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Lexapro question

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Posted 8/9/2011 6:01 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you to the wonderful folks who were so kind to me regarding my cancer phobia.

I have severe GERD/AR and have been on Amitriptyline for 25 years. A low dose, 20 mg, has helped tremendously but now I've learned that this drug might be exacerbating my GERD. I'll be seeing my primary care physician this coming week and am hoping to change to Lexapro.

I can't take SSRIs or anything close to these drugs.

I would really appreciate hearing from someone who has used Lexapro and if it helped with their depression. I suffer from a health phobia and hope it helps with this also.

God bless,
Cme
Posted 8/9/2011 6:12 PM (GMT 0)
Oh goodness! I just read that Lexapro IS an SSRI! Now what! Is there anything else good for depression and phobias? I have Xanax but don't want to take this all the time! I only use it when I'm at the very end of my rope due to anxiety.

Thank you for reading and I do hope you might be able to help me.

Cme
Posted 8/9/2011 8:10 PM (GMT 0)
  I am with you on thos SSRI's!!!!  awful.....  If you don't mind,  can you tell me what Gerd is...... I too need to take something for my anxiety and havent found anything that works but xanax.  And, I hate taking that everyday too.

I am not taking anything now and my dizziness is off the wall. 

Posted 8/9/2011 9:52 PM (GMT 0)
GERD is a type of acid reflux, it's horrible. It's not just heartburn and regurgitation but also nausea, pain, and lots of other horrible symptoms. Cme, are you taking anything for your GERD? Also stress makes it worse and can actually be the cause in some cases. As for the Xanax and anxiety, I am in the same boat with both of you. I too, have to take it but try to use it sparingly when I'm having a huge attack or have to go somewhere and want to avoid an attack. about 4 days ago I started taking fluoxetine(Prozac)5 mg. My dr prescribed me 10mg but after having a terrible experience with Paxil in my teens, I wanted to take the lowest dose possible to see if it would make me have any side effects that I could not tolerate. So far, so good. Still had a huge panic attack yesterday but the depression, crying spells, sadness, agitation, waves of emotion, constant eating, etc. have gotten a bit better. That's not to say that it's just been a decent couple o days as these meds take a few weeks or more to work but, I'm optimistic. Oh and the dizziness that you are talking about, I had the same thing and it's been better as well. Don't know if any of this will help but I hope so.
Posted 8/10/2011 1:03 AM (GMT 0)
Lulu, I take a low dose of amtriptyline (Elavil) for depression/anxiety/fibromyalgia. When I get ultra fearful, as I do with my cancer phobia, I take alprazlom (Xanax) but try the lowest dose possible and take it only until my 'spell' is over.

Yes, GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease) is horrible!

MerryGo, until today, I was taking prescription Prevacid 30 mg for GERD. I switched back to Zegerid 40 mg. In fact, I called my pharmacist and asked it I could take the Zegerid this afternoon as I had taken my Prevacid this morning. She said it was okay but not something I'd want to make a habit of.

My anxiety and GERD has caused me to lose 10 pounds in the past couple of weeks. I wonder if my GERD is due in part to there not being no more than 4 ounces of non-fat food stuffs in my stomach.

God bless,
Cme
Posted 8/10/2011 5:21 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the info merry and cme...... Let me know how the fluoxetine works for you. I tried that for a few days and thought that I was going to crawl out of my skin. I was just taking the 5mg also. I have a big fear of these medicines but I need to find something that will help me. It's getting to a point that this dizziness is really taking over big time. Merry, tell me about your dizziness. cme, I hope you can continue to take the Elavil. I know of 3 people who are taking antidepressents and are having this type of problem also. I think these medicines can cause other conditions in the long run. It's really hard to know what to do. God Bless
Posted 8/10/2011 10:42 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lulu, Thank you for the blessing.

If I'm not mistaken, you system has to get used to the drug and sometimes it can be very difficult to hang in there. If the dizziness continues I'd definitely call my doctor. I hope both you and Merrygo will do well.

I went to see my doctor today. I woke this morning with a huge burning lump in my throat. I didn't get a chance to discuss the Elavil with him.

Since this is the anxiety panic board, I'm going to post on the GERD-heartburn about my experience today which caused a bit of anxiety! I'm apprehensive now about the meds. Perhaps you can go there. My post subject: Doctor prescribes, pharmacist says TOO much.

God bless,
Cme
Posted 8/13/2011 11:24 PM (GMT 0)
Dear Chaoticme,

I was prescribed Lexapro yesterday at 10mg. I took my first one last night. My experience hasn't been great so far. I woke up dizzy and nauseous this morning and went to the ER because I was really worried (and moving into my new college dorm later today). I was run through some tests and talked to the doctor and nurses and they just said I was anxious and anemic. He said it wasn't the Lexapro and that most people won't have problems with it. If they do have problems, it usually starts after a few days. I've had some really awful anxiety issues with my parents moving and starting college and stuff, so that just compounded with everything. My Lexapro made me sleepy (or was that the bulimia I'd developed?) so take it at night before bed. You're supposed to get some really strange side affects like super vivid dreams, but it really varies.

I'm so sorry that your drugs are limited. : ( I myself am allergic to penicillin, so that limits the antibiotics I can take.
Posted 8/14/2011 2:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hi

I take Lexapro and have found it to be a good med for me. I have been on a lot of different AD, Have a look into Mirtazapine this is a new AD and not in the ssri class of drugs.

Hibee
Posted 8/19/2011 12:30 AM (GMT 0)
i use lexapro and it has really helped me get going recently, some days i still feel kinda sad or down but most days i am alot more upbeat and active, some of my side effects are headaches and dissyness it also makes me sleepy some days
Posted 8/19/2011 11:39 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you kindly for all the information. I will check into Mirtazapine before deciding to take the Lexapro.

God bless,
Cme
Posted 8/20/2011 1:36 PM (GMT 0)
Cme,

Keep us posted on how you are doing.  Thinking of you with best wishes.

Kindly,

Kitt

Posted 8/20/2011 3:33 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you kindly Kitt. I think of you and wish the very best for you too.

Thus far, day 7, of taking Dexilant and I'm doing well. I pray it keeps up.

I was looking at my medical journal and found all kind of other goodies so I added them to my signature too. I'll probably find more by the time I'm finished reading it! :o)

God bless,
cme
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