Has anyone experienced insomnia while starting lexapro? How did you deal with it?

[ArtistP]

I have been on Lexapro for about 11 days now for anxiety and depression. I am not sleeping except for a few hours after taking a xanax. The xanax is working less and less as I believe I am developing a tolerance to it. Any advice on how others have tackled this would be appreciated. Maybe Ambien or Lunesta. I don't know.

[AnxM]

Yes, I experienced very poor sleep when I started Lexapro. I was waking up every 2 hours and it took me over an hour to fall back to sleep. Had no more than 5 hours of sleep each night.It also gave me indigestion and made me feel jittery. The side effect that bothered me the most was the feeling that my eyelids were being pulled shut.

Anyway, I stopped after 8 days (2.5mg) and feel normal again. Using meditation and self-affirmations to cope - effective and no side effects.

Just sharing my experience. I hope you figure out what works for you.

[ArtistP in reply to AnxM]

Thanks for responding. I don't know what to do. I am only on 5mg which isn't even a therapeutic dose. I am already suppose to be up to 10mg but I haven't done for fear of making things worse. Thanks for your input it is much appreciated. I am glad you are doing better.

[AnxM in reply to ArtistP]

I cut the 5mg pills in half, and even then, was experiencing all those side effects.

2 days after I stopped taking Lexapro, I slept a lot better. And all the weird heavy eyelids and jittery feelings went away as well. My dr. did prescribe me Atarax to cope with the insomnia from Lexapro, but I think it's too much to take another medication to control the side effects of the first one.

I'm coping with anxiety and PTSD flashbacks through meditation, self-affirmations, physical exercise, yoga, reading etc. A lot more work but at least I feel like I'm in charge.

[ArtistP in reply to AnxM]

thanks, any little bit of info is helpful.

[AnxM in reply to ArtistP]

Happy to help. Good luck!