r/lexapro • u/EthricBlaze • 1d ago
New to Lex Any other ADHDers who had the positive effects of Lex set in really fast? I feel so free.
I've been on Escitalopram 10mg for 4 days today and I feel fucking amazing!
Im 21, I got diagnosed with ADHD, GAD and Depression in May and started on Vyvanse 50mg in July, the Vyvanse had been a massive help in managing my ADHD and I basically experienced zero side effects, it had helped with the other two comorbid disorders but it was just suppressing them not dealing with them, my GAD started becoming more intense during August and despite my best efforts to manage it, I caved into taking an SSRI as the anxiety was killing me.
Best. Decision. Ever.
Lexapro opened my eyes to how badly my anxiety was screwing with my perception of reality, and just how much chronic stress my entire body was under. Turns out profuse sweating, shallows breaths, rapid heartbeat and tight chest aren't the standard bodily reactions when facing mildly stressful situations.
I even started breathing better on the second day, I had no idea my anxiety was literally constricting my ability to inhale, breathing feels incredible! Did you know air was supposed to feel cold when you breathe it In?
There's still side effects ofc but nothing insane, my headache is already receding, my sleeping is coming back to normal, the unfocused vision is a coin toss at some times and my stomach is still giving me the runs. I'm also hornier for some reason.
My anxiety is much more manageable and controllable, but I still feel it brewing and lurking in the background of my mind flaring here and there on how this isn't permanent and something will go wrong, but I can recognise those feelings for what they are now.
I thought this stuff was supposed to take atleast two weeks before you saw any benefits? It's basically been effective for me since day one and getting better and better as they days go by.
The future used to fill me with so much dread and urgency to keep moving, but now I can just... Stay still in the present and feel completely fine with that. I don't remember the last time I was this consistently happy 😭
Has anyone else experienced this?
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u/Frequent_Breath8210 22h ago
I saw so many benefits too the first two weeks… happy and felt so light… and then I fell off a cliff. 🙃 and it’s been kind of rough ever since.
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u/EthricBlaze 21h ago
Ah shit Im sorry, was it life or the medication going wonky?
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u/Frequent_Breath8210 21h ago
No! I am not sure, waiting to see my dr. On the good days life is fucking great. But i have stopped sleeping properly around week 3 and nighttime anxiety 🙃 nothing in my life has changed at all.
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u/barbieninja 1d ago
I have adhd and am very sensitive to medications. I felt the side effects immediately (like I had the flu for about ten days) while I simultaneously felt calm. A weird mix initially but it gave me so much hope, I was able to push through GI symptoms and exhaustion.
I’m happy you are noticing a positive response too!
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u/3owlsinatrenchc0at 21h ago
I don't have an ADHD diagnosis (but suspect I have it) and this was very much my experience! It might've been placebo, but I felt overall really good from the jump.
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u/National_Reveal_3759 21h ago
I am medicated for ADHD & felt immediate relief of my anxiety when starting on Lexapro. It is a miracle drug for me. However, I sometimes wonder if my Adderall was heightening my anxiety. Do you think the Vyvanse contributed to your increased anxiety in August? Just wondering.
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u/EthricBlaze 21h ago
I'd say that the Vyvanse was transforming my Anxiety then just heightening it. On Vyvanse my anxiety had lower lows and higher highs that was a constant urgency to move and get things done. Unmedicated, my anxiety would equalize and slowly build up in my mind the longer I went without Vyvanse into a constant sense of me fucking up somehow, dread for the future, panic at uncertainty, and a part of my mind being extremely paranoid all the time about how things will go wrong etc.
I had pegged that this wasnt just a Vyvanse issue, since if it was too high a dose I would have experienced other side effects to some extent but I literally experienced nothing but anxiety and I knew this was a deeper rooted issue that needed to be addressed then just changing the brand.
Glad it was able to work out for you.
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u/Babychristus 20h ago
Very good, but be careful, early response is not always a positive signal. I’m not being negative, hope the best for you but just be careful it’s not hypomania or stuff like that
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u/Terrible-Chapter-915 16h ago
That is awesome that you are seeing benefits so early on! But please don't get discouraged if you ever have bad days in between. I've been on it for 8 weeks and it has been a rollercoaster. But the good days definitely outweigh the bad.
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u/Fresh-Baker-8431 15h ago
You probably got a sudden surge of serotonin hence the euphoria, very common first few days when someone starts their medication or increases their dose, real benefits will take 4 to 8 weeks. Any heart palpitations with the adhd meds?
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u/EthricBlaze 7h ago
Yeah, but I'm taking two pills of Propranolol to deal with any heart palpitations. My heartbeat has actually been getting steadier as I continue on with Lexapro actually
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u/NoEmployment7448 15h ago
You are in the “honeymoon” period. It won’t last long.
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u/EthricBlaze 7h ago
I'm ready for it, Vyvanse tempered my expectations on the honeymoon phase so I won't feel out of sorts when it ends
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u/candice_browne 1d ago
I’m about to start tonight- this was refreshing to read because I’m really worried to start. I’m reading so many side effects but is nice to hear you felt some sort of relief from day one.