![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by MarkD on March 6, 2004, at 9:39:32
Here’s my story, I’ve had high blood pressure for 10 years, three weeks ago during sex I had pains in my head, took my pressure and it was very high, I went to the emergency worried as hell, they did ekg and gave me nitro to get the pressure down, went home that night and started getting the panicky feelings that my pressure was not low enough and here came the old anxiety symptoms.
That’s how I was thrown back into this anxiety mode after having 6 anxiety free years, my doctor gave me knew meds for the BP the following Monday, by Sunday my bp pressure was still high, again my anxiety grew even more and the symptoms, saw the doc again a week later and was in a high state of anxiety at his office when he went to take my pressure reading, I know the anxiety was being kept alive from the underlying problem of my blood pressure but at this point he wanted me to start on Lex to get the anxiety under control, but I told him I really do not think the anxiety is being caused by depression, but again he said that Lex is also prescribed for anxiety symptoms and since I drank a few beers everyday he did not want to give me a narcotic like Xanax or Lorzapram to mix with the alcohol…..
QUESTION: do you think I should be on LEX? I have been taking it for 4 days have had high anxiety even though not bothered by it, its still annoying and ultimately I feel just letting time pass, not taking Lex and going with the anxiety symptoms will eventually make them subside, as they did always before in the past..
Thank you for your replies..
God Bless
Mark
Posted by Donia on March 6, 2004, at 10:08:33
In reply to My story do you Agree with this?, posted by MarkD on March 6, 2004, at 9:39:32
I would say to get the anxiety under control. I am sure it is a factor in getting your blood pressure under control. It will take the lex probably a month to help with the anxiety.
Donia
Posted by Sooshi on March 6, 2004, at 10:11:04
In reply to My story do you Agree with this?, posted by MarkD on March 6, 2004, at 9:39:32
Hi MarkD,
Have you considered cognitive behavioral techniques? In some cases, they work faster than drugs to get your anxiety and panic down, and for me, when I was so desperate for SOMETHING to help me IMMEDIATELY, this was the answer. You might pick up a used copy of "Feeling Good", by David Burns...lots of practical things to help keep negative thinking (i.e. your feelings that your anxiety is coming back after 6 free anxiety years) from taking control.Dr. Albert Ellis: "When you feel bad, you are thinking about things in a negative way. These thoughts, and not what actually happens, are what make you feel upset."
Hey, and take the Lexapro too, if you feel it will help! I took benzos and AD's all during my CBTherapy, and still take them! I sit on both sides of the fence when it comes to meds verses CBT!
Anyway, good luck to you, and I hope you get your high blood pressure under control too,
Sooshi
Posted by MarkD on March 6, 2004, at 10:31:11
In reply to Re: My story do you Agree with this? » MarkD, posted by Sooshi on March 6, 2004, at 10:11:04
Donia , Sooshi, thank you both for your input, damn just feel uneasy taking AD when i really do not feel depressed, mmm and you say a month before Lex kicks in, have to make a decision here, im 2 hours over due taking todays Lex dose, heh, decisions, decisions...
thank you both..and good luck to both of you..!
Mark
Posted by mel_light on March 6, 2004, at 11:23:02
In reply to My story do you Agree with this?, posted by MarkD on March 6, 2004, at 9:39:32
I had the same feelings about my anxiety but my doctor put it in perspective for me. She said "If I can give you a pill to make you feel better, why wouldn't you take it? Just to torture yourself?" So, reluctuntly I'm taking Lexapro and fighting through just to feel better too. There's now a light at the end of the tunnel. :-)
Posted by MarkD on March 6, 2004, at 11:28:20
In reply to Re: My story do you Agree with this?, posted by mel_light on March 6, 2004, at 11:23:02
Mel, i agree with you totally, i just do not think that my Anxiety is coing from depression, but from the underlying problem with my blood pressure and being worried about it, just dont think it justifies taking a drug like Lex which is prescribed mainly for depression and symptoms caused by depression including anxiety...
Thank you for your input..you will be feeling better soon!!
Mark
Posted by mel_light on March 6, 2004, at 12:12:45
In reply to Re: My story do you Agree with this?, posted by MarkD on March 6, 2004, at 11:28:20
I rarely am depressed. I'm usually one of the happiest people I know. My anxiety doesn't come from depression but from some form of worry, I think. I worry about everything and even when I think I'm fine, in my mind I'm probably worrying about something hense the anxiety kicking in. Hopefully the you get something to help you out, I think you should stick with the Lex at least until you get your health all under control. Sending blessings and prayers your way...(((hugs)))
Posted by MarkD on March 6, 2004, at 12:21:18
In reply to Re: My story do you Agree with this?, posted by mel_light on March 6, 2004, at 12:12:45
Mel, your kind and you make very good sense, i never did have a lot of pateince when it came to waiting things out , maybe i will continue with the Lex, at least see if its beneficail at all to my blood pressure and anxiety or both, i can deal with the stronger palpitations, flashes and sweats that are caused by the drug its only temp and not all day long 8)
thank you Mel...(Hugs Back)
Mark
Posted by Thereishope on March 6, 2004, at 16:21:27
In reply to Re: My story do you Agree with this?, posted by mel_light on March 6, 2004, at 12:12:45
> I rarely am depressed. I'm usually one of the happiest people I know. My anxiety doesn't come from depression but from some form of worry, I think.
This is a little off the subject, but why do so many doctors refuse to believe that anxiety can come before depression? After Paxil caused my bp to shoot up to 176/106 I also went into a state of panic then that grew into depression along with the initial panic attacks.God bless you!
Posted by jlo820 on March 6, 2004, at 16:41:57
In reply to Re: My story do you Agree with this? » mel_light, posted by Thereishope on March 6, 2004, at 16:21:27
Lexapro is also indicated for generalized anxiety disorder...
Posted by KathrynLex on March 6, 2004, at 17:42:07
In reply to Re: My story do you Agree with this? » mel_light, posted by Thereishope on March 6, 2004, at 16:21:27
Hi Thereishope,
When my psychiatrist diagnosed me with panic disorder he said that many times anxiety can cause depression.
K.
Posted by Thereishope on March 6, 2004, at 18:17:06
In reply to Re: My story do you Agree with this? » Thereishope, posted by KathrynLex on March 6, 2004, at 17:42:07
Sounds like you're blessed with a good doctor :) What is working for your panic disorder?
> Hi Thereishope,
>
> When my psychiatrist diagnosed me with panic disorder he said that many times anxiety can cause depression.
>
> K.
Posted by KathrynLex on March 6, 2004, at 18:37:25
In reply to Re: My story do you Agree with this? » KathrynLex, posted by Thereishope on March 6, 2004, at 18:17:06
Hello Thereishope,
I feel really lucky to have found a good doctor. He really seems to know what he's doing. (Unlike some people I've seen in the past.)
15 mgs of Lexapro has been very helpful for my panic disorder, and I take Lorazepam or Xanax on an as needed basis. Are there any meds you would suggest (or not suggest) for panic/anxiety?
K.
Posted by Thereishope on March 6, 2004, at 21:52:15
In reply to Re: My story do you Agree with this? » Thereishope, posted by KathrynLex on March 6, 2004, at 18:37:25
It good to hear that you are having success with Lexapro. I don't have any suggestions for panic/anxiety medications. I'm still trying to find something that works. The pdoc that I see is a very nice person, but I'm having doubts about her expertise. She is hesitant about trying medications...which is good and bad. Good because she is aware of my past history with reactions to antidepressants, bad because I'm also hesitant about trying medications.
If you have any suggestions I'd like to hear them?
Thanks :)
> Hello Thereishope,
>
> I feel really lucky to have found a good doctor. He really seems to know what he's doing. (Unlike some people I've seen in the past.)
>
> 15 mgs of Lexapro has been very helpful for my panic disorder, and I take Lorazepam or Xanax on an as needed basis. Are there any meds you would suggest (or not suggest) for panic/anxiety?
>
> K.
Posted by KathrynLex on March 7, 2004, at 1:21:08
In reply to Re: My story do you Agree with this? » KathrynLex, posted by Thereishope on March 6, 2004, at 21:52:15
Hi,
SSRI's that can work for anxiety/panic: Lexapro, Paxil (I'm not a fan of Paxil, but meds work so differently for everyone) and Prozac. These are the ones I've tried that worked for me.
Benzos that work for anxiety/panic: Xanax, Lorazepam and Klonopin. I've found all of them to be quite helpful and take them on an as needed basis.
Best of luck in finding the right combo!
K.
Posted by MarkD on March 7, 2004, at 11:04:46
In reply to Re: My story do you Agree with this? » Thereishope, posted by KathrynLex on March 6, 2004, at 17:42:07
> Hi Thereishope,
>
> When my psychiatrist diagnosed me with panic disorder he said that many times anxiety can cause depression.
>
> K.
Kath thats very interesting and explains probably why my Doc gave me Lex to start taking..thanks, ill mention that to him..
Mark
Posted by Thereishope on March 7, 2004, at 19:13:44
In reply to Re: My story do you Agree with this?, posted by MarkD on March 7, 2004, at 11:04:46
Please someone tell me that there are doctors in Dallas Texas who are aware of this??? Why have I been seeing the ones who do not know this? I'll hopefully check out a new doctor this week who comes highly recommended. Please Lord let this be the one. Amen.
> > Hi Thereishope,
> >
> > When my psychiatrist diagnosed me with panic disorder he said that many times anxiety can cause depression.
> >
> > K.
>
>
> Kath thats very interesting and explains probably why my Doc gave me Lex to start taking..
>
> thanks, ill mention that to him..
>
> Mark
>
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.