Lexapro .. yes or no? Withdrawl?

I have bipolar disorder, so I take a cocktail of antidepressants, mood stabilizer, and antipsychotic. My mental health was pretty stable until after I finished chemo and had a BMX. And then I crashed. I was diagnosed with PTSD, very common in those who are going through serious medical issues like cancer. My doctor put me on Lexapro for about 6 months, which worked like a charm for me. I went from vegetating on the couch in my pajamas all day to rejoining the land of the living. After 6 months, i didnt need it anymore. I stopped taking the Lexapro with no difficulty. (Incidentally, I've taken psych drugs for 25 years. I have never had a problem with taking pain meds for surgery or cold meds.)

I've been taking Lexapro on and off for years. I admit I haven't really needed pain killers, but was never told this would be an issue. I was recently prescribed a muscle relaxant (cyclobenzaprine) for a muscle strain while also taking Lexapro, no issues there. I also can take all the OTC pain meds. I took Paxil years ago as well and it was AWFUL. I felt dead inside and so not having panic attacks was not an even balance with feeling like a zombie. Lexapro has been so much different for me. I take 10mg which is a fairly low dose. It helps a lot with panic attacks and depression (I'm still very depressed, but it comes and goes and I can have a life), but also allows me to feel a full range of emotions and feel alive. I really feel like my regular self except it's like I'm given an extra min to assess situations, think about how not to get stressed out, and actively choose to not let things bother me. It feels like my choice, but off the lexapro I can't do that, I just go fro 0-100 in 10 seconds. It takes 2-3 weeks to get in your system, and worse case, you have side effects you don't like and you come off of it. I've come off of it about 3 or 4 times and never had withdrawals, even when I stopped it cold turkey. I would argue that it's not as dangerous as the stress of depression and anxiety that can eat away at a person every minute of the day for weeks, months, etc. Unfortunately, we never know how a particular drug will affect us so what's good for me might not be good for you. Try not to give up!

Lexapro has been effective in managing my hot flashes and depression, but at a cost. The sexual side effects have been horrendous. 10mg/day.

Just saw this topic. My MO recently prescribed Lexapro 10 mg and I absolutely love it. After being stoic through treatment, when treatment was done I became anxious over everything. I used to thrive on stress but after treatment everything little thing made me jump. Three years out from treatment I tried Lexapro (have never been on anything before). It took a few days for my body to adjust but I am now a much happier, calmer person. I plan on staying on it for at least a year to give myself a breather and then I will figure out the next step