I have had extreme anxiety that left me in a non-functioning state I have tried several pills and nothing helped until Lexapro! I have been on 10 mg of Lexapro since February 10th. I started taking it around 10am, this last week I started taking it at night. I feel awesome but I also feel like I could sleep 24 hrs a day! I've read where some people were over the fatigue in 4 weeks, has anyone had it longer? Should I cut it down to 5mg? Will this extreme fatigue ever war off? I am on Klonopin, but I have cut the dosage way down. Could someone please help. Also, please no negative feedback, I don't need that in my head.
So sleepy with Lexapro, help!?
Question posted by Breathe2 on 2 April 2014
Last updated on 21 February 2021
46 Answers Page 2
After taking Lexipro I also had fatigue and felt a bit sick with a dose of 10 and then 5 mg.
Upon advise I went off the pill for two days and then took only 2.5 mg and that solved the problem,
and the positive effect of the medication seems to be the same as all my psychological problems
are gone. In that sense it is a wonder drug and the whole family is a lot happier.
I was prescribed Lexapro 5 mg for extreme anxiety and panic attacks. I feel wonderful, and my symptoms have diminished entirely. It took me a month to get use to it with minimal side effects. However, it's been almost 2 mos now, and I have experiencing extreme fatigue. I have to drink caffeine throughout the day to get me through. Drinking a lot of water helps also.
I am also on the same lexapro and klonopin and though they're the first medications I found to work, I'm extremely tired all the time. Would love feedback.
I was givennlexapro too.. 20mg right away and it gave me the mother of all attacks... couldn't get out of bed for 2 days.. when I read more about it i shouldn't even be on it due to my other meds.. but I also read it's a half life of 30hrs so think about it you take it every morning for for at least 6hr you have double the amount in your body and after the 30hrs you have 1and a half.. so yea it would make a person tired
I started taking escitalopram about summer/fall 2016 and I am so glad I found this thread! for the past 5-6 months (I think, I have a memory disorder) I started feeling so exhausted that I began sleeping 15-16 hours a day, depending on the shift I was working. If I was at work and it was a 7 a.m. - 3 p.m. shift, I could barely function. I was more awake for my 12 p.m. - 9 p.m. shift. I now have a super flexible job and can make my own schedule, I might work 2-4 days a week and even though I went from a full time to a part time job, I can't get enough sleep! It's absolutely crazy to me because I went from moderate depression w/o medication, thinking sleeping 10-12 hours a day was a lot (In 2012-2013) to energetic and happy in 2015, back to severe depression in spring 2016. I was really happy with the way I felt because of escitalopram, but I stopped taking it as of about 2-3 days ago.
If I were to forget to take it for a week, which happened quite a few times, I would go through withdrawals. I will feel light headed, dizzy, confused, just not myself at all. That was a true sign for me (and the extreme fatigue) to eventually stop taking it when I felt ready. I seriously thought my fatigue was because of another health concern, but knowing this is something that can be caused by this medication, I'm ready to quite taking it. Send good vibes my way as I venture through this journey.
** I took 10mg escitalopram
If any medicine leaves you groggy and sleepy during the day, I would ask my doctor if it is okay to take it at night. That would help with any insomnia or sleep problems you may have. Be sure to okay it with your prescribing doctor. Best Wishes, ChelleKay
I have been taking Lexapro for the 4 weeks. I started at 5 MG for first 4 days and moved up to 10 MG for one week, and then 15 MG for 4 days. I have been taking 20 MG for last 12 days. I feel very sleepy during the day. I take it in the morning. I just can't seem to get motivated. Not feeling as anxious in the mornings. But still feeling depression since not motivated to accomplish tasks during day time. I would also like to know if the fatigue goes away.
I have been taking 10mg of Lexapro since January. I take it every morning for severe depression and anxiety. I'am so exhausted i just want to stay in bed. I've not tried taking it at night although i wonder if this could help with my severe insomnia? I also have been having bad migrains and very nauseous. Are these side affects from Lexapro?
I've been on Lexapro 10mg for almost 3 months now the 27 of april will be 3 months. It has helped with my depression and anxiety, but makes me very sleepy. I tried taking it for a month in the morning as my dr said give it a month then I switched to night and gave it another month. Iam still super tired I usually need a nap about 3 in the afternoon because i can not keep my eyes open anymore, hoping to find something that works the same but I can stay awake.
Lexapro worked great for anxiety, but made me so tired. I have been talking it earlier until I find the right time at night, currently 8:00 pm. I also added bupropion which increases energy, helps with depression, but increases my anxiety. Currently I am on 5 mg lexapro and 300 mg of bupropion. These drugs work well together, just need to figure time and amount. I think I am 60% better, but I have only been on the bupropion 2 weeks, lexapro 2 months.
How are you doing with Wellbutrin and lexapeo? I’ve been on Wellbutrin 300 for years and last week my doc prescribed lexapro 5mg. I’m feeling so tired and have zero motivation to get myself out of the house. Did you side effects go away? If so, what times are you taking your meds?
I am tired end wake up cranky voices still don't stop...
Hi, I have been taking lexapro for 5 weeks now just up it to 10 I work night shift so my sleep schedule is all off. I talked the lexapro in the morning along with my Dr prescribed hydroxyzine sleep aid I sleep just fine and I notice it is easier for me to get out of bed I fall asleep and stay asleep. I feel better all around and happy. My sex drive is coming back. My personality is better. I love this medication.
I took Lexapro for about 10 years. 10 & 20's. The sleep issue never went away. About 5 years ago I switche to Zoloft. Works just as well for me and less sleep problem. I take 10 mg Ambien and 1 mg Lorazapam to sleep. Lexapro is great except for the sleepiness.
I started lexapro 2 weeks ago and the first week I was SO TIRED! Especially in the mornings. I didn't start feeling normal til about noon (I get up for work around 630am). The first week lexapro also made me not just tired in the mornings but sleepy at night after i took it - within an hour I would just fall asleep. The second week all that subsided. I'm still a little tired but it's nothing like the first week. I'm hoping this 3rd week it goes away even more.
I started taking Lexapro 4 weeks ago. 10mg at night time. I have zero problems sleeping for the first time ever, but like you can't get out of bed which is very, very strange for me. I'll have a crash or two in the morning, where I yawn every minute it seems. I feel like I am so tired I am almost wasted. BUT... as soon as I get moving, ie go for a walk, go to the gym etc I feel a million times better. Even if I just do 10 star jumps on the spot. I encourage you to get moving if possible.
For people suffering from nausea in the early stages, I found that exercise also made this go away.
I found my next day tiredness to be worse if I have one or two glasses of wine (I literally mean one or two as that is all I've had). So maybe that's something worthwhile noting.
I have been taking 20 mg of lexapro for a few months. I am falling asleep at the wheel of my car. I might only be going one mile. It is terrifying. However, I had been suffering with debilitating panic attacks for the first time in my life for the past year due to a number of family tragedies. I really don't want to have those panic attacks again but... I can't go on like this either.
Related topics
lexapro, depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, generalized anxiety disorder, pill
Further information
- Lexapro uses and safety info
- Lexapro prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Lexapro (detailed)
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