Are these lexapro side effects or anxiety side effects? How long?

Brand new to lexapro and hoping for some encouragement.
Have dealt, on my own, with mild anxiety throughout my life. Just general nervousness that would resolve once the the anxious situation ended. I recently had an inappropriate response to a mildly elevated bpm and then after three days of unceasing anxiety went to see doctor about lexapro. We had discussed previously, but I was determined to manage regular stress/anxiety on my own. I started on 5mg along with 0.5 mg (up to 2x per day) clonazapam to use as needed. Started lexapro that day and within an hour immediately noticed burning/hot sensation (not pain) that would come over me in waves anywhere from stomach to upper chest, shoulder, and sometimes face. And...my anxiety increased!! Not sure if this is an actual side effect of med OR anxiety in response to physical side effect symptoms. Lost my appetite immediately and have only slept about 3 hours a night as well. One week later the burning sensation and loss of appetite continued but then it was joined with severe nausea. Went back to doctor and we decided to continue for another week and then check in - which will be 1/11. He also gave me Zofran for the nausea - which doesn't always help. Doc also told me not to worry about taking the clonazapam which I WAS worried about because of possible addiction to benzo. Sheesh! Then I started therapy with a psychologist who suggested that I not to take the clonazapam or any sleep aids (which hadn't been working anyway). I believe that "some" of my current anxiety is due to the actual side effects of the lexapro. I really want to believe both my doctor and my psychologist that this IS going to get better, but not overnight. But I'm already on day 18 and I'm still miserable with these physical symptoms. Has anybody else had side effects like these that have lasted this long?

Sometimes there are start up side effects with ssris, everyone is different. I had terrible side effects with both Zoloft and Effexor. Lexapro was not terrible but I remember chest and abdominal pain on and off for the first couple months after I started taking it the first time.

As far as benzos are concerned, it's your call. Some people are against them but I feel if they are taken responsibility, they can be a good tool to help you recover.

Hi

Welcome to the forum.

When starting an antidepressant it does seem to be the norm to experience side effects including the ones you have mentioned but these do pass after a couple of weeks and if they don'y you need to go back and speak with your doctor.

I think you will find therapy really beneficial

Hibee

Hi Juniper. Around 5 years ago, I began Lexapro 10mg, after suffering intense anxiety for the first time in my life. I had pretty uncomfortable side effects. I felt extremely jittery -- it is hard to explain the feeling, but maybe like how someone would feel after drinking 15 cups of coffee. But still tired. Eventually, I could not stand the side effects and I reduced to 5mg. At 5mg, I did not have side effects. But I am also not sure that was enough medication to do much good. Hard to tell.

The doc gave me Xanax to take prn. Like you, I was very reluctant because of the risk of addiction. I took a couple, but very rarely. My doc told me not to worry about it -- that it was a very low dose and I did not have an addictive personality -- but I did.

In hindsight, I think I was too reluctant to take the Xanax, and I suffered needlessly. Maybe if I had been more willing to take the Xanax, I could have tolerated the Lexapro better in the early days, and not had to drop down to what may have been a subtherapeutic dose.

I could go on about my life story since then, but I won't do that -- this is your thread.

I hope you get relief from your side effects and that the Lexapro does you some good...

I'm currently in my 5th week of going back on lexapro. I was only off it for about 1 month and trying to get back on has been a nightmare. I also had a panic attack in my sleep last night. The Klonopin isn't even touching it. Just know you are not alone.

My only suggestion would be to really start practicing some cbt, meditation, any coping technique you find helpful. I've learned that the medication can be helpful but coping strategies really need to be used for an effective way of dealing with this beast.

Jennings,

I am in the same boat as you. I went off Lexapro for 2 months, big mistake. It has also been a nightmare for me to get back on it. Now on my 7th day of my final increase to 20mg and my main side effect is being too tired to really want to do anything. I am so hoping this passes soon. It is horrible. I have been on a total of 7 weeks, but 3 weeks at 5, then 2 weeks at 10, then 1 week at 15 and now final 1 week at 20mg. I was hoping the increases would not be too bad because it is in my system, but I am not finding it to be the case. My anxiety is better, but it might be because I am just too tired to care.

J.,

Great job on being pro-active and seeing your doctor for the new plan!

I am sending positive wishes that the new med switches...as well as the continued therapy is just the right combination you need for your recovery to take off in a big way.:)

Keep up the great work...and update when you can!

S.C.