Hi all, I've been on many SSRI's in the past and had no side effects from any of them. This is my 5th day on lex an am having some joint pains, ringing ears and my left wrist is a bit swollen. The 1st 2 days were AMAZING - absolutely no anxiety, couldn't worry if i tried. Started to have breakthrough anxiety on day 3 and today my anxiety is getting back to where is was before I started. I really had hoped I'd found my "wonder drug" and although I feel a bit hopeful reading all your posts am afraid this wont happen for me. Going to ring my psych today and see what he says.
Lexapro - does it get worse before it gets better?
Question posted by joaniev on 5 June 2018
Last updated on 28 June 2018
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3 Answers
WildcatVet
6 June 2018
Hi, joanie! From the literature on Lexapro:
"Some side effects of escitalopram may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects."
Everything you have described, including increased anxiety, is a normal and to be expected side effect.
"Side effects have been reported to be generally mild and transient. They are most common during the first 2 weeks of treatment and decrease in intensity and frequency with continued treatment. They generally do not lead to treatment cessation."
"Sleep, energy, or appetite may show some improvement within the first 2 weeks. Improvement in these physical symptoms can be an important early signal that the medication is working. Depressed mood, anxiety, and lack of interest in activities may need up to 6-8 weeks to fully improve."
It will get better but you need to be patient. Lexapro (and the other antidepressants) do not work overnight and your feeling great the first few days was probably a placebo effect. Expect some up days and down days and go with it. Think positively because Lexapro is one of the best for anxiety.
joaniev
20 June 2018
Thanks Wildcat and all. Now on week 4 and apart from some slight oedema of left wrist and occasional stab of a joint pain all side effects have disappeared. My anxiety is still non-existant which is just amazing. For the first time in years I wake up without that pit of terror in my stomach. It was worth hanging in there. I hope everyone else gets the amazing results I,m getting. Off to Corfu on Friday and am excited about it instead of being a ball of anxiety. Thanks again all.
WildcatVet
20 June 2018
Bravo!! Good for you for hanging in there. Enjoy your trip!
Sandrahere
24 June 2018
@Wildcatvet... I'm on 10mg Lexapro for the last two months or so & after a shaky start had begun to feel really well for the past couple of weeks... a little shaky in the mornings but after getting up and having a 20minute walk at 6am the shakiness was gone and I was ready to face the day... I've been in bed for the last two days with stomach cramps and extreme fatigue... I'm Hoping it's just a bug/virus I've picked up and not side effects of Lexapro... Would new side effects occur at this stage? I had bed a little tired before this but was walking/doing yoga most days... I'm hardly fit to move at the minute?!
WildcatVet
24 June 2018
@Sandra. I don't think it's too likely that this would be a side effect at this stage of the game. You haven't changed your dosage or missed any doses have you? Maybe it is just a bug or you're off your game for some reason. Hang in there and let us know how you're doing, okay? Hope you feel better!
Lynn 351
24 June 2018
Sandrahere, I am on 10 mgs of Lexapro for 24 days now. It seems like every other day the anxiety is much better. How long did it take to fully kick in. My only side effect this week has been stomach cramps and gas along with constipation. I don’t know if it’s anxiety. When did it start to kick in for you.
Lynn 351
24 June 2018
I have also had lots of constipation that might also be the problem with stomach cramps tried a laxative this morning
Lynn 351
24 June 2018
I have also had lots of constipation that might also be the problem with stomach cramps tried a laxative this morning
Sandrahere
28 June 2018
@Wildcatvet thanks for responding too me... I got over the tummy bug but every day since I've been anxious with some respite come evening time when I can feel calm and relaxed... I haven't ever missed a dose and might occassionaly be late by an hour taking the dose... today my arms and jaw have a burning tingling sensation and I'm feeling so anxious and afraid that the lexapro is causing me more hardship than it's during but changing meds would mean weeks of hell... I feel desperate... sorry for hijacking this post but I could do with some advice... I've been on lexapro for six weeks about.. Sandra
Sandrahere
28 June 2018
... I meant more hardship than it's curing
WildcatVet
28 June 2018
Sandra, that's what we're here for! It rather sounds to me as if you're making good progress because you say you ARE feeling some improvement. If you can stick it out a little longer I think you'll do fine. It just takes patience and time for the medication to become fully effective. You're not alone in this... millions of people are now enjoying happy, healthy lives. :-)
TKMarsh711
6 June 2018
Same here. I've never noticed joint pain or maybe I didn't associate it with the Lexapro. But I'm starting week 5 and just started getting relief from anxiety.
Lynn 351
7 June 2018
Does the anxiety get a little better after a few weeks on Escitalopram, after 8 horrible weeks on Prozac I feel very discouraged.
Thoma9
6 June 2018
Definitely give your doctor a call. In my experience it will do not much of anything at first and then slowly get to a therapeutic level. I've never had any physical side effects though, like your joint pains, they're usually all mental like some increased anxiety for the first few days.
Related topics
lexapro, depression, generalized anxiety disorder, side effect, ssri, wrist, ear
Further information
- Lexapro uses and safety info
- Lexapro prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Lexapro (detailed)
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