needs some words of encouragement

So I am back on Lexapro after a two month break. I was on the 5mg for 2 weeks (hardly any side effects), went to 10 two weeks ago and still having the darn side affects. I don't remember it being this bad last time.

After 2 full weeks, I am almost ready to go back to the 5mg, Anybody else out there, how long did the side affects last and did they just stop one day or go away slowly. I keep hoping I will wake up and I will feel great.

Any advice?

Thank you SC. Just seems like the anxiety is worse and that is what is scaring me. But I am going to hand tough for a little bit yet.

Tikat, if your diagnosis was diabetes and the meds were too week and the doctor wanted to raise them in
order to treat you properly, would you object?
My point is your doctor is not going to hurt you, try their recommendations, the surprise may well be you
will start to feel good again, Peace

Larry ***

Hey

Medication side-effects are unavoidable although there are ways to gradually reduce them. In my experience it would always depend on my tolerance. I don't normally increase dosage unless it's absolutely necessary and is recommended by my doctor. Whenever I increase dosage the side-effects also became more active.

I'm not fond of meds but I consider them necessary. I prefer not to increase medication dosage so in order for my body to get the right amount of help I simply reinforce the small dosage of medication with other alternative approaches. I drink herbal tea on a daily basis and take endoca hemp supplements to help with my condition. I also do CBT, meditation, and some mindfulness programs. These along with a healthy diet and enough sleep has greatly increased the effectiveness of the meds I am taking.

I know that feeling all too well, tlkat. When I increased from 10 to 20, the increased anxiety was almost enough to make me stop taking it all together. It sucks that we have to feel worse before we can feel better. I just told myself it was necessary and like you, just didn't want to feel the way I was feeling all the time so I stuck it out. It will level, it just takes a few days. Sending you positive vibes!

I feel for you. Here's to 2016 being a less anxious year!

I have not been on this forum in a long time, but I am interested in your experience because, recently, my anxiety has been worse, and I am considering maybe going back on Lexapro.

I was on it around 4 or 5 years ago. I began on 10mg and I had pretty bad side effects. I felt EXTREMELY jittery. It was like I had drank 15 cups of coffee. I wanted to crawl out of my skin. At the same time, I was tired. Tired and super-jittery is not a fun combination. It was worst in the morning, and got better later in the day. Eventually, I "gave up" and switched to 5mg. The side effects quickly disappeared. But I am not sure the medication was doing much good, at that level. I stayed on it for around 4 or 5 months, along with a beta blocker, and then went off it. By that time, I felt like my situation had become more stable and I was anxious not to be on medication. (My story since then has been mixed, but I won't hijack your thread with that -- it is a bit of a long story -- maybe I will start another thread).

One thing I did not like about being on an SSRI is we are not supposed to drink alcohol on SSRIs. Alcohol is a part of my life. I do not drink excessively -- I have not been drunk in 30 years -- and I can certainly refrain from drinking when I need to -- but I enjoy having a glass or two of wine with dinner or going out for a drink with friends. It is a part of my life, something I enjoy, and I did not want to give it up. At 5mg, I was able to continue to drink occasionally, with my doc's permission. But as I said, I am not sure 5mg did me any good. I probably did not give it a fair chance, at a therapeutic dose.

To be honest, the medication that worked best for me was xanax. But I was VERY concerned about the potential for addiction, so I took it only when I felt desperate, and then only in very small doses. But when i took it, it worked great. Just the other day, I took one, for the first time in around two years. But, for me personally, that is not a good long term solution. I just like having it around for times when I feel like I really need it.

Best wishes to all of you.