Lexapro-feeling wired/can't sleep-anxiety!!!

  • Thread starter Thread starter yanksgirl
  • Start date Start date
Y

yanksgirl

Guest
Hi, I'm new on Lexapro (taking 5 mg. for 10 days now on 10 mg) to try.
I tried it once before, made it 4 days--side effects so bad, I stopped! Started again, due to recent depression getting to be more so and then had an anxiety attack--mostly feeling anxious due to recurrent thoughts that are totally 'irrational' and not at all me. I've always been able to picture situations in my mind and sometimes that's good, but these that come are ones that make you say 'where did these come from?--they make my depression/anxiety worse!
So, back on the Lexapro--the 5 mg. helped a little but I still had to take 1/2 of a .025 mg. (very low dose) of Xanax) for the anxiety once a day and now twice a day.
So, thinking I was 'ready' for the full dose given by the doctor, I went to the 10 mg. He wanted me to do that to start with, but the side effects wouldn't let me.
Last night and today have been awful! I've had the feeling of being wired (chilled) at times, clinching my teeth, the need to move about (thought I'm soooo very tired). The Xanax helps for awhile, but not as long as the side effects. So, I'm spacing it out for morning and evening to help over these last two days. I wonder if this will continue or get better in time or if I just can't take Lexapro?
I've also had an increase in b/p and though I told the cardio doc.
I thought it was mostly due to anxiety, he increased the medicine dosage on that one, and it has anxiety as one of it's side effects and insomnia. He said that would get better in a couple of weeks. It's been that long now, so I feel it is the Lexapro causing this, but maybe both! Yea!!
I'm not a happy camper to say the least. As a senior age female, I wonder why now? I have had some health issues the last couple of years that have not been life threatening, but as I say, quality of life altering----from shingles to inner ear problems and intermittent loss of hearing as a result of the ear condition.
That is the reason for the depression as well as family situations that one really has no control over but you worry over loved ones.
That's my situation. Appreciate any comments. thanks.
 
Have you read the entire drug info sheet for Lexapro? This can be a huge help in understanding side effects, etc. I always recommend reading the entire drug info sheet for any new drug you will take.

When I started Lexapro @ 10mg I had lots of immediate side effects. Jaw Clenching/Tightening, Spaced-out feeling, Feeling jumpy or irritable, Nausea, Night sweats, Vivid dreams, Insomnia (only when taking lexapro before bedtime). It's been about 4 years so I can't remeraber it all. Took about 2 weeks for me to get over the initial side effects. About a month to feel like myself again. Yet always have the occasional night sweat, jaw clenching and vivid dreaming.

I'd say give it a month, but be sure to keep in touch with your doctor. Lexapro might not be the right drug for you. Or you may do better on 20mg than 10. Seems like some people do better on a higher dose and some do better on a lower dose. Just depenRAB on you.

For example, at 20mg I had severe sleepyness, severe jaw clenching, constant night sweats. When reduced to 10mg it was better, but still very sleepy. I'm on 5mg now and have been for the past 2 years. This is the proper dose for me. I still have an occasional side effect but this occurs so much less than it used to that it is tolerable. And my anxiety is 95% under control so this works for me.

You say you're a senior age female... I think this type of medication may be tolerated differently in an older person than in a younger person. You might want to ask your doctor about that as well.

Hope this helps. And good luck with everything!
 
Thank you so much. That's encouraging that these side effects may pass. I tried the 5 mg. but since the doctor thought I should give the 10 mg. a try first, I went to the 10 mg. after about 8 days or so. I've taken 4 days now of the 10 mg. Yesterday was a pretty good day. I was wired, but had energy, no anxiety or unpleasant thoughts, really, until later in the day---took Xanax (very low dose) and that took care of the anxiety. Today it's rainy out, I'm very busy with prep. for Thanksgiving, but keep getting so 'anxious' and thoughts running thru the mind that I don't like. So, the depression seemed to overwhelm me at times and so I took the Xanax. I'm feeling calmer now. Just have to give the meRAB time I guess and keep telling myself, this is 'not me' and 'will pass'. Thanks for your comments.
 
Since you just bumped up to the 10mg 4 days ago you're sort of "starting over" with the side effects. That could definitely be a reason for the side effects to linger on a bit longer than usual. Whenever I upped my dose from 5 to 10 and again from 10 to 20 I had a resurgance of side effects that would then subside after a week or so.

For the time being, if you are a caffiene drinker - coke, coffee, tea - go with decaf all the way. Caffiene can really up your anxiety. (Just in case you hadn't thought of that.)

Happy Thanksgiving! :wave:
 
Back
Top