3rd day of lexapro, woke into a panic

Andrea P · Post by **Andrea P** » Fri Sep 19, 2008 2:53 am

Last night I woke up into a panic attack and thought my meds were killing me or something because my heart was pounding so fast and I could barely breathe. It's my third day on Lexapro 10mg. Is it ok for the heart to be beating that fast? I could hear it pounding,Could it just be my anxiety or the medication?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Sep 19, 2008 3:08 am

All SSRI's do this in the beginning. I had to quarter my Lexapro and do 2.5 mg for a week and work my way up to 10mg. Now all is well. Some people are sensitive to this and some are not. I'd say ask your doc about cutting way back and working your way up so that the anxiety does not hit so hard. But it is normal, and I think it was the med sparking your anxiety.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Sep 19, 2008 3:26 am

I think it is your meds. I went to the hospital and till this day I dont' know what they gave me but made me so anxious that I didn't know what hit me. The whole day and night I was like that. I finally asked the nurse why is that Lorazapam doing that to me it usually calms me and she told me it was something different I was so out of it I don't remember what she gave me.
I told her to not ever give me that again and give me lorazapam. It helped.
Lorazapam is very addictive so the doctor was trying to try something new. Poopie head hahaha
Well I am off of Lorazapam for 19 days today.
I praise the Lord but you have to get off of it slowly so your body doens't realize what your doing. But I think anything is addicting so whatever works till you can get better.
Get better :O)

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Sep 19, 2008 4:32 am

I've been on this medication before though but got off of it in the summer. when i started it before i didn't feel like this and i started at 10mg. Maybe side effects can change each time?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Sep 19, 2008 4:50 am

No, Andrea. The pounding heart will not hurt you. Use your breath work to calm it down. Breathe in slowly to the count of two. Hold for four and breathe out slowly, slowly, slowly. Repeat. Your heart will calm down. With Lexapro it's a good idea to allow 7 days for it to take affect and the side effects to subside. Always share with your doctor what you are experiencing so that he can calm your fears for you. A lower dose may be recommended to get you started.