Lexapro/cipralex....not sure what to do

Thanks! That is my fear! not sure why It makes me feel so horrible when I up the dosage but I am going to try slowly this time. 

Hi Erin, I hope you are going to feel better again.

Usually when you up the dose ,side effects come back again and additional waiting time for increase to adjust,

Just wondering how long it took you to feel better last time after increase to 20mg?

I am 6 week on 10mg and  7 week on increase dose of 20 mg. and still feeling anxiety.

I took a good 3 months to feel much better (it was gradual) and about 5 months to feel totally back to normal. It was a slow process but in there were plenty of good days, just some low moments which got better and better over those three months..Hang in there. I know when we are feeling down, it feels like we will never get well. And then we have a moment of feeling good and tend to forget the good feelings. It's weird.  I wish I were at 20 again! Are you having any good days yet? For some reason, my nights are better, is that the same for you?

Hugs to you.

Actually it was that long for the depression, the anxiety was gone sooner.  You are almost there!!

Hi Erin,

Sounds like very slow process, this three months since I started on escitalopram there is improvement but still experiencing low mood and I am missing that calming normal feeling that I can finally relax , I am maybe 70% good out of 100%

I can sleep very peacefully at nights and evenings after 8:00pm feeling better, just morning and days are still struggle...

What dose  did you start last time and  what was your increase in mg?

Cheers...🤕

Hi, I started on 5 (April 2016) for a week then 10 for a month and then 15 for a few months and then 20mg end of September 2016. I journaled everything so it was good days and some low moments and it pretty much started to even out around thanksgiving because my journal said I had a great day and also great Christmas but some low moments tucked in there. I think it is apathy caused by meds and we think it is depression since they feel similar but it does go away after your brain gets leveled out. Take your meds on time everyday and don’t miss a dose! I never did. Being around positive people and walks were helpful too.  I had a decent day today, being around people helps to forget the condition I am in.  

Hi Erin,

Thanks for the answer,

What I released and what my gp. suggest is starting with 10mg. And after two weeks upping the dose to 20mg.  for faster results , because if you do to many increases the medicine takes longer time to level out , I made mistake being on 10 mg. for 6 week , I was hoping that will be therapeutic dose for me but it was not, so I have to increase to 20mg.

Good luck, I wish you fast recovery...

Good luck! was the increase from 10 to 20 hard for you? I am probably going to go to 15mg next week and then 20mg the following week. I am meeting with doc soon.

My doctor sad there is usually no big difference in side effects upping dose straight to 20 mg. 

My experience is I had the same side effects with increase ,like starting escitalopram  , and after 7 week on 20 mg. start to feel better...

Miso, I hope you are doing well. I have a question. Today is my 2 week mark of 20mg. My first week was getting better, my second week not so great (also had the flu) but I feel like I am getting worse depression. Was this what you experienced. I was so hopeful with those good days that first week. 

Hi Erin,

My second week on 20 mg. was worse, anxiety and low mood of and on , that space out feeling in your head no concentration, and it lasted until I hit the 7 weeks mark on 20 mg. After being on 10 mg.  six weeks and 10 weeks on 20 mg. my life is back , I can finally breathe, and have that happy feeling again, that I miss for a loooong time, all life things that use to be hard to deal with, are now so easy to accomplish... 

Just be patient, and remember for some people going on antidepressants for second time or more my take longer to work, but don’t get discouraged, you will get there...Good luck...

You give me hope! Thank you! As you know, in the midst of depression, feels like you will never feel good again and each day is an eternity. You have added the hope back. Thank you for this! Glad you are happy again!

Hi Gina,

I remember when I upped my dose from 15 to 20 a year ago, because i had break through depression, I felt flat for another 8 weeks and slowly came out of it with good days and bad days. But I had come out of a serious depression and this time I was only depressed for one day before I jumped back on lexapro. It is a struggle but I know we will get better! For some strange reason, I have been feeling normal at night since day one of lexapro this round. I didn’t have this the last time.  Anxiety and panic are horrible and this med got rid of them pretty quickly but the depression took longer to cure so you should be good soon. Upping by 2.5 mg per week or two makes it easier! I think the flat feeling is our bodies getting use to the med but it is a terrible feeling but it does go away (my last experience). I feel like this round it is taking longer. 

I wonder why some people take it and have no side effects. I have a friend on 30mg and she had no side effects at all!

Hugs to you and you are not alone!!

Erin

Gina... I understand the thing about upping the lexapro.. I say you do it your way...you have to endure the effects so if u need to take your time do so... that's what I'm telling myself.. Do it at your own pace .. you live in your skin n .. Your Dr. Doesn't .. u know u better than anyone does.. Take Care and Keep Us Posted About Your Journey.. Take Care and Talk Soon..😊