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Help with Lexapro/Anxious and trouble sleeping

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Posted 6/25/2016 10:28 PM (GMT 0)
Hi
Looking for help. I was on Celexa and was tapered to Lexapro. I started at 10mgs and went up to 20 after 7 days. I am having a really hard time staying asleep. I take the pill in the morning, and I can feel like an anxious current running through me all day. I can't nap. At night I take 2mg of Klonopin and right before I go to sleep I take 2 mg of Adivan. I can fall asleep for about 2 hours then I wake up every 2 hours or so with strange dreams, have a hard time getting back to sleep.

This is making me exhausted and scared. I have been on the 20mg for about 2 weeks maybe a little more. I need this to work because I just moved to a new state have been extremely sad and depressed. I am worried about work.

Please someone help me, or share with me something I might not know. I don't have the strength to change to another drug
Posted 6/25/2016 11:58 PM (GMT 0)
Hi worried,

I am sorry to hear of your anxiety...and the problems exacerbated by the Rx switch.

A couple of questions...

Did your doctor recommend the quick increase of the Lex? Doubling from the starting dose after just a week may have been too quick for your system. I would ask about backing off, down to the 10mg again for another few weeks, before attempting the increase again...

Also, is it one prescribing doctor for your benzos...or different docs...because 4 mg is a lot to be taking daily. I don't know of many doctors who would recommend that dosage.

I really recommend scaling back on these. In the long run, I'm afraid it is going to catch up with you in the way of a dependency.

Are you currently in therapy or practicing self help? Meds are only one part of a well rounded recovery program. We have some great material at the top of the main forum page here in our Resources...be sure to check them out.

I hope that you can explore as many options as you can to find your best plan.:)

Post with us anytime for understanding and support. We do care and will be here to listen and encourage!

Scaredy Cat
Posted 6/26/2016 2:51 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much for messaging me. Yes my doc prescribed me the increase. I know I am already dependent on the benzos. I am upset about that. It just happened was supposed to use the adivan when I needed but I was getting panicky.

I am in therapy, have been for a while. I go to a few groups too. I see my doctor on Monday so I will ask him about a few things.
Posted 6/26/2016 3:13 AM (GMT 0)
Okay...sounds like a good plan! :)

Try not to be upset about the benzo use...it is a easy situation to find one's self in...

...just seek to back off (gradually with your doctor's weaning recommendation) and you should be able to get back to a PRN (as needed) basis.

Continue your therapy, and add in some of our self help material for your best all around management strategy!

We are here cheering you on anytime you need us...so keep us updated and we'll keep you in support.:)

S.C.
Posted 6/26/2016 8:42 AM (GMT 0)
Hi

Welcome to the forum.

Lexapro is a very activating medication so it can cause sleep disturbance so I agree that going from 10mg to 20mg may have been a to big a leap, you can get 5mg tablets so maybe speak with your doctor about dropping to 15mg.

Have a look at our links to Mindfulness Meditation in our resources as this is really affective at helping with anxiety and keep us posted on your progress.

Hibee
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