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

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.

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

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.

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