Lexapro and morning anxiety

Thank you it's good to know it's not just me. I hate the feeling of uneasiness and how the slightest thing sends me into a panic with the churning stomach and lump in the throat. Its a horrible feeling. Have you been on it for a total of 5 weeks then or longer at what weeks did you increase? My Dr hasn't even mentioned an increase to 20mg she said 10mg is a good therapeutic dose although I know everyone's different.

I started at 5mg, dr increased me after 5 days, then we increased three times after that to 10mg, then 15mg and finally 20mg. My dr had me increase each time because my anxiety wasn’t turning down much. I reached 20mg by week 4, and felt all the way better at 5 weeks. Everyone is different and I thought I would respond to a lower dose but 20mg works for me. Maybe it is time to consider increasing your dose but know that the first couple of days after an increase can be rough. I don’t think an increase will start your “work up clock” over again and you should know if it is a good dose after a week. I have a great dr (psychologist) and he specializes in medication management so I trusted him every step of the way and with his guidance he pulled me out of my anxiety. It has been over a month and half since my meds kicked in and I haven’t had a single panic attack or any anxious thoughts! You will get there soon!! 

i am feeling the same way...  i am glad i am not alone.. mornings are terrible.  been on 10 mg for 21 days and the doctor just up it to 15mg..  i am hoping that works.. also take xanax when needed..  please keep me in mind so maybe can get relief.. thank you 

Hi Miso

Are you on Lexapro if so how long and what dose are you on. I think part of it is being anxious anyway and overthinking too much. I'm going to cut the diazepam into 2.5mg and taper from there I think, I was already on Mirtazapine 30mg and did a cross taper as I heard so many bad stories about coming of Mirt but thankfully it was ok. Im still on 7.5mg for sleep but hope to also taper this down. Im glad there are forums like this as so many people just don't have a clue how anxiety and depression makes you feel. I honestly wouldn't wish it on anyone. 😕

Hi Deanna

I take mine at 8pm mainly started tgis so I would be asleep whilst the worst of the side effects happened although I still had nausea in the morning for a few days that has now subsided. I don't have a problem with sleeping as I'm still on a low dose of mirtazapine (7.5mg) which I take at 9pm. I actually think the combination of both help with sleep as I often fall asleep on the sofa by 10-10.30pm and my Dr was happy for me to continue with this combination.

I have read that it makes some people sleepy whilst other it's more activating.

Are you feeling any better and are you going to increase your dose?

I feel you on the morning anxiety it really isn't very pleasant is it. x

Hi Alex,

Thanks for the reply. So even with taking the pill in the morning, I’m still having some insomnia. I’m doubly tired from insomnia & from the drowsiness of the pill. I’m switching back to taking it with dinner around 7pm. My goal is to sleep without xanax. Most nights I’m not taking the Xanax to help sleep, but when I’m desperate I do. I now have this anxiety in my chest when I lay down to sleep, fearing I’ll be up the entire night. This is absolutely zero fun. Does anyone have any other suggestions? I’ve been eating a blander diet, so the GI symptoms have gotten somewhat better. 

Hi Alex

I've been searching the message boards regarding this medication, and I'm so frustrated.  I was on Zoloft years ago, but I felt like a stepford wife on it, so my PCP switched me to Effexor XR 75 mg about 15 years ago.  It went generic, then the generic was discontinued and I started on the replacement for the discontinued generic and began having lots of break through anxiety.  Which is why I'm not Lexapro now.  The first week on 10 mg, I felt great!  The second week, I had horrible stomach pain.  3rd week, stomach pain gone, massive anxiety in the morning.  I did the research and talked to my dr. and she said that all of this is normal, that many of her new Lexapro patients had experienced exactly the same thing....especially the morning anxiety.  The best dose from what I understand is 20 mg.  My dr. decided to increase my dose to 20 mg after 3 weeks.  The morning anxiety was gone for about 3 days, but now I'm into my 7th day of 20 mg and I'm feeling the anxiety all over again.  This morning was the worst.  I usually pray every night and every morning, and recently started paying for the "calm" app to listen to when I can't sleep.  I also have been taking .5 mg of Ativan at night and try to avoid it during the day.  That's not helping anymore.  I think because I fall into such a deep sleep that when it wears off, my brain wakes up and the anxiety starts.

Everyone says to stick it out and by the 5-6 week, these side effects should go away.   I'm trusting that more than I care to admit, because for me, if it doesn't, I'll have to find another medicine that works, and frankly, not mentally up for weaning off another medication.  Effexor was a nightmare, but I did it! 

But honestly, I'm not crying as much because of the anxiety, I have "little butterflies" in my chest off and on through out the the day, but it's not enough to stop me in my tracks.  My husband (a PCP) notices a huge difference, and so does most of my family.  I just want to get leveled out on this.  I don't want to have to start over with something else!  So I'm just going to trust everyone that says it's going to get better.  Good luck to all of us and May God bless us all, he knows we're suffering with this. 

Hi Tammy,

Just to inform you, every dose increase creates repeated side effects that can last weeks, so don't be disappointed, be patience, it is just or body is adjusting to new medications...

I started Lexapro 20 days ago this is my 2nd week on 5mg. It's been a roller coaster but I'm going to hang in there.. my aniexty and panic and worry are better.. I don't get so upset ..my lie mood is here and there..I just stay a little anxious over when will it hit and what will it b.. which is aniexty for u... but overall better..some people would Think not but they would have to walk in my shoes 3 weeks ago and this would b a cake walk... lol so I'm going to stick 5 mg out for 2 more weeks and see how much better I feel if not better up it to 7.5mg.. Everyone take care...

thank you so much for your words.  the 'little butterflies' you mentioned had me thinking for over two weeks that i was going to keel over with a heart attack.  hadn't had this much anxiety painic in over 25 years. been a very very hard winter here in the northeast.....just started my first lexapro yesterday. i took it after i brought it home at 5pm from the pharmacy.  i'm trusting all of you that say it works. i can't just read negative side effect info.  need to give this a chance. i'm bit insomniac so i take zolpidem at night. for that reason i think i'll try 5pm for lex. (when i get home from work) then take my zolp at 8pm. Hoping for the very very best and for you too...

aishling... Yes those inter shakes r horrible... But I would say they to will go away in time... If u feel better about talking with your Dr. I would .. But I bet they will fade away as u continue with your meds.. Take Care and continue posting...

Thanks nickie. ill give it a little more time .its crippling everyday but wears off by eve .fingers n toes crossed .

Im exactly the same 2 wks in On 10mg I wake up tremering inside lasts all day and a ball of stress in my tummy .cant eat until evening just want it to stop

aishling... It seems as tho all of us has different signs and symptoms of the meds. Taking care of our issues.. We all have aniexty and panic but when the meds start doing their thing it still leaves some aniexty there but trust me it will get better..I've been on Lexapro for almost 1 month and durning that time things have happened and changed that I don't understand but the meds. R making things better for me and I was in a mess..I've started out slow .. 1st few weeks 2.5 then 5.0 then now I'm on 7.5mg. And things r getting better.. Trust me and the rest on this blog.. Sunny Days r ahead .. Just wait it out... Take Care and Keep on Posting...Hugs and Prayers

Hi was you trembling before you went on tablet, I am on day 3 on it, also on 7.5 mitazapine having lots of treamberling and rushing to loo as well, will carry on bit longer

How are you feeling now that a few months have passed? I’m just increased to 15mg , was on 10mg for 2 weeks and I feel awful. Extreme morning anxiety, nausea, shakiness. Let’s up son in evening but I can’t take this anymore. It’s been like 8 weeks of torture. Was on Zoloft for 4 weeks prior to Lexapro and that didn’t work well at all. 

Hoping for some positive encouragement. 

HI how are you getting on ,I am week 4 of 5mg, still have all my anxiety, not sure if to updose , sweating as well, went on them as I am menopausel with anxiety, woke up treamberling one morning, but they are not working yet, have no appertight neither

Susan... Yes u may want to think about increasing a little at a time.. I went up 2.5 each time for the pure sake of the side effects being sooo bad if u go up to fast... I'm on week 10 of 10 mg. I still have side effects of the choking thing and heart burn and indigestion.. Hope and Pray these things go away.. My aniexty and panic are doing better tho...this is just a very long process... Take Care and keep us posted..😊

Susan... Yes u may want to think about increasing a little at a time.. I went up 2.5 each time for the pure sake of the side effects being sooo bad if u go up to fast... I'm on week 10 of 10 mg. I still have side effects of the choking thing and heart burn and indigestion.. Hope and Pray these things go away.. My aniexty and panic are doing better tho...this is just a very long process... Take Care and keep us posted..😊

just wondering if your morning anxiety went away? I'm on 7 days 5mg and my morning anxiety keeps me down until midday

I'm on day 9 of 5mg and i wake up with horrible tremors and dread every morning since starting 5mg. How long until you felt relief? It sucks to not be able to function until late afternoon.