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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by butch1952 on January 10, 2004, at 21:01:09
In Dr. Bob's en-psych-lopedia I read that in the treatment of panic disorder with tricyclics and MAOI's the patient should be informed that their symptoms may actually get worse before they get better, since these drugs increase the amounts of monoamines at the synaptic cleft resulting in increased levels of noradrenaline (we all know what adrenaline does). My question is, with Lexapro and other SSRI's used to treat panic/anxiety disorders, does the same thing or something similar happen? I certainly didn't feel depressed, so taken an "antidepressant" struck me as being likely to make me a bit giddy, which Lexapro seems to do. I've tried taking it at night, and I get a lot of nocturnal erections (wish they'd happen during the day...) but also inhibited orgasm, which is like dangling a chocolate eclair in front of a starving person. Taking Lex in the morning, I feel hyper within a few hours after dosing, and seem to need Xanax to calm myself down (though I only take an eighth of a mg of Xanax - more makes me sleepy). Anyway, is this Lexapro reaction typical, and will it go away, and will the anxiety/agoraphobia magically disappear? It seems pointless to take Lexapro if I'll still need Xanax. I'm only at day 14 and using 5 mg of Lexapro - afraid to use more considering what I've felt so far.... Incidentally, although I have a history of panic disorder in the past, I went for many years, a decade at least, between episodes. The epidoses previously were fairly discreet and limited, didn't have agoraphobia. Had a heart attack last year which seemed to bring on the latest episode and the fear of being alone. Am also concerned about increased noradrenaline in the presence of heart disease.
Posted by sarita0001 on January 10, 2004, at 21:15:35
In reply to Lexapro for panic disorder - gets worse first?, posted by butch1952 on January 10, 2004, at 21:01:09
Hi
A similar thing happened with me. I was taking Prozac for and OCD flare up and I remember getting jittery/giddy a few times in the beginning and I did have more anxiety the first few days before it started working on the anxiety. The dr. said this is normal. I'd suggest waiting a few more days and if it doesn't stop talk to your dr.
good luck
Sara
Posted by KathrynLex on January 10, 2004, at 23:38:03
In reply to Lexapro for panic disorder - gets worse first?, posted by butch1952 on January 10, 2004, at 21:01:09
Hi Butch,
You're playing the waitng game on Lex...me too. I'm taking it for panic disorder and depression. The first week I took it, there was a significant increase in my anxiety, at night in particular. The second week was when the side effects were at their worst, and the third week things seemed to taper off. (Heading in to week 4 now.) You might be having a similar experience in that the side effects hit you the hardest this last week. Things might improve in the next few days. I hope they do, good luck.
K.
Posted by Patient on January 11, 2004, at 10:54:15
In reply to Lexapro for panic disorder - gets worse first?, posted by butch1952 on January 10, 2004, at 21:01:09
If one suffers from high anxiety or panic disorder, these anxiety effects you describe can be very troublesome, but are common when starting an antidepressant. For others with depression, the zingy energy is very welcome and is a let down when it eventually goes away after about 3 or 4 weeks. Some have to be careful for start-up effects can induce panic or anxiety, enough to where your doctor will prescribe a short trial of a benzo during this start up period. Another suggestion is if it is bothering you too much, to take a lower dose than 5mg-if you can split it down further-then increase slowly to what dose you were prescribed for. These effects usually happen when one increases dose as well. It is normal, and takes a few weeks to wear off. For me, I found Lexapro more anxiety producing than Celexa, especially bothersome in the early evenings,but this is just my experience.
This is the end of the thread.
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