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Anxiety & Panic Disorders
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Posted 9/4/2016 10:11 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,
Just want to seek advice from you all.

I am taking anti-depressant (Lexapro) for around 20 days. Two days ago, I upped my dosage from 7.5mg to 10mg.

After I upped my dosage, I find myself taking a long time to urinate. After which I had a panic attack while trying to urinate. The next day, I find myself having decreased urine output.

Today I have a bout of very watery diarrhea, followed by mushy soft stool. My urine output is still little.

I am planning to stop Lexapro today as I am very concerned (scared actually) about the decreased urine output. It sets my health anxiety to the max. Things like kidney failure, infection, bladder problems keep on coming into my mind.

Anybody has the same experience? Prior to the 10mg of Lexapro everything was fine. Need some advice!!

Post Edited (Evelyn L) : 9/4/2016 4:19:02 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/4/2016 12:52 PM (GMT 0)
Hello, You just started this med so you are having start up side effects which to me sounds like extra anxiety, which in turn makes you more panicky about what you worry about, the urine output. It takes about three weeks for the side effects to calm way down. I'm not saying the urine output is a side effect, but the anxiety about it is. Try hard to stick with the med, and understand that anxiety will get worst for awhile before it gets better. I just got over a stomach bug that caused watery diarrhea, so maybe that is what you have. Keep your body hydrated with a lot of clean water and rest assured it is just excess anxiety right now. It will get better.
Posted 9/4/2016 1:54 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Deborah. Anxiety is a very tricky thing that always makes me doubt. I take Lexapro for depression and anxiety. Have been taking it close to three weeks but didn't experience any significant improvement on my conditions.

The low urine output really worries me, hope it will get better.
Posted 9/4/2016 2:30 PM (GMT 0)
Evelyn, check the listed side effects on the literature that came with the medicine, Peace

Larry ***
Posted 9/4/2016 3:06 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Larry. My Pdoc did not give me the list of side effects. However I googled and diarrhea was a common side effect. Decreased urine output is a much less common side effect. So far I only came across one post in a forum, she says that she has decreased urine output and GI upset after the first day of Lexapro.

I hope my decreased urine output is due to the diarrhea and not something more serious.
Posted 9/4/2016 4:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Evelyn L,

When are you supposed to check back with your doctor?
You should be due for a follow-up soon. I would check now to find out if you should
continue at this dose or your doc may bump you down or switch to another AD.

You should have a print-out with your medication that tells you when
to call your doctor, but seems like you didn't get one from your pharmacist.
I get a print-out with every prescription that I fill at a pharmacy. When I have questions,
the pharmacist always tells me to call my doctor. I think when the side effects are
rare, it's a good indication to call.

Diarrhea is common with initial use of some AD's, but it could be from anxiety also.
I wouldn't take a chance with my kidneys so you are right to be concerned.
Probably your doctor is not easy to reach, but I'd be persistent and not take a chance.


Good luck!
Posted 9/4/2016 6:31 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Alice. My next appointment with the pdoc is on 27 Sept. He did told me previously that I can stop the med if I cannot cope with the side effects.

I have stopped the Lexapro and will wait for a day or two to see if my problems improve. If not I am going to the doctor to get a diagnosis.

My health anxiety is running rampant with all the 'what ifs' thoughts. Trying hard to ignore these thoughts.
Posted 9/5/2016 12:42 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Evelyn and welcome back...it's been awhile!

The diarrhea that goes along with an A/D start up is only of concern if it cannot be controlled with and anti-diarrheal such as Immodium. So if you are not currently taking this...ask your doctor/pharmacist about starting, and I am sure you will see improvement.

I am sorry that you are going through this difficult time. I hope that you and your P-doc can come up with a good alternative plan for your anxiety management at your upcoming appointment.

Until then, keep up with your coping skills...and post with us anytime for support and sharing.:)

S.C.
Posted 9/5/2016 12:59 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Scaredy Cat. My diarrhea has stopped for the time being. Am having discomfort with bloating and gas. Still having decreased urine output though.

Can't sleep much due to the discomfort and anxiety. I am watching tv shows to divert my attention away from all these.
Posted 9/6/2016 4:50 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, just an update.

My urine output has increased since I stopped lexapro. But I don't know if it's dehydration or the medicine that is causing this. Thinking if I should resume taking the Lexapro at a lower dosage (7.5mg).
Posted 9/6/2016 5:27 PM (GMT 0)
E.,

If you felt fine and did not have the s/e's at 7.5...then resuming at that level would make sense. How was your anxiety management before increasing...sufficient?

If not, then you could up your coping skills to try and cover the remaining anxiety...

...or talk alternative Rx's with your doctor.

It is hard to know how to proceed...but making a list of pro's/con's and your long term goals could help.:)

Wishing you the best and the answers you need!

S.C.
Posted 9/7/2016 3:17 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks SC, I am taking Lexapro for depression and anxiety. This time its more for depression. I haven't seen any therapeutic effect of the med yet, but at 7.5mg, the side effects are far more manageable.

I agree with the pros & cons list. My long term goals are to sustain a job and live a simple life...sounds easy yet so hard.

Thanks so much!
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