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Question about lexapro


15 years ago 0 123 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi Jay,
 
What I do, is wait until I felt no side effects, or the side effects were greatly reduced with the dose I'm currently taking.  Otherwise, when you up the dose, it may just increase the anxiety/side effects you're feeling.  I do remember when I took the 5mg pills last year, it took me almost a month to get over the stomach aches and such.  Also, more then likely when you change doses you may feel heightened anxiety/side effects for a short while.  It does go away, but it's always nice to be ready for it.
 
My personal opinion is to give whatever drug you are on at least 3 months.  The first two weeks will be the most painful, and if problems persist for 3 days in a row, talk to your doc about your options.  Also since increased anxiety is common when starting up new meds, inquire about xanax or something similar.  Benzo's are a quick fix for those intense moments, and may be just what you need to get through the beginning stages.  And check up with your doc if you have any questions, your doc may be new to the drug as well, but he knows where to look for reliable information.
 
Brandie:  You made a good choice by quitting that medication.  If it keeps making things worse, then it's definitely not the right medication for you.  I also get the morning anxiety, I think it might just be while the brain is kicking into gear.  Usually it goes away shortly after I reach work or find something to busy myself with...is it the same for you?
15 years ago 0 406 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Brandie,
 
Thanks for the update.  Glad to hear you are no longer experiencing the nightmares now that you are off the Luvox. 
 
About the recurring morning anxiety, something like deep breathing could be helpful to you.  Getting into the calmest state before bed may keep your anxiety from rebounding in the morning. 
 
You may also want to try journalling your frustrations before employing your relaxation technique at night.  It may take a few tries before your body gets into the habit of being calm. Be sure to also use the program. Session 2 & 3 will teach you to recognize and challenge anxious thoughts.  Hope this helps.
 
Karen, Health Educator
15 years ago 0 52 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Just wanted to update on the Luvox CR from my post below. I took it that night and had a horrific nightmare that left me shouting out in my sleep and crying. The next day I was so shaken and in a state of panic the whole day. I really think that I was able to contribute, my higher anxiety levels/panic sensations to the medicine. It made me a maniac in many ways. Screaming, about choked my cat, crying. I just know that it made it too bad to handle. So I called the doctors office and spoke to the nurse. He suggested I don't take anymore until I hear back. I haven't hear back but I have an appointment on Feb 2. I'm curious as to what he has to say. I could handle a little bit of anxiousness but the panic I cannot and will not tolerate if medicine is what is going to do it to me. Since I stopped taken it completely I have felt alot better. I'm still not sleeping well at night but really haven't since my first bout with anxiety, but at least I haven't had the nightmares. I wake up very anxious and just want to get my hubby off to work and daughter off to school, so I can cope it out. Waking up is the worst time for me for some reason????? I just don't understand why. Anyways, I have decided to join the gym. My counsler thinks my anxiety is coming from stresss and i think he's right. Today I cried all morning thinking how much I hate my daily routine. I need a change for the better. I think an exercise program would help with my self confidence and if I feel better about myself and my body, I will feel better mentally. I'm just physically drained all the time. Ok, enough with the complaining, but I wanted to update on the medicine.
15 years ago 0 16 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hey Jhori,
 
Thanks for your help with this. im hoping that maybe 10mg will be effective for me, since the jump to 20mg seems a bit daunting given the trouble im having with 5mg. But maybe my body will get used to 5 and then the increments wont bother me so much. Do you think i should go for 10mg next week or wait 2 weeks before bumping up? Doc doesnt seem to mind either way, though he admits to not gaving that much experience with lexapro.
 
Thanks again!
J
15 years ago 0 123 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi Jay,
 
Glad I kept you going today, Jay! 
 
Yea, your dose will probably be upped.  I took lexapro last year (5mg) for about 2 months and it did nothing for me, so I quit.  Went through the ups and downs of anxiety on my own for a year then decided to give meds another go.  Talked to my new doc, and came to find out it takes 20mg for it to be effective for anxiety! 
 
But what your docs are doing is very common, it's much easier for the body to adjust with small increments (5, 10 then 20) rather then starting straight off with the recommended dosage. This, and it may not take the full 20mg to help you out...it's something you play with in the beginning.  Painful process, but again, very worth it.
 
And just a heads up, the positive results don't necessarily come quickly.  I think I was lucky this time around.  Normally it takes anywhere from 1 to 2 months.  Just food for thought.
 
Oh, I'm currently on 20mg.  Started off with 10mg for the first week, then since the side effects were small, I bumped up to 20mg. 

Cheers!
15 years ago 0 16 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hey jhori,
 
Thanks for that, you gave me the motivation to take todays dose despite the anxiety i have about it not working. Glad to hear that you had positive results from it so quickly. May i ask what dose you are on? Because of my side effects i am currently on 5mg per day but i have heard that this will need to increase eventually to 10mg. I hope that this increase in dose will have milder side effects than now. Its mainly the increase in anxiety that i dont like.

Thanks for your positive response- you kept me going today!
Jay
15 years ago 0 123 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi Jay,
 
I'm currently on lexapro, started taking it a little over 2 weeks ago.  I did have one or two days in the first week where I had extreme anxiety, but it passed.  Also had a decreased appetite, stomach pains for a bit after I took a pill, and sleepiness in that first week.  All have since disappeared.  They are normal bodily reactions, just the body getting used to the drug.  This can also happen when you increase/decrease your dosage.  But it does go away.

Currently I've almost completely lost the depression, anxiety is still there, but without the depression it feels like something I can handle pretty easily.  I do know from people I've met that this drug takes about a month to 2 months to start taking affect.  Hang in there!  It's a pain when your first starting out, but if you stick with it, the benefits far outweigh the pains!
 
Let us know how it's going!  You too, Brandie :o)
Also, just a heads up Brandie, the formula above for taking meds is the same across the board (for all meds).  You have the initial spike in anxiety, then things slowly calm down until the meds hit you and you are on easy street.  Keep on, keeping on!  It's worth it!
 
Cheers!
15 years ago 0 823 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Jay and Brandie,
 
If your feelings of anxiety are heightened and do not diminish, it would be best for you to consult with your doctor again and re-evaluate your medication.
 
Hope you both feel better in the coming days.
 
 
Faryal, Health Educator
15 years ago 0 52 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
I'm looking for the same answer about Luvox CR for panic disorder. I started it 5 days ago. It seems my anxious feelings were more like panic attacks that would not go away after about the 2nd day. The Xanax barely touched the sensations. This is a medicine to take before bed and last night I fell asleep and forgot to take it. Today, was the best day I had in a month with minor panic upon awakening. Now maybe I'm building up to it and my serotonin levels are doing whatever the meds are suppose to make them do? Or am I having a fear of taking the medicine due to bad side affects, or is the meds making me worse. I'm going to take it tonight for sure and see what tommorrow brings. If I feel really bad again I will be calling the doctor. I just want something to work. I hate taking pills, but I will if it makes me normal again. MAYBE, THIS FORUM IS REALLY HELPING ME!!!!!! Wish me luck tonight and tommorrow folks and i'll keep you posted on what comes from this medicine.
15 years ago 0 16 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
   Hi everyone, want sure where to put this post!
 
My doc has just put me on the SSRI Lexapro( Cipralex) as he seems to think this will speed up my recovery somewhat as i have to wait a long time to get the CBT etc. that i need. My question is has anyone else tried this med and if so, did they experience an increase in anxiety when starting it?
 
I have only taken 3 days worth but so far feeling a lot more anxious (no other bad side effects though) than normal. Doc says it will go away in a few days but would be grateful for any reassurance from anyone who has tried it.
 
Thanks,
Jamie

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