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Lexapro help

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Posted 7/1/2020 9:04 PM (GMT 0)
I’ve been on lexapro for 7 weeks... 2 at 5mg and 5 at 10mg. I’ve had a lot of start up side effects most of which have calmed down. I am still anxious a majority of the time, feel really off, have some hand and arm tingling and lately some depressive thoughts. I’m on it for anxiety. Has anyone taken this long or longer for it to work for them?

I’m trying to hold out hope.
Posted 7/1/2020 10:32 PM (GMT 0)
yes it took at least 6 weeks for celexa to work for me . celexa is a weak form of lex
Posted 7/2/2020 1:30 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, I take citalopram, a close relative of Lexapro. It takes a while for things to settle down and for the good effects of the medication to settle in. I remember having continued anxiety symptoms for a month or two after starting citalopram, but didn't have the tingling you describe.

Do you feel any less anxiety? It should be starting to diminish by now. If not, it's wise to check in with your PCP for advise. In my case, it took several months for the medication to take full effect, but my anxiety was noticeably less within a couple of months.

Sometimes, Lexapro (or citalopram) may be interacting with other meds. Again, check with your PCP or pharmacist. At the time I started taking citalopram I wasn't on any other meds (now I am, but none interfere with the anxiety-reducing effect of citalopram).

Take care and hang in there. Let us know how things are going with this med.
Posted 7/2/2020 2:46 AM (GMT 0)
I have days where my anxiety is less. It seems to comes in waves of feeling ok and then anxiety or panic hit.

I’m also on Mirtazapine. My doctor prescribed it first and it worked well for a couple of months. When anxiety came back she added lexapro in May instead of increasing Mirtazapine.

Thank you for your reply. I’m headed to the doctor tomorrow
Posted 7/2/2020 2:32 PM (GMT 0)
It can take six to eight weeks to reach full potential. I hope that the lexapro works for you. I took it for awhile, and it is good for anxiety and depression.

Have a good day.

Hugs, Karen...

PS Good thing you got the side effects done and over. I get them two months down the road and they don't leave. I am unfortunate like that with all SSRIs.
Posted 7/2/2020 7:47 PM (GMT 0)
Hi

Yes it can take a while for things to settle so it’s worth giving it a few more weeks before making any changes.

Hibee
Posted 7/2/2020 9:40 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you everyone. My doctor wants to switch me to Zoloft but I want to hang in there for a few more weeks.
Posted 7/3/2020 5:53 PM (GMT 0)
It's good to hear that you have a plan from your doc. If Lexapro doesn't work well for you there are other drugs that may work better.
Posted 7/4/2020 6:44 PM (GMT 0)
Backtome, I'm glad you are giving the Lexapro a chance. But if it turns out that the Lexapro doesn't work well for you, then I hope the Zoloft that your doctor wants to put you on will.
Posted 7/13/2020 12:56 PM (GMT 0)
So things haven’t gotten any better yet with the skin tingling and burning on my arms and hands in the morning. I’m starting to lose hope that this side effect will go away. I’m also still pretty anxious in the mornings and sometimes don’t feel ok until after noon.

I’m trying to give 10mg eight weeks to work bit the longer that I don’t feel well, the harder that it is.
Posted 7/13/2020 1:29 PM (GMT 0)
Maybe you need a different medication. That is strange side effects unless I have just never heard of them. I hope you feel better soon.

Keep hanging in there. Talk to the doc. Do you sleep on your arms? Or in a way that would stop circulation?

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 7/14/2020 1:24 AM (GMT 0)
ihad the burning skin also but wsnt a side effect of the meds. is a side effect of anxiety
Posted 7/14/2020 7:42 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Backtome, It's worth waiting for a couple of weeks. SSRIs usually show their full benefits after 2 months or so. But you can always change your meds if you think it is not working for you.

In my first bout of Sertraline, I felt fully anxiety free after 3 months.
But side effects (mine were increased anxiety and a couple of panic attacks) subsided after 2 weeks from the start.
Posted 7/14/2020 10:14 PM (GMT 0)

Backtome said...
So things haven’t gotten any better yet with the skin tingling and burning on my arms and hands in the morning. I’m starting to lose hope that this side effect will go away. I’m also still pretty anxious in the mornings and sometimes don’t feel ok until after noon.

I’m trying to give 10mg eight weeks to work bit the longer that I don’t feel well, the harder that it is.

When do you take your medication? If you are taking it in the evening, it could be a side effect. If you're taking it in the morning, you should probably be experiencing the same side effects during the day.
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