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Advice on switching SSRIs

Posted by wolverine on March 17, 2009 at 16:37:12:

I'm relatively new to SSRIs. The first and only one I've taken is Lexapro. I've been on it for about 3 months. I've been very happy with the results. I've been sleeping normally for the first time in two years. It's amazing -- I feel like I have my life back. For me, it has been a miracle drug.

Unfortunately, I think I may be allergic to Lexapro, or at least be having some weird side-effects. About 6 weeks after I started taking I began to break out in a very itchy hives-like rash ... in my nether regions. At first I thought I was getting spider or mite bites. But 6 weeks later it isn't getting any better, despite washing several times with anti-lice shampoo. Then I Googled "Lexapro Allergy Skln Rash" and found several people have had similar problems that eventually became very nasty.

So now I'm wondering what to do. I'll take an itchy rash between my legs and great sleep, over no rash and insomnia. But if I break out in hives all over my body that won't go away ...

One option is to try and switch me to another SSRI. My doctor recommended Zoloft. My questions are: Has anyone had similar reaction to Lexapro as me? Has anyone had good results with Zoloft and anxiety and sleep? And does anyone have advice about switching directly from one SSRI to another at equivalent doses -- the first few days on Lexapro I felt pretty weird and I'm wondering if I switch whether I should expect to have to deal with similar weirdness: foggy headedness, feeling like I'm going to puke, and maintainance insomnia.

Anyway, I'm bummed to say the least. I've found a drug that's great for my sleep ... and it looks like I'm allergic to it. Why do the SSRIs have to have such freakin funky side effects!!

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