Hi I just started Lexapro 5 days ago after being on Celexa for 6 months that made me depressed which I never had before, I have GAD, so my doctor switched me to Lex, I’ve been on several others that worked but each time I felt better and stopped, I won’t be doing that anymore. I’ve had increased anxiety since starting Lex, but that’s the only side effect I’ve had other than being a little tired, I take it at night, and sleep well, but as soon as I open my eyes I feel the anxious feelings.
Any advice to get thru the increased anxiety when starting the med? thank you
Hi Lori,
I had to use Diazapram to get through the first few months.
Once it settled, I slowly weaned myself off the Diaz by lowering the dose and cutting the tablets down.
I did have sever anxiety though and a terrible time swapping from Mirt to Lexapro.
G
Hi Lori, hopefully in a few weeks increased anxiety will lessen. I took a small amount of klonopin in the morning and in the afternoon until the lexapro levels where reached and then decreased the klonopin. It helped me to get through the anxiety. I also talk to a good therapist every other week and do meditation. I hope this helps a little. This is a very gradual process,hang in their and try to keep busy and God Bless. Keep me posted.
Hello Lori. Welcome. New starts on Lexapro are difficult for most during the first few weeks. the first week is the worst and it will taper. It helps greatly if your doc has also prescribed a benzo such as Xanax to help through the first month. Greatly. Coming off a previous drug for GAD and starting another is always a difficult thing for any persons mind. It is difficult. talk to your doc about short tern help like Xanax and hang in I’ve been on 20mg Lexapro since last May there, it does get better. I was in trouble. Painful trouble. i enjoy every day today. Everyone is different, I sincerely hope you benefit from this change and gain some relief. please do not hesitate to express any thoughts here. there may not always be answers here, but there is more understanding than anywhere else.
Best regards,
Jim P
Hello Jim,
Are you still taking xanax regulary or from time to time, just in case?
Hi Lory,
You told that you used in the past several others that did work for you. Why didnt you ask yor doctor to prescribe one of the previous ones that worked for you? Off course anyone from us is different. For example for me Lexapro works very well for depression, gives good energy to do things but not for anxiety. Any way, the first two months, in every raise of dose you feel anxious. The suitable dose for severe anxiety is about 20mg and you have to reach up there very very gradually so it will be helpful to take a bit of benzo in the morning for the first two months to minimize the increased anxiety (as a side effect). Try to meditate every day about 10 min and learn how to control of your calm and deep breath. This helps a lot to the difficult times, believe me! Good luck!
Hi Arietta. Yes, but very little. if something triggers and I feel on edge, I take .5 mg of Xanax. Maybe 2-3 times a month.