Anxiety/panic at all time high, on new meds

Hi all..

So last week, I visited my doc with some chest pains and very high blood pressure. I was sent home with the diagnosis of dehydration and asked to come back the next day for a blood pressure check. The next day I came in and my BP had not improved, nor did my chest pains. My pulse has consistently stayed above 100.. They sent me to the ER , to my frustration and dismay. Here I was expecting to just get some BP meds and I'm sent to the ER.

The ER did a ct scan and several EKGS on my heart, all clear. I had good chemistries on all of my bloodwork and urine. I was told to try something different for anxiety (Xanax) and was sent home so very disappointed. The Xanax did not take away my chest pains, nor has it lower my BP or heart rate. I booked an appointment first thing this am with my psych and he put me on lexapro, 10mg.

I'm feeling chest pains, kind of shakey, my heart pounding, dizziness headache, and so so so tired. I don't feel like myself at all. Just so consumed with my symptoms. I'm confused why I'm here in this very bad place right now. I've worked so hard with my new doctors, my family is incredible and has sacrificed so much to help me.. Why and how can this all be anxiety. My chest /heart rate never bothered me before last week. Now I'm obsessed over it and figuring out why/how it can be beating so fast all the time with no medical reason behind it.

Has anyone else gone through this heartbeat , constant chest ache thing? Anyone have anything positive to say about lexapro? No negative please.. I tend to panic taking new
Meds as it is. Hoping to hear something positive about how it has worked for others . Needing some support yall..

Hey Lmlogan,

I'm at 9 weeks on Lexapro at 10mg and I can tell you that the startup was rough for me as well. I had racing thoughts (Some were even thoughts of hurting myself, which I would never do) Shakiness, ringing in the ears, clogged ears, high heart rate. Although I'm still waiting to see if I need to go up in dosage, I can say that those symptoms are temporary. You will notice that after a week or two you will notice they will go away. I did use 3-4 Xanax to get me through the extremely rough times(Early morning awakening from the depression and then getting hit with crippling anxiety). I'm now able to sleep a full 8-9 hours and wake up once or twice but with no anxiety and can fall asleep fast. I wish the best for you and if you would like to chat on Skype just e-mail me through my profile. I don't mind answering any questions or concerns you may have with the startup as I know I was just as scared as you.

Aloha,

AK

Hi,

If your blood pressure and heart rate are your main concerns, you might want to talk to your doctor about getting a prescription for a beta blocker. A beta blocker will slow down your heart rate to a normal range and help with some of your other physical symptoms. I'm not a doctor, but beta blockers have helped me with my racing heart, and from what you described I believe they would help you better than Xanax.

Take care,

-Cat

Do drink extra fluids. You'd be surprised at how it helps BP and heart rate. I have had all of those symptoms, and keeping hydrated really helps.
Take your body weight, and divide it in half. That is the number of ounces of water you should be consuming each day.

As for the Lexapro; it worked well for me. Start up on any med that is going to change the way your body is handling stress will have it's side effects. Push through them, unless dangerous. Keep in constant contact with your doctor. It will be worth it in the end.

Walk! Do stretching, and even light strength training exercises. Getting that blood flowing will help the med get into your body, and start working faster. So will the water.

I know it's hard to get out of your head sometimes, but you must find a distraction. I use everything from word searches, coloring, and just giving myself a good talking to.

I clean my house, or take on a task I've been putting off just to give my brain something else to think about. Go for a drive and rock out to your favorite music.

The coping skills in the resources section has great exercises, but my brain works a little different, so I do the above. Find what works for you.

Thank you all so much for the out pour of support and positive input! There is so much negative on the internet about experiences with medications, so hearing about success has kept me optimistic that I must give this medication time to work. I have forbid myself from googling lexapro because I know I will manifest false symptoms if i read about possible side effects. Sometimes time feels like my greatest enemy, patience has never been easy for me.

Last night, the insomnia kicked in even with taking a Xanax. I had a hard time putting myself to sleep and not lying there monitoring my physical sensations or symptoms. Today, I received a happy call from my general practitioner that all of my blood work/urine came back normal from their office, too. This includes my thyroid, so I am happy with that. And that means I have had a couple of opinions and testing done by a few different doctors.

But, still feel worried. I'm not sure why I can't just accept that the tests are all coming back wonderful. I should feel at ease, but it almost just fuels my health anxiety when each test comes back with a good bill of health. I almost would feel more relief, actually I know I'd feel relief, if something just came up as wrong. (sad, right?)

Before I started lexapro the other day, I was having all these sensations, too. The worst part is not being able to explain how I feel. I feel like if I were to go back to the ER, I'm not sure if I could even explain why I'm there. I just hurt, physically, I just hurt and feel not together, but I'm completely aware. I'm not confused, although I wish I were because going through with a clear mind feels AWFUL. I feel misunderstood, even though I have an incredible support system and a healthy treatment plan. I see my psychiatrist weekly right now and my general doctor is always quick to see me.

I have plenty to do, but feel like I'm so consumed with my physical symptoms that I cannot possibly break away from them to do something productive. I have so much to do, I feel like I can't even start. For those who don't know, I returned back to school in August and am finishing up my semester. I am finishing up my Public Health, Maternal/Child Health degree. I have a about six papers, a thesis, and two health education programs due. I have things I can work on.

How do I get myself there? How do I help myself right now. Mindfulness has not been so good for me. I get more anxious trying to wind down and have not mastered it, yet.I tried yoga and it basically gave me a panic attack. Breathing exercises help some, but I have not found one that makes me feel better for longer than to relieve a severe panic attack. I do the 4 seconds in, hold 7 seconds, and release 8 seconds several times a day. Today, I am drinking plenty of water and even prepared myself a full, healthy breakfast (I usually don't even eat breakfast).

I'm trying, and I'm sad I can't bring myself to stop being so selfish and only care about myself and my physical symptoms. All day, it's my top priority. How am I feeling? What is my BP? What is my heart rate. Why does my chest feel like this while I'm doing this. It's ridiculous.

I'm sorry this is so long and if it sounds whiny. Maybe just writing this all out is helpful for me. :)

Thank you if you read this and absorbed all of my ridiculousness! I am SO thankful to have a forum like this where I can just vent it all out there and that someone is willing to listen and someone understands.

You are stronger than me. I wish I could keep myself off of Google! You and I sound to have similar mindsets. I have insomnia, too. I don't have Xanax, but was given Ambien, which still doesn't work for me. It lets me fall asleep, but I still wake up after 3 or 4 hours. When I first went to my PCP, I really hoped something weird would come back on my blood work - so I don't find that sad at all! It would be easier if it were a physical ailment instead of having to accept the chemistry is off in your brain.

You have a lot on your plate, but it sounds like you're trying and doing what you can right now to help yourself. Depression and anxiety are both selfish diseases. Whenever I think that same thing to myself, I try to remember that I can't help it. Something my therapist said that stuck with me is "You are not these things, you have these things."...or something like that, haha. I do the same deep breathing exercise, it helps sometimes and sometimes it doesn't. I have a mindful app on my phone, which I try to do one session before going to bed. It helps a little to relax. From an outside perspective, I think you're doing better than you think/feeling you are. I have been ridiculously anxious lately but my panic attacks are lessening, so I must be doing something right, right? :)