Started Lexapro - Is this normal?

[JaclynVoigt]

I suffer from severe anxiety ever since my husband passed away a little over a year ago. recently it spiked and I went in for help and was prescribed Lexapro.  I took my first dose of Lexapro last night. 10MG and felt amazing... maybe psychological and the pill didn't do it at all but felt great. I fell asleep good but woke up in a pool of sweat? I also haven't ate much today because of a stomach ache. My back and neck also hurt. Today I am exhausted... and I cant concentrate... I'm even at work as we speak typing this and not paying attention to my work LOL  Is this normal? How long do these symptoms last? Is it worth it to push through these symptoms?

[Arkingram]

I started lexapro after the death of my husband. The first week was horrible. If there was a side effect you could have I had it. After a week though things leveled out and I've been on it for 5 years now

[Paxiled]

Yes, this is normal.  The drug won't take effect for 4-6 weeks for most people, so your positive reaction was probably a placebo reaction -- you were relieved to get some hope of relief.  But side effects occur right away, and sweating and body pain and fatigue are some of the most common side effects of taking antidepressants.  Sweating is especially common to Lexapro, as is pressure in the head if that's part of your aches and pains.  How long this will last depends on the individual -- for some, it goes away, for some it never does.  Only time will answer this for you.  However, I'm curious if anyone sent you to therapy before putting you on such a serious medication?   Grief is a natural process, and while you seem to be going on with it for an extended time, getting to acceptance of it is the cure for you.  An antidepressant won't do that for you, it will just suppress the symptoms and may prevent you from ever coming to grips with your grief.  Most of us on here have no idea why we feel the way we do and so we end up on meds.  When you know the cause, therapy can be very successful.