Starting Lexapro, got questions.

Hi jhenry and welcome!

I am sorry to hear of the Rx issues that you are currently trying to deal with. It can be very frustrating and confusing trying to figure it all out...especially in the beginning stages of starting a new med.

Part of this is because there are so many factors to consider. One is that everyone responds differently to any given med...even after taking it previously, things can change and you'll get different results.

Two, is that it can be hard to tell the difference between heigthened anxiety (which is why you started the Rx up again of course) and side effects. These s/e's can be part of the inital start up phase of the med, or they could turn out to last, at which point, you would need to consider another option.

Most likely though, you can reduce your symptoms, no matter what the cause through coping skills during this time. We have some great ones here:https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=9&m=104206

The breathing exercises, meditation and progressive muscle relaxation should help you to get through your start up of the Lexapro.

Remember that it can take several weeks for the med to build up, level off and come to theraputic levels. (at which time it is not unusual for symptoms to actually increase temporarily)

For now do the self-help skills 3x a day for at least 10 minutes...and more at bedtime if sleeping continues to be a challenging time.

Keep posting here with us as well. We understand, care and are here to support anytime.:)

Best wishes,

Scaredy Cat

I always had mild anxiety issues. Always have been on clonazepam. Dr prescribed me Lexapro I took my first one last Monday and had my first ever panic attack. I quit taking it. Then I waited a few days, cut the pill in half and I am taking a half a pill now, working my way gradually up to the 10 MG. I take it in the AM, maybe that is why I don't notice anything with it overnight. Maybe try cutting your dose in half and see how that will work for you.

Sounds like the "typical" start up side effects of the med. It should go away in a few weeks, but remember, every time you increase your dose, you could get some of those side effects back.

Yeah I woke up in panic mode lasnight, hands tingling and I got up an got dizzy then nautious. felt like I was gonna puke. but I didn't. I took the klonopin right away. then calmed down an went back to sleep. that was my third night taking it.

jhenry,

Keep us updated on your adjustment to Lexapro.  I had trouble sleeping/felt wired when taking it in the evening so I switched to the morning and I was able to fall asleep at night.

Hopefully this is just an effect of bumping up. It should get better as your body adjusts to the new dose.

If you were starting to feeling better, then I would encourage you to keep going and see how you are feeling once you have reached your theraputic level...and are past the start up period for this type of med. (4-12weeks)

Best wishes!

S.C.

It's kinda like a pressure I guess.

Well this is the third week I'm on it and it controls my anxiety pretty well. but I'm pretty much numb to everything else. I jus feel like I don't care. and I don't really feel motivated to do much. I was put on the antibiotic Bactrim a couple of days ago, and Lasnight I didn't sleep at all bc I felt like I had to like make myself breathe. I was extremely aware of my breathing. I tried to fall asleep an I jolted up as soon as I would doze off kinda gasping for air. idk what that was about. read online that bactrim can make anxiety symptoms worse. I didn't take it today and took a long nap.

I asked her about an alternative an she said she doesn't think it's the antibiotic that's doing that and that it was a side effect of the lexapro.

That's what I was thinking. I didn't jus bump up. this is my second week on the 10mg. I think it's the bactrim. which is why I didn't take it at all today. an it hasn't happened.

I will. she told me if it happens again to take klonopin 0.5mg that I also have. so I'm on lexapro generic, protonix generic, and that bactrim but I haven't taken it. is it safe to take the klonopin while on all that? minus the AB. I mean I'm sure it is or she wouldn't have told me to take it. but I'm jus checkin