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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by tm on May 31, 2003, at 10:30:34
I have gone back and looked at the previous messages and can't or don't remember, besides all the other stuff that Lexapro is good for has it seemed to help anyone with anxiety. I wake up with anxiety and take Xanax before I get out of bed. I can not enjoy mornings by just trying to watch TV and relax. If I don't get up a do something I get in a rut. Mornings are rough.
Thanks Tim
Posted by kkat on May 31, 2003, at 10:51:17
In reply to Does Lexapro help with anxiety, posted by tm on May 31, 2003, at 10:30:34
> I have gone back and looked at the previous messages and can't or don't remember, besides all the other stuff that Lexapro is good for has it seemed to help anyone with anxiety. I wake up with anxiety and take Xanax before I get out of bed. I can not enjoy mornings by just trying to watch TV and relax. If I don't get up a do something I get in a rut. Mornings are rough.
> Thanks TimI switched from Zoloft to Lex because my mom said it seemed to really help her and wasn't sure the Zoloft was working. After two weeks on 10mg, I developed anxiety/panic attacks. Upped it to 20 mg for about 2 1/2 weeks and for me it didn't help, but for others it does. I think it is just up to the individual and how they respond to medicine. I have been back on my zoloft at a higher dose and I am doing better, but still get nervous and anxious. It seems that it comes and goes, so I guess it's working and will take time. Good luck!
>
Posted by Kathii on June 1, 2003, at 1:24:15
In reply to Does Lexapro help with anxiety, posted by tm on May 31, 2003, at 10:30:34
Hi Tim,
If you're having problems with anxiety in the morning you may want to have a routine to follow. Part of the anxiety may be from 'not knowing what to do next'. The night before, pick out what you plan to wear. In the morning, first thing, brush your teeth, get cleaned up, and get dressed. Eat something for breakfast (no grapefruit juice with Xanax, though). Have a short 'to-do list' - maybe dusting the house, to get you moving. I know this isn't exactly about meds (which is supposed to be on this board), but I have found that the meds are much more effective when your actions are geared to what the meds are supposed to be doing. The days I actually get up and get moving are much better than those where I decide to be a slug. On my work days I take the route that is the least anxiety producing, even though it means paying a 75 cent toll - well worth arriving to work without having to take an extra dip into the Xanax.
I'm on Lexapro and Wellbutrin, too. I think the Lexapro actually increased my anxiety initially, but after a few weeks it tapered back to a normal (manageable with Xanax) level.
Posted by tm on June 1, 2003, at 6:38:01
In reply to Re: Does Lexapro help with anxiety » tm, posted by Kathii on June 1, 2003, at 1:24:15
> Hi Tim,
> If you're having problems with anxiety in the morning you may want to have a routine to follow. Part of the anxiety may be from 'not knowing what to do next'. The night before, pick out what you plan to wear. In the morning, first thing, brush your teeth, get cleaned up, and get dressed. Eat something for breakfast (no grapefruit juice with Xanax, though). Have a short 'to-do list' - maybe dusting the house, to get you moving. I know this isn't exactly about meds (which is supposed to be on this board), but I have found that the meds are much more effective when your actions are geared to what the meds are supposed to be doing. The days I actually get up and get moving are much better than those where I decide to be a slug. On my work days I take the route that is the least anxiety producing, even though it means paying a 75 cent toll - well worth arriving to work without having to take an extra dip into the Xanax.
> I'm on Lexapro and Wellbutrin, too. I think the Lexapro actually increased my anxiety initially, but after a few weeks it tapered back to a normal (manageable with Xanax) level.Thanks, When I go to work I know I have to get up and follow my routine and I know this helps. I sure would like to sleep late some time, but those days may be over with. My dad who has the same problem tells me the same ting, What does the Wellbutrin do for you? I'll will take all the advice I can get. Thanks Tim
Posted by Kathii on June 1, 2003, at 16:11:13
In reply to Re: Does Lexapro help with anxiety » Kathii, posted by tm on June 1, 2003, at 6:38:01
> Thanks, When I go to work I know I have to get up and follow my routine and I know this helps. I sure would like to sleep late some time, but those days may be over with. My dad who has the same problem tells me the same ting, What does the Wellbutrin do for you? I'll will take all the advice I can get. Thanks Tim
>
>
I'm on Wellbutrin SR for depression. I had tried several SSRIs, but the side effects were too strong and I also experienced poop-out. It's been the med that has worked best over the long haul. I've been on it for at least 5 years now. Several times (and currently) I've had to augment it with another med. The Lexapro has been working well - started at 5mg for a week or two, then went up to 10. I also take Xanax in the evening, with the option of taking it as needed, too.
I sleep late on the weekends - so that's when I get to be a slug. I've had to stop kicking myself for not "getting up early so I can do stuff" and just let myself get the sleep I need.
It's all a balancing act at first, then you find a routine that works.
Posted by tm on June 1, 2003, at 20:33:37
In reply to Re: Does Lexapro help with anxiety » tm, posted by Kathii on June 1, 2003, at 16:11:13
>
> > Thanks, When I go to work I know I have to get up and follow my routine and I know this helps. I sure would like to sleep late some time, but those days may be over with. My dad who has the same problem tells me the same ting, What does the Wellbutrin do for you? I'll will take all the advice I can get. Thanks Tim
> >
> >
> I'm on Wellbutrin SR for depression. I had tried several SSRIs, but the side effects were too strong and I also experienced poop-out. It's been the med that has worked best over the long haul. I've been on it for at least 5 years now. Several times (and currently) I've had to augment it with another med. The Lexapro has been working well - started at 5mg for a week or two, then went up to 10. I also take Xanax in the evening, with the option of taking it as needed, too.
> I sleep late on the weekends - so that's when I get to be a slug. I've had to stop kicking myself for not "getting up early so I can do stuff" and just let myself get the sleep I need.
> It's all a balancing act at first, then you find a routine that works.
I take Xanax fours times a day or as needed. Today I took Xanax first thing this morning .75mg. This is the first time that I have done that in a while, I normally take all four times at full dose. I have made it through the day with not taking any more. I have fought of the anxiety and that was at the pool. Thanks again! Tim
Posted by Kathii on June 2, 2003, at 18:14:55
In reply to Re: Does Lexapro help with anxiety, posted by tm on June 1, 2003, at 20:33:37
>
> I take Xanax fours times a day or as needed. Today I took Xanax first thing this morning .75mg. This is the first time that I have done that in a while, I normally take all four times at full dose. I have made it through the day with not taking any more. I have fought of the anxiety and that was at the pool. Thanks again! Tim
>
Hi Tim,
You're probably going to want to take a Xanax shortly before bedtime, or you might have difficulty sleeping. Since you normally take it 4x a day, your body is used to having more of it in your system.
It's really good that you were able to be at the pool (I'm assuming public?) and be able to deal with your anxiety at the same time. I used to have problems just going to the grocery store.
The nice thing with Xanax is that it is scored so you can adjust your dosage - sometimes I just need 1/2 to keep me going on an even keel, and I can take the other half later if I need to.
Just take each day as it's own - don't worry if you have a bad day (it just builds up more anxiety). It may be cliche, but it's the best way to deal with it all.
Kathi
Posted by tm on June 2, 2003, at 18:25:07
In reply to Re: Does Lexapro help with anxiety, posted by Kathii on June 2, 2003, at 18:14:55
Kathi, your so right, boy did I have trouble sleeping last night. Since I had not taken Xanax I took Benedryl instead and it did not work and I was stuck, because the doctor told me not to mix the to. Thanks for the help and support. Head to my Psy.doc tomorrow because I am going to Jacksonville with my wife and another couple. We have been doing this for tens years, but I did not have this problem last year. What has been happening is when we go home to Chas. I don't do well and fight nausea, anxiety and finally a little depression for about ten days. We moved away from home a year ago. Thanks for the words of encourgement and the help. Take care! Tim
Posted by Kathii on June 2, 2003, at 19:25:26
In reply to Re: Does Lexapro help with anxiety » Kathii, posted by tm on June 2, 2003, at 18:25:07
We have been doing this for tens years, but I did not have this problem last year. What has been happening is when we go home to Chas. I don't do well and fight nausea, anxiety and finally a little depression for about ten days. We moved away from home a year ago. Thanks for the words of encourgement and the help. Take care! Tim
hmmmm, Tim, this sounds more like something is bothering you that centers around home/Chas. Could be homesickness, or old memories - were you depressed when you lived there? I don't do well when I visit my dad (in my childhood home), because I was severely depressed during my teen years (and other things, too), but because I recognize it I can plan around it - either with meds or with plenty of downtime afterward before I go on to normal activities.
Good luck - try to enjoy your trip, and make sure to bring your meds.
Kathi
Posted by tm on June 2, 2003, at 19:37:49
In reply to Re: Does Lexapro help with anxiety » tm, posted by Kathii on June 2, 2003, at 19:25:26
> We have been doing this for tens years, but I did not have this problem last year. What has been happening is when we go home to Chas. I don't do well and fight nausea, anxiety and finally a little depression for about ten days. We moved away from home a year ago. Thanks for the words of encourgement and the help. Take care! Tim
>
> hmmmm, Tim, this sounds more like something is bothering you that centers around home/Chas. Could be homesickness, or old memories - were you depressed when you lived there? I don't do well when I visit my dad (in my childhood home), because I was severely depressed during my teen years (and other things, too), but because I recognize it I can plan around it - either with meds or with plenty of downtime afterward before I go on to normal activities.
> Good luck - try to enjoy your trip, and make sure to bring your meds.
> Kathi
>
Have a close family and a good home. I inherited this from my dad. He has suffered with this for 40 years. Mine started with cheat pains and a trip to the hospital to get checked out. A few days later I had the fright that I was going to die. That was the first of March. That has on gone away and left me with anxiety. I tried Paxil but did not like the side effect. I call my folks for support, my mom is a retired nurse and with dad's experience I can get some questions answered, but he is not on Lexapro. My wife also is here for support. I can't let this thing control me that is why I am determined to go to Fla. Thanks Tim
>
Posted by Kathii on June 2, 2003, at 22:07:57
In reply to Re: Does Lexapro help with anxiety » Kathii, posted by tm on June 2, 2003, at 19:37:49
> Have a close family and a good home. I inherited this from my dad. He has suffered with this for 40 years. Mine started with cheat pains and a trip to the hospital to get checked out. A few days later I had the fright that I was going to die. That was the first of March. That has on gone away and left me with anxiety. I tried Paxil but did not like the side effect. I call my folks for support, my mom is a retired nurse and with dad's experience I can get some questions answered, but he is not on Lexapro. My wife also is here for support. I can't let this thing control me that is why I am determined to go to Fla. Thanks Tim
> >
>
>
Hi Tim,
I'm really glad to hear that you have your family's support. I was away at college when I had my first panic attack - that's why I ended up leaving. I was given Xanax back then, but had no idea how to use it properly, and there really wasn't much in the way of meds available. I ended up in biofeedback - learned how to calm my breathing and heart rate. If your insurance covers it you may want to give it a try - at least it's not another pill to swallow, and it's non-invasive. It has made a difference.
Don't forget to pack your swimsuit - the weather here in FL is very warm!
Kathi
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