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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 JenStar on October 5, 2005, at 22:17:38
hi all,
I've been on Lexapro for a while now, 20 mg/day, and I decided I wanted to cut back to 10 mg/day on my way down to zero. I wanted to do this to prove to myself I could "do it" without meds, and also because I want to be med free if I can.But as I've been slowly cutting back, my anxiety is growing. In the past I've obsessed about having diseases that I end up not having, and lately, back on 10 mg/day, I'm starting to think about illnesses again and worrying that I have them. I'm worried about heart issues again. I'm worried about MS again. I'm not sleeping well. I felt panicky the other day. And above all, I feel failure b/c I can't do this.
Should I go back up to 20 mg/day? I feel like having a Xanax to help me relax right now, but I don't want to. I've been able to do w/out a X. for 3 months now and I wanted NOT to take one again! But right now, all I can think about is the power of that tiny little pill. Help.
I hate feeling anxious.
Should I go back to 20 mg/day and retry later to cut back? I hate this feeling!I need to travel this weekend, and I absolutely DON'T want to be panicky on my trip! Maybe I should just go back up to 20 mg/day and hope I get back to "normal" before the weekend!
aaarrrgggh..
thanks for any advice! I need advice.
JenStar
Posted by JenStar on October 5, 2005, at 22:17:38
In reply to wanted to stop Lexapro, but I'm getting anxious..., posted by JenStar on October 5, 2005, at 1:34:36
The feeling of anxiety starts so insidiously...it's so slow and gradual, that by the time I *realize* I'm anxious, it's too late! Or so it feels.
I think anxiety is one of the worst feelings. I'm afraid that I have bad coping mechanisms. I don't know how to make anxiety go away!!!
My hubby is under a lot of work pressure and I don't want to worry him with "paltry" concerns. I mean, my anxiety isn't paltry, but it's not THAT big a deal. And I'm not even anxious about anything concrete, so asking him for advice would be hard. I have to travel this weekend, and I'm worried about it a bit.
I hate being anxious. :(
JenStar
Posted by Phillipa on October 5, 2005, at 22:17:38
In reply to I hate feeling anxious!!!, posted by JenStar on October 5, 2005, at 1:55:26
I know this isn't the meds board. But from what I've heard if it works for you at 20mg stay at that. As once you stop it may never work again. If I felt good I'd do everything I could to maintain it. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on October 6, 2005, at 17:51:51
In reply to Re: I hate feeling anxious!!! » JenStar, posted by Phillipa on October 5, 2005, at 21:59:29
And I stopped it because of anxiety. Wierd huh? Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by blueberry on October 7, 2005, at 18:20:05
In reply to wanted to stop Lexapro, but I'm getting anxious..., posted by JenStar on October 5, 2005, at 1:34:36
Maybe you could try going up to 15mg and see how that is. And then, very very slowly, like over a couple months, drop the dosage down in little tiny steps, staying at each new step for at least a week or maybe even two.
Just cut the pills with a big kitchen knife. They don't have to be exact sizes. Actually if your dose varies by 1/2mg or 1 mg per day as an error of cutting, that also will help your body adjust on the way down. Even though you've been dropping the dosage slowly, you may have to drop it even slower. And in little teensy weensy steps.
If I were in your shoes, I would go back up to the minimum dose that gives me just enough relief. And then I would drop it by about 1mg to 2mg at a time, staying at each new dose for at least a week or more before moving down another 1mg or 2mg.
Posted by blueberry on October 7, 2005, at 18:43:36
In reply to I hate feeling anxious!!!, posted by JenStar on October 5, 2005, at 1:55:26
Just another thought. There is a study abstract at pubmed that says that celexa increases brain concentrations of GABA by 35%. If that's true, then withdrawing from celexa or lexapro might be very similar to withdrawing from a benzo. So if you are wanting to reach for that xanax, maybe that could be a reason why.
Posted by JenStar on October 13, 2005, at 0:35:54
In reply to Re: I hate feeling anxious!!!, posted by blueberry on October 7, 2005, at 18:43:36
thanks for the info and support! I DID end up going back to my "normal" dose of 20 mg/day.
If I try to quit again, I'll go down more slowly; to 15 mg/day instead of right to 10. I needed Xanax for a few days and now I don't anymore - I feel OK again. It's possible I was just feeling life stress and family stress, but I do think that going down on the Lexapro started my anxiety.
thanks for writing!
JenStar
Posted by JenStar on October 13, 2005, at 0:37:05
In reply to Re: I hate feeling anxious!!!, posted by Phillipa on October 6, 2005, at 17:51:51
hi and thanks for your support! It IS kind of weird how the same drug can cause such different rxns in different people...I'm sorry Lex didn't work for you. It's good that there are multiple drugs available so that we can all find one that works best for us.
hope you're feeling well.
thanks!
JenStar
This is the end of the thread.
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