Lexapro Start Up....

Hi all,

I finally, after almost 2 months, started my antidepressant. I was terrified to start it because I recently tried another antidepressant, and the side effects weren't so pleasant. I wanted to keep kind of like a "journal" on here incase I want to go back and read what I wrote. So if you don't mind, I'm going to update day by day, if I remember to do so.

I want to just start off saying, with my previous antidepressant (which I only took for literally 5 days) I noticed side effects within 2-3 hours of taking it. Feeling flushed, dizzy, more anxious... I could tell it was the medicine, even though some think that might be too soon, my body just knew something was going on.

So yesterday was Day 1 of my Lexapro, I took it at about 8:45 am. I'm on the lowest dose of 5 mg. I'm a person who is very sensitive to medication... so I now I know to ask for the smallest dose, lol. I didn't feel much different yesterday at all. When 3 hours went by after taking it, I was literally so happy (that I wasn't reacting badly). I did keep yawning, though. I did notice by the time 8:00 came, I started feeling super exhausted. When it was time for bed, my heart was racing more than usual and I felt some anxiety. I also felt that way when waking up this morning. Another thing, I was up a lot last night, I have a 5 month old baby, but I was waking up even when he wasn't which is kinda unlike me, I love to get as much sleep as I possibly can lol.

I've had a lump feeling in my throat for the past 3 months or so. Sometimes it feels like someone has their hands wrapped around my throat, it's very unpleasant. I've had bloodwork done to rule out my thyroid (my mom has a thyroid disease) and a complete blood count (which I guess would check for some kind of infection). This feeling is still there. But what can I expect, I've only just started a very low dose of an antidepressant.

So today is day 2, I've taken my Lexapro, again, at about 8:45 this morning. It's been almost 3 hours and I don't feel much different besides this uncomfortable almost "choking" feeling in my throat. :( I hope this feeling goes away as soon as the medicine kicks in and does its job. I will probably have to up my dosage to 10 mg before it really does anything and I realize that.

Edit: Day 2... started to feel a bit of anxiety around 1:00 pm. I came back to work after lunch, had been drinking a large Sweet Tea from Mcdonalds (I already had my morning coffee) and my heart started racing.... So not sure if it was from my anxiety in general, the pill, or too much caffeine? Those teas have a lot of sugar in them! :P Needless to say, I was not very happy there for about 20 minutes. I feel a little more calm now...Knock on wood...


**The reason I was put on Lexapro was because I was on this when I was 15, I am now almost 24. My mom used to take me to counseling and she reported back then that since being on Lexapro, my mood, sleep & school work was better. So I'm really hoping and praying for the best, for this medicine. :)

I would also appreciate any prayers! Thank you <3

Post Edited (Lisa S) : 7/27/2016 1:28:02 PM (GMT-6)

Sleep issues are pretty common with lexapro. The insomnia usually clears out pretty quickly, especially with such a small dose. You may need an increase, but it's a good med. Stick with it even if you get a side effect or two. They won't last long and you'll be happy that you did.

Hey all!

Thanks for the replies.

I'm on day 3 of Lexapro. Last night, I did pretty well most of the night, stayed busy with housework & the kids. By the time bedtime came, I went to lay down, my heart started racing again and the anxiety came back. I have to be busy busy or that's when I start to notice it! So I went and took a nice hot bath, relaxed for a bit, got out & put some nice smelling lotion on and laid down in bed. I fell asleep within 10 minutes, so that's good! I woke up when my baby woke up, but around 4 am I got up for about 30 minutes, was afraid I wouldn't be able to fall back asleep. I finally did! Got up at about 7:15 to get ready for work, didn't have any anxiety! That's a PLUS! I know it's only day 3, but I'm more happy at the fact that I'm not having many side effects. Hoping I'm in the clear. *fingers crossed* I also do realize I'm on a super low dose. But like I said, I'm sensitive to medicine so even the smallest dose can give me side effects. If I do get some side effects, I plan to try to stick it out. So far the only thing I've noticed is a little bit of increased anxiety, my stomach kind of upset, having the urge to go to the bathroom a little bit more. I'll update if I start to feel anything later on today. Hoping and praying I don't!

Edit: Oh yea! I haven't noticed the lump in the throat feeling yet this morning! Is it too soon to already feel this way? I hope not! ..

I spoke too soon about the lump feeling. It's definitely still there. I'm hoping as time goes by and this medicine kicks in this lump/globus feeling will go away. it is so uncomfortable....

Hope everyone has a great day.

Post Edited (Lisa S) : 7/28/2016 2:12:36 PM (GMT-6)

So today is day 4 of lexapro. Last night was a long, exhausting night. My baby was up probably every 2-3 hours, Usually I do "ok" during the day when he is up like this because I've gotten used to it, but today I am EXHAUSTED ....I'm sure the medicine doesn't help. I do yawn a lot at work while being on this medicine. I also had a headache for a bit this morning... Not too bad of anxiety, a little bit here and there where my heart will start racing. Trying to stay positive.

Hope everyone has a great day. <3


Edit: Some symptoms I'm feeling: tiredness, slight chest pain, slight headache, stomach keeps grumbling like I need to use the bathroom...Ive also been experiencing since on and off last night this muffled feeling in my left ear.... I wonder what is causing that? I noticed it after cleaning my ears out last night after a shower. :/

Post Edited (Lisa S ♥♥) : 7/29/2016 1:42:59 PM (GMT-6)

Since I didn't update for day 5 I will do it now. So first off, the end of day 4, I had some crazy heart palpitations before bed, probably all of the stressing about my chest pains, my heart wouldn't stop racing. So I finally fell asleep. Was up every 2 hours with my baby:( which makes my anxiety 10x worse. Day 5 I woke up with some increased anxiety, I think it was mostly because I knew my Fiancé was about to go to work and I hate being alone. So I got up and took my pill around 10:00, took it with some food, felt fine for awhile, around 1:30 I started getting a bad headache. I tried to nap, but my anxiety is so bad I kept waking up every 10 minutes with my heart racing... So annoying!!!

4:30 came and I had to drive an hour away with my fiancé to pick up my son from his cousins. The whole ride there I had a headache SO bad that I was holding my head and almost crying. I also got to the point where I was literally so nauseous I almost threw up. Then I realized I had only ate once that day and it was at 10am when I took my pill. So I managed to get half of a chicken sandwich down and when that settled in my stomach I felt better. Plus I took some Tylenol for my headache. During all of this, my fiancé is mad at me for complaining so much. Grrrrr. i was in tears on the way home because of how crappy I felt and how mean he was being to me. So we got home about 9:30 and I fell asleep shortly after with no problems falling asleep , but again I was up every 2 hours with the baby...

Day 6..... I got up this morning with really no anxiety. Fiancé left for work at 8am. Got up, got me and the kids ready for church. Took my pill with breakfast, experienced a little bit of anxiety at church... But tried to ignore it, came home and went swimming for a couple hours. No other physical side effects today, just my heart beating kinda fast. :( I hope it goes away soon. I see my counselor this Tuesday.

Hi

It sounds like you are heading in the right direction.

Keep us posted.

Hibee

Day 7.... I didn't really feel much different except for this dang "globus" feeling in my throat/esophagus .... Today is day 8 and I'm feeling the same feeling. It's really annoying and I have been clearing my throat all day :(

Hey S.C.!

I honestly can't tell if I feel any different, because I didn't have extreme anxiety before. I mostly get anxiety when I know my fiance is about to leave and I'll be alone, etc. So mornings are typically hard for me, because he leaves for work earlier than me, but I guess the few days, my mornings have been ok. I also get anxiety while driving alone far distances (haven't had the chance to do this yet) so we will see. This globus sensation is definitely bothersome. :( Even though I know I'm more than likely fine, and it's just an annoying anxiety symptom, it still bothers me. My oldest son goes to an ENT specialist Friday to see about getting his tonsils removed, so I think I'll talk to his doctor while I'm there and see what he thinks about the lump feeling. Not sure if he will be able to answer any questions for me or not but it's worth a shot.

I'm SERIOUSLY hoping that once my baby gets over the teething phase and starts sleeping all night, I'll start feeling better in general too. I noticed that when he slept well for a week or so, this annoying symptom went away....
That's what makes me think it's possibly just anxiety, and not reflux...but never know

MOfT,

All in all it sounds like you are doing well!

...yes hormones and interpersonal conflict of course factor in and make management more challenging...

...but it sounds like you are still doing well in spite of these things!

Thanks for the update, and keep them up along with your good work in reaching your goals!

Hugs and high fives!

S.C.

Great job on the driving trip yesterday! ! You should feel proud and know this was a big step towards conquering that fear! The next time you are faced with a similar situation, you can look back and be confident that you can do it!

You are right in that medication is not a cure all...

...but what it can help with is taking the edge off...and allowing one to better learn coping skills...and attend (and get the most out of) therapy...

...and this combination of tools brings about the best success.:)

Keep up the good work...give it time...and you'll see yourself reaching your goals!

S.C.

So 5 mg has been helping my anxiety, I haven't had the globus feeling in about a month id say. I've been on the lexapro for 6 weeks now. I just seen the psych and he wants me at a more therapeutic dose at 10mg. He told me to start taking a pill and a half (7.5 mg) until I run out of my current bottle (which will be 10 days acording to how many pills i have left) to gradually increase. I'm still nervous o course . I didn't have much side effects to start though, hoping it stays that way with the increases

Post Edited (MomOfTwo2016) : 9/7/2016 12:03:47 PM (GMT-6)