Lexapro And Anxiety

After 14 good years on 5mg of Lexapro my panic attacks and extreme worry returned a few weeks ago. Went to see my Pdoc and said to up the Lexapro to 10mg. This is day 17 on the increased dosage and feel little to no improvement. My anxiety has been super high the last 2 weeks and I'm taking up to 2.0mg ox Xanax per day to combat this. Saw my doc again yesterday and said I should have been feeling better by now being that I had lex in my system for 14 years. He suggested dropping back down to 5mg because he said the 10 my de too much for my body. The only time I feel better is in the evening when the day is coming to an end. I'm starting to get really depressed about this because I was so good for so long. In the past 3 weeks I've lost 15 pounds cause I have no appetite. Plus...

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I had severe anxiety problems for the first time in my life late last year and found it very difficult to function. I tried for four months to fight it on my own and by using Ativan. I knew Ativan was not a healthy long term answer but was bothered by the prospect of using a SSRI. Finally with no progress I decided to start using Lexapro as I had heard it had the least amount of side effects and had the least withhdrawl symptoms when ceasing the medication. I noticed some progress within 2 weeks and was 100% anxiety free after 5 weeks. Today I feel "normal" and am anxiety free. I have been taking 10mg Lexapro for a little over 2 months. My doctor wants me to continue it for the next 6 months and then I will wean off of the drug. I have gained some weight while taking it but must...

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Hi. I have been dealing with anxiety and panic attacks for over 10 years now. I didnt want to be on medication, but finally decided that i cant live with this anymore. It has taken over my life! Well.. To make a long story short, my Dr. Prescribed me lexapro 10mg .. Been taking it for 3 days now. Is is normal to feel even more anxiety than before? This is torture! ## Hello, Wendy! How are you? Yes, that is normal and usually happens for about the first 3 weeks, off an on, upon starting one of these types of medications. However, if it gets too severe, you should inform your doctor. The FDA lists the other typical side effects of this medication as possibly including nausea, dizziness, headache, dry mouth and weight changes. Is there anything else I can help with? ## Thank you Verwon, I ...

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I'm going into my 3rd week of Lexapro 10mg and my anxiety has gotten better. However, mornings are still tough with anxiety. Can anyone tell me when that goes away or when it becomes manageable. I don't expect anxiety to go away completely, but I don't expect to be as agitated in the morning. ## Hello, Brownstone88! How are you? I've found that it usually starts to improve around 21 days and goes away after about a month. If this symptoms continues past that, you should consult your doctor as it may not be the right medication for you. The FDA classifies Lexapro as being an SSRI antidepressant and its typical side effects may possibly include nausea, dizziness, dry mouth, weight gain and mood swings. Is there anything else I can help with?

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Escitalopram

Escitalopram, sold under the brand names Cipralex and Lexapro, among others, is an antidepressant of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class.[2] Escitalopram is mainly used to treat major depressive disorder or generalized anxiety disorder.[2] It is taken by mouth.[2] It is available commercially exclusively as the oxalate salt. Common side effects include trouble sleeping, nausea, sexual problems, and feeling tired.[2&a...

I have been taking Lexapro 10 mg for a year. It controls my anxiety wonderfully. I started having itching (small bumps on my lower legs) which the dermatologist says are normal. I've also begun to have itching on my arms, my buttocks, my upper legs - pretty much all over. Has anyone ever heard of Lexapro causing these symptoms? ## Hello, Kathleen! How are you? Yes, it can cause itching as a side effect in some people that take it. After being on it for such a long time, if it hasn't gone away, you most likely need to speak to your doctor about trying a different medication. Is there anything else I can help with?

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is it safe to take lexapro and chantix ## I wouldn't reccommend taking Chantix and Lexapro at the same time. My doctor prescribed me Lexapro for my anxiety and then a few motnhs later he prescribed me Chantix to quit smoking after about 2 weeks on both drugs after one argument in my personal life. I tried to drive my car into a lake. Luckily I still had a few threads of sanity left enough to stop a foot from the lake call everyone I know and ask for help but I'm still paying for the consequences of that day w/family and friends everyday and it's been over a year ago. I truly think if it had not been for being on those drugs together I would not have reacted the way I did in that circumstance. ## The suicidal ideas mentioned by Dot, are known to occur when using antidepressan...

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I am on a valium taper for withdrawal of Klonopin which I took for over 20 years. I am one year off of the Klonopin I am down to 5 mg of valium and almost finished with the taper. Although I am better, I still have anxiety, angry outbursts, "brain fog," insomnia.. The dr. had me on Wellbutrin for mood swings. The Wellbutrin seemed to cause my anxiety to be worse and cause my hypomania to return. (I was dx with bipolar II many years ago and that was why I was on Klonopin) . Both my dr. and therapist have suggested I am NOT BIPOLAR. Have a MOOD DISORDER. Until the benzo withdrawal I had several years of stability while bipolar. My question is this: In spite of withdrawal symptoms (which are far less after one year of tapering off of Klonopin), I am basically depressed and the dr. ...

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I've been diagnosed with PTSD, Panic DIsorder with agoraphobia and Major Depression Disorder. Those like me tend to be very sensitive to brain meds because our brain's circuitry is wired to notice every little nuance of sensory changes. This chronic vigilance becomes both exhausting AND psychologically necessary for self-preservation. That's a trap. In other words we're used to being on guard but we need to not be on guard--anything that attempts to adjust this will cause paradoxical effects. So for example Xanax may initially cause agitation or anxiety as it switches the brain from on guard to calm. Calm is not familiar therefore psychologically it triggers anxiety while the med is doing what it's supposed to do. Lexapro targets the cerebellum and the thalamus--acco...

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I had a burning skin sensation that turned into a sore throat. I was prescribed the 4mg pack and antibiotic. After day 1 I had excess energy bordering on anxiety and insomnia. I suffer from anxiety and take Lexapro. I called the hospital center where I got the med and the doctor said the symptoms should lessen each day and if they got worse that it would be ok since this is a fairly low dose. Now I am confused as I hear horrible things about stopping. ## How are you doing? Did you quit the pack early? I am surprised that the Dr prescribed this to you, since one of the side effects is anxiety. I went to the ER, on my fifth day, with a severe anxiety attack, and I have no history with anxiety. I stopped taking them with two pills left. I am now two weeks past my last dose, and I am still ...

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Hello. I took lexapro 7 years ago for about a year. My question is that I noticed shortley to getting off of it, my hair started thining. I had very thick coarse blonde hair prior. More recently with my now thin head of hair I have noticed it does not seem to grow... It's horrible!!!! I don't want to bash lexapro because I'm certain it gave me my life back and helped my anxiety more than I could hope for. But my hair??? HELP, anyone??? ## Even if it was caused by the Lexapro, it isn't likely that it would persist for so long after you've stopped taking it. Most such side effects wear off as the medication leaves your body. Learn more Lexapro details here. There are, however, other things that can cause hair loss. Have you consulted your doctor about it? It may be due...

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I just started lexapro for ocd, depression and general anxiety. The first day was weird, then it went up. I started to be more content and happy, with much less fear. Around day 5 I just became flat what is a horrible feeling, just like depression, not feeling anything. Then I just thought I'd surrender and wait it out. Today started off good and after a few hours I just went flat again. So it's like hope hope and then it's gone. Can anybody relate and is this normal (going up being happy and from one moment to another feeling nothing again)? ## Yes, that can be normal for the first 3 weeks, or so, according to FDA reports. You may also experience dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, and headache. It usually takes about 3 to 4 weeks for a medication in this class to reach its f...

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I have been on 30 mg of lexapro for years and it has worked great for mg anxiety and obsessive thoughts, I have been on 10 and 20 before but 30 seemed to work but it has been a couple years, however I am tired and need to sleep 9-10 hours consistently to feel good, I was wondering if lowering to 25 mg you think would be just as good for Anxiety and thoughts and maybe make me a little less tired? And any withdrawals dripping down 5 mg, thanks guys and let me know! ?? ## Hello, John! How are you? I'm sorry about the problem you're having sleeping. However, after being on it for years, the Lexapro should no longer be causing such a side effect. The FDA lists its typical ones as possibly including nausea, dizziness, headache, dry mouth and weight changes, but they usually only last ...

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I suffer from anxiety and depression. It wasn't until I found myself sitting at a traffic light and wincing from the overwhelming feeling of sadness. I was well aware that I came from a high anxiety family and was certain I inherited that from my mother. What I didn't realize was how depression had slowly creeped into my life. I had no reason to feel depressed. I have a good job and wonderful family. No real money problems just the usual bills yet I had an overwelming feeling of sadness. I schedule a physical and went to see my doctor. During the physical he asked if I had anything to complain about medical or otherwise. So I told about the feeling at the traffic light and all the rest. He offered me lexapro after questioning me about a family history. He explained the there is ...

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I'm on 10mg and it's been 10 days. My anxiety has gotten better and the fogginess is lifting. I'm still not feeling 100, but I'm trying to be patient. Also, my sleep is weird, I was waking up too many times in a night so I take .25 of Xanax to help. Question when does the tiredness go away? Is my Xanax causing more of a problem with morning sleepiness? ## Hello, Brownstone88! How are you? The FDA classifies Lexapro as an SSRI antidepressant and most of them can cause REM Onset Latency, which means it takes longer than usual for you to enter the REM sleep stage and you are in it for a shorter period of time, so such sleep disruptions like you've described are very common. However, just like the other side effects it can cause, such as nausea, dizziness, headache and d...

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I have a history of anxiety/depression. After 2 life changing events I fell back into this funk. Was put on Luvox and it worked fine. Then had another loss with a company rightsizing and was laid off and have since moved back into home with parents (I am 40). Without insurance started going to local psychiatrist who decided I was Bipolar. To make long story short..........wrong diagnosis. After a month and a half on Latuda which has sent me spiraling down even further into depression and hopelessness, my parents got involved and with blessing of my psychologist (who also didn't think I was Bipolar) we weaned me off of Latuda and onto 10 mg Lexapro after much research. I've been on for 2 weeks and have suffered the nausea, dizziness and loss of weight and right now after 2 1/2 mo...

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this is going back 13 years but I think it screwed up my brain. A doctor prescribed me 100 mg of Lexapro because she convinced me that all of my anxiety was learned from my mother and would go away with Lexapro. Well she kept upping and upping until I was taking 100mg a day for a long time. I was manic out of my mind and drinking like crazy. She was giving me free samples out of her closet. Who knows what she wrote in my notes. I bet her notes said I was on 10.... Could that have messed up my brain chemistry long term? My friend was a rep for Lexapro and she said it was too much but I trusted this counselor so I continued. ## In the U.S., you do have the right to view your medical records, though if you request a copy for yourself, they are allowed to charge you for them. Thus, you can ...

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Hi guys I've been on 30 mg of lexapro and the side effects of fatigue and tiredness have not gone away after 4 years. I just kinda dealt with it but now I wanna switch medicine. My dr offered me Zoloft or pristiq. I have social anxiety and OCD and GAD. Any suggestions would be helpful or if you switched to another medicine and it helped. Thanks and God Bless ## Hello, John! How are you? I've taken Zoloft before and found it to work quite well, though it can cause drowsiness, as a side effect, I found that to only last a short period of time. The worst issue that I've known most people to have with it is weight gain. The FDA lists other possible side effects as including nausea, dizziness, headache and dry mouth. Can anyone that's on Pristiq chime in? ## John, I have trie...

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3yrs down on Lex after severe depressive, anxiety episode--life changing. Took long time (3mos) to adapt to drug (brain zaps, sleepyness, fog) with initisl 20mg. 10mg per day is my dosage now. Call it my happy pill...given me new lease on life, sleep, etc. If just starting out, keep faith, side affects subcide and body adapts. Never thought depression when happen to me...wrong ## Awesome! I am very glad that it has worked so well for you. And yes, that is correct, side effects will normally subside after 4 to 6 weeks, when your body gets used to the medication. I'd also like to add that if one medication doesn't work for you, there are others that you can try. Are there any questions or comments?

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These pharmaceutical companies have to be held accountable. Not only do I believe they are trying to help you only just a smidget, I believe they are more about making medicine to hook you and make it very difficult to get off of them! I started Lexapro 20 mg in 2010 for anxiety. After reading the many reviews, I am convinced all my troubles that have developed since, are Lexapro related, NO DOUBT! I am weening off as I speak, I am down to 10 mg. and can already feel a difference. I'm not going to write a story, but here goes the symptoms I had. Body and head 'zaps' mostly at night. EXTREME sweating. Cottonmouth and feeling thirsty 24/7 and never being able to quench it. My eyeballs dried up and I would sometimes wake up with my eyes crusted shut, eye doctor told me he never...

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