My dr. Started me on 5mg. I was very jittery and anxious, crawling out of my skin for the first few days. By the end of the week not as bad, but still no appetite. I actually did feel a slight calm in my head at one point, though, which gave me hope. He wants me to go to 10 mg. - started last night, vomited today, also shaky. He thinks it's my anxiety not under control (I have vomited from anxiety in the past). I'm so sick of feeling sick. Do you think this is going to work? Anyone have similar experiences? I'm scared I'll never get better...
One week on Lexapro 5 mg, upping to 10 mg - frustrated with side effects?
Question posted by Afc1 on 20 Oct 2015
Last updated on 21 October 2015
3 Answers
jerricaf
21 Oct 2015
AFC1: You and I are basically at the same point with our lexapro. I just started taking 10MG a couple days ago after doing 5MG for a week. I am experiencing similar side effects as well. Though they aren't pleasant, they are bearable. We just have to remind ourselves that in the long run we're going to benefit from this. We just have to get through the beginning so the medicine can settle into our systems and start to work. I also suffer from anxiety based dry heaving/retching every morning. I'm trying to be patient and hoping for the best, as I do for you! I personally know how hard it is to stay positive when you're still feeling bad all the time. Hang in there.
Afc1
21 Oct 2015
Thanks for your comments. This is such a lonely, scary thing to go through. My fear is that the medicine won't work. The brief bit of calm I felt toward the end of the first week is what's getting me through. I'm also having bad insomnia. Are you sleeping I'm on the medicine? Even if I take some Xanax or Ambien I'm still up at about 3 AM. I can't get back to sleep - and I've always loved to sleep! Not sure if it's the Lexapro doing this or my anxiety. My racing, worrying thoughts are on overdrive at night. It's hard knowing that you're being irrational, but can't do anything about it.
jerricaf
21 Oct 2015
We're going through such similar things. I have insomnia pretty terribly right now. It began before I started the Lexapro but now I can't tell if it's continuing because of the Lexapro or if it's just still there. However, my doctor won't prescribe a sleeping pill yet because before Lexapro I had a terrible reaction to Zoloft and she wants to be sure if I have a reaction now it's from the Lexapro and not something else. It's been very frustrating because prior to all this I did not have any problems sleeping. I actually think the insomnia is one of my biggest stresses right now.
cherrrub
21 Oct 2015
I also suffered from insomnia. Initially it's due to the Lexapro but for me it never went away so my dr also put me on Seroquel XR. This boosts the effects of Lexapro (bonus) and makes you sleep soooo well!! I have the deepest sleep on this and it's amazing!!!
Afc1
21 Oct 2015
Jerricaf: what kind of side effects did you get from the Zoloft? I'm just curious since the ones from the lexapro seem pretty awful. But I feel I need to suffer through rather than start all over with something else. I quit buspar after a few days because it made me so sick. Keep me posted on your progress. Right now it's dinner time and the thought of making my kids some food is gagging me. I have to take this day by day,,,
Cherub: I don't like the idea of this insomnia sticking around :( maybe it will be different for me. I don't know what seroquel is - but it's good to know there's something out there to help. I've never had insomnia this bad. Also, is your appetite back to normal?
jerricaf
22 Oct 2015
Cherrrub, thank you. Good to know there's something like that to try if the insomnia sticks around!
AFC1: I had every common side effect the first few days, then on day 4 I had the worse panic attack I ever had and my right arm and back of head/neck went numb. Shaky/sweaty/restless/headache/tingling, you name it. I thought I was stroking out. It was horrible. She prescribed lexapro right away but it took me awhile to start it after that happened. Now I just remind myself these side effects are at least tolerable and typically indicates it's working.
cherrrub
22 Oct 2015
Absolutely! Stick with it as you will find after a few weeks these side effects disappear and you start to feel like your old self again and free from anxiety and depression. I'm on it as I have post natal depression/anxiety. It's horrible but now that I am sleeping better and I don't have the anxiety I actually feel better than before I had my baby as the Lexapro and seoquel really do work!
cherrrub
21 Oct 2015
I felt pretty average on 5mg, then after a week I went to 10 mg and felt terrible. Really nauseous, diarrhoea, dizzy, head ache, increased anxiety! This went for about 2 weeks. But then I started having more good days than bad. Eventually after around 5 weeks I felt pretty good. I'm now on 15mg and I feel this is the right dose for me.
Afc1
21 Oct 2015
Ugh - it feels like there's no end in sight! But you stuck through the side effects for 2 weeks and it got better? I plan on waiting it out... i've never had a bout with anxiety that has been this debilitating. It was triggered by a medical issue. our brains are powerful things. my doctor even took me off of work for four weeks since the meds are making me so sick. I hope I can feel normal again someday.
LaurieShay
21 Oct 2015
What you are experiencing is not exceptionally uncommon. This med can cause nausea in the beginning. This should subside as you get use to this medication. Try to stick with it and follow your doctor's instructions. You can get better, rest assured.
Related topics
lexapro, anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, side effect, skin, appetite
Further information
- Lexapro uses and safety info
- Lexapro prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Lexapro (detailed)
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