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Are these Lexapro side effects normal??

Posted , 5 users are following.

Hopeful341
Hopeful341

I was on Zoloft for 4 weeks and had a horrible time on it so my Dr switched me to Lexapro 10mg Daily. Today is day 6 on Lexapro and I feel horrible. Shaky, no appetite, anxious, nausea. When do these side effects go away and are these even from the lexapro? Please help. 

0 likes, 60 replies

60 Replies

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  • dave51726
    dave51726 Hopeful341

    Posted

    The Lexapro PI recommends 5 or 10mg as the starting dose with maintenance dose of 10mg, for most people. Don’t exceed 10mg. 
    • Hopeful341
      Hopeful341 dave51726

      Posted

      How long does it take tho to know if 10mg is working well or if someone needs an increase? I don’t want to feel awful for months more. So it’s just confusing as to what to do. 
  • Hopeful341
    Hopeful341

    Posted

    How do I know what the right thing to do is. On 10mg for 2 weeks and felt horrible. Dr said if I wanted to increase to 15mg I could so I did 4 days ago and today is horrible. Dizzy, nauseated, super tired, anxious and shaky. Is it because of the increase or just anxiety. Do I tough it out or go back to 10mg? I just wish I knew it’d get better soon. I feel so lost. 
    • dave51726
      dave51726 Hopeful341

      Posted

      If it were me, I would take 5mg tonight and see how I feel tomorrow. 5mg a day works well for a lot of people. I’d consider the ER today for rescue medication, ativan. You should not have to endure that pain. 
    • Nickie54
      Nickie54 Hopeful341

      Posted

      Hopeful each time you increase your side effects start all over.. I really think the side effects linger for some longer than others.. I bumped up to 12.5mg. 16 days ago and I'm still having side effects but it is lessen every day.. It just takes time.. You must not b in a hurry for Lexapro to work it just makes for more aniexty.. Just chill and know that u r not alone in the feeling that u r having as far as side effects we r all different as to what degree we have them and for how long.. Give Lexapro 2-6 weeks from the day u start your bump up to see if u need more.. No reason to over medicate yourself...Take Care.. 😊

    • dave51726
      dave51726 Hopeful341

      Posted

      You said you felt awful when you were on 10mg for 2 weeks. Im assuming awful to mean Lexapro drowsiness, dizziness, nauseau, etc. Have you felt any benefit yet? I have felt a benefit, less ruminating and less anxiety, I have been on it for 10 days. I hope you stay with it because I think its a great med for depression and especially anxiety. First, back off that 15mg, Lexapro is an incredibly strong SSRI.
    • Hopeful341
      Hopeful341 dave51726

      Posted

      I take it in the morning so I think I’ll go back to the 10mg and stay there as I had only been on the 10mg for 2 weeks when I went up to 15mg 4 days ago. I just want the anxiety and shakiness to stop. That’s why my Dr said after 2 weeks I could go up to 15mg. Now on 15mg I have all the same anxiety issues plus nausea and dizziness. I hope going bk to 10mg eases some of that. 

      Thanks for ur advice. 

    • Nickie54
      Nickie54 Hopeful341

      Posted

      Yes it is and yes I have bumped down after about 4 days.. I started on 15mg. And had to bump down to 12.5mg. The side effects were just to much..I have been at 12.5mg. For 16 days and the side effects r easing up somewhat..
    • Hopeful341
      Hopeful341 Nickie54

      Posted

      That helps to hear that. I’ve been on 15mg only 4 days too. I think it’s too much. I’ve never been so sensitive to antidepressants before till my Dr started switching stuff around 2 mo ago. Now it’s as if I’m all messed up. Awful. I hope since I’ve only been on 15mg for 4 days that the side effects diminish fast when I go down to 10mg. 

      Thanks for the encouragement. 

    • Nickie54
      Nickie54 Hopeful341

      Posted

      I hope so to.. I’m sure they will.. I know mine did after 4 days of15 mg. Way to much for me at once.. I may bump back down to 10mg. If my side effects don’t go away by next week..Take Care and try to Chill..😊

  • Hopeful341
    Hopeful341

    Posted

    The only thing that helps me with anxiety and these side effects is Clonazepam. So scared to take it too often tho. So I suffer every day and take it only a few times a week when I can’t stand it anymore. 
    • Nickie54
      Nickie54 Hopeful341

      Posted

      Hopeful.. That’s a Good plan .. especially if u r not going to continue with the Clonazepan.. because that’s one less thing u have to bump off of..I’m doing it cold turkey because back in 1992 they handed them out like candy and I was one of the unlucky ones and got hooked on them and had to check in to get off of them.. so they r a no go for me now..it’s a ok drug if u keep it under control as to how many u take.. and don’t get dependent on them...Hope Your Dsy is A Great One..😊

  • Hopeful341
    Hopeful341

    Posted

    Sorry for the frequent posts but was just thinking- how do I know if the symptoms I’m feeling are from the lexapro or just my anxiety being worse and the med not working? 

    Just curious. I hope it’s just the med side effects cuz then that is temporary. 

    The symptoms I have could go either way I suppose, as anxiety related and/or side effects.

    Did most of u have similar symptoms with Lex? No appetite, nausea, increased anxiety, tired, shaky? Thanks smile

    • Nickie54
      Nickie54 Hopeful341

      Posted

      Hopeful... I'm no Dr but if I was a betting lady which I'm not.. I am almost POSITIVE that what u r experiencing is Lexapro in your system doing its thing.. Please do not worry so much about it for we have all done the same exact thing ...The only differents may b different side effects but most r the same..I have had lots of sadness .. Throat aniexty.. And no motivation and no joy.. But I'm hoping after time some r most of the feelings I'm feeling will b a thing of the past..this is no picnic.. It's a hard battle to fight.. Keep posting if u need to we will respond.. Have a pleasant evening...😊

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