Has anyone experienced this? Is it normal? I've felt improvements with Escitalopram at 20mg. It's my 4th week at that dosage, 5 weeks in total (I started off at 10mg). Yesterday I was dreading going into the office and I actually had a calm, normal day. I actually felt like myself again with hardly any anxiety at all. Today, I felt just ok. Had some nervousness and anxiety but they were manageable. I was hoping that I would feel better and that the imrpovements would be more consistent. Not sure if it was because, the other night (before my good day), I took Ativan to help me sleep. But yesterday, I didn't. Any feedback and encouragement would be appreciated. Thank you and God bless.
In my 5th week of Escitalopram, felt like myself one day and then kinda down the next?
Question posted by geloman1 on 9 Jan 2016
Last updated on 22 May 2021
5 Answers
Pattymary22
23 Oct 2020
I had exactly the same experience but eventually it evens out
neogenx
9 Dec 2020
Hello. Currently finishing my 5th week on 10mg Lexapro. I was feeling pretty OK in week 3/4 but then nausea and anxiety returned. It's been a week now feeling worse again. Will this pass? Did it for you? After what time? Thank you
Fred73
22 May 2021
I am at week 5 and my nausea is bad a night. Did your go away in the end?
Sjs1987
13 Feb 2019
I know this is an older post but I'm hitting week 6 of lexapro for GAD and depression. First 2 weeks were hell, seemed 3 and 4 I felt pretty good but lately I've been pretty tired off and on and will have random anxiety bouts. I'm on 10mg. Wondering if after 8 weeks if I need to increase or if it's just normal to have these random spurts
Jarmin
14 Feb 2019
Don't really know the answer to your question but I do know that I'm 3 weeks into taking Lexapro 20 mg and had a good week after the second but last night had an anxious night myself, sort of like a relapse, hoping that it gets better with time myself :) Before the Lexapro I started on Zoloft, never had an antidepressant before, wow did it really wig me out for the first couple if weeks, thought I was going mad, originally doctor only diagnosed me with anxiety because I was'nt breathing well and after x-rays and respiratory function tests diagnosed anxiety. This has been all new to me, didn't realise these issues were so common but, anyhow thinking of you and hope all gets better, for both of us ;)
neogenx
9 Dec 2020
Hello. Currently finishing my 5th week on 10mg Lexapro. I was feeling pretty OK in week 3/4 but then nausea and anxiety returned. It's been a week now feeling worse again. Will this pass? Did it for you? After what time? Thank you
chuck1957
14 Jan 2016
geloman1; Thanks as for me holding steady doing pretty good, And what you're going through is very normal until you reach that blood level. I know it's hard you can't tell day to day but it should get better stay positive, And keep taking your medication about the same time each day.Sounds like you are getting some relief this is great a good sign that things well get better hang in there hope it won't be much longer
chuck1957
12 Jan 2016
geloman; This is very normal yet you have to get past the 6 to 8 weeks of every day use to peak out and have a steady blood level. all is okay.Keep at it we all have the bad days pop up from time to time until you get to that point. Best of luck and continue to take your medications about the same time as always helps also.
geloman1
12 Jan 2016
Thanks Chuck. I really appreciate your help and support. Going into my 6th week, 5th week at 20mg and I see improvement but some days are up and some days are down. Yesterday, I started off good in the office and then towards the late afternoon started to have some anxiety and nervousness until I got home. Today is better so far. I'm hanging in there and continuing to stay hopeful and pray.
How are you with your recovery? Are you undergoing treatment with meds? I appreciate your feedback. I just added you as a friend. Thanks again! Take care.
geloman; This is very normal yet you have to get past the 6 to 8 weeks of every day use to peak out and have a steady blood level. all is okay.Keep at it we all have the bad days pop up from time to time until you get to that point. Best of luck and continue to take your medications about the same time as always helps also.
Sonyac83
6 Jan 2019
How do you direct message someone? I want to ask what doctor at U of M he was talking about?
blaaccypher
9 Jan 2016
I have recently started Escitilopram as well. I started at a smaller dose and am just now getting on 10mgs. I have been at that dose for 27 days. I have actually started keeping a log of how I feel each day, any side effects and at what time of day and what I was doing. Yes, I have good and bad days. Is there anything side effect wise that makes things worse?
geloman1
9 Jan 2016
Hi and thanks for your feedback. I can't really think of anything side effect wise that would make things worse. People have said that it's normal for anxiety to increase at the early stages of treatment before they actually get better. Early stages could be relative to anyone as all people's bodies are different. I've been told to give it the full 6-8 weeks for improvement. I have felt improvement since before I started taking the meds, but there have been a couple of days, yesterday and the Sunday after Christmas that I felt normal and really good, like my old self. Then the next day I dip. It's just frustrating I guess. But I have to stay positive and hopeful and continue to pray that it will get better and better as the days go by. Thanks and take care.
blaaccypher
9 Jan 2016
It will get better. I am a severe hypochondriac and it has made a huge difference already. I am with you on waiting 6-8 weeks as that has been the normal that I have been told. You mentioned taking Ativan. Are you taking it regularly or as needed basis? I don't wish this disease upon anyone but it is always good to know we are not alone.
geloman1
9 Jan 2016
Hi Blaaccypher. Do you also experience anxiety? Yes we are here for each other. My name is Angelo. Please add me as a friend and we can exchange messages for support if you like. I pray for healing for the both of us and for all people experiencing this. Let's keep each other updated. Take care.
blaaccypher
9 Jan 2016
I suffer from severe anxiety and depression as well. Panic attacks have been a daily part of my life for years.
blaaccypher
9 Jan 2016
How about you?
geloman1
9 Jan 2016
I suffer from generalized anxiety and have had for about 16 years. It's been mostly under control with meds but I experience relapses during stressful or worrisome events. This latest bout is due an worrisome and scary experience I had in early December. I'm still trying to overcome the anxiety eventhough the experience has been resolved. Just hoping for more good days and normalcy in the days to come.
Have you had periods when you were fine or felt "normal"? Take care and praying that we both feel peaceful and normal soon.
blaaccypher
9 Jan 2016
I had years of feeling normal only to have all the feelings come crashing back. It seems to never stop in my life. I feel ok then it just wrecks. If you don't mind me asking, what happened this time around?
geloman1
9 Jan 2016
Well the last few months have been pretty crazy. But this latest incident was my wife's biopsy bases on her mammogram. It threw me into severe anxiety which I'm still trying to overcome and even though the results were negative. I was a wreck before during and after the procedure. And then the waiting. Even though the experience was resolved I still get bouts of anxiety for some strange reason. I'm praying and hopeful I will feel better soon as the days go by.
blaaccypher
9 Jan 2016
If it makes you feel better, I am going through a rough time with my wife as well. We are not getting along and are kids are starting to notice. She thinks I can turn all this on and off and doesn't get it. It makes it extremely hard even being in the same house. Not as bad as a health scare but still driving me to the brink.
geloman1
9 Jan 2016
I feel for you and I hope and pray that your wife shows more compassion, understanding and support. It's hard for people to understand us when they've never been in our shoes. Stay strong and always hopeful.
During your days, how often you feel anxiety and physical sensations do you feel and how do you deal with them, if you don't mind me asking. Take care.
blaaccypher
9 Jan 2016
Right now, I still feel them very often, I really hope they go away soon. I am not sure when you are supposed to know if a med works for you or not.
geloman1
9 Jan 2016
I hope you feel better soon. What feelings do you have? Do you feel your heart beating faster, panic, nervousness? What things do you do to get over it. My doc says that it takes 4-6 weeks to see improvement. For some people that I've chatted with, it took them 8 weeks. Just hang in there brother and stay strong. Praying for you.
blaaccypher
9 Jan 2016
I get really nervous and have the creeping panic attacks. Sudden bouta of dizziness. I do get the feeling that the heart is racing. I get crazy tired. I know we can do this. It just shouldn't be this tough to feel normal. I even take Xanax 4mg a day and that doesn't even help. I have however been taking those for two years. I pray that we both hit that day soon.
blaaccypher
9 Jan 2016
Is your doc someone you trust? I have the most amazing Doc at the University of Michigan. She calls me daily to see how I am doing even.
geloman1
9 Jan 2016
I feel the same way in that my heart starts to race, I get nervous and panicky. It's such an uncomfortable physical sensation. I try to do deep breathing and it kinda helps calm me down, but then a lot of times it's temporary. I do take Ativan which helps but it makes me sleepy so it's hard to take during the day when I'm at work.
Do you find it hard to work, concentrate? My first day back at work since being off 2 weeks for the holidays was tough and actually had an anxiety attack.
My doc is someone I've known since 99 and he knows my history from the beginning. He usually returns my calls but mostly gives me medication advice. I'm seeing a therapist as well for cognitive therapy, meditation, breathing , etc. I'm hoping that helps a lot as well in addition to the meds.
blaaccypher
9 Jan 2016
By the way, the name is Ben. I find it very hard to concentrate because I feel so tired. I am not sure if is the Escitilopram or the Xanax or both. I am also seeing a therapist for CBT it is starting to help. The heart racing is an absolutely horrible feeling, I also get tension headaches a lot and because of stress, I get a lot of pain in back and neck. Work is Hard. I am a Manager of a Goodyear Dealership and it gets pretty stressful. That coupled along with everything else is a lot. How is the therapy working for you? Have you tried other meds?
geloman1
9 Jan 2016
Therapy is good but the stuff we talk about takes time to put into practice and apply. I've only had two sessions so hard to say if it's really helping but I've learned some tools like deep breathing, changing thoughts from negative to more realistic ones, etc. again it takes time to learn and put into practice. I used to be on Citalopram but my doc said escitalopram is the new and improved Citalopram so I'm giving it a try. Finishing up my 5th week, 4th week at 20mg. I have up and down days and I'm praying for more improvement and consistency. Trying to stay patient and always praying.
blaaccypher
9 Jan 2016
It sounds like your faith will be the key in this. I pray all the time that one day it just starts working. You have learned more in two sessions than I have in 3 years. Brine seems to just want to chat.
geloman1
10 Jan 2016
Yes I truly believe faith and prayer is what is going to heal us. Prayer and faith is powerful. It will start to work just don't stop praying and just letting it go to God to take care of and handle. Believe in it. I always say a prayer for healing before I take my meds. Take care and God bless.
blaaccypher
10 Jan 2016
You too. Please keep me updated on your progress and I will do the same. If you ever need someone to talk to, please let me know. We have to stick together. God bless
geloman1
10 Jan 2016
Definitely. You can direct message me anytime you need to chat as well. Will pray for us for our healing. Stay strong and hopeful brother. God bless and take care.
blaaccypher
10 Jan 2016
You too
brodybenmolly
13 July 2019
I started Lexapro 2 weeks ago at 2.5 mg then up to 5 mg, I also feel some days are a little better and then some are not as good and I get discouraged. One side effect I get is very foggy spacey feeling its awful and I am wondering if anyone else gets that?? Some nights I take Ativan and it helps calm me down so I can sleep but I notice some night it does not work.
Related topics
depression, anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, escitalopram, major depressive disorder, dosage
Further information
- Escitalopram uses and safety info
- Escitalopram prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Escitalopram (detailed)
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