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Posted 12/16/2015 3:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,
I was recently doing some googling about nausea and anxiety and came across this site. For the past 15 years, I've struggled with anxiety, depression, drugs, and even diagnosed bipolar. Keeping everything in check has been hard as I'm sure you can all relate to, but I feel like for the past 3 years, it was more manageable than usual. I got pregnant with my son and breastfed him for 20 months which I also think played a part in keeping my anxiety at bay! Well, feeling good, I decided I would try to wean off of my Lexapro (20mg) and start taking a dietary supplement (Thrive). I weaned down to 5mg and after about a month or two, my severe anxiety started coming back. All the old feelings of worry, nausea, fear of leaving the house, fatigue, etc. came right back. So now, I'm slowly taking my Lexapro again. I'm on just 10mg but working my way up 20mg (balancing out side effects). I'm so mad I had this setback, especially with the holidays right around the corner! I hate the side effects with Lexapro (headache, dilated pupils, heart palpitations, etc). Any relatable stories or advice are welcome and appreciated. Just feeling kind of alone and could use some encouragement. Thanks in advance. :-)
Posted 12/16/2015 4:09 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Laura and welcome!

I am really sorry to hear of your recent challenges.:( I am sure this is both frustrating and disappointing...especially after having felt so good for a long period of time.

However, the important thing to focus on if you can...is the fact that you are taking steps to get back on track...and you WILL get there with continued effort and time.

Are you currently in therapy? How are you with self help skills?

For the latter...we have an amazing Resource section here at the top of the main forum page. Check it out and see what looks relevant to you...

...or let me know the specifics you'd like help with...and I can make recommendations on where to start.:)

Keep posting with us as well. We understand, care and support is key!

Talk soon,

S.C.
Posted 12/16/2015 4:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Laura - The good thing is that you know it worked for you before and it will work for you again. Getting through the side effects sucks. I'm on lexapro as well so I know what you're going through. Sometimes people need to be on an AD indefinitely, just like how some people with diabetes need insulin. I hope you're able to get it back under control soon and find some relief!
Posted 12/18/2015 6:35 AM (GMT 0)
Hi SC- Thanks for taking the time to respond. My self help skills aren't great. I find that calming soundscapes relax me. Last night I listened to a Pandora channel that was called Rainforest Relaxation (or something like that). I will be installing a treadmill in my house this weekend so that I can start working out. I am not currently in therapy, but I just reached out to a women's group this week. I've never went to a group meeting before but I'm willing to give it a shot. I've tried every other kind of therapy and not many have proven too effective. Maybe I just haven't touched on the root of the problem or truly discovered the cause of my anxiety, who knows?

JRF- Yes, I think I've come to the realization that I will need to be on some form of AD/AA for the rest of my life. That's so frustrating to me. I don't want to be on meds but I'm a mess without them. Don't get me wrong, I still had bad days, but they were more manageable from what I remember. Waking up and getting out of bed is the worst part of the day for me. And then when I do get up and going, finding the effort and desire to take a shower and get dressed is a lot. Is anyone like this? For the past 2 days now, I don't know if I have a stomach bug or if it's the lexapro killing me! I feel awful :( 3 days straight on Lexapro 10mg...
Posted 12/18/2015 2:39 PM (GMT 0)
Getting out of bed is the hardest part of the day for me as well. It seems like that's always when my anxiety is at it's all time high. I try to shower at night knowing that if I don't there is a good chance that I won't do it in the morning. Start-ups are hard and miserable. Your side effects should level out within a week or two. The only lingering one for me is night sweats, but I can deal with that one!
Posted 12/18/2015 4:42 PM (GMT 0)
L.,

You are taking some great steps in building a support network for yourself...and this is going to help immensely!

Keep up the good work...try out a new coping skill every few days (see the Resources)...

...and keep us posted on your progress. We will walk besides you on your journey to feeling your best.:)

S.C.
Posted 12/18/2015 5:02 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks JRC- I would sometimes have night sweats too. I always thought it was from PMS or something! Today I'm not as nauseous as the past 2 days. But I take my next dose at 2pm so I hope I don't get sick again. Today I just feel worn out like after getting over a virus or something. Slight headache, a little weak. I don't remember having all these side effects when I first started lexapro- this seems way worse! I feel bad because I have a 2 year old and the past 3 days have just been lazy tv days. I hate this guilty feeling that I can't shake. I always feel like I'm living life the wrong way and that everyone else lives life better and knows what they're doing.

SC- I will definitely check out the Resources page. I'm glad I found this website! Thanks!
Posted 12/18/2015 6:04 PM (GMT 0)
I feel that way sometimes, too. Like, why can other people go throughout their days without being anxious at all when it's a constant feeling for me (or was)... Doesn't seem fair, but life never is. Lexapro is definitely helping me these days. Hang in there!
Posted 12/19/2015 3:39 PM (GMT 0)
I am in the same place, went off lexapro and now back on, went from 5mg to 10mg. 10mg is really giving me side effects, nausea, some increased anxiety, loss of appetite, a little spacey. Been on about 12 days, hoping the side affects lift soon. It really helped me last time so hoping it helps again. I am like you , forcing myself to get up and get moving. Good luck and hang in there.
Posted 12/19/2015 9:57 PM (GMT 0)
Tlkat- Yes! We are in the same exact boat! It sucks so bad! I have been so sluggish. I even missed a period this month (sorry if TMI, I don't know if you're guy or girl). I'm guessing from stress? That's never happened to me before. When I wake up in the morning or from a nap, it's like I'm smacked with a wave of anxiety and panic. I'm sending whatever good vibes I have your way and hopefully you're feeling better soon and in times for the holidays! We can get through this!
Posted 12/20/2015 11:40 PM (GMT 0)
laauurra, Just saw your post. It seems a little better today, but we will see. Also having trouble sleeping so. I feel like such a mess. Actually I am an older woman, so hot flashes on top of everything else, ugh.

Let me know how you do, sending good thoughts your way. Yes we can get through this.
Posted 12/21/2015 4:15 AM (GMT 0)
Tlkat- I am starting to feel better too. The nausea is getting better. Today I took a shower and it felt good to get dressed in an actual outfit and not just sweats (like I have been for the past 4 or 5 days). I get dizzy and fatigued still but it looks like the nausea is coming to an end- thank God! It felt like I was going to throw up at all times. I'm glad you're feeling better too. Keep me posted as we're kind of on the same schedule. Any other side effects giving you problems? Lots of love.
Posted 12/21/2015 7:51 PM (GMT 0)
I am not sleeping well so am taking something on top of the lexapro to try to combat that, so I am very fussy headed, not sure from lack of sleep/sleeping meds or the lexapro. But I am 2 weeks on the 10mg now and I was almost re-thinking it again. I just don't remember it taking this long last time to adjust. It seemed like I was doing ok on the 5mg but not quite there. My doctor told me to do 5mg for 2 weeks and then go up to 10, so that is what I did. So I think I will tough it out a little longer and hope it really turns around.

Wonder if the side affects are worse the second time around. I just wish I had never gone off them. But I thought I was doing fine.

Glad you are feeling better. Keep in touch.

Post Edited (tlkat) : 12/21/2015 1:06:27 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/21/2015 8:55 PM (GMT 0)
Can I ask what time you take your dose? i went from night (which is when I always took it) to mid day t to see if it would help me sleep, but doesn't seem to matter.

Also feel free to email me if you would like to chat.
Posted 12/21/2015 8:56 PM (GMT 0)
I feel the same way you do tlkat. I don't remember the side effects being this bad before. I've been on/off lexapro for the last 12 years and never remember feeling like this. It has been a full week for me since starting the 10mg. Sleep has been rough for me as well. Very antsy and uncomfortable. But I've been listening to rainforest on Pandora and it helps. I wish I never stopped taking it either... I told my husband to remind me of this mess next time I suggest stopping. But, I guess it's only natural to want to try to live without it when you feel so good. I hate that I'm on medicine. I feel so disconnected from most people, I hate going to crowded stores, and social stimulation takes so much out of me... it's like it just wipes me out. I guess that's one of the reasons why I dread the holidays. I want to watch my son open presents and see his happy little face, but I don't like visiting the relatives and having to put on a fake smile and pretend to be interested. It takes a lot out of me and I usually crash. How are the holidays for you? Do you enjoy them for the most part or do you get anxious and/or depressed?
Posted 12/21/2015 8:59 PM (GMT 0)
Same exact thing with dosage times. I was taking it at night but the slightest noise would wake me up and I couldn't fall back. So then I started taking it mid day as well because that's when my son naps so I figured if I felt crappy after I took it, I could just get some rest while he was napping. Today I tried taking it around 11 am and was only slightly nauseous for about an hour or two and now it has sort of passed. I feel a little hyper right now is all.
Posted 12/21/2015 9:33 PM (GMT 0)
I am usually ok with the holidays. But not this year. My son is home right now for about 10 days and I feel so guilty about not being at my best for him. I so wish this had happened after the holidays, so he couldn't see what a mess I am. and yes having to visit everyone is not going to be easy. I just do not feel good at all and I am trying not to get depressed about it. I will even go out to dinner with him and my husband tonight even though I really do not want to. He tells me not to worry about it, but I do.

I just keep hoping it will get better. If it doesn't let up soon, I feel like maybe I am not supposed to be on it again or maybe I should have stayed on the 5mg (had a little anxiety, but manageable). My doctor did not want me to go off it, but of course I thought I knew better.

Post Edited (tlkat) : 12/21/2015 2:38:32 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/22/2015 5:04 PM (GMT 0)
I'm not a Dr but I'd say stick it out til after the holidays. You never know if it could be the stress from the holidays and your son being home that could be affecting you. Once things calm down, see if the side effects calm down. But you know your body best I suppose. I feel bad because I have a 2 year old that I stay home with during the day and I haven't been much fun lately. We've been watching tv, eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner... and when his dad gets home, he plays with his dad. It's so not fair and I don't want my son to have to see this either. But even more reason to stick it out and to not stop my meds ever again! And to my dad and my in laws I have no idea what they must be thinking... I know I haven't been myself these last few weeks... and no one in my life suffers from depression and anxiety so I don't like talking about it to them. I only talk about it to my husband, and even he doesn't fully understand but he tries to. You're more than welcome to email me at: E-MAIL IN PROFILES ONLY FOR SAFETY/SECURITY REASONS.
I hope you're having a better day today. What's the weather like where you are? It's chilly and rainy here. It always makes me feel less guilty about not doing too much than if it were sunny and I was a slouch. Ya know?

Post Edited By Moderator (Scaredy Cat) : 12/22/2015 10:22:44 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/22/2015 5:25 PM (GMT 0)
E-mailing other members is fine...but since the threads are not private, we encourage you to only post your address in your profile. (profiles are only accessible to members)

In this way, they can be viewed by HW members only...not visual to the public . :)

S.C.
Posted 12/22/2015 5:34 PM (GMT 0)
Oh ok. I understand. Sorry about that.
Posted 12/22/2015 5:45 PM (GMT 0)
No...not a problem...lots of people have done it! (probably me included when I started way back when)

It is simply for your security.:)

S.C.
Posted 12/22/2015 7:07 PM (GMT 0)
Laura,

Thank you for the reply. I was going to email you but your email is not in your profile. Mine is, so feel free to email me. It is so nice talking to somebody who understands.

I think a lot of it is because I am having so much trouble sleeping and actually when I went on Lexapro last time, I was having a health crisis, same thing happened and I had trouble sleeping for months, it was not a pretty site. I did take my dose at 11 this morning, so in case the lexapro is causing any issues with sleeping. But now I am scared I am going to go back to that black hole I was in 2 years ago. Your advice makes sense and I am going to give it a little time. I have a call into my doctor to see what she can recommend for sleep. Xanax seems to help, but that is another fear of mine, that I will become addicted to it.

I am trying to keep my mine off of worrying, but it is so hard. How is your day going? Just remember, once you get through this, you will be a better mom for it.
Posted 12/22/2015 9:39 PM (GMT 0)
So talked to the doctor today and she wants me to increase my lexapro to 20mg ugh. I was hoping to hold at 10mg this time. I was on 20 last time. How are you doing your increase, 2 weeks on 10 and then to 15?

Last time I really fought her on the increase and it didn't really get me anywhere so not sure I should this time. I was in an anxious state all day today, honestly I felt better on the 5 mg, but I don't think logically I should go back to that. Making me more anxious trying to decide what to do.
Posted 12/25/2015 11:59 AM (GMT 0)
Laura, Hope you are doing better, have not heard from you. Merry Christmas
Posted 1/6/2016 6:43 PM (GMT 0)
I am so sorry u have been MIA! So I figured out why all the nausea and anxiety... it wasn't from the lexapro. It's because I'm pregnant lol. So I'm still nauseous but for a good reason. I was down for the count on Christmas and haven't been feeling good lately. How was your Christmas and how have you been feeling???
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