Posted by Patient on January 9, 2004, at 8:58:18
In reply to But the anxiety on Lexapro?, posted by Mandy Roberts on January 5, 2004, at 12:41:00
Hi,
Yes, very common for most antidepressants to cause stimulation and/or anxiety during the first few weeks after starting. This usually, eventually, wears off. If the anxiety is troubling for you, then reduce dose of Lex. and stay on the lower dose for a few weeks before increasing back to what you are now taking. With Lex. in many cases a smaller dose (below the prescribed dose) works just as well as a larger dose. Make sure you take it in the morning helps, too. And, if you're still having problems, have your doctor prescribe the older antidepressant trazodone (Desyrel). Doctors commonly prescribe this when a patient has insomnia after starting on an SSRI antidepressant. I've taken 25mg at bedtime and it is the best sleep aid-helps me sleep all the night through without very early morning awakenings. Within a half-hour to an hour after taking it I'm sleepy and ready for bed. And, because it is a 5-HT2 antagonist it helps greatly with sleep by improving REM sleep patterns. SSRI's disrupt REM sleep patterns, especially during early treatment.
poster:Patient
thread:296733
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040109/msgs/298490.html