Escitalopram and Dizziness: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Eli...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 27, 2020

For Anxiety "I was on this medication for 2 days for anxiety and depression and was asked by my doctor to stop it immediately. I was experiencing flu-like symptoms: nausea, dizziness, chills, trembling, shivers, diarrhea, and fatigue. It gave me terrible insomnia as well and made me very forgetful, and I couldn’t move from my bed."

• Ems...
• November 9, 2014

Escitalopram for Major Depressive Disorder "I was a very emotional teenager and couldn't handle small problems. After trauma around the age of 17, I was diagnosed with major depressive disorder, anxiety, mood swings, and a personality disorder. I started taking escitalopram 10, and of course, the first weeks were still as bad as before or even worse, but for me, it felt like I was already in hell. After a month, I felt great! Just a clear head, stable, no running thoughts or emotions, and just happy and peaceful. After one and a half years, I quit drop by drop in a time lapse of 3 months, but I had to start again because all the symptoms came back. It is really hard to just start taking again or to admit you need it. All side effects are, in my opinion, way nicer than uncontrollable emotions."

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

Escitalopram 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."

• Vio...
• July 16, 2019

Escitalopram for Anxiety "I have been using Lexapro for almost 2 months now, and the change has been amazing. I had suffered from anxiety and depression for most of my life, and my doctor prescribing this medication has been a lifesaver for me. I used to have episodes of crying, extreme depression, and suicidal thoughts, but all those have gone away or diminished to the point where they're basically nonexistent. I feel like I can handle life and its minor irritations with so much more confidence now, more than I have ever in the past. I still have issues, and every day is still a battle at times, but I don't know what I would do if I hadn't started on this medication. I'm lucky the only side effect I get is dizziness here and there, and I have gained about 4 or 5 lb, which I'm trying to keep hold of and not let that get out of hand. Otherwise, I'm extremely happy!"

• Tro...
• January 29, 2020

For Anxiety "After finally getting diagnosed and letting myself have some medication, I got escitalopram prescribed. The pharmacist told me the side effects, some of which were either hyperactivity or sleepiness. Well, I decided to take 1/2 a tab at midday for the 1st time. Visitors came, and I was yawning my head off. So, take it at night, and within 15 minutes, I'm asleep. Hubby said he has never ever seen me sleep so peacefully. Stopped clenching my teeth, stopped panicking about everything. Was only dizzy once. Forgot to take it with me on holidays, and got super anxious sitting in a traffic jam. Never again. I now believe if life is better for the sake of half a tablet, then go for it. Should have had this 40 years ago."

• Kik...
• August 21, 2020

For Anxiety "I just started taking half a pill of escitalopram (5 mg), and so far it hasn’t been bad. I had been noticing my anxiety was getting really bad to the point I was having panic attacks all the time. It was taking a toll on me emotionally and physically. I thought I was able to handle it myself and hid it from my husband and family. One day I realized I could not take the panic attacks anymore, and I knew I needed to do something for my anxiety. I finally went to my doctor, and he prescribed me 10 mg of escitalopram, but I decided to take half the pill for the first week. I usually get very sensitive when it comes to new medication. So far, it’s been okay. I do get dizzy sometimes, but it usually goes away after I lay down for a bit. I’m hoping if I continue to take it, I will feel normal again."

• Str...
• November 30, 2019

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "The first few weeks of taking escitalopram is really difficult, it will worsen your symptoms like insomnia, anxiety 10x, dizziness, nausea, sweating, palpitations, fast heartbeat, etc. But BELIEVE ME, it will GET BETTER. JUST BE PATIENT, DON'T BE AFRAID, BE STRONG ❤️❤️❤️"

• bob...
• March 14, 2015

Escitalopram 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."

• Flo...
• September 29, 2019

Escitalopram for Anxiety "I was recently diagnosed with anxiety disorder, and my doctor prescribed me Lexapro. I took this medicine only three times because of all the side effects I had. Not only did it make me feel weird and out of touch with reality, I had many other symptoms, including dizziness, sweating, anxiety, headaches, and nausea. I couldn’t sleep at night, and I also felt very psychedelic when I took it. My pupils were huge, and I almost felt like I was tripping. I kept unintentionally clenching my jaw really hard, and I couldn’t get comfortable. I threw up multiple times and couldn’t eat without feeling sick. I immediately discontinued taking it and don’t plan to try anything else. I was wary about taking an SSRI to begin with due to being a very natural person with no intention of taking something that would affect my brain in an unnatural way. Although this did not work for me, I know it works for others and has been life-changing for people."

• Aus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 8, 2024

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "Nine years ago, I started feeling panic attacks and anxiety, but somehow they vanished because I was traveling and having fun. COVID started, I felt pretty lonely. Five years have passed, and I lost four family members (not in war). I’ve been busy with my daughter and job, so I didn’t pay attention to my mental health because I thought I could manage it. I started noticing that during the winter, I had overwhelming anxiety, panic attacks, and OCD-negative intrusive thoughts were kicking in every night pretty much at the same time. It was scary, always big fear, exhausting brain and body. I started calling people, family, friends for help, then went to the doctor. They prescribed me Lexam 10 mg. Side effects: nausea, headache, dizziness, dry mouth, sleepiness, and cold sweats at night, but it’s more supportable than the hell I’ve been through. I can feel a bit that it works. I’m laughing and including myself more than usual. Still early!"

• Sun...
• February 23, 2020

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Today is day 9 of me taking escitalopram, the generic of Lexapro. I have been dizzy since day 9. Panic attacks are 10 times worse. But the reviews out here are encouraging, and I am mostly reading the positive reviews because people who have written bad things about the medication haven't waited for it to take complete effect, and that's not fair at all. But I will stick it out until it gets better, and I know it will."

• Adr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 16, 2024

For Anxiety "This is my own experience, not a doctor but my personal experience. I've suffered with panic attacks all my life, I'm 37 years old now. It got so bad 2 months back that I started having trouble swallowing, I felt dizzy and off-balance constantly, and I had constant pressure in my head. I really felt as if I was busy dying, and I thought I had a tumor or some bad sickness. I went to the doctor to test all my vitals. Even though I'm healthy, I work out, I eat healthy, I don't smoke, and drink occasionally. The doctors did all the tests you can do, checked vitamins, heart, lungs, had MRIs done, and they picked nothing up. Eventually, the doctors prescribed me Lexamil and Urbanol. I started on 5 mg Lexamil and 5 mg Urbanol, the first 10 days were a living nightmare with side effects, felt like I'm gonna end up in a psychiatric ward. I had the worst panic attacks, and the dizziness felt worse than ever. The 10th day was the worst, and on the 11th day, I felt like a completely different person, I felt normal!!!"

• Ray...
• April 24, 2013

Escitalopram for Anxiety "I suffered from anxiety disorder for 5 years without knowing what it was, and after seeing numerous doctors and undergoing numerous medical tests and scans, it all came to naught. The symptoms were very vague and debilitating, such as overall weakness, trembling, dizziness, and even the simplest chore of lifting a pen resulted in strange feelings in the body. Finally, a doc gave me Lexapro 10 mg, and my life was saved! Since then, I have taken Lexapro (6 months) and stopped, and it has relapsed twice, and the longest time I survived without Lexapro was 1.5 years. Now I believe I have anxiety disorder and need help, and Lexapro really helps."

• IRE...
• July 19, 2015

Escitalopram for Anxiety "I started to get anxiety when I went back to work. I was prescribed Lexapro by my doctor and started 3 days ago. A lot of the reviews say to keep sticking with it, so I plan to. As far as the side effects, I get the nausea and dizziness, but it's not so severe that I can't function. I do, however, feel like I'm constantly zoning out and just staring out into space sometimes. I do notice I yawn a lot too, and my lower jaw feels really tense all the time. Does anyone else have this problem? I'm going to keep sticking with this drug. There are such good reviews once the side effects subside and your body adjusts to it."

• Sta...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 27, 2018

Escitalopram for Anxiety "24 years of age, and I've experienced chronic depression, anxiety, OCD, and body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) for about the last 12 years. I have been on various medications, and I can say that by taking Lexapro, I'm finally getting my life and self back. Before this medication, my OCD/BDD rituals and thoughts were consuming anywhere from 3 to 10 hours of my day. Since week 2 of this medication, the thoughts and rituals have been less and less. I'm on week 5, and I feel like it's helping more and more each day with anxious, obsessive thoughts and the down moods. I pray this medication continues to work for me because I finally feel like I can be something and accomplish what I've always wanted for myself. I'm so grateful for this medication and the very few side effects I experienced starting this drug (mild headaches, slight dizziness, and dry mouth). Overall, I'm very satisfied with this medication so far."

• Sto...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 11, 2021

Escitalopram for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I've had anxiety and mild depression my whole adult life. In my mid-thirties, I finally decided I needed help dealing with my anxiety. I tried many meds and had way too many side effects, I finally tried this and was glad I did! This one by far had the least side effects and made my anxiety and depression much more manageable! We tried 5 mg to start, then increased to 10 mg and had to go back to 5 mg. I still had some mild anxiety but was able to work through it. Fast forward a few years ago, I was weaned off, and now anxiety is back. The doctor put me on Buspirone after going urgent with a panic attack and gave me a few clonazepam to get me through for a few days. Buspirone seemed to help the first few weeks at 7.5 bid and prn dose. On week four, it stopped helping and the anxiety came back, and I had stomach issues and mild dizziness as side effects. I'm going back to the doctor in a few days and going to request Lexapro as it helped before with the lowest side effects of all I've tried and was effective in controlling my anxiety and depression."

• Anx...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 5, 2020

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Started this medication 3 weeks ago today! Feeling like it’s slowly starting to kick in, as I suffer from health anxiety. I'm still waiting for the feel-good boost, but a lot of people say it takes 6-8 weeks to work. Side effects: I had a few brain zaps to start with and dry mouth. Currently having dizziness, headaches, and brain fog, but hoping they go away! Will leave a second review once I’m back to my normal self!"

• SHM...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 20, 2020

Escitalopram for Anxiety "Took this awful med for three months until I could stand it no more. I have regular bouts of anxiety, which I kept at bay for 15 years using Ativan carefully as needed. Unfortunately, after this time, I lost control and had the worst rebound anxiety of my life and had to back out, using Valium. I was put on Lexapro to take its place. After 3 months, I was battling to get out of bed. If I did, it was to the couch. Lost all sex drive and ability. Had no motivation for anything and just laid around all day. Have been off it for a week now, and despite some discomfort with head spins, I feel I have my life back."

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

Escitalopram 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!"

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

Escitalopram 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."

• Jay...
• February 26, 2017

Escitalopram for Anxiety "Lexapro was a lifesaver for me. It helped me complete everyday tasks that I could not do before taking this drug. I've tried nearly every other SSRI, but this one was the best. The only negative part about this drug is the withdrawal symptoms. They are horrible. I recently found out I was pregnant, and I had to cut down my dose according to my doctor. I was super dizzy, very faint, and unable to leave my house. If I didn't have to stop these drugs, I would still be okay. However, slowly weaning off these drugs has caused me to slip into a horrible anxious state."

• Ros...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 20, 2019

For Anxiety "Day 1 on escitalopram, and my anxiety was very high. I had three emotional meltdowns due to panic attacks. Experienced nausea, lower appetite, and dizziness. Doctor started me on 10 mg, but after reading reviews, I decided to lower to 5 mg for the first week. I find these reviews very informative and feel a sense of security that I am not alone or the only one dealing with anxiety and the side effects of the drugs. Day 2 today, and I am hoping for a better day today."

• Abm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 13, 2025

For Anxiety "Started on 5 mg 3 weeks ago. Side effects were almost instant a few hours after taking the first pill. Dizziness and sweaty palms. Then days 2-18 I had a really horrid uptake in anxiety/panic. I was already suffering from insomnia, but this has made the sleeplessness even worse. However, on day 19 I started to feel the anxiety slowly decreasing. I began to feel a little more positive. I still have to take Zopiclone or Phenergan for sleep and will review in 2 weeks when I will either increase the dose or come off it, if the insomnia persists."

• tit...
• August 29, 2018

Escitalopram for Anxiety "I started the medication due to panic attacks and anxiety. Initially, I had much worsening anxiety and depression. I had improvement in anxiety symptoms after about 3 weeks. However, I was very ill and bedridden. My mind was calm, but also I did not want to do anything. I didn't care about anything. I lost my car, my home, my job - everything because I didn't care! I was always sleepy and could sleep 14 hours straight. I had major sexual dysfunction at 26 years. I tapered off slowly after about 8 weeks. I was left with constant dizziness weeks after to the point that I fell down the stairs. Over a month after stopping, I'm doing well. No meds. Just making positive changes and counseling and trying to get back everything I lost in a couple of months on this med. I still have a little anxiety, but I'm learning to control it. Gotta control it or it'll control you! I've learned that anxiety is like a bully. You have to confront it and not try to ignore it. Move toward your fear! Slowly it will get better!"

• Kel...
• May 6, 2021

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I've always had anxiety, and recently it got out of control. I had daily panic attacks, was in bed for weeks feeling nauseous, dizzy, and full of nonstop anxiety. I tried everything, even checked into the E.R. I changed my diet, exercised, meditated, journaled. Nothing worked until my doctor prescribed me 10 mg of escitalopram. The first week, I had every side effect: nausea, heightened anxiety, headaches, dizziness, hot flashes, tiredness, diarrhea, and all subsided by week 2. I started to feel really good until week 3, my anxiety started to come back, so my doctor told me to take 15 mg. That was the magic number! I’m into my 7th week now, and I feel great! No more severe anxiety or panic attacks. Reading the good reviews kept me going. This medicine has been a godsend for me. Give it at least 4-6 weeks to start working. You also need to be proactive and don’t solely depend on the pill. Get out and take walks in nature and sunshine. You got this, hang in there! It gets better!"