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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Esmarelda on October 23, 2003, at 8:45:56
In reply to What is anxiety?, posted by dmwilmoth on October 22, 2003, at 15:54:58
The anxiety/panic attacks that I have manifest themselves with heart racing or flutters, sometimes a hyperventalation type feeling, knots in my stomach and an irrational overwhelming thought that I just can't get out of bed, go to work, face the day, etc. It's a pull the covers over your head type thing. I don't usually have them once I can get up and get going and have not had any since the Lexapro started working. The only other time I have ever had a panic attack was scuba diving when I freaked out. That was scary, but I just talked myself out of it and tried to breath slowly.
Posted by Wildflower on October 23, 2003, at 9:33:56
In reply to RE: Sleep w/Lexapro, posted by Scribbler on October 22, 2003, at 15:15:32
I thought it was just me that wasn't getting any sleep... Between the very vivid dreams and the constant waking, it's becoming quite untolerable.
Do the sleeping aids help with the dreams? Are you groggy in the morning?
Posted by tkaylee on October 23, 2003, at 16:06:39
In reply to Re: dutch » dutch, posted by galkeepinon on October 10, 2003, at 14:19:10
I am one of those that are really afraid of taking meds and i have have anxiety and panic for 10 years and all i have taken faithfully was klonopin. I am now trying lexapro, and only on my 4th day. The first two days i got this really weird feeling in my head and i felt like my head was in an oven and it was exxpanding. Scary feeling I still feel that way some but now my throat feels like it is closing up and overly anxious. help anyone. is there any help!
Thanks
Posted by sussus on October 23, 2003, at 16:13:49
In reply to anyone get these side effects, posted by tkaylee on October 23, 2003, at 16:06:39
I totally had the throat closing up thing going on when I started Lexapro and it freaked me out! I also had itching, neck and back tightness, hot flashes and the whole weird head expanding thing too. It helped me so much when people told me it was not me - it was the medecine. I hope this helps you!
Sus
> I am one of those that are really afraid of taking meds and i have have anxiety and panic for 10 years and all i have taken faithfully was klonopin. I am now trying lexapro, and only on my 4th day. The first two days i got this really weird feeling in my head and i felt like my head was in an oven and it was exxpanding. Scary feeling I still feel that way some but now my throat feels like it is closing up and overly anxious. help anyone. is there any help!
>
>
> Thanks
Posted by LynneDa on October 23, 2003, at 16:15:02
In reply to anyone get these side effects, posted by tkaylee on October 23, 2003, at 16:06:39
> tkaylee - Have you called your doctor? If you are having such physical symptoms with your throat and your head, you may need something else to alleviate that! I'm on my 3rd day and feel a little jittery and get these weird waves of heat and almost tremors every so often. I'm a little sleepy and sometimes feel like I'm on the verge of a panic attack, but then it abates quickly. I'm thinking that it'll get better. Hang in there and do what's right for you - call your doctor if you're worried!
I am one of those that are really afraid of taking meds and i have have anxiety and panic for 10 years and all i have taken faithfully was klonopin. I am now trying lexapro, and only on my 4th day. The first two days i got this really weird feeling in my head and i felt like my head was in an oven and it was exxpanding. Scary feeling I still feel that way some but now my throat feels like it is closing up and overly anxious. help anyone. is there any help!
>
>
> Thanks
Posted by LynneDa on October 23, 2003, at 16:18:12
In reply to Re: anyone get these side effects, posted by sussus on October 23, 2003, at 16:13:49
>Sus - How long did it take for those things to go away?
~LynneI totally had the throat closing up thing going on when I started Lexapro and it freaked me out! I also had itching, neck and back tightness, hot flashes and the whole weird head expanding thing too. It helped me so much when people told me it was not me - it was the medecine. I hope this helps you!
>
> Sus
>
>
>
> > I am one of those that are really afraid of taking meds and i have have anxiety and panic for 10 years and all i have taken faithfully was klonopin. I am now trying lexapro, and only on my 4th day. The first two days i got this really weird feeling in my head and i felt like my head was in an oven and it was exxpanding. Scary feeling I still feel that way some but now my throat feels like it is closing up and overly anxious. help anyone. is there any help!
> >
> >
> > Thanks
>
>
Posted by tkaylee on October 23, 2003, at 16:20:20
In reply to Re: anyone get these side effects, posted by sussus on October 23, 2003, at 16:13:49
How lomg did it take you for these side affects to go away do u remember. if you have felt the same way then i am pretty sure im worrying over nothing. thank you for posting!
Posted by Esmarelda on October 23, 2003, at 16:22:14
In reply to Re: anyone get these side effects, posted by LynneDa on October 23, 2003, at 16:18:12
When I first started, I had hot flashes and if you look back at some posts, some people had excessive sweating at first, as did I. It resolved after a couple weeks. I felt a little jittery and nauseated for about a week or so and that resolved. Once it starts working and it took 5-6 weeks for me, Lex is a great drug. The side effects did not last that long and it was well worth toughing it through. I had tried numerous other AD before and they either did not work or had such bad side effects that I couldn't handle them. Good luck and hang in there.
Posted by tkaylee on October 23, 2003, at 16:27:36
In reply to Re: anyone get these side effects » LynneDa, posted by Esmarelda on October 23, 2003, at 16:22:14
Ok another question are these gonna help me enough to go out into the world and travel again and just to be abloe to go places in my city. Because not being able to take my kids downtown or to the fair or anything is awful! This iis the first time i have ever been on one of these and i thank you all for helping and making me relax a little. And also i was prescribed the 10 mg but i thought that maybe the sode effects wouldnt be so bad if i halfed it and took 5 so im trying that what do ya rhink!
Posted by dmwilmoth on October 23, 2003, at 17:16:35
In reply to Re: anyone get these side effects, posted by tkaylee on October 23, 2003, at 16:27:36
kaylee,
I had weird hot flashes throughout the whole first day of taking Lexapro. It felt like it started in my head and bloomed throughout my chest. I never did sweat though. But the side effect went away the next day.
I guess I was pretty lucky because I was never nauseated or sleepless or anything with the medication. I felt weird or uneasy the first few days, but after I realized I was going to tolerate them allright, I relaxed and it's been easy going so far. I'm up to month 4 and no problems to speak of.
I think most side effects will go away within a few days. After your body gets used to the medicine being inside you.
Good luck to you!
Posted by Mariposa on October 23, 2003, at 18:25:59
In reply to Re: anyone get these side effects, posted by tkaylee on October 23, 2003, at 16:27:36
I too had the bubble-head, sweaty armpits, itchy rash, nausea, diahrea, migrane-like headaches, tiredness, sleepiness, jaw clenching, loss of appetite, blurred vision, zombie, unable to concentrate or make decisions, etc. All were subsiding or gone by wk 2-3.
> Ok another question are these gonna help me enough to go out into the world and travel again and just to be abloe to go places in my city. Because not being able to take my kids downtown or to the fair or anything is awful! This iis the first time i have ever been on one of these and i thank you all for helping and making me relax a little. And also i was prescribed the 10 mg but i thought that maybe the sode effects wouldnt be so bad if i halfed it and took 5 so im trying that what do ya rhink!
I think prospects are GOOD! Lex has helped me get through lots of tough spots so far. Definitely start at a lower dosage to help your body get used to it, I started at 5mg and wish I had started at 2.5mg.
Best of luck!~~~8|8
Posted by klk on October 23, 2003, at 18:35:36
In reply to Re: anybody have withdrawal s/e with paxil or effexor?, posted by ANXIETY ANN on November 20, 2002, at 20:45:03
I have had the worst time weaning myself off of Effexor. I was taking 150mg and my dr took me down in only two weeks (75mg for a week then 37.5mg for a wk) My depression seems worse than ever. I'm sad and irritable, I have highs and lows thoughout the day...the smallest things can set me off. I've had suicidal thoughts, strange shock sensations in my head, horrible nightmares, hot flashes....etc. I just started Lexapro today. I am desperate for any relief. My advice to others who are stopping Effexor...take your time, slowly lower your dosage and hopefully you won't have to go through all this hell.
Posted by nemo kitty on October 23, 2003, at 21:07:27
In reply to Re: anyone get these side effects, posted by sussus on October 23, 2003, at 16:13:49
Oh my gosh!~My neck totally itched for the first week on Lex! I can't believe that was connected. I just thought I had allergies or something.
Posted by nemo kitty on October 23, 2003, at 21:13:42
In reply to Re: anyone get these side effects » tkaylee, posted by Mariposa on October 23, 2003, at 18:25:59
I clenched my jaw so hard also that first week. I thought I was going nuts. I had a itchy neck and a bad headache, but it did go away & I started feeling really good!
Posted by PHV on October 23, 2003, at 22:14:20
In reply to RE: Sleep w/Lexapro, posted by Wildflower on October 23, 2003, at 9:33:56
> I thought it was just me that wasn't getting any sleep... Between the very vivid dreams and the constant waking, it's becoming quite untolerable.
>
> Do the sleeping aids help with the dreams? Are you groggy in the morning?I've had problems sleeping for two years. Lex hasn't helped at all. It greatly relieved my depession - but threw anxiety into the mix. I take 30mg Busbar 2x daily and that seems to somewhat help level me out during the day. Unfortunately, getting to sleep is another story. I have low doses of Xanax when I feel a panic attack coming on, and my doctor gave me Ambian as a sleep aid. I can also take Benadryl or Tylenol PM which seems to help. Waking up is always tough - but once I get out of bed - the anxiety kicks in again and gets me through the day. It's a viscious cycle. Good luck and keep us posted. Patty
Posted by galkeepinon on October 24, 2003, at 1:26:16
In reply to anyone get these side effects, posted by tkaylee on October 23, 2003, at 16:06:39
Hi there, Lexapro kicked in FAST for me. I get the 'throat feels like it is closing up and overly anxious' when I take Seroquel.
Try to give Lexapro some time to get into your 'system'. It has worked well for many people here, and it may work well for you too!
Keep us posted:-)
> I am one of those that are really afraid of taking meds and i have have anxiety and panic for 10 years and all i have taken faithfully was klonopin. I am now trying lexapro, and only on my 4th day. The first two days i got this really weird feeling in my head and i felt like my head was in an oven and it was exxpanding. Scary feeling I still feel that way some but now my throat feels like it is closing up and overly anxious. help anyone. is there any help!
>
>
> Thanks
Posted by Scribbler on October 24, 2003, at 7:49:15
In reply to RE: Sleep w/Lexapro, posted by PHV on October 23, 2003, at 22:14:20
I have to say a word for Badger Sleep Balm -- it's a natural sleep remedy: you place a bit of it in your nostrils or below your nostrils or rub some on your temples, and it wafts you off to sleep. No kidding. My daughter gave me a little tin of it because she knew I had trouble getting to sleep and it works! I've recommended it to friends who swear by it. Smells good, isn't habit-forming, doesn't leave you groggy -- and sweeps you off to pleasant dreams. I've tried lots of different remedies and now use this every night. Anyone else tried this?
Posted by Esmarelda on October 24, 2003, at 8:29:33
In reply to Re: anybody have withdrawal s/e with paxil or effexor?, posted by klk on October 23, 2003, at 18:35:36
Good luck on the Lexapro.
Posted by dmwilmoth on October 24, 2003, at 9:48:38
In reply to Re: anybody have withdrawal s/e with paxil or effexor? » klk, posted by Esmarelda on October 24, 2003, at 8:29:33
The first anxiety med I was on was Effexor, and I didn't think it helped me much. I had "floating" dizziness feelings every day that lasted all day long, and my neurologist thought my serotonin might be off, but after 2 months on Effexor, I was still dizzy. When I went off Effexor, I, too, had the strange shock sensations in my head. Lasted about a week.
Now that I'm on Lexapro, I haven't been dizzy since the 10th day of being on the meds. I think that is a major breakthru for me because the dizziness was starting to become a part of my every day life and I didn't like it one bit!
Posted by Lela79 on October 24, 2003, at 11:21:10
In reply to Re: End of my first day - still jumpin!, posted by Mariposa on October 22, 2003, at 21:59:54
My first week of taking lexapro is a hard one. I have the headaches, jaw problems, throat closing, hands shaking, and I feel just plan weird. I am also sleeping an awful lot, I go to bed early and still wake up feeling like I've never slept before. I'm a full time student and I work full time, and this med. is really messing with my everyday life. Will this always be like this?
Posted by Esmarelda on October 24, 2003, at 11:23:46
In reply to Re: End of my first day - still jumpin!, posted by Lela79 on October 24, 2003, at 11:21:10
No, the side effects will go away. It was well worth the wait for me, but I didn't experience all that some people do.
Posted by sfmom on October 24, 2003, at 12:25:34
In reply to Re: Lexapro for Anxiety?, posted by nemo kitty on October 21, 2003, at 22:01:12
> > This is a general message for everyone here.
> > Is Lexapro helping anyone with an anxiety disorder? Or is it mostly secondary anxiety with depression?
> > I suffer from severe GAD, and have yet to find anything to work. On top of that, Lexapro is not available in Canada to date.
> > Thanks for any info
> > Jill
>
>
> Hi Jill,
> Yes yea & yes! I suffered severely from anxiety mainly. I paced my house and walked circles hoping my house would miraculously clean itself up. I sat down and watched Opera for the first time in about 2 years, the whole show! I could never have done that before. I stay at home with my 2 & 3 year old and had a very hard time relaxing ever. I felt like I always had to be doing soemthing (even if it was pacing) I have been n Lexapro for about 4 weeks now & I feel so much calmer (without feeling drugged) I was sleepy the first week, but filled with energy now, just good energy!
> Hoep this helps*Hi all,
I'm on my second day of Lexapro and Klonopin for depression, severe GAD and panic disorder. I'd been self-medicating with Xanax and wine for the last couple weeks until my health plan could get me in to see a dr. I'm also out on disability right now and sending my 2 year old daughter to daycare full time because I'm afraid to be home alone with her. Not afraid that I'll hurt her in any way, but that I either won't be able to protect her or will have a panic attack and pass out. So, I'm really, really hoping that the Lexapro does the job because I can only stay off work for a month and can't function at all right now. Any advice would be appriciated. Side effects so far have been pretty severe nausea and I couldn't fall asleep because I was jittery (even on the Klonopin) and my legs kept jerking. Is this normal??? --lj
Posted by Esmarelda on October 24, 2003, at 12:30:41
In reply to Re: Lexapro for Anxiety? » nemo kitty, posted by sfmom on October 24, 2003, at 12:25:34
The Lexapro cannot work to its full effectiveness if you continue to drink alcohol. I found that out the hard way.
Posted by sfmom on October 24, 2003, at 12:36:23
In reply to Re: Lexapro for Anxiety?, posted by Esmarelda on October 24, 2003, at 12:30:41
> The Lexapro cannot work to its full effectiveness if you continue to drink alcohol. I found that out the hard way.
I know. I've stopped, but I needed something to calm my nerves during the six weeks (!) it took Kaiser to get me into see a psych. But did it work for the anxitey and panic attacks???
Posted by Esmarelda on October 24, 2003, at 12:42:43
In reply to Re: Lexapro for Anxiety?, posted by sfmom on October 24, 2003, at 12:36:23
I took it mainly for depression, but with the depression, I would have overwhelmng panic/anxiety attacks where I could hardly get up to even let my dogs outside. The Lex helped the anxiety before it did the actual depression . Give it a couple weeks.
Go back and read some of Mariposa's posts -- I think she had pretty bad anxiety with it if I recall.
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