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Suffering from daily anxiety - meds don't always work

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Posted 1/10/2012 11:14 PM (GMT 0)
Over the past week I've had severe anxiety daily starting when I wake up in the morning, due to a complicated situation in my life. I have been on Lexapro 10 mg daily for about 8 years for anxiety, which has generally been under control up until recently. My anxiety is not really panic, but a constant feeling of uneasiness and impending doom. I have been taking .25 mg of Xanax (a generic, actually) when I feel this way, but I've noticed that it isn't consistently effective. I was taking one dose per day for the past week, usually in the morning, but I felt little relief. I didn't take any yesterday, thinking that it wasn't working, but today in desperation I took a dose and it actually worked! Has anyone else had this experience of inconsistent effectiveness of this med? I also noticed today that after I took the pill, I focused my mind on "letting the drug take effect", so maybe this had something to do with it. I can't rely on relaxation techniques alone, however, since my anxiety has been so severe.
Posted 1/11/2012 1:17 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Alley,

I can so relate to you on the daily anxiety, I have been going through and feeling this way for the last few months. I am not on any meds right now but am going to get with my Dr when he can get me in. I have been having the constant feel of uneasiness and impending doom, because of it I only get about 4 to 5 hours sleep if lucky. I am up by 5am and stay awake till I pass out around 1 or 2am. I work hard to get through my days but is not easy when I am alone for 8 hours a day while my kids are at school. My husband does what he can but with work and us being apart most the time it is not easy. I was on lexapro from 2004 to 2007 till my Dr thought putting me on effexor xr would be better...it wasn't. I have not been on Xanax or any med like it before, I try not to take meds if I don't have to I do not like the way they make me feel. Right now I take my thyroid med and Vit D since my D level was very low last year when I was checked it was 8 and I know that is really not good. when the Dr ran the test again he said I was at 28 I am hoping that I am not getting to much Vit D. I have a bad habit of worrying about things I am working calming that down as well. I hope all gets better for us, I will keep in touch so we can chatt more if you would like.

Shell
Posted 1/16/2012 3:46 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Skys,

I'm sorry that you're also suffering from anxiety. Do you have any techniques for coping with this? I'm trying not to rely on Xanax, because I know it can become habit-forming. It's really hard to fight these negative feelings, though, so I'm taking the Xanax once a day or so. I've ordered a book on dealing with Anxiety, and I'll let you know if it's worthwhile.

Take care,

Alley
Posted 1/16/2012 4:00 AM (GMT 0)
hey all,

i've been dealing with anxiety attacks for 8 years as well....

this is my first time dealing with not being on meds...i weened off and stopped completely near the end of November 2011. i was on 37.5 mg of effexor xr and overall it worked but not 100%.

anyway to be honest, i felt so much better without taking the meds up until recently when i had a panic attack......its like the 1 panic attack totally pushed me back (1 step forward 2 steps back).

i've looked at this as my time to really get pissed off at this anxiety and kick it out for good..

it's reassuring that this week when i got a few attacks i was able to fend them off within 5-10 minutes....deep breathing and positive thoughts works wonders.

i have a terrible habit of always being a negative thinker...(even though i have a lot to feel fortunate about).

make sure you have someone or some people to talk to....to let your feelings out. it helps wonders.

as well, try yelling out loud at the top of your lungs....sounds silly but it works like crazy.
Posted 1/16/2012 2:47 PM (GMT 0)
I have had the same problem with Lexapro- been taking it off an on over the past ten years- It just seems to do nothing- I do skip around with it which causes extreme nausea and occasional grumpy mood swings- I carry zanax and only take it on a super stressful day at work lately I am finding more of a need to take it in social outings and doctor appointments- I get a paralzying fear for some reason when I have to be committed to a meeting or too far from home-I am trying to work out as means of increasing the good endorpins- and other than feeling sore it is helping alittle - Good luck with Lexapro it seems to be not helping so much lately- The Zanax seem to help fast- they do make me sleepy but it takes away from the churning of the stomach and flushed feeling from freaking out over nothing ;(
Posted 1/16/2012 8:52 PM (GMT 0)
I'm also wondering whether Lexapro really helps anxiety - my doctor suggests increasing my dose, but I'm afraid of the increased side effects. Maybe I'll consider weaning myself off it, once I can get the anxiety under control through other means. One of my biggest problems lately is having an appetite. I don't need to lose more weight, so I'm trying to eat, but it's hard. Does anyone else have this problem, and if so, how/what do you eat?
Posted 1/16/2012 10:19 PM (GMT 0)
I am on lexapro as well and I can't tell anymore whether or not it helps, it depends on my day. I've been on it for about 2-3 years, I was on zoloft before.
Posted 1/19/2012 2:07 AM (GMT 0)
Everybody. Zoloft is the best for OCD and Anxiety just throwing that out there.
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