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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Rudi on August 4, 2003, at 9:09:54
Hi...starting Lexapro 10mg. today...takeing it for anxiety..which gives me palpations and chest tightness.....took 1 pill about 2 weeks ago..but got palpataions all day..got scared and stopped.
I get anxious over trival things...boys running late for school..and I get the palps and chest tightness. The Dr. said this med. should let things just roll off my back easier.
I think the first time trying it ,I just had anxiety over taking it..! So trying it again today , hope I don't freak out.
I feel like a failure having to take it jsut to calm down and not be so uptight , especially with my boys..hate yelling so much.
I hope someone can relate .
The reason my palps. freak me out is that my sister and parents have died from heart attacks.
I had a stress test a few yrs ago.. my Dr. then put me on paxil...took it for a yr. it helped but I gained weight...so I stopped.
Does this make you gain...or just make you eat more , then you gain.
Thanks for listening...I'll be waiting a reply.
Posted by Scooter1 on August 4, 2003, at 9:26:19
In reply to LEXAPRO FOR ANXIETY...ANYONE LIKE ME??!!, posted by Rudi on August 4, 2003, at 9:09:54
Hi, Rudi. I am sorry to hear about your anxiety. I suffer from anxiety as well. I take effexor xr for mine. It seems to be helping a little however, I am not on a therapudic dose. I am scared to up the dose due to SE's. My docter prescribed me Lexapro at first, I came off b/c of SE's. I was very tired all the time and just felt horrible. I only took it 3 days. I probably didn't give it a chance. By the time I started the effexor xr I was willing to do anything. I just want to get better for my kids and husband. I have palipatations sometimes too. They are no fun and very scary. I was also on Paxil almost 1 1/2 years ago and came off b/c of weight gain. I guess we will just have to see how these meds work. I am trying to learn to cope with my anxiety as i don't want to be on meds forever. What about you>?Scooter1
Posted by Rudi on August 4, 2003, at 10:41:39
In reply to Re: LEXAPRO FOR ANXIETY...ANYONE LIKE ME??!!, posted by Scooter1 on August 4, 2003, at 9:26:19
Hi Scooter, I feel better knowing that there is someone else out there like me. How does your anxiety effect you. Well took my first pill, a little nervous, just kind of waiting for SE to start. What is the effexor xr taken for? Anxiety??? I really hope this help with little side effects..I need to calm down and not snap at my kids like I do at times. How long have you been on your meds? Any side effects with it??
I don't want to be on meds for life either....hope I can take it for a while and then
wean off and learn to cope with my anxiety .
I really need to calm down ..I also have Mytrovalve prolaspe which doesnt help.
Thanks for letting me know I am not alone!!!
Good luck to Both of us!!!
Posted by Scooter1 on August 4, 2003, at 21:46:05
In reply to Re: LEXAPRO FOR ANXIETY...ANYONE LIKE ME??!!, posted by Rudi on August 4, 2003, at 10:41:39
I take 37.5 mg of Effexer Xr for Anxiety, right now. Today I had a bad day. Felt depressed all day. I am sure it is some hormonal stuff as well. I had a few side effects:headache, a little nausea, dizziness for a couple of days and things seemed to get a little better, however, the past few days I have been a little shakey. don't know if it is the anxiety or the meds. I think I will try to increase my dose this weekend to see if that will help. I have to work and SE's and work don't mix very well... Hope you do well with Lex. Let me know. scooter1
Posted by Rudi on August 5, 2003, at 10:40:40
In reply to Re: LEXAPRO FOR ANXIETY...ANYONE LIKE ME??!!, posted by Scooter1 on August 4, 2003, at 21:46:05
Skooter...did ok yesterday with my first day..had a slight headache all day and night and woke up with it..I wonder if this SE will go away with time. Hope your days get better....keep a positive attitude it may just be a SE from the med. give it some time. Good Luck...keep me posted.
Posted by KimMcD on August 12, 2003, at 18:39:30
In reply to Re: LEXAPRO FOR ANXIETY...ANYONE LIKE ME??!!, posted by Rudi on August 4, 2003, at 10:41:39
Hi there all, I have struggled with strong anxiety since I stopped drinking 7 years ago (no wonder I drank so much! <grin>). Anxiety that is almost constant, and like you, seemingly triggered by small things or nothing. This in combination with depression...Tried treating the depression first but virtually everything I took increased my anxiety, until Effexor XR (300mg) which didnt increase my anxiety but didnt work well for the depression. What worked for the anxiety? Neurontin/gabapentin! wonder drug for me--I finally was able to sleep something like normal most of the time. For overwhelming anxiety/panic, I take a beta blocker called Sectral (literally lowers my blood pressure and pulse quickly), or 1/2 of a tranzine (a very mild sedative, although can be habit forming). Interesting that you are taking lexapro for anxiety as I just started to take it for depression--coming off the Effexor. Today is day 2. Hang in there with trying to find the right meds, I tell myself this often...cause it can seem downright hopeless at times.
Posted by Ponder on August 14, 2003, at 14:03:43
In reply to Re: LEXAPRO FOR ANXIETY...ANYONE LIKE ME??!!, posted by KimMcD on August 12, 2003, at 18:39:30
Kim,
Am I to understand that you use a beta blocker for anxiety/panic attacks? Does it kick in that quickly?Just had my first full-blown, ER visit panic attack this week. Don't want to go there again, but got little guidance on what to do if it happens again.
Posted by KimMcD on August 15, 2003, at 22:06:36
In reply to Re: LEXAPRO FOR ANXIETY...ANYONE LIKE ME??!! » KimMcD, posted by Ponder on August 14, 2003, at 14:03:43
Yes, when I can feel a panic attack coming on, I take a beta blocker (I've tried several, and Sectral works the quickest and is most effective for me). I am a recovering alcoholic as well, so I avoid anything like Xanax or Klonopin, but in extreme panic (or a weekend with my mother, LOL), I will take 5mg Tranxene, a very mild sedative. I hope this helps.
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