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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
dr-bob@uchicago.eduShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by catachrest on July 18, 2005, at 12:45:57
Sorry if this has been discussed before but I ran a search and had a hard time isolating posts that would be relevant.
I've been on Cipralex (Lexapro) for a bit over a month now, and I think it is helping some for my depression, though I've still got a ways to go in that area. Most of the acclimatization symptoms are pretty much past (tiredness, dizziness, inability to think). However, I seem to have more anxiety now than I did before I began taking it.
I'll be sitting at work but won't be able to concentrate or anything because I've got this irrational, objectless anxiety going on - my heart beats faster, sometimes I have to get up and go sit in the washroom or go outside just to be away. But it's not work specifically that scares me or anything. I don't know what is frightening me - there's no target to the anxiety.
I noticed in reading some old posts that some people take Lexapro specifically against anxiety. I'm wondering if anyone else has noticed an *increase* in their anxiety levels while on Lexapro? If I'm alone in this, it's less likely that the drug is a cause....
Any input would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Susan
Posted by Jen Star on July 19, 2005, at 13:38:52
In reply to Cipralex/lexapro - increased anxiety anyone?, posted by catachrest on July 18, 2005, at 12:45:57
hi Susan,
I'm one of the people who take Lex to help reduce anxiety, and it works for me! So unfortunately I'm not able to offer direct advice.One thing I've heard about though, is that the dosage might need to be adjusted for you. Maybe a lower dosage would alleviate depression w/out increasing anxiety?
I think medicines are complicated. If you feel anxiety on the medicine, it's possible that Lex is causing it. Doctors are not 100% sure exactly how these drugs work, so it's very possible that they affect different people in different ways. Don't force yourself to accept that "it's all in your head" because, after all, ALL this stuff is in our head, right? Maybe try an experiment - taper off or down, and see if the anxiety goes away. (With Dr.'s support, of course!)
It's also possible that if you were suffering from multiple things like depression AND anxiety, now that one is getting better the other one is more apparent? (Kind of like cleaning all the dust off an old record, and then finding that it's cracked under all the dust?) Some people take 2 drugs - one for depression, another for anxiety. You might need to experiment to find the right mix for you.
Also, are you experiencing extra stress at work or in your life? Lex isn't a magic bullet (sadly, sadly, sadly!) I think it HELPS but doesn't prevent all anxiety.
Do you do exercise or yoga? For me, working out plus meds seems to be a great mix and really helps me keep anxiety low.
take care!
hope you feel better.
JenStar
Posted by catachrest on July 19, 2005, at 19:08:35
In reply to Re: Cipralex/lexapro - increased anxiety anyone? » catachrest, posted by Jen Star on July 19, 2005, at 13:38:52
> hi Susan,
>
> One thing I've heard about though, is that the dosage might need to be adjusted for you. Maybe a lower dosage would alleviate depression w/out increasing anxiety?
>
>>>>>>>That could be. But I'm only at 10mg per day - I'd have to break the pill to go lower. That's why I was loathe to immediately think it was the dosage level, but it could be.> It's also possible that if you were suffering from multiple things like depression AND anxiety, now that one is getting better the other one is more apparent?
>>>>>>That's a really good point. Before I started taking an AD I did have some anxiety, but nothing so severe, but you make a good point that perhaps now the anxiety that was there but being supressed somewhat by depression is coming to the fore.
Some people take 2 drugs - one for depression, another for anxiety. You might need to experiment to find the right mix for you.
>
>>>>>>>That might be a good plan, though I'd like to avoid taking anything I don't need to.> Also, are you experiencing extra stress at work or in your life? Lex isn't a magic bullet (sadly, sadly, sadly!) I think it HELPS but doesn't prevent all anxiety.
>>>>>That's true. I have some issues that I'm trying to work through, but nothing has changed in that respect.
>
> Do you do exercise or yoga? For me, working out plus meds seems to be a great mix and really helps me keep anxiety low.
>>>>>>>That's also good advice. I am adding some exercise to my life though I'm generally very sedentary.
> take care!
> hope you feel better.
>>>>.Thank you Jen!!!
Posted by 4WD on July 22, 2005, at 22:22:58
In reply to Cipralex/lexapro - increased anxiety anyone?, posted by catachrest on July 18, 2005, at 12:45:57
> Sorry if this has been discussed before but I ran a search and had a hard time isolating posts that would be relevant.
>
> I've been on Cipralex (Lexapro) for a bit over a month now, and I think it is helping some for my depression, though I've still got a ways to go in that area. Most of the acclimatization symptoms are pretty much past (tiredness, dizziness, inability to think). However, I seem to have more anxiety now than I did before I began taking it.
>
> I'll be sitting at work but won't be able to concentrate or anything because I've got this irrational, objectless anxiety going on - my heart beats faster, sometimes I have to get up and go sit in the washroom or go outside just to be away. But it's not work specifically that scares me or anything. I don't know what is frightening me - there's no target to the anxiety.
>
> I noticed in reading some old posts that some people take Lexapro specifically against anxiety. I'm wondering if anyone else has noticed an *increase* in their anxiety levels while on Lexapro? If I'm alone in this, it's less likely that the drug is a cause....
>
> Any input would be appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
> Susan
Hi Susan,Yes, it's possible for an SSRI (including Lexapro or Celexa) to increase anxiety. Some people have a lot more anxiety while starting Lexapro but it gets better after they've been on it for a few weeks.
For some people, though, it can increase anxiety long term. I'd call my doctor and tell him/her what's happening. Maybe a low dose of a benzo for a couple of weeks and then reassess?
Marsha
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