Escitalopram for Anxiety User Reviews (Page 5)

• Lexap...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 24, 2023

Lexapro (escitalopram) ""THIS MEDICATION SAVED MY LIFE". This is my first review for a medication. Like myself, and so many other people out there, I have had horrible side effects with a lot of other medications. I can't tell you how many I've tried, but the last time I tried another medication for anxiety, it was hell, and I wouldn't wish my experience on my worst enemy. Because of my previous experience, I vowed to never take a pill again since last experience was so terrible. I made it over a year and lived with terrible anxiety every day. I was in a constant state of fight or flight mode and my heart was always pounding. I could never relax. I was driving my wife crazy with my worries and was unable to enjoy life. I called my doctor and he recommended I try Lexapro. I have been on it for over 2 years now. I spent days on the internet reading reviews and thanks to all of the positive ones, I decided to give it a try. To those who are reading this, please give it a try. It could save your life."

• Special...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 28, 2015

Lexapro (escitalopram) "I posted in Oct. My 9 yr. Old has Aspergers and my life was hard. It is now the last week of month 2 on 10mg. of Lexapro. OMG!!! Is this what normal really feels like!? Please.. if you have anxiety and possible depression give this drug a chance. I feel like a new person. I laugh at shows now, I have a sense of humor again. My spouse is spending more time around me since I am more pleseant to be around. I cooked a small Thx giving dinner for 4 from scratch in 4 hours without stressing it. I can watch sad movies and feel the emotions but not cry through the whole show or movie. Find myself interested in things I used to enjoy but stopped. I am glad I hung in and listened to others who said to give it 6-8 weeks for full effect.They were right.:)"

• MommyOf
• March 18, 2019

Lexapro (escitalopram) "Had lots of freak outs the first 3 weeks on lexapro for my anxiety. It was just my anxiety scaring me thinking anything that was happening to me was the medication. I was given this for my anxiety due to postpartum anxiety and also it may coincide with depression from my moms death 2 years ago . Anxiety caused me panic attacks which ceased to exist after about 1 month on it, worked better after 7 weeks . I’m able to get up out of bed , enjoy a movie ,laugh and organize things . I look back at these unrealistic worries I had and laugh at them now . I still have some off days but they’re not nearly as much as before .I was to paranoid to drink caffeine and now I’m drinking coffee again . Yes I had some funny phobias and I’m in a better place now . I give an 8 cause it has a couple minor side effects but nothing I wanna note since I know people with anxiety will be reading this and they’re not big deals. Lexapro 10 mg for 3 months now and yes it really works for anxiety. Generic version Escitalopram"

• Triss
• May 26, 2017

Lexapro (escitalopram) "I had tried everything meditation, herbal supplements, yoga, exercise, healthy eating. I was doing everything "right" however I was in a constant state of unrest and having about 5 panic attacks a day. I would go days without eating or drinking water and then collapsing. My anxiety was so high, was sick all the time gut issues, headaches, dizziness, general fog and feeling completely out of it and detached. It came to the point that something needed to change - so I sucked it up and tried Lexapro. If you are reading this YOU CAN FEEL BETTER. I was scared I would feel like a zombie and loose myself - but it just takes the edge off and you will start to feel lighter and free and it will let therapy and meditation work."

• AJGH
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 7, 2021

Lexapro (escitalopram) "Had depression and anxiety for years and never dealt with it. Hit a big wall during Covid....panic attacks, suicidal thoughts, just awful stuff. Connected with my Dr and prescribed 10mg daily. First two weeks were awful as expected....should have taken some time off work. But man, I'm in my third month and my edges are softened, I tolerate a lot more, I'm doing things I love again and the bad thoughts are gone!!! The best is the fact my kids noticed that I'm not as angry, sad, unpredictable and unstable. Huge!!! It's tough at first, have your support ready....but wow"

• Wen
• September 24, 2020

Lexapro (escitalopram) "I was in lexapro for like 4 days and was only taking 5mg and it has made me feel so much worse. I’m having worsening depression and worsening anxiety. I’m done taking and going to flush myself out with lots of water."

• Anonymous
• August 15, 2008

Lexapro (escitalopram) "Since I was in 10th grade, I've had anxiety and depression. I was placed on Lexapro 10mg, but still had some social anxiety and anxiety about other things. I didn't have as much as before so the doctor increased it to 20mg. I've never felt better. Like others have said, I almost forget I have anxiety. I feel fine everyday and it's the greatest feeling in the world. If anyone is reading this post and is unsure about asking the doctor about help with anxiety, social anxiety, depression, etc, please don't wait. This drug truly saved my life."

• Avyanna...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 4, 2014

Lexapro (escitalopram) "My Anxiety symptoms before Lexapro I was always paranoid of people judging me and just wasn't myself because I always felt panicked. I would socially isolate myself from friends and family, which then drove me into depression. My anxiety inhibited myself from learning and grasping new knowledge because I was too anxious to even learn. Even doing the smallest tasks (paying bills) would cause an overwhelming amount of anxiety. Now (after 4 weeks on 10 mg) - I'm mellow, feel confident. Someone I just met pegged me as an intellect! God knows how long anxiety has made me doubt my intelligence. I'm able to do tasks easier, which has reduced my procrastination. It hasn't completely reduced my depression, but Im thinking of trying 20 mg."

• Daisy
• October 5, 2021

Lexapro (escitalopram) "I just wanted to come back onto this site and share my experience with lexapro so far. My anxiety used to be so bad I was in a constant state of panic most days and always had thought of impending doom. I cried at the drop of a dime. It was literally ruining my relationship and friendships. I was constantly tired and angry at the world. I had talked to my Dr and we both decided I should give lexapro a try. I was very hesitant at first but I picked up my prescription of 5 mg. The first couple of days were terrible I'm not going to lie to you. I had intense brain fog, brain zaps, I would fall asleep and wake up with intense anxiety. But you know what got me through that? the reviews on THIS site! Telling me it was going to be okay and give it a chance! I told my Dr my symptoms and she prescribed me a small dose of xanax to take before bed. Fast forward to 4 months later I am a totally different person but still have small bouts of anxiety here and there but its manageable! Good luck:)"

• NGD
• February 17, 2021

"Thank you to everyone who says to ‘hang in there’, when I feel anxious I come on here and read positive reviews to get me through. I have always been a little bit of an anxious person but big shock with a family member tipped me over the edge. Tremors hit me so bad. I wake up and as soon as I open my eyes my body shakes and I lay in the fetal position. I didn’t start escitalopram straight away, thought I could get better on my own, silly me. I have now started medication, 5mg for 4 days then 10mg. I am now on day 13 and boy has it been rough. I now know what people mean when they say the first couple of weeks are super bad. Side effects are horrible with restless, dizziness and fatigue. I just want my life back. I will hang on for dear life and report back in a few days. Thanks again for the positive reviews. I wish there was a chat line where ppl could text each other. Just wanted to touch base and thank everyone as I don’t feel so alone when I read reviews. Love to all"

• munk
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 20, 2014

Lexapro (escitalopram) "I was very anti-medication. I think people with anxiety often have a phobia of medication. This is too bad, because it can be a total life saver. After a year of anxiety and agoraphobia with hypochondria, I relented and tried the Lexapro. I had not been able to leave the house which was debilitating. I had very few side effects with the meds-maybe minor headaches. After 2 weeks I was able to travel. After 6 weeks I was able to go back to work. It has been two months and I continue to do better. I still need to work on some of the phobic situations, but have not had a panic attack in 2 months. It is a miracle medicine. I do hope I don't need to be on it forever, but for now I am so very happy I took the plunge."

• Haddy
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 15, 2020

Lexapro (escitalopram) "My husband started 5mg of Lexapro about 8 weeks ago. He has anxiety, panic attacks and some OCD tendencies. He had side effects at first, slightly increased panic attacks and anxiety. Started feeling better though after the first week. Not as good as he wanted so he went to 10mg and had a relapse of side effects but to me the panic attack seemed slightly less severe and passed quickly. It has been a month on the 20mg and he has had several bad panic attacks and some increased anxiety. We were really worried about this but then did some more reading and it seems that it was common for people to have this happen after a month but it passed. I am wondering if anyone else has experienced this happen after a month of starting and if they continued. Did it get better and how long until it passed."

• Guy
• September 30, 2019

Lexapro (escitalopram) "The first couple of weeks were very difficult. I had increased anxiety, much worse than the anxiety I was being treated for but that stopped right at the 2 week mark, overnight. I felt a lot better but still not quite where I wanted to be. I went back to the doctor at the 3 week mark and he increased the dose from 10mg to 20mg and immediately I felt a difference. I did not have increased anxiety this time like I did when I started. In fact, the first day I felt very relaxed, almost euphoric. On the second day I felt more like my old self, the anxiety and intrusive thoughts seemed to be very minor. I did have anxiety in the mornings for a while but that has started to get better also. My anxiety is nearly zero at this point and I find that I am better able to handle stressful situations. I 100% recommend Lexapro just stick with it. The bad stuff goes away pretty quickly and after a month or so you will find yourself again. It has been a God send for me and I am so thankful for it."

• So...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 25, 2023

Lexapro (escitalopram) "I've suffered health anxiety for years to the point where I was constantly obsessing over my symptoms. I've been on it now for 2 months (first time taking anti-anxiety meds), and I can honestly say it has significantly improved my daily life. The positive impact on my mood and anxiety levels has been remarkable. I had the side effects to begin with, but trust me, they go away once your body adjusts. I appreciate the sense of calm and ease it has provided. I'm not overthinking like before - my sleep has improved, and I have more energy."

• DDano
• December 17, 2019

Lexapro (escitalopram) "The first couple of days on Lexapro were terrible and the first couple of weeks were rough. I've been taking 10 mg now for almost a month. After 3 weeks, it feels like my anxiety is 50% less. You start noticing the positive effects w/in a few weeks. Keep taking it - it's worth it. Can't wait to see how I'll feel 6-8 weeks in. :)"

• Jenba...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 10, 2023

Lexapro (escitalopram) "I am a post-menopausal woman who has a full life, a supportive husband and family, and amazing friends. I have struggled with major hormonal shifts as long as I can remember, and menopause was no different. My doctor started me on 1 mg Lexapro and increased it every week. It took 10 weeks to get to 10 mg, and the ramping up was brutal. The anxiety with the drug was worse than what I was being treated for, but I kept going due to reviews here and years ago the same thing happened when ramping up on Zoloft. Lexapro only started to work 5-6 weeks on 10 mg. Keep going, it will work, it just takes some of our systems longer to realize the effects based on how our body metabolizes. Looking back, I think biting the bullet and starting on 5 mg and ramping up quicker might have gotten me to a good place sooner. I feel like myself again and am so very thankful. I tried to do it all homeopathically, but it just didn't work, and life is too short to feel miserable. I am still taking supplements for overall health."

• Getsb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 17, 2018

Lexapro (escitalopram) "I'll share my experience with lexapro so far. I've been on it for a month now, before starting it I couldn't work, had daily panic attacks, social phobia and derealization. It was awful, truly. I started on 10mg and had awful side effects, felt weird, insomnia, nausea, diarrhea, increased anxiety! You name it. So I went down to 5mg, that was fine and no side affects at all. Although my anxiety was better it wasn't gone. I upped to 7.5mg and did that for a bit. No side affects. I have to mention that I do take my lexapro at night time because it still makes me very sleepy. But I sleep through that obviously. I am now on 10mg after the gradual upping and I have to say, my anxiety is nearly completely gone! I feel like myself again and work (I work in emerge at a hospital) has been great. I am only assuming it will get even better in a month. I know when you start the side affects can be hard and you will want to stop. All I can say is hold out!"

• rehan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 2, 2019

Lexapro (escitalopram) "It is a miracle drug!! I'm from india, I have been social anxiety and lack of concentration, low self confident etc. I'm afraid of this world, one day my doctor prescribed me lexapro 10 mg, and you know what??? On my first day I felt a difference and after 6 days I'm more confident, more talkative, have more self esteem, anxiety gone 95 percent, I feel more energy, now I' m not afraid of this world, I enjoy life and making new friends. I think all people on this planet take this drug even if they have any symptoms like I did. This drug make them complete, and side effects? No I don't have any except delayed ejaculation, which I think its ok coz it make my wife happy ;) and thanks to all, I pray for all u guys."

• Sailo...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 11, 2020

Lexapro (escitalopram) "Lexapro has been a lifesaver for me. It is the only thing that can quiet my anxiety when it reaches its breaking point and takes over everything in my life. 3 times now I’ve tried to taper off but experienced difficult life circumstances each time that prompted me to go back on it. The difference before and after is unreal. It makes life manageable again"

• Appls...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 20, 2024

Lexapro (escitalopram) "Lexapro gave me a social life, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without it. After COVID, I had borderline agoraphobia. My heart would race, and I would verge on panic attacks at even thinking of going outside or to social events (especially on my own). I’m already super introverted, and with COVID, I became basically a hermit. I talked to my GP, and she put me on Lexapro. I started at 5mg, and then 10mg a few weeks later once the side effects subsided. It was helping somewhat at 10mg, but not enough, so we bumped it up to 20mg, and it was PERFECT. I was on it for 2 years, and it made me feel cured of my social and general anxiety. I’m switching to Luvox right now because of an OCD resurgence, but I’ll definitely be going back to Lexapro if Luvox doesn’t work out. 10/10 could not recommend more."

• Paula
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 15, 2018

Lexapro (escitalopram) "There’s no need to be suffering. This medication is an anxiety GAME CHANGER. I’m on 10mg a day. I work out every day have not gained an ounce. 6 months later my sex life is thriving! When you feel better, you feel sexier. I’m 47 and shocked folks are having sex issues and weight gain. Get out there and grab life!"

• Anthony
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 3, 2023

Lexapro (escitalopram) "This medication changed my life. I was 30 years old (I am 33 now) and amid an insane amount of life transitions. Parents dying, living on my own, breakups, etc. My mind began living in fight or flight mode all day every day. I could no longer drive on expressways without sweating and being full of fear. The thought of a plane ride would make me sick to my stomach. I felt nervous even being home. I knew something had to change. I was very resistant to medication so I tried everything else I possibly could to tame this unrelenting anxiety. Eventually, I reached my breaking point and caved in. I am SO happy I made that decision. Lexapro soothed and smoothed out the kinks in my brain. It helped slow down the chaos and allowed me to breathe. It allowed me to think with calmness and clarity. I felt like my head was finally up out of the water. If your doctor believes this path is helpful for your condition, I would second that. I am so grateful."

• Beezy
• February 16, 2015

Lexapro (escitalopram) "I had severe panic attacks for 6 months! I developed derealization and was scared of everything. I felt like I was living in a nightmare. I felt relief from Lexapro immediately. I was foggy headed at first but that went away. I feel amazing after 2 months of taking it. I feel like my old self again. The only side effect is dizziness at night sometimes. I only take 5 mg."

• Nks
• June 4, 2020

Lexapro (escitalopram) "I took Lexapro 2 times over my 21 years of life. 1. 13 y.o. HORRIBLE panic attacks, despersonalization, couldn't breathe, couldn't walk and thinking I'm going to die. Started to take Lexapro. No side effects and it helped me a lot. Took it for 1 year and I started to change my lifestyle to have little to none stress. 2. 19 y.o. Stress came back and so did the anxiety. No panic attacks tho. Begun to take the med, started to enjoy things again. Had side effects this time. Gained 30 pounds over 8 months! Had EXTREME loss of libido. After one year and a half, I really can't say it did more good than bad this last time. I've been off it for 2 months now. I have insomnia and struggle to lose weight. I'm eating healthy on a C.D, exercising 6/w and yet I hardly lose any weight. I still have really dark thoughts when I go to sleep and overthinking are still there. So I have mixed thoughts about this medication. First time it helped, years later it came back and it did little to nothing."

• Gemma
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 29, 2023

Lexapro (escitalopram) "Have suffered with anxiety, specifically social anxiety, for the past 8 years. After 4 weeks on 10mg Lexapro, I feel back to my old self and no longer consider myself to have an anxiety disorder. The first couple of weeks were extra anxious and nauseous, but after about 3 weeks, that faded and everything felt better. I feel like myself again."