I've done my research on lexapro (as I'm currently taking it), and I've read nothing about it making symptoms worse. Do you have anything that could backup that quoted claim?

I mean, I looked on the lexapro website, as well as looked at crazy meds, and both of them said that the most major problem you get while easing onto lexapro was nausea (which I found to be the case).

Then again, there is a clear risk of suicidality while on lexapro which this pamphlet (http://www.frx.com/pi/lexapro_pi.pdf) admits. Perhaps we should organise some sort of monitoring system for people who are on anti-depressants for the first two weeks.

The Brits and the media there are much more tuned into recognizing the connection between adverse reactions and suicide (and homicide) than I think we are here in the U.S. I think the coroners there, for one thing, are less under the thrall of the pharmaceutical industry. I don't know why coroners would be under the thrall of pharma but they seem to be. There are scores of toxicology reports (the VA Tech shooter for one) that are simply sloppily done or never disclosed at all.

Woops, not sure the Irish would like being referred to as the Brits -- sorry about that -- but anyway I meant the U.K. in general.

By the way NiroZ if you started Lexapro just after withdrawing from Paxil that doesn't really count as withdrawing -- it's just a cross-over from one SSRI to another. Just saying. . . And if you're on a boatload of other meds as your blog implies, well then that doesn't count as real withdrawal either.

Lexapro's polio like symptoms is something we should know,
http://www.ahrp.org/cms/content/view/144/27/

Page 8 of the FDA Label dated 9/17/08:

"Families and caregivers of patients being treated with antidepressants for major depressive disorder or other indications, both psychiatric and nonpsychiatric, should be alerted about the need to monitor patients for the emergence of agitation, irritability, unusual changes in behavior, and the other symptoms described above, as well as the emergence of suicidality, and to report such symptoms immediately to health care providers. Such monitoring should include daily observation by families and caregivers".

I don't believe this is included with the warning you get from the pharmacy.
This is also on the Cymbalta label and probably all ssri's. In my experience; doctors don't tell you about this or take into consideration whether you even have family or friends around to monitor your behavior.
My changed behavior caused my son to move out.

Who is tallying the score? The ratio of chemicals "saved my life" to "made me suicide"?

A very sad story and my heart breaks for the family.

But I was under the assumption that guns were illegal in the UK?

I talked at length with the VA Tech Attny. about this angle and gave him Karen Barthe Menzies (formerly of Baum, Hedlund - top attny. in this area)contact info. I think he never told the families or urged them in another direction.

I like the idea of a close monitoring hotline/support group for the first two weeks - but doubt the docs would mention it. In our family, my daughter was acutely suicidal and homicidal w/in two days of taking Lex. and had to be hospitalized, only to be put on another suicidality-producing drug, Lamictal.

Yet I know a couple of people taking one or another of the drug and not being this way.

Um, niroz,
Wouldn't you say suicide is the worst kind of symptom worsening??? I sure would.

First time commenter from Ireland who feels the need to point out to the other commenters that Ireland is an independent Republic, NOT part of the UK, and has been for many years!

Guns are not "illegal" here but they are indeed strictly regulated. With that said, the article quoted clearly states that this was a homemade weapon.

Philip Dawdy responds: thanks Lili. i never mistake ireland for part of the UK.

Woops, I guess I got even more deeper into it. My great apologies to anyone Irish reading my comments above. All I'm saying is that on the other side of the pond in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales they do seem to have a greater understanding of the role drugs can play in these tragedies. And to think I used to live over there. Whew.