1. < Depression & Anxiety

Lexapro side effects

Posted by tiffany22 @tiffany22, Nov 8, 2018

Started Lexapro at 5 mg (low dose) 3 weeks & have had a lot of side effects. Still high anxiety, which they have me taking Xanax to help with. Just Upped me to 10 mg 2 days ago, to get to a therapeutic dose. I am wondering if it ever caused other people's anxiety to worsen, before the benefits start?

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mbaker51291 | @mbaker51291 | Nov 8, 2018

Hi @tiffany22 , I started Lexapro 10mg back in June for generalized anxiety. The first 2 months was difficult. I was also prescribed klonipin to help with the anxiety. I feel fine now it took a couple of months to reach the therapeutic level.

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2 replies
tiffany22 | @tiffany22 | Nov 8, 2018
In reply to @mbaker51291 "Hi @tiffany22 , I started Lexapro 10mg back in June for generalized anxiety. The first 2..." + (show)
@mbaker51291

Hi @tiffany22 , I started Lexapro 10mg back in June for generalized anxiety. The first 2 months was difficult. I was also prescribed klonipin to help with the anxiety. I feel fine now it took a couple of months to reach the therapeutic level.

Jump to this post

Thanks so much for your response. I knew there were different side effects but wasn't sure higher anxiety was from the Lexapro or just the anxiety in general...but i definitely feel it's worsened on it. (My doc didn't seem to agree on that so much).

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1 reply
Guener | @guener | Nov 8, 2018

I started at 10mg and didn't have too many side effects. My psychiatrist upped me to 20mg after a month, as I was not feeling much relief. One month later I started on Abilify at 2mg upped to 5mg a month later, and that's where I am now. I had more side effects, dizziness, from the Abilify than I did from the Lexapro, but it's been a long time, so my memory may not serve me well. Today, with the Lexapro at 20mg and the Abilify at 5mg my depression is under control, and my anxiety is significantly lessened. I also practice Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques to help with my negative thinking and with the anxiety when it rears up.

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1 reply
mbaker51291 | @mbaker51291 | Nov 8, 2018
In reply to @tiffany22 "Thanks so much for your response. I knew there were different side effects but wasn't sure..." + (show)
@tiffany22

Thanks so much for your response. I knew there were different side effects but wasn't sure higher anxiety was from the Lexapro or just the anxiety in general...but i definitely feel it's worsened on it. (My doc didn't seem to agree on that so much).

Jump to this post

Your welcome @tiffany22. I know for sure it was medication induced. In my case I had a panic attack. First time ever having one. It freaked me out so bad for a week after that I was having really bad anxiety and a physician I worked with prescribed me Lexapro and said it would help. The first month or so I took it it was hell for me. The anxiety would start when I woke up till I tried to go to sleep. I couldn't sleep as soon as I would drift off I would just start panicking. I didn't sleep for awhile untill I was prescribed the klonipin which helps whenever I have an attack. It sucks I know but it will pass soon. Now I really don't have any anxiety. Sometimes I feel anxious but over all I feel fine and haven't had to take any klonipin in the last month or so.

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1 reply
tiffany22 | @tiffany22 | Nov 8, 2018
In reply to @mbaker51291 "Your welcome @tiffany22. I know for sure it was medication induced. In my case I had..." + (show)
@mbaker51291

Your welcome @tiffany22. I know for sure it was medication induced. In my case I had a panic attack. First time ever having one. It freaked me out so bad for a week after that I was having really bad anxiety and a physician I worked with prescribed me Lexapro and said it would help. The first month or so I took it it was hell for me. The anxiety would start when I woke up till I tried to go to sleep. I couldn't sleep as soon as I would drift off I would just start panicking. I didn't sleep for awhile untill I was prescribed the klonipin which helps whenever I have an attack. It sucks I know but it will pass soon. Now I really don't have any anxiety. Sometimes I feel anxious but over all I feel fine and haven't had to take any klonipin in the last month or so.

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This really helps. I never had a panic attack either until taking it...just general anxiety. I too wake with the anxiety and trouble sleeping. I'm going to stick with this 10 mg dose and hopefully I'll adjust as you did.

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tiffany22 | @tiffany22 | Nov 8, 2018
In reply to @guener "I started at 10mg and didn't have too many side effects. My psychiatrist upped me to..." + (show)
@guener

I started at 10mg and didn't have too many side effects. My psychiatrist upped me to 20mg after a month, as I was not feeling much relief. One month later I started on Abilify at 2mg upped to 5mg a month later, and that's where I am now. I had more side effects, dizziness, from the Abilify than I did from the Lexapro, but it's been a long time, so my memory may not serve me well. Today, with the Lexapro at 20mg and the Abilify at 5mg my depression is under control, and my anxiety is significantly lessened. I also practice Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques to help with my negative thinking and with the anxiety when it rears up.

Jump to this post

Thanks and so glad you're doing better and I was also told to try to find a CBT psych just a few days ago.

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lauren123 | @lauren123 | Nov 9, 2018
In reply to @mbaker51291 "Hi @tiffany22 , I started Lexapro 10mg back in June for generalized anxiety. The first 2..." + (show)
@mbaker51291

Hi @tiffany22 , I started Lexapro 10mg back in June for generalized anxiety. The first 2 months was difficult. I was also prescribed klonipin to help with the anxiety. I feel fine now it took a couple of months to reach the therapeutic level.

Jump to this post

@tiffany22 Hi, I am wondering how much KIonipin you were taking?

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