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Taking Lorazepam and Buspirone and feeling worse

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Posted 11/21/2010 4:14 AM (GMT 0)
I was on lexapro for three years. Back in April of 2010, I switched to Buspirone which was awful with the withdrawal effects of Lexapro. I got of Lexapro because I felt like I didn't feel much emotion and I felt like it was making me gain weight, which I found out it wasn't.

I eventually got off of Lexapro and stayed on Buspirone. I've also and still am on Lorazepam 1 mg a day for the past 4 years.

Over the past few months my anxiety and panic have gotten significently worse. I have been panicking and worrying about everything. I panic if my fiance has friends over or if I even have to leave the house.

I thought since I had some leftover Lexapro that I'd wean myself down from 45 mgs of buspirone to 30 mgs of buspirone but didn't know what dose of Lexapro to start at.

The other night my fiance had a few people over and it got so bad that by the time they left (and I didn't even really hang out with them, they were in the garage), I was panicking so bad and I was getting this horrible urges. (I can't describe them as it is against site policy, but you get the idea) I didn't want to feel these feelings, and don't ever want to feel that way, but I couldn't calm down. So then I took another .5 mgs of Lorazepam, and then one more. I ended up taking 2 mgs of Lorazepam. Nothing helped. I was bawling and panicking and freaking out until I forced myself to go to sleep.

I went to my shrink yesterday, she upped my dose of Lorazepam from 1 mg daily to 3 mgs and told me to take a fourth at night if need be and told me to keep taking 45 mgs of Buspirone a day. But why wouldn't she give me Lexapro? I was afraid if I told her of my "urges" she'd put me in the psych ward.

I know it's only technically the first day on this new dosage but I still feel panicky and anxious. I still feel like crying. I feel unstable and lonely because I can't have anyone come over without freaking out. I am so alone.

Please, any thoughts?
Posted 11/21/2010 2:31 PM (GMT 0)
Twiggygal
Hello and it is good to see you here but sorry to read of your problems. I think perhaps you should talk with your Dr. about trying another antidepressant as it does sound like Lexapro was working for you. Sometimes when we go off a AD and try to use it again it does not work as well so trying a new medication is perhaps the way to go.

I take BuSpar along with my AD medication. Buspirone (BuSpar) is used for the treatment of nervousness and anxiety. BuSpar is an antianxiety agent that is not chemically or pharmacologically related to the benzodiazepines, barbiturates, or other sedative/anxiolytic drugs.

I would like to see you tell your Dr. about all of your feelings as sometimes the medications can cause these urges and it is important to be upfront with your Dr. I do not feel she would have you put in the hospital for having thoughts without plans.

Have you tried the CBT therapy to help you deal with your anxiety ?

It does worry me that when you panic you try to self medicate as that can cause you more problems and possibly be dangerous.

Keep on advocating for yourself and know that we are here for you as always.

Gentle Hugs,

Kitt
Posted 11/21/2010 6:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hi TG, I am sorry that you are having a hard time right now. I am glad that you posted about your feelings as it is good to get them out and have your A/P family surround you with support. I am sending many good thoughts, prayers and hugs your way. I hope that with the help of your dr.'s/therapist you can get some relief from your anxiety and urges. I too feel lonely in my anxiety sometimes. I have a wonderful family and lots of great friends, but I need to come here to feel really understood. I am glad that you shared with us, and please know that we all care about you!
Please post soon and let us know how you are doing!
Peace be with you,
Scaredy Cat
Posted 11/21/2010 11:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Twiggy,

I'm not qualified to give you any medical advice, but it does seem like you've been making some adjustments lately. If you're coming off of Lexapro you may experience an increase in anxiety and symptoms until the new medication has time to kick in. Whenever you make medication changes there may unfortunately be an adjustment period while you figure out the appropriate medication(s) and dosage(s).

I also agree with Kitt about the urges. Sometimes the medication itself can lead to those feelings, so being honest with your doctor sounds like a good idea. I also wonder why you were taken off of Lexapro if you still found it helpful (helpful enough that you wanted to go back on it). What changed?
Posted 11/24/2010 6:16 AM (GMT 0)
I came off of Lexapro back in April of 2010. It's been a long time.

I went and saw my shrink and she put me on 3 mgs of ativan a day but I don't think that's the answer.

I'm seeing a different shrink on december 7th so maybe I can get back on Lexapro.

I got off lexapro because of weight gain and feeling like a zombie on 20 MGS. Now I want to go back on it. I feel depressed a lot. I don't know. Maybe the Buspar just doesn't work or worked for a little bit and then stopped.

This is all so frustrating.

Being on 3 mgs of ativan a day hardly even puts a dent in my anxiety and panic anyway, which sucks. Idk what else to do.
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