I started having major sleeping problems about a month ago. I went days without sleep and I didn’t know why. It hit me all at once and insomnia was just not what I need right now. I tried meditation and journaling to see if these would help me and decided my anxiety and depression was too bad with my lack of sleep that I needed medication. My doctor started me on Lexapro 5 mg for a week and now I am up to 10 mg and it’s only been a week on the 10 mg. I’m still having so much trouble sleeping and I notice my panic attacks and anxiety are at an all time high. I need Ativan to help me get any sleep at all, but I’m worried of getting addicted to Ativan for sleep so some nights I try to sleep on my own without it and it’s just not possible.
Will Lexapro ever help with my sleeping and anxiety issues with sleep or should I be trying a different path? I know it’s only been a week on the 10 mg but I’m just so exhausted and I need advice.
Lexapro making me feel worse before better.
Question posted by erinw14 on 21 Jan 2022
Last updated on 23 January 2022
Answers
When I first started lexapro I couldn’t sleep but after a month or so my sleep got so much better and to be honest I slept the best I had in years!
I’m now on Zoloft and going through the insomnia phase again so fingers crossed it turns around!
did you ever find that Lexapro gave you very vivid / scary dreams when you first started it? I’m now having this happen to me.
It wasn’t the lexapro that gave me bad dreams but the benzodiazepine that my doctor prescribed me at the same time. Once I weaned off the benzodiazepine my sleep improved greatly.
Hi, Erin!
Unfortunately, what you describe are common side effects for some folks first starting an antidepressant/anxiolytic but the good news is that they generally subside after a week or two.
A benzodiazepine like Ativan is sometimes prescribed to help the patient get through this initial period. If you're on a relatively low dose and only take it as prescribed you probably won't have a problem with habituation. What you might want to do though after the Lexapro "kicks in" and the Ativan is no longer needed is ask your doctor if you can just stop it or taper off over a few days. Meanwhile, also ask if you can go back down to the lower dose of Lexapro for a while longer as your metabolism adjusts to the medication.
You are not alone and these side effects are not uncommon. If you can hang in there for a few more days you should be feeling much better soon now.
Best regards,
Wildcat
Related topics
lexapro, depression, anxiety, insomnia, generalized anxiety disorder, sleep, sleeping, meditation
Further information
- Lexapro uses and safety info
- Lexapro prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Lexapro (detailed)
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