Lexapro Side Effect - Afraid to Continue

[lowcountry]

I was put on Lexapro for anxiety - took 1/2 of a 10 mg tablet the first 4 days and 1 tablet the 5th.  Today is the 6th day and I don't know what to do - to continue or stop.  I have had episodes where warmth and tension envelopes my chest and arms - some disorientation and dizziness and feelings of high blood pressure through my body.  The doctor said I could exercise - I normally run a few miles on a treadmill and now I can't even do 2 minutes without the pulse racing, hot tension in my body and dizziness.  The doctor said the symptoms will level off, but I am afraid - is this just a temporary thing?  Should I keep taking it?  Or should I stop.  Seeing the doctor on Monday but today is Saturday and if I stop it now then what?

[wowmage]

lowcountry, any update? did you continue?

I just got prescribed 10mg of lexapro, and i'm really scared to take it.

[Paxiled]

Give it more time, but not more than a couple months.  When a med works, it will have more side effects; it means you're metabolizing it.  When you have no side effects, it usually means you aren't metabolizing it and it won't work.  The only two meds that ever worked for me were extremely sedating for awhile, until I got used to them.  But the side effects were also pretty strong, whereas with meds that didn't work, I didn't have any problem getting used to them but they also didn't work.  Medication is a balance of benefit vs cost, and whether you face that cost depends on how much you need the benefit.  If you're functional without meds, just do therapy.  If therapy doesn't work, if natural remedies don't work, then you're stuck with meds, and with their costs, but also hopefully their benefits.

[bosnianworrier]

If I were u I'd listen to your doctor's advice. When I started my meds it took me 2 weeks to get used to them.

If ur side effects become too severe then talk to ur doc.