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Back on Cipralex (Lexapro)

Well i'm on day 3 of a 2nd try at taking Lexapro on the advice of my physician. Last time the increase from 5 mg to 10mg after two days caused intense side effects that made me stop taking it. This time I am taking a much slower increase 5 mg for first week, then to 10mg to try and reduce the impact of the symptoms but I can tell after 3 days I am a bit more aggitated, nervous, anxious but nothing like last time. Also last time I was really against taking medication.. now... i'm ok with it.... my doc said if you have a cold you take something to minimize the symptoms... in a way this is the same thing.

I am wondering how long these "adapting" side effects typically last before my body gets used to the drug? I am hearing a week to two weeks for the side effects and then 4-6 weeks before the therapeutic effect of the drug to start really kicking in.  

I have suspended all my business travel for one month to give this a chance to work so hoping for the best. I will say that already i feel less "nervous" emotionally....its almost like my mind is getting calmer but my body is still agitated. Don't know if that's possible after only 3 days but it feels that way.

Best Answer
Avatar universal
I'm glad you are taking it slower with the increases in dosage.  Anxiety is like any other medical condition that requires daily medication to control the symptoms.  Too many people get caught up in because it's a mental issue...they should be able to handle it on their own...but rarely is this possible.  Glad you realize this!  There are side effects during the first week or two due to your body adjusting to the medication, and it will reach full therapeutic level in 4-6 weeks. I'm not sure you would feel anything after only a few days, it may just be that you feel better knowing you are finally doing something to help with all of this.  You're on the right track and I wish you all the best!
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Avatar universal
hahah....yes you did.... but its hard to believe it when you feel like you are crawling out of your skin.... they gotta figure out a way to make these meds not put you through that hell in the beginning... hopefully someone is working on that.....
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480448 tn?1426948538
I hate to say it but....

WE TOOOOOOLD YA SO!!!!

:0)
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784382 tn?1376931040
good for you!!!.....i have to admit i been feeling MUCH MUCH better myself and thanks to all of you i stuck with it too.....its awesome!
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Avatar universal
Day 31 - really feeling good today... my symptoms are defintely dissipating.... I really believe getting back to the gym everyday has made a HUGE difference...it took a month people.. so if you're not at a month and still feeling like you can't make it... hold out..... its like it literally kicks in in a matter of days and you start to feel better..... and to everyone who said "stick it out" you were right!! and thank you
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Avatar universal
Keep up the good work Turkee23..... hopefullty you're starting to feel the side effects start to dissipate.... yeah its nice to share the experiences on here. I don't think without the support of everyone on here I would have stuck it out this long.....so hopefully anyone else starting out or considering whether or not to start will benefit from our chronicles....
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784382 tn?1376931040
congrats!!!!!.........wow 30 days!....im almost there day 21 for me....3 weeks today and im shocked i made it this far.

glad to see we could all do this together!!!....xoxoxo
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