Getting Adjusted To Lexapro

I started on 10mg of Lexapro exactly a month ago for generalized panic disorder. My first week on it was AWFUL. Really bad side effects. My anxiety was extremely heightened, I felt like I was crawling out of my skin, awful headaches, I was so tired, could barely get out of bed. My psychiatrist prescribed me .5mg of ativan to take as needed every 8 hours for when I'm feeling extra anxious so that made me even more tired once I was getting used to it. On my 8th day or so, the side effects started to ware off more and more every day. I am now a month in, I don't have all those side effects anymore and the ativan doesn't make me sleepy, but my anxiety isn't any better than it was before I started on the medication. I'm still avoiding going places, I feel extremely down and I won't use the word depressed but I am NOT happy and barely feel like talking to my friends or anyone for that matter because its been such a struggle. I don't know if I need to increase my dose or if Lexapro just isn't for me but I see my psychiatrist in a few days so I'm waiting on that. Has anyone else gone through the same thing on Lexapro? Would love to hear some experiences.

REPLY

REPORT

I have had severe panic attacks after my cancer...and was on various medications all with horrible side effects... I accidentally found a product I had checked out to possibly get help with my sleep.. (passion flower tea). I had at that time a SEVERE panic attack... The person in charge at the store I went to recognized it and suggested a liquid called TRANQUIL tx.... made by INVITE HEALTH. A few droppers in some water: she offered a cup to let me know how it would taste.... pleasant taste.....but what was astounding was that by the time i got home (within one hour or less) my severe panics attack had disappeared... I use to take a 5 mg Valium as needed after all other meds had strong side effects on my and took a long time to work..... (tremendous weight gain/no sleep etc). Valium when needed - worked but it took a few hours at times to work.. Tranquil tx...is passion flower extract, chamomile and lemon balm oil.. and for me it WORKS.. faster than Valium without any side effects...even with the worst panic attacks.... you might try it.......I have it in my bag where ever I go.. as you know these attacks come out of the blue... INVITE: stores on the east coast..mainly in NY...but are also online. I am the strongest skeptic when it comes to SUPPLEMENTS etc... but this I must say...has worked for me and others...some use it as a sleep aid, but i use it ONLY for panic attacks... good luck.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

@Lauren,

I've heard that Lexapro can take up to several weeks to work as directed. However, my personal opinion is that if one has to wait that long for results then it probably isn't worth it; especially given the sheer magnitude of side effects you've encountered along the way. So If I had to give my vote, I'd say maybe the Lexapro isn't right for you... And there's nothing wrong with that. Everyone reacts/responds to meds differently.

On that note, the following discussion thread contains a review of other patient experiences on Lexapro. Maybe browsing through some feedback there will help shed some light on the variety of effects people are having:

Discuss/Lexapro-Brand-versus-generic-escitalopram-241291.htm

Have you also considered taking a non-medical approach to handling anxiety (such as meditation, deep breathing, changing what you focus your attention on, etc)?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I took 5 mg last night and can't function today. My legs feel like Jello and I had to leave work. The doctor says it...

3 REPLIES

I've been taking Lexapro for over 10 yrs and don't like being dependent on it - has anyone successfully stopped ...

2 REPLIES

Been on Sprintec for 2 weeks. Started having irregular heart beats. Dr said to stop taking them. Now I am having to have...

1 REPLY

I'd been on 10 mg. Lexipro for about 3 years and felt great. But then my doctor switched me over to generic Celexa b...

4 REPLIES

I recently had genetic testing saying that Lexapro was not the best drug for me. So, I am being switched to Zoloft. This...

1 REPLY

I am switching from Lexapro to Pristiq with my Pdoc. He recommended that I drop from my regular 20 mg of lexapro to 10mg...

1 REPLY

I'm taking diclofenac can I take a prolief also pain in the neck and hands...

Hi guys hoping to get some advice here, I was out on lexapro after a pretty bad pannick attack from medication in as giv...

2 REPLIES

Hello All, I was prescribed the generic for lexapro at 10mg daily about a month ago. The first week I felt an increase i...

7 REPLIES

I'd been having panic attacks for the past 2 months. Of course not doing anything about them they gradually got wors...

1 REPLY