Escitalopram and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Lyn...
• July 6, 2015

For Anxiety "This medicine has been a lifesaver. I was scared to take it because of all of the side effects that I read about, but the only side effects I experienced were headache, slight appetite loss, and tiredness (I switched to taking this medicine at night, and that took care of the tiredness). For me, the side effects only lasted about a week or two, which wasn't bad at all, and I started feeling a change in my anxiety and mood within a few days. This medicine has allowed me to be happy, and I haven't been able to feel happy for this many continuous days in years. The thing that this medicine has helped the most for me is my social anxiety, now I can actually go out in public and be myself, and I don't have to worry about what others think of me."

• Anonymous
• September 5, 2019

Escitalopram for Anxiety "I was put on 10 mg once a day for anxiety and panic disorder. I took my first dose on an empty stomach around 5 pm, about an hour later, I noticed a strong sense of anxiety. I was not hungry for dinner. When I lay down to go to sleep later that night, I noticed I was super restless, like restless leg syndrome, and taking my Ativan 1 mg and my Ambien didn’t even put me to sleep. I knew this was going to be hard, but I told myself to do what you need to and try to get through two weeks because it’s supposed to get better. I’m on day 4 or 5, and I finally went outside. It’s getting better. Not anxious 24/7 anymore, my body is adapting. Still have muscle twitching, and I’m only hungry rarely, but I’m hoping it will improve. The headaches are subsiding, the first three days were the worst in terms of headaches. I’m excited to see how I feel in a week. This drug sucks, hopefully, it will be worth it."

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

Escitalopram 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."

• 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!"

• Car...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 13, 2015

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "Taking 20 mg of Lexapro. Before I started, I was a complete mess for almost 3 weeks out of a month for the past 1.5 years. PMDD seemingly came out of nowhere and turned my life upside down. I ended up seeing a therapist, which worked for a while, but ultimately my suicidal ideation was scaring me and my overall quality of life was rapidly diminishing. I went to a psychiatrist who prescribed 20 mg. After 4 days, I felt better than I had in almost two years. Not high or euphoric, but like myself. Like me. Alive. Happy. Present. The first 3 days, I did feel kind of out of it. Spacey, sort of. And a slight headache, which was more annoying than debilitating. But that went away. Also, I do experience a delayed orgasm. Hopefully, it goes away."

• Sto...
• September 22, 2016

Escitalopram for Anxiety "I had immediate results. I definitely felt less edgy just 3 days into my 10 mg nightly dose. I had a headache the first two days but took pain relief, and it knocked it out. So far, it has already provided relief from my constant anxiety and edginess."

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

Escitalopram 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."

• Vic...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 22, 2024

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Was prescribed it 1 yr ago for daily panic attacks & GAD. Took my first 5 mg in the morning & 1 hr later fell asleep. Woke up in 3 hrs weak & terrified. “Never again,” I thought. Decided that I’d stick to Xanax during panic attacks, go to therapy, meditate, etc. Struggled for 10 more days, got even worse until fear of the state I was in outweighed the fear of taking Lexapro again. My doctor told me to cut a 5 mg pill in half and take it in the evenings. In a week, I increased the dose to 5 mg. Stayed on it for 2 weeks with no improvements. Switched to 10 mg & in about a week noticed some changes. This was a “turtle walk” for me. Took about a month after switching to 10 mg to stop taking Xanax daily. About another month for the morning knot in my stomach to go away. Panic attacks stopped completely after about 4 months, anxiety went away after 6-7 months. I am off it now for a month & feeling good! Gained 25 lbs, had headaches & fatigue while tapering off."

• sha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 14, 2019

Escitalopram for Anxiety "I am a 62-year-old male and have been taking 10 mg of Lexapro for 7 weeks and have been experiencing a myriad of side effects. I have had mild headaches, teeth aches, gas that could launch a small rocket, heartburn, loss of libido, inability to ejaculate, and extremely sleepy shortly after taking it. I have gained about 10 lbs in 7 weeks due to eating everything in sight. While my family says my mood has improved, I personally do not see or feel enough of an improvement to put up with all these side effects."

• Cat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 29, 2020

For Anxiety "I started taking escitalopram 5 days ago for my anxiety. I feel like my anxiety has gotten worse, even had to leave work yesterday. I had a headache the first couple of days, but that’s gone, it’s the tiredness. I am having a hard time staying awake during the day, and I can’t sleep at night. I like that people keep saying to push through it because it’s worth it... I sure hope so because right now I feel awful."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 25, 2017

For Anxiety "If you're reading reviews right now, debating trying this, do it right now. I was so anxious to try this, I thought I was gonna be a zombie. It's only my first day taking it, and I just want to let you know the side effects are very doable. Slight nausea, slight headaches, a little confusion, a little more alert. Honestly, if I wasn't paying attention to them, I wouldn't even probably notice I'm having side effects... (I'm sensitive to medications, by the way) I say give this a shot, I know new medications can be scary, but you never know, it can be your miracle drug."

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

Escitalopram 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."

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

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I've been on escitalopram for about a year now and still only a low dose of 5 mg. It completely transformed my life. The rage for me was the worst symptom, the best way to describe it was like turning into the Hulk, and it had a really bad effect on my relationships as well as every other area in my life. Now it feels as though my brain can function normally and think clearly. I can't remember the last time I had a really bad PMDD episode. I can still feel some of the emotions leading up to my period, but they're more subtle, and I can process them calmly and rationally. I take it constantly as opposed to luteally as I have PCOS and irregular cycles, and other than a bit of drowsiness (I now take it in the evening), all the initial side effects for the first few days have completely gone. No weight gain, no effect on orgasms, can't really tell if it's had an effect on libido. If you start taking it and experience panic, severe drowsiness, or headaches, try to stick it out, it will pass."

• 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!"

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

Escitalopram 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!!"

• Cel...
• January 30, 2019

Escitalopram for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Started Lexapro 3/2018 after brain surgery. Dr. recommended for anxiety. 1st week was 5mg/morning. I felt sleepy, headaches, and some nausea. 2nd week headaches and slight nausea but totally fine after week 2. This pill also helped to mask pains from my chronic illness, Chiari malformation. I was walking 2 1/2 miles every day, traveled with my family. The short temper or bad moods were gone. The biggest letdown was the weight gain! I kept telling the docs, and they kept saying I shouldn't gain much more. I was on it for 6 months and gained 30 lbs even while exercising and eating clean, DASH diet. Lexapro slows down the metabolism and increases appetite. I HAD to come off because of the weight gain. I stopped it 3 months ago and have not lost not 1 lb! Withdrawal symptoms were worse than going on the pill. Took a month and a half to taper off 10mg. I felt zaps, jolts, irritability, and my chronic pains are totally back. I am struggling to lose this weight so bad. The weight is the factor for me coming off it."

• Anonymous
• August 22, 2011

Escitalopram for Depression "Been on this for four weeks now and have seen definite improvement in the lessening of anxiety and depression. Finding the exact dosage and best time to take it seems to be both a bit tricky and the key to success. Tried 10 mg in the morning and was spaced out and headachy (but not anxious nor depressed) all day. Switched to 5 mg at night, but still too slowed down in the daytime. Finally hit on 2.5 mg (1/2 a 5 mg) before bed and this seems to be perfect for me. Not overly anxious anymore, but not groggy or fatigued either. So if you are just going on this, do yourself a favor and experiment with dosage/times before deciding it's not right for you."

• MAS...
• January 10, 2013

Escitalopram for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Prescribed for anxiety, GAD, MDD. After being on Zoloft for several years, when my depression and anxiety spectrum returned, we decided to try Lexapro. It just never felt 'right' from day one. After several months, I noticed the feelings did not improve, and I figured I would need to live with it. Now almost a year since starting, I've made the switch back to a low dose of Zoloft. Within weeks, I again feel 'normal,' and I am not plagued by the overall unease I felt on Lexapro (specifically increased anxiety, developing agoraphobia, EXTREME laziness and no motivation, obsessive thoughts, and headaches). Being mindful now, everyone is different. We all are wired uniquely. I know many people who love Lexapro. Not for me, though."

• Tan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 17, 2017

Escitalopram for Anxiety "Difficult personal situations caused my Ativan usage to creep up to 3-4x/day. When I started being perimenopausal, I was also suffering from terrible depression, which I had never had before. My GYN prescribed Lexapro, and I've always been against taking an SSRI because of the side effects and feeling like I could just 'work through' the anxiety, but the depression was debilitating. I forced myself to take the first pill, and the next day, I realized I wasn't under a cloud of stress anymore. It worked well for about 3 weeks, and then I was irritable and the anxiety was back. I just started on 20mg and feel optimistic. Only minor side effects: headache, some nausea the first few days, insomnia. I've lost weight, which is a plus!"

• Cro...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 6, 2021

For Anxiety "I have been on escitalopram for 4 months for anxiety disorder with panic attacks. After a stressful breakdown and some added stress at work, plus the pandemic and being sick with COVID, I could not recognize myself. I had daily panic attacks and constant anxiety, so I could not take care of myself, my family, and work. At some point, the doctor put me on a dose of 10 mg, and after two weeks, I began to slowly feel like my old self again. I had some side effects during the first days: headache, increased anxiety, and loss of appetite. But it went away, and it was a small price to pay. After 3 weeks, I was able to get back to work, my energy levels got better, and my mood was stable, calm, and optimistic. I added therapy and physical activity, I feel like I live my life now. This medication is amazing, I am grateful to the people who worked on it and made it available for patients in need."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 7, 2016

Escitalopram for Anxiety "Due to my increasing anxiety and panic attacks, I was prescribed Lexapro 10 mg. During the first few weeks, I became very sensitive and would nearly cry over simple things like a customer saying, 'Please don't put this item in the bag with that item...'. I had very high blood pressure, bad headaches, rapid heartbeat, I would feel weak and my body would start shaking (especially my hands). One time, I even thought I was having a minor heart attack. I decided to wean off Lexapro and change medication."

• Kay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 13, 2020

Escitalopram for Anxiety "Well, I got prescribed this because I’m a self-proclaimed hypochondriac, and I'm constantly in fear of having a serious illness. Also, I had been hospitalized for severe panic attacks. I just took my first dose today (10mg) with food. As soon as I took the pill, I got mildly nauseous and had to lay down. About 3 hours later, I felt sooo nice, kind of like I was high, just an overall good feeling and a little drowsiness. Then, a couple of hours later, the nausea returned but with a horrible headache. Almost felt like I had the flu and made me check my temperature (no fever). Now I’m laying in bed, unable to sleep because I feel sick, and I have muscle twitches. Hope this wears off, or else I’m going to stop it immediately."

• sli...
• September 14, 2009

Escitalopram for Depression "I started taking Lexapro going on 3 weeks ago, and I think it's great. The side effects that I suffered in the very beginning were headaches, but they are all pretty much gone. I also did not put on any additional weight. I actually lost about 4 pounds. It seems to suppress my appetite. I highly recommend it."

• Reg...
• October 1, 2019

For Anxiety "I spent a lot of time reading up on this drug, even though after I was given my 5 mg prescription, I was warned against reading reviews online. There are a lot of mixed reviews here, which make it hard to make an informed decision. I knew I needed to go back to my GP, so when I was offered the Lexapro, I was hesitant and put off taking it for as long as I could. In the end, I decided to give it a go and have been pleasantly surprised that after my 6th day on 5 mg, other than a bit of a headache at random times during the day and waking an hour or two earlier than normal in the morning, there have been none of the side effects I had with the Zoloft. I thought SSRI drugs were all pretty much of a much, but compared to the Zoloft, this is much easier on my body. Early days, but so far, so good. The best SSRI I have taken to date."

• Lle...
• July 24, 2008

Escitalopram for Anxiety "Saved my life. I used to take 20 mg two years ago. I ended up taking myself off, tapering, then I was fine for about 6 months. I fell into a relapse and now started on 10 mg. I would be so afraid of what to eat and if something was going to make my blood sugar too high. Now I can eat healthy but not have to worry that too much fruit will make me sick. I can have a soda every now and then. I love Lexapro. The first few days are different: headache, stomachache, and dizziness. Now I feel 100% better."