I barely tolerated the 5mg for a week, now I've been on 10 mg for 3 days - but don't want to give up quite yet... Maybe if I go back down it'll be better. My nausea, insomnia, shakiness, anxiety is making me unable to function. I can't imagine people suffer through these awful side effects for so long. Others don't seem to have such a bad reaction :(
Has anyone had success taking just 5mg of lexapro for anxiety?
Question posted by Afc1 on 23 Oct 2015
Last updated on 1 February 2019 by asark
5 Answers
asark
1 Feb 2019
It most definitely works for me at 2.5 mg but I went up to 5 because my doc said 2.5 was a sub-theraputic dose. Im at 5 but will reduce to 2.5 now that my anxiety is under control. Even 2.5 took 2-3 weeks to get used to though-go slow.
jerricaf
24 Oct 2015
AFC: how are you feeling? I had the insomnia prior as well. I take the lexapro at night as well. I do go about my day and go to work. I actually get panic attacks most mornings, that seems to be when it's at its worst for me. I hope you're well!
Afc1
25 Oct 2015
I'm trying to decide if I should start to taper off to 2.5 tonight. I don't think this is the medicine for me. I'm actually going to an outpatient program on Monday to get a 2nd opinion. You meet with psychiatrists, do group therapy, and hopefully get some answers. This has been scary.
jerricaf
25 Oct 2015
I'm sorry, my first try didn't work either. I'm glad you're getting a second opinion. They will figure out what will work best for you!
cherrrub
23 Oct 2015
5mg I tolerated fairly well but when I went up to 10mg I was the same as you, all the side effects possible. I also wanted to go back to 5mg but my doctor told me that 5mg wouldn't really do much. I think after about 2 weeks on 10mg the side effects started to go. I recently went up to 15mg and I had no side effects which was great! As for the insomnia, that never went unfortunately and my doctor put me on Seroquel as well which gives me the deepest, most amazing sleep!
chuck1957
23 Oct 2015
Afc1; If I'm understanding you right your dose of lexapro was just increased it is very common for the first week to maybe two weeks to have a increase in these side effects but they go away with continued use.And once you hit the 6 weeks on that dose you have the blood level you need for it to be working.But even before that you should notice some improvement in your anxiety and other problems.With these class of medications we have to fight through the first week or two then it gets much better as your body and mind get used to the medication and drug Increase.If it was working some on the 5mg it should be better at 10 if you were having relief 5mg is just a start dose so the side effect are not as harsh.
If you can try and push through this but if they are just unbearable Call your doctor sometimes they can give you something to help with the side effect or even change the medication.Also it is good to take it at a regular time every day if your taking it in the morning continue if its in the evening ok but don't switch back and forth it messes with the side effects and also your blood level. Try and fight through this hard part if you can.And have a good weekend.
jerricaf
23 Oct 2015
Hey there - I'm sorry you're having such a hard time. Have you talked to your doctor about that? They might suggest going back down to 5mg for a while longer. I'm on day 5 of 10mg with nausea and insomnia. The not sleeping is what's getting to me the most. They say the first few weeks are the hardest! I'm hoping it gets easier for you.
Afc1
23 Oct 2015
Thanks. Yes, the insomnia is the worst. Did you have it before the lexapro? I called the doctor yesterday - they said to give it a few more days. And if the side effects don't get better, to stop. But I think I'll just lower it to 5mg tonight. I honestly can't tolerate this anymore. I had insomnia before the medicine. It might just be something I have to deal with. I'm confined to my house, unable to function. Are you able to go about your day? Afternoons and evenings seem to be better for me - even though I force myself to eat. I dread the night and mornings? How about you? i take the lexapro at night. not sure if that makes a difference...
sezza83
23 Oct 2015
Oh that really sucks. Nothing worse than that anxious, shaky, sick feeling.
I have to admit that when I first started on Lexapro approx 1 year ago I was so worried about being on AD's again that I went up from 5 to 10mg by going to 7.5 first. It was a bit of stuffing around breaking the tabs up but might reduce the side effects if you want to stick with it for a while. I just got a bit of nausea. That said, you know you're own body and mind better than anyone else and if you don't think it's working for you, or the idea of taking it is making you more anxious then talk to your Dr and try something else x
Afc1
2 Nov 2015
Turns out lexapro just doesn't work for me (or SSRIs in general) - the side effects were not tolerable. I'm now on something called Remeron - usually given to elderly people! It can cause weight gain and sleepiness - which sounds awesome at this point. So far, no side effects... We'll see how it goes.
Deb4701
20 April 2018
My experience is taking 5 mg after experiencing sleeplessness post hysterectomy. After losing my ovaries and the hormones that they must have still been producing at age 58, I was very sleepless, more anxious than in the past. I took venlefaxine (sp?), which helped my mood and restored sleep, with the side effect of losing interest in sex, which was already a problem due to the loss of hormones and loss of feeling from the surgery. So I have now been on a low dose of estradiol cream with 5 mg of Lexapro generic. I believe the Lexapro does get you “up” to the degree that it works best for me to take it when I wake up in the morning. It does seem to make me restless.
Related topics
lexapro, anxiety, insomnia, nausea/vomiting, generalized anxiety disorder
Further information
- Lexapro uses and safety info
- Lexapro prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Lexapro (detailed)
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