Hi. I just started taking 10mg of Lexapro 5 days ago. The doctor prescribed it for mild anxiety. I am going back to school in a few weeks and well, I have been very anxious because it has been 15 years since I have been in school. :-) Anyway, a little back ground information. In the past I have taken Effexor XR. I took it for 3 years but stopped due to weight gain. My anxiety was pretty much gone or should I say controllable after the Effexor, but lately I feel it returning. So anyway, my point is I understand drug side effects..I have been there done that. I am typing here now because the Lexapro is making my anxiety so much worse. I haven't had a panic attack in years and that was during a speech I had to make in class. I had a full blown one last night during a situation that was not at all threatening such as speaking in public. I am frightful now of leaving the house because I am afraid it will happen again. I am constantly on edge and have to talk myself through things such as calling the doctor and explaining all this. I have a life that does not allow me to sit around and wait for these attacks to end. I have children to pick up form school, a part-time job, grocery shopping etc. What do I do? I haven't taken the medication yet today..I am waiting for the doc to call back. I don't know if my dosage is too high or perhaps these is not the drug for me. I feel like I am going crazy. Help!!

It can take a month to six weeks to get the ad in your system. Ask your Doctor about a benzo in the meantime you can take for the panic attacks.

I felt like I was on teeeth grinding speed with Lexapro. It seemed that the side effects with anxiety peaked between 5-10 days of taking it. I stopped after two weeks. Most women here on power surge love lexapro. I couldn't tolerate the side effects. I only take xanax as needed.

Also, you need to start low and very slow. Doctor's tend to start their patient's on too high of a dosage which can strenghten the side effects. If the doc prescribed 10mgs, I'd start at 2.5 for a couple fo days, then 5, then 7.5 then 10. However, please clear with your doctor before taking my advice!

Lexapro did the EXACT same thing to me. I took it for three days. My anxiety was through the roof, I had horrific chest pains and even considered suicide, something I had NEVER done before. I got off that, got on Effexor XR and my life is a dream.

Different stuff works for different people. Everybody goes through several types until they find one that works for them.

Good luck!

So far Zoloft has been good to me, not to many anxiety attacks.. however it did take a good 5-6 weeks to feel OK! At first I felt AWFUL, chest pains, tired and more anxious.. but that did go away.

Best of luck!!
~L

Skay...

I was having panic attacks when I first started taking Lexapro.
Couldn't hardly go out of the house. Of course....you have to keep in mind....I had anxiety before the Lexapro....with these meno symptoms. Anxiety, being the worst of my symptoms.

My first suggestion would be to cut the pill in half....stay on the half pill...and work yourself up to the full pill, after several days.

You can call your doctor and have him add an anti-anxiety medicine until, the Lexapro kicks in.
It sure helps with the side effects.

Sometimes, these doctors start off at too high a dose.
I started at 10 myself...and just cut it in half until I felt ready to take the full amount.
I took xanax until it kicked in....that helps.

Good luck to you....hope, the anxiety is gone....before, you know it.

Do call your doctor with any concerns....he can help you past, the ruff patches.


Yep

Hi, I have returned. Thank you all for the responses...I thought I was going crazy there for a moment. It was comforting to know others have experienced the same thing. I spoke with the doctor and she suggested I cut the dose in half, therefore taking 5mg instead of 10mg. She also suggested I take the medication in the evening so if I start to feel "messed up" I will be in the safety of my home. This has worked wonderfully. I am still a tad bit anxious after taking it and a little spacey but I think I am still freaked out about the panic attack I experienced. Today upon waking I feel much better...still a bit sick to my stomach and have a slight headache but I will take that any day as long as the panic feeling is gone. Also I would like to note I am sleeping better than I have in years. Thanks everyone....