Hi, I've had severe anxiety my ENTIRE life. From horrible panick attacks when I was younger, to crazy uncontrollable thoughts that I have now. I worry about everything under the sun, and some days I feel like I'm crazy. Some days I'm depressed and some days I'm fine. I've been in and out of therapy since I was 15. I just don't know where else to turn, and I feel like if I just give medication a chance, it could possibly change my life. Lexapro works for my sister. You think it will work for me? I'm so terrified of side affects and not feeling like myself. Not to mention, part of my anxiety is that I'm scared of taking medication. To the point that I couldn't even take more than one ibuprofen at a time. I would like to hear how it worked for other people, and how well it helped. Please I don't wanna hear horror stories because that will push me away from taking this medicine. I just want to be happy. HELP!
I've had anxiety all my life, prescribed lexapro. (Please don't give me horror stories)?
Question posted by Las07 on 19 Jan 2017
Last updated on 10 October 2021
I've also heard it can cause weight gain, and I've already gained a lot of weight over the years and feel really bad about myself. Any body experience a lot of weight gain?
8 Answers
Lexapro was very helpful for me. My issue was anxiety and depression (not sleeping, not eating enough, daily crying) due to a life crisis (trying to leave my partner after 25 years of marriage). My doctor put me on 10mg (after 3 weeks or so on 5mg) and it helped almost instantly (i. e. within weeks). It took care of most of the anxiety/depression, I slept, I ate, I had energy, I had courage and hope. I did not gain any weight (but I do eat pretty healthy and exercise). The only weird thing was/is: I do not cry, hardly ever, even if seeing/hearing something sad. But I took that with all the positive effects. I would love to stay on it forever, but I am thinking now of tapering off, since I'm pretty stable and don't want to extend it longer than necessary.
I was given Lexapro 5mg and I’m
On day 12, I was having anxiety and panic attacks. My dr said I am anxious because I was scared to try this medication and have a fear of fear, they have given me klonopin to help
With anxiety until the Lexapro takes effect. I have a few good days then I have a few bad days. I have a burning sensation on my arms, not too bad though but it’s causing me more anxiety and worry. I’ve read where thaw side effects subside and give it time. How much time before I start feeling better and what side effects did you have?
I was given Lexapro 5mg and I’m
On day 12, I was having anxiety and panic attacks. My dr said I am anxious because I was scared to try this medication and have a fear of fear, they have given me klonopin to help
With anxiety until the Lexapro takes effect. I have a few good days then I have a few bad days. I have a burning sensation on my arms, not too bad though but it’s causing me more anxiety and worry. I’ve read where thaw side effects subside and give it time. How much time before I start feeling better and what side effects did you have?
I was given Lexapro about six weeks after my anxiety really got out of control. It took about two weeks to start being noticeable. I was prescribed Klonopin to help control the anxiety till the Lexapro kicked in. The Klonopin stopped the anxiety immediately. Once the Lexapro kicked in I weened myself off of the Klonopin. The Lexapro made me start to feel normal again. Hopeful again. I’ve been on it for three years now and I feel like myself again. I’m at 10mg, which is the usual maintenance dose. I was also afraid to take an SSRI drug at first. I only had loosening of the stool for a couple months. Not bad though. The doctor told me that he trusts this drug and it works for most people. I hope this helps you. I had to deal with the anxiety for nearly three months before I got help and it was pure hell. So I encourage you try Lexapro.
Did you start out on 10 mg. I am very sensitive to medication and I really want to give Lexapro a try as my doctor is suggesting it for my anxiety and depression. I am glad to hear that it has worked well for you.
Marla82, my doctor had me start with a quarter of a 5mg tablet each day for 3 days. Then half for three days. Then a whole pill. I took 5mg a day for 2 years then It was suggested I go up to 10mg. I did and it made an even bigger difference. A good difference. 10mg is the standard maintenance dose. 15mg isn’t unusual either. You have to start off slow or the drug will make you agitated. I was prescribed Klonopin to help me be functional till the Lexapro built-up in my system. The Lexapro began to be noticeable in a week and a half. I was able to stop the Klonopin at two weeks. I have no side affects. Lexapro may affect you differently. I assume you’re a woman from your user name. SSRI drug side affects can be different for women because we have different hormones. I’m just trying to warn you. That said, my doctor trusts Lexapro and so do I. Start it slow and work your way up. I never took any psych drugs before and I was worried how they would affect me. I couldn’t be happier with how Lexapro has worked for me. I hope this helps.
What were some of your side effects and how long did they last? I’m on day 12, I have a slight headache nothing major but I have a burning sensation on my arms and sometimes all
Over but not too bad. Just worried because I am so scared and anxious about trying this medication.
I have the same exact issues you have . I’m so scared of medicine and taking anything . My overthinking won’t allow it ! I only took 1 5mg lexapro today and had every side effect so I’m scared to take a second dose Tomorrow. I know this post is old, but if your still getting notifications please let me know if you did take the lexapro and had any success with it. Thank you
Las07, You have several very good answers here and from all, you have been through already You really should be taking medication. They have come a long way. And this is a very good one to start with most people do pretty good on this one. I want you to know when you first get you prescription try and just read the label due to your fear of medications and also there are some pretty negative people out there that can scare you. But when you get your prescription filled you get lots of paper work with it from the pharmacy, Put it aside if you read it all you well not want to take it. What you should do is ask the doctor when they give you the RX what are the main side effects I should look for. there a lot less than what is in all of that paperwork because.
They put way too much in them to cover their rears and many of the side effects that might be in the paperwork may not even be from this drug but by law, they have to put it in the paperwork even if it was a different drug but it's related in some way to Lexapro.Do your best to stay positive, including thinking that way, Use faith you need, And keep a sense of humor. All of these work together to help you on the bad days. And remember be patient with the Lexapro you may not notice anything for a while and that is normal and if you do get any of the side effects call the Pharmacy and ask them if that could be the starting of the Lexapro if it worries you Because the fist 2 weeks most people well get some types of side effects but the good news is they go away after the 2 week period and within the next couple of weeks you should start to notice changes for the better and by the time you have been taking it for the full 6 to 8 weeks that is when your blood level peaks and you should be doing pretty good by then. This is the best way to tell you how it works on you without making you worry. Once you're on it remember it is very Important that you take it about the same time each day and that is every day. You won't regret it. You need help moving forward and not having the terrible days anymore. I wish you all the luck. Just trust me and try not to worry or read to much you well be fine. have a great weekend. and better times ahead.
Hey chuck1957! Thanks for your comment, I really appreciate your advice. I got the courage and took it... So I've been on it for almost a week now, and I have been having many issues with it. The exhaustion is the worst part of it all, making me feel very spacey and out of it.. now matter how much I sleep I'm still always tired. Also having stomach issues as well. I just am upset that I wasn't feeling normal anymore and I'm not really not feeling normal on the drug yet... It just is very weird for me... but I'm going to try to stick it out a couple more weeks and hopefully everything gets better... it's been one heck of a week though... but thanks again for your kind words. I hope this medicine works out for me.
Hey chuck1957! Thanks for your comment, I really appreciate your advice. I got the courage and took it... So I've been on it for almost a week now, and I have been having many issues with it. The exhaustion is the worst part of it all, making me feel very spacey and out of it.. now matter how much I sleep I'm still always tired. Also having stomach issues as well. I just am upset that I wasn't feeling normal anymore and I'm not really not feeling normal on the drug yet... It just is very weird for me... but I'm going to try to stick it out a couple more weeks and hopefully everything gets better... it's been one heck of a week though... but thanks again for your kind words. I hope this medicine works out for me.
Hi Las: I am sorry. I apologize for being negative in my comments. I get so frustrated sometimes that we have to feel this depression and anxiety! I get impatient and want it fixed "right away"! But one suggestion from me would be this:
Since your anxiety level is so high (so was mine), that you could ask your doctor if he could give you an anti-anxiety medication to help you through the start up phase, till your antidepressant can work for you. It would really help you to feel better FASTER... It sure helped me when I had anxiety so bad, I felt like I was going to go crazy!! You should start to feel better in a couple of weeks or so. I feel so bad that you have to experience this. But going for help is the first step, so now you are on your way.
Sorry you are feeling so bad. I would say if you are feeling so bad that it may be worth giving a shot. I took it years ago and was on it for years and it worked very well for a good while. I didn't gain any weight on it. I don't remember having any trouble at all really. The only reason I ever stopped it was bc it quit working.
All of these medications affect all of us differently.
You need to do what makes you healthy so you can feel good so you can relax and be happy:)
Thanks for your comment. I appreciate it. I haven't been having a good week on this, I'm hoping the symptoms subside soon. It just is hard I don't feel normal off the meds now I don't feel normal on them. I just feel stuck.
Believe me, I know. It's a horrible feeling. I can't tell you how many times I've said that I don't even care about feeling chipper and bubbly, I just want to feel normal... like myself. That's what I've said to people closest to me and to my dr more times than I could even count.
That's why I wouldn't worry about things like weight. I mean, yeah if you know a certain medication has a strong likelihood of pretty good weight gain then yeah maybe try that one last but, you will find someone who's gained and lost weight on every medication on the market if you look so, worry about how you feel and then go from there. I haven't heard or read of anyone gaining on this med until this post lol!
Best of luck
Yep, I agree! I haven't felt normal yet. So hoping if I stick it out I eventually will... thanks for your advice! I appreciate it
Hello, I don't want to bring this medication down but the weight gain is awful. I eat healthy and workout 3-5 times a weeks and have gained over 15lbs on this medicine. I've been on it for 3 months! I go in on Tuesday in hopes I can get on something else! It makes you feel good but now I have extreme body issues. Good luck!
I had the same experience. I gained 20 pounds on lexapro, and acted like a space cadet. I didn't realize at the time it was the lexapro till I quit it, and lost weight, and got clear-headed again,
Las: It might be a good idea to ask your doctor to supplement your lexapro with a faster acting anti anxiety med till you feel stable on your lexapro. Lexapro was one of the antidepressants that didn't address my anxiety, although it made me feel very fatigued and nauseous in the daytime while I was at work.
Hey guys thanks for the feedback. I have been on it for almost a week and been exhausted, having tons of stomach issues and feeling very spacey. I'm going to try and stick it out for a couple more weeks and see if the symptoms subside... it's been a rough week.
Las: By stomach issues, do you mean diarrhea? Because that is what happened to me, and I had to take a ton of immodium to get through my days at work. It was embarrassing!
Hey, I have had diarrhea and vomitted also. And my appetite has come and gone... the exhaustion is what is getting me. It makes me feel so spacey and weird. Ugh
I had anxiety for years! Since I was about 20 and I'm now 37. It took me developing post natal depression/anxiety to start taking lexapro. And it was the best thing I ever did! For the first time in year I felt a sense of normalcy and peace. It's been amazing! Sure, starting meds can be a bit challenging, but once you are on them for a few weeks, your whole world changes! All the best.
Thank you! I hope it works for me!
Hi Las-
It is a awful feeling to have so much anxiety. You may want to look at it like this: You are not feeling yourself without Lexparo with the racing mind/anxiety and depression. You may have side effects but better to have short term side effects than continue to feel like you are going crazy?? If you start it please try not to give up too soon, as it may be the med that can help you. You have to start it, you may have little to no side effects.
Just remember that you are not alone on this journey. Many of us have been there. You can post everyday if you want to as you go through the process.
I hope you will hear from others with success stories.
Thank you so much for replying. I didn't even think any one would. Just you replying to me put a smile on my face. Hearing this from a stranger really gives me hope, thank you. I will start it, and give it a chance, and I will keep what you said in mind. At this point, I feel like I have no where else to go, and you're right... I don't feel normal from day to day, so what if lexapro can give me that normalcy back? That would amazing. Thinking positive can be hard some days, but I gotta keep trying... thank you!!!
I have very bad anxiety, I am so scared to start Lexapro. I’m always having this scared feeling in my chest and always bursting into tears. Every time I get hot I have a panic attack. I don’t go out during the summer because I’ll get hot and start having a panic attack. So I’ll stay home all summer. I feel alone and like I’m the only person here with this horrific feeling. Sometimes I have to ask my husband to hug me until the feeling goes away. I’m so scared!
Related topics
lexapro, depression, anxiety, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, prescription
Further information
- Lexapro uses and safety info
- Lexapro prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Lexapro (detailed)
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