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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by lynn971 on December 9, 2005, at 19:55:35
of your skin. I am not suicidal. I love my family too much. The episodes of anxiety have been so bad that I feel like I want to jump out of my skin and it is a feeling of "nothing will help" It is torment.
Is there a name for feeling like you want to crawl out of your skin? I was wondering if lexapro could cause this.
Is this called akathasia?
Posted by Phillipa on December 9, 2005, at 22:01:48
In reply to What is it when you feel like you want to jump out, posted by lynn971 on December 9, 2005, at 19:55:35
Lynn it's Friday night the experts will probably jump in. Still a little better? Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by med_empowered on December 9, 2005, at 22:11:47
In reply to Re: What is it when you feel like you want to jump out » lynn971, posted by Phillipa on December 9, 2005, at 22:01:48
hey! yeah, akathisia is more common with the antipsychotics (especially the older ones), but it has been noticed with some regularity with the SSRIs. I don't know what to tell you about treating it...with antipyschotics, its pretty common to add propranolol and/or a benzo (usually ativan or Klonopin). But...antipsychotics are regarded as being more "necessary" than antidepressants; your doc may want to lower the dose or switch you over to something else. My wild guess would be that if you used something less "clean" (lexapro pretty much acts ONLY on serotonin), you might get better results...maybe Effexor/Cymbalta, or even Remeron (Remeron doesn't block the reuptake of serotonin, so you might not get the same ill-effects...watch out for weight gain, though).
Sorry you're going through this. Akathisia **SUCKS**, I know...please call your doc ASAP and lay it out for him/her.
Good luck!
Posted by SyntheticSoul on December 9, 2005, at 22:37:09
In reply to What is it when you feel like you want to jump out, posted by lynn971 on December 9, 2005, at 19:55:35
Hi,
Yep, Lex did that to me in the worst way. I have depression/anxiety mix and Lexapro made me think I was gonna lose it big time on a number of occasions.
I responded will to Cymbalta instead which works on two chemicals (seratonin and norepiniphrine?).
Anyhow, Lex does this to some folks, don't worry, take a hot bath, watch a fav movie, it's not you.
Posted by lynn971 on December 10, 2005, at 11:28:55
In reply to Re: What is it when you feel like you want to jump, posted by SyntheticSoul on December 9, 2005, at 22:37:09
Yesterday the doctor started me on buspar and effexor. I have not been had any "rages" today. I pray this works. The anxiety is still here, but I do not feel like I want to jump out of my skin.
Can the anxiety be because my childhood was wracked with verbal and physical abuse?
The anxiety is mostly health related. Can my childhood bring on anxiety about health issues?\
I love you guys,
You are truely a Godsend!!!
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on December 10, 2005, at 12:08:03
In reply to Re: What is it when you feel like you want to jump, posted by lynn971 on December 10, 2005, at 11:28:55
Hiya Lynn!
> Can the anxiety be because my childhood was wracked with verbal and physical abuse?
I'm no Freud, but I think it is highly likely. My childhood was bad too and I get anxiety. Same for my mother-in-law. Its like you never had a secure, warm, environment when you were a kid and things were always uncertain. Like I was always tiptoeing around because I didn't want my mother to go into one of her rages. So you feel insecure and you kinda anticipate the worst, which I think carries on into later life and makes you anxious.
> The anxiety is mostly health related. Can my childhood bring on anxiety about health issues?
Me too! If I take two aspirin in one day I get a panic attack. I'm constantly obsessed about my health. For me at least, it comes from not having anyone to care for me properly when I was ill as a child - my mother NEVER kept any household medicines (she refused to give aspirin for fevers and things like that) and I had to go to doc appointments alone and sort of have to care for myself, if that makes sense. Its like you kinda have to worry about yourself because there is no-one to take care of you properly that you can trust.
Posted by lynn971 on December 10, 2005, at 12:55:45
In reply to Re: What is it when you feel like you want to jump, posted by Meri-Tuuli on December 10, 2005, at 12:08:03
Wow, Yes, I feel insecure. I am finally, after 17 years, trusting my well being to my husband and my mother-in-law.
The health issues is because I have two children. I dont want to leave them behind. This world is too cruel.
Although my husband is wonderful, I worry about if he will raise them in church and keep a christian environment for them. He told me he would. He does not go to church now, but I know he loves God.
I also know that God is big enough to take care of me and my family, so why the anxiety?
I am on harmones because without them I am hysterical. Yet, I am afraid to harmone replacement therapy. Millions of people are on harmones. I know this. I even know that as long as you get regular check-ups you catch things before they get bad.
Posted by spriggy on December 10, 2005, at 22:22:36
In reply to Re: What is it when you feel like you want to jump » Meri-Tuuli, posted by lynn971 on December 10, 2005, at 12:55:45
Oh Lynn,
YES! That is how I felt on Lexapro- it caused the worst akathasia, it was horrific. I didn't think I'd survive (and didn't even want to).
Benzo helped me; I had to stay on one for about a month just to make it until the Lexapro was out of my system.
I did weird things will experiencing akathasia-I slept with my feet between my couch cushions so I could have pressure on my body- for some weird reason that helped me.
I also rocked back and forth a lot on the floor- like it was the only way I could comfort myself. Also... heavy blankets on my body to bring "weight."
It was WEIRD! It was a nightmare. I did this for nearly 6 weeks.
I couldn't sleep or eat.
I pray you feel better soon.
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on December 11, 2005, at 9:23:07
In reply to Re: What is it when you feel like you want to jump » Meri-Tuuli, posted by lynn971 on December 10, 2005, at 12:55:45
Hi Lynn again, sorry for not posting sooner.
So are you anxious about your own health or your childrens'? I don't have any children, but I tend not to worry about others other than making sure they get exercise, eating 5 veggies/fruits a day etc.
Yes it doesn't make sense - even you have a loving partner etc, it doesn't help much. Ah well.
Meri
Posted by lynn971 on December 11, 2005, at 18:51:24
In reply to Re: What is it when you feel like you want to jump » lynn971, posted by Meri-Tuuli on December 11, 2005, at 9:23:07
I worry about my own health issues. I worry because I have kids to raise. The sick part is that I am so filled with anxiety that I am not even enjoying my family lately. It is hard to function.
Posted by Phillipa on December 11, 2005, at 18:55:02
In reply to Re: What is it when you feel like you want to jump, posted by lynn971 on December 11, 2005, at 18:51:24
Is the effexor helping? Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by lynn971 on December 11, 2005, at 22:02:13
In reply to Re: What is it when you feel like you want to jump » lynn971, posted by Phillipa on December 11, 2005, at 18:55:02
The effexor seems to be working and it is only the third day. My sister gained 25 pounds since she started on effexor. When the meds. starts working, I dont care if I gain weight. I would rather be "fat" and happy than skinny and miserable.
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