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Posted 4/24/2007 11:33 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone,

My name is Barbara and my husband suffers from anxiety/panic disorder.

He's on a atenolol(blood pressure med), ativan, and now they want him to try lexapro.

He hates ssris and hates taking meds.

Any advise and has anyone used lexapro and what do you think.

Thank you so much,

Barbara

Posted 4/25/2007 3:05 AM (GMT 0)
No I haven't but i have tried zoloft, which didn't work for me.  I am now taking effexor which is helping out quite a bit.

Posted 4/25/2007 5:20 AM (GMT 0)
That's nice to know that it is helping you. Is it controlling panic attacks?
Posted 4/25/2007 5:23 AM (GMT 0)
I think he should take the plunge. SSRIs are better than taking the Ativan. Although, the ativan may be utilized as he adjusts to the Lexapro. The goal is for the lexapro to kick in and eliminate the need for the ativan. He needs to be patient. It will take weeks for the lexapro to kick in. Even then, it may not work and he may want to try another SSRI. It's trial and error. However, it's worth the effort.
Posted 4/25/2007 5:47 AM (GMT 0)
He's already tried about 3 ssris. I don't know enough to say which is better to take. I say whatever is working is best and even better is not to have to take anything at all.
Porridge do you suffer from panic attacks? If so, what do you take to come down? Do you get them or did you get them everyday for hours? My husband has and no way could he not take anything and wait for the lexapro to possibly work. His are pretty severe.
A nurse has told him to take the ativan btw and the bp medication.
Posted 4/25/2007 7:25 AM (GMT 0)

  I'm on Lexapro and had found it to be wonderfull for me, but at frist I did have problems sleeping but got over it as it kick in and had found it to help out so much for me that I haven't had a P/A since I started it.

  Cowboy up

Posted 4/25/2007 9:20 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Denim

lexapro is one of many SSRI or prozac type meds, what happened when he tried the others? how long did he take them?

if he gave them a long enough trial then perhaps the SSRI type will never work for him and he should be trying some other type, there are several and often if 1 type doesnt work another will, sadly docs dont always think of this

mirtazepine and effexor are 2 of the other types as an example, staying on ativan is quite normal when starting any antidepressant and can help reduce any early side effects

I used to have panic attacks some lasted for hours, ativan or any other valium type med in a large enough dose will greatly reduce or stop any panic attack, but should only be taken as needed, he shouldnt rely on it too much or dependance can result

these work fastest if the tablets are disolved under the tongue, read up about sublingually on the net

tell him to try to relax and to not tense up to try to stop the panic attacks,let them happen  when panicky he should breathe deep and slow and avoid rapid panting

there are many self help books on overcoming panic disorder or agoraphobia, get some and if he becomes too nervous when reading them, you can read them to him

it will help if you rub or massage him as he is probably very tense, any warmed vegetable oil helps with this

the panic attacks wont harm him

stay with us and read the other posts, try to build up a supply of ativan as he doesnt want to run out

Posted 4/25/2007 12:43 PM (GMT 0)
Is he being treated by a psychiatrist? Internists tend to waste time when it comes to antidepressants, either not giving a long enough trial (at least 8 weeks), or not increasing the dose enough (panic/anxiety needs higher doses over time to be effective).

I would definitely ask the doctor some questions.......a fourth SSRI after 3 failed doesn't make muich sense to me.

GEORGE
Posted 4/25/2007 1:51 PM (GMT 0)
FreezinginAK, I can't wait to tell my husband your positive report. That is fantastic! I'm happy for you. Wow, what a relief for you to stop getting p/a. I hope that's my husband's case too. Do you take anything else?

George, he is now being seen by a therapist. The nurse explained the differences in the makeup of the ssris and the 3 he took had, I forget the name in them, and lexapro doesn't, so that's why it has a chance.

Harry, thanks for your post and all that info. He does have a supply of ativan. I remember when he had his first attack, they didn't give him enough, and I was upset that he didn't try to get more, and guess what, he had an attack with no ativan, never again. I'd love to hear your story and how you overcame, may I email you sometime or you may email me at your leisure.

Thanks everyone, it's very much appreciated!
Barbara
Posted 4/25/2007 2:24 PM (GMT 0)

Barbara,

Yes i have p/a with phobias.  I took paxil years ago, which helped.  Can't take because I am still breastfeeding.  So they tried zoloft, it made me Too....Tired..... So I am on effexor with much relief.  I just upped my dosage to 150mg last night.

I was able to go shopping this weekend, something I haven't done in several months.  I give thanks to my God for this.

Was I talking to you in the chat room last night?

Michelle

Posted 4/25/2007 2:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Michelle,
No it wasn't me that you were speaking with.
I am so happy for you. I totally understand how happy you must feel.
I hope that you continue to do well and truely wish for you the very best.
And I too thank God for your wellness!
I'll be on here on and off so I'll see you again.
This site is the best I've been on. Wonderful people with wonderful responses.
God bless and stay well!

Barbara
Posted 4/25/2007 7:19 PM (GMT 0)
I take Lexapro and have had no side effects at all. Lexapro is one of the meds that is better tolerated so give it a go.
Posted 4/25/2007 11:36 PM (GMT 0)

  Hi Denim

  A long with the Lexapro I take Diazepam for my moments of high anxiety and haven't had one manafest itself into a panic attack yet

  Cowboy up

Posted 4/26/2007 4:03 AM (GMT 0)
Denim
I don't suffer from PAs. I have a nice dose of OCD. But have had PAs many years ago. I do have high anxiety from the OCD. I have had great success with Prozac. 17 years nearly symptom free. Now I take 300 mgs of Luvox with great results. I also take klonopin as needed. Your husband has little to lose and a lot to gain. Go for it.
Posted 4/26/2007 1:56 PM (GMT 0)
Sronglady, thanks for the encouraging words, glad it works for you, I hope with all my heart it works for my husband.

FreezinginAK, that's great that you haven't had a panic attack since using it, what a relief, huh? That has had to make you so happy.

porridge, thanks for the encouragement, he started on a low dose yesterday. I hope he tolerates it but he said he will stay with it and not stop if he gets nauseous or whatever. I've told him all about you guys here and the sucess with lexapro and that really encourages him.

Thank you everyone.
Posted 4/26/2007 6:58 PM (GMT 0)

about 5 months ago I was given an rx for Lexipro -5 mg once a day- I took it before bed. I woke up @ 2 hours later with a feeling like I had 5 cups of coffee- it was horrible. I was almost hallucinating...I immediatly stopped the drug. 

I do take xanax at bed time usually, but occassionaly once during the day as well, depending on my anxiety level. My dose is to break a .25 mg tablet in half. And believe it or not, .125 works for me.  I have an unusually low tolerance for all drugs and alcohol so it never takes much to kick in..

I was given another rx for 5mg lexipro and told to give it a try- I was told to break it in half- and take 2.5 mg once a day.  I am on my third day and I still feel like I am speeding - I feel hyper -like I am on the verge of a panic attack -but luckily, so far, it never materializes. although - it seems my stress/depression related symptoms (heavy legs, occasional paralytic swallowing like thingy, and SOB) have subsided. AND... it also feels like my sympathtic nerve response has been put to sleep- which is a good thing because as you all know that little nerve can completely unnerve somone with an anxiety disorder.

My concern is that all I see here on this site are people talking about brain fog, and/or sleepyness.  I have the opposite.  I feel like I need to take half a xanax to calm me down mid day... which I do- but is this normal?  Should I keep taking this drug?  I would liek to know your thoughts..

thanks

mommmm

Posted 4/28/2007 1:11 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome
I have heard good things about Lexapro and other ssri's
I hope your hubby will at some point decide to join us here 'I like Porridge am OCD but working on it I have few and far between a/p's anymore and I take valium if needed only
Stay with us please......


mommmm
Yes I would stick it out most ppl do feel that way when first starting ssri's and it should calm down .......there are old threads on back pages about this med .....
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