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Lexapro 10mg side effects

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Posted 5/20/2014 6:34 PM (GMT 0)
I was on Lexapro for years then stopped it last summer. Back on Lexapro started for 4 days .5 mg I was fine no side effects have been on 10mg 3 days and I feel awful nausea, wake up in middle of night then back up at 5 am and no desire to eat, feels like I have the flu. Is this normal? I am wondering if I should take my full dosage today or cut back to .5 mg tonight. Called Dr yesterday she said this is normal keep taking 10mg. Anyone have any encouraging words? Please!! Thanks
Posted 5/20/2014 10:52 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Bananas20,

I have been taking Escitapram(same thing I believe) 10 mg for about 9 days now and I have had the following start up side effects......

Increased anxiety especially when I first wake up
Decreased appetite
Groggyness for a few hours after I take it
Feeling spaced out although I must admit this could be caused be increased anxiety

Everybody is different but I have heard of quite a few people that have had the same side effects as you so I would not be too worried but I would always relay feedback to your GP just in case.

I heard that the tablets we are taking are quite strong but the side effects usually tail off after a week or two and then we wait for the good feelings to kick in. Leaflet says that you should start feeling better after 1-2 weeks so we are pretty much in the same situation.

Oh and ask your doctor if it is okay to take 5 mg in the morning and then 5 mg before you go to bed because I have heard about quite a few people that do that.

Keep in touch.

Sean
Posted 5/20/2014 10:54 PM (GMT 0)
I would continue to take the medication exactly as prescribed. It's not uncommon for our symptoms to kick up a gear (or two), or even develop new ones, as our bodies adjust to the medication.

I know it's a tough time, but this is when patience is quite a virtue!








M.
Posted 5/20/2014 11:30 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for your feedback, the days are not great same symptoms as Sean has. Sean after 9 days did they taper off? Please say yes!! I was on Lexapro the first time (but it was a long time) and I do not remember going through these side effects!! Waking up in middle of night with anxiety is not great, it ruins the whole day, it takes me so long to come off of it. Anyone else experience this too? Thanks for all your advice
Posted 5/20/2014 11:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hey the thing is I went from 10 - 15 mg on day 8 which I shouldnt have done really as an increase in dosage is just like starting a new med all over again with regards to side effects sometimes so I am not sure if the side effects would have worn off by then.

I think they usually peak around a week inside of you first taking them but everyone is different. What I will say is I have read so many reviews of this tablet where people have said to stick with it because it will be worth it in the end so that is what I am doing too :)
Posted 5/20/2014 11:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hey the thing is I went from 10 - 15 mg on day 8 which I shouldnt have done really as an increase in dosage is just like starting a new med all over again with regards to side effects sometimes so I am not sure if the side effects would have worn off by then.

I think they usually peak around a week inside of you first taking them but everyone is different. What I will say is I have read so many reviews of this tablet where people have said to stick with it because it will be worth it in the end so that is what I am doing too :)
Posted 5/21/2014 12:16 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Sean I guess I'll take my 10mg now. Pray I am not sick tomorrow like today :)! Good luck to u 2. Keep me posted how ur doing on them
Posted 5/21/2014 12:23 AM (GMT 0)
No problem try not to worry too much although I know that is hard. Are you in the UK?
Posted 5/21/2014 12:26 AM (GMT 0)
No, I am in the US
Posted 5/21/2014 12:35 AM (GMT 0)
Oh okay I actually made a friend from the US on here :) I am in the UK, I heard that the doctors are better in the US for dealing with mental health issues. Did they give you anything to help deal with the start up anxiety like Lorazapam? Sorry cant spell that word lol
Posted 5/21/2014 12:44 AM (GMT 0)
I was on Lexapro for 2 years before being given the wrong pills (Celexa) last month and taking them without noticing. Lexapro works wonders for me. Though now that I'm back on the Lexapro I'm having those start up side effects as well. It's kind of hard to remember what it was like 2 years ago, but if I remember correctly, the nausea and loss of appetite only lasted a week or so for me. OF course, your mileage may very. Good luck! :D
Posted 5/21/2014 12:56 AM (GMT 0)
I too was on lexapro (generic) for a long time worked great that I came off last August but had a real bad panic attack end of Feb so I went to Dr and started Lexapro again but couldn't take side effects so she switched me to Efferox, those side effects were worse. Came off that and was just taking Xanxax for when anixety hit, went to new Dr last week and she said lexapro is really good lets try it again so 4 days I did .5 was fine then on Friday when
I upped it to 10 all the side effects were there for 2 days on Sunday I took .5 call Dr she said to keep taking 10 side effects should go away. I just can't remember these side effects yrs ago..so tonight is day 4 of 10 mg. I have .25mg of Xanxax that I take a 1/2 at a time maybe 3x depending how I am! Anixety sucks!
Posted 5/21/2014 1:02 AM (GMT 0)
It does suck trust me I hate it and had no idea that it could cause such crazy symptoms. I honestly think it would work better for you if you perhaps take 5 mg in the morning and then 5 mg in the evening but def speak with your doctor before you do so just in case.

The only things that bothers me about some doctors or at least some of the ones I have seen is they lack compassion and understanding which are two things I would think a doctor needs more than anything.

Keep us updated :)
Posted 5/22/2014 2:05 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Banana's how are you feeling?
Posted 5/22/2014 2:47 AM (GMT 0)
Hello, I'm new on this forum, visiting from the UC forum. I just started taking the generic form of Lexapro, and it has been tough. For one week I was on 5mg and had what felt like tension headaches in my temples and over my eyes. I'm having a rough time getting to sleep, and at times my mind races from it. Today I took the full pill, and surprisingly felt a little better, except for the sleep problem. Will these side effects go away or is this something to expect from lexapro?
Posted 5/22/2014 3:04 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Lr21,

The side effects usually do go away so try not to worry. Most if not all anti-depressants have some kind of side effects but they usually subside when your body gets used to the tablets.

I have the sleep issue too, my doctor wanted to start me on Mirtrazapan(might not be spelt like that)and they are meant to be good for sleep but I decided to go with Lezapro instead after hearing good things about them.

Best wishes

Sean
Posted 5/22/2014 3:12 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Sean, I appreciate the reply. I am looking forward to the headaches being gone. I was worried about taking the larger dose, but strange enough I did feel a little better today. I don't know how long I can handle the sleep issue though. As you said, I will try not to worry. Thanks again.
Posted 5/22/2014 3:16 AM (GMT 0)
No problem at all, just remember that every anti-depressant has different affects on different people so you have to rely on your own experiences quite a bit, good thing is if one doesn't work then there is plenty more to try and you will be okay :)

Perhaps try taking the tablet at night as I find that mind make me a bit sleep when I first take them?
Posted 5/22/2014 3:22 AM (GMT 0)
I will definitely try taking it at night. Too late now though, I took it this morning which would explain my late night on the forums. should have been sleeping hours ago. I will give it a shot tomorrow night.
Posted 5/22/2014 3:25 AM (GMT 0)
Lol if you are anything like me then you will spend all night looking online for other peoples reviews of the tablets we are taking and how it made them feel just to give you that little bit of peace of mind that you desperately need to give your brain a break from all that negative thought :)
Posted 5/22/2014 3:28 AM (GMT 0)
Yup, that describes me exactly. Lol.
Posted 5/22/2014 3:32 AM (GMT 0)
Haha me too......if you saw the questions I have asked Google in the last few months then you would think I am crazy lol

Seriously though try not to worry too much because I have read so many reviews about the tablets we are taking and so so many of them state how the start up can be a bit rough but they are so glad they perserved with them because they now feel so much better and we have to hold on to that thought as much as possible.

If of course you don't feel any better say in 4-6 weeks of taking them, then you need to go back to GP and discuss it with them but I am confident you will feel better pretty soon.
Posted 5/22/2014 3:49 AM (GMT 0)
Google has definitely gotten a work out from me when it comes to questions about meds. I always do lots of research before taking anything. I'm on too many bad meds already so I have to be careful.I hope the lexapro also does the trick for you.
Posted 5/22/2014 5:36 AM (GMT 0)
Lol me too.....keep the faith with the tablets for a while and I pray that they work quickly for you.
Posted 5/22/2014 10:24 AM (GMT 0)
I had nausea, decreased appetite for 4 days. Then all of them ceased completely. If you have increased anxiety, you can take Xanax or similar in the beginning. You will not need after a week or two weeks.
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