First day on new med and trying to calm down

Faith_TX · Post by **Faith_TX** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 1:37 am

I was just given Lexapro. I took only 2.5 and I had a hard time sleeping last night. Today I'm having a hard time. I don't know if it's the medication or just my fear of it. I just need to hear something positive to get me through this day.

JamiDee · Post by **JamiDee** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 1:46 am

I have been taking lexapro for two weeks and sleeping is very hard. i also take ambien to sleep. it helps. i have been taking it since going trough menopause. I hope your sleep gets better

nine47 · Post by **nine47** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 2:41 am

I started with paxil and was very nervous because I've had plenty of reactions. I started with 2.5 and then 5.0 and now I'm at 7.5. I was awake getting shakes all night. I called my doctor and he said take it at night. Now I take 2.5 in the morning and 5.0 at night and sleep better. I have been on it for 2 months now. Call your doctor!

Faith_TX · Post by **Faith_TX** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 2:56 am

OK. I'm starting to think I'm just not meant to take antidepressants! Maybe I just need to focus on CBT and diet and exercise. I feel yucky and I haven't even been 24 hours yet. And such a small dose!

Darlene1 · Post by **Darlene1** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 3:10 am

My doctor prescribed Lexapro also. I took it once and it gave me the shakes and sweats. I'm not taking it again. I am instead working out, using the relaxation tapes and self talk techniques, and praying. Hang in there and good luck!

Faith_TX · Post by **Faith_TX** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 3:17 am

Thanks for confirming that it's not just me. I could try hanging in there for a week but my experience has been that when the side effects feel like this for me they don't generally get better, especially since I'm not even on the full dose. I think I'm not going to take it again.

jencole · Post by **jencole** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 7:06 am

I would call your doctor...don't forget that it make take several different meds until you get the one that works just right for you! hang in there!

Tigs · Post by **Tigs** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 8:57 am

hi chris
this is tigs. you responded to my SOS this a.m. re: my panic about going to the psychiatrist. i mean it when i say, you really gave me strength.

now for you, i totally understand the "med" thing. i have tried some and have been unsuccessful. but to be honest with you, with some of the meds i wasnt always sure if it was side effects or me panicking. i know i panic the minute i put a pill on my tongue. it can be hard. the dr today prescribed xanax xr 3 mg. im scared. next week he wants to try another med as well..AAAAHHHHHHH. I dont like this. i have had a prescription for regular xanax that i take when im desperate. ive taken it for about 5 years off and on. i get concerned with the xanax because of the dependency risk. the up-side is that i dont have any wierd side effects. i find it strange that im now panicking about taking a different form of xanax. iiiiyyyyiiiiii....I would much rather work on this program and not take meds. Maybe we can keep in touch and cheer each other on. The last thing i want to say is I personally know a lot of people who successfully take meds and they cant understand why i have such a problem with it. and i read alot on this site about people who do well after they find the right one. i guess we are all made differently and tolerate things in different ways. what ever you choose to do, ill be praying for you.

God bless
Tigs

DukeR · Post by **DukeR** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 9:16 am

Hi Everyone,

First of all, I completly understand not wanting to be on any type of medication. But I do have to agree with the doctor, in some cases, people need medication to get better. It builds your self confidence up and takes away some of the fear of having a panic attack. I have been on Xanax and Lexapro for 3 and half years. I started with 4 milligrams a Xanax a day and 10 mg of Lexapro. I had tried zoloft and effexor before and they did not do antyhing. Keep in mind that I did not have any issues with panic attacks/anxiety until 7 years ago.
I am now currently on less than a 1/4 of a milligram of xanax and 5 mg of lexapro. I am trying to ween off both of them. I have been weening off the xanax for a year now. I could not have gotten as far as I am today without medication if I wanted to leave a normal life.
I think every medication effects people differently but truly other than being tired and feeling very relaxed, I did not have any side effects with Xanax.
We can do this!! I am trying to get over those panic attacks and learning not to fear choking.

Mello Nello · Post by **Mello Nello** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 11:02 am

Faith,
I took lexapro, and everyone body is different. I do remember the first few days it made me very edgy, but it went away.
try taking it in the morning after you eat something.. TAking it at night didnt work for me either... then if that doesnt work, call your doctor, let him know what your experiencing.. Love ya Nelly:) good to see you again