Nightmares on Lexapro?!
Question: I have been taking lexapro 10 mg for almost two months now and I keep having disturbing nightmares. Is this normal? I'm taking lexapro for chronic depression and anxiety. It wasn't till recently that I keep having constant nightmares.
Examples:
me killing a bunch of people for no apparent reason.
Being killed by people.
Horrible breakups with my boyfriend of three years.
More killing.. etc.
It's really starting to bother me and I haven't consulted my doctor about it just yet.. I wanted to see if this is a normal side effect. If anyone can help me with there story and some back up information for me, I would greatly appreciate it and I will give you 10 pts for best answer. Thanks so much!
Answers: I have been taking lexapro 10 mg for almost two months now and I keep having disturbing nightmares. Is this normal? I'm taking lexapro for chronic depression and anxiety. It wasn't till recently that I keep having constant nightmares.
Examples:
me killing a bunch of people for no apparent reason.
Being killed by people.
Horrible breakups with my boyfriend of three years.
More killing.. etc.
It's really starting to bother me and I haven't consulted my doctor about it just yet.. I wanted to see if this is a normal side effect. If anyone can help me with there story and some back up information for me, I would greatly appreciate it and I will give you 10 pts for best answer. Thanks so much!
My daughter was on Lexapro for depression and had horrible nightmares. She also tried to stick with it, thinking the symptoms would pass, but after a couple months she decided it wasn't worth it. You can't just stop that medication cold; you would need to wean off it if you decide not to take it any longer. There are so many effective medications out there, your doctor should be able to order something else that will work for you and not have the same side effect. Good luck!
I have taken Lexapro, and I didn't have anything like what you are describing, not do I recall it as being a side affect. It might just be a weird coincidence.
I have been on Lexapro for almost two years now & I have some goofy dreams but not like yours. I know many who are also on Lexapro (10mg) & they aren't having nightmares, just dreams. I really think that your dreams are not related to the Lexapro. Perhaps you have some problems on your life that your trying to deal with, thus the nightmares.
I've been on Lexapro for sometime now and haven't experienced sleeping difficulties although that is a possible side effect.
Why is Lexapro prescribed?
Lexapro is prescribed for major depression--a persistently low mood that interferes with daily functioning. To be considered major, depression must occur nearly every day for at least two weeks, and must include at least five of the following symptoms: low mood, loss of interest in usual activities, significant change in weight or appetite, change in sleep patterns, agitation or lethargy, fatigue, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, slowed thinking or lack of concentration, and thoughts of suicide.
Lexapro is also prescribed for generalized anxiety disorder, a condition marked by excessive worry and anxiety that is hard to control and interferes with daily life. To be diagnosed with this disorder, your symptoms must have lasted at least 6 months and you must have at least three of the following: restlessness, fatigue, poor concentration, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep disturbances.
Lexapro works by boosting levels of serotonin, one of the chief chemical messengers in the brain. The drug is a close chemical cousin of the antidepressant medication Celexa. Other antidepressants that work by raising serotonin levels include Paxil, Prozac, and Zoloft.
Most important fact about Lexapro
Do not take Lexapro for 2 weeks before or after taking any drug classified as an MAO inhibitor. Drugs in this category include the antidepressants Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate. Combining these drugs with Lexapro can cause serious and even fatal reactions marked by such symptoms as fever, rigidity, twitching, and agitation leading to delirium and coma.
How should you take Lexapro?
Take Lexapro exactly as prescribed, even after you begin to feel better. Although improvement usually begins within 1 to 4 weeks, treatment typically continues for several months. Lexapro is available in tablet and liquid forms and can be taken with or without food.
--If you miss a dose...
Take the forgotten dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and return to your regular schedule. Do not take two doses at once.
--Storage instructions...
Store at room temperature.
What side effects may occur?
Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, tell your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe to continue using Lexapro.
More common side effects may include:
Constipation, decreased appetite, decreased sex drive, diarrhea, dizziness, dry mouth, ejaculation disorder, fatigue, flu-like symptoms, headache, impotence, indigestion, insomnia, nausea, runny nose, sinusitis, sleepiness, sweating
Why should Lexapro not be prescribed?
You'll be unable to use Lexapro if it causes an allergic reaction, or if you've ever had an allergic reaction to the related drug Celexa. Remember, too, that you must never take Lexapro while taking an MAO inhibitor such as Marplan, Nardil, or Parnate.
Special warnings about Lexapro
In clinical studies, antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in children and adolescents with depression and other psychiatric disorders. Anyone considering the use of Lexapro or any other antidepressant in a child or adolescent must balance this risk with the clinical need. Lexapro has not been studied in children or adolescents and is not approved for treating anyone less than 18 years old.
Additionally, the progression of major depression is associated with a worsening of symptoms and/or the emergence of suicidal thinking or behavior in both adults and children, whether or not they are taking antidepressants. Individuals being treated with Lexapro and their caregivers should watch for any change in symptoms or any new symptoms that appear suddenly--especially agitation, anxiety, ***hostility***, panic, restlessness, extreme hyperactivity, and suicidal thinking or behavior--and report them to the doctor immediately. Be especially observant at the beginning of treatment or whenever there is a change in dose.
Lexapro makes some people sleepy. Until you know how the drug affects you, use caution when driving a car or operating other hazardous machinery.
In rare cases, Lexapro can trigger mania (unreasonably high spirits and excess energy). If you've ever had this problem, be sure to let the doctor know.
Also make sure that the doctor knows if you have liver problems or severe kidney disease. Your dosage may need adjustment.
Convulsions have been reported during Lexapro treatment. If you have a history of seizures, use Lexapro with caution.
Serotonin-boosting antidepressants could potentially cause stomach bleeding, especially in older people or those taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), and ketoprofen (Orudis KT). Consult your doctor before combining Lexapro with NSAIDs or blood-thinning medications.
You should never stop taking Lexapro without consulting your doctor. An abrupt decrease in dose could cause withdrawal symptoms such as mood problems, lethargy, insomnia, and tingling sensations.
Possible food and drug interactions when taking Lexapro
Do not use Lexapro if you are taking the related drug Celexa. Be sure to avoid MAO inhibitors when taking Lexapro. Although Lexapro does not interact with alcohol, the manufacturer recommends avoiding alcoholic beverages.
If Lexapro is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Lexapro with the following:
Aspirin
Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Cimetidine (Tagamet)
Desipramine (Norpramin)
Drugs that act on the brain, including antidepressants, painkillers, sedatives, and tranquilizers
Ketoconazole (Nizoral)
Linezolid (Zyvox)
Lithium (Eskalith)
Metoprolol (Lopressor)
Narcotic painkillers
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Advil and Motrin
Sumatriptan (Imitrex)
Warfarin (Coumadin) ~~~ That hostility, which your conscious mind represses during the day, has the reins taken off, at night, when your subconscious mind allows it full expression, in the form of dreams/nightmares (Did you see "Forbidden Planet"? Monsters from the Id!!!). The anxiety/panic may be manifested in nightmares about your own death. ~~~ See www.theroadback.org on Lexapro, and other antidepressant websites in section 2, at ezy-build*. I checked out http://crazymeds.us on it: interesting, but inapplicable here, except that they state that it won't get any better, so if you are stuck on the idea of "magic pills" being the solution to your problems, consider switching to Effexor, or similar, with medical advice, and see crazymeds. Alternatives: ANXIETY: See anxiety treatments, at * ezy-build (below) in section 6. Set yourself a fixed limit for worrying about any particular subject, (say; 15 minutes) after which, resolve firmly to refuse to even consider that subject again on that day: realise and accept that to do otherwise would be counterproductive to your mental health, and enjoyment of life. Use the technique for reprogramming negative thoughts and internal monologue (self talk), on pages 2, and 2L, to help you in this: some people carry a wide rubber band in their pocket: put it on their wrist; stretch, and release, as a means of reinforcing it, and speeding up the process, re-pocketing it afterwards, but I regard this as being purely optional. Practice one of the relaxation methods on pages 2, 11, 2c, or 2i, daily, and when needed. Also, give the EFT a good tryout, to see if it helps you. There is also a version for use in public places, (if you like, you can claim to have a headache, as you massage/lightly tap your temples, but you would then be restricted to subvocalising: saying it to yourself in your mind). Section 53, and pages 2, 2.q and 2.o at * http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris also refer: "Even though I sometimes suffer from anxiety, I deeply and completely accept myself." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ DEPRESSION: My standard post follows, but, if you are young, antidepressants are unsuitable for young people. See depression treatments, at ezy-build *(below) in section 2, and consult a doctor, to eliminate thyroid problems, etc. as possible contributing factors: also seek a referral to a therapist using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy. It is your decision, and yours alone, as to whether to take any antidepressants offered, but, before you do, read section 1, and check medications out at www.drugs.com so you will be on the lookout for side effects, like sexual dysfunction. My strong recommendation, however, is to follow the advice of my doctor, his associate, and also Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP, and Dr. Mercola, at http://www.mercola.com and many others: avoid antidepressants (pages 2V, and 2Z refer, & antidepressant websites: page 2). The reasons why we all share the same view on this are explained in full, as you will find, if you read the whole section. All of their advice, (except prayer, because many people are not religious) I have incorporated into the "core treatments", including occupational therapy, relaxation techniques, and exercise, with others as options, such as the supplements: Inositol, or SAMe, or herbal remedies, like St. John's wort. If you are diagnosed with clinical (major) depression, antidepressants may be necessary for a while, which will give the treatments time to become effective. The antidepressants themselves need at least several days, or even weeks to begin becoming effective. It's a good idea to taper off them slowly, with medical advice, after several months, say, to a couple of years, at most, because they are only effective in the long term for about 30% of people. Because of this, you would be well advised to begin the treatments immediately, and maintain them. I'd just thank your mental health care provider, and pocket the prescription, trying the treatments for a few months, to see if they are sufficient for you, before considering filling it (unless clinically depressed, and having great difficulty functioning, or suicidal, in which case I'd take them). If the amount of daylight you have been exposed to recently has reduced, perhaps due to the change of seasons, see Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.) in section 2, at * http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris and, instead of taking 4 Omega 3 fish oil supplements, daily; replace 2 of them with cod liver oil supplements for the winter months only! (or, as probably a better alternative to the 2 cod liver oil supplements: 1 teaspoonful of cod liver oil, with a little butter, to ensure its use; I take mine on sourdough rye bread, or toast, covered with fishpaste, and pepper, to mask the strong taste). Consider having your doctor test your vitamin D levels, using the 25 HYDROXYVITAMIN D test. Optimal levels are 50 - 55 ng/ml (115 - 125 nmol/l. It should be above 32 ng/ml. Those people who receive adequate exposure to sunlight, daily, won't need the vitamin D from cod liver oil, but many people, particularly those in latitudes far from the equator, find this difficult, to achieve.