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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by MarkD on March 4, 2004, at 14:41:12
Just to report to everynone, on my third day of Lex I've taken it 8am sharp every morning last three days, about 6 hours to the minute after taking a 10mg dose, my hands shake, heart rate seems to speed up and palpitate from time to time, and also have a slight headache and my over all anxiety level seems to be high, also hot flashes on the first day, those have seemed to subside the second and third day though about 12 hours after the dose these symptoms subside a little bit but are still there low key....thought they said lex dampens anxiety symptoms... ohhh well waiting for Doc to call me back to see what he thinks...
Posted by nicky847 on March 4, 2004, at 14:55:31
In reply to Report on Lexapro - Anxiety level worsened, posted by MarkD on March 4, 2004, at 14:41:12
Hi Mark
what you are going thru is not uncommon at all...starting an A/D is always a good news/bad news scenario..the bad news is that the first couple weeks are very very hard..the good news is that going thru those hard times is worth it..because you will begin to feel better...for now just take it easy and take care of yourself..if you broke your leg you wouldnt start training for a marathon..so treat your mind and body the same way now..
nick> Just to report to everynone, on my third day of Lex I've taken it 8am sharp every morning last three days, about 6 hours to the minute after taking a 10mg dose, my hands shake, heart rate seems to speed up and palpitate from time to time, and also have a slight headache and my over all anxiety level seems to be high, also hot flashes on the first day, those have seemed to subside the second and third day though about 12 hours after the dose these symptoms subside a little bit but are still there low key....thought they said lex dampens anxiety symptoms... ohhh well waiting for Doc to call me back to see what he thinks...
>
Posted by dzinegirl on March 4, 2004, at 15:02:54
In reply to Re: Report on Lexapro - Anxiety level worsened, posted by nicky847 on March 4, 2004, at 14:55:31
Hi Mark,
I went through the same thing. I take it in the morning after I eat breakfast with alot of water. My stomach would feel funny sometimes. About an hour later I feel shaky too. It passes by lunch. Try to get out and go for a walk. It really helps. Hang in there you are not alone.
dzinegirl
Posted by MarkD on March 4, 2004, at 18:38:34
In reply to Re: Report on Lexapro - Anxiety level worsened, posted by nicky847 on March 4, 2004, at 14:55:31
Dzinegirl and Nick, thank you both for your posts, makes it a hell of a lot easier when you know your not the only one experiencing these damn side effects....
letting time pass, and going for a walk Dzine.. 8)
God Bless
Mark
Posted by Kimburtly on March 4, 2004, at 19:35:56
In reply to Re: Report on Lexapro - Anxiety level worsened, posted by MarkD on March 4, 2004, at 18:38:34
I don't recall experiencing additional anxiety however I do experience dizziness on occasion - what I found was that you truly cannot miss a doss - it does affect you. I HIGHLY suggest that you eat something solid when you take the meds - I take mine at lunch. I did have someone suggest I take it before I go to bed which would then alleviate the dizziness and perhaps your additional anxiety!!! :) Best of luck - keep taking it - it really works for me!
Posted by sexylexy on March 4, 2004, at 21:14:04
In reply to Report on Lexapro - Anxiety level worsened, posted by MarkD on March 4, 2004, at 14:41:12
Hi~
Bad for us with anxiety, a lot of times on lexapro, the anxiety gets worse before it gets better. Wait it out and you will be glad you did, my anxiety is 100% better.
LExy
Posted by MarkD on March 4, 2004, at 21:28:15
In reply to Re: Report on Lexapro - Anxiety level worsened, posted by sexylexy on March 4, 2004, at 21:14:04
Kim and Lexy thank you for your input, thank you very much, i feel 100% more confident after everyones replies to this post including yours!!
Going to hang tough, anxiety symptoms are only symptoms that cannot do any harm, i know ill get through it especailly with support like yours and everyones..were all together in this in some way or another no one is alone... 8)
thank you again
P.S Lexy your right when you have high anxiety to begin with it makes it that much more intensified dealing getting Lex's initial side effects..
Mark
Posted by mel_light on March 4, 2004, at 22:51:53
In reply to Report on Lexapro - Anxiety level worsened, posted by MarkD on March 4, 2004, at 14:41:12
I've been on Lexapro for 16 days and today is one of the worst attacks I've had since I started but I know I have to fight through it to get better. I took an adivan and now I have horrible dry mouth which causes more panic because I feel like I can't swallow or breathe well. Has anybody else experienced severe dry mouth???
Posted by nicky847 on March 5, 2004, at 9:55:33
In reply to Re: Report on Lexapro - Anxiety level worsened, posted by mel_light on March 4, 2004, at 22:51:53
If you are on day 16 then you are right in the middle of the toughest part of adjusting to the Lexapro..it gets better real soon...so keep that in mind..
the dry mouth may be due to your anxiety level or adjusting to the med or a little of both...but it should go away soon...
hang in there things get better!
nick
> I've been on Lexapro for 16 days and today is one of the worst attacks I've had since I started but I know I have to fight through it to get better. I took an adivan and now I have horrible dry mouth which causes more panic because I feel like I can't swallow or breathe well. Has anybody else experienced severe dry mouth???
Posted by KathrynLex on March 5, 2004, at 18:10:43
In reply to Report on Lexapro - Anxiety level worsened, posted by MarkD on March 4, 2004, at 14:41:12
Hi Mark,
One thing that helped me was the fact that lex seems to be on a schedule. For example, you know that the worst side effects will hit six hours after taking it. I found it comforting to know that all those symptoms were simply caused by the lexapro, rather than a serious health problem.
Like I said before...Lex can actually cause anxiety the first few weeks you take it. Xanax or Lorazepam can do wonders for that. But keep in mind you're not alone in adjusting to Lex. It can be difficult, but it's possible. Just hang in there for a few weeks...you'll be glad you did.
K.
Posted by KathrynLex on March 5, 2004, at 18:12:26
In reply to Re: Report on Lexapro - Anxiety level worsened, posted by mel_light on March 4, 2004, at 22:51:53
Hi Mel,
For the first 3 weeks that I was on Lexapro I felt VERY dehydrated and kept a huge glass of water near me at all times. Rest assured that the feeling goes away.
K.
Posted by mel_light on March 5, 2004, at 20:55:25
In reply to Re: Report on Lexapro - Anxiety level worsened » mel_light, posted by KathrynLex on March 5, 2004, at 18:12:26
> Hi Mel,
>
> For the first 3 weeks that I was on Lexapro I felt VERY dehydrated and kept a huge glass of water near me at all times. Rest assured that the feeling goes away.
>
> K.K. Thanks for the positive feedback. May I ask, how long have you been on Lexapro and what's your opinion of it?
Posted by MarkD on March 6, 2004, at 9:26:25
In reply to Re: Report on Lexapro - Anxiety level worsened, posted by mel_light on March 5, 2004, at 20:55:25
Kath thank you so much for being so supportive on my Lex questions especially my post on the Lex symptoms when first taking the drug..still thinking about stopping the Lex treatment, my anxiety surfaced from another problem, worrying about my blood pressure, not anti-depression..but my doctor seems to think this is the way to go, since i do drink alcohol each day he did not want to put me on a narcotic like Valium , Xanax, Loreprezam, that was his reasoning...
Mark
Posted by KathrynLex on March 6, 2004, at 18:45:08
In reply to Re: Report on Lexapro - Anxiety level worsened, posted by mel_light on March 5, 2004, at 20:55:25
Mel,
I've been on Lexapro for about 2 1/2 months. (I increased to 15 mgs 3 wks ago.) It's been very helpful for my anxiety, and overall I really like it.
The initial adjustment period was difficult but I'm glad I waited it out because I feel so much better.
K.
Posted by KathrynLex on March 6, 2004, at 18:51:24
In reply to Re: Report on Lexapro - Anxiety level worsened, posted by MarkD on March 6, 2004, at 9:26:25
Hi Mark,
Your pdoc is smart not to put you on Xanax, Lorazepam or Valium...they all have a reputation for not mixing well with alcohol.
I'm sorry that the Lex isn't working out for you. I forget how much you're taking, but in my experience 10 mgs isn't enough to help with anxiety. I had to increase to 15 mgs...maybe you should trying upping your dose before giving up.
Prozac is said to help anxiety (although, like Lexapro, it can increase your anxiety for the first few weeks) but it might be worth a try. I'm not a huge fan of Paxil, but some people really like it for panic attacks/anxiety. Celexa and Effexor are others you could look in to.
Anxiety/Panic is awful to live with. I hope you find a solution that works for you.
K.
Posted by MarkD on March 7, 2004, at 10:50:18
In reply to Re: Report on Lexapro - Anxiety level worsened » mel_light, posted by KathrynLex on March 6, 2004, at 18:45:08
> Mel,
>
> I've been on Lexapro for about 2 1/2 months. (I increased to 15 mgs 3 wks ago.) It's been very helpful for my anxiety, and overall I really like it.
>
> The initial adjustment period was difficult but I'm glad I waited it out because I feel so much better.
>
> K.
Thank you Kath, almost done with week one and i will stick it out its not that bad....God Bless
Mark
This is the end of the thread.
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