panic attacks causing upset stomach or the other wasy around?

Hi there
imho i dont think the lexapro would hv gotten into yr system quite that quick
i too hv had issues since last yr of going out n became totally isolated from all i knew n did before

the last couple of nights i hv made self go for just a short walk n i can honestly say i did enjoy it
seeing nature and seasons change kids playing ect

i was never a stay at home person til i became deaf but now i know im okay to go out n about again
my nerves will sometimes aggravate my crohns n i hv trouble making it to toilet but am taking meds n learning coping skills
stay with us
others im sure will post soon
huggs
lyn

Good Morning and welcome to HealingWell. I love your name ( no pun intended :) .

One of the common side effects of Lexapro is nausea. I just started on a new antidepressant that has this same side effect and have been having a upset stomach from it also. I was adviced by my physician to take the medication with food however I already was. But I am determined to get past the side effect so I have kept taking it at the starting dose and after 10 days things seem to be better.

You might try taking the med in the morning with food. Do check with your Doctor if you continue to have problems.

I have gone through the same phobia as you and it comes back once in awhile but never like the first time. I was to the point where my hubby would give me a ride somewhere and I would start to get anxious and want to get home to my "safe place". We had planned a trip that year of 550 miles one way to visit in South Dakota. I made it as far as 75 miles from home and I started to cry and begged him to take me back home. He said let's just go to the next city and if you still want to turn around we will.

I asked him to just keep talking to me and he did about anything and I really kept trying to just stick with the conversation. I also had Valium which I was using. As the miles went by I would breakdown and get the panicky feeling and we would stop at a wayside rest as he talked to me and said I was safe and he felt we should keep on going. We stopped at lakes and I would get out and sit in the sun and just close my eyes and breathe. Once we got to our first night's destination and checked into the hotel I was determined to go all the way as we were more then half way. Well, I made it all the way and back home again although going home I could feel the anxiety rising as I just want to get home. We drove all the way in one day with no overnight on the way home.

I understand how your feeling but keep on working on short outings. Just go outside, then just walk a block from home and back. Babysteps will get you there and the medication is a good one if you can stick it out through the side effects of getting on the Lexapro.

Again a warm welcome,

Kitt

Your very welcome. I got out of the house today too and went and sat by the river. It was a beautiful day out. I am glad to hear you are doing better.


Stick with us as we do love to hear how you are doing.



Gentle Hugs,



Kitt

Hello, and welcome. I'm also a new member, just started on Friday. I'm sorry to hear that you're going through the same thing as me. I know it sucks. Hope you find it comforting to know you are not the only one who feels this way. I helped me a lot.
I'm still just beginning to cope with this, so I really don't have any advice for you. I'm not sure if you've gotten to the point you don't really want to go out, but I was starting to get there. I saw a psychiatrist on friday for the first time, and he gave me some meds (which I'm hesitant to take), but I'm trying. I went shopping today, and it felt so good to get out, although it would have been more fun to buy something. I'm returning to work tomorrow after having a week off, and I'm a little nervous. My commute is about 35 miles, but it seems to take forever.
I really only have panic attacks in the car, so you can imagine how I feel about sitting in NY traffic for that long.
Sorry I don't have too much insight for you, some of the others here might be better for that. Just know that you are not alone, and it's okay to feel this way. I know we're strong people and we will get through this
Once again, welcome. Stay in touch, and good Luck.

I have the exact same problem. I've had some really bad attacks in retail stores where I've had to sit down because it felt like I was going to pass out or get sick. I start getting panicky about a block from home. Mine started when I developed GERD 2 years ago. Even trips to Walmart were a chore eventhough I've done it millions of times. For me, GERD and anxiety go hand in hand. When one starts acting up, so does the other. I tried taking Zoloft 100mgs but I was having bad side effects so I just called today to see if I could start out with a smaller dosage. My "safe house" seems to be the bathroom. I have to know where the bathrooms are at all times and if I get a really bad attack, sitting in the bathroom seems to calm them. I don't know if it's my fear of getting sick or what. Just weird.

Celebrate your successes this week and please know that it is normal to have an attack even when you are doing better. Remember you are still moving forward. Put yesterday behind you as there is no going back and don't beat yourself up. I have been at this for years.



You will always have bumps in the road and you did all the right things, you pulled over. I had an incident last summer where I had been at the Mall and driving home I started to panic and could not hold back the tears. I could not see to drive so I pulled into a parking lot and called my daughter and she talked to me for a bit.



Like you, I knew the only way home was to keep moving and eventually I did drive the rest of the way home. I will admit I was disappointed that I could not hold it together and also a bit gun shy to go out alone but gave myself the permission to feel bad and then just leave that day behind me.



Hope today is a good day for you.



Gentle Hugs,



Kitt

You will find your hope again. When your feeling overwhelmed by anxiety ask yourself ‘What's the best that could happen, the worst that could happen and what is the most likely thing that will happen?’. What could you do to cope if the worst did happen?

Courage isn't something that is given to us overnight. It's a quality we cultivate regularly in the face of problems, hardships, disappointments, and loss. Courage brings us happiness because it creates happiness within ourselves. Instead of running from our problems, we need to EMBRACE them, move through them, and vanquish them. It is possible and you can do it. I have faith in you.

Remember we know where your coming from and what your going through.

Make some plans for the weekend to take your mind off worrying about next week. Keep busy and remember to stay in the moment.

Gentle Hugs,

Kitt

Good luck with the job search Flames! I understand what you're feeling. I'm sorry to hear that your counseling ended, did you look into community support groups? I know around here there are many churches and synagogues that have group meetings for all sorts of topics, and some of the others here have so much personal experience dealing with the same thing, I'm sure you can always find someone to help you out.

So I went back to work on Monday, sort of. Made it to work without too much anxiety, well, that's not entirely true, I had to pull over twice, but I've had worse commutes, but when I got to work, I was informed that I was going to be stuck in a car all day with three other people. NO WAY!!!!! I totally lost my mind. Fortunately, a few weeks ago I told my boss about my panic attacks, and that they happen mostly in the car. She was very understanding, she used to have panic attacks too. After I finally calmed down, we decided I could use a little time off. She told me my job is secure, and I have plenty of vacation and sick time to use. I called my psychiatrist, and spoke to him for a while. I'm taking the lexapro again now that I don't have to worry about feeling ill at work. It still makes me a bit queasy for a while after I take it, but I'm hoping that will go away. I have my trusty Xanax ready for those really bad days, and I'm ready to put all I have into this healing process. I'm looking forward to the days ahead. I know in the next few days I'll have some real soul searching to do. I'm sure a few unpleasant things may come up, but I can't help but think it's all for the good. I'm sure this sounds very ambitious, and I know that it's going to take more then a few days, but I really think this will be a good start. I'm looking forward to a sense of normalcy again. I'm not setting my sights too high. I plan on taking baby steps the whole way. I went to the store today, not for long and not to far from home, but at least I went out. I started to feel a little uncomfortable, and returned home before it got too bad. Went out a little later and sat on the beach for a bit. To most this is no great accomplishment, but I know you guys can appreciate a good day like that.

Hope everyone feels well!