Lexapro Increase-question

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-31-2004
Lexapro Increase-question
17
Wed, 01-03-2007 - 7:18pm
Hi guys-
My dr sugessted I increase my Lexapro from 10 to 20mgs. I said no then because I was afraid (what else is new) I want to do it now. I took 10 mg at noon then another 10 at 6:30 out of frustation. My question is, should I take 2 at once or split it? I have 1 year worth of 10mgs cause I said no to 20 so it will last me 6 months instead. Will I have side effects? I dont have my xanax yet, I hope this doesnt make me worse. Sherriann said her dr said 20 mg is the min to make a difference so that has been on my mind all day. Who else takes 20 mgs? Is that alot? I may take Benadryl tonight if my anxiety keeps me awake. God, I hate this feeling.
Donna

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Wed, 01-03-2007 - 9:12pm
Hi Donna, call your doc & let him/her know that you are willing to increase the Lexapro.

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Wed, 01-03-2007 - 9:31pm
ITA with Sheri Ann. It's always best to check with the dr. Here is the link to lexapro on the PDR site. Don't read it if it makes you anxious, Donna. I have that problem sometimes. Or maybe I should say *alot* of the time;)
 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 05-31-2004
Wed, 01-03-2007 - 10:20pm
Thanks. I read the link Jan sent. The seizure thing scares me but I know there is always some rare side effect. My dr that perscribed them is in Fl. I guess I can call him but I know he gave me one last refill untill I found another Dr. He wanted me to take 20 and said it would help me. Im going to take 2 pills at once in the morning just as I did with the one. What have I got to loose. Im obviously not doing well on 10. Funny thing is I felt great the first 3 weeks. Even lost weight. Then it plateaud.
My husband leaves Mon for business. I dont want to be alone in transition so Im starting now.
Ill check in...
Thank you-good night.
Donna
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-28-2004
Wed, 01-03-2007 - 11:03pm

Hi Donna,

No advice on the meds, but wanted to say hello & hope you can get some sleep tonight.

Hugs,
Dee

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-31-2004
Wed, 01-03-2007 - 11:42pm

Hi Dee-

That was sweet and thoughtful. You too, sleep well.
Donna

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-15-2006
Thu, 01-04-2007 - 12:45am
I take 20 mg. and it has made all the difference for me. I could tell that 10 mg. was helping me somewhat, but I still had breakthrough anxiety attacks every once in a while. My doc raised me to 20 mg and I am doing very well. Only side effect I have ever had with Lexapro is mild difficulty sleeping (only sometimes) I know EXACTLY how you feel about being scared to take more medicine - I was in the same boat.
Good luck -
Misty
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-03-2007
Thu, 01-04-2007 - 10:30am
Hi,
I am new here. I have had anxiety/panic problems since I was 12 yrs. Now am 55 yrs. Still have problems and menopause plus family stuff has made anxiety worse. I have also been on lexapro for a two or three years now. I take 40mg daily plus xanax as needed. I panic so bad that I now am on disability for anxiety. lost my job. But I also have made some big changes in my life to reduce some big stresses. Have you ever heard of anyone taking 40mg of lexapro? If I try to decrease it i panic worse. I have agoraphobia and have problems leaving the house but I am doing better. thanks for this site. I am glad I found it
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Thu, 01-04-2007 - 12:02pm

Hi, Sylvia! Nice to have you here. I am sorry to hear about the anxiety & the limitations it has caused. I am so glad that we can be of help & that you are learning new ways to cope. You are NOT alone. That is what many of us are doing to regain our balance.


Although the info that I posted on lexapro said that 20 mg. was the recommended dose, others are prescribed higher doses. Meds effect each person differently & the dr. is the best judge of what you need to cover your anxiety. In the past, I have required much higher than normal doses of antidepressants than what is in the drug literature. I had a psychiatrist tell me once that my serotonin levels were severely low & I would always need higher than normal doses. I never had any unliveable side effects @ high dosages & like you, Sylvia, when my dose was reduced, I had a return of symptoms. I hope that reassures you in someway. Just my personal experience;) But, as always, you should speak to your dr. if you have concerns.


Please keep in touch & let us know how you're doing. Join us in chats. We care about you! Good luck & GBU! (((hugs))) jan

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Thu, 01-04-2007 - 8:01pm

Hi Syliva & welcome!

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-29-2006
Thu, 01-04-2007 - 8:28pm
Hi Donna,
strange, My new Therapist also increased my dosage yesterday from 10 to 20mg. He said the same exact thing that 10mg is too low a dose and if I want to start feeling better I need to increase to 20mg.
Not sure if that makes you feel better about changing but it sounds like your dt. is making the same suggestion which seems like the right thing to do.
I have not filled the new prescription, I will by the end of the week. Since I have only been on the meds 2 weeks I'm not sure what the increased dosage will do for me but at this point in my life I just want to feel better.
Let me know how it goes for you.
Take Care,
CC

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