Effexor or Lexapro?

[Sheila6830]

Which is the least likely to bother IC?

It seems like I took Lexapro in the past and it made me hurt.

Effexor at a low dose didn't seem to hurt. I don't know why. I thought they were both SSRIs. Most SSRIs give me urgency or rentention, leading to pain.

[annekatherine86]

Hi Shiela, :hi:

Over the years, I think I have been prescribed virtually every SSRI on the market. The ones I can remember are Paxil, Zoloft, Prozac, Wellbutrin(although that affects dopamine), Cymbalta, Effexor, and Trazodone (for insomnia). Currently, I am taking 10mg of Lexapro, and I can honestly say that it has caused the least irritation of my IC, and the other side-effects have been nearly non-existant, ESPECIALLY compared to Effexor. While I was taking Effexor, I would often wake up feeling as though every cell in my body was vibrating, and my sleep was anything but refreshing, sometimes keeping me up all night. It did significantly help with my anxiety, but Lexapro is doing just as good of a job, if not better, minus all the insane side-effects. As far as the emotional side, as I said, it did help with my anxiety, but it almost made me feel numb. I never cried and hardly laughed which made me feel like I had lost touch with "the real me." These are just a few of the side-effects, but I think the worst thing about it was trying to get off of it. I thought I'd never be able to. For about a month, all I wanted to do was sleep and when I was awake, I would get these feelings of horrible dizziness, but it was like an internal dizziness which felt like it was coming from my brain. It was miserable. So anyway, I'm sure you get that I obviously recommend Lexapro over Effexor, and I really hope this help you. After the Effexor episode, I began researching every medication I was on, and found out everything I could about new ones I had been prescribed before I would take them. I always say that research is my "homework." lol I suggest you ask around some more, visit some websites and whatever other info you come across, and really consider what you are putting in your body before you actually do. I mean if you think about it, taking drugs that interfere with your brain is some serious business. Okie Dokie, I'll hush now, I just don't want anyone to go trough what I did with that. Good Luck!:smile tee

[vm]

I have been on Lexapro the last 3 years and it has actually helped my IC. But we are all so different.

[izazen]

Kim, How long did it take for the Lexapro to "kick in?" I know its been a long time but I was just wondering if you remember. Somewhere I read it can take up to a month to feel any of the benefits. Also, in the beginning did you feel dizzy or nauseated? thanks

[vm]

I am trying to remember what side effects I had. I don't remember nausea. I think I had some dry mouth for awhile, but that eventually left. Increased sweating for a bit.

I think the good effects started around 2 weeks, maybe it was a full month, though. I am talking in terms of it helping my mood and anxiety. In terms of IC I don't really remember. I just remember realizing that I no longer had the burning/tingling feeling in my urethral area - that had been my last IC symptom and the Lexapro took it away. I hadn't been expecting it to be the missing puzzle piece at all - but it was! :)

[jen48446]

For me, Lexapro helped short term like for maybe 2 months, Effexor XR was horrible all the way around it's side effects were awful for me!