I'm scared, guys. I'm on day 17 of starting on 10 mg. of Lexapro and I still don't have an appetite. I'm losing weight and can't afford to lose much more. Is there anyone out there who's willing to share how long it look for their appetite to get straightened out (someone who lost theirs)? Are there meds that exist that can help stimulate appetite? To counter act the effect? I'm, female, 5'8" and now about 159 pounds. I don't want to end up in the hospital. I'm so frightened right now.... I had a poor appetite before I started the meds (stress, anxiety and depression from my father being in hospice). I usually can eat like a champ. Have I screwed myself up beyond repair with my family-related stress? I wake up with a knot in my stomach every morning and have trouble getting food into me.

Help. Anyone?

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.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Abdominal pain; chills; cough; decreased appetite; diarrhea; fever; general feeling of discomfort or illness; headache; joint pain; loss of appetite; muscle aches and pains; nausea; not able to have an orgasm; pain or tenderness around eyes and cheekbones; runny nose; shivering; shortness of breath or troubled breathing; sneezing; sore throat; stuffy nose; sweating; tightness of chest or wheezing; trouble sleeping; unusual tiredness or weakness; vomiting.

I hope this helps, please consult your doctor. Keep us posted!

Looking Up

Hi HOPEFUL:

Sorry you're suffering like this. Me, too, at Day 24. I wake up with a similar knot, and find it very hard to eat. I think mine is due more to anxiety than the Lexapro, but perhaps it's also a side effect for me of the medicine.

I do find it gets easier to eat at night. And soups are easy to eat during the day. Have you tried searching through the archives here, using keywords like "Lexapro and appetite" or similar terms? So sorry I can't be of more help. But if it is a side effect, it should theoretically subside soon. Take care.

When I was on it I ate like a horse. Strangely, I still lost about 10 pounds when I was on it.

oh what I wouldn't give to be able to eat like a horse and lose weight!!!!!!!

Too bad I was allergic to this med

I've done some sleuthing around, MichaelBlue, but haven't tried the search word method yet. I will do that. Thanks for the suggestion. (Getting used to this website still!)

Hopeful,

I just used the search term "hungry" and came up with several threads for you. One is called "Will My Appetite Ever Return?" Another is called "Can Lexapro Reduce Appetite? The Thought of Food is Distasteful." And another one is "Worried Over Loss of Weight: Help." Seems like there are lots more similar threads here to read.

MichaelBlue -- Thanks for the additional threads. I've stumbled on a few too in the meantime. You're a rock star. How are you hanging in today? Did you decide to up your dosage to 15 mg?

Sweet of you to say (made me smile). Yeah, I decided to follow the doc's advice and go to 15mg. Just couldn't bear to wait another week or two on the 10mg -- it was driving me nuts. Of course, the jury is out on whether I made a smart move or not. I do feel a little extra anxiety as a side effect that many people say should only last a day or two. (Ironically, it's the anxiety that drove me to have to increase the dosage!) Also some jaw-clenching that began today. And yet I have a vague sense that my concentration and focus may soon return.

Jeez, I feel like a human in a rat experiment! This is really NOT fun. Nor is it enjoyable to be so self-absorbed with how I'm feeling minute-to-minute, and complaining on a forum about it! Best to you.

I so hope that 15 mg will get you there sooner. With ANY increase, you're bound to feel SEs -- particularly with extra anxiety. But know that it's JUST anxiety. Just feelings. You aren't going to lose your mind or be harmed your feelings. Float through them--one foot in front of the other.

I feel like I have a fellow "rat", as you so eloquently put it, in this with me! I SO echo your (symptom/SE) self-obsession and minute-by-minute sentiments. It blows. All these SEs really do blow. PLEASE keep me posted on how you do.

Thanks again for your help with the threads -- I've found a wealth of discussion on the "no appetite". There's a ton here. So grateful to have a place to find info. and support. Best to you too.

Thanks so much for that! That is exactly what I need to learn, and relearn and relearn -- that feelings are just feelings. Hang in there yourself and I'm sure we'll cross paths in the days ahead here. In fact, we may be the only 'rats' spending this much time at Channel Lexapro this week!

Sometimes I'm reminded of that new Springsteen song: "Radio Nowhere: Is Anybody Alive Out There?!" Best to you.

What I like about Lexapro is that I could eat a lot and still lose weight. I guess for you it's a different story. Hope you feel better or I would talk to your dr. about it.