Lexapro and Tiredness: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Ber...
• September 23, 2013

For Anxiety "I've been taking Lexapro for 2 months now for depression and panic attacks, which seem to come from nowhere (and I've never truly understood how scary a panic attack could be until that moment). It has helped me tremendously! Suddenly, this last week, the side effects, which had seemed to taper, have returned. I have the addition of a headache (which I did not have in the beginning) and irritability. I'm also noticeably more tired than I was before. I am now taking the Lexapro in the evening instead of in the morning to help with sleep - but am curious if it is normal to have the side effects go in waves? It seemed as if they were mostly gone except for the lethargy, now they are increasing."

• Ber...
• September 23, 2013

For Anxiety "I've been taking Lexapro for 2 months now for depression and panic attacks, which seem to come from nowhere (and I've never truly understood how scary a panic attack could be until that moment). It has helped me tremendously! Suddenly, this last week, the side effects, which had seemed to taper, have returned. I have the addition of a headache (which I did not have in the beginning) and irritability. I'm also noticeably more tired than I was before. I am now taking the Lexapro in the evening instead of in the morning to help with sleep - but am curious if it is normal to have the side effects go in waves? It seemed as if they were mostly gone except for the lethargy, now they are increasing."

• ade...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 22, 2019

For Anxiety "I've had bad anxiety (mostly social anxiety) for as long as I can remember, and taking this medication has finally allowed me to function. I started on 5 mg, I think, and the only annoying thing when I started was I was tired and yawning all the time, but once my body got used to it, it didn't make me tired anymore. I now take 10 milligrams, and I did try taking 15 because I still had depression, but at 15, it seemed like I was just getting side effects without added effectiveness. I'm going to be trying a different medication just because my depression has been kicking my butt, but this did work for my anxiety."

• ade...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 22, 2019

For Anxiety "I've had bad anxiety (mostly social anxiety) for as long as I can remember, and taking this medication has finally allowed me to function. I started on 5 mg, I think, and the only annoying thing when I started was I was tired and yawning all the time, but once my body got used to it, it didn't make me tired anymore. I now take 10 milligrams, and I did try taking 15 because I still had depression, but at 15, it seemed like I was just getting side effects without added effectiveness. I'm going to be trying a different medication just because my depression has been kicking my butt, but this did work for my anxiety."

• The...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 20, 2019

For Anxiety "I took Lexapro for a couple of years. It basically numbed me out emotionally, which was better than being distressed, but it made me tired, took away my sex drive, and made me very apathetic towards life. Overall, the negatives outweighed the positives. I call these the 'I don't give a damn pills.'"

• 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."

• Ano...
• December 7, 2011

For Anxiety "46 YO Male 195 lbs with 10 weeks use: Suffered from anxiety and surely some depression due to prolonged anxiety. Started with 10 mg at bedtime. No show-stopping side effects. My side effects were: anorgasmia, tinnitus, constipation, yawning, muscle tension in my neck, lower spine, and stomach area, weak erection (initially), some lethargy, and having to urinate in the night. At 10 mg, anorgasmia was overcome after 14 days, and at 20 mg dose it took ANOTHER 35 days. I feel happier, more patient, less obsessive, and with reduced anxiety. Side effects now are: mild tinnitus, mild muscle tension in stomach and nightly bathroom run. My advice: Be VERY patient and get your brain chemicals stabilized before you worry about the sex. Your body will adapt again. I'll use it for life. Good luck!"

• Ano...
• December 7, 2011

For Anxiety "46 YO Male 195 lbs with 10 weeks use: Suffered from anxiety and surely some depression due to prolonged anxiety. Started with 10 mg at bedtime. No show-stopping side effects. My side effects were: anorgasmia, tinnitus, constipation, yawning, muscle tension in my neck, lower spine, and stomach area, weak erection (initially), some lethargy, and having to urinate in the night. At 10 mg, anorgasmia was overcome after 14 days, and at 20 mg dose it took ANOTHER 35 days. I feel happier, more patient, less obsessive, and with reduced anxiety. Side effects now are: mild tinnitus, mild muscle tension in stomach and nightly bathroom run. My advice: Be VERY patient and get your brain chemicals stabilized before you worry about the sex. Your body will adapt again. I'll use it for life. Good luck!"

• Jes...
• June 21, 2015

For Anxiety "I've recently suffered a relationship breakdown. My anxiety eventually spiraled out of control to the point I walked out of my job, life, and all 'responsibilities' to return home like a child. OCD negative thoughts, inability to go two days without crying, constant fear of anxiety returning, weight loss, and inability to sleep/function basically LIVE!! I was so scared of the horror stories, but at rock bottom, there's nowhere but up, right? I have been on 5 mg for four days now. Taking it before bed. First night, very nauseous, the next day, feeling tired, teary, and 'distracted'. However, I have noticed a general improvement in my mood after four days. A good day yesterday and terrible today. But! I'm persevering. Thanks all for positive stories. :o)"

• Not...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 10, 2016

For Anxiety "Lexapro (or the Escitalopram version in my country) was almost immediately successful in treating my anxiety and extreme rage issues. I've been using it for 8 months, but experience one major side effect: constant tiredness or lethargy. I've tried taking it at other times during the day, but no change. I sleep really well at night, have vivid dreams, am more creative and able to solve problems - if I can stay awake during the day. I get really drowsy two hours after taking this and can easily nap for a couple of hours in the afternoon. I'm no longer a bitch, but also no longer awake. So I will have to choose between being mentally sharp or being anxious and angry all the time."

• Not...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 10, 2016

For Anxiety "Lexapro (or the Escitalopram version in my country) was almost immediately successful in treating my anxiety and extreme rage issues. I've been using it for 8 months, but experience one major side effect: constant tiredness or lethargy. I've tried taking it at other times during the day, but no change. I sleep really well at night, have vivid dreams, am more creative and able to solve problems - if I can stay awake during the day. I get really drowsy two hours after taking this and can easily nap for a couple of hours in the afternoon. I'm no longer a bitch, but also no longer awake. So I will have to choose between being mentally sharp or being anxious and angry all the time."

• Chr...
• July 27, 2019

For Anxiety "I'm 51 and have been on 10 mg of Lexapro for about 18 years, and it has done wonders. I've been feeling some uptick in my anxiety and depression, so the doctor upped my dosage to 15 mg. It's been a week now, and the side effects are awful. I feel lethargic, sad, unmotivated, terrible headache, and have 0 appetite - I've lost about 10 lbs. in a week. I'm going to cut back to 10 mg and hope these wicked side effects go away quickly and deal with my anxiety differently."

• New...
• April 9, 2013

For Anxiety "I am a mom to two sweet, high-energy toddlers that challenge me every minute of the day. I did start feeling on the edge and extremely stressed with my older son. Now I have been on Lexapro for almost two months, and so far I like it-I feel more patient and calmer, but not a zombie. I was very scared to gain more weight on top of my remaining pregnancy weight, but actually, I started losing weight since my appetite decreased. I hope it continues. I am on 10 mg. The side effects: super low libido and possibly feeling a bit more tired. If that's all I am going to experience, I will stick to it for another 5-6 months. Overall, it is way better than Celexa or Zoloft for me. Good luck!"

• Bri...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 30, 2021

For Anxiety "Anyone reading this wondering when you’ll feel better, take it from me, it takes at least a few weeks to feel a solid difference and definitely at least 6 for relief. The first week can be worse as you encounter anything from yawning, dry mouth, fatigue, nausea, and ironically, MORE anxiety. This is totally NORMAL and means the medicine is working and your body is adjusting to it. Hang in there as sweet relief is on the other side of this pain. I had been on 10 mg previously for a few years and made the silly mistake of thinking I was “better” and didn’t need it anymore. Big mistake. Huge. After I had successfully weaned myself off it by tapering my dosage over a few weeks, I started to feel absolutely horrible. This awful feeling of dread, increased anxiety, and insomnia made me reach for the Lexapro again. I’ve been back on it for nearly 3 weeks now and only just starting to feel better. This morning was the first time I didn’t wake up in a mild panic and ruminating over stuff."

• Lex...
• May 1, 2018

For Anxiety "I started Lexapro, and on the 5th day, I woke up wide awake. This has never happened to me, and I felt so different. I got weirded out and got up to grab some water. On my way, I felt a cold sweat, and my body went completely paralyzed. I felt a fear I didn't know I was capable of feeling. I tried to scream, but my vocal cords were paralyzed. I waited for death, completely terrified. Then my ears started ringing, and I slowly got all my senses back. I was able to breathe again and started to hyperventilate from the panic. I was exhausted after that. I got in to see my doctor ASAP. I fell asleep in the waiting room, and I can normally barely fall asleep in my own bed. He told me it doesn't even do anything in the first week and was all a placebo effect and got upset with me because I didn't want to continue it. I don't think there's appropriate education being placed on this towards medical professionals. I realize they can help, but there seems to be complete denial about adverse effects."

• lau...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 24, 2019

For Anxiety "I’ve had general anxiety my entire life but got diagnosed with Panic Disorder almost a year ago after suffering a bad concussion. My panic attacks were so bad I couldn’t be in a car or go anywhere with the fear of having an attack. I started Lexapro 10mg and instantly, in the first week, had less anxiety symptoms and no panic attacks, I was able to go back to my normal life. Eventually, I needed to up my dosage to 20mg. Had no panic attacks at all but was having anxiety symptoms such as super bad derealization. Started having bad side effects such as fatigue, brain fog, being super tired all the time even when I would sleep 10 hours a night, had eyesight problems (eyes felt like they would zoom in and out), and super bad vivid dreams, to the point where I couldn’t tell what was real and what wasn’t. The drug helped my panic attacks, but the bad side effects outweigh the benefits of this drug, so I am switching to something else."

• mh1...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 6, 2015

For Major Depressive Disorder "Was once on Lexapro 20 mg many years ago. Stopped taking because of pregnancies. Been 20 months since my youngest was born and started to struggle badly. I finally caved in and went back on them. Have been on them now 12 days and still get a bit of nausea and always tired. Constant yawning. But mentally I have been great! I do feel a little dull in the emotions part, but to be honest, it's better than it was before. Hopefully, the side effects subside :)"

• mh1...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 6, 2015

For Major Depressive Disorder "Was once on Lexapro 20 mg many years ago. Stopped taking because of pregnancies. Been 20 months since my youngest was born and started to struggle badly. I finally caved in and went back on them. Have been on them now 12 days and still get a bit of nausea and always tired. Constant yawning. But mentally I have been great! I do feel a little dull in the emotions part, but to be honest, it's better than it was before. Hopefully, the side effects subside :)"

• Ali...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 24, 2013

For Depression "Lexapro seemed to do some things to help with the negative thinking I had from depression, but it had the side effect of making me extremely tired all the time, which was enough to counteract any of the positive benefits I was getting from it. Zoloft ended up being the better medication for me."

• Cia...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 21, 2019

For Anxiety "I have been dealing with anxiety for a few months now. Initially went to the ER a few times not knowing what it was. Then was told it could be anxiety and took Lorazepam (prescribed from the ER doctor), which worked amazingly! Then went to a primary care doctor and was prescribed 10 mg of this medication, Lexapro. After 2 hours of taking the medication, I had a terrible panic attack with a fast heartbeat, super fatigued, dizziness, sweats, and a little lethargic. The doctor wanted me to cut the pill in half and continue taking it, but I am way too afraid and would rather not deal with those side effects and just deal with my anxiety and self-heal."

• 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."

• rob...
• July 6, 2016

For Anxiety "I have only been taking Lexapro a few days, but I can tell a bit of improvement. As of now, I still get paranoid or, to say, anxious, which makes me exhausted. And I'm not much on going around people a lot, just one-on-one conversations with a friend or relative. Hoping and praying it works like a lot of posts here, which are positive. Hoping to gain weight, for I'm at 113 lbs... when I was 130. Yeah, lost quite a bit of weight. The Lexapro I'm hoping will give me a better appetite, which I've read it does. This is an update on day 6: I slept a full 8 hours, and that was with getting off to sleep with the help of Xanax. But I really feel better and have some energy, and some of the worry is gone... and hoping to get better. Going to keep taking it."

• sha...
• June 2, 2009

For Anxiety "I was on Paxil and switched to Lexapro a few years back (3) and have not had many side effects. It really does calm me down, so I have become a nicer person and shrug off things that I would normally go crazy about, less shouting, etc. I take 20 mg. I do feel it has made me lazier and as a result, I have been putting on some weight as I exercise less. It does affect orgasms, which are much harder to pull off and take incredible effort. I tried 3 times to go off the drug cold turkey, with terrible results. I just became depressed. After a few days, I just went back on it again and after 15 minutes felt the glow of calm come into my body and I was 'normal' again. It is addictive, to quit, definitely need to decrease dose gradually."

• vec...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 28, 2022

For Anxiety "I’ve struggled with anxiety and depression, in the long term as well as being diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and learning disabilities in reading/writing and processing. My mental health became unmanageable, and my psychiatrist prescribed this medication alongside my current ADHD non-stimulant medication. I’ve had tremendous success on Lexapro. My issues are much more under control, though it’s not a cure for everything. Seeing a therapist and also changing life habits are also important, but the medication is able to essentially turn down the volume of my issues, allowing me to live a normal life. I’ve also had better sleep over the past couple of years. I’ve been on 20 mg for a while for the severity of my issues, but I can well tolerate it. Side effects can include tiredness, so my psychiatrist said to take it in the late afternoon and then take melatonin 3 mg at night. It is a pill that you take with water once daily."