drug sensitivities

Hi there, I'm new to the forum. I've been guest reading for awhile scoping things out. I've gone through several pages and haven't seen any mention of one of my issues.

Is there anyone else who has to deal with drug sensitivities? I have severe allergies and seem overly senstive to most medications. My doctor prescribed Klonopin, initially .5mg as needed. We had to back that off to .25mg before bed and .125 if needed for anxiety. I can still have issues with drowsiness at that low of a dose. I have been waiting too long to take it, in essence torturing myself. My therapist and doctor talked and we decided to try Lexapro. Last Saturday I took 5 mg and slept almost all day, all night too. Sunday I backed off to 2.5mg and took it at night. I ended up having to come home from work on Monday. I was really dizzy and my legs felt weak. I came home and slept for a few hours. Monday scared me more than Saturday. I called my Dr. and was then supposed to take 2.5 every other day.

Tuesday I had an anxiety freak out, scared to take it. I called my therapist and didn't take it. It is supposed to help with the anxiety not cause it. (Did call Dr. and filled him in.) I had a therapy appointment yesterday and am now a bit more rational about it. Last night I took 1.25mg. Today wasn't bad, but I'm still freaked out by the whole thing. I like and trust both my doctor and therapist, but the Lexapro side effects are scaring me. I know it can take a few weeks to even out. Any suggestions on where I go from here?

Thanks,
alwaysreading

alwaysreading

Hello and Welcome to Healing Well and the A & P forum.

I am Kitt and I have a high tolerance for meds so it usually takes large doses of the particular med for it to work for me.  Overtime most people will adjust to their meds but when you are sensitive to the new med the best thing is to cut your dose back to a lower dose with the advice of your physician.

Perhaps you could start the Lexapro at 5mg and yes there is a lag time and side effects that usually wear off once your body adjusts to the medication.

Perhaps a different benzo would be a better choice for you. Klonopin works best when there is a constant amount in the blood stream. It appears to me that right now you are using it as a rescue drug after the panic or anxiety has begun. That is just a guess.  I use Valium as it has one of the longest half lifes and keeps you blood levels steadier.

When you say you have severe allergies are you referring to drugs. You can be allergic to a medication, intolerant of a medications and sensitive to drugs.

I am very happy to have you join the site as being able to post is a big advantage of being a member.  Stay with us and keep posting.

 

Hey there,

I am sorry you have the sinus issues too, as they can make you feel so awful, dizzy, headaches, just lousy feelings.  I hope all goes well with the ENT. Keep posting.

I have a allergy to Tetracycline and had an anaphylactic reaction, full blown. Once you have had one, you know you never want another one so I understand your anxiety re meds. I won't even touch a Tetracycline capsule.

Take care and know your not alone.

I'm done, so done. My doctor won't be back in his office until Wedsnesday, but I'm not taking anymore of the Lexapro. I spent over nine hours yesterday on a side effects rollercoaster. My legs went tingly, numb and weak again (Left arm too), dizzy, it was like I was in a thick soupy fog. The side effects are causing more anxiety than I started with. Right now I don't know if I even dare try anything else.