Square 1 after a few good days

Absolutely nickie, it is tough to go through but we can do it. Yes a lot of us have a lot of responsibilites and stress and so it isn't a wonder we are so anxious!

The good thing I took away from my experience is that I'm a more effective provider for my patients going through anxiety because I can certainly relate

L

Your exactly right about being a care giver. I'm that person. And although I think I can control things with advice and good intentions, well, that's just not working. People have free will!!! And worrying doesn't help anything. I did feel really good on Effexor XR, but like I said in an earlier post, the generic went generic and then discontinued and was given something else. But everyone's advice is exactly how I feel about myself. I'm just so tired and the intrusive thoughts never stop. My therapist is excellent and she's given me tools to switch gears in my thinking when it happens and so far, it's working. So patience is a must for me and all of us, I guess, to allow this medication to really do it's job. I appreciate all of the positive feedback. Your experiences make me feel so much better. Thank you.

Tammy... U take care of yourself and let your husband r your family take care of u now just for a while until u get yourself feelings no better.. Please kerp us posted..I'm going to hang at 5mg for a few more days then bump up to 7.5... Baby steps but I have to b comfortable in doing it r it will only cause more of the Big A...Talk Soon 😊

I will, thank you! I've decided there's no rhyme or reason to these Lexapro side effects. I'm at work, having a little difficulty focusing, and feeling a some butterflies. I want to take a little bit of Ativan but I'm thinking that I shouldn't just to see how well the medicine is actually working without covering up there side effects. My therapist says that's crazy and so does my Dr..... The point is NOT to feel anxiety so they tell me. I am just so sleepy from the irregular sleep, Ativan just makes it worse.... But helps with the butterflies. I just can't win. Wednesday will be 4 weeks on the 20 mg. If it weren't for this site, I'd be really lost. It feels good that we all know what each other is going thru. I wouldn't wish panic and anxiety on my worst enemy! Be well!

Hi Tammy,

I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy either!

I know what u mean by not wanting the ativan to mask your symptoms. I felt that way too and had stopped taking klonopin for that same reason. I did use propanolol once or twice as needed while meds kick in. Propanalol helps to ease the tension

L

It struck a chord when you mentioned not taking the Ativan while starting on the Escitalopram.

?I am now on Day 12 of these meds. 

?Side effects have not been severe, but anxiety increased for 3 or 4 days and I was tempted to take the Ativan, but kept asking myself "Am I anxious enough yet?" Officially my reason for not taking them is that I want a true picture of what the drugs are doing, but I am also sort of saving them for when I am bumped up to 10 mg. and may have more severe side effects. I'll see my doctor tomorrow and he'll probably say what your doctor said.  He is very stingy with medication.

?The only gauge I have as to how anxious I am is how tight my jaw is.  It has been like a steel vice, but I think today it is a bit more relaxed.  I actually have no obvious reason to be anxious, it just seems my body is doing it automatically.  Odd!

Hi Mikitoo,

Yes I think you should save the ativan for when you really need it

I became a lil more anxious when I bumped up to 10mg and I found I still didn't need to take any benzo but everyone is different

But 10-20 of lexapro is the therapeutic dose

I hope you continue to feel better

I too had no reason to be anxious but I realized I was anxious about being anxious...that vicious cycle lol

L

How r u doing Tammy... Haven't heard from you....

How r things going... I'm still at 5.0 of Lexapro .. I may bump up tonight.. Hope all is well...

Hi

I'm good. How are u feeling? Still on 7.5mg?

L

No Im still at 5.0 decided to wait a bit longer but I think I really need a little more... just got to get ready for the change that u know will happen when we bump up..I may do Tony get r in the am ... just don't want to completely ruin my whole weekend in not knowing how I'm going to feel.. is it generally the same kind on side effects r different ones as u bump up.. ? I know that's like being a baby but I just don't like that aniexty..🙄

I hear you!

Take your time but as long as you know that 5mg isn't therapeutic usually

Too bad you don't have a few benzo to help you combat any potential increase in anxiety if u bump up to 10mg

If you are that hesitant, you should discuss with your doctor cause the longer you wait is the longer it will take to get your symptoms under control

I know it's hard and scary but there is a light at the end of the tunnel

L

Hi Nickie,   I seem to be at the same stage as you are.  I"ve been on 5 mg. for 10 days and just today went up to 7.5 (with trepidation.)  As Lois Ann mentioned ,I do have benzos but am hoarding them like a miser!  Saving them for the 10 mg. jump.  A bit ridiculous, but the doctor is super conservative, and 

?frowns a lot when he is writing the prescription.  He originally gave me 5, but I asked him if he had to make them in his basement at night, so he grudgingly gave me 20!!!

What is Benzo.. ? Not quiet sure what u r speaking of?

Lol...benzo is short for benzodiazepines, ativan, klonopin, etc

L

Sorry, medical lingo

L

Oh... well long story short .. can't take that...

Ok

Hi! Thanks for checking in on me. I'm doing okay. I had a really good week so far. But since Thursday it seems that my sleeplessness and my morning anxiety is creeping back in. The other symptom of that choking feeling has gone away but I still have loose PM's and I go 3 or 4 times sometimes 5 times a day. I know... TMI!!! The invasive thoughts though have slowly crept back in since Thursday, but I really believe it's because after 4 full weeks on 20 mg, I may not be 100% "medicated." I do think next week will be even better!! Prayer has helped me a great deal. I'm Catholic andI take my faith seriously. My priest has been such a friend to me.... Plus I work part time in the parish office, but it's nice to know he's praying for me. There other thing I've been doing is walking the dog in the snow on a local trail. I go about 3 miles, 3-4x a day. It's tough and it's cold and I'm layered but I end up sweating. But it feels great!!! Other than that, keeping busy and doing a few things I enjoy every day, especially getting out of the house is important for me. It's a vicious cycle, we know, feeling good then having setbacks, but to just trust the advice on this site, and to push thru. And know that eventually, this medicine does work!!!

Hi Tammy

Yes it's a rough journey. These medications can take 4-6 or as much as 8-12 weeks to have their full effect. I'm on 10mg at 3 weeks now and doing so much better. There may be very minimal anxiety infrequently but I accept that and trust that as time goes on, I'll continue to feel better and better. I know ppl who are on this meds for years and have no anxiety or depression so I believe we just have to see this through

We are all in this together and we will be victorious 😊

Yes... Ihear u  time is what it's all about.. starting 5mg. At once for the first time this am.. praying it's easy on the side effects.. 

Hang in there...praying for u

L

Tammy.. u r a machine.. lol walked no 3-4 times a day.. I would b wore out.. my husband and I  have been walking for the past 47 years.. but only about 2 miles a day on most days.. sometimes the Texas weather doesn't  let us get our walk in but  we try.. sounds like u r making it thru that valley.. u will b on the mountain top b4 long... praying I'll b there with u in a while...Take Care and keep us updated..

Yes, we're all in this together. It's amazing the support here. I had a bit of an unexpected surprise this week, not a good surprise, and I thought it would throw me into a tailspin, but surprisingly, I did not have any anxiety flare up. But the more time I've had to think about it and will have to confront this issue on Monday, I feel uneasy. Not panicked or anxious. So I'm thankful for that. I do believe this medicine is working. Thank God!!!

Peace!!!

Happy to hear that! May you continue to improve. On 10mg 3 weeks now and am definitely gradually improving. Any slight anxiety I feel goes away on it's own. I'm sure by week 4-6, things will get even better😀

I do like this drug and no side effects for me now

L

😊

😊 talk soon...

That's Wonderful...😊

Good morning. I had full-blown anxiety early this morning and it hasn't left me yet. And that choking feeling is coming back. It's a little snag and my therapist says that I'm having more good days than bad so that's. Going to see the grandkids today is causing me a little bit of anxiety because I'm pushing myself out of the house. We already went to church but really all I want to do on this foggy day is laying on the couch and watch movies, maybe the Viking game since the Steelers lost. I have Ativan to help me through if I need it. I went a whole week without it so I'd rather not. So anybody reading these posts, rest assured you will get better and you will have flare-ups from time to time. Some it takes longer than others. Don't give up don't ever give up

Hi Tammy,

Yes there may be infrequent bad days but as long as you're having more good days than bad and eventually those bad days will taper off .....

I have few klonopin tabs and I haven't had to reach for them either for any mild anxiety I may have

Stay the course cause like I said these meds can reach their full benefit 8-12 weeks

L

Well it's a not so good day with bumping up to 7.5...I really don't know if I can do this..I feel... idk how I feel.. I'm just sick and tired of feeling like this .. up /down ...up/ down... will it get better?   Idk 

It will honey but I know it's hard

You had mentioned that you cannot take benzos such as ativan, xanax, etc

Why?

I just think if u had a few of these, it could help offset the anxiety until the meds kick in

Talk to your doctor

L

Tammy ... I hear u.. My day not so good and I understand all that u r saying... That choking feeling is my demon every evening.. I'm so done with him... But I think it's just the remains of our aniexty and panic in our brain and body... I didn't even make it to church... So there is guilt there.. Yes those grands give u aniexty... I care for 2 of them everyday from 2:30 - 4 pm... Sometimes it helps but when they r not good for me it really is aniexty... I Love them it's just me and this Aniexty...Take Care and Stay In Touch...

Lois Ann... I was addicted to Xanax back in 1995 and was put in hospital for 6 weeks to get off... Now any of that stuff makes matters worse.. I'm not a addit but it can get u there really quick and it did me ...

Ok, I'm so sorry to dredge that up for you. I understand now

L

That's ok.. It's just one of those things about aniexty.. drugs and we humans... If it works for use we use it and if Dr. Gives it to u .. U think it's ok... That was then and this is now... I like it when Drs. Limit how many u can have for he is really doing u a favor...

Idk how r why I liked my own post.. Idk I'm not myself today... Lol 😊

Yes, it will get better!!! I promise you it will. Don't get discouraged. If you stop this medication, you will most likely need another. You might lose time gained in this sooner. Stay the course. I'm proof positive like just about everyone on this site that this medicine works. I've had lots of ups and downs over the last 7 weeks. It's was hell. But I got thru each day. I never was told that I could bump up a little at a time.... Instead I went for 10 mg for 3 weeks right up to 20 these last 4. What a shock to my system!!!! But I'm almost out of the tunnel and into the light. I feel better everyday. So please do not give up. You're going to make it!!!!

I'm gonna hang in there.. But oh how yuck it feels when u don't know how u feel.. If that makes sense we r in this together... Thanks Tammy...I just gotta b tough..😊

I know exactly how you feel. I wake up thinking I'll do one thing or another, then it doesn't happen and my feelings go from hot to cold on just about any subject. I never know how I'm going to feel. But I'm learning to focus better and control my emotions. Preparing dinner has been a big thing for me. It's getting easier. Too many steps, too many decisions. At my worst, it was overwhelming. So I've guaged some of my progress by that. Silly, but I've noticed the difference. God bless you. I'll keep all of you in my prayers tonight!

I understand the not knowing how you feel. The worst part for me wasn't even the anxiety but the low mood/loss of pleasure/loss of appetite/ tension that the anxiety would cause. Anxiety and depression have many similarities and that's why the ssris treat both. I know for me, I suffer anxiety with infrequent bouts of low mood. Still don't even know why. The only thing I was experiencing before the switch in mood was chronic insomnia that started out environmentally. Then anxiety set in as health related, then full on anxiety that started over 5 months ago. Never has this before. I also do have family history of mostly anxiety

I'm 3 weeks into 10mg of escitalopram and have almost no anxiety. When I do feel any unease, that I can't quite describe, it's a mild discomfort at best. Worse case scenario and I take propanalol which is rare that I have to take. Still enjoy life, food, sleep etc

I'm hoping that at the 4-6 week mark everything resolves

L

Thank You Tammy for the Prayers.. We all need them... Enjoy the game... Headed to church..take care  and talk soon

Lois Ann...and women r bad about emotional things and life in general.. But here is hoping we all get better b4 we part ways on this blog.. And still stay in touch from time to time.. Take Care and Talk Soon

Tammy... How r u doing....? 😊

Lois Ann .... How r things going? 😊

Hi!

I'm doing well. 4 weeks now on 10mg. Definitely working...any anxiety I feel is just a mild nervousness periodically. Getting less and less. Still have my appetite, sex drive and happy about life....hope this continues

How are you guys???

L

Hi Lois. Still struggling. Yesterday was terrible. I was unglued. Cried a lot, tired, anxious. Today, I feel better. After being on 20 mg for a complete 5 weeks, I thought I'd be further along. I'm going to finish my 90 day prescription in about 75 days and if I'm not markedly better, I'm going to look into going back on the brand name effect XR. I was on that for a few weeks, then a generic for over 10 years.... Then my generic was discontinued and substituted with another generic that didn't work.

It's a waiting game and it requires a lot of patience. Ugggg. Hope everyone is doing better than me! God bless you all

Hi....I just responded to Lois, you can read. Thank you for asking. Sometimes I don't check this site or check it correctly for questions or responses. 🙄. How are you???

Sorry to hear but glad you're feeling better today

Hang in there, we all have different journeys

And yes, there are other meds out there

L

Lois Ann... I think this is day 5r6 of 7.5 mg..my am and afternoon and early evening is not so good but praying that when I bump it up to 10mg. That will taper off.. I'm going to bump up this sat. Sooo Happy to hear that things r going well for u..😊 Take Care and Keep in touch..😇 and 🤗 

Tammy...just read your post ..Sooo Very Sorry that things r not way better for u.. I would do as u r saying and do it for a while longer... it may just click for u.. I'm still suffering from aniexty of the am and my buddy the choking thing in the late afternoon till early evening.. I know that it's from my aniexty and panic disorder that the Lexapro has yet to take care of.. I'm hoping that when I bump up to 10mg. That it will go away.. I'm going to bump up on sat. Take Care and keep on working on getting better..😇 And 🤗

Yes I can't wait for u to bump up to 10mg as the dose you are on is not therapeutic

But take your time love

L

Just got home .. I have a app. With Dr on February 5th to regroup on meds if not better taking 10 mg. I'll start that tomorrow night as my husband will b out of town till tomorrow night and just uneasy about bumping up and being by myself..I guess I'm just being a baby but I do not like surprises when it comes to meds... I'm chugging right along.. If this aniexty choking stuff would leave me b... And just a touch of aniexty of the am when I wake up.. So overall I should not b complaining and I'm really not.. Thankful to b where I'm at.. Much better than almost a month ago... So I'm Good.. Right Now Today...Keep up the progress everyone.. Keep the messages going... We all need to b validated.. And this blog does that with much encouraging words.. Everyone Take Care...Hugs...?? And 😇 For all...

Yes, backing you all the way honey

Best, lois

Lois Ann ... How r things going? I'm still on 7.5mg. Go to dr tomorrow... Probably will go up to 10 mg tomorrow... I'm just anxious about it... I hate changes and Drs. And Dr. Offices...🤗 and 😇

Hi there!

I hear ya! Just going to see my shrink cause mild anxiety lol

Saw mine for follow up yesterday

I'm doing well....not anxious but have intermittent nervous energy that resolves on it's own. Don't have to take anything

I'm 4 weeks in at 10mg

Can take a good 8-12 weeks to see full benefits

I'm just glad I'm in a much better place

Yes I sure after several weeks on 10 mg, you'll see progress

Keep us updated....

L

Lois Ann... So glad to hear from u... And really Happy for u.. Sooo glad u r seeing Great improvement.. I thought my dr appt was tomorrow but it's Monday.. I have a eye appt tomorrow... Lol keep us posted on how u r doing ... Same here... Take Care... Talk Soon..🤗 and 😇