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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by bigpopper on December 15, 2006, at 16:05:44
I have posted a few times on this forum. I have been on Lexapro for 3 months now. Beginning was tough. Then everything got better then worse then better, etc... the Dr. upped me to 20mg from the original 10mg. Made anxiety much worse. He told me to go back to 10mg. I few days after that I felt OK again. Now, 4 weeks later the anxiety is coming back AGAIN. I have been using Xanax the last couple of days. Seems to help alot. I was scared of adiction to Xanax, but that has not been a problem. If I do not have anxiety I do not use the Xanax. I have never had these problems before until now. Is this "normal" for Anxiety to come and go every few weeks? Could Lexapro be causing the anxiety to be worse, since the increase to 20mg made anxiety worse than 10mg? Any suggestions! I feel good for 3-4 weeks then bad for 2 weeks, while not changing anything!
Posted by Maxime on December 15, 2006, at 17:47:10
In reply to Anxiety Coming and Going?, posted by bigpopper on December 15, 2006, at 16:05:44
The strange thing is, Lexapro is suppose to be good for anxiety.
Have you changed anything in your diet or sleep patterns?
Another thing to have checked is your thyroid. That could cause the coming and going of anxiety.
I hope you find a solution. Sorry I can't be of more help. But get your thyroid tested if you haven't already.
Maxime
> I have posted a few times on this forum. I have been on Lexapro for 3 months now. Beginning was tough. Then everything got better then worse then better, etc... the Dr. upped me to 20mg from the original 10mg. Made anxiety much worse. He told me to go back to 10mg. I few days after that I felt OK again. Now, 4 weeks later the anxiety is coming back AGAIN. I have been using Xanax the last couple of days. Seems to help alot. I was scared of adiction to Xanax, but that has not been a problem. If I do not have anxiety I do not use the Xanax. I have never had these problems before until now. Is this "normal" for Anxiety to come and go every few weeks? Could Lexapro be causing the anxiety to be worse, since the increase to 20mg made anxiety worse than 10mg? Any suggestions! I feel good for 3-4 weeks then bad for 2 weeks, while not changing anything!
Posted by Maxime on December 15, 2006, at 17:50:32
In reply to Anxiety Coming and Going?, posted by bigpopper on December 15, 2006, at 16:05:44
Me again. Sorry.
Are you female? You said the anxiety changes every 3-4 weeks. Do you think it could have to go with your menstrual cycle.
Sorry if you are male. :)
You should chart your moods and see of the anxiety increases around the full moon. I know this must sound stupid, but psych patients are more agitated around the full moon. I have a friend who works in the ER and she hates working that time of month. Maybe it triggers anxiety.
Just throwing out some possibilities. :)
Maxime
Posted by blueberry1 on December 15, 2006, at 18:19:33
In reply to Anxiety Coming and Going?, posted by bigpopper on December 15, 2006, at 16:05:44
There seems to be some cycling going on here. It might be a good start to keep a daily diary of anxiety, depression, or whatever and see what kind of pattern it follows. Maybe try to think back if you can to find out if there is any regularity to the pattern or whether it just pops up without any regularity?
I keep reading in various web searches how bipolar issues are mistaken as unipolar issues. Swings in anxiety or depression or agitation or whatever, for no apparent reason, can be subtle signs. One thing that makes the cycling worse is antidepressants. They can increase the rate of cycling and the intensity. Increased anxiety or agitation from two different antidepressant trials is another hint. Some psychiatrists say the first thing to do is get the patient off of antidepressants and onto mood stabilizers instead. In your case maybe one with anti-anxiety qualities like depakote.
And things like hormones, the moon, and whatever else are possible. My Dad was a doctor and said when it was around full moon it was very hectic. And though women go through monthly hormonal cycles, I'll bet some men have fluctuating hormones too.
In any case it might be a good first step to track your anxiety attacks to see if there is a predictable pattern. That might help identify what it is. But even if you do or don't identify a pattern, what to do about it? Take a benzo during those times? Start depakote or other mood stabilizer? I don't know. Psychiatry is so hard because we are all so different.
Anyway, just some ideas to ponder and put on the back burner to think about.
Posted by bigpopper on December 15, 2006, at 18:54:04
In reply to Re: Anxiety Coming and Going?, posted by blueberry1 on December 15, 2006, at 18:19:33
Thanks for the responses!. I am a 36yr. old male by the way. I do not seem to have any depression. Seems to be anxiety, but everyone says they are so closely linked I am not sure. Symptoms are decreased appetite, waking up very early and restless, hands shaking, upset stomach, etc... Still not as bad as the first month after starting Lexapro. Just scared it is starting over again, then it goes away. I may have to increase Xanax to 1-2mg/day during these times, then I want need anything for a while.
I am going to try to keep a closer look at when these cycles start. Maybe I can pick up on something that is causing this increased anxiety. I am considering cutting my Lexapro dose to 5mg and see what happens.
I do know that I feel good if I drink a "nightcap" but then worse in the morning.
Posted by Phillipa on December 15, 2006, at 23:08:42
In reply to Re: Anxiety Coming and Going?, posted by bigpopper on December 15, 2006, at 18:54:04
A lot of posters take klonopin ( I take valium) to help with the anxiety of lexapro and other ad's. Love Phillipa ps longer acting but if panic attacks xanax is definitely the best.
Posted by bigpopper on December 19, 2006, at 12:13:10
In reply to Re: Anxiety Coming and Going? » bigpopper, posted by Phillipa on December 15, 2006, at 23:08:42
Could Lexapro be causing anxiety after 3 months? I know I had horrible anxiety while starting, but thought lexapro would take care of anxiety once I got over the start-up. I went down to 5mg 5 days ago. Have not noticed much difference in anyway. No less or more anxiety. Do feel kinda "weird", but have felt that way since starting Lexapro.
This is the end of the thread.
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