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Sensitive to meds and ativan didn't work. No hope?

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Posted 5/1/2015 6:50 PM (GMT 0)
New Poster here. Am so happy to have found this forum. I am a 40-year-old working mom of 3. Have suffered from anxiety and panic most of my adult life but it's hit a daily level of intensity for almost a year.

I suffer from palpitations which then trigger panic and adrenaline rushes. My blood pressure and pulse skyrocket. I also wake up in the middle of the night with racing heart and tachycardia of 120-140 BPM. Have been to ER and they say it's anxiety. I went to the cardiologist yesterday for the palps and they did both an EKG and Echo. EKG was abnormal because my heart was racing at 130 Bpm. Echo normal. Doc wouldn't even put me on an event monitor for palps until I get my heart rate under control. The problem is that today it's in the 70-80 range and I am worried that a daily beta blocker will slow things down too much!

I also have wicked health anxiety related to anything cardiac or blood-pressure related. My youngest is 15 months old and I had severe blood pressure issues and anxiety and PPD which I haven't been able to recoup from.

I don't know what to do. Years ago I tried zoloft and had bad side effects (mania, vision trailing, paranoia), I recently had some success with amitriptyline (took it for PPD and it worked, so I weaned off) but when I tried to start it again I seem to have developed an intolerance. Even a quarter dose of 2.5 mg gave me panic and tachycardia.

Next the psych wants me to try lexapro and beta blockers but I am scared of the ssri side effects given my recent experience with amitriptyline and earlier side effects with zoloft

I have tried ativan but it does nothing for me. Took 0.5 mg yesterday before my cardiology appt and my heart rate was 135 and BP 150/85 sir to anxiety. At home my heart rate is 70-80 and BP is 125/75 when not panicking.

Can anyone else offer advise or tips? I feel so hopeless. I can't help but wonder if it's hormonal (perimenopause) or an adrenal issue or somethjng else. Thyroid tests come back normal.

Thank you so very much in advance. I feel like a mess and have work, three kids, and a household to manage. Most times I am so tired and irritable I want to curl up in a ball and disappear.
Posted 5/1/2015 7:08 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to Healing Well! I'm glad you found us, but sorry you are dealing with anxiety. This is a great community that cares and above all else understands, so stick with us and we will help when we can and cheer you along the road of recovery from anxiety/panic attacks.

I to have tachycardia with a resting heart rate of about 110, it jumps to 120-130 just walking across the house so I understand how you feel. I think taking a BB will help you greatly, why don't you want to take it? Also I'm not on lexapro but I've heard wonderful stories here on healing well about it. You can use the search feature above to search out others , or wait until others reply which they will shortly. Day time seems to be a bit slow so keep checking back. We do ask that others don't post on the older threads ( few months old) as many of those people aren't here any longer, but rather start a new post or reply to this one one. :)

I see you see a psych, do you also see a therapist? Do you do any mindfullness, or breathing exercises? I can post some links for you if you'd like to help. Again, Welcome I'm looking forward to getting to know you better. :)
Posted 5/1/2015 7:25 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome!!

I took Ativan a bunch of years ago and it did not work at all for me. I was prescribed Xanax shortly after and it worked really well for me.

Also, .5 mg of Ativan is a tiny amount. Usually the smallest dosage is prescribed, but if it doesn't work, than you need to let your doc know. A lot of times panic and anxiety patients need a higher dosage.

I totally understand your hesitation on trying another ssri, especially having a bad reaction to zoloft. But i will say I've seen TONS of people start on lexapro on this board and have a good experience with it. But everybody's body reacts differently to these medications, so it's so hard to gage.

I know you are probably crazy busy with three kids and a job, but have you looked into therapy?
Posted 5/1/2015 7:54 PM (GMT 0)
I am sorry to hear of your anxiety and health related concerns! I understand, because I too had pre-eclampsia with both of my pregnancies. (and believe those scares were a big contributing factor to my anxiety)

You've received some good input already, but I will post our Resource link for you in the hopes that you will find some good self help exercises for calming both body and mind.

We have links specifically for health anxiety in there...and the Super Scanner exercise helps to explain the physical symptom/anxiety cycle perfectly!! There are also great decompression skills such as guided meditation videos that are excellent. If you can't find something specifically, please let me know, and I can pull them up individually for you.smile

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=9&m=104206

Here also is a post I just made for another member asking about meds. Since you did not have good results with your benzo...maybe Vistaril might be a good alternative for you to ask your doctor about? Here is more on that.

'One thing you may want to ask your doctor about as far as an PRN Rx for panic is Vistaril. This is an antihistamine taken 'off label' for acute anxiety periods and panic.'

'It has similar calming qualities of a benzo, without the dependency risk.'

Keep posting with us if you find it of help! We care, and are here for support anytime.smile

S.C.
Posted 5/3/2015 12:15 PM (GMT 0)
Hi

Welcome to the forum.

sorry to hear you have been having anxiety/panic we understand what you are going through and are here to support you so keep us posted with your progress.

Lexapro is a good medication imo when I was on it I did not get any side effects and it really helped my anxiety. Medications will only help reduce your symptoms they are not a cure all so it is always best to combine them with talking therapy such as CBT or Mindfulness Meditation which both get great results and have the most evidence that they work.

Hibee
Posted 5/3/2015 5:13 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much everyone for responding to my original post. The thing is my blood pressure is totally labile. Today it's ranged between 109/66 to 142/85. Pulse ranges from 71 bpm to 100. I am nervous about the beta blocker dropping my low ranges to really low. I hate having so much health anxiety.

Does anyone get heart palpitations? It feels like my heart is skipping and flip flopping constantly. Sometimes it's a nuisance. Other times it feels like my heart stops briefly then beats rapidly afterward. Usually triggering a panic Attack.

Could anxiety be at the root of all this?

Does anyone think it could be hormonal since I am 40 and maybe the symptoms are perimenopause?

Re lexapro I am so nervous because I have read that it can initially cause racing heart, palps, and increased anxiety. I don't need any of those for sure.

I feel so hopelessly plagued by this. Why can't I just be normal and not obsess about blood pressure, pulse, heart palpitations etc. It's ruining my life.
Posted 5/3/2015 11:00 PM (GMT 0)
CB,

Here are some informative and self-help links regarding the PVC's. Hopefully these give you some reassurance and benefit.:)

I encourage you to also check out the rest of our Resource Guide suggestions(top of the main page, here.)...including the link I posted above for you.:)

I definitely believe there to be an anxiety/hormonal connection...I have almost five years on you, but started my anxiety journey around my mid thirties or so...

Still...there is help and hope for managing it...so check out those links and get started on some relaxation exercises today.:)

S.C.
Posted 5/4/2015 5:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there,

I am new to this forum and when I saw the title of your post I clicked it because I too have horrific side effects from pretty much ANY meds I have tried- even some natural supplements. Nightmares, etc.

I am 44 and going through menopause too which makes things worse.(Massive anxiety and insomnia)

My doc decided to test me for MTHFR (i know- looks like a bad word) and said it could be why meds don't work right. It tested positive so he wants me to take Deplin and add in Lexapro.

Just thought I would share in case they hadn't thought of that for you.

I don't have any feedback yet as I JUST got the prescription and have been too afraid to try the Lexapro. Because, yep- have anxiety about it HAHAHA. I did start Deplin a few days ago.

I am going to post a thread about it to see if anyone else has had luck with it.

Good luck to you :) Hope you get some relief soon
Posted 5/4/2015 5:29 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome Overthinker45, I'm happy you found us. Please start your own thread and tell us about yourself that way more people will see it and be able to welcome you. :) Stick around and keep posting and we will walk this journey with you.
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