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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by male34 on March 1, 2003, at 10:52:42
im not 100% sure im a bit agoraphobic,panic atacks,anxiety,that kinda stuff( every week),im on 4 weeks 10mgs of LEXAPRO,not so freat on beating anxiety yet?? everyone told me give it 4 weeks but im confused theres so many drugs whats for me ,anyone like me give me advice, is lex for me?? feedback please thanks!
Posted by Dysfunk on March 1, 2003, at 13:55:16
In reply to ANXIETY!! help what works???, posted by male34 on March 1, 2003, at 10:52:42
I felt the same, at 5 weeks,no relief. Maybe it is time you increase the dosage? Have you tried a bit of Xanax with it? I take very little as needed.
Posted by viridis on March 1, 2003, at 14:20:59
In reply to ANXIETY!! help what works???, posted by male34 on March 1, 2003, at 10:52:42
I haven't tried Lexapro, but other SSRIs made my anxiety worse. I do much better with Klonopin -- you might discuss that with your doctor. I also use Xanax occasionally for fast anxiety relief, and it's very effective, although it doesn't last as long as Klonopin (one of the reasons many doctors don't like Xanax, since frequent dosing is thought by some to make it more likely to cause dependency and/or dosage escalation).
Posted by SBOATRN on March 1, 2003, at 15:22:48
In reply to ANXIETY!! help what works???, posted by male34 on March 1, 2003, at 10:52:42
I have been reading your previous postings also. I know you seen to be having a tough time. Klonpin is the only thing that worked for me. My problem iss primarily anxiety. Combinations work for some and single drug therapy for others. How are the follow ups with your doctor going ??? Prehaps it time for a LONG talk and re-evaluation. Are you in therapy, too ??? I hope things improve soon for you !!!
Posted by Patient on March 1, 2003, at 16:01:39
In reply to ANXIETY!! help what works???, posted by male34 on March 1, 2003, at 10:52:42
Hi,
I'm taking 5 mg of Lexapro. I have been for the past 2 1/2 weeks. One of my problems is anxiety as well, and the 5 mg is working very well at this time. I am also taking carbamazepine ER 200 mg once a day (mood stabilizer/anticonvulsant) for borderline personality disorder during this same period. Last week I took 10 mg Lexapro two days in a row and it caused my hands to shake and made me agitated--not a good feeling at all, so I went back down to what works, 5 mg.
Just a bit of advice: Most people that suffer from high anxiety as well as panic disorder sufferers run on high adrenaline, and they can be very sensitive to medicines. It is always better to start out at a lower dose, since normal start up doses can actually cause anxiety or induce a panic attack. Any increases in dosage are made gradually. A couple of years ago I did very well at just 25 mg of Zoloft, which is very low dose. When dose was increased to what is considered normal start up dose, I began to get shaky hands and extreme agitation. It was a side effect I could not get passed, or wait out to see if it would wane as my doctor said might happen. I ended up being switched to another antidepressant instead of going back down to 25 mg.
Posted by dreamerz on March 1, 2003, at 18:17:43
In reply to ANXIETY!! help what works???, posted by male34 on March 1, 2003, at 10:52:42
High dose Neurontin...maybe combine with small dose depakote.
Posted by FredPotter on March 3, 2003, at 16:40:05
In reply to Re: ANXIETY!! help what works??? » male34, posted by dreamerz on March 1, 2003, at 18:17:43
I find even Xanax doesn't work well enough unless I take 1.5 to 2 mg in one go. My Dr doesn't like me doing that, but it's either that or booze. I have the kind of nauseous dread type anxiety, rather than the hyperventilation type
Posted by jflange on March 3, 2003, at 21:04:04
In reply to Re: ANXIETY!! help what works??? » male34, posted by viridis on March 1, 2003, at 14:20:59
male34:
Since you have come this far with the Lexapro, why not augment for the time being with Klonopin (as one of the above posters already mentioned) or Buspar, which is great for anticipatory anxiety but dreadful for panic. The Lexapro should help with panic, though, if the two work synergistically, which >can< happen.
Buspar has a much more attractive withdrawal profile than K, but the K works much faster. Buspar will take another 4 weeks to kick in. (!)
It is true that ssris are not so hot when anxiety is the main complaint. But many times we anxious types need them for motivation and to combat secondary depression (caused by life with persistent anxiety...).
It is probably a bit premature to conclude that the Lexapro does not work. A fair trial is at least 6-8 weeks.
feel better,
jflange
This is the end of the thread.
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