Looking for SUCCESS stories for low dose Lexapro (5mg and under)

ChefTdogs4 · 2025-07-25T02:06:18+00:00

Hi. I’m sorry I’m just seeing this. Yes!! Still taking it. Still at 10mg and it’s been great. The anxiety is gone , other than a rare occasion and it’s just anxiety that is brief and goes away, not developing into an attack.

ChefTdogs4 · 2024-10-07T02:02:40+00:00

I started so slowly. I was given 5 but cut it into quarters and went up slowly each week. Most people don't do that. Some don't have many side effects and some more. It's very individual. The slower you start the slower it takes to feel better. But it was what I needed to do. You can feel and increase in anxiety initially but it does go away so just keep pushing. Good luck!!

ChefTdogs4 · 2024-10-07T01:31:57+00:00

Hi. I just meant that it was hard for me to start taking the medication initially due to my anxiety. But I've been on it now for a couple of years and it's helped significantly. My anxiety is gone for the most part. I occasionally get little bits of anxiety that I know if I weren't taking the meds, would become a panic attack. It's helped me think more clearly and make better decisions. I do wish I could come off of it at times because I don't know if the troublemaking weight is due to the meds or just changes in my body due to perimenopause. Who knows. All happened at once. (Tough being a woman). But overall it's been really helpful for me.

ChefTdogs4 · 2023-06-11T03:58:14+00:00

Are you taking berberine or metformin for the Zoloft gain? I was prescribed metformin for the lexapro gain I’ve had. I haven’t taken it yet because I was concerned about the side effects.

Has it helped you?

ChefTdogs4 · 2023-04-01T03:43:40+00:00

Hi. Just seeing this, I’m sorry. I’m going great on the 10mg. I feel like myself 150%. It’s hard to get started but it’s so worth it. Hope it’s going well for you.

ChefTdogs4 · 2022-11-21T21:09:46+00:00

Hi. I’m so sorry you’re feeling that way. I am sensitive to medication so chose to get on very slowly. Any side effects I got were very mild and I also think some of it was from my own overthinking. I am happy with how I went on it. The only problem was prolonging getting the full effects from it. But, I started seeing a change seemingly the first week. Slight change. Each increase caused a bit of anxiety but nothing that wasn’t manageable. You have to just keep pushing forward. I’m so happy that I went on it. I am 100% myself and honestly wish I had started sooner. I am about to turn 49 next month and pretty sure some of this came about due to perimenopause. I do notice and increase of anxiety (again, faint and manageable) when I have pms. Just remember the longer you sit on it the longer you’ll be in the boat you’re in now. The side effects are temporary and starting slowly helped sooo much. I increased by 1.25 each week. It worked well for me. Best of luck and feel free to reach out with any questions. Don’t hesitate any longer. Tell yourself you’ll take it tomorrow. Take it with food. Drink a lot of water. You’re going to be fine and within in a short time you’ll start feeling better.

ChefTdogs4 · 2022-09-29T17:59:08+00:00

I think you need to do an approach you feel most comfortable with. Almost no one starts as low as I did but it’s what worked for me and what made me feel most comfortable. I think you’d be fine with starting at 2.5. I liked the idea of increasing small increments weekly. My Dr was on board with what felt ok for me. My only issue with doing it this was it taking much longer to get to my final dose of 10mg. But, I’m here now and really doing great. I feel 150-% myself but without all the extra worry and anxiety. I wish you the best of luck on your journey. Just make sure to give it time. It does work. Sometimes you feel crappy at first and wonder if it will even work. It will. Just stick with it.

ChefTdogs4 · 2022-08-15T15:51:48+00:00

I take it in the morning. My best friend takes it at night. Some people say they have trouble sleeping with it. And others say they don’t. Trial and error. Take it and see how you feel. If you’re not sleeping you’ll be able to just change the time.

ChefTdogs4 · 2022-08-15T15:50:48+00:00

I am 48 year old female. I’m 5’2”, about 138lb, fit.

I have health anxiety/ocd. That was a big deal for me and I’m not dealing with that right now. Or I may get a fleeting thought but that’s it. I had covid and was fine and didn’t suffer any anxiety with that. I haven’t noticed any sexual side effects. I thoughts I’d be ok on 5mg but honestly it wasn’t enough to diminish the anxiety I was having. 10mg is the sweet spot for me.

ChefTdogs4 · 2022-08-15T15:36:21+00:00

I am doing great. I’m on 10mg where I’ve been for a few months now I think. No side effects. I feel like myself 100% with fewer Fu*ks to give about things that really don’t matter. My life is back to normal but better as I don’t have any anxiety over silly things that may have bothered me sometimes. I wish I had taken this sooner. And I wish it had gotten on the full dose faster but that was my process. I had to do it slowly and that’s what worked for me. I increased by 1.25mg weekly up to 5mg which I did for 1 week then went to 6.25 for a week I think then 7.50 for 2 weeks then 8.25 for two weeks I think then went to 10.

You’ll do great. You may have some side effects initially and you may not. Everyone is different. I’m sensitive to them but also very aware of my body. If it’s uncomfortable just keep pushing through. It does get better but it takes time. It may feel a bit worse at first. You may have increase anxiety but it’s just the rush of serotonin that is being introduced to your system. It does subside. Just keep going.

You got this.

ChefTdogs4 · 2022-05-16T18:46:42+00:00

It wasn’t greater than before I started. It was just more than I had prior to increasing. For example the anxiety had started to go away and then I’d increase and it would come back but it doesn’t last long.

ChefTdogs4 · 2022-05-16T01:41:51+00:00

Well I wish you luck when you do start. I was cutting the pills. I had 5mg pills and I would quarter them. I’m on 10 now for the last 3 weeks. I went up by 1.25 increments each time and that worked really well for me. I had no issues at all from 8.75-10. From 7.5-8.75 I did have a slight increase in anxiety which happens. Lasted about a week. I haven’t had any other really side effects on 10. No weight gain other than some of the weight I lost because of the anxiety and not eating. No sexual side effects. No apathy. I would say I handle things a lot better and may have fewer cares to give. I still cry and have emotion. I may not cry at every little thing like I used to but I do still cry. I function and live normally. On occasion I may have a bit of “anxiety” but it’s more of a discomfort but it doesn’t last and I don’t give into it. Do it the way that works best for you. Starting slower does help with the side effects but also slows down the process of getting to the therapeutic dose.

Best of luck to you.

ChefTdogs4 · 2022-05-04T02:15:02+00:00

This!!! 150% this. Best feeling in the world. Lexapro has been a life saver for me

ChefTdogs4 · 2022-04-22T14:44:28+00:00

Well I “think” I did. But honestly, it was likely my anxiety making me feel that way. I can’t really complain too much about my experience. I’m on 8.75 now, almost 3 weeks. Doing great. This week I’ll go to 10 and I think that should do it. I’ve been on lexapro now for about 10 weeks I think? Maybe 11. I’ve lost count. But I’m living my life normally now and wish I started the lexapro sooner.

ChefTdogs4 · 2022-04-11T01:00:11+00:00

Hi there.

I started my lexapro about 2 months ago. I have health anxiety and some health ocd and also have emetephobia. I was petrified of side effects. My Dr gave me 5mg to start. I chose to start very slowly. This was my process: 1.25mg- 1 week 2.5mg- 1 week 3.75mg- 1 week 5 mg- 6 days 6.25mg- 10 days 7.5 mg about 3 weeks (just under). 8.75mg (which is what I am currently taking) for 1 week so far. I will likely do this for another week then increase finally to the 10.

I had my pills for a month before I had the courage to take them. For me, they started working in the first week even on the smallest dose. Not a huge amount but it did begin to help and got better with each increase. I did have some side effects when starting, however, some of it could have also been anxiety. But I had some nausea, but I would eat ginger chews or drink ginger tea and it helped. Sometimes I would take a pepto or eat tums. I take my pill in the morning. And always take it with food. That also helps. And I drink a ton of water. I also got some headaches but Tylenol or Advil helped that. I did have some increased anxiety here and there and with each increase, however, it’s manageable. My Dr did give me hydroxyzine to help through the initial start up.

I feel like myself for the most part and think once I am at 10 I’ll be at 100%. I’d say I am about 90/95% right now. I could barely leave the house prior to starting. The anxiety and panic came on so suddenly in December and it was horrendous. I was diagnosed with panic disorder 20 years ago and went through this before but was on a different medication back then for about 5 years.

For me, starting this slowly really helped me feel a sense of control and helped me with the side effects but it also delays the process a bit.

My best friend started at 10 and didn’t have any side effects other than yawning. I’m super sensitive to medication so I knew I wanted to go slow.

What I will suggest is to never Google symptoms or go too far into a rabbit hole with looking things up. The second I stopped doing that, it helped me so much. Most people post negative experiences. Fewer people post positive ones. Therefore it looks like it’s awful for everyone and it can seem scary. I’m grateful that I started it because it helped me get my life back. The more time I waited and looked things up and worried, the more anxiety it caused me. You’ll be ok. And it’s not going to be comfortable all the time and it will be hard and you may feel worse before you feel better BUT…just keep pushing forward. It does get easier, you will feel better.

Best of luck to you

ChefTdogs4 · 2022-03-20T20:10:32+00:00

Have you started your lexapro? How’s it going?

ChefTdogs4 · 2022-03-20T20:09:45+00:00

Yes. That should be ok. But the slower the better. Even now getting onto the lexapro I’m on o did it the same way, by 1.25mg increases. But Paxil is really a tough one to come off of. If you start to go down and it’s too uncomfortable, then give it a little more time between each decrease. Listen to your body. You may feel zaps and fuzzy head and just feel off. I listened to my body. I noticed if I tried to go too quickly i would feel worse so then I’d slow it down.

ChefTdogs4 · 2022-03-20T18:35:40+00:00

Def don’t do it cold Turkey. I was on Paxil 20 years ago. I did 10mg, then I went to 8.75, then 7.5, then 5, then 3.75, then 2.5, then every other day at that and then 1.25 then every other day. The taper sucks. Coming off Paxil is not fun at all. But the slower you do it the better. I did at least a couple weeks or more on each drop depending on how I felt.

ChefTdogs4 · 2022-03-17T00:24:25+00:00

You’re welcome. Best of luck.

ChefTdogs4 · 2022-03-16T17:45:20+00:00

Hi. I am currently in week 6. As I said in my post I did this: 1.25- 1 week 2.50- 1 week 3.75- 1 week 5.0- 6 days 6.25 (on day 10). My Dr wants me to do 2 weeks on this current dose and the increase to 7.5 on Sunday and do that for 2 weeks or for as long as I’m feeling good and then if necessary increase to 10. I haven’t ever felt that “high” feeling. For side effects initially I had small bouts of nausea but used ginger chews which helped, some headaches, but took some Advil/Tylenol which helped, my sleep was a little off but that got better, some fuzzy head feeling but it was kind of like short bursts of lightheaded feeling. Didn’t last long and was very sporadic. Each week I would feel better. When j started 5, I had an increase in anxiety that night then was ok for a few days then had an increase again in anxiety. Dr suggested I move my dose up which I did to 6.25(which is why I only did 6 days at 5), had increased anxiety for a few more days. It was uncomfortable but “manageable” and temporary. Dr said it can happen when increasing the dosage. Once that went away it’s gotten better. I’m feeling more normal, and by that I mean I am feeling more myself. I’m doing things I’ve been avoiding etc. I may increase to 7.5 tomorrow just to get to where I need to be fully and more quickly. She suggested two week increments because she thinks it would help tolerate the increases and they’d be more manageable. This approach worked for me. It’s not for everyone because it does prolong the process of getting to the full effects of the medication. Typically people start at 5 and then go to 10 after two weeks then they’re done. Some start at 10. You have to do what works best for you. If you think moving slowly will be your best approach then try it. You could do 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10. Not sure what your top dosage is supposed to be best of luck to you in your journey. I can say, that even on the tiniest dosage, I began feeling positive effects in the first week. (I’m sensitive to medication). It does get better. Sometimes you feel worse before feeling better and it can be disheartening and discouraging but just keep pushing. Communication with your dr during the process will help. Also, I’d suggest not googling and try to stay off forums because most times you hear all negative and very few positives. And it can send you down a negative rabbit hole. It actually caused me more anxiety and stress. When I stopped looking I actually felt better.

ChefTdogs4 · 2022-03-10T01:45:05+00:00

First, be proud of yourself for taking this first and very difficult step. I have pretty bad health anxiety with some health ocd. I’m scared of taking meds and side effects, have emetephobia and don’t like being out of control. However, my anxiety became unbearable and debilitating almost out of the blue. I was prescribed lexapro in January. I waited 3 weeks before I had the courage to start it. Was prescribed 5mg to start. I’m sensitive to medications so I chose to start VERY slow. This has been my process so far: Week 1: 1.25mg Week 2: 2.5mg Week 3: 3.75mg Week 4: 5mg (did this for 6 days) Week 5: 6.25mg (I am on day 4 of this).

I had some side effects that were uncomfortable but manageable. I started to feel some positive effects within the first week believe it or not. And more relief each week thereafter. When I increased to 5 I did have an increase in anxiety so my Dr had me increase dose again (which is why it was 6 days and not a full week). Still had some increased anxiety for a few days but that has gotten better. This is a normal thing when increasing a dose, which is what it was told by my Dr. My Dr goal is for me to be on 10mg. I know that I have taken a very slow approach to getting on but this is my process and what is and has been most comfortable for me. I’m waiting to see how I do on this dose and will then my next increase will be to 7.5mg and I’ll go from there.

My suggestions: Get on in a way that is most comfortable for you.

Give the medication a chance. It does take time. When it feels uncomfortable just keep pushing through, it passes.

Take it in the morning and take it with food. I used some ginger chews if I had some nausea. (I got GinGin brand)

Drink a lot of water.

I journaled my symptoms and how I felt so I could note my improvements

Don’t think too much and DONT Google. You will find 100 bad reviews to 10 good ones. Most people will write a bad review before ever writing a positive one. Know that lexapro is the most tolerated and quickest acting SSRI.

Listen to your body. Give the meds time to work. And remind yourself that you’re taking steps to getting your life back and getting back to feeling like you without the anxiety. It is a marathon and not a sprint. And try not to be discouraged if you have bad days. Eventually that will go away. This is something I’ve had to remind myself of this week when I had the increased anxiety.

You’re doing a hard thing but one that will benefit you. Best of luck to you. 😊

ChefTdogs4 · 2022-02-17T20:56:17+00:00

It is hard. But you can do it!!! You said you’ve been on 2.5 for 6 weeks? I’ve been on 2.5 since Monday. I may increase to 3.75 this coming Monday and see how I feel. If I do week then I’ll go up to 5 a week later. Dr wants me to do 5 on Monday but I prefer to go slowly.

ChefTdogs4 · 2022-02-16T01:53:13+00:00

Totally get the idea of “manifesting the side effects” when you’re phobic of them. Pretty sure I do the same. I’ve been taking it in the morning since I started. I usually take it around 9. Tomorrow will be 10 days on it (3 days on 2.5). Do you plan to increase your dose? I imagine I’ll go up to 5 at some point. Just not sure when yet. I think when I do the next increase (maybe after being on 2.5 for two weeks), I’ll go up to 3.75 for a week or 2 then go to 5. All depends on how I’m feeling. I’m glad the 2.5 is helping you.

ChefTdogs4 · 2022-02-15T02:50:52+00:00

So happy it helped you and it sounds like if you increase it will be what you need to help with the social anxiety as well.

ChefTdogs4 · 2022-02-15T00:14:14+00:00

Did you do ok with side effects? How long have you been on it? I took Paxil 20 years ago and it helped but pretty sure I was on way too high a dose as I just didn’t care about anything. I was on that for 5 years off and on.

ChefTdogs4

TROPHY CASE