Lexapro and Panic Attacks: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Jux...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 14, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "I've been on Lexapro for 3 days at 10 mg. My doctor prescribed it for my depression and anxiety. Every single day I've taken this, I've had horrible symptoms ranging from blurry vision, headaches, drowsiness, dizziness, disorientation, nausea, confusion, panic attacks, tightness in the chest. My whole body would begin to burn, and my hands would tingle. I'd have a weird jerking in my legs. Just bad side effects that affected my job and personal relationships. My doctor said she'd see me again in 2 months, but I'm not taking this stuff anymore, and I plan to call her in the morning. This is horrible!"

• Jul...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 20, 2020

For Anxiety "I can’t say much yet, but don’t think I’ll have the chance to since I don’t think this drug is working for me. It’s been almost 2 weeks on 5 mg to treat my GAD, and I have experienced on and off burning/tingling sensations in my limbs, decreased appetite, headache, change in vision, increased anxiety, and the absolute worst panic attacks of my life (felt like I was going to die and lasted over an hour). These side effects are absolutely horrible, and I don’t know if I can make it through to see it work. I have never felt worse."

• Jan...
• January 15, 2018

For Depression "For 8 years, I had depression, which I did not realize I had. Tired after waking up, low motivation, lazy, crying for nothing, stressed easily, gained weight, low libido, insomnia, no social contacts, etc. Until I asked for help from a doctor. I started with 10 mg for 1.5 months and, from today, 15 mg. I am very happy now as I see huge improvement - tiredness is gone, I cannot cry actually anymore (just cannot), I enjoy cleaning and organizing my home, playing with children, I am patient with children's mistakes and loudness now again, motivated to improve life, social contacts are a pleasure. The first 3 weeks were awful - felt sick, panic, depression, worthlessness, insomnia, but now after 1.5 months, I feel back in my skin! Happy. Libido is back again."

• ktu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 16, 2021

For Anxiety "I thought I would come back and share my updated experience because I think it can be very helpful. It has been 1 month now on Lexapro, and it has been somewhat of a rollercoaster, but it was worth it. Let me start off by saying, LISTEN TO YOUR BODY! I started on 5 mg and noticed the usual side effects, a week later, I went up to 10 mg and felt okay the first week. The 2nd week of being on 10 mg was awful, my anxiety was intensified, and I was having more panic attacks. I saw my doctor, and she put me back down to 5 mg, and I feel amazing! While everybody reacts to medication differently, the best piece of advice I have is to be patient and make sure you listen to your body and be in contact with your provider. As my doctor told me, you should not have to suffer more than you already have been for a longer period of time!"

• Jul...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 20, 2019

For Anxiety "Stay away from Lexapro!! I started taking 5 mg Lexapro 4 months ago. Starting the medication was rough, I experienced every terrible side effect it could offer. The worst was depression. I began Lexapro because of panic and anxiety, I’d never had a depressed thought in my life before taking this. After 3 weeks, I started to feel a little better, and my anxiety was under control. Fast forward to now - I am absolutely miserable! I’ve never had an issue sleeping, and now I have extreme insomnia. My anxiety and panic attacks are back and worse than before. My head hurts to the point of almost feeling like I have a brain tumor. I have zero motivation for life, which has made me a completely different person than I was before taking this medication. Taking Lexapro was the worst decision I’ve ever made. Don’t risk it."

• rwa...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 21, 2018

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I was on 10 mg Lexapro for about 14 years, and it was great. I recently decided to try and go down to 5 mg, and I crashed big-time. Now I'm back on the 10 mg for a little over a month. I was feeling better last weekend, but had a panic attack and could not get on a plane for work, which caused me to spiral all this week. Back to square 1. Wondering if I should ask my doctor to increase to 15 mg or more... I have not been sleeping this week, and it's hard to eat."

• Coo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 22, 2021

For Anxiety "Today, my 4th day on this med, my doctor started me on a 10 mg dose. The side effects have been horrible: headaches, nausea. The worst side effect is that I literally can't get out of bed, and I haven't been to work in 4 days. The doctor told me to cut the 10 mg tablet in half and start taking it at night because my body is getting used to the serotonin. I can't sleep, and it has been like this for a couple of days. I haven't gotten anxiety but have gotten panic attacks very little. I will update."

• Anonymous
• January 4, 2012

For Anxiety "I was prescribed 10 mg a day for anxiety/panic attacks. I'd never taken any sort of SSRI before. I took one pill and it scared me, I threw up several hours later and had the worst panic attack of my life. But I don't know if that was me or the pill. So, two weeks later, I chopped it in half and have taken 5 mg every day for the past 6 months. It has completely turned down the volume of anxiety and paranoia. I may never be able to go off of it. I have not had weight gain, anorgasmia, or decreased sex drive. I love it. I can live my life, it has taken that fog surrounding everything away. If you are super sensitive to medications like me, I encourage you to start with the lowest dose possible."

• Anonymous
• April 11, 2011

For Anxiety "I've been on Lexapro twice. The 1st time started in the fall of 2008. For some reason, at the age of 42, I began having dizziness, anxiety, and panic attacks. I was diagnosed with GAD and prescribed 1 mg Ativan for use as needed in the short term and 10 mg Lexapro for the long term. Within 3 weeks, I increased to 20 mg Lexapro. Within another 3 weeks, my anxiety had all but vanished, and I quit Ativan. My racing thoughts and worries subsided. I was able to sleep better at night and concentrate better at work. No weight gain either, but I exercise regularly. I stayed on Lexapro for 1 year. No problems getting off on a tapered schedule over 3 months. In spring 2011, anxiety returned due to marriage issues. Back on 10 mg Lexapro with the same great results."

• Anonymous
• February 25, 2015

For Depression "Had a major depressive episode out of nowhere (no stressful life circumstances). When I started on 10 mg, I stayed awake 40 hours straight and had panic attacks. Went off it. After horrible Effexor side effects, I started on 5 mg of Lexapro again (I was absolutely desperate) and gradually increased. For the first two weeks, this drug made my anxiety/depression way worse, and I became delusional, but once I took a very small dose of Seroquel, I became progressively better each day, and I have no symptoms of mental illness whatsoever anymore. Completely healed me of depression."

• Doi...
• August 24, 2015

For Anxiety "I was diagnosed with anxiety after having several bouts of severe anxiety and many lesser episodes. On two occasions, I went to the ER thinking I was having a heart attack. My doctor prescribed Lexapro. I don't recall any of the issues others describe, and after two weeks or so, I was feeling much better and only suffered from a few smaller episodes. I have noticed that heavy drinking is a disaster while on this medication and results in me feeling ill and panic. I have had no other side effects. I did run out for nearly a week once and did feel some negative feelings coming on. I do not plan to run out ever again. I have taken 10 mg since the start three years ago. Avoid heavy drinking!"

• Bs1...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 23, 2019

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Horrible drug in my experience. I started this Lexapro for GAD. Dr. started me on 10 mg, I took it for 2 weeks and had shivers, sweating, no sex drive, insomnia, dry mouth, headaches, blurry vision, night terrors, dysphoria, 12-hour panic attacks, and suicidal thoughts. Returned to the doctor, and they said because it had only been 2 weeks at 10 mg, I could stop cold turkey and should be okay because the drug needs longer than that to really build up in the system. I’m on day 2 without taking it, and although I don’t feel great yet, I do feel much better. I can live with my anxiety, but I absolutely cannot live with those side effects! I urge anyone thinking of starting this drug to think long and hard about it before starting!!"

• HL...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 10, 2021

For Anxiety "I just wanted to share my experience with Lexapro 10 mg. So out of the blue, I started to experience pretty severe anxiety. A lot was going on in my life at the time (working and going to grad school, renovating a house by myself, unhealthy relationship), and my brain was on absolute overdrive. I wasn't sleeping and was having panic attacks every day multiple times a day. My mother recommended Lexapro, and it changed my life. My anxiety got worse the first two weeks, but after that, the symptoms began to taper, and I started sleeping better again. From my experience, I didn't start to feel 100% for about a month or two. There's something absolutely critical you have to understand about this medicine: it dulls the symptoms but does not fully cure them. For me, working on myself mentally, getting exercise, eating right, and taking back my life in addition to the medicine helped tremendously, and my doctor agrees this is the way you should handle this medicine. No magic pills here."

• Gan...
• May 25, 2016

For Anxiety "My experience with Lexapro is very good. First of all, I had extreme panic attacks every day, extreme anxiety, extreme weakness. After one week of taking it, I feel more powerful, no panic attacks, but anxiety is still there. I hope in a few weeks anxiety will be gone."

• Lea...
• June 15, 2021

For Anxiety "Day one. Good day, I am a 41-year-old black female married, with children. I mentioned my race because culturally my people will not seek help as it's a stigma that you are weak. I made a major move from Michigan to Fort Lauderdale, leaving behind everything I knew, including my daughters for a few months. It triggered the panic attacks I again suffered. I started to self-medicate with marijuana, which honestly worked miracles for me up until recently. I'm starting to feel that weed is causing me more anxiety. Two weeks ago, I blacked out and had two major attacks from excessive smoking. These last few attacks landed me in the ER twice in two days. Over the last few weeks after that, I have not been the same, my anxiety was now being aided with mild depression. I finally sought help from my psychiatrist, and now I have a therapist as well. This is my first day on Lexapro am dose. I had to go home for lunch and take a nap, I couldn't keep my eyes open. I don't think it's Lexapro alone."

• Cat...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 2, 2022

For Depression "I started taking Escitalopram about 3 years ago to address anxiety and depression. For the first week, I started at 5 mg and then 10 mg and experienced a panic attack and some increased anxiety, excessive yawning, and nausea. These side effects disappeared within a few weeks. I am now taking 20 mg and find that this is the most effective dose for me. The medication helps me feel more motivated, my brain feels calmer, and I am more easily able to counter negative thoughts rather than dwelling on them. I have more energy, and my mood feels more stable with less ups and downs, especially around my menstrual cycle. I also feel less anxious in social situations and previous situations where I would feel anxiety, such as before making a presentation at work. Overall, this medication works really well for me, and I’m satisfied."

• Ami...
• April 5, 2014

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I wish Lexapro worked for me like it seems to for everyone else. The first few weeks were a nightmare (tired, nauseous, dizzy, panic attacks), but it did get me out of the deep slump I was in. Then I seemed to get better out of the blue, but for the past couple of weeks, I've slowly been slipping back into that slump. I've been on it about 2 months. It's causing me to have the most bizarre nightmares. I can't stop thinking about them during the day. I feel like a total zombie too, no emotion whatsoever. I guess that's why I feel like my anxiety has been eased. I've never felt like this before, it's just bizarre."

• Anonymous
• November 5, 2009

For Depression "I recently stopped taking Lexapro. It was giving me what they call 'stinking thinking.' At first, it worked well for my anxiety and depression, then I started having these symptoms that felt like a panic attack, as well as severe negativity in my thought process, not to mention zero sex drive. I feel much better since stopping the medicine. I'm a nurse, and it would make me so slow in my thought process. I was constantly wondering if I was actually helping or hurting my patients."

• Sha...
• January 4, 2017

For Depression "I was put on Lexapro 3 years ago to treat depression and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. The first 2 months were standard. Adjusting and getting the dose right. I ended up on 20 mg. After the initial adjustment, I experienced panic attacks, which came frequently, worsening anxiety. Over 3 years, I gained 12 kg. It in no way helped PMDD. I weaned myself from 20 mg down to 5 mg over 6 months, which was hell, then stayed on 5 mg for another 12 months. I have since had my ovaries removed and a total hysterectomy to get rid of PMDD. Now, 4 weeks ago, I stopped the 5 mg cold turkey, as the tapering was so bad. Lexapro took so much of my life, and coming off is the hardest thing I've ever done, and I'm still withdrawing after 4 weeks. It's been a nightmare!"

• Tom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 3, 2021

For Anxiety "Awful. It made me go insane to the point I had to ring the GP and cry down the phone that I was going mad because I couldn’t stop full body tremors and panic all day to the point my ribs are now permanently painful. It is an awful drug like the rest of the SSRIs. The only way to fix anxiety is to resolve the underlying unless it truly is a serotonin problem. These made me absolutely manic, and if you’re suffering the same, please beg your GP to stop it and get support."

• jen...
• November 8, 2011

For Depression "Lexapro has given me back my life! Before I started on Lexapro, my job performance suffered, my relationships suffered, and my schoolwork suffered. I would cry randomly and have panic attacks. Now, I am happier and get along with people better. I am doing well at work and school."

• Mom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 9, 2023

For Anxiety "The first couple of days were great. It calmed my anxiety and OCD thoughts. On day 3, I ended up calling an ambulance in the middle of the night because I couldn't see straight and felt like I couldn't breathe. Worst panic attack I've ever had. Stopped taking it the next day."

• rai...
• May 14, 2018

For Depression "I had my anxiety and panic attacks under control for 8 years thanks to CBT. But I became depressed, so I decided to try 5 mg Lexapro. First week I felt apathetic and lethargic. The second week I had anxiety, panic attacks, hypomania, extreme fidgetiness, internal vibrations, strange cold sensations, and a fast heart rate. I tried to stick it out, but after 3.5 weeks the symptoms became unbearable. After stopping, it has taken a month for my body to begin to feel normal again. After seeing multiple psychiatrists, I believe I experienced SSRI-induced 'activation syndrome.' A genetic test later advised me to not take SSRIs because I may have an 'adverse reaction.' My prescribing doctor did not recognize the activation syndrome but instead thought my symptoms pointed to Bipolar II and ADHD (untrue). These drugs are still experimental, and doctors aren’t always aware of side effects. I did notice increased positive thinking and motivation on Lexapro, but with the awful side effects, it just wasn’t worth continuing."

• ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 22, 2022

For Anxiety "HORRIBLE! I was on 75 mg of Zoloft, but I decided to ask for Lexapro since I thought I was depressed. Turns out I just had symptoms of depression due to GAD. Well, I started on 10 mg of Lexapro. Withdrawal symptoms from Zoloft were horrible because I had been on Zoloft for a couple of years. Lexapro turned me into a nervous wreck. I had panic attacks, stress out of this world, I could not cope. I signed up for an outpatient psychiatric hospital because of this. I got out because I found out it was because I was going downhill due to Lexapro. Well, I was about to be put on 20 mg of Lexapro, but I made sure I wasn’t. Life was a living hell on Lexapro. I upped the Zoloft. I’m still anxious, and I was on Lexapro for a month. Honestly, don’t try it. Get Zoloft or something that actually works."

• Anonymous
• January 3, 2012

For Anxiety "When I became pre-menopausal, I developed increased anxiety, panic attacks, heart racing, etc. My doctor recommended Lexapro. Within 1 week of taking this medicine, I noticed a difference. I became calmer, easier to live with, and all my anxiety symptoms disappeared. Literally got my life back. This is a miracle."