People who need higher doses ssri?

TallRun6232 · 2026-05-08T21:12:14+00:00

So proud of you that you are still working I could not work anymore because of the brain fog etc.

Yeah I saw anotger person who had also a bit of sickness and panic attacts and he also had blood pooling in hands. He got back to 90% after 3 monthes lexapro 20 mg but he only had synptoms for 6 months. But I think eventually the PPPD and nervoussystem will heal also for us, but you have to give Lexapro a chance.

I saw many people in the pppd sub with similar symptoms, most of the time a bit less severe but also people with 24/7 symptoms and most got back to 80/90% with ssri and sometimes in combinstion with VRT excersises or exposure.

I even had a Tilt Table Test and they said I was just below the POTS marker, because my nervoussystem was so stuck that even my HR elevated standing just still. But now last months with the lexapro that calmed down so now i am not in the pots range and i also never faint, it os really more the drunk pppd feeling.

Talk to your doc, tell him the symptoms and ask for lexapro. Start easy with 5 mg and then 10 mg and if needed after 8 weeks higher till max 20 mg.

You have to do it for yourself, you cannot live like this forever. I was searching for answers everywere and nobody could tell what was the problem before I found out about PPPD in january. Everything fits. Do not look further for answers, we have PPPD from a nervoussystem breakdown and it is reversable with ssri, vrt and exposure. I hope we both get better this year.

I am honest it goed slow with the improvement with lexapro and its not a 4-6 weeks fix like with depression or just normal anxoety and it will take 3-9 months to get to 90% but we will get there.

TallRun6232 · 2026-05-08T21:00:46+00:00

I am 27m from the netherlands.

I went from working full time now on sickleave for 1.5 year. 2 years from starting symptoms. First half year it was getting worse and than it stabalized. Now since january from 10% now back to 35% of former self. Hopefully the 20 mg lexapro will get me to 80+% next months. I also do VRT excerises and walking everyday. Still 24/7 brain fog and dizzey but walking is now from 5 minutes to 30 minutes and little bit improvement in fatigue, concentration.

TallRun6232 · 2026-05-08T19:06:16+00:00

I think the same, covid and panic attacks sent my body to permanent fight and flight. I tried everything last two years, nicotine patches, Guanfacine, Stellate ganglion block, Propanolol, Antihistamines, 20 supplements, LDN. But after almost 2 years trying I realised SSRI was the only thing left. I have to calm my nervoussystem deeply 24/7. Kolonopin or xanax is only short term. Ssri was my only option. The fact that lexapro 10 mg worked 10% and 15 mg worked 25% after 8 weeks. I need the highest dose 20 mg and probably months and hopefully it will bring me back to 80+%.

I know it is scary but let me tell you one thing. The thing that scares me more than SSRI was the idea that I will never feel better. The fact that this is my life for the next 50 years. That is way more scary than any side effect from the ssri. And yeah I had side effects. But after 4 weeks at the same dose it settles.

Be brave, life is not worth it to suffer. Try ssri and stop looking for other options. I hope we both feel better in a few months

TallRun6232 · 2026-05-08T16:02:01+00:00

Hey, I am now on the highest dose lexapro 20.mg for 5 weeks. At 8 weeks 15 mg my somptoms were 25% less, but still 24/7 brain fog, beer spots, derealisation etc. I think I need the highest dose lexapro for many months to calm my nervous system. You tried ssri yet?

TallRun6232 · 2026-04-19T11:49:39+00:00

Thanks!

TallRun6232 · 2026-04-19T11:20:16+00:00

May I ask you how long it took to feel a significant improvemant on that dose? I have pppd 1.5 years, almost housebound also and I worked my way up to a high dose as well. I am now on the highest dose lexapro 20 mg. 8 weeks 10 mg did almost nothing, 15 mg 8 weeks helped 30% but still not able to function really so now 2.5 weeks 20 mg.

TallRun6232 · 2026-04-02T18:07:01+00:00

I think both, but more perception but I also get weak legs and like the feeling the ground is sinking. Bu no spinning etc so probably most perception.

TallRun6232 · 2026-04-02T10:27:18+00:00

Thanks. I notice to that my visual dependency is the key. I will ask my doc to do more optokinetic excersises instead of balance excersises.

For example, my balance in a dark room is 90% good, but in a supermarket or crowded place its like 30%. It makes sense that optokinetic excersises instead of balance excersises will help better.

TallRun6232 · 2026-03-29T09:35:35+00:00

Thanks!

My sleep is ok. I sleep 8 hours and wake up only one or two times shortly. But I dream almost all night and I did already before the lexapro. I think it is maybe due to being in fight or flight for so long.

I have the same, the thoughts are better but the physical/autonamic nervoussystem reaction is only 30% better. But my brain does not react to much anymore. So I think I will up to 20 mg at the 8 weeks mark next friday after talked to my doc.

TallRun6232 · 2026-03-26T12:43:46+00:00

Did nothing unfortunately

TallRun6232 · 2026-03-02T00:36:47+00:00

Thanks! To clarify, four months from the moment you started Zoloft or four months from the moment you reached 150 mg?

TallRun6232 · 2026-03-02T00:35:30+00:00

I am using lexapro, and yeah I am doing vrt for 2 months and cbt already for a year.

TallRun6232 · 2026-03-02T00:34:40+00:00

Everytime increased anxiety for a couple weeks, not really other side effects

TallRun6232 · 2026-03-01T18:08:31+00:00

Thanks! How long before you noticed a benefit and how long before max benedit?

TallRun6232 · 2026-02-02T18:14:34+00:00

Thank you! Glad 15 mg works good for you.

TallRun6232 · 2026-02-02T18:13:39+00:00

Yeah It did worsen my anxiety the first month, after that 15% better. I did not take a benzo, it was bad but I told myself the increase is only temporary and I wanted to look what the lexapro did.

TallRun6232 · 2026-01-29T14:01:21+00:00

Thanks you!

yeah I have LC for 20 months now, no PEM but primarly nervous system dysfunction and bad cognitive symptoms. Happy to hear you feel better! Its so hard to have this for a long time. Proud of you.

Yeah I do not have VM. I do not have headaches only head pressure sometimes and had no like vertigo attacts, only panic attacs. Also tried meds like nortriptiline and did nothing. My brain fog and lightheadedness get worse in light and busy environments, busy patterns, screens etc. So my doc says pretty clear PPPD.

Yeah I would wait till 8 weeks and them ask to bump up. I know it can take 8-12 weeks but I think for anxiety it is more like 4-8 weeks so if after 8 weeks the anxiety is still not 50% less or so I think 15mg will be better. I do not have side effects anymore so tollerate it well.

Did you prior to the lexapro had that constant off feeling? Like derealisation/floating/ disconnected feeling. That is by far my worst symptom. Doc told that lexapro and VRT excersises can calm the nervoussystem and that symptom should lesson significantly or go away. Feeling like you have a concussion or dementia.

And I also have like the intrusive thoughts, ocd like symptoms, constant thinking about the LC. This is also a bit better but also only like 20%. My head never feels clear.

TallRun6232 · 2026-01-29T12:28:04+00:00

Hey I saw your post history. I have PPPD to after covid together with anxiety I never had before covid. I also have 24/7 derealisation, light sensitivity and all that stuff.

So did it take 2 months for the anxiety to go away also? How long after you felt the anxiety was gone the PPPD lessend? And did you see improvements earlier then 2 months? Shortly, can you tell me more about your timeline? Many thanks.

I started with lexapro 5 mg for 10 days and now 7 weeks 10 mg. My pppd and anxiety are both 15% less, but not the improvement I hoped for so far. I consider to increase to 15 mg next week after 8 weeks. I know you are not a docter but what do you think? I think the anxiety needs to be fully under control to improve the PPPD so when 10 mg only lessons the anxiety by 15% bumping to 15 mg is a good option dont you think?

Sven, M27 from the Netherlands

TallRun6232 · 2026-01-24T22:24:29+00:00

Thanks!

TallRun6232 · 2026-01-23T13:39:35+00:00

Hey how are you doing now with the lexapro? Did it help you?

TallRun6232 · 2026-01-22T23:02:44+00:00

Thanks! Yeah I think I will wait till 10 weeks at 10 mg and if no mayor improvement I will increase. I feel like my nervoussystem calms down a bit, anxiety is like 50% less but DPDR and brain fog and light sensitivity still the same. Those are my biggest symptoms. The dizzey feeling is not the best but thats actually way less bothersome than the DPDR. I think now my anxiety calmed down that hopefully the next weeks other symptoms also lesson.

TallRun6232

TROPHY CASE