Lexapro users, can use some help

flameglow · Post by **flameglow** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 2:10 pm

Hi,

I am new here and haven't ordered the program yet, but am considering it. I have started Lexapro 5 days ago for panic disorder, agoraphobic and genralized anxiety. It has been a nightmare to say the least!

I was dreadfully afraid of taking this drug or any drugs for that matter, until I became desperate and nowhere else to turn.I have started on 2.5 mg, a low dose and will work my way up. The first night I took it I was up all night, and after that I feel very tired when taking it. I am taking it around 5pm with dinner, and after feel very tired.

When is the best time to take it? Morning or night? Does it make you feel tired, or is this a side effect that will go away? Sometimes I feel spacey and dizzy as well. Anyone also use 2.5 mg to start and when did you start increasing to 5?

Liz

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 3:35 am

My psydoc told me that this is for sure a daytime (AM) drug. It can and does rev you up a bit within the first few hours, I've only been on it a week, I started at 5 mg and can tell when it hits. I get energy, not anxiety, but a good sort of burst, kind of like drinking too much green tea

Hope it helps. I also am taking Klonopin for my GAD and hoping that by taking the Lexapro, we'll wean off the Klonopin.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 6:49 am

Take in the mornings with food. That will minimize the side effects.
Also, you need to know that lexapro takes 2-3 weeks to work. Any effect you 'think' you are having after a few days is not caused by the med. The mind is a powerful thing, we all know that.
2.5mg is a VERY small dose. If possible, stay at that level for a whole month and see how you are doing. The lower the dose you can get by with, the easier it will be to get off it later.
Yes, the spacey/dizzy is a common side effect from this med. It will decrease over time. By your 4th week, you should have very minimal or no side effects.
As you are feeling relief from your condition, start working on your CBT training. The only real cure for this condition is not medication, it's learning how to change the way you think. I know that may not seem possible, but it's true. You will be ok. Just work the course, you are going to be ok. You’ll see

God Bless and peace be with you.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 7:09 am

Thank you so much for your answers. I would like to stay on the 2.5 but most people say that is to low of a dose to help control the symptoms. I still have anxiety though and not where I would want to be. If I do go up and I am not going to do more than 5mg. If I change my dose from 5pm to the morning, will that be ok to do without feeling bad?

CarolM · Post by **CarolM** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 5:47 am

I started at 5mg, and I had no side effects except that little jolt of energy around noonish, is wasn't a bad thing, not anxiety or nervousness, too hard to explain. Green tea used to do the same thing to me. But anyway, I doubt I'd go up without talking to my doc, but like I said, I started at 5 and no side effects.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 6:03 am

Remember, the medication is going to help you feel better, but it's not going to 'fix' you. Only you can do that with CBT training. The sooner you get started with that the better.
Also, avoid caffene and sugar during this time.
They only serve to fuel anxiety.
And, if you exercise more you can get the same effects as the medication. But if you take a lot of medication you feel larthargic and it makes it hard to exercise.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 8:07 am

I just went back on Lexapro this morning...I took 2.5 mgs at 5am and it's 12 and I took 2.5 more. Gonna try to stay bet. 2.5 and 5 and see if that's enough. I think it's an individual things. Like my pdoc said, there are just some of us that do need a little in our system and that's okay and to accept it. I do feel better, however, when I do some aerobic exercise on a routine basis. I think it helps and allows me to stay at a lower dose. I've never been on a full dose and have had great results.

Good luck! Positive thoughts!:)

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Jul 20, 2008 9:59 am

I started on 10mg and am still on the 10mg 3 months later. I feel like myself on the med. I take it at night with a meal and dont have problems sleeping. I had start up side effect that lasted about a week, for the first few weeks I could feel when the meds were working and now I dont feel a thing, just feel like myself. I think it works well for me.

I see my doc tomorrow for a follow up. The past week I have thrown up twice, but I think it was from my new multivitamin that was making me nauseous. Both times that it happend was in the morning after the vitamin. I would think after 3 months of being fine on the Lexapro that I wouldnt be vomiting from that, right?

Stick with the Lex, give it time, it works well.