Lexapro and Panic Attacks: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Ove...
• November 22, 2008

For Anxiety "My mom died when I was 4, and last semester I always had anxiety in the background. Now, at 15, spring semester of '08, I had some mild panic attacks and worry, nervousness, sadness, and excessive shyness all day long. This medication is a lifesaver, and I love it. They say 8 weeks for the full effect, and sure, it might rebalance your chemicals in 8 weeks, but give it a chance as it still takes a while after that for you to break out of your shell."

• ang...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 22, 2018

For Anxiety "I have been on Lexapro 5 mg (7 days at the beginning) and upped to 10 mg almost two weeks ago (for depression and anxiety). Straight away I had very vivid dreams and a dry mouth. When I upped to 10 mg, I became increasingly anxious and emotionally unstable. I am not able to stop crying and panicking at every situation. My paranoid racing thoughts were uncontrollable and disturbing, making me think all my close friends and family were turning against me (prior to medication, my anxious thoughts often surrounded the idea that nobody loved me and were only pretending). Just wondering how long this side effect will last as it’s really negatively impacting my life and overwhelming me and ruining my relationship and self-esteem."

• Rv8...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 11, 2021

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I thought I would pay it forward because the reviews on here kept me going during the first week of absolute torture it was to take this medication. I have a panic disorder, and the first week it was absolutely the worst it has ever been. I chose to tough it out because of what I read. I am now on day 10 and feel good! No panic, manageable anxiety. I feel normal for the first time in a long time."

• ash...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 10, 2013

For Anxiety "I suffer from hypochondria and panic disorder. I was so afraid to take medication. After 2 years, I finally took Cipralex. It has made my anxiety a lot more tolerable. I've had a few major panic attacks, but overall, a good experience. I've been on 20 mg for 2 years."

• MIc...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 8, 2019

For Depression "Helped my depression a lot, but tons of side effects. Couldn't even have 1 drink while on it because it felt like I was overdosing on a nervous system depressant (heaviness/pain in arms and legs/chest). ALSO kept being woken up in the middle of the night with extreme panic/heart palpitations. Felt disconnected from my body a lot too. Things I never experienced before taking Lexapro. Weaned myself off it, and the side effects went away. Not worth the benefits."

• QCa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 24, 2019

For Anxiety "I am a 33-year-old male, and I have been taking 10 mg Lexapro for about 5 weeks now. I started on 5 mg for the first week after switching from sertraline for anxiety. I have had at least one panic attack every day for the past week. I have been to the ER twice in the past 2 weeks for what I thought was a heart attack or stroke. My blood work is normal, my EKG is normal. I was given Valium or lorazepam and told to 'relax, it was just a bad panic attack.' Today is the first day of tapering off of Lexapro, I can't wait to get it out of my system."

• Wno...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 22, 2022

For Depression "I am 62 years old, and until the last few months, I had never, ever had a panic attack. I would say I am a situational worrier and get anxious about loss and health issues, but I have never had to take anything for it. In my early 20s, after marrying and getting a home and my parents splitting, I had some anxiety and depression, and I dealt with it, but all these years have passed, and now this. There have been many life events the past 5 years, and perhaps that is what has brought me to this place. My father passing, my brother divorcing my favorite sister-in-law, our teenage son challenging us, a thyroid condition, and a pandemic and more. Our bodies and minds do break down. I started on Lexapro, generic version, two weeks ago, 5 mg. I dreaded it. I am a health freak, ugh! I had tried everything natural before. I feel like crap. All I do is stay in bed and sleep. Anxiety and panic seemed to go the first week, but went to 10 mg (per doctor), and it came back. Scary! Depression not gone. Early!"

• Kat...
• September 25, 2017

For Depression "I had a terrible experience on this drug. It resulted in me having regular panic attacks, heart palpitations, caused me to become trapped in a negative state and paranoid. I'm not one who reviews meds very often, but this medication proved to be very dangerous for me. I spent a lot of time in a state of paranoia. My doctor did not listen to me when I kept stating it wasn't right for me. In the end, I reduced my dose (I don't condone this though) and have been off it for around 4 months now. I can honestly say I'm doing much better, able to function, don't stay in states of paranoia, etc. I'm also able to make clear choices, etc."

• NLS...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 22, 2019

For Anxiety "I was diagnosed with mild anxiety and IBS and put on Lexapro 6 weeks ago. I had low levels of anxiety and IBS. I started on 5 mg for 6 weeks, moved to 10 mg 6 days ago, and shortly after moving to the higher dose, had 2 severe panic attacks. In the last 5 days on 10 mg, I went into a state of hysteria with symptoms including blurred vision, hypertension, high anxiety, difficulty focusing, trouble with basic motor function, 4 panic attacks, and many other severe symptoms. It's been a life of pure hell, which resulted in me taking 2 days off work. I saw my GP yesterday, and she has asked that I reduce back to 5 mg for 3 days, then stop. The belief is that I have had a severe reaction to Lexapro and that I need to stop. I have been recommended to stop, return to baseline, and then see a psychiatrist."

• Roz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 4, 2014

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Completely numbed me, gave me horrible panic attacks. Even when I'd gotten used to the medication, my panic attacks turned into a deep depression and felt completely lifeless. 5 weeks in, I couldn't do it anymore."

• Ste...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 23, 2021

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Hope all doing well and getting there? I was on Lexapro for just over 7 months. It never really worked for me, but I gave it a good go to work. I stopped at the beginning of June, now off for 4.5 months. I tapered down from 10mg to 10mg, then to 5mg, no problems. From 5mg to 2.5mg, very little issues. From 2.5mg to 1.25mg, I really started to have issues. I stayed on 1.25mg for 6 weeks before stopping, and all I can say is it has been a brutal journey. The first 4 weeks: total confusion, ringing ears through low-level anxiety and panic attacks. From week 8 to 12, having different symptoms every day, all very uncomfortable and difficult to function with. After 3.5 months, I went private to a consultant, as I was very concerned about how I was feeling after such a long period. He advised it is common from Lexapro, he advised I was about to enter the final phase of withdrawal. Symptoms included severe anxiety, panic attacks, low mood, etc. I didn’t expect what happened to me after about 10 days into this."

• Apr...
• August 26, 2017

For Depression "I took 1 pill and had a rapid heartbeat and elevated blood pressure hours after taking. I did not take another, but on day 2, I had a horrible headache and nausea, and I was also seeing things. I felt like I was going crazy, and I wanted to do anything to get it to stop. It has given me four panic attacks in three days, whereas I only ever had 2 in my whole life. This isn't worth it, and I'd take depression over this nuttiness any day."

• Rev...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 12, 2019

For Anxiety "Unfortunately, Lexapro did not work for me. Been on it for three years and switching to Effexor. I still felt anxious for no reason, felt down a lot, and had panic attacks. I hope this new medication works better for me."

• C d...
• March 30, 2016

For Anxiety "I took Lexapro for almost 4 weeks and quit because it was pure hell. I tried to push through the side effects, but they never went away. Insomnia, couldn't eat, anxiety hit the roof, panic attacks every night, and crazy thoughts. Was not for me."

• Max...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 4, 2019

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I got prescribed Lexapro for GAD (just been diagnosed). If it would be possible, I'd give this drug a negative rating. It made my anxiety and insomnia 10x worse. I started from a tiny dose - 5 mg, and I became overly stimulated and happy at first - it almost felt like cocaine, and then I was unable to sleep and got extremely anxious to the point of experiencing mild psychosis. I knew those side effects might last for a while, so I continued for almost two weeks, hoping it would get better, but it made me completely wrecked - I couldn't sleep for longer than 4 hours, I started having severe panic attacks, and I was hardly able to work. Now I take only 50 mg of trazodone for sleep, and I take large doses of inositol (flat tablespoon) if I experience panic attacks, and it works. Maybe this drug works for some people, but for me, it was the worst 2 weeks of my life."

• Lan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 4, 2016

For Depression "I went to my OB/GYN to ask about Lexapro for some major depression and anxiety I was experiencing. Lexapro had worked quite well for a friend of mine. I had previously taken Zoloft a few years prior, and it made my postpartum depression worse. I had great hopes for this drug, but it unfortunately did NOT work well for me. I felt like a zombie. I believe it gave me psychosis. I also experienced my first panic attack after being on 10 mg for 3 days. I then took 5 mg for two more days and stopped taking it altogether. Still, 3 months after stopping, I am having panic attacks with some psychotic features. I've pulled myself out of that deep depression, though. Still have bad days occasionally, but I'm only taking Xanax as needed."

• Bab...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 17, 2017

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I was prescribed this med for GAD/anxiety. Worst 10 days of my life. Nausea, retching, dilated pupils, insomnia, and vivid dreams, but worse yet, near-constant panic attacks. Coming off it now. I understand this drug helps many people. Unfortunately, I was not one of them."

• chr...
• December 8, 2010

For Anxiety "Last year, I broke out in hives all over my body from an allergic reaction. Had panic attacks and suffered from anxiety - tingling in head, crazy numbness, and so on, all anxiety symptoms, made me feel like I was going crazy. Lexapro has been a miracle medicine for me. I've been taking it for about 6 months. I feel so much more calm and no more anxiety symptoms or panic attacks."

• Rya...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 15, 2022

For Major Depressive Disorder "Started this drug in November of 2021. I wanted to try something that could get me through some difficult grieving I was experiencing from losing my dad. Had a few short stints with it over the years but never made it through the side effects in the beginning, so I stopped. My primary started me on 10 mg for about 1 month and a half and then moved me up to 20 mg. The side effects were brutal: panic attacks, extreme nausea, fatigue, and some lightheadedness. After the effects subsided, I have felt nothing. I am on constant autopilot. I can't cry or even feel emotions. I'm just stuck in a fog and feel so disoriented every day. My anxiety is through the roof and I can hardly get through the day without having a panic attack. I know this isn't supposed to primarily help with anxiety, but some have said it has done something for them. I quit cold turkey in June 2022 and since then have been able to feel things. Sadly, the feelings are so heightened that it's hard to manage sometimes."

• JJa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 4, 2021

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Lexapro is much stronger than I was led to believe. The side effects were so strong for me, it was only 10 mg, but I would not do it again as it gave me a panic attack and I felt worse than what I was trying to fix. So keep in touch with your doctor for any side effect symptoms that bother you!"

• roc...
• July 15, 2010

For Anxiety "I have to share my experience. I have developed anxiety over the last few months. Small panic attacks, moody behavior. My doctor prescribed me the 4-week introduction pack, 10 mg. I must be super sensitive. I took one pill and within an hour, I was unable to function. Severe mania, made my anxiety worse. My eyes started to get really sensitive. This is the day after, and I am still suffering."

• Anonymous
• July 10, 2011

For Depression "I have taken Lexapro for three months and never felt better after suffering a stroke at the age of 23 due to a birth defect in my brainstem. I was switched to Celexa because my insurance does not cover Lexapro. I felt all the anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, not wanting to get off the couch return. I went back on Lexapro and will pay whatever the cost. The side effects, for me, are weight gain. I gained 10 pounds despite running 6 to 12 miles a day. I crave bad, bad food, which I never used to care about. My sex drive is, well, gone. I have to work on it. I guess 10 lbs, paying the monthly price at the pharmacy, and the side effects above are well worth my quality of life."

• Whi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 8, 2022

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Lexapro gave me my life back! I was struggling with GAD for some months and tried other medications before my psychiatrist prescribed Lexapro. I was dealing with panic attacks every day and literally didn’t know what to do with my life anymore. The first day I felt a difference, it was like a breath of fresh air. The next couple of weeks I still had some “off days,” but by the end of week 4, I was able to live regularly again. If you’re just starting Lexapro, just remember it’s not a miracle drug. It takes time. Give it 4-6 weeks and try not to give up while waiting to see results. I still suffer from panic attacks and anxiety, but it is so much easier to bear. Don’t let all of the negative reviews scare you. What may not work for someone else may work for you!"

• Val...
• August 8, 2016

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I got this prescribed for frequent panic attacks and anxiety. All this medicine did for me was create a much bigger sense of anxiety. I should have known the first time I took this to never take it again, but I knew I needed to try it out for longer in hopes it would work. Immediately after I would take this, my anxiety would worsen, and after it settled, I would experience uncontrollable panic attacks lasting over 2 hours. I do not recommend if you are incapable of waiting over a month with this being a possible side effect when taking it."

• Swi...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 18, 2018

For Anxiety "The psychiatrist has been having me take it for the last 11 years, and at first, I had no problem. Now, I have near-daily panic attacks, and they want to put me on more meds. Not a great med (and not a great psychiatrist). Also, if I miss my dose by 3 or 4 hours, I have extremely intense withdrawal symptoms."