Posted by Diirk on August 1, 2009, at 17:15:53
In reply to Re: Lexapro Startup Anxiety » Diirk, posted by SLS on August 1, 2009, at 5:37:06
> > I am having terrible anxiety after taking my first 5mg Lexapro tablet. I've heard there can be an increase in anxiety when starting Lexapro, but didn't think it would happen so quickly. I have successfully taken Zoloft in the past with some start up anxiety, but nothing compared with this.
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> > Is this normal?
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> I think it is unusual to have additional anxiety so early in Lexapro treatment. Often, anxiety appears around the end of the second week and is gone by the end of the third. If your anxiety remains elevated by then, I would consider that Lexapro is not the right drug for you. In actuality, I doubt Lexapro is as good for anxiety as is Effexor and some of the other SSRIs. Either Lexapro is not used that often for anxiety disorders, or it is just not that effective. Of course, if Effexor does not work for you, it is more difficult to discontinue than would be Lexapro or Prozac. Paxil works too, but its withdrawal syndrome is no bargain either. There are ways of mitigating withdrawal symptoms that I'm sure you will get help with should you really find it difficult to discontinue these drugs. Some people do not experience much withdrawal at all.
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> You might actually have started with too low a dosage of Lexapro, although this is only a suspicion of mine. I have no evidence to support it. If it were me, though, I would go up immediately to 10mg and see what happens. If it makes things worse after a few days, I would drop it. If things calm down, I would then wait another week and go up to 20mg, knowing that there might be another brief worsening of anxiety.
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> What dosage of Zoloft did you take?
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> Are you particularly anxious in social situations?
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> What is your official diagnosis?
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> Ever have a panic attack?
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> - ScottI was on 50mg Zoloft. My anxiety is mostly situational (meetings, appointments, public transportation, etc., places I feel I can't escape easily or without embarrassment), but I also have anxiety for no apparent reason, just sitting at home. I have had panic attacks (worst ones when starting SSRI meds), but usually I can get through a situation without totally losing it - I've got a pretty good poker face when freaking out inside.
I've decided to stick with the Lexapro long enough to see if it's going to work, or until it becomes unbearable - so far I'm able to handle the start up anxiety (with the help of some Klonopin).
poster:Diirk
thread:909442
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090801/msgs/909722.html