Escitalopram and Insomnia: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Use...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 3, 2024

Escitalopram for Anxiety "I was on Lexapro for 2 years for anxiety and depression and decided I wanted to try something new. Christmas time I switched to 50mg of Zoloft and was fine until I had a traumatic experience around a month and a half ago. The anxiety that was absent for my entire 2 years on Lexapro finally hit me again and came right back. It was a horrid month dealing with tapering off the Zoloft and switching back to Lexapro. Constant anxiety and panic attacks all day. I thought that taking Lexapro the first day would cure everything, but that was not the case. Let me tell you, the first 2 weeks were pretty rough. Extreme anxiety, nausea, insomnia, extreme dizziness. It was hard, but I kept my head up high and realized this is my body's response to adjusting to the medication. I am now about 3 weeks in, and let me tell you, I feel a lot better than before. I'm starting to build my confidence again, do things I feared doing for the past month. Much less anxiety day by day. Push through, and it will all be okay!"

• Mau...
• May 26, 2021

Escitalopram for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I started with a 10 mg dose, and I’m still on 10 mg. The first 3 weeks, I felt so bad and almost gave Lexapro up. I got to a point where I felt overly calmed (for 3 hours), drugged, and mostly had anxiety. On a single day, I had the most intense panic attack of my life. But after 1.5 months on Lexapro, I started to feel so much better, I didn’t have any derealization and the fog was gone. I started to feel better and calmer, no more night anxiety, no more sleep problems. I had the strength to start working out, I easily started to connect with people and find friends. Before taking this, I had such severe anxiety, I had 50% of the day derealization, and I know that taking antidepressants was the first of many steps. After some time, I worked on myself, and 95% of everything is gone, and I’m just happy. Please never read too much on the internet, like Reddit, Quora, or YouTube. I honestly thought that being on AD was like being drugged 24/7 and that I would lose myself, but the truth is that I just felt normal."

• Gri...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 26, 2020

Escitalopram for Depression "Overall, Lexapro has been very helpful in treating my MDD and GAD. It has lowered my anxiety substantially and helped me cope with depression. While it has left me with severe insomnia, I would take that over MDD and GAD anytime."

• AAT...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 27, 2015

Escitalopram for Depression "It's incredible how much Lexapro has improved my overall emotional wellness in such a short amount of time. I was extremely hesitant to start medication for obvious reasons, but after much research, I decided to give it a try. I cannot stress enough how much of a positive effect Lexapro has had on my life. Just feeling that the darkest of clouds has been lifted after lingering for years is pure happiness and relief; I didn't even think it was possible. The first week I was pretty nauseous, and I still get drowsy and have some trouble sleeping on this medication, but it is nothing compared to how I felt prior to taking Lexapro. You deserve to be HAPPY. Give it a try."

• Agi...
• August 15, 2019

Escitalopram for Anxiety "I've been diagnosed with anxiety and depression since I was 18. I have taken almost every medication for anxiety, and they didn't work until I was given Klonopin. I started the medication, and it was working well until I noticed my intake was going up. I took Klonopin for 3 years, and if I didn't take it, I would almost have a seizure. My anxiety was horrible, I couldn't sleep and couldn't go anywhere without having a panic attack. My heart would be racing as soon as I got up in the morning. I thought I was literally going to be dependent on Klonopin my whole life. Until I got fed up and went to see another psychiatrist, I told him what I was on, and he told me he was going to prescribe me Lexapro, one a day, 10 mg. The first two days, I actually slept, and on the 3rd day, I was feeling better. I didn't take Klonopin, as bad as I wanted to, I managed to stop it with Lexapro. It has been a month, and I've been on Lexapro, back to my normal self, happy, no panic attacks. I've been going places without any fear, I haven't touched those Klonopin."

• Dse...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 27, 2022

Escitalopram for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "My doctor started me on Effexor and changed me to Lexapro due to my body not tolerating the medication well. I started Lexapro on a 5mg dose at night. The first week was rough as my body adjusted between the two medications. I had heightened anxiety, trouble sleeping, stomach pain, nausea, dry heaving, and loose stools. I switched to taking the medication in the morning and it seemed to help my inability to sleep. I found taking the medication on a full stomach made the nausea go away. After four weeks, my doctor upped the dose to 10mg. I am finally starting to feel like my old self again. Lexapro has saved my life! My anxiety is better, my appetite has come back, and I feel like I can truly enjoy living again. I am not crying all the time, staying in bed all day, or hiding from the world. Be patient with this medication and give it a chance! Once you get past the first 10 days, things get so much better, and it is worth it."

• mic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 22, 2016

Escitalopram for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I started Lexapro 20 mg around December 2015 for generalized anxiety. I was scared to take any prescribed drug due to me not wanting to get hooked on meds. My anxiety was so bad that I was unable to function at all. I have two children and there was no other option for me but to try something. The first week, I had insomnia and slight tremors. I would wake up every morning at 6am with what seemed to be an empty stomach. I went to the ER twice in the first week. I felt like there was no end. My husband thought it was all in my head. By week 2, every side effect started to decrease day by day. I was able to get out of bed and clean my house. I felt like I was not confined anymore. Week 4, a brand new me. Try this med, it saved me and could save you!"

• ccb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 11, 2014

Escitalopram for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "It was not fun for the first couple of weeks. I was dizzy, couldn't sleep, nauseous, and couldn't eat. I lost 6 pounds, which doesn't seem like a lot, but I'm already a thin 5'8" female who went from 120 to 114 lbs in a matter of days. Moving past this, Lexapro has helped me so much. I'm also on Lamictal, so the combination is working well for me. I actually feel like I can talk to people, whereas before I was so scared of being judged that I couldn't even talk to customers at work. I can now ask people to hang out. I'm still very self-conscious (I won't pretend it's a miracle medicine that fixes everything), but it has gotten me to a place where I can actually start working on improvement, whereas before I was so paralyzed I couldn't even begin."

• Bee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 7, 2016

Escitalopram for Anxiety "I am updating my last 8-star review of a week or 2 ago below in thread. Update: The sleep disruption/insomnia (oftentimes waking 2-4 am and not getting back to sleep) subsided after 3 weeks of starting the generic form of Lexapro (on 10 mg for almost a month). I am sleeping well again without assistance from Xanax. I haven't taken X in 5 nights and sleeping my usual 7 hours. It's wonderful. No anxiety either. Give this drug a chance if you can stick out the sleep problems. It works. I feel myself again and am not worrying over worrying about anxiety. Not afraid to go anywhere, for fear I'd get that old sense of dread and unease. I don't even think about it. It doesn't matter the time of day you take it, by the way."

• Bee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 7, 2016

Escitalopram for Anxiety "I am updating my last 8-star review of a week or 2 ago below in thread. Update: The sleep disruption/insomnia (oftentimes waking 2-4 am and not getting back to sleep) subsided after 3 weeks of starting the generic form of Lexapro (on 10 mg for almost a month). I am sleeping well again without assistance from Xanax. I haven't taken X in 5 nights and sleeping my usual 7 hours. It's wonderful. No anxiety either. Give this drug a chance if you can stick out the sleep problems. It works. I feel myself again and am not worrying over worrying about anxiety. Not afraid to go anywhere, for fear I'd get that old sense of dread and unease. I don't even think about it. It doesn't matter the time of day you take it, by the way."

• Sky...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 19, 2019

Escitalopram for Depression "I was prescribed Lexapro 10 mg daily for severe depression. Within an hour after taking it, I felt incredibly drowsy and proceeded to fall into a fake sleep-not sleeping yet not quite awake. The next 24 hours were a pure nightmare. Insomnia, severe nausea, brain fog, shaking, dizziness, headache, and stomach ache. I also felt an increase in anxiety and paranoia and kept telling my husband I felt sick and that something bad was going to happen. All this after only ONE 10 mg dose! This stuff is toxic. Never again."

• Jts...
• March 28, 2011

Escitalopram for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I'm 39, male, 6'3, 230 lbs. Suffered from anxiety disorder for years. Worrying, palpitations, shortness of breath, basically all the popular anxiety symptoms. Seemed to come on more when I pushed myself exercising. Back on Lexapro because it does work. Side effects like lower sex drive, difficulty reaching orgasm, insomnia all go away. I find myself fearless, my life is active, no more 'what ifs' and no anxiety attacks. I admit I hate taking medicines, but without it is far worse."

• Cru...
• August 30, 2019

Escitalopram for Depression "I have had depression for as long as I can remember, but anxiety only started about 3 years ago. I’ve tried antidepressants in the past and hated the side effects, so I stopped them altogether until recently when my psychiatrist said I should try Lexapro. I’ve been on it for 2 weeks, and the side effects are in the extremities for me: migraines, nausea, loud ringing in my ears, fatigue, lack of sleep, blurred vision, and dizziness. Pretty much as horribly as you can imagine. BUT after the first week, I stopped being paranoid. I could take a shower without thinking I’m going to drown. It’s all mental issues that I ignored for a long time, which eventually turned into something out of my control. After 2 weeks on Lexapro, I can honestly say it’s helping me. I don’t expect it to cure or fix my problem, but I know it will help me manage my thoughts and help me get control of my emotions, which will eventually make me understand what I’m doing wrong in life so I can fix it myself."

• Net...
• September 1, 2014

Escitalopram for Anxiety "I've found a lot of these posts quite encouraging. I started taking Lexapro 6 to 8 years ago - 20mg and definitely felt it was a miracle for that entire 6 to 8 years. I was really stressed and couldn't concentrate at work. Sure, I still had stresses, but they didn't seem to be unmanageable. I was probably doing a little 'too' fine because I tried to get off of it about 3 months ago because I want to see if I could actually go without medicines. BIG MISTAKE!! A couple of life stressors recently popped up and sent my anxiety into overdrive. I immediately called my Dr. to get my prescription refilled. Currently on day 4 and battling anxiety and insomnia, but hopeful that the magic will return soon! I think I'm a lifer on this medicine!"

• Ste...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 7, 2015

Escitalopram for Anxiety "I'm introverted and suffered some depression and anxiety due to a recent IRS audit and personal problems at home. I landed in the hospital for 4 days after tests on my heart, etc. Everything cleared but stress and anxiety. I'm 40 and in good shape. The doctor put me on Lexapro. The first two weeks were brutal - emotional rollercoaster and insomnia. I asked my doctor if he was sure these were not estrogen pills. After two weeks, I started to feel awesome, better than before. I'm on my eighth week and lost weight, motivated to go to the gym, tolerate my wife's extroverted friends. I feel better than I did my entire life, even before my depression issues. Crowds and loud people go over my head, nothing irritates me anymore. Sexual side effects: I last longer, win-win."

• Sil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 19, 2020

For Anxiety "Male, 23 years old, social anxiety. Put on 10 mg escitalopram, after 3 weeks increased to 20 mg/d. In the beginning, I had some trouble falling asleep, increased bowel movements, and some nausea. No sexual side effects aside from more frequent erections. Slight decrease in appetite. Mild morning somnolence and rarely a headache. The biggest improvement happened at week 6 of treatment, so you gotta be patient and give it time. I feel like I have a lot more energy now, and weirdly my movements feel a lot more precise. But most importantly, my anxiety levels are close to non-existent, and social interactions are incredibly easy. I feel like my mind is clear and the fog/white noise in the back of my head is gone. I find myself smiling a lot more and just generally being really content with life. I'm still seeing improvements currently at month 2 of treatment, so it really does continually get better and better. I hope this helps others because escitalopram has truly been life-changing for me."

• Jul...
• July 8, 2009

Escitalopram for Anxiety "My psychologist originally suggested Lexapro to treat my anxiety and panic disorder, then my doctor prescribed it. I was told that it is not habit-forming and that it has low side effects and works well to treat panic disorder. I started out on 10mg for 3 weeks then went up to 20mg. My side effects have been mild and have included nausea (the first few days), weight loss (which I don't mind) because of decreased appetite, mild increased sweating, and recently trouble falling asleep. All in all, I am very pleased with it and have had only one panic attack in over a month. I used to have multiple ones weekly. I feel like I am finally getting my life back and I would recommend this medicine to anyone."

• Ind...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 31, 2020

Escitalopram for Anxiety "I was unsure whether or not this medication, Lexapro, was working because I was still having bad days and anxiety daily, however, I let myself run out somehow and ended up being off them for a week. Oh boy, did I notice it. I was having outbursts that I hadn’t had to that severity in months. I think my dosage potentially needs tweaking, but I am doing so much better on this than I was on mirtazapine or fluoxetine. My side effects were minimal: nausea on and off and some insomnia."

• Mic...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 19, 2023

Escitalopram for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I've been on Lexapro for almost a year now. I was having terrible panic attacks and living in a constant state of anxiety. There were a lot of external factors, but the ruminating became irrational and started impacting my life. My relationship and job suffered. It was a spiral that led to more anxiety. When I started taking Lexapro, I was unbelievably scared. I had never taken medication (aside from common ailments), and it was hard to accept the help. The first week was not easy. I was more anxious than I had ever been, struggling to eat, suffering from insomnia... It all ran its course. It took about a month for these effects to subside. I would read these reviews and hope that it would work eventually. It did, and I'm certain it will help you too. Hang in there. You're stronger than you think."

• Sta...
• June 10, 2016

Escitalopram for Anxiety "I am a 22-year-old female, and I have been on 10mg of Lexapro for 2 weeks now. I thought I'd share my experience, although everyone will react to medication differently. The first three days were awful - nauseous to the point where I could barely move, terrible headaches, incredible hunger, yawning constantly, and waking up all through the night. On the 4th day, most of the side effects just stopped, mostly the headaches and nauseous feeling. You really have to push through the initial side effects. All the racing thoughts immediately stopped. I am so much more calm, no more mood swings, social situations no longer bother me, and I am just generally happier. I will also mention that I had none of the sexual side effects."

• Sad...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 1, 2022

Escitalopram for Major Depressive Disorder "Okay, so I know everyone has different experiences, but mine was terrible. I started on 5 mg and moved up to 10 mg. At 5 mg, I had almost every side effect (dizziness, anxiety, nausea, headaches, severe exhaustion). The worst was the sexual side effects (which never went away) and initial insomnia. After one week, I went up to 10 mg and started to see some decent results. The insomnia went away after a few weeks. The depression was still there, but the anxiety was nonexistent. Sure, I was completely numb and couldn't feel anything at all, but that meant my anxiety was gone. But the feeling of being numb got worse and worse over time. After a couple of months, it got to the point where I lost all motivation and was tired all the time. I could barely stay awake and was sleeping 12 hours a night most nights. Eventually, the exhaustion and lack of motivation made my depression even worse until I started having passive suicidal ideation. That's when I got off Lexapro and switched to Prozac."

• Lov...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 6, 2013

Escitalopram for Depression "I love this medication! I was on Zoloft and was a zombie! I couldn't sleep, and with a newborn, sleep was critical to me! I also gained a lot of weight! I have no issues sleeping now and generally have a more positive mood and am losing weight. You can tell when I don't take this! It's a dream!"

• Dan...
• June 26, 2021

Escitalopram for Anxiety "This medication has changed my life for the better. I’ve always struggled with anxiety and depression. Recently, I’ve had major panic attacks. My GP gave me Lexapro. I started on a 10 mg tab. I got no sleep and felt horrible, so I stopped taking it. I did research, and people were saying that it usually takes a month or so to start working, and it can make symptoms worse in the meantime. This really scared me. But after talking with some other people that use it, I decided to give it another go. But this time, I started on half a tablet (5 mg). I could sleep, thankfully. It did give me “strange” feelings for the first week. Not that my condition got worse, but I just felt a little off. After a week, I started to slowly notice that the depression and anxiety were starting to lift. I upped my dose to 7 mg. Within week 3, there was an amazing shift. I feel amazing! It’s the best I’ve felt in my whole life. I’m able to sleep properly and manage my thoughts a lot better. Staying at 7 mg."

• New...
• July 3, 2021

Escitalopram for Anxiety "The last 12 months, my anxiety has gotten steadily worse. That feeling of being on edge, racing heart, dizziness, brain fog, and social anxiety. I had been to the doctor a few times over the last 12 months, but when I got to the appointment, I always played it down. Two weeks ago, I was put on 10 mg, starting off with a gradual dose. I am reviewing early, as if, like me, you read the reviews, most will say you have to cope with a hard few weeks. This was not the case for me. I started to feel a difference on day 3. I have had mild side effects, disturbed sleep/dry mouth, but nothing major. For the first time in ages, I have felt my shoulders drop, my brain fog start to clear, and have enjoyed a couple of social interactions. I only wish I had started this medication sooner. For anyone living with anxiety and starting on this medication, I wish you the same results, or better, that I have experienced. Thank you to everyone for sharing their experiences, it gave me hope, and hope is a medicine in itself."

• hil...
• November 7, 2016

Escitalopram for Anxiety "I have pretty bad anxiety, with some depression. Sometimes I get so overwhelmed that I feel like my life is falling apart, and it feels so real. When I take my Lexapro, I feel so much better. It's just a baseline, it doesn't MAKE me happy, it just allows me to feel like a normal human. I'm most myself when I take my medicine because I can focus on things outside of my own stress and fears. It can make you a little nauseous at first, and I experience some insomnia the first few weeks, but it goes away. SO worth it."