Can anyone help me with Zoloft or Lexapro

barbiecorn...I took Zoloft for two years nearly twenty years ago.  I started on Prozac.  After one day, on the Prozac, I became highly anxious and then suicidal.  The doctor said it couldn't possibly be the prozac because it couldn't have worked so quickly.  Fortunately, I had the wherewithall to know better.  I insisted he take me off the prozac and I was switched to zoloft.  I was fine within a few days.  I think that if you are experiencing issues with the lexapro, you should consider getting off of it quickly.  It may be related to bc treatments you are having, but it may not.  I strongly urge you to remember that is likely chemical, and that it likely can be improved by adjusting the medication. 

Did you and your doctor consider adjusting the dosage on the zoloft before switching to lexapro?  Could that be an option?

Whatever happens, if the side effects get worse, please consider seeing someone before Monday.  The hyperventilating and anxiety are particularly concerning.

Wishing you all the luck with this...  Hang in there!

Claire

I'm so sorry you have to deal with this.  After BC< my doctor put me on Lexapro because I was having crazy panic attacks and anxiety, which turned out to be from tamoxifen.  But for me, the lexapro did nothing, even after two weeks.  I didn't have any SE's other than being starving in the middle of the night - definitely an increase in appetite!   I finally removed myself from it after two weeks and I did it cold turkey with the help of my naturopath.  I know I was supposed to wean myself from it but I just wanted to be "done". 

Lexapro is really helpful to MANY people.  the kind of reaction you're having with the breathing though - I wonder  if that is an allergic reaction.  I had that kind of not feeling that I could catch my breath once with something my naturopath gave me - it was a weird feeling.  My lungs could get air but I felt like I wasn't getting oxygen.  I went to him immediatley and he said that is an allergic reaction.

Lexapro can cause increased anxiety in some people - I do remember that.  Can you take ativan at all?  That tiny pill is my favorite - but you have to be careful with it long term, like xanax.  I have side effects to xanax --so I love ativan.  

I was on Zoloft for probably 15 years just fine. Around the BC diagnosis, we had to add Welbutrin. You may not need more Zoloft, you may need a different kind of mood elevator added. It is a fine cocktail to mix, but each drug does something different. Having cancer certainly adds to your stress. Zoloft kept anger at bay for me. Welbutrin kept depression away. I am off both of them now as they were replaced by Seroquel during a crisis and now I am down to only 25 mgs of Seroquel (from 200!!!) and am almost off that. I truly believe those of us with chemical imbalances may need long-term medication, just like diabetics do. It takes months to find the perfect mix. Good luck!

I've been on Lexapro for 6 years and have had no side effects other than crazy dreams. I take it at night - right before bed. I've been on Xanax since the BC diagnosis, but I only take it when needed. I hope you find something that works for you. I'd be a real mess without these drugs!