I have now been on 10 mg of Lexapro for 4 weeks and I’m still having some really hard days where I just cry all day, my head feels heavy and foggy, I’m anxious about everything and it’s hard for me to function. I have some good days as well where I feel great, but then the rough days come and I just want to give up.
Im still haven’t insomnia issues like I had before starting Lexapro, and I’m scared that things will not get better for me. I’ve been taking Ativan to help me sleep almost every night for a month now.
I have been on Lexapro before and it’s helped my anxiety but I feel like it’s not helping this time around and I’m losing faith.
Is it normal to still feel this horrible at 4 weeks? Should I be asking to up my dose of Lexapro or should I be trying a different medication? I feel so lost and scared and I just need some reassurance and advice.
4 weeks on Lexapro, no change. Advice?
Question posted by erinw14 on 7 Feb 2022
Last updated on 6 August 2022 by Gereatric70
4 Answers
Hi erinw14 I have been on a the generic brand escitalopram 5mg for about 8 months and it took about three weeks to help. Doctor took the ativan away and put me on hydroxyzine 25mg for sleep and anxiety . This helped a great deal and is safer than Benzos . Exercise helps a great deal also for anxiety and do a treadmill in morning for 20 minutes evening 20 minutes , this also helps with sleep . Good luck , you will get thru this , time is on your side .
Hi,
I’ve been on lexapro for three weeks now and Ativan at night to sleep. Still waiting for anxiety to abate more. Have nervousness & agitation at times. Any updates or advice appreciated! I have shaking at times but this was the case before I started these meds…
I was on lexapro 14 years ago and it took about three months to fully kick in for me.
Just be careful with the benzodiazepine. It is possible to become tolerant to them after a relatively short time and after that they can ‘backfire’ on you.
I experience tolerance with a benzodiazepine after four weeks whilst on lexapro. For me it caused increased anxiety. I was told about this and began a slow withdrawal process.
Trust in the process. For some people it can take longer for the medication to kick in. Talk to your doctor and discuss how you are feeling.
Erin,
Have you talked to your doctor? Ask if it's alright that you're using the Ativan daily and explain to them where you're at with this.
This may be the "roller coaster", good days and bad. Having those good days means that the medication is beginning to work. It may also mean that an increase might help although it may be a little soon for that.
Don't give up! A lot of people go through these stages and it's a tough road, I know. It's frustrating to keep waiting and waiting but that's how this class of medications work... slowly but in the long run very effectively.
Wildcat
So you would say it’s normal that even at 4 weeks I’m having a hard time on this medication? I’m scared because the bad days are scaring me. I just want to feel better.
It's "normal" to experience the ups and downs and it's because your metabolism is still adjusting to having the drug in your system. It's not a sign that something is wrong.
Whatever medications all of us are taking we're taking because we wanted to feel better... and we all had some side effects too. When I started Lexapro I wanted badly for it to work and work right away but it can take 4-8 weeks to really feel the full benefits.
You're halfway there already and it gets better for sure. Try not to dwell on what seem to be bad days and take full advantage of the days when you feel good. Distract yourself with enjoyable things like walking, reading, watching good movies. You might also try deep breathing exercises and meditation.
WC
anyone else have experience with taking a nightly benzo on lexapro? My psychiatrist said some folks are on this for a long time.
My doctor won't even prescribe benzodiazepines because of the potential for addiction, difficulty in withdrawing, and potential long term side effects. Ideally, it's recommended that they be used no longer than about six weeks.
It may be wishful thinking but given time and the correct dose Lexapro alone should alleviate the need for a benzo.
WC
I was hoping to stop by now but I take a .25 or .5 Ativan to fall asleep. I’m long Covid and have had severe anxiety & sleep issues…I hope the lexapro kicks in soon - been three weeks. I’m on 7.5 because of GI side effects I haven’t gone up yet….
Try to be patient. Some people do feel some improvement in the first few weeks but it may take longer until you find your ideal therapeutic dosage. Hopefully, your side effects are getting better on your current dose.
Personally, I can't say enough good things about Lexapro. It took a little while but it was well worth the wait.
WC
How long did it take for you? I’m also wondering how long I can stay on it…..I’m hoping I’ll just fall asleep on my own at some point….
I honestly don't remember because it's been so many years ago but I also started on a higher dose and quickly increased it. I'm very lucky because I don't have to deal with side effects from medications.
Some people can discontinue the medication after a number of months but others, like me, will likely be on it for life or until it "poops out". I've been on it now for over seven years and I couldn't be happier with it... and I have no reservations about taking it longer term.
WC
Related topics
lexapro, depression, anxiety, insomnia, generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, sleep, sleeping
Further information
- Lexapro uses and safety info
- Lexapro prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Lexapro (detailed)
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