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Just started Lexapro...any thoughts or success stories?

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Posted 9/24/2013 4:06 PM (GMT 0)
I just started Lexapro at a low dose 2.5mg 4 days ago. I feel very "strange" and foggy in the head and didn't sleep at all the first night. Second day I experienced a lot of panic so I took Klonopin .50 and slept decently. Day 3 and I'm felt very anxious again for some reason (and still foggy as well), and didn't sleep a wink last night. Day 4 and feeling much of the same. Will these side effects come to pass? I'm afraid of feeling so down forever. I'm going to bump up to 5mg over the weekend (just taking it slow this first week to ease into the medicine) but scared as well for more side effects to appear...I'm not sure how much more I can handle. I'm curious if anyone else has just started this medicine and is feeling the same way or am I alone here?
Posted 9/24/2013 4:19 PM (GMT 0)
The side effects usually go away in a week or two, so try to stay on it for that long anyway. I hope that it works for you. We have another member starting Lexapro also.

Best wishes, and welcome to the forum Lynn...

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 9/24/2013 7:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Carl...this is my third post (I'm not sure where they are all going but I'll try this again!). Thanks for your words of encouragement, I appreciate it. I definitely have experienced so many side effects in the past 4 days, even on 2.5mg! Insomnia, stomach issues, lack of appetite (which is a problem since I'm a small person), dizziness, foggy head, more more anxiety/depression than before I started. 2 months of side effects seems like an eternity for me! I do have to up the meds to 5mg this weekend, which scares me that all these side effects will double. I would give my right are to be smiling from ear to ear again...it's been ages since I've done that! I've struggled with taking an med for ages, but I've quickly spiraled downhill in the past 2 months to a place I just need to get out of...I don't feel like it's an option for me to quit at this point (although I think about quitting every morning!). I'm also taking Klonopin as needed (which has been everyday). I fear I will become dependent on that and have to withdraw off that while on the lexapro. SSRI bootcamp just about sums it up. I need to quiet that "what if this doesn't work in a few weeks" voice that nags me...I'm not sure what I'd do then.
Posted 9/25/2013 2:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Carl,
Thanks for asking. Still feeling very foggy/dizzy today. It's a struggle to take that pill every morning with these heightened anxiety/depressed feelings/no light at the end of the tunnel. I so wish it would all just go away. I know it takes time but it's really hard to push through my days feeling this way. I seem to be sleeping every other day (exhausted from the previous night of no sleep). My anxiety definitely peaks around 2-3 in the afternoon and that's when I'm finding myself taking 1/2 a klonopin to get me through the rest of the day without feeling like I'm going to jump out of my skin. Appetite pretty much is non-existant...forcing myself to eat is difficult for me. I think I'm going to stay at 2.5mg for a little while longer and see how it goes. Getting out for walks helps...sometimes when I'm home too long it feels like the walls start to cave in on me. I really do hope this all passes in time...it's a really awful feeling to be depressed and have anxiety on top of it. Depression is new to me...but after 2 months of it, I just can't do it on my own anymore.
Posted 9/25/2013 3:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Carl,
Trying trying trying...it took me so long to get to the point of going on meds so I can relate. However, this hole I seem to be in has been affecting my husband, 3 kids, and just life in general. As for not feeling side effects if I eventually switch medication...I was unaware of that. I thought I'd have to go through the side effects all over again for any medicine I tried (tapering off one to go on another). This is part of my fear that I'll be in this continual loop of side effects for months on end. Was thinking of upping the dosage on Friday but I really would like to give myself another week at 2.5mg. I feel even at this small amount, it's really jacking with my system all around. I seem to be ultra-sensitive to meds in general. I'm trying not to lose confidence, but boy is it hard. I'd give anything for the old "me" back....seems like a whole different person to me now.
Posted 9/28/2013 2:52 AM (GMT 0)
Hi all, I'm Sue, new to this forum. Lynn I am on Lexapro as well, started September 1st. Like you I am very sensitive to meds so if your doc is ok with you staying on the low dose a while longer do so. I started at 10 mg and was pretty sick for a few days, then was bumped up to 15 mg. Been dizzy, foggy, no appetite, nauseous... all the side effects you've listed :P Not fun. Now I'm in week three of being on 15 mg and I've noticed SOME relief from the side effects. I'm still not feeling so great in terms of depression and anxiety. I am also on klonopin - if that gets me through the panic and anxiety I take it (of course only as directed). I have been really struggling with anxiety and depression and hope Lexapro helps. Previously I was on a small dose of Zoloft (25 mg) which worked well for almost 15 years. Have you thought of changing the time you take the Lexapro? I take it at night now since I was experiencing too many side effects after taking it in the morning. And like you my anxiety would increase around 2 pm when I took it in the morning.

Hang in there, I know it's hard, I'm going through it myself.
Posted 9/28/2013 11:10 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Sue,

I just wanted to welcome you to the depression forum. I hope you find some answers.

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 9/28/2013 12:53 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the welcome Karen. It's nice to have a place to go where others understand. :-)
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