Starting Up Escitalopram (Lexapro) and Looking for Encouragement

Hi everyone! I'm new to the boards, and would love some encouragement. I have probably struggled with anxiety my whole life, but it wasn't until I was 18 that I was diagnosed when heading off to college. I was successfully put on Sertraline (Zoloft) for six years, and completely got my life back on track. In fact, I felt so good that I successfully (slowly) weaned off of the medicine back in March and I felt amazing.

Unfortunately, this all coincided with a big move across the country with my boyfriend. He works long hours and I don't have a car nor do I know anyone here, which led to my anxiety coming back pretty badly at the end of July. I was put on Escitalopram (Lexapro) at the beginning of August, starting at 2.5 mg, then 5 mg for a week, then quickly moving to 7.5 mg and now 10 mg. Each dose increase I've seen some increased anxiety, but it's been pretty bad for the past two increases. The increased anxiety has just made me feel a bit crazy, and like I won't ever get better. I'm trying to do everything I can to distract myself, but working from home and having a boyfriend that works long hours is making it hard.

As selfish as this might be, I would just love to hear some positive feedback or encouragement that this medicine does get better. I know that it will rationally, but it's hard to feel hopeful when I'm feeling so crummy.

Those start up doses seem kind of low but I'm not the prescriber. My MD started me on 20 mg which was way too high and I backed it off to 10mg and that seems to be doing the trick. I've been on it for 21 days so expect some turbulence until the stuff kicks on over the next days/weeks. Keep as active as you can and I know it's hard. I felt so bad at the beginning of this month I could barely function now I'm back to near normal so there is hope. Best of luck.

Hi

Welcome to the forum.

The target dose for Escitalopram is 10mg for anxiety with a max dose of 20mg.

I found it a good medication with not many side effects but we are all different when it comes to medication and what works well for one person may not work for another. An increase in anxiety seems to be the norm during start up or increase in dosage so things should settle down but if they don't go back and see your doctor.

Hibee

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I try not to worry about the future -- so I take each day just one anxiety attack at a time.

ANXIETY & PANIC FORUM MODERATOR

Diagnosed with:- Asperger's Syndrome, Dyslexia, GAD, Social Anxiety Disorder, Health Anxiety, OCD, Depression and Scheuermann's Disease (Adult)

Medications:- 60mg Prozac, 45mg Mirtazapine , Haloperidol 2mg per day, Dihydrocodeine 180mg per day