Is this a side effect for Lexapro? - Anxiety Message Board

mommaoftwinsplus1 · 02-26-2006, 03:50 PM

I started taking Lexapro about 2 weeks ago. And for the last 5 nights I wake up around 2 am. I lay there worrying, then my heart starts racing and then I have trouble breathing. I guess those are mini panic attacks. I really don't have any trouble falling asleep when I go to bed, but I do having trouble getting back to sleep after waking up at 2. Oh and how long until this stuff starts working? I am feeling a little more relaxed about things. However I still have episodes of shakiness, heart racing and shortness of breath throughout the day. I am on 10mg a day. You help is much appreciated.

Ps. Have you experienced weight gain on Lexarpo??

Mommaoftwinsplus1

americandancer · 02-26-2006, 05:45 PM

Maybe you could try taking it earlier in the evening or first thing in the morning. When I took lexapro, I took in around 7:00 and had no problem going to sleep around 11:30 or so. I remember waking up also, but I had no trouble going back to sleep. I would think as your body gets more used to it, that it will get better, definately the anxiety part. I know I seemed more hungry on lexapro, but it was because I was feeling so much better. I think if you just really watch what you eat and when you eat, you'll be fine. I am taking effexor now because I kept getting hives from lexapro, but it sure did work for anxiety. I wish I could have stayed on it.

mommaoftwinsplus1 · 02-26-2006, 10:11 PM

Thank you american dancer. How long until I start feeling less anxious. I know we are all different, but how long did it take you. I am 12 days into it. I just do not like this weak, tired, shakey feeling. I have 3 kids age 4 and under to care for and I need to be feeling my best. I have noticed that I have not been as impatient with them, which feels great. My only complaints are just my physical symptoms. A couple times a day I will feel very shakey and short of breath, not too mention my heart races and I feel very fatigued. I hope this goes away soon.

mommaoftwinsplus1

americandancer · 02-27-2006, 11:56 AM

I felt the lexapro working just a few days into taking it. Unfortunately, I also got the hives in that timeframe. Maybe you should halve the 10mg into 5mgs and just take the 5 mg for a week and then try moving up to 10. I was actually given 20mg and I just cut mine into 4 and slowly moved up. Maybe that will resolve the sleep issue. Did the dr. give you any benzos to help you get used to the lexapro? I think if you just give it a little longer and wait it out, you'll notice a huge difference. At least that's the way it worked for me.

MagicSunshine · 02-27-2006, 09:21 PM

Hi,

I just started lexapro a week ago and I am feeling more calm already. It really hasn't had time to work on my depression yet but it took away some of the anxiety very fast. I have had no side effects at this time. I sleep well and wake up feeling better.

Hope you have the same results but AD's work different on all people. Good Luck........Connie