lexapro 5-6 weeks. anxiety reduction

[kl42]

hi on lexapro now 4 weeks. going into 5th week now, has helped alot with anxiety. im sleeping well now. much less obsessing on things.  less. physical symtoms. less internal shaking. nerve feelings in neck chest . pulsing in head. i have nbeen evaluated by nuerologist. mris. of brain cevical ect. said ok. its anxiety. will pass. / my question is does the lexapro continue to build seratonin in your sytem or does it reach a certain level and stop. if it keeps building up. does this continue to reduce yor anxiety and physical symtoms of anxiety. .. wuill this continue to improve in week 5-6-7/ ect?   thanks for info.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

At a constant dose you will reach a steady state blood level. The effect of the medication continues and builds if you continue to use the relief to work on your life issues and don't entirely rely on the medication to fix you.

[kl42]

thanks. dr. gould

[Jaquta]

Serotonin will either be recycled or destroyed if in excess.
Most body systems work to achieve homeostasis.  I expect serotonin is no different.  Some people do develop serotonin syndrome due to excess serotonin.

Some medications (ssri's) are said to take up to 4-6 weeks before any improvement in symptoms is noted.  This time-frame can vary with different medications and dosages.

I'm not familiar with lexapro although it is frequently mentioned in ths forum.

I'm feeling brain dead and can't work through this issue.  I expect you would get some reduction in symptoms, then you would have a plateau possibly where symptoms are managed.  Some people become tolerant to medication after a while and need more medication to control the same symptoms.

I'm glad your other tests came back negative and that the medication is providing some relief.

J