New Anxiety Med Lexapro

First thing: you are in charge, so what you say goes with your body.

Second thing, not everyone responds positively to an initial dose of a novel drug. Have you considered asking your doctor if it would make sense to halve the dosage to see if it works, but also helps you to feel fewer hot flashes (if I understand your term 'flush')?

Thirdly, if you stop the Lexapro, and you still feel terrible, what's left.....or what's next? Would your cardiologist feel a bit piqued if he/she learned you had not thought to ask if he/she could gladly offer an alternative that you could live with? Yeah, quite possibly. If you need or would just rather continue 'working with' this physician, you should probably contact them and let them know how you're doing. I'll bet they'll be sympathetic and offer a brilliant alternative therapy for you. But...............ya gotta ask!

I have talked to physician. He asked me to give it a couple weeks, I gave it 30 days. I think I’m on such a low dosage, it is still interacting with the pain med. It amplifies the serotonin. I am waiting for the doctor to return a call or let me set up a telemedicine appointment. Thank you!

Do not stop taking lexapro with out a doctor. I have Klonopin for anxiety

You have to wean off Lexapro. Don't do it cold turkey by yourself.

Hi all, I started Lexapro 5mg 9 days ago. I am also taking Wellbutrin 150 mg and Buspar 15 mg twice a day. I have experienced increased anxiety, sometimes bordering on panic attacks, and insomnia almost daily. A few days have been relatively anxiety-free, and I was able to get decent sleep. Buspar seems to help, but only for a short while. My doctor has prescribed Gabapentin for sleeping, 100 mg; I am starting that tonight. Can anyone tell me how long these initial side effects will last?

@craigkay2026 Many people have initial side effects starting new anti-depressant medication. I recall having increased anxiety for about one week after starting a new (to me) SSRI some years ago. I called my doctor who prescribed the medication and he prescribed another medication short term to help with these side effects while I adjusted.

I cannot say how long your initial side effects will last as each person is different. Did you discuss this with your prescribing doctor as they will have experience with other patients?

Hi @craigkay2026 - I wanted to let you know that I moved your post here so that you could speak with others who are also talking about escitalopram (Lexapro) for anxiety:

- New Anxiety Med Lexapro https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/new-anxiety-med-lexapro/

Glad to see you've connected with @naturegirl5. Fellow members @njx58 @ammiatx @jimadman55 and others may have some thoughts on how their experiences with escitalopram (Lexapro) side effects went when they started the medication.

How are things going with the escitalopram (Lexapro) today, craigkay2026?

Thanks for the helpful information. To my surprise, I am not experiencing any anxiety. It's the first day like this in over a week. I hope this continues.

Tried several! Too many side effects. Tms not interested. Any new medications that are more effective?

Doctor recommended lexapro.

Thoughts?

Spravato