Do all ssri's cause anxiety at first?

[mike333]

I started taking lexapro because I was diagnosed with severe gad and panic disorder. I feel like i have more anxiety now, or perphaps my condition is worsening. Do all ssri's cause anxiety at first and then goes away after a couple of weeks on the drug. I just started the lexapro about a week ago. I thought this was an anti-anxiety drug to maske me feel calm.Anyway I am hoping it's just a temp thing that goes away over time. Is this true? And is it true for all ssri's.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

It should be temporary...because they are also antidepressants they tend to have a stimulating effect, which increases your internal tension, and can be confused with anxiety.

[Gingin123]

Yes, most people feel more anxiety when first starting a med like anti-depressants. Some Dr.s temporarily give Klonopin or Xanax until your body adjusts to the med.  I take Remeron and Klonopin 3 times a day.  I am in week 3 of the Remeron. I am hoping the full anti-anxiety affects kick completely in so I can wean off the Klonopin.  I too have severe GAD. I believe I put a post to you in your previous  post.  How long have you been on it and at what dose? If it gets worse, I would definitely let my Dr. know.  I hope you are seeing a Psych Dr. since they are the most knowledgeable of these types of drugs.  You hear of alot of GP's prescribing these drugs these days but I still think it's better to see someone who specializes in this area.  They know what works best and when to change a med if it is not working.  Hang in there!

[Gingin123]

Forgot to mention, in the previous post my name is listed as Baby123.  My nickname depends on whether I post at work or at home.

[mike333]

Yes, I am seeing a physciatrist. He first suggested zoloft, but read so many positive things about lexapro and that zoloft tend to lose it's effect after a few years i asked him if lexapro wuold be okay to try. So he started me on 5 mg for 5 days and then 10 mg which i have been on for 6 day's now. No real side effects except i always wake up at night with high anxiety. I have xanax and klonopin to help me sleep and for the bad gad days until the lexapro kicks in. I hope i made the right choice over zoloft. alot of people seem to have real positive effects with lexapro. I guess iwill have to wait another week or so tho feel the effects hopefully.
Mike

[Baby123]

Try to hang in there.  It does take awhile for these meds to really kick in and you feel the full effect.  I have been on Remeron for the first 2 weeks, I was still feeling a lot of anxiety.  I am feeling better now and it seems like every day gets a little better.  I still occasionally some breakthrough anxiety but I try to do something to get my mind off it.  If I am at home I will go running or walking and when I am through, the anxiety is completely gone.  The same with doing relaxation/breathing exercises.  That helps some but with me, but not as much as the exercise.  I guess exercising burns that nervous/anxious energy.  But I don't have any problems sleeping anymore because Remeron is taken at night and helps with sleep.  Some Dr.'s give it to patients with insomnia.  I have been pleased with it so far.  Haven't really had any side effects.  It didn't raise my anxiety level as much as the SSRIs did.  I am very med sensitive, so that is why my Dr. put me on this one.  Good luck.

[dont]

Are you doing any better on the Lexapro yet? I am on it too and am really still anxious. I can tell it's from the medicine though because I tell a difference between med anxiety and plain ole anxiety. Please let me know if you are any better on it because I am so afraid this side effect won't go away. I am on 5 mg. starting tomorrow and was only on 2.5 because of being so senstive. Please let me know. Thanks.

[duckmaster]

I have been on Lexapro 10mg for the past two months. I am satisfied with the results. I DO NOT experience any anxiety anymore, but in the first week I did.

Good Luck