anxious about doubling my cipralex (lexapro) dosage

Hey gang, I am a regular on the Crohn's board but also have panic attacks and social anxiety.

Have always been a nervous person and anxious socially, but first panic attack was Jan 2009. Have been on Cipralex (starting and continued dose of 10mg daily) since then. Also on Ativan as needed, but no more than twice a week.

The past few weeks I have been having more panic and anxiety, and I cannot pinpoint a "reason". My life doesn't seem more stressful. This is the most panicky I've been since I started Cipralex. Every night, I get heart palpitations, tingling in my arms, and feel like my thoat is closing up.

Went to the doc this week, and he said he was doubling my dose of Cipralex. Now, I thought I had read somewhere that 20mg was proven to be as effective, but not more effective, than 10mg. I am uncomfortable taking Ativan more than occasionally (and I think he is too as he is really tight with the scripts.. 20 sublingual 1mg's per script)

Mentioned my anxiety in passing to ds's pediatrician a couple weeks a go, and she thinks I should see a shrink to help regulate my meds... never mentioned this to PCP as I had a laundry list of things for him to do and I didn't want to take too much of his time...

But I see the ped next month with other ds. Her point is that the mom should be treated for anxiety before treating the anxious kid.. well I'm all for getting treatment, but I don;t think my anxiety is wearing off on him. He has asperger's so has always been quite anxious.. and no one around me thinks I emanate anxiety..

Could 20mg help? Has anyone been helped by the higher dosage ?? Are there more side effects? I have never had a side effect on any anti anxiety except when I first begin, for the first few weeks, I almost feel apathetic or emotionless or something. But that goes away. I thought maybe he's bump me to 15's, but maybe there are no 15's? Straight to 20's seems a bit hardcore.

Tara28 said...
The past few weeks I have been having more panic and anxiety, and I cannot pinpoint a "reason".

I know I'm always looking for a reason, some logical explanation for "why now?". But sometimes we can't find one. Whether we find a reason now, later, or never we still can use the same tools to help us relax and calm down in the moment and to try to maintain an overall level of greater calmness.

Tara28 said...
... and no one around me thinks I emanate anxiety.

Anxiety is not like a broken arm that everyone can clearly see. It's internal and you are the only person that knows the true extent of your anxiety. Also, we often try to put on a face in front of others often without realizing it because we want to come off as independent, in control, doing well, etc. I don't know if you're the type of person that would do that...

I can't offer medical advice either... but if your doctor wanted you to take 15mg you could probably take one 10mg tablet and cut a second one in half. I think it's always a good idea to share your concerns and be honest with your doctor. If you're hesitant about jumping right up to 20mg, then ask about possibly starting with 15...

Tara,

I took Lexapro a few years back and started with 10 mg and at first it help and I was thrilled but it did not last long so I was moved to 20mg as my med at that time only came in capsule.  I did not do well at 20 so we switched meds which I have had to do many times and it is so frustrating.  I know how you are feeling.  

If you have tabs and they can be split then give your Dr. a shout and ask if 15 mg would be OK ?  The liquid idea was simply beause I did not know you had a tablet that could be split. 

Take care,

Kitt