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Side effects of Escitalopram (Lexapro) after initial 6-week period?
Hello! I recently started treatment for anxiety and was prescribed 10 mg escitalopram (known as Lexapro, depending where you are located) for a 6-month period to start.
I adjusted to the medication pretty well and the commonly known side effects, such as difficulty concentrating, dizziness, etc. passed by around my 10th day of taking the medication. I'm about 7 weeks in now (1.5 months). Between the 2nd week to 5th week I believe I was feeling pretty good, I felt noticeably less anxious and was generally super upbeat, but the last two weeks, my head has been feeling strange, it's hard to describe. It's not quite dizziness, or vertigo, not headaches. It might be closer to a lightheaded feeling, but it isn't that either.
This is really the purpose of my post, to find out is others have experienced similar sensations after 6 weeks of taking escitalopram, and how long it lasts. The reason this has come to my attention, is because a lof of side effects are reported to subside within the first two weeks of use, which initially was the case for me, and apparently it can take between 4 to 6 weeks for patients to feel the full therapeutic effects, so I'm a bit concerned now as to why this head sensation has come on.
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The fatigue is not as bad
As it was. Weakness is till not good. .y other symptoms are much better with higher dose of escalopram. Im more afraid of other meds than I am
Escalopram. Side effects are terrible. She attempted to move me from Escslopram to generic Zoliff. Tapering off Escsalopram,low dose generic Zoloff. As soon as it hit my bloodstream, I had almost uncontrollable panic attacks, very scarey. Weakness is frustrating. Im 74 yrs old , generally pretty healthy and very strong, even as a older man. Ill give this psychiatrist one more try. It maybe time to change doctors.
With Zoloff she expected me to endure bone on bone knee pain
With no nsaids or little to no pain meds when needed. Not my 1st rodeo. Ive had 3 hip replacements. I know all about living with and recovering from joint pain
I had the same exact feeling with nausea, constipation and feeling like a "zombie" with increased depression glued to my sofa total loss of "willingness or interest, loss of enthusiasm" more like a vegetable state of being. I am not sure if I trust any drug that could repair depression nor anxiety and regret starting on Wellbutrin although wellbutrin or Buproprion never created any of these discomfort. However after taking Buproprion for 10 + years and finding myself at difficult times living with anxiety dosage was increased to 450mg. With my HMO i could not find any doctor to work with to lower this dosage until now. So my Buproprion was decreased to 300mg with a prescription of Lexapro escitalopram 10mg. resulting in no energy and the helplessness feeling not wanting to do anything, loss of enthusiasm and lack of focus, mental sharpness with the other discomforts such as constipation nausea is what I am encountering...I am hoping this will not last since I need help to accomplish real changes in my life not face more obstacles...
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1 ReactionI had a really tough time with Lexapro and couldn't get past two weeks, too many side effects and two more weeks of withdrawal. I went on Paxil afterwards only to go through more problems, I really just wanted to feel better from anxiety and depression but I can't get through the rough beginning to hopefully start feeling better. I have read many times that my situation isn't so unique but we're all different and what works for one doesn't always help someone else, I hope to get through the ups and downs without medication although I still take Ativan. I hope that you get help with the Lexapro, perhaps you might need to add something else or try another medication.
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1 ReactionI started Lexapro and my anxiety went through the roof. I could not tolerate it and Benczos did not really alleviate the anxiety feeling which kept me in hiding. I could not sleep . I’m restating Paxil and am hopeful it works as I was on it for many years. I want my life back. It was fight or flight. My body could not handle that drug. For me it was a nightmare.
Mary Jean Dennis
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2 ReactionsI believe restructuring our lives doing our best to have more positive control is the best. the drug industry sure would rather keep the business going. Each individual case has always an underlying cause for being anxious mine could be different than another and our body also reacts different. For sure not depending on any form of drug/meds is best.
I’m currently experiencing this! Did it ever go away for you?
@obliviusmaxmimus
It was approved by the FDA in 8/2002, for major depression and generalized anxiety.
Sorry Escitalopram.. spelling error.
Thats interesting. I tole rated 10 mg dose fine. I had to go to the 20 mg ,because my symptoms got worse yrs later. It was rough at first but I eventually adjusted to it somewhat. Except for sleepy, tired, cant seem to get my stamina back. The reason I responded is Im not dizzy but my balance is off at times. Besides being almost 75 yrs old. I also have a couple other conyributing factors. I have temporarily cut my dosage back to see if I can recover some stamina etc. But when winter gets here probably be back on full dose with depression. It does seem to help me to take my med at night vs day.
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