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Avatar universal

I took 1 lexapro and it has ruined my life..

I was suffering from alot of stress and then I started to get depressed so, I went to the doctor 9 years ago and he prescribed lexapro and vioxx due to a knot that had come up on my neck ' thinking back on that I believe it was caused from all the tension headaches I was having" anyway that night as usual I put my daughter to bed took the meds. then I went to bed. I woke up about 2 hours later, I jumped strait out of my bed with my mind feeling as if it was a million miles away and racing thoughts and very I was confused, but yet I could feel a cold sensation like ice being run through my viens, I ran into the living room screaming and crying to where my husband was. I remember not being able to stand still I had to be moving constanly in a fast pace my heart was racing I put my hands on my chest it felt like my heart was actually coming out of my chest I felt like I was holding it in with pressure from my hands. Then next I started burning intead of being cold I looked for holes in my body because  It hurt so bad. My husband called my mom and she came and seen me and said it was probably an allergic reaction. I was begging to go to the hospital, but instead she called the doctor at the office she worked at. He told her to give me benadryl. My husband left to go get some during that time I started shaking uncontrolable I was going from being ice cold to burning feelings going through my body like waves.I started getting bad cramps so I ran to the bathroom and had direahha and throwing up at the same time.I just knew I was dying I remember my husband giving me benadryl thinking it would stop everything, but it did hardly nothing! It use to knock me out, but nothing would stop this crazy feelings and the pain I was having. My mom called the doctor back and he said it should wear off by morning...Well it didn't I was took to the hopital 24 hours later still with all these symptoms and was told it was serotion syndrom and sent  home..I lost all kinds of weight I went for almost 2 weeks without eating and barely drinking and walking constantly day and night I was wired up. I was scared to be left alone I didn't shower for 3 days I was told. I didn't realize that at the time that's how messed up I was.I finally went back to the er they ask if I was on crack and I have never had any kind of drugs in my life! They said it was aniexty and sent me home and told me to act normal it was the only way I would get over it. I started to clear up enough to find a new doctor he gave me xanax it is the only thing that helps with the symptoms. I was taking 6 a day and still needed more just so I could sit down. There is so much more I could go on and on, but I just want to know if anyone knows what could be going on I do get better sometimes,but this has never went completly away and I am going on 9 years of this:( I pray everyday for an answer for the right help to come along I just want to be a normal mother and wife again I hate to suffer ,but mostly it kills me to know what my daughter has seen and been through.
62 Responses
370181 tn?1428176748

It's entirely possible that NINE YEARS ago you DID have an allergic reaction to the ONE Lexapro tablet you took, but I sincerely doubt that you are still being affected by that.
I've also never heard of an allergic reaction causing the severe and traumatic types of symptoms you describe.
I urge you to see your doctor immediately for a very thorough physical and a referral to a psychiatrist to help you deal with the resulting emotional issues you have to this day.
I wish you the best of luck
Avatar universal
I never had any type of problem this severe until I took the lexapro, and I do agree that an allergic reaction should not last that long that's why I can't figure it out..There is NO DOUBT THAT THIS STILL FLARES UP FROM TIME TO TIME BELIEVE ME!! I wouldn't say that I experience this if it wasn't true I would love for it to just go away and forget all about it..  I do get better, but at times, but at times it still happens. I have been to doctors and I do have a psychiatrist I have to keep I go every 3 to 6 months to get refills and and follow ups they prescribe me anti- depressants,and xanax " which I only take xanax if I have to" I am terrified of almost any medication now. but after so long it's like my system gets immune to them and I have to start all over. Thank you very much  for taking the time to read my story .
Avatar universal
Vioxx was recalled several years ago due to sudden deaths from taking it.  Your reaction may have been from the combination of the two drugs.
Avatar universal
I know vioxx was recalled,but all I could find about it was like heart attacks and strokes. I have had to have an ablation done to lower my heart rate 2 years after this happen, but my heart rate runs a little high still. I have been to many doctors I have never got answers for what happen just medicine for depression and aniexty. I read a little about you sounds like you have been through alot. I am sorry for your pain because I couldn't imagine being in your shoes. I thought if I posted something on here about what happen to me that I can get some answers hopefully, and maybe write to someone on here just to help me get through some bad things because I really have no one that understands. I have severe aniexty and depreesion because I have been through some horrbile things myself. I just wished I knew what happen I have seen 2 other people that has similiar symptoms on here with lexapro so, I know now at least I am not alone.However the two meds could have made me have 2 reactions.I just wonder what it has messed up in my body and if there is anything to correct it. I am so desperate for an answer.
Avatar universal
Have you discussed any different anxiety drugs with your doctor.  Although benzos are not designed to be taken "long term" some are better than others at actually preventing these panic/anxiety attacks.(particularly Klonopin)  Couldn't hurt to ask your Doc.  Also some people benefit from Buspar which is not a benzo.  Good luck.  I know it's hard to relax when you never know when the hammer will drop!
Avatar universal
Yes,I have and I have tried klonopin, but it doesn't work and I get real angry and agaitated with it. I am not crazy about xanax at all they can be addtictive I have already found that out. I realized I was addicited to them  after all those symptoms happen to me when I started to calm down . I had to make the decsion to come off them slowly which wasn't easy I just knew taking them wasn't for me if I could help it. Now I have them only if I need them and I have gone months without them I just have to try and keep my head level so I know when I actually need them or if it's my systems craving them. I am now on welbutrin xl 300mg. I started them about a month ago I went off my meds for 8 months because I though I was better...I go back in about a week to my doc. I am not sure what is going to happen. I think my system may be still adjusting, but my head tingles alot, the good part is I feel a little better with my depression. I am not familiar with buspar, but my mom was just put on it.I just hate changing meds. because, I am terrified of what will happen. I get scared just thinking about it.
Avatar universal
Anything can happen in life.  It's a crap shoot.  That's especially true with medication, which is relatively new to the human body.  Because there's no money in dealing with the minority who have really awful reactions to meds, there's just not a lot of studies on it -- the money is in developing new meds and selling the ones that are out there.  I'm kinda in the camp of the person who suggested it was the vioxx, but who knows?  One Lexapro couldn't give you serotonin syndrome unless you were on something else that also produced it, particularly since it doesn't even reach critical mass of working until 4-6 weeks of use, but for you, again, who knows?  I feel for you, because I had a terrible reaction to stopping Paxil, and, like you, I've never recovered from it, and can't find anyone who knows what to do about it either, but I was on it for several years and this does happen to some people.  One pill?  That's odd, but you know better than we do.
Avatar universal
You can message me if you want to. I am suffering almost 2 years later from effects of effexor. Its been hell.
1614956 tn?1298492993
I had the exact same reaction to taking one Lexapro several years ago!  It was the scariest time of my life.  That was the only thing I had taken.  I wasn't on any other meds.  I was seriously going out of my mind!  My skin was crawling.  It was pure hell....  It eventually wore off days later, I guess.  But this is why I do not like ANY type of anti-depressants.  A xanax here and there is just fine for the anxiety, and I don't really like them either.  The best approach is CBT or other forms of therapy.  Reading, talking to friends and family, etc...
I can't believe I read your post about this, because I never thought anymore about it years later.  I just thought it was my body freaking out, but always thought something strange as to why the lexapro and no other anti-depressants doing that.   I had tried several other ones prior to the Lexapro, but it was a lengthy time before.  Anyhow, we know our bodies better than anyone else, so I am hoping you find the thing(s) that help you the best!  
Take Care!
Avatar universal
Thanks for letting me know that you went through the same things. Alot of people think it's impossible, but when you are the one suffering you know it is real. I am glad your symptoms went away I was just not that fortunate. I have to take something several times I have tried to stop because I thought it was finaly all over with but..I always end back up on something because of it. I am not a fan of xanax but it is the only thing that I have found that will relax me.I still pray that one day I will not have to take anything. I have been through all types of therapy,but talking doesn't make my body feel better. I do need to talk sometimes about how I am feeling, but it seems pointless because they haven't been through it so they don't understand. This is the first time I have ever tried to find someone else who went through this.I guess I am just reaching out. My parents aren't healthy so I try not to mention my problems to worry them. I can talk to my husband but again he can just listen because he really don't know what to say. Thanks again for sharing what happen to you. Take care
It sounds like serotonin syndrome https://www.google.com/search?q=serotonin+syndrome&oq=serotonin&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0l3.5770j0j8&client=tablet-android-samsung&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8
Avatar universal
This thread is freaking me out.  My new psychiatrist has me on valium, and the goal is to put me on Lexapro or something like it, down the road.  I am sorry for your troubles, KLG - I can't offer any guess as to what caused your extreme reaction to the Lexapro or a combo of that and Vioxx or whatever.  I only know that as someone new to the whole meds experience, the idea that one could even have such a reaction scares the s_ _t out of me and makes me less inclined to try it.  I'm now on diazepam (valium), and am up to half a 2 mg pill daily - not a lot, buy I'm sensitive to all meds so it took a bit of getting used to.  I am glad you shared your experience w/ us, and look forward to learning from others on this forum, as well, about how lexapro - and valium, for that matter, have affected them.  Hope things go better for you soon.  
Avatar universal
If any way possible avoid all anti-depressents, just take the valium as needed and be careful because they can become additive. I am also sensitive to all meds. as well I always just take half of a dose of something like 1 tylenol will knock me out for a few hours.You do have to remember throughout your treatment that not everyone reacts the same. I wish you the best of luck.
168141 tn?1342758997

Yes !!!, This exact same thing happened to me 4 and a half years ago and I still suffer horribly at times. I took ONE 10mg OF LEXAPRO and went to sleep. When I awoke 8 hours later I was in hell. My entire body felt like it was on fire from the inside, couldn't sit still (akathisia) had horrible panic and my ears were ringing very loud. Waves of nervous energy were running through my veins driving me crazy. I went running down the street in my underwear after sprinting around my house. I couldn't remain still. It hurt like a severe nerve pain all over as if I was dying from some type of poisoning or overdose. I had never felt anything like this or experienced anything like this before and I didn't take anything but the Lexapro.

Everything you described, I had...and then a lot more. It wrecked my life. I cannot begin to describe all of the adverse reactions which occured after I took the Lexapro nor the diminished quality of my life since I made that mistake.

Xanax is the only saving grace for me, I take 1mg an hour before bed and only more if I have a terrible panic attack (I did not suffer from panic attacks before the Lexapro incident). It is the only thing that has helped and I am sensitive to most other meds. I also take ibuprofen for pain and one baby aspirin a day.

I have been contacted (and still have their e-maill addy's) by several people who needed help after the (one pill Lexapro) problem. This is a rare but very real condition that is apparently a type of serotonin syndrome. I have not yet been able to return to my field repairing machinery and robotics.

4 and a half years later I still struggle, and although I did improve after the first 2 years, I do not believe I will ever fully recover. This damage feels permanent. I have seen a counselor for about a year and a half and a psychiatrist. Their opinion is that I do not have an underlying mental condition and that this issue is directly related to neural damage caused by the Lexapro. However, since the traumatic experience coupled with this disabling condition, I have developed an anxiety disorder and PTSD.

I will attempt to paste a link of an earlier post I had made in 2007 here:

168141 tn?1342758997
Also, I tried to switch to Klonopin at the request of my doctor and had awful reaction to it for some reason. I had a weird episode so I went back to the xanax. For me, xanax has been a good long term solution despite what I have read. I manage the amount taken (which is very low) and I never have any problem with dependency or addiction. This is just an exercise of willpower. I have read a study that states 2/3rds of people who have taken xanax for long term treatment do not increase their levels and do not develop any substance abuse issues. So it appears that some people have issues with it but not the majority. For me, it is not a problem and has been a Godsend.
Avatar universal
Will power is the key, you are exactly right because xanax is the ONLY thing I have found that helps. Do you go by AJC on here to? Because that is the profile I read on here that give the almost exact same symptoms I had..
Avatar universal
Ok I had a moment there, I didn't click the link before I had ask you about AJC. So, know  I was just a little confused for a second. lol
168141 tn?1342758997

Yes, that was my old alias and had a problem, couldn't get back into the old account, created a new one. Sorry for the confusion.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors have an opposite effect on nerve cells than xanax does. Google GABA for more ino on nerve cell receptors. I think this is why xanax works so well after nerve cells are damaged by SSRI's.

My ears are actually ringing right now....... If I could only go back and not take that 0ne pill, life would be so different.
Avatar universal
I am feeling pretty bad right now myself my head is tingling like I am wearing a hat or something. I will google that tomorrow I just feel so sick to my stomach and very emotional right now.  This is awful...I am gonna try to relax to see if that helps I have had a very hard day.  don't really understand all this stuff it's way over my head..I don't think I ever had the ringing in my ears,but for a few weeks I didn't know much of anything so who knows. I know people say one pill wouldn't do this but if you think about it alot of people have died by just taking one pill. It don't make sense does it? I wish I would have never took lexapro either! Are you disabled now from this? I know there is times I am not even able to get out of my house. I am going to try to get a job to keep my mind busy to see if it helps. I just don't know where to start. I went to school for cosmetolgy, but that was years ago and I would have to go through the whole process again to be able to start over. I love being mom though so I may look for something part time that way I can still go to all my daughters cheer practices and do the mom and daughter things. Plus if I can't do it I can quit. I will just have to try it I guess!
955569 tn?1255489680
lexapro saved my life... period.
Avatar universal
I am glad it saved your life, but it ruined mine.period.... That goes to show you everyones body reacts different.Thanks for information it really helped me:)
168141 tn?1342758997

Yes, I am disabled. I was forced to quit working my full time job after taking the pill. I then returned to part time work, very slowly (after 4 months), and after much difficulty I lost my job and have been out of work for almost 9 months. I would love to try to work but I couldn't do it and the result would be my termination.

I also get the pressure in the head... it is extremely weird and uncomfortable.
Avatar universal
That is awful I feel like I have suffered, but reading about you mine could have been alot worse. I am still feeling uncomfortable today I am still tingling in my head for two days strait now.I know this sounds strange, but you seem to be able to express yourself more than I can with communication. I feel like it's a task to type on here I have to really focus and think awhile before I type then reread it. Most of the time after I posted my comments I see all the mistakes I have made. I worry about every little thing . I can't stand feeling this way have you ever experienced this? Before you took lexapro did you have any health problems at all?  I can't imagine the depression this must be causing you or the anger you must have built up. How have you learned to deal with this?
Avatar universal
I was given a months worht of lexapro samples and I did not feel any different on them except although being told they can keep you awake at night (which happens anyway) I slept great. I had problems with my insurance so I was unable to get refills through regular pharmacy until now so I just di.d not bother   Just yesterday I started treatment for Hep c Pregasys interferon and Ribapac ribiviarin..Because of the side effects I am encouraged to start the Lexapro again. Even though nothing bad happened when I took the samples  after reading this thread and what happened to you and a few others I am not so sure I should take them especially now that I started the hep c treatment. .  Is there another antidepressant I can ask my Dr. for? I have 3 kids and I really need to keep the side effects that affect my mood away the best I can. Any suggestions you may have will be appreciated.  Take care
I ha
Avatar universal
There is plenty of other antidepressents out there I am just not crazy about taking any of them if any way possible try to avoid them. If you do have to take them don't freak out because, everyone is not the same and you may be fine. I know don't wont to discourage anyone from getting medical help if they need it. I just posted this on here to see if others went through the same thing and make people be aware of what they can do to some people. Doctors do not believe this can happen, but it is real and it is awful. I have 1 daughter, she was 5 years old when this happen to me. so I know how you feel about your kids. I get down alot because, I know she has seen me go through some bad reactions with this, I think that is the worst part of it all it breaks my heart. Just talk to your doctor and do research on what you take. Good Luck
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