How long did it take you to adjust to Lexapro

[Chinaadventure]

Good morning all! Hoping everybody has a great day. Mine is off to a rough start again. Hence my question, I am in the middle of week one of being on Lexapro and have weaned off of Zoloft. What are some of the side effects and what are some experiences people have had with their first few weeks of Lexapro. I have done some research and it notes that the side effects should improve over the next two weeks... The heightened anxiety nervousness and lack of sleep are my biggest frustrations right now. Stay strong all have a great day take one moment of a time! With God's grace and the power and support of family friends and a group like this will get us all through! 🙏💪❤️

[Pastor_of_Muppets]

I honestly try not to look up or think too much about side effects. I don't want to find things because I'm hyper-vigilant about them. I just note how I feel and if I notice something weird then I look to see whether it's attributable to the new medication.

[Hidden]

When I started taking Lexapro I began feeling less anxious within about 2-3 weeks. The full effects are supposed to take 4-6 weeks per doctor. I did not have any side effects although after taking it for a year I have gained 20 lbs as my appetite increased. Good luck to you!

[Chinaadventure in reply to Hidden]

So envious that you did not have any side effects. Just going with it and hoping that each day gets better. I just hate the feelings and how it impacts my daily life. Thank god I work from home and can rest, meditate or taking time to relax and balance myself.

[Hidden]

Don’t hesitate to reach out to your doctor as they can always add a temp medication to help you through the transition. You have to be able to sleep or everything becomes compounded. I know, it’s very frustrating waiting around and I’m hyper vigilant about side effects to anything, basically just waiting for them to appear. Staying busy and keeping your mind on other things is key. But ask your doc for help if you feel it’s just too much and you’re not getting enough sleep.

[Chinaadventure in reply to Hidden]

I have follow up with psych Dr. this Friday. Gonna review all of what is going on. Thanks for the support and kind words. Taking it moment by moment. I know it's gonna take time, just need to have patience and not overthink it!.

[Agora1]

Hi Chinaadventure I'm sorry you are experiencing a back lash right now

however, I feel it may be coming more from having weaned off the Zoloft

(depending how long you were on it as well as the dosage)

It takes a little time for the body to adjust to lowering or coming off one

med and going on another.

I agree with KellyKay in that it can take from 4-6 weeks for the Lexapro to

reach full efficacy. That also depends on if the dosage was increased during

that time.

Please do talk with your doctor regarding how you are feeling. During the

transition it is important to get the support you need from your prescribing

physician. I wish you well. I have found Lexapro a good medication for myself

after having been weaned off benzos. xx

[Chinaadventure in reply to Agora1]

Agora1.....I was only on Zoloft for a few weeks, it was horrible on my stomach! I had to get off of it. I was on 100mg a day went down to 50mg for a week.... Then added 10mg of Lexapro with the Zoloft at 50mg for a week. Now as of this week no more Zoloft and only the 10mg of Lexapro asking with other meds....As all have said I'm hoping it's just the adjustment time period. Hey I'm happy for small steps, but the side effects are just annoying and bothersome at times... For example right now so hot and overheated... It's 33 degrees out...I have fans on just to keep my cool... Then I get the chills... Vicious cycle! Thanks for the support and guidance, truly appreciated and very thankful I found this group. Stay strong all! ❤️💪🙏

[Agora1 in reply to Chinaadventure]

I am not a doctor Chinaadventure but it sounds like the transition is a little

bumpy at the beginning...Have your doctor address it on Friday but meantime

believe in that the medication in time will bring you relief. Hot/Cold flashes are

normal as well as weird sensations and anxiousness. Don't give up too soon, this

medication may just be the start of your success. My best xx

[Chinaadventure in reply to Agora1]

Thanks so much for the support! I just emailed my Dr. Hope to get in before Friday. 🤞

[Agora1 in reply to Chinaadventure]

Good Luck Let us know. I care xx

[Darkhouse]

From what you just said, it sounds like it's the Zoloft clearing your system, not the Lexapro giving you symptoms. Zoloft has more side effects, in my opinion, than Lexapro does. Hold strong, talk to your docs about the increased symptoms, but don't think they're there forever. It does take a month'ish for the Lexapro to fully soak in, but your still clearing the Zoloft too if you were just taking 50 mgs a week ago. I'd say another week to detox off of that fully, but there's no exact time frame. You got this!!!

[Chinaadventure in reply to Darkhouse]

Darkhouse.... great info thanks so much... I really agree that its the old meds going out and the new meds going into my system. I on for the ride!!! Hoping for good things and trying to stay positive. Appreciate the guidance. 🙏👊

[EndUser13]

Not long, about a month of titration- then I tried to come off of it and realized just how much it really was helping me.

Like a lot of people with anxiety, I'm always deathly afraid of side effects 😱

[Lm92]

Nausea and insomnia were my main issues. My doctor had me to start taking it right before I went to bed at night and that made all the difference.

[Chinaadventure in reply to Lm92]

Lm92, thanks for the information I will check with my doctor. I am surprised that you took it at night, thinking that the insomnia would be worse by taking it at night. I'm willing to try anything, I'm trying to get an appointment with my doctor before Friday. Stay strong! 🤞🙏💪❤️

[Kinlay]

Normally, they wean you off one as you ramp up the other to reduce side effects and let the new med ramp up. Depending on how quickly you "weaned off" of the zoloft, you could be having discontinuation side effects. You also don't say how high your dose is, which can also make a big difference.

[Chinaadventure in reply to Kinlay]

Thanks for the reply....I was on 100mg of Zoloft... A week later titrated to 50mg and introduced the 10mg of Lexapro. The following week stopped Zoloft and stayed on 10mg of Lexapro.... Also was titrating off of gabapentin at the same time. That was a longer process and titration time frame. Hope this helps you able to understand my current situation. Thanks for and advice. FYI today a little better 🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞shhhhhhhh! 🤞❤️💪🙏

[Kinlay]

That still seems like an awfully fast weaning off period! If you continue to struggle you may want to ask if you can go back on a low dose of zoloft until the lexapro starts kicking in. 10 mg is a low dose, so you may find you need to up it over time. But YAY that today is better. Hoping that trend continues for you!

[Chinaadventure in reply to Kinlay]

I'm waiting to chat with the DR....I agree that the Lexapro may need to be increased. I have confidence in my doctor so I am going to keep positive and hope that he provides me with the right path. 🙏💪❤️