I just started Lexapro - what I should expect?

I just stared on lexapro 2 days ago for mild depression and anxiety...

What should I expect? How long does it take to kick in? What meds should I stay away from when on lexapro?

I've already learned that I shouldn't take advil or claritin d... what about heartburn and cold meds?

Does everyone gain weight on lexapro? I'm a male and I weigh 280 right now...

I started out with a dose of 5, but will move up to 10 within a week...

Will it make me "happy" or just chill me out or make me numb or remove the anxiety or what?

Will my wife be happier now that I'm on it? In other words, will I be less moody and confrontational?

What about motivation when on lexapro... Should I expect to see any increase?

thanks!

chill river u just started. do some situps while u wait a month and see. Im no Dr. 280 lbs. is too much weight which makes u moody with your wife. less is more. good luck man. i started tonite. im 191 and dont want to get to 200 lbs. i hope to be less anxious. drink green tea instead of taking otc advil & claritin. put eucalyptus epsom salt in your bath & chill!

I'm a 135 pound female, and I just started taking it. My doctor told me that Lexapro blocks the chemical released by the neurotransmitters in the brain so there is more serotonin being absorbed, making you feel happier. There is that "I don't really care" feeling, but that's a good thing! You won't worry about the little things anymore (and it will probably keep you from being confrontational with your wife). As for the weight gain, not everyone does. I have absolutely no appetite on it, and I've already lost a few pounds.

I just bumped my dosage from 5mg to 10mg and my appetite is GONE. I had to force myself just to eat half a muffin for breakfast, I'll probably skip lunch, and dinner might be a sandwich. I'm male, 5'11" and around 180 (down from 190ish). Who knows, maybe I'll drop the spare tire and fit in those jeans from college soon.

It also seems like my anxiety has gotten worse since I started taking it. But it's hard to tell if the vice that's crushing my heart is from my screwed up life-events or the medication itself. My doc gave me Klonopin to help with the more intense anxiety but it barely makes a dent.

Best of luck to you.