Sounds like you need to try a different drug. Have you talked to your doctor about the problems you are having? Get a second opinion if this doctor
doesn't listen to you.

Tired:
You don't think it's worth upping the dosage first?

Lexapro worked excellent the first two times, I was so hopeful it would work and third time and this time I would not go off of it.

Don't get me wrong, I have seen some improvements since restarting but the stomach pain still persists.

Gentle empathy on the digestive distress, RMJ. Anxiety ties my gut into knots that quite literally knock me off my feet. On my best days, my stomach remains more sensitive than a baby's. I don't know about the specific drugs, but I do know that digestive distress is quite high on the list of why drug therapy has never been a sustainable solution for me. Even vitamins will set my stomach to twisting. In my early 20's, I hospitalized for, "Vitamin overdose." Honest Irish. The vitamin aisle of the drug store still makes me nervous, 40 years later.

I'll be reading along with vested interest to see what solutions might be available.

I don't think you're on the right medication, and since you are feeling side effects, you should tell your dr. I was on Lexapro several times in the past, and it never really did me any good either. It took several years and different medication to try, but I am finally on the correct medication and I feel great. Talk to your dr.

I'm going to give a different insight.

When choosing to change medication treatment, for whatever reason, it is important to remember why the treatment offer was made.

The difference for each individual as shown above includes what, who, when, where, why, and how that affects them as an individual.

For me, when I was on medication, it was effective for the symptoms it treated to reduce their impact on my normal daily living activities. It was understood that the side effects would possibly increase as I moved through recovery of balance.

Keeping a daily journal of the effects of the medicine is a huge detective work providing clues in finding the proper treatment and dosage. It is not a 'one size fits all' solution.

I am now on a medicine for a chronic condition and when my anxiety spikes, I use natural ways to reduce it. It took a long time to find what works for me.

One thing that helps, no matter who you are, where you are, what you are doing, when it is, and how it happens, is to stop, pause, breathe, choice, repeat until clear headed and calm. This provides you the space needed to meet the need in the current moment.

Best wishes as you find your better balance.

I took lexapro in 2014 for 6 months, and was in complete anxiety remission until I became pregnant in 2018. Went back on for a year. Worked great again. Was fine off of it until a month ago, when my husband got covid, and triggered my anxiety.

First two times it was a miracle drug. I'm just dreaming having to up the dose or switch. I'm ready to feel better like yesterday lol.

There you go, writing it out helps everyone to see what you needed to share with a little jog through their words.

And, covid knocks your balance into the overwhelming status for everyone. Here's to finding what works!

Glad you're on the path to better balance. Laughter is the best medicine sometimes!

And Mid are you the one that suggested the book It's only anxiety? Ive started reading it, it makes sense, but I'm having a hard time applying it when my symptom makes me feel so uncomfortable.

My opinion is the stomach issues aren't being caused by the Lexapro.

And if the Lexapro worked for your anxiety, twice in the recent past (say, in the last 10 years), I would stick to the prescribed dose of Lexapro for now, then talk to your doctor regarding your stomach pains. Do not change the dosage on your own. Always ask your doctor first before increasing or decreasing the dosage of any medication.

Anxiety itself can cause all kinds of physical symptoms, and stomach upset is a very common one. Not sure what you can do about that, besides eating more bland foods, trying an IBS type of diet, and reducing your overall stress. Stay hydrated with plain water, try some meditating or yoga... something to lower your overall stress.

GirlinCalif
Oh yeah it's 100% the anxiety causing the stomach pain, nothing to do with the lexapro.

My stomach pain is my 100% sign that my anxiety has been triggered.

I'm just worried the Lexapro isn't working like it did last time. I would never up the dose on my own. I've already talked about with my doctor but she wants to give it more time. It's just in the past it has worked sooner than this for me, and so im just a bit worried.

I know every one is different. I am currently on lexapro for GAD but I also have crohn's disease. So, I deal with a lot of stomach issues and regular flare ups. Some which land me in the hospital. My dr prescribed me dicyclomine last year, it's almost like a muscle relaxer but for your digestive system and it's really helped me. I take it as needed so it's not an every day thing, but I take the dicyclomine at night because it knocks me out! I would suggest mentioning the stomach pain to your dr. I know with gastritis, almost every medication you take causes stomach issues of some kind. Worth looking into. I wish you the best of luck xo

I’m the one who told you about the book. If you read the book again, you will note it says to keep practicing in good times and bad. You are going through a rough patch, keep practicing, even if you find it hard. The practice is what is important, not the outcome. My own practice has led me to a “breakthrough” of sorts. I finally get what the author describes as total surrender. It took a while but practice led me to the understanding. I’m not celebrating, I’m taking it in stride and using it to my advantage. I’ve got a way to go, but I’m learning how to use the method as it is intended. Not for a quick fix but for a lifetime of acceptance of what I can’t control. Just keep practicing, no matter how you feel, go back and reread as often as you need to ingrain it in your mind. And do not expect anything to happen, it is a set up for failure.

Thanks all. I talked with my doctor today. She's gonna put me on Carafate for my stomach, and give the Lexapro another week, then consider using the dosage if necessary in small increases as needed.

I've always done well at 10 MG so going higher is going to be new territory if that is what we do.

Does it take as long to be therapeutic when going up?

Are you taking generic Lexapro or brand name?

Is it the same generic one you took in the past (do the pills look the exact same as before?)

Are you taking it the same way as before (same time of day, on an empty/full stomach.... whichever way you used to take it)

If all is the same, then I think you will do fine when your doctor okay's the higher doses. They usually prescribe by how much you weigh, is what my psychiatrist told me. Maybe if you have had any weight gain since the last time you took it, it won't work as well on the 10 mgs.

And as a lot of people say on here. medication alone won't fix everything. You probably have new stressors in your life than before, it sounds like. Try to find natural ways to calm your stresses (deep breaths, getting enough sleep, exercising, etc). That should help. And try hard not to think much about the medication.... just take the dose and go about your day. If we focus and obsess too much on a medication, then our anxiety goes up, and then it seems like the medication isn't working... when actually it is working.

Also, everyone is different, but I do know someone who is taking 10 mgs Lexapro (generic) every day. When they were having more depression/anxiety some days, they took 20 mgs that day (with their doctor's approval), and I remember them saying they felt different on the days they took the 20 mgs.

So, you would probably feel "something" different on the days you go up to 20 mgs (when you doctor says you can do this). To answer your question, I think you will feel something the same day. Is my guess.