"before i started lexapro i was a mess. i had lost so much weight, my hair was falling out and i was breaking out in hives daily. the intrusive thoughts and rumination was horrible and don&#039;t know how long i could have gone on like that. it&#039;s been about 2 yrs and the initial effect was amazing. after a while i needed to up my dose from 10-20 and i am now feeling like i did when i first started taking lexapro. only negative thing i have to say is do not try to quit this by yourself, even if you think it&#039;s no longer working. i went through terrible withdrawals that were physical and emotional."