughts?
Was it hard to wean off of your Lexapro?
I’m still on Lexapro. My doctor will not wean me off as he thinks it’s still working to some point. No panic attacks and my department is ok.
It’s hard to wean of any antidepressant. That is why doctors like to just increase your dose as opposed to changing your medication.
The worst was getting off Paxil. I thought I was going to lose it. You have to tapper off very slowly.
Related topics
lexapro, depression, anxiety, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, antidepressant, antidepressants
Further information
- Lexapro uses and safety info
- Lexapro prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Lexapro (detailed)
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