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Starting Lexapro

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Posted 1/17/2015 2:14 PM (GMT 0)
I'm about to start on generic Lexapro, 10 mg/day, for anxiety (with a side order of mild depression, but anxiety's the immediate dx). Mild-to-moderate anxiety is pretty much a lifelong nagging pal, endurable though unpleasant, but worse lately. I got physical symptoms that sent me to my doctor -- I call it my Tony Soprano moment. Rather than tranqs, we decided to give this possible longer-term solution a try. In late middle age, wondering if I could actually wind up feeling, you know, good. Reading the Lexapro side effects and negative user comments is scary, but I'm hoping for the best. Trying not to obsess on and freak out about the potential bad stuff, which is difficult given the disorder itself. Well, here goes nothing...
Posted 1/17/2015 2:33 PM (GMT 0)
Same history for me, though I'm older. Mild to moderate anxiety, on and off, since age 30 (I'm 66 now), able to cope with it, but had a bad patch recently (for various reasons). Since I had been on a very low dose of paxil for many years, I was told to increase it and eventually settled on a sleep med, since lack of sleep was part of the problem. Don't be surprised if initially you feel a little worse as your body adjusts to the medication. This seems to be true of most ADs. It took 4 or 5 weeks for the paxil to really kick in, so don't expect immediate relief. I also see a psychologist for CBT, which I would also recommend. Good luck.
Posted 1/17/2015 2:43 PM (GMT 0)
I've now been on lexapro 10 mg for about 3 months and I do have more good days then bad days. I had side effects at first but they subsided around the fifth week. Also the full effects did not start until around the 8th week for me but everyone is different. I'm in the process of trying to go up to 20 mg even though the 10 mg are helping a lot.

Hopefully this is a first step in your recovery.
Posted 1/17/2015 3:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Quill and welcome!
I wish you the very best in your start up! I am sending postive thoughts and encouragement that this is the perfect Rx to help you manage the anxiety and symptoms!
Some things to keep in mind...
...for many people, things can initially become more challenging as the med builds up and levels out in your system, and the beneficial effects start to be noted, so hang in there the first few weeks of starting your med. If you can, you are likely to end up with an Rx that works well for you. (Wolverine mentioned this, but it bears repeating as a lot of people give up on an Rx too soon.)
...in regards to reviews...people are way more apt to write the negative experiences, than the postive....so know that for every scary account, there are probably dozens of good ones that go undocumented.
For now, here is the link to our Resources with great self-help material and info that will help you during your start up, and beyond! Take a look and see what is applicable for you.smile

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=9&m=104206
Keep posting with us if you find it helpful...support is key!
Scaredy Cat
Posted 1/17/2015 3:48 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the feedback, all. I've pretty well made up my mind to try to power through the early negative effects. I've tried other antidepressants on and off, briefly, before in my life but never stuck with them for any length of time. We'll see how this works.
Posted 1/17/2015 3:48 PM (GMT 0)
god point about the positive ones. i always praise the effectiveness of lamictal on the forums. it seems to bode well with a lot of people. just started 2 days ago on lexapro. usual side effects. i have been on most ad's over the last 20 odd years, so i am aware of it. wishing you all the best. and just very quitely for me too.
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