Square 1 after a few good days

Tammy... Praying you will feel better soon... Keep us posted on how u r doing... God Bless😇

Hi. How are you these days? I dropped down to 10 mg for the last few days in order to start the effexor today. Morning anxiety is bad. But I have to say it's not with me all day these past few days. So I'm wondering now if there dose was too high at 20. Nonetheless, I don't feel like myself, shaky, sad. And I dread another 4-6 waiting period to see if effexor name brand will work for me once again. I can't think about it. I'm scared. Anyway, hope all of you are getting better and stronger every day. God bless you!!!

Tammy... Girl u r having a hard time.. Do u have any thoughts of staying on Lexapro and just lessen the amount u take..? I tried bumping up my Lexapro and got that spacing head feeling and that choking feeling so Dr said go back down .. I think it's because I took 5 mg. that's a lot for me at once.. Again not a baby just that my system don't work on overload of meds. Sooooo idk what I'm going to do now...I just need more from 9 pm to 9am... I may just wake up at 3am and take my 2.5mg and b done with it... Tammy I Pray that whatever change u make it is a positive one in how u feel.. U have been thru the ringer...keep us updated on your journey... And Thank You for asking as to how I was doing...🤗 & 😇 ..Stay In Touch....

Hi!!! You wouldn't believe how much better I feel. Ever since I came off the Lexapro my anxiety has almost gone away entirely. My doctor and therapist as well as my husband who is also a doctor believes that I was having an adverse reaction to it. I do realize that a side effect at startup is anxiety but mine never left and was getting worse. So I'm back on Effexor which is a different kind of anti anxiety / depression medication. This time I'm on the brand name because the generic that I was on was discontinued and went generic again and it didn't work. I'm starting to feel like my old self again and I'm sleeping the whole night through not waking up with anxiety either. Now that being said, I do have occasional butterflies. It's only been a week since I've been on Effexor XR 75mg. It'll take some time for it to work fully but I truly believe that the Lexapro was the culprit of the heightened anxiety. How long have you been on Lexapro? Hang in there I know it's a long wait to see results. Maybe bumping up a little bit at a time will help you. But if your anxiety starts to worsen and you can't sleep, no matter what dose your on, like me, it may not be the right medication for you. I'll keep you posted!!!! And keep me posted! May God bless you with his grace and peace! Hugs!!!

Lois Ann... How in the world r u doing?? If u read my response to Tammy u will know how I am... I'm just having some hyperness but idk if that's just underlining anxiousness... But otherwise I'm doing ok... Just the same ole phobias... But that's going to need some work... Lol... stay in touch ...

Hi!

I'm doing well actually....still on 10mg daily

I do love lexapro and no side effects at this point

Planning on taking it for as long as I need it

We are all different and different strokes for different folks

I hope you and Tammy feel better soon!!!

Prayers....

Lois

By the way, it's been 5 weeks

L

Lois Ann...Wonderful news.. I'm just going to wait a couple of more weeks that will make it 8 weeks total on the 23rd of February... My only complaint and it's really not a bad thing is of the am feeling flat and a little anxious.. But that may fade as time goes by... Please stay in touch .. I want to see how we all do b4 we part ways... Take Care and Talk Soon..😊

Hi Lois! I'm glad to hear you are doing well! It's a relief I'm sure!!! I'm actually doing so much better. I went back to effexor XR (name brand, no generic). It's too soon to feel the full effects of it, but stopping the Lexapro has been a miracle. It's clear to both my doctor and myself that I was having an adverse reaction to it. The anxiety side effect was actually getting worse. I was on it close to 10 weeks and very little improvement. I immediately felt a difference dropping down from 20 mg to 10 for about 4 days.

But everyone is different and responds differently to medications. What works for one doesn't with for another. I'm just glad for everyone that fine the right medication for anxiety and panic. It's just no way to live. And I hope more people find this sure to get advice and support. I know that everyone here sure did help me! God bless and thank you!!!

glad you're doing better?

Well I'm still at 7.5 mg. Lois Ann if u read this can u tell me if I'll have side effects like I had in the beginning if I bump up to 10 mg. taking 2.5 mg. 4 times a day...?r do u think if I stay on 7.5 mg. will it eventually get me to where I don't have aniexty of the am .. U know the shaky legs and heart rate going up when u get up and do something..hate that...well everyone have a Great Weekend.... Take Care and Keep Posting... God Bless. 😊

Hi honey,

I'm in the medical field and can only give you an honest recommendation....10 mg or more is the therapeutic dose

I'm not saying it isn't possible to see good effects on 5 or 7.5 mg but they usually start you on 5mg and titrate you in a week to 10 mg like I did...some ppl need 15mg or 20mg...

The only side effect I had on 10 mg was headache and mild increase in anxiety for 2 days

I use trazodone to sleep...50mg...works like a charm...fall asleep in an hr, feeling well rested...not a control substance and safe to take every night or as needed

Anyway, I'm 5 weeks into 10mg...feeling better and better each week...no weird side effects

Any minor nervousness passes...not a big deal...sleep, appetite and the other lol...all good

I say take the plunge and take 10mg daily...the side effects will pass

But I know it's tough and I get it...

L

Lois Ann... I'm taking my 2.5 at 3 pm then at 9 pm I'm taking 5 mg.. Prayerfully I'll feel no aniexty r rapid heart rate and shaky knees in the am... I'll post in the am... Say a Little Prayer for your friend in Texas... God Bless

L

We wont leave u alone honey, don't worry

One day at a time for all of us.....

L

Lois Ann...Thank You... My husband is a Great listener but he really doesn't know how it feels... U have to experience Panic and Aniexty to really get it... Thanks for encouraging me and being here for me.. And u don't even know me... That says a lot for everyone on this blog... Talk Soon.. Take Care .. God Bless

Yes, no one understands unless they experience it

Not even therapists or psychiatrists...they only know what they study and our experiences as we tell them....

But a great doctor listens and tailor treatment to the individual

I'm lucky to have a good psychiatrist. The reason that therapy didn't help me is because I don't have classic GAD....I'm not a worrier...I became anxious out of nowhere and was only anxious and sad over my anxiety...not anxious or worried about anything else

For me, the answer was medication and I'll take them for as long as I need them. It's like taking medication for anything else, hypertension, diabetes, etc

Life is hard and mental ailments is nothing to be ashamed of

We'll be here for each other?

L

Thank You Lois Ann.. Talk Soon..😊

Hi there, I just read this post and all the ones that followed between you and Lois.I know, we know, what you're going thru. No one wishes this on anyone, and anyone that's never suffered thru anxiety doesn't understand what it feels like when e try to explain it. All anyone can do that who loves us is to support us and listen.

I pray a lot, A LOT! I ficus my attention on Jesus' face and know how he suffered his whole life knowing how his was going to end. Not that that makes me feel better, but knowing that he truly gets what anxiety is, is comforting. There are so many ways to avoid anxiety and how to find peace thru it. I sincerely hope and pray that you do. Everyone is wired different, and what may with for one, not so much they other.So that's why it's hard for me to say to you that this medication may not be the one for you. I SOOOO wanted escitalopram (Lexapro) to work for me. I knew that the name brand was going to be expensive, that the second generic didn't work and the fact that Effexor is hard to wean off. So I followed my doctor husband's and my pcp's advice to start 10 mg of escitalopram, then boosted up to 20. over the course of 10 weeks, it made my anxiety worse. And I was depressed and cried a lot. I had a hard time grocery shopping, cooking, anything really. It was decided that I was having an adverse reaction to it. After only 5 days off weaning back down to 10 then if completely, my anxiety went away.After reading my posts here and my journal entries, I was having more bad days than good.... Literally going in the opposite direction.

All that being said, both effexor and escitalopram take time to work, months sometimes. But I'm suggesting that if you feel your not where you want to be after a reasonable time, to reevaluate your symptoms and progress with your doctor. You may be just highly sensitive to this one and can't bump up to the therapeutic dose like Lois said. She's right, 10 mg is the therapeutic dose. Must everyone is on that who takes it. But it also may mean that this isn't the one for you. There are other meds like Zoloft (same class) that works wonders.

Just please, don't give up!!!! Be patient, and do everything you can to get better! You're not alone. Regardless of what medicines we take, we are all fighting the same battle. God bless you!!!!!

Lois Ann .. Tammy ...and all who read this blog... Day day 4 of taking 10mg. I'm just about ready to jump ship... The panic of the am in which was the reason for bumping up to 10mg. Has gotten very extreme the past 2 mornings also having nausea .. I'm hoping this is what they call break thru panic and its from the meds.. Idk but I guess I better put my Big Girl Panies on because I bet this isn't the last of it...I do pretty well the rest of the day it's just of the morning as soon as I wake up the rapid heart rate .. Sweaty Palms..Fear gripping feelings and just all round horrible feelings hit... I take my 2.5 that I take at 6am and it tapers off in about 30 minutes but I'm still a little anxious until around 11-12... Can anyone share anything to make me want to continue this roller coaster...I'm sorry but I'm about done...😢 Take Care Everyone... God Bless 😇

When you say jump ship, please, you don't mean hurting yourself!!!!I'm being so very serious when I tell you that anxiety and panic is not life threatening. Yes, we know how extremely uncomfortable it is and no one in this world understands that better than those of us who suffer from it. You are not alone in your suffering!!!! I really think that although many of on this website have benefited greatly from escitalopram, you may not be one of them. You know my story Nickie, I was on escitalopram and so wanted it to work. It had the opposite effect of me.... Terrible morning anxiety that got worst, that didn't leave me at all during the day. A few hours here and there wasn't sustained relief. Please see a psychiatrist that specializes in these medications.

Please, please, do not hurt yourself!!!! Please! Yes, the roller coaster of this isn't any fun, but eventually, the ride comes to an end and we all get off to go get cotton candy. You will too!!! Do not give up, the right me medication is just around the corner. Refocus your energy into doing something positive every day.

One thing I did that really worked for me was to get out of bed immediately when my morning anxiety kicked in. I got moving doing stuff.... At 430 or 5 in the morning. Laundry, reading, whatever. It helped to not lay in bed tossing and turning and wishing I could sleep another hour. It just want going to happen.

So please let us know how you are and what you decided to do! God is always with you, ALWAYS!

Tammy... No when I said jump ship .. and I'm sorry if u thought I was meaning hurt myself ..I mean jump out of this cycle of meds and change them.. again I'm Soo sorry for that phrase..I called my Dr and pharmacist and they said to continue as I'm taking them till sat. Which will b a week of 10 mg. .. then start taking 5 mg. Of am and 5 mg. In the pm...we will give it 2 weeks to get way better then go on to something else...for the most part it's the panic now of the am.. where when I was taking 7.5 mg it was just lots of aniexty of the a man and it To would pass by 11- noon.. I've just got to tough it out for 2 weeks and just see what happens..Tammy please keep posting.. when I had that panic attack this am.. it was the most horrible one I have ever had.. and I'm already dreading in the morning.. that fear of having another.. Horrible... but this To shall pass.. u just can't see it when u r in it...Take Care and Stay N Touch..... God Bless... How r u doing on your old meds???

I knew when u said jump ship, you were talking about getting off the meds

But no, don't do that!

After starting 10 mg...it takes about 7-10 days for the drug to reach steady state, the state when the drug is constantly in your system. Then as your body continues to adjust, you may have down and up days until you have more up than down, then no downs. This can take a full 8-12 weeks as it gets gradually better and better

If u can, try to stay the course and see what happens. Every ssri have start up issues, some worse than others so don't give up just yet...

Tmrw is week 6 for me...things have definately improved. Th ere are days when I feel unimaginably happy with no anxiety/low moods then there is a day or 2 that I feel very minimal anxiety, though nothing like I was before the meds. My hope is that I continue going in the right direction and hopefully by 8-12 weeks, I have only good days

I know it's tough but Tammy is right, it won't kill us, though it's extremely uncomfortable

We r in this together and light is waiting at end of the tunnel

L

Oh thank God! It's hard to read words and not hear the tone of your voice! It's a miserable state to be in, I know. We all do! When I think back 6 months to where I was to where I am today, this very second, I don't recognize myself. The change is so gradual and so slow motion that we think we're never going to come out of this. Truly, NOTHING lasts forever.And this will pass!!! It will!!!

You're doing the right things. As long as your making progress, that's the most important thing to remember. And when we make progress in the right direction, it gives us hope!!! Sometimes we need to change our attitudes and expectations about our recovery, and I've learned that any little bit of progress is good.... At least I made it through that episode or the one before it.... And I didn't die! And I think I've become a stronger person because of it. And you know what, we're all here helping each other, so even that is a positive thing, right?

Stay the course, Nickie! Lois is absolutely right, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. And you're almost there.

I'm doing better every day, thanks. Effexor XR is the medication I truly need. I'm on 75mg.... What I was on before. It doesn't zombie me out, I'm sleeping the whole night, and morning anxiety is practically gone. I do get a bit of a flare up mid day, but it quickly settles down. It's been a little over a week now, and I expect to feel even better in the weeks to come. It's Lent now, today, my favorite time of the year, so with focused prayer and such, I'll be able to put my focus elsewhere rather than on my anxiety.

Please keep us posted. You and Lois are always in my prayers! XO

Lois Ann... Thanks for the words of incouragement... I truly needed them.. Today is Thrus. And it was not as bad this am as far as panic .. Just some shakiness.. And weak kneed aniexty and some s light upset tummy.. But around noon it lifted..I'm going to keep the faith and continue on as I have .. Spoke to my Dr. She wants me to start taking 5mg. of the am and 5 mg. in the evening come the weekend.. And not space it out over 4 a day... Praying that doesn't change the symptoms I'm having .. It's the same mg. just more at once.. What's your input to that ? Will it change the symptoms sense it's the same amount of meds. Just more at once.. Lois Ann what do u think? I'm a little antsy over that but maybe not a big deal... Glad to hear u r still having improvement.. Keep it up Girl..Tammy and I r right behind u.. Lol 😊 Take Care and we will talk Soon...Love and Prayers sent your way..

No it shouldn't make a difference how u split it up especially since you've been on that dose already

We'll continue to track each other's progress

I love our little group

L