Lexapro and Insomnia: What Users Say (Page 5)

• eup...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 5, 2022

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "This pill saved my life, there’s no doubt in my mind. I was experiencing daily, intense anxiety and panic. My latest episode left me so shaken and traumatized that I immediately scheduled an appointment with my doctor to talk about medication options. I won’t lie, the first week was very tough. Heightened anxiety, shaky, no appetite, both fatigue and insomnia. I almost gave up by day 3. With the help of my support system, I stuck it out and saw noticeable changes in my behavior by week two. My appetite was coming back, I was able to sleep, and my anxiety episodes never progressed to the point of hysteria. By weeks three and four, I felt hopeful about the future again. The mornings and evenings were still a bit nerve-filled, but during the day, I could function, and I had my motivation back. Entering week five, I haven’t had more than a slight stomach ache in the morning when I first wake up. I keep wondering, “Is this how 'normal' people feel every day?”"

• Fee...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 19, 2022

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "This is a miracle medication for me. I am in my mid-40s, and I have a biological kind of anxiety and depression. I've been seeing a psychologist for 5 years and have a lot of useful coping techniques that I thought would see me through if I ever came off medication. I came off Zoloft very slowly after being on it for more than 5 years. At first, I was fine, but then my anxiety crept back in and hit with a vengeance. I had dreadful insomnia, and my anxiety and depression were off the charts. Nothing in my life had changed. I literally woke up one day with a cloud hanging over me that just got worse and worse. No amount of diet, exercise, meditation, or CBT did a thing. I tried all of the non-serotonin antidepressants, like Bupropion and Agomelatine, and they did nothing. Four weeks into taking Lexapro, my anxiety and depression had completely resolved. I am happily married, have 2 wonderful children, and a great career that I can now enjoy. I will happily stay on this medication forever."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 16, 2021

For Anxiety "I was prescribed Lexapro about a month ago. They started me at 5 mg. The side effects I had were dry mouth, racing thoughts, terrible thoughts, restlessness, loss of appetite, insomnia, my right leg would uncontrollably shake on its own, and I felt like my stomach was burning. After about 2 weeks, the side effects went away. Before Lexapro, I would wake up every day feeling like crap. I always had a headache and was always nauseous. Going to work was such a struggle. I always got so anxious before work, driving was becoming scary, I felt like I was crying every other night, and I was easily irritated. The bad side effects made me want to lose hope in them, but I kept taking them. Now I have noticed that I don't get nauseous, I don't get headaches as often as I used to, I don't panic at work (or before), and waking up has been easier. I recently got my dose raised to 10 mg, and I feel like it's been making me tired, but I know that day by day I will get better! DO NOT LOSE HOPE!"

• par...
• March 22, 2023

For Anxiety "I was suffering from Tourette syndrome for more than ten years, and I never took medicine for it. I also used to suffer from OCD, which would increase Tourette episodes a lot during some periods of my life. About a month ago, my OCD became a lot worse due to some tensions that I was facing at work. I had many repeated thoughts, I couldn't sleep more than four or five hours at night, and I was so agitated and nervous about things. I hesitated about starting the pills or not. I've been on this medication for three weeks now, and I'm totally different. I wonder how a single pill could change the way you see your whole life. I sleep really well now, I'm so friendly, cool, and easygoing about everything, and no more obsessive thoughts. I'm full of hope and confidence. This medicine worked really well for me."

• Net...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 10, 2013

For Anxiety "Worked wonders for stabilizing my mood-and my ability to leave the house! I've been taking it for about two years now. The only thing I find is it starts to 'wear off' after a few months. My doctor has me come off it for a month and then go back on when this happens, and I find this much more effective than upping the dose. The main side effect for me has been insomnia. A small price to pay for the huge positive impact Lexapro has made on my life."

• Tee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 27, 2019

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I am a 34-year-old female with a diagnosis of depression and panic/anxiety disorder in the past [10+ years ago], which was resolved with Remeron. Now, I have been suffering from anxiety and moderate depression, which has been very frustrating due to a stressful job, school, and a lot of tragic events happening. Started Lexapro 3 days ago. Side effects are dry mouth, pelvic pain, the first day I felt a little dazed, insomnia the first day, then on the third day I am very tired and able to fall asleep but not able to sleep through the night. My anxiety has decreased from a 10 to a 2, and my depression is barely there. Will keep you updated."

• K-M...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 10, 2018

For Depression "I currently take Lexapro 17.5 mg for OCD/depression/anxiety. This drug has given me my life back. I was going off the deep end until I was prescribed this medication. I had some side effects to start off (trouble sleeping, weight gain), but have curbed these side effects through diet and exercise. Lexapro does a great job lifting depression and definitely helps with anxiety. I highly recommend this SSRI over Zoloft, which I was on for about 2 years. I also like the fact that the dosing of this med is much lower than that of Zoloft. Great experience with Lexapro. Helps with some of my anger too."

• asf...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 29, 2019

For Anxiety "Do not take this rubbish drug. Made my anxiety 100 times worse. Restlessness, insomnia, all of it. Overall, terrible drug and wouldn't wish the way I feel right now on my worst enemy. I pray I'll get better each day."

• Khr...
• December 21, 2016

For Anxiety "I'm on the 3rd month of taking Lexapro, started off with 2.5 mg every night for about a week, then upped to 5 mg and when I saw my doctor again 2 weeks later, he told me to try the 10 mg and I have been on 10 mg ever since. At first, it's non-stop drowsiness, weird random dreams, anxiety, and insomnia at night. For a good 4-5 weeks, but after that, it's cravings and you eat more calmly, and it gets better! It has worked wonders! Hopefully, it continues to work!"

• Lau...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 9, 2023

For Anxiety "I have been suffering from debilitating anxiety and depression for 3 months now due to quitting my job and having to start all over. I have not been out of bed in 3 weeks. Been to two doctors and intensive therapy 3-4 times a week. I have no desire to do anything. I now just prefer to be alone in my room all day. I’m in total despair. The first doctor prescribed Vraylar and talked a lot about tai chi, but who can do tai chi when they are in such a bad state? My new doctor put me on Prozac and Klonopin for 2 weeks. Anxiety and insomnia were unbearable. He now has put me on Lexapro, Klonopin, and Remeron for sleep. I’m on day 2 and I have no symptoms yet. I have to thank all of you for your posts. Every day I spend on this site rereading and rereading all of your stories I know some by heart and hope you all are doing better. Just hoping this medicine gets me out of bed!"

• Kat...
• November 26, 2016

For Depression "Been on it for a few months, started feeling better, slept a little more than usual. My doctor just recently upped me to 20 mg. Having insomnia difficulties now, but hopefully will go away after a few weeks, like the sleepiness did. Other than that, I love it. I feel so much better."

• Anonymous
• October 28, 2010

For Bipolar Disorder "Lexapro has helped me in a lot of ways. Maybe because I paired it with a mood stabilizer... I don't know. I feel numb a lot of the time, but I have found that I am calmer and respond better than I used to in certain situations I couldn't face before. It has also controlled my appetite, and I don't feel like stuffing my face all the time, like I used to. My only complaint is that it makes it hard to sleep sometimes, and I am very addicted to it. If I go over 24 hours without taking it, my skin starts to crawl and my mind starts to race. But, hey, being on Lexapro is the only thing that works for my bipolar disorder. And those who have bipolar disorder, like me, know what living with it is like. Pretty awful."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 18, 2012

For Anxiety "I was experiencing some awful symptoms such as chest pains, shortness of breath, and heart palpitations. Even though countless tests showed I was in great physical condition, I found it very hard to believe that such things could simply be caused by anxiety. I guess I'm a believer now! I am on 10 mg Lexapro, and the difference 2 months on this medicine has made is fantastic. When I once feared I would be crippled by these anxiety symptoms, now I can barely even remember them. I'm feeling like 'me' again. Side effects included digestive problems (went away after a week or so) and insomnia (countered by taking Lexapro in the morning). So relieved!"

• Anx...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 21, 2015

For Anxiety "I am on day 16 of 10 mg. The first 6 days I was very tired, excessively. But the majority of my anxiety was gone by then. Days 6-8 I had severe insomnia, it passed, and by day 9 I had no racing thoughts before going to sleep. Today is day 16. I feel better about my life circumstances. I have a 9-year-old with Asperger's. I am no longer spending every waking moment obsessing over what will become of his future. My cognitive functioning seems clearer. I have been able to keep up more with home chores. Still not as energized as I would like to be. Coffee makes me more jittery since starting the meds. I can now tell the difference between caffeine jitters and my real anxiety, though. I am hoping that by week 6-8 I have even more clarity."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 3, 2014

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Been on this medication for almost a week. Within the first two days, I had stopped having panic attacks, down from around two to three a day. Side effects are minor, at least to me. I get hungry a lot, and sometimes can't sleep properly, but both of those are essentially the same as how it was before, so I'm used to it."

• Har...
• October 27, 2012

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "This medicine has been amazing for me. I don't feel high, just like a normal person for the first time in years. It's like a huge weight has been lifted from me. I am very sensitive to medication, so I waited a long time to ask my new doctor for something else. I had been using St. John's wort for a while, and it really helped, but I think I became immune to it. When I started on Lexapro, I cut the 10 mg tablets in half and only took 5 mg for the first few days, then moved to 10 mg. The higher dose made me restless and anxious and unable to sleep, plus stomach cramps. The lower dose has some stomach discomfort and nighttime wakefulness, but antacids and melatonin control it. Plus, I'm losing extra weight!"

• bob...
• March 14, 2015

For Depression "Lexapro has worked well for me. My anxiety and depression are about gone. The first 2 months were pretty bad, and I almost quit many times, but I am glad I didn't. Side effects included night sweats, tinnitus, headaches, insomnia, sexual issues, dizziness. Most of this has resolved now after 3 months. Adding a B complex with folate and omega-3 seems to have helped me. This is a very good drug for anxiety and depression, but you'll need to be very patient and struggle through the initial side effects."

• Djb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 21, 2021

For Anxiety "I have had anxiety my entire life, but for the most part, I have managed it on my own. My therapist prescribed Lexapro 5mg and then worked up to 10mg. The side effects I experienced at first were nausea, headaches, and absolutely terrible restless insomnia. Then, after increasing my dose a month into taking it, I had an absolutely terrible experience. I had terrible intrusive thoughts that were completely against who I am. I had panic attacks that went on for days. I couldn’t sleep or eat. I was a different person, I felt like I had lost my mind and myself completely. It was the most terrifying experience I’ve ever had. I immediately stopped taking it, and then the withdrawal began. The intense brain-zapping feeling, the dizziness, the continuing anxiety attacks, the nightmares, the insomnia…. I feel like I was just pumping my body with poison. I will never take another medication again."

• kam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 11, 2019

For Anxiety "I’m on day four of Lexapro, and I feel like I’m going insane. I can hardly concentrate enough to write this review. I read up on the symptoms and was aware of all side effects before starting the med, but I had no idea it could be this bad. Feels like all the symptoms I was having prior to starting the med increased x 10. I haven’t slept but 4 hours the past two days, I can’t complete my sentences, yawning like crazy, and I feel paranoid. Way worse than before. IDK if I should stick it out feeling like this or quit before it gets worse. Following up with my psychiatrist tomorrow."

• Joh...
• June 1, 2016

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "My anxiety got to the point where treatment wasn't an option, I had to try something. I gave Lexapro a chance. It's been good for me. The drug has slowed down my anxiety. I feel less anxious around people, and in general, I feel like my internal monologue has slowed down a bit. I've noticed when I'm around people, I'm less reactive, whereas before I was jumpy and unsettled. I am on 10 mg. About a decade ago, I tried Zoloft and Effexor, both with mixed results. Currently, I take Lexapro and Adderall. It seems to be a good combo for me. There have been some side effects. My sleep is disrupted at times, I have trouble reaching orgasm, and sometimes I feel a bit lethargic. This drug is working well for me, I hope it continues to be effective."

• Dgo...
• May 30, 2019

For Anxiety "Was on Lexapro two years ago for largely physical symptoms of anxiety, loss of appetite, fatigue, nausea, and a knot in the stomach. Got minimum side effects except for hot flushes and sleep disturbances, but that went away after a couple of weeks. Stopped Lexapro after 9 months tapering off. Now back on it again, and it took about 3 weeks to feel the benefits. Have ups and downs, but it worked for me again, and I am largely free of the physical symptoms. 10 mg at the moment but may go to 15 mg. Been taking it for 6 weeks now."

• Amy...
• March 10, 2016

For Anxiety "Lexapro changed my life for the better! I had anxiety and needed help. My doctor put me on 15 mg Lexapro, and the first month was not fun as my body was getting used to the drug. I had dry mouth, sweating, and problems sleeping, but after a month, the side effects went away, and I feel normal again. I bumped it down to 10 mg and have been on it for 2 years."

• Spa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 21, 2014

For Anxiety "Starting Lexapro was tough. Shivering with stomach cramps, for a week I constantly felt like I had taken some bad, terribly impure Ecstasy. Once I became acclimated to the drug, my postpartum anxiety disappeared; however, I was incredibly fatigued during the day. I also stopped caring about most things in general. My house wasn't as clean, and creative endeavors came to a halt. My short-term memory declined. It felt like my brain was muffled. I experienced lucid, unnerving dreams/nightmares most nights while taking Lexapro. I gained 8 pounds in the 8 months I took it, all in my middle. It took a long time to get this off afterward. Getting off Lexapro was also tough, with back pain, insomnia, and 10 days of 'brain zaps'."

• Ash...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 16, 2019

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "So I've been taking Lexapro for a week, and I know I have to wait for at least six weeks before the general effect really shows (which is fine), but I am very confused. I've been warned countless times that it will cause insomnia, but I've actually been sleeping too much on it? 10 mg once a day in the morning, and I am knocked out at 4:30 in the afternoon (which isn't ideal with a 3-year-old and a husband recovering from surgery) and seem to have some sleep paralysis (no nightmares, I just cannot seem to move when woken up for dinner, but I can hear and see), which worries me if there is an emergency, I won't be able to respond. Apart from this, side effects are a lot better than other antidepressants I've been on in the past, and I am feeling good otherwise. It's too soon to expect this to be working, but I honestly haven't had any panic attacks or depressive thoughts since I started! Just some slight nausea the first couple of days and very foggy-headed (like being drunk), but cheery! Lol."

• Dlh...
• February 27, 2013

For Anxiety "Lexapro has changed my life. I am now able to participate in so many activities that my anxiety wouldn't allow me to do prior. There are side effects. I don't sleep great and have crazy dreams. Dry mouth, skin, and eyes are noticeably worse. Sexual feelings came back after a few months. Plus, I have more gas and stomach upset. But even with the side effects, my life has greatly improved."