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Just starting lexapro-next steps

Posted , 7 users are following.

mere03725
mere03725

Hi-I just started lexapro, 5 mg for a week (on day four) then 10 mg for a week, 15 mg, etc. I was on Prozac for about eight weeks and it made me too jittery. So, now switching. Don't know what to expect. Today I feel jittery, maybe prozac is still in my system? How long will it take to feel better or know pro is out? I thanks!

0 likes, 14 replies

14 Replies

  • jennifer0204
    jennifer0204 mere03725

    Posted

    Hi! Feeling jittery at the beginning with Lexapro is totally normal. I've taken Lexapro two different times and Prozac once. The Prozac was a nightmare for me, side effects were endless. Both times getting back on Lexapro, I've found that side effects last around two weeks. Each time you increase, side effects will start over. I take 10 mgs and started to see huge improvements after just a week or so. It's a great drug, for me anyway. I hope you have success with it as well. Good luck to you!

    • mere03725
      mere03725 jennifer0204

      Posted

      hi-thanks for the response! you think? i wondering if it's the cross over from the pro to lex that is making it worse. i am on such a low dose so far, didn't think it would effect me. what were some of your side effects? how long have you been on it? 

    • jennifer0204
      jennifer0204 mere03725

      Posted

      I've been back on Lexapro since February. Before that I took it for 6 years. Was on Prozac for a miserable 15 weeks. I think making a direct switch from one SSRI to another can ease some of the withdrawal you would otherwise feel. My side effects were jitteriness and increased anxiety, fatigue, insomnia and headaches. You may find that 10 mgs is enough for you. I tried once to increase to 20 and that was too much for me. But everyone is different, you'll know what you need.

    • mere03725
      mere03725 jennifer0204

      Posted

      thanks jennifer! this is helpful. i have the same side effects right now. my doc wants me to eventually bump up to 20 mg, but i want to see how it goes with lower dosages first. how long did it last? 
    • jennifer0204
      jennifer0204 mere03725

      Posted

      My side effects never lasted more than a couple of weeks. As soon as they would subside, I would start noticing an improvement with my anxiety. If you can hang in there thru the start-up phase, I bet you'll be feeling great in no time!

    • mere03725
      mere03725 jennifer0204

      Posted

      here's hoping! i am tired of trying all these new meds! getting old. 

    • tara80
      tara80 jennifer0204

      Posted

      Hi. I was switched from Zoloft to Lexapro straight across. I'm on 10 mg and have the following symptoms. Not all day, but I'm just wondering when they will start to pass? I'm on day 5 of 10 mg.

      jittery

      Fast heartbeat at times

      Night sweats

      Tingling muscles

      Increased anxiety

      Insomnia

      Thank you!

  • AnxiousP
    AnxiousP mere03725

    Posted

    I took 5 mg for 4 weeks then upped to 10 mg since then.  At the start of 5 mg and at the start of 10 mg, I had mild symptoms - fatigue (not bad, just felt tired but still was able to work all day, work out, do the normal things I would do and go to bed at a normal time)  and mild nausea (never actually vomited, but felt like I might a few times, the sensation would come on suddenly and be gone just as quick, just a few seconds of discomfort once or twice a day).  These mild symptoms all subsided within 7 days but times.  On 5 mg, I did have an increase in anxiety, similar to what you are describing around day 5.  I feel like I was a little on edge for 3 or 4 days but it passed.  

    I started to feel good around 4 weeks in, on the 5 mg, but still had moments of anxiety breakthrough.  Now, on 10 mg, I have far less moments of anxiety breakthrough.  It probably took about 4-5 weeks after being on 10 mg to get to that point.

    • mere03725
      mere03725 AnxiousP

      Posted

      hi--thanks for the response. it sounds promising! i will be on 5mg till this saturday than bump up to 10 mg. i guess the prozac is still in my system (20 mg) so maybe it's all combining together to make me feel off. i dont feel bad otherwise---just jittery and a bit anxious feeling. i am hoping once it all events out, it will be fine. 

  • mebooboo
    mebooboo mere03725

    Posted

    I have been on Lexapro for 4 years and it works great for me.  The first month was a bit hairy, as the nausea lasted for 1-2 weeks.  But I was able to feel the beneficial effects of the Lexpro rather quickly, so I was willing to deal with the initial side effects.  This should ease within the first month.  I take Lexpro for anxiety and it has improved my life significantly...Best of Luck to you!  
    • mere03725
      mere03725 mebooboo

      Posted

      thanks! i do feel okay--i just have these jitters and some anxiety. i hoping it will get better in the weeks to come!! UGH. what dose are you on now? 
  • annrei
    annrei mere03725

    Posted

    Hi mere03725,

    May I know if there has been any updates? Any relief from the side effects of jitters and anxiety? Now, that weeks has gone by since you started lexapro?

    My husband is on lexapro 5mg for one week and now just started week 2 with 10mg. He is terribly anxious now, jittery, on edge, and he has NEVER felt like that. His insomnia is even worse (insomnia first caused by underlying anxiety disorder triggered recently and made much worse). I am so very worried for him. Will lexapro work for him??

    • mere03725
      mere03725 annrei

      Posted

      hi. sorry to hear of your husband's issues--so tough. i am feeling better--i jumped from 5-10-15 over past 4 weeks and just dropped back to 10 because i was feeling a bit jittery on the higher dose. so far, it is decent, i still have the occasional jitter/feels like i drank too much coffee. not sure what to do about that? maybe he can slow the jump up and stay on 5 for a bit longer? how has the past day gone? my doc said that lexapro is one of the least energizing meds, but it can still cause anxiety for the first little bit. keep me updated! 

    • jan80905
      jan80905 annrei

      Posted

      I started on 5mg and then bumped up to 10 and was having the same symptoms as your husband. After 2 days at 10mg I had to go back down to 5mg. After about a week I then went up to 7.5 for about  9 days and then I went to 10mg. My advice is to increase the dosage slowly. I have been at 10 mg now for about 4 weeks and am now feeling good. With a little patience, he will start to feel better. My doctor told me it takes about 6 weeks to feel the full effects of this medication.  just hang in there. It will get better!
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