Lexapro and Zoloft - First Hand Knowledge and Thoughts

I felt my world spinning out of control, not in a suicidal way, but in a control way. I needed something to clear my thoughts and balance me. My doctor suggested Lexapro and gave me samples to get started, to see if they would work for me. She said it would take a couple of weeks to see any difference and to "hang tight" until the medicine could get into my system. She said your family and work friends will notice first. People will ask you what is different about you - "did you get a haircut...are those new glasses...."

The first person to notice was me. I felt remarkably different within 3 days of the first dose. I felt happier, almost gleeful, the little things did not bother me as much and the world was a better place. All the extra drama in my life, that probably created the first signs of my world spinning away, was not as bad. I was ready for the world to hand me my fate.

The next folks to mention that something was definitely different were my work friends. I was a "10:00" person - not really approachable or talkative until I had been at work a couple of hours. That all changed at the hands of the Lexapro. My corporate life improved and I began to take bolder steps to make my career what I wanted it to be, instead of what "they" wanted it to be.

I took Lexapro for several years until recently, when my insurance company decided that Lexapro was too expensive and I needed to switch to Zoloft. Let me tell you, the insurance companies have no business making decisions such as this, but do what we must. I called my doctor and she prescribed 30 days of Zoloft, much against her better judgment and my wishes as well. I weaned myself off the Lexapro, which is a tedious process, because I get headaches during this transition. I started the Zoloft a week later, after being without Lexapro for two days, after the weaning process. Within 10 minutes of taking the Zoloft, I could feel the changes in my system. I was dizzy and nauseous, a lot worse initial feelings than I remember with the Lexapro startup. This sickly feeling lasted three days. I was on the Zoloft for one month and it definitely had an effect on my moods. It did not help at all, if anything, it was worse. People at work started asking me why I did not talk to them anymore. Was something up at home? What was wrong? I found myself getting angry very quick, over silly things, and staying angry for longer periods of time. I was also moodier and grumpier at home.

After one month on Zoloft, I stopped taking it and switched back to the Lexapro. I still had some left from a prior prescription. Within one day of the Lexapro being back in my system, I felt different. I was "happy" and the overall feeling of well being had returned. I felt like I could face the world again.

The following are my observations of Zoloft compared to Lexapro, from first hand experience:

Lexapro is quick to work, gets in your system and balances the chemicals in your brain, as the drug is supposed to do. I would say a change in demeanor and outlook occurs within 24 hours of the first dose. Zoloft, on the other hand, never really took hold in my system, even after 30 days. I never felt the overall feeling of well being that Lexapro delivered. The Zoloft did make me less hungry, but I was angry all the time. I would rather be hungry and happy...

Lexapro has a lesser startup time. All SSRI's make you a little seasick feeling, the first day or so. But the Zoloft took about 3-4 days and the Lexapro took less than 1 day. This is a good thing, because by the time you have managed to get this for yourself, you are ready for a change, not ready for a change in 4-6 weeks. Perhaps I gave up on the Zoloft too quick, but honestly, it just did not work for me.

After all, I prefer Lexapro for the depression and/or uncontrolled feeling that I had. I am now reformed and back on track. My work friends like me again, my home life is happy again and I feel like the person that is in control. Lexapro is truly, a wonder drug and as much as I hate the fact for taking it for the rest of my life, I believe it will happen that way. There are no known issues with taking this med on a long term plan, and I like that as well. My doctor thinks that I should not have to switch either, at the whim of the insurance company - and I agree. Now, we have a record of the switch not working and my doctor can provide proof that Zoloft did not work.