Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
205558 tn?1264715699

Lexapro causing severe anxiety!

I just started taking 10mgs of Lexapro. I started the first day in the evening, but by 3am I was having terrible buzzing in the body and Heart palapitations, so I elected to wait a full day then take it during the day for the next round. By noon I was in the midst of a full blown panic attack, my body was buzzing, my heart was freaking out and I almost passed out! The doctor also prescribed me xanax, so I took 1/2 tab at that point and felt somewhat better. I still had trouble sleeping, and by this morning I felt much better but I decided to go ahead and take my dose again. Here I am, same troubles and once again I took a Xanax to better the symptoms. Is the Lexapro really causing these problems and will it stop? I have never had anxiety attacks like these before and I'm just so angry that this medication is causing so many more problems. Any advice would be so helpful!

Misty
2 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
I took Lexapro for about nine months.  It  would feel like my head was shaking back and forth really hard but my head was still.  I would ask my husband if I was shaking and hold my hands out to him.  Nothing.  The first 8 days were AWFUL (I went down to 5mg after day 2) and then slowly it got better.  I went to 10mg about six weeks later but that was about a month after the pharmacist said to, he said to do 5mg for 2 weeks and then go up to the 10mg.  I was too scared to do that so I stayed at 5mg for the six weeks.  I didn't have a big problem going from 5 to 10 though.  

I was prescribed Lexapro for anxiety which I believed (and still do) was cardiac related (my cardiologist actually prescribed it).  It seemed to help with the craziness but never  with the chest discomfort, so I stopped taking it.  

I hope this helps.  Everyone is different but I wanted you to know that it wasn't an easy start for me either.

Good luck.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
you need to start at 5 mg for the first week
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Anxiety Community

Top Anxiety Answerers
Avatar universal
Arlington, VA
370181 tn?1595629445
Arlington, WA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out what can trigger a panic attack – and what to do if you have one.
A guide to 10 common phobias.
Take control of tension today.
These simple pick-me-ups squash stress.
Don’t let the winter chill send your smile into deep hibernation. Try these 10 mood-boosting tips to get your happy back
Want to wake up rested and refreshed?