New to Lexapro

Hello all! This is my first post. I've always been a worry wart most of my life but I had always been pretty good at talking myself down with stress until I started my own business. I'm in my 40's now and have been going through cognitive therapy for 8 months before realizing that meditation alone was not getting me the relief / coping skills I need to function on a daily basis. My anxiety has been causing me to had a difficult time working and have not been enjoying my free time. I've read a number of posts here and elsewhere regarding Lexapro dosage and side effects. I understand everyone's experience will be different.

I am looking for feedback regarding how you know when you hit the right dosage? I mean, do you need to give it a couple of weeks at each dosage before increasing? I started on 10 mg for 4 days but could not function so my doc had me lower it to 5 mg. I was able to tolerate this and function but was not seeing any lowering of anxiety. I took the 5 mg for 2 weeks but saw no relief to my anxiety. I went to 7.5 mg 4 days ago. I did not feel increased anxiety so things stayed the same. Saw my doctor yesterday and asked about increasing to 10 and she told me that I can increase up to 10 if I would like. I tried increasing to 10 lastnight but had problems sleeping and feel that I am in a total haze today with a little more anxiety.

Would it be smarter for me to stay on 7.5 for a couple of weeks to see if this brings some lessening on my anxiety? I mean going from 5 mg to 7.5 I did not see any improvement with anxiety but I have only been on 7.5 for 4 days. Thanks for listening.

Post Edited (theyellowpeeps) : 4/6/2015 9:01:07 AM (GMT-6)

Hi TYP and welcome!
Glad to see that you are doing all that you can to mangage your anxiety! Great job with the therapy, meditation, and finding an Rx/med regimen that works for you!

Can you try giving the increase a couple of days? With upping your dosage, you can expect to have an adjustment time with some challenges...but they are temporary.

Or can you change the time that you take it? Asking your doctor if you can take your med in the morning, rather than at night may help with the sleep issue it's causing.

Also, use of coping skills will help to ensure the best possible adjustment, so be sure to use your best tools at this time. If you would like to check out some new self help ideas as possible additions to your arsenal...see the link below for great material!

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=9&m=104206

Of course, if you are not able to tolerate the s/e's that the increase is bringing on...then going back down to your previous dosage for a couple of weeks...like you were thinking may be what you want and need to do.
Wishing you the best in whatever you decide. Post with us anytime for sharing, understanding and support!

Talk soon,
Scaredy Cat

Welcome Theyellowpeeps (cute screen name) SC gave you excellent advise and I have nothing to add to it, but wanted to welcome you.

Hope you feel better soon, no more anxiety is what we all stress for. :)

Hi

Welcome to the forum.

It's great to hear that you have been getting cognitive therapy as it is that which will really help you to manage your anxiety. Look into Mindfulness Meditation as this also helps a lot and you will find a lot of videos on youtube.

Lexapro imo is a good medication but we all react differently to AD so it's hard to say what is the correct dosage for you. I used to be on 10mg and found that really helpful I did have problem sleeping and felt hazy for a couple of weeks but this past and once I got used to the dosage I found it very effective.

Stay with us and keep posting.

Hibee