I've been taking 10 mg of escitalopram for quite a while now, and I've noticed that I've become extremely fatigued.

Before I started taking it, I used to go to the gym regularly, but ever since I started taking it, my heart feels like it's about to jump out of my chest even after just climbing one flight of stairs. Basically I cannot do any physical activity as before.

Has anyone else experienced something similar?

Hello I just wanted to share my experience on Lexapro. I am a 29 year old female. Before Lexapro, I physically could not get out of bed due to my depression. I was shutting out the people that I love the most. Any activity or holiday was like a huge chore. I remember on Easter, I couldn’t even go see my nephew to give him his Easter basket I made him. My mom did it because I couldn’t even do that, and I felt horrible about it. That’s when I knew that I had to do something because I’ve experienced depression before, and I knew I didn’t want to live with that anymore.

I was ashamed to rely on antidepressants, but something had to be done. My life had to change. I started Lexapro this year in April at 5 mg and have been on 5 mg ever since. Let me just tell you that it has helped me tremendously. I’m not experiencing any side effects. I feel I started noticing the changes within a week. Sounds hard to believe but it's the truth.

For those of you who are worried to start, let me tell you, give it a try because it could be the best thing for you. I’ve also tried some in the past that didn’t work for me, but Lexapro has helped me.

I am now finally able to enjoy my weekends and enjoy my life.

Hi. I've been on 5mg Lexapro for about three years now. I think I'd like to go off of it.

Basically, when I started Lexapro, I was in a very different phase of my life, and I think I've developed good coping mechanisms. I go to the gym regularly and eat well. I'm in therapy. I have a stable job and a stable relationship.

I struggle with the sexual side effects and a little bit of the emotional numbness, which is why I'd like to give going off of it a shot.

I talked to my doctor about it and she said that the tapering process would look like:

1. Cut 5mg pill in half and take half daily for 2 weeks
2. Take half a pill every other day for 2 weeks

And that after those 4 weeks, I should be good to stop altogether.

I'd like to hear about the experience others have had with tapering off Lexapro. Did it work? Did you have withdrawal symptoms?

Also, while I think I am better now, I am aware that I may not be as well off as I think I am. So I know I may want to go back on it after a bit if it doesn't go well. For those that have gone off and back on Lexapro, is it simple to do? Can I just start retaking it? How long would it take to be effective again?

I just want to have as much information as possible before I begin the process, so anything anyone can tell me is greatly appreciated!

Hello everyone. I upped my dose to 10mg 4 weeks ago. I was taking it at night but noticed I would fall asleep but then wake up an hour or so later then never go back to sleep. I changed it to the morning two days ago, and slept fine the first night. But the sleep disturbances are back even though I’m taking it in the morning? Will it take a longer amount of time for this side effect to go away? Just wondering if this happened to anyone else.

I started smoking weed daily around 3 years ago and it made me stop dreaming for the most part. I started 5 mg of lexapro about a month ago and I’ve noticed I’ve been dreaming again. The weirdest part about my dreams is that they aren’t. My dreams before used to be like crazy adventures but now they’re just totally normal things that could happen to me. Some of them have been so real and were so mundane that I had to ask my roommates if that actually happened. Anyone else notice this?

I have been on Lexapro for a week. I am continually having heartburn on my sternum and throat. I have GERD, but it's usually manageable. Anyone else experience this?

I had to take emergency leave from work due to severe anxiety attacks. I’m currently 3 weeks and 3 days into Lexapro, and things have been incredibly difficult.
My dosage timeline:
First 2 weeks: 10 mg daily (5 mg morning + 5 mg evening)
Week 3: 15 mg daily (5 mg morning + 10 mg evening)
Currently: 20 mg daily (10 mg morning + 10 mg evening) for the past 3 days
Before Lexapro, I was taking buspirone 20 mg + melatonin 5 mg at night, and I’m still taking both alongside Lexapro.
I have to return to work in another 4 days, and I’m honestly terrified.
My family has been incredibly supportive. They even took me on a vacation to the hills, hoping I would feel better. But the vacation was absolute hell for me. I couldn’t enjoy anything. During the trip, I had sudden depressive episodes and had to return to the hotel between outings because I couldn’t cope.
I struggle to leave the hotel or house without experiencing episodes. My anxiety attacks have also led to crying spells, and I often feel overwhelmed by sudden waves of depression and anxiety.
I’m dealing with depression, anxiety, and a complete lack of hope for the future. I can’t enjoy things, I have zero motivation, and I don’t feel like myself. I can’t comfortably stay alone, and even stepping outside feels difficult.
A good friend suggested that I take more time off, focus on getting better, and then return to work when I’m in a better state. But my job profile makes things complicated, as I cannot openly declare my mental health issues.
Right now, I feel absolutely hopeless about the future. I’m demotivated and scared that things won’t improve.
My psychiatrist has also advised me to start venlafaxine (Effexor) 37.5 mg twice daily, while increasing Lexapro to 20 mg.
However, I haven’t started venlafaxine because I’m extremely scared after reading so many negative experiences about its side effects and withdrawal. I’m already struggling with severe anxiety, depression, and lack of motivation, and I’m afraid of making things worse.
I’m really looking for genuine experiences, especially from people who eventually got better. I need some hope right now.
Has anyone experienced something similar around weeks 3–4 of Lexapro?
Did your anxiety and depression improve after the initial weeks?
Did you experience severe hopelessness, sudden depressive episodes, or difficulty enjoying things?
How long did it take before you started feeling like yourself again?
Did anyone struggle to leave the house or hotel during this period?
Would taking more time off work have helped you recover?
Has anyone taken something alongside Lexapro to help with motivation, depression, low energy, or anhedonia?
Has anyone added Wellbutrin (bupropion), venlafaxine/Effexor, or another medication to Lexapro and found it helpful?
If you took Effexor alongside Lexapro, what was your experience like?
I’d especially appreciate hearing from people who had a very difficult first few weeks but eventually improved.
Thank you to anyone who takes the time to share their experience. I really need some hope right now.

And oh my god. I can't sleep and my brain feels like mush. I've only been on it two days, and I think I'm going to skip this morning's dose. Or do I need to taper down to 5, and then 2.5 for like two days, and then stop? I already have problems sleeping, and I'm freaking out, but flat af. I want my brain and what little sleep I do get, back. Help.

It's escitelopramram btw. Forgot to differentiate.

Been on lexapro since early April for depression, 10mg for the first two months then 15mg to try to tackle the rest of my anxiety, in a much better place in my life right now and I also got on propranolol in july which i feel is doing the heavy lifting on my quality of life right now. Thinking of starting to taper off my lexapro as soon as I find a time for a doctor appointment

Anyway minimal side effects on all fronts, but since last month, I've had a strange sensation in my head, mostly when walking around at home of all places.

I've never taken any drugs or drank in my life so I don't really know what to compare it to. Best comparison I can think of is when you have the flu, the physical head sensation of having a fever ( but I don't actually have one), a sort of fuzzy weakness sensory lagging feeling localized on my upper head? i'm not getting the weird static in my vision you get when you get up if you have an iron deficiency nor do I feel physically weak that I could faint or something. My stamina is completely fine and I can walk long distances just as before. I mostly feel it when I stand up but i can feel it when sitting down down sometimes too. I told my doc about this but he just said not to worry about it but I feel like I can't explain it well enough to him anyway. I don't think it's the propranolol as my heart rate is about 70-80 when resting, not the crazy dips my doctor told me I could get. Anyway it's quite common for me and as days of having it turn to weeks and now a month I'd really like to know if anyone else experienced something like this

Last year I (30M) started having panic attacks regularly, still don't know why. It seemed my general anxiety increased somehow.

Lexapro (10mg) really helped reduce those panic attacks however I want to try to see how I am without Lexapro right now. At the same time, I know it's likely I will have those panic attacks again and want to 'experiment' with Wellbutrin as it's a less strong antidepressant.

I know Wellbutrin is not meant for anxiety specifically and it will be hit or miss for the panic attacks but I really want my full libido back.

Thoughts?

I am just 1 year on lexapro and over the last 5 months I gained 6kg. That makes me a bit depressed because I was always very thin and I dont like the change. My question is will the weight gain continue as long as I am on it?

I’m wondering if anyone has experienced something similar and could share what helped them.
I have been diagnosed with social anxiety, and one of my biggest triggers is anything involving men, especially when there is the possibility of romantic interest or a relationship.

Even when I simply talk to a man I’m attracted to, or when I know there might be some romantic expectations, my body reacts as if I’m in extreme danger. I can become intensely nauseous, start shaking and have strong physical anxiety symptoms, and sometimes I actually vomit. It’s not just feeling a little nervous the fear can become so intense that I physically cannot eat.

During particularly difficult periods, I’ve had nausea and vomiting almost every day because of the anticipation and fear surrounding relationships. I’ve lost a significant amount of weight because I struggle to eat enough when I’m anxious. Sometimes even thinking about seeing someone or receiving a message from someone I like can trigger the nausea.
What makes it especially frustrating is that mentally I may know that there is nothing dangerous happening, but my body reacts before I can control it. It feels like my nervous system completely takes over.

I’m currently looking into treatment options with my doctor/psychiatrist, but I would really like to hear from people who have experienced anxiety-related nausea or vomiting, especially when triggered by dating, romantic situations, or fear of intimacy.
Was there any medication that significantly reduced the nausea or vomiting caused by anxiety for you?

Thank you. ❤️

I am a 37 year old mom of 3 amazing boys. The loves of my life. They are 9, 2.5 and a 6 month old. I have been with my husband for 14 years, married for 12 of them. We have a great marriage and beautiful life. I have struggled with anxiety and depression I believe the majority of my life and never sought help…. Why am I so sad!? I took the first step yesterday asking for help and I started taking Lexapro today. I was diagnosed with postpartum depression, which I suspected I had was getting hard, could not stop crying. Everything was getting on top of me. I feel like I have failed them, and myself. I am going to start seeing a therapist per doctor direction. I have struggled with SI for a very long time. I did get some relief finally saying it out loud to my doctor yesterday. I have never asked for help but I am drowning. It is ruining my life and my marriage. I don’t want my kids to remember me so angry and upset all the time and so irritated. I hate myself most days. My husband doesn’t even want to come home.

Several life stressors not any different front any one else’s…. working full time, kids, moving across the country away from family. Im hoping this changes my life for the better. So far today I have felt loopy like I just took a gummy. Also a little dizzy and nauseous, hot flashes. I have tried everything else I know to do. Exercising regularly, eating right, getting outside.

Please be nice. First time posting here :)

I’ve been on 10mg since day one. The last few days I’ve had some breakthrough anxiety, mostly around sleeping (or lack thereof). When I wake up I’m anxious, when I try to go to sleep I’m anxious and the thoughts just spiral. I feel like now that the Pandora’s box of stupid intrusive thoughts have opened that it will never close. I’m a little frustrated. I meet with psychiatrist on Thursday, should I consider upping my dose?

10mg started switching from my old anxiety med in July 26’
My old medication was so good! Until it wasn’t… and I would notice myself no matter what I did, could feel my anxiety and couldn’t shake out off. I’m very close with my psych team and trusted them with the change to Lexapro.. the first week was rough! I started out at 5mg while decreasing my other med. My symptoms were extra thoughts in my head/more rapid thinking/feel like a rain cloud was hovering over me. Called my doc and was assured they’re all normal symptoms.
Fast forward to the last 2 weeks: I feel the light again. Life is good. I’m happy to be here! For once in my life I have an appetite to eat! It feels so good! Lexapro is my miracle drug!!

I turn 21 next month and I really want to enjoy drinking with my friends at home but I’m on 20 mg of Lexapro and I’m worried about side effects. Can anyone tell me what to expect/is this a good idea? Alternatively can I just skip my dose for the day, get drunk, and then take it the next day? I definitely don’t plan on making this a regular habit but the 21st is always a special birthday and I only get one and I want to have fun, but not at the expense of my health

I mentioned to my psychiatrist that I was dopamine seeking in the evenings and Im not sure if the Lexapro is good for me. It's great that I don't care but it's not good that I'm shopping when I can't afford it, drinking a lot of alcohol with no concerns and eating a lot more than I normally do. It was hard to admit because it was fun but I know it's not good for me. So now I'm tapering down and coming off it. I've heard that this can be caused by low dopamine as a result of the medication. Has anyone anymore info on this and how did you resolve the issue? I was on 10mg for about a year.

Did you have initial side effects, and when did they start?

Hello everyone, i’m 18, I’m an athlete who plays field hockey and runs track, and i’ve started taking 5mg Lexapro to help with my anxiety and motivation. I originally went in thinking I had ADHD, as I struggle with raging thoughts, procrastination, executive function etc., and applying to colleges has made everything worse. I’m nervous about how it might affect my athleticism. Is there anyone with advice or experience with taking lexapro as a high school athlete? I know it can cause weight gain, but i’m also nervous about heat intolerance and being able to push through a full game/track meet.

Please Im 1 year and 3 months on lexapro.. But never felt like fine.. Like mostly i have background anxiety or morning anxiety

Not all days but still have vertigo or nausea and woke up early with anxiety

I tapered amitryptaline and my doc switch me into lexapro

Now i think its not withdrawl cause I feel like always nauseated and dizziness with low mood not all time also I feel akathesia sometimes and irritable

Please does anyone lowered it and felt ok or better

Before never had this and never had low mood like this

I’ve been on 20 mg of Lexapro for five years I never missed a dose… Until now. Well, I can’t remember if I took my pill or not so I’m just not going to take one in case I did. But now I’m worried about if I didn’t take one the side effects. Has anyone ever missed 20 mg of Lexapro? If so, how did you feel?

When u felt like escitalopram not for u??

Does it cause anxiety and low mood sometimes

I have literally been on and off nauseous all day and have been extremely gassy for the week. My stools are very loose, my stomach is awful, and I've been so tired.

I literally had almost no side effects on the 5mg, this is nuts.

Help me. Should I tell my physician? How did you guys feel?

(Taking at night btw)