Lexapro for Stress/Anxiety

Hi all. I am a new member and have decided to join the chats. Your site gives me the support I need during this trying time. Here's my story. I am 49, husband with great wife and three healthy kids (2 in college, one high school grad). Long story short. about 12 years ago, I began developing odd experiences such as frequent dizziness, restlessness anxiety, insomnia and an inability to relax and concentrate. After a short while, the simplest of chores became almost unbearable (i.e. standing in line a post office, grocery store, etc.) not knowing what was wrong with me, I headed to my family doctor and broke down in tears, very afraid. He immediately prescribed Lexapro with a week's worth of Xanax. I followed prescription and took 10 mg of Lexapro for about 4 years and felt balanced and well.
My first attempt to discontinue Lexapro was in 2007, April. At the time, my kids, especially my eldest was heavily involved in sports and became a world ranked swimmer. Needless to say, with the frequent travel and expenses involved, stress grew exponentially. It was in August of that year when the symptoms returned (skipping heartbeats, weak legs, dizziness, anxiety and panic). Back to the Dr. and back on 10 mg of lexapro. This time around, it took several months for the ssri to kick in. the side effects of beginning the ssri were almost intolerable....increased anxiety, panic attacks, lethargy. After 4-5 months, the balance and stability finally began to return. Once balanced, I had 6-7 years of hardly any anxiety..the meds were a godsend.
In 2014, I contracted a mycobacterium from gardening and had to be placed on an anti-biotic (Zyvox). I had to stop taking Lexapro because the meds could be dangerous when taken together. This time around I was off Lexapro for 7 months. You guessed it. Terrible insomnia began to creep back along with the dizziness, increasing anxiety/panic and inability to relax. Doing the bills or any other mundane chore became almost too much to handle. So here I am at present. I have just begun day 24 of 10 mg of Lexapro once again. and once again, the side effects of re-starting are brutal. Only this time, I m getting depressed feelings, especially at night. I take the 10 mg in morning. I have never felt depressed, even before going on the meds for anxiety relief. I occasionally supplement with 2.5 mg of Valium when the anxiety and/or depression becomes too much and I have trouble sleeping (about 3- 2.5 mg valium weekly). My concern is about the feelings of depression I am now developing as I have never felt any depression like this, ever. I will be seeing my psych. in a few days to discuss. I's appreciate any support or ideas from this awesome forum.

Thank you and best wishes to all,
Rod

Hi IR and welcome!

I am sorry that you are going through another start up with difficult and new s/e's...it is strange, but not unusual how this can happen!

I am a little suspicious of your valium Rx...I am wondering if this is contributing/exacerbating the depressive state. Do you see any connection there?

It may be helping the anxiety certainly...but could be making the depression worse? IDK...this is a question to ask at your appointment though for sure.

How about therapy and/or self-help coping skills? We have a bunch of great suggestions for anxiety management in our Resrouces here:https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=9&m=104206

Take a look and try the ones that seem like they could be helpful to you. They are effective if practiced daily!

Keep posting with us if you find it helpful. You will find much understanding, caring and support here.:)

Talk to you soon,

Scaredy Cat

I.R.,

Yes! Definitely bring this up and see what might be done for relief. I am glad you have an upcoming appointment to discuss this.

I hope that you and your doctor can come up with a plan that works for you...whether that be a change in Rx...or just waiting this recent start up out...

Let us know how it goes. We will be here to cheer you on in the journey towards feeling your best again!

S.C.

Hi Rod. You've found a great forum for support. We have several, active men on this site too. You might post in the depression forum as well to get more support.

Are you in therapy? If not, I'd suggest going. Get a list of accepted providers from your insurance and call one.

Unfortunately, depression can go hand in hand with anxiety. Actually, so can strong antibiotics believe it or not. I know it's been since March you were on it, but it may be interfering with the time it's taking to get back to yourself.

Lexapro should help both as it worked for you in the past. Sometimes meds that worked for us before can take longer to work again or sometimes, they aren't enough and we have to try a different med or add something to it like wellbutrin, Abilify, lamictal, etc.

You aren't alone and you will get better. Sometimes it takes longer than we like and that's irritating in and of itself as we are already intolerant to patience to begin with lol.

Keep posting here and update us abt your psych appt. And please look into a therapist. A good one is worth their weight in gold.

Sending Love-
Lisa

Rod. I am a social worker. So there ya go LOL. I can help anyone and give great advice and yet I'm my own worst enemy sometimes!

Behaviorist's still need therapy too ;) Therapists & psychologists have their own! There are therapists who specifically only treat other psychologist & therapists.

I went through 3 therapists before I found a good one I really connected with.

Talk soon!

Lisa

Well I had my Pysch. visit yesterday. Oddly, enough after having to wait over an hour in the waiting room I became panicky and uncomfortable. Has not happened before in that setting. Anyway, after explaining my side effects after 27 days on lexapro 10 mg, (increased anxiety, recent insomnia and occasional depressive thoughts) she stated, No more Lexapro for you. She also thought the dosage too high. She switched me to 10 mg Paxil. Nervous about having to endure more weeks of horrible suffering from side effects, she claimed I should start feeling better in 2 days being that my receptors were open to the serotonin. For sleep, she prescribed 15 mg temazepam. I took one last night bu woke up at 4:15 a.m. anxious...will not take again. Think I will stick to my valium as needed for now. Again, I have only taken 1/2 valium (2.5 mg) 9 times in past 27 days. Addiction scares me big time.  If anyone could please share their experiences switching from one ssri to another, I would greatly appreciate it...esp. from Lexapro to paxil.  Again, thank you for your ongoing love an support. Rod

I agree...transitioning within the same class of med should be pretty smooth, as compared to switching ftom differing classes.:)

Wishing you the best...please continue to keep us updated...

...and great job on pro-actively seeking your recovery!

S.C.

Hello again: Just updating on my rebuilding journey. I started on the 10 mg Paxil regimen on Thursday. Thursday and Friday were OK. I noticed improvement in ability to focus and concentrate. Saturday was great- gym workout for 2 hours , mowed lawn, cooked dinner (no sexual side effects, lol) and Sunday was not so good, especially at night. Had pretty intense anxiety and a hard time dealing with noise, excitement in the home. Had to supplement with 5 mg valium in order to settle and sleep. Are these normal ups and downs when transitioning?? Wondering how long this transition from 20 mg lexapro to 10 mg paxil will take and it this is the right path. Again, I was on 27 days of the lexapro before switching over. Any thoughts or advice greatly appreciated as always. Rod