Lexapro for 2 1/2 weeks. Still getting panic attacks. Upping dose like starting over?

Rswed,

5 mg is not generally considered a therapeutic dose...so upping to 10 mg. is likely what your doctor is recommending...to see if this med is going to perform for you for anxiety/panic management.

Have you switched your dosage time yet...any effect?

Upping a dose may bring about some s/e's...but it will not be as pronounced as the original start up...which is the most challenging step for most people.

I hope this is a beneficial step that helps you to reach your goals soon!

Keep up with your coping skills and continue to update us, so we can keep you in support!

S.C.

R.,

Did you say you have a benzo for attacks, and for help with sleep? (temporarily of course, just during your start up)

If not, then this could be something you may want to ask about perhaps?

How about trying Binaural Beats? (sound wave therapy) These downloads (apps or youtube) use tones that work on the theta/delta brainwaves to aid in falling and staying asleep.

Also, have you checked out the links for relaxation/panic relief and meditations in the Resources yet? Practicing these regularly will really help!

S.C.

Hmmmm...

Well, asking your doctor first of course...what if you tried a full 1 mg at bedtime? Maybe that would carry you through for a few more hrs.? (making a second dose unecessary, so you don't even end up increasing...?)

In any case...do check out our self help suggestions...and maybe the Binaural Beats too! :)

S.C.

Lexapro was rought for me starting up. I could barely take 2.5mg per day, but eventually made it up to 10mg. I think SC is correct that 5mg is not quite a therapeutic dose (my doc says that too).

When I jumped up from 5mg to 10mg, honestly it wasn't that bad. Plus, I started to feel better pretty quickly (although some anxiety lingered for a week or so more).

SSRIs are good meds, but my personal experience and what I've read from others is that you have to hunker down and give them a chance.

Hang in there! :)

Well, one night of glorious sleep (7 hours) and I felt great on Wednesday. Then last night back to 3 hours of sleep and the start of another day feeling exhausted. I sure hope I'm turning the corner. I hate this insomnia. Think I'm trying the Binaural Beats tonight.

Rspwed,

Have had the same experiences as you on Lexapro, for me it did get better and not many sleeping issues now, but that is also due to exercise and other coping tools.

Do you exercise to tire yourself out? Also, when do you take your dose?

Well I've slept pretty decent for 3 nights out of 4. Still exhausted and anxious. I've been exercising and doing deep breathing. I need someone to tell me I t will get better. I hope my doctor lets me up my dose, but I'm scared that it will cause more insomnia.

Monday.

So just got back from the docs. She prescribed a week's worth of ambien and upped my dosage of lex to 7.5 mg. Save the xanax for daytime anxiety. I almost never take it during the day unless I'm full blown which isn't that often. Coping skills work! Her thoughts are that I need to sleep. we realized today that it has been a full month since I slept more than 4 hours consecutively. I've had nights where I've gotten 7 hours but always interrupted. So shutting the alarm off and hoping for the best. According to her half an ambien at bedtime if I wake up take a xanax. Then tomorrow take a full ambien. If I don't wake up (fingers crossed) stick with the half. Use the ambien to get 4 or 5 nights of sleep to get my mind and body in the groove. Hopefully that will do the trick.

Thanks S.C.!

Rsp,

It can take some time for your body adjust to a new med...even a sleep aid...

...so yes, tonight will be the night! (fingers crossed)

Name it and claim it, right? ;)

S.C.