Escitalopram and Panic Attacks: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Jac...
• July 1, 2016

Escitalopram for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I'm a 40-year-old male who started Lexapro just over three weeks ago for GAD. The psychiatrist advised 5mg for the first 2 weeks to adjust to side effects, then to 10mg. The first 2 weeks I barely noticed any effect, maybe a little less stressed than usual, but then moving up to 10mg really hit me hard - fatigue, sweats, confusion, nausea, panic attacks. Honestly, 5 days in I was at the point of calling my doctor to say I couldn't take it anymore. But then on day 6, I woke up feeling a whole lot better. It's hard to describe, but I just feel focused and relaxed in a way that I'd forgotten how, or maybe never knew. I'm now on day 8 at 10mg and am so glad I stuck with it. Talk to your doctor if you're feeling terrible, but know it can get better."

• sha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 3, 2024

Escitalopram for Anxiety "Ok, so initially, 2 years ago, I started on Zoloft, which was terrible for me, so I went on Prozac, which took a while to work, but eventually was good, or so I thought. I was getting too excitable and overstimulated, which then triggers vertigo, so I stopped it, and now I'm on Lexapro. I started on 5 mg, which after 3 days I found that I was much calmer and didn't care what people thought of me or certain situations, which usually led to my anxiety and panic attacks no longer rearing their ugly heads. So, doc said, ok, you're doing well, so let's go to 10 mg. It's been 2 weeks, and I don't feel calm, I feel excitable and weird again. So my question to anyone who may have experienced this change: do you think I just need to go with it or go back to 5 mg? Love to hear from someone. Thanks. Take care."

• Anx...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 2, 2019

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I suffer from anxiety that, on a normal day, is manageable without medication. However, between the time of ovulation and the start of my period, my anxious and depressive episodes can sometimes be unbearable. My doctor prescribed me 5 mg of Lexapro to take the edge off. I won’t lie, the first time I took the medication, I had a panic attack, which hasn’t happened in YEARS. It took me another month to get the courage to try again. I am so glad I did because it worked almost immediately. I am so happy to no longer have to dread the two weeks before my period. I’m sure my family, friends, and boyfriend are happy too to not have to deal with my crazy moods."

• mel...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 15, 2019

Escitalopram for Depression "I have been on Lexapro since January (so 9 months now), and my life has really changed. I was officially diagnosed with generalized anxiety and unspecified depression and was having panic attacks daily. Not to mention, I was only sleeping about 2 hours in the morning and crying for pretty much every little thing. My condition worsened during the winter, so I finally agreed to start medication. After a few weeks, I felt like a new person! I’m far less emotional, I sleep better, and I haven’t had a panic episode since starting the medication! Then again, I was also prescribed Xanax whenever I feel super anxious. I wouldn’t think of ever switching to a different antidepressant."

• Bar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 24, 2016

Escitalopram for Anxiety "Lexapro is the best medication. I had no life before Lexapro. I used to suffer for 8 years from anxiety and panic attacks. I was always scared of anything. The doctor asked me to try Lexapro, I was so afraid of medications, I thought medications would never help me. I used to think that I would help myself to stop thinking about it. I thought they were all thoughts in my mind and I had to change them. I used to get panic attacks every day when I was sleeping. I would recommend anyone to try this medication because it will save your life if you have anxiety. I have been taking 10 mg for months, then 15 mg for 2 months, and 20 mg for 4 months, and I am still taking it. I will never stop taking it."

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

Escitalopram for Depression "Second time on Lexapro (escitalopram). First time 5 years ago (2019), it worked within 12 weeks for my GAD. Quit cold turkey after 2 years with ZERO side effects. Back on it for depression. It’s been 4 weeks now, and I can see it’s helping with the depression. But the side effects were so severe I ended up in the ER twice. Extreme panic attacks (never had one before in my life), my body felt like it was vibrating for a week, weak, no appetite, adrenaline rushes. So I got on for depression, but now I have anxiety. Dr. had to prescribe Klonopin twice a day to help me sleep and relax. I’m not sure where this is going, but I’m gonna keep fighting. Anxiety is starting to subside, but now I have a fear of panic attacks. So I don’t know. I’ll update again. Just take the benzo if you need it in the beginning if you have side effects so they don’t traumatize you like they did me."

• Cic...
• December 7, 2019

For Depression "I have battled with severe depression and anxiety for many years and have tried many medications. My psychiatrist recommended this escitalopram at 10 mg. Within a few days of taking it, I already felt a little uplifted. However, I had some nasty experiences that I had to work through. A side effect I had was loss of appetite and extreme fatigue. I would forget to eat or drink any water, and I began having panic attacks, and I went unconscious from one. The doctor said I had a panic attack and severe dehydration. So, I decided to stick with the meds and to make sure I got the nutrients I needed. Now, three months later, I am a whole new person. Life is beautiful. I am trucking through my first semester in college with no terrible depression or anxiety weighing me down. And now that it is winter, I began taking vitamin D to help prevent the seasonal depression. Hope this helps anybody! I am a huge review-reading fanatic and appreciate helpful reviews."

• Nan...
• September 25, 2019

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I developed a chemical imbalance 6 years ago, producing anxiety, depression, and OCD. I experienced horrible intrusive thoughts, insomnia, and fear. I was prescribed Lexapro. After 2 weeks, I noticed significant relief. However, I began to gain weight, experience sexual side effects, and hair loss. Yet, the intrusive thoughts faded along with the anxiety and depression, making it a worthwhile trade-off. Due to weight gain, I switched to Zoloft. Gradually, I tapered off the Zoloft, but my symptoms returned. I tried using vitamins and amino acids (result of Y-tube and online research...beware) to no avail. I began taking Zoloft again, but experienced terrible side effects, increased anxiety, insomnia, nervousness, and panic. I kept reading, 'it gets worse before it gets better.' But after weeks of pure torture, I switched back to Lexapro. After one week, my anxiety level decreased. I have now been on Lexapro for 4 weeks and noticed increased improvement each week."

• Mis...
• May 19, 2015

Escitalopram for Anxiety "This medication was a game changer for me. After trying Prozac, Zoloft, and Celexa with no effect, I thought I was destined to have panic attacks for the rest of my life. Celexa even worsened my anxiety, causing me to go to the emergency room twice. At the time I started Lexapro, I was having debilitating symptoms, at least 1 to 2 panic attacks a day with a racing heart, racing thoughts, and generally feeling like I was losing my goddamn mind. After a month of Lexapro, my anxiety began to calm. I have now been on it for 3 years and am relatively symptom-free. I still experience heightened anxiety and the occasionally panic attack, but it is so much more manageable, and I am able to apply coping skills successfully."

• Mum...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 6, 2016

Escitalopram for Anxiety "I've always been an anxious person. Usually, I find my anxiety serves me well to stay on top of a busy household, but occasionally the anxiety is destructive instead, like after the birth of a child or during difficult times. I'd had a horrid couple of years, nursing my mum to the end from cancer, and eventually, it caught up with me: panic attacks, health anxiety, obsession with breathing, palpitations constantly. I went straight onto 20 mg as I had been on this drug briefly a decade ago. The first 24 hours were weird, dizzy, disoriented, mildly nauseous, and a huge panic attack. I only slept 3 hours a night for the first 2-3 days. By week 3, I sleep 8 hours a night, have energy during the day, and zero anxiety. I feel great! Lexapro is great, but be patient."

• Ali...
• January 4, 2020

For Anxiety "I am 45 and very active. I have never had anxiety. I started having shortness of breath on Dec 6. I knew it was mild anxiety, but it would pass. I have never taken meds for anxiety. On day 6 of shortness of breath, I had panic attacks. I thought it was the end. I finally went to sleep. I went to my doctor, and she put me on Lexapro 5 mg. I took the first pill and pill #2 the following morning. By midday of day 2, I was a nutcase. I run a business, so I have to be sharp. I was in bad shape. The reviews kept saying don't stop, it gets better. I didn't want to get out of bed. Then I got past the first week and started feeling a little better mentally. I still had shortness of breath. After 7 days, I had panic attacks that were severe. After 2 weeks, I started feeling better and back to normal, and I haven't had any panic attacks in over 2 weeks. I am on day 22, and I feel fantastic. I had some heart pains until the last couple of days and very minor shortness of breath. The first 2 weeks are misery, but don't lose hope."

• Gir...
• May 24, 2021

Escitalopram for Anxiety "I was very hopeful about this, taking it for severe anxiety and agoraphobia. But I am quitting after 3 weeks of taking the bare minimum amount. This was a mental and physical torture that I wish I never had to experience. I tried to push through, but it's just unbearable, even with daily Xanax. I had side effects from Lexapro, including horrible constant nausea, shivers, terrible GERD/gut issues, genital numbness, insomnia, memory problems, panic attacks, and suicidal thoughts. The more bizarre ones are sweating a lot, bad body odor, ear ringing, muscle twitches, and jittery hands. Mind you, I am a young woman with no medical condition. And only a couple of mgs of this medication left me with terrific physical problems, and I'm just hoping they will heal with time. I felt a little ease in my anxiety at the beginning, but I'm pretty sure that was just the brain fog numbing my ability to think anxiously (and to think at all). I didn't feel like myself. Horrible side effects even on a quarter of a dose, it's honestly horrifying."

• Jum...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 11, 2019

Escitalopram for Anxiety "I have been on other SSRIs, which were ineffective, however, I found Lexapro to be intolerable. Other SSRIs had their minor side effects for the first couple of weeks, such as strange dreams and nausea, however, Lexapro wreaked havoc on me from day one. Just four hours after taking my first 10 mg dose (at 8 am), I wanted to vomit, was very dizzy, and felt confused and disoriented. I also had an extremely dry mouth. By 5 pm that evening, my anxiety had gotten ten times worse, and I suffered the absolutely WORST panic attack I have ever had in my life. My panic was so bad I briefly passed out. Everyone reacts differently to different drugs, so this is just my experience. However, I personally find this to be the worst SSRI in terms of side effects, which are intolerable."

• Bra...
• May 28, 2017

Escitalopram for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "After I gave birth to my son almost 3 years ago, I suffered from GAD and had 3-4 panic attacks, negative thoughts, sweating, tightening of my chest, can't breathe, restlessness, name it... to the point I can't function and can't even take care of my son. I've started taking Lexapro 5 mg for 1 week. I had the worst side effects to the point I don't want to eat and take a bath... it worsened my anxiety symptoms 10 times, but after a couple of weeks, Lexapro began to kick in but not that optimal effect. After 6 months of taking Lexapro 10 mg, signs and symptoms started to subside. This medicine really helps me. Lifesaver! Just be patient. I took it for 1 year and 5 months. I was cured."

• ell...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 13, 2019

For Anxiety "I am 38 years old and started taking this medication for depression, anxiety, and PMDD (severe PMS). My symptoms for all of these started to get out of hand for over a year. I was unable to travel or engage in social situations. At its worst, I was unable to leave my house to take my kids to school or go to the grocery store. The first 3 weeks on the medication were BRUTAL! I felt like I was plugged into a light socket and was up in the night with panic attacks for weeks. Then, finally, I could tell that it was starting to kick in. I am now 2.5 months in and up to 15 mg daily. This medication has drastically improved my quality of life. I am no longer fearful of experiences, have loads of energy because of the loss of the depression, and am motivated to get help and move forward. My biggest recommendation for taking the meds is to stick with it. They are NOT FUN in the beginning, however, once you reach the therapeutic level, it is awesome!! 100% has changed my life!"

• 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!!!"

• Jay...
• September 8, 2017

Escitalopram for Depression "Have been taking for over 10 years, mixed in with a period of about 2 years when my doctor took me off because of depression symptoms subsiding. The majority of the time, I have been on 10 mg, the last 2 years have had the dose raised to 20 mg. The drug has worked great for me. Terrific improvement from when I started and a 99% reduction in panic attacks. Reduction in OCD symptoms as well. Well tolerated for me at least, but I realize with these medications everyone is different. It’s not perfect, but the relief I got was real and changed my life. For that, I am thankful."

• Deb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 18, 2019

Escitalopram for Anxiety "My doctor insisted that I take Lexapro for my anxiety. After only 27 days of 5 mg doses, I felt like I was going insane. The disgusting side effects were numerous, including excessive sweating, stomach cramps, dark thoughts, diarrhea, sleeplessness, decreased sexual drive, confusion, and irregular heartbeat. The withdrawal process has left me having scary panic attacks and paranoia. I wish I’d never heard of the drug, and I will never go back to that doctor again. My life feels totally ruined from this drug, and I have slurred speech and increased anxiety. Please avoid this."

• jay...
• April 13, 2018

Escitalopram for Anxiety "I've been on escitalopram for about 12 weeks now. I was a 'normal' person my whole entire 20 years of life, and when anxiety hit me out of absolutely nowhere, I had severe derealization symptoms that basically drove my anxiety through the roof. All of a sudden, I was a completely different person; once an outgoing, lively, fearless girl to someone who couldn't even look up. Because of this, I spiraled into a horrible depression. I think one of the scariest feelings was I would panic and a wave of helplessness would just hit me, and I felt like my whole world was falling apart. After taking Lexapro, I started to very gradually feel better. It was never like an on and off switch, but as the weeks went by, I just slowly started feeling better/mood lift/less tense/etc. Now, I feel great and like myself again and am doing more for myself in the past few weeks than I have the past few years. Give it a shot, it will be rough in the beginning like everybody says, but it will be worth it."

• Tar...
• January 3, 2020

For Anxiety "I have been on the drug escitalopram for 5 weeks now, I suffer from severe anxiety, which has caused me to go through 3 marriages, but now this has been life-changing for me. The first 4 days had all the side effects, but now I no longer panic, no more compulsive shopping, sleep 8/9 hours a night, cannot cry anymore, which I love as I was very emotional before. I have to take it at about 8 pm as I was taking it in the mornings, but it was making me sleepy during the day. 10 mg is just perfect for me, my mom takes 20 mg. My only regret is that I didn't go for help some 20 years ago. I now feel like a normal person, and I'm able to make the right decisions for myself, which I never had before. It truly has saved my life."

• Rea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 5, 2022

Escitalopram for Anxiety "I had taken Lexapro for 20 years but got really lax with it. I would take a quarter of 10 mg every other day, sometimes every 3 days. Then I had some post-Covid tachycardia that sent me into several panic attacks and horrible anxiety. I switched to Celexa, which made me really sick and gave me more tachycardia. I went back on Lexapro. I started at 2.5 and worked my way up to 5 mg, (I’m super sensitive to meds). It took exactly 4-5 weeks before the anxiety has gone away completely. The panic attacks stopped about week 2 or 3. I’m very thankful to God for this medicine. I did not want to drive or work, but I pushed so hard because I knew I had to. I also have 2 littles that need their mommy. If it doesn’t work at first, do stick with it. You can live anxiety-free."

• 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."

• Pan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 8, 2021

Escitalopram for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Was taking Lexapro for 7 years, and then after 5 years off the med, I got really bad anxiety and 24/7 panic attacks. Back on Lexapro (5 mg) for 6 days now. Day 5 was like a dream-completely anxiety-free. Today is a bit worse, and I know I gotta be strong and make it through the first few weeks. Lexapro literally gives you your life back, the few side effects outweigh the wonders this drug does. I have been anxious my whole life, and my time on Lexapro was the best time of my life. Don't get discouraged by anti-AD opinions and side effects of the first weeks, just like someone here wrote, 'gotta make it over the hump.' Be strong! It pays off."

• jpa...
• November 16, 2017

Escitalopram for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Lexapro 10 mg helped me so much. In June of 2016, my dad passed away unexpectedly. I'm 24 and a female. My life was turned upside down, and I could not deal. I was a 'normal' person without anxiety before this, now I was experiencing chronic anxiety, panic attacks, mind racing, feelings of derealization, etc. It was chronic. I couldn't go to work and could barely even leave the house without having crippling anxiety. I tapered up from 5 mg to 10 mg over a few months, and it literally saved me. I still had a few symptoms, but nothing any different than just everyday mild anxiety. It felt liberating. Lexapro 10 mg saved my life."

• Dre...
• August 22, 2019

Escitalopram for Anxiety "I took a single 10 mg Lexapro dosage at around 9 a.m. on a weekend. Immediately, I noticed a loss of appetite, but it was manageable. It wasn’t until about 7 hours later that I noticed my throat felt like it was partially closed. After another 7 hours, I had one of the worst panic attacks of my life. I was sweating, had chest pain, my heart was beating out of my chest, and I felt nauseous. I seriously considered going to the ER. I eventually fell asleep around 5 a.m. and woke up around 9 a.m. with the exact same symptoms. Truly awful. The only good that came from it was that I was exhausted by nighttime, which led to some solid sleep over the span of 2 nights. Still, it took me at least a week to feel ‘normal’ again, and that’s after only a single dose! The half-life of this medication is extremely long. My advice to anyone reading this with similar symptoms: Stay hydrated, get sleep (I know it’s tough, but it’s a must), and try to eat! I will never take it again."