I was prescribed Lexapro for anxiety (panic attacks).  I have a high stress job and can get overwhelmed around people.  My panic attacks can be debilitating if triggered and tend to cluster.  The feeling of anxiety made it very difficult for me to focus and be my best and, while exercise had helped me earlier in life, I needed additional support. I asked my doctor if there was a medication that could help me with anxiety. She mentioned that Lexapro was a more neutral (not super uppity or down-y) and I decided to try it. I took the generic version, escitalopram. 

Here is what I experienced when I began using Lexapro and then ~3 years later when I stopped taking the drug.

• About me: I am an active female ~135 lb and 5 ft 8 in.  I work full time and do yoga/walk/jog 3 or more times per week. 
• My starting dose: 5 mg/day
• Side effects:
  •  I had a hard time sleeping at first, but then my sleep actually got better than pre-drug.
  • I had some nausea, but it went away after the first few weeks.
  • I did feel better after a couple of days and even better after a couple of months.
• What it helped with:
  • I was less easily irritated. Being easily irritated was something that really bothered… irritated 🙂 me. 
  • I didn’t have any more mood swings and my PMS symptoms were gone.
  • I was able to work through high stress situations with less of the super high highs and very low lows. The medication kept me more even keeled.
• Titrating up to 10 mg: The doctor recommended I increase the dose since I was feeling so good with the 5 mg dose.  I did this for about a month but felt like it was almost too much.  I felt more dissociated, granted that makes it easier to function in highly stressful situations, but since I wasn’t feeling any anxiety, I also felt kind of bored, and struggled to motivate myself.  I did stick with the 10 mg/day for a month here and there when I knew it could be helpful, but for the most part, I went back to 5 mg as that was enough to take the edge off. 

Overall, Lexapro was a Godsend for me. It helped me to function better and to not sweat the small stuff. It definitely helped me to keep my cool in difficult situations and for that I am forever grateful.

After about 3 years on Lexapro, I decided to wean off of it. Here is what I experienced.