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Posted 12/26/2014 7:42 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Everyone,

I've been looking for a supportive group to help me deal with my long-standing anxiety and really liked the caring posts on here.

Since the late 80's, I've had to deal with anxiety in one form or another...it seems to come and go, but as I get older (now 41), I'm having a tough go with it.

about 2.5 months ago I stopped a heavy drinking habit that had been in place for about a year and since then my anxiety has been really bad. I think some of it may be post acute withdrawal (PAWS), but also just my inner anxiety rearing its ugly head with nothing to help soothe it.

The mornings are when it is really bad and by the afternoon it gets better, but not before wearing me out physically and emotionally.

I've been on Lexapro for about 3 weeks and not sure how much its helping, although it does seem to be making things a tad better in retrospect. Does it take a while to work?

Thanks for reading and look forward to becoming an active member in the HW community.
Posted 12/26/2014 7:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hi AT and welcome!

First of all a huge congratulations on your sobriety! That is an amazing accomplishment, and one that I hope you feel proud of! (I lost my father to alcoholism, so I love to hear stories such as yours!!)

To answer your question...yes, an SSRI start up is going to take time, and there often if an increase of anxiety symptoms (ironic, I know) before the beneficial effects start to be felt.

Are you currently doing any self-help, therapy or AA for further support?

Let us know a little more about what you have tried as far in addition to your Rx, and we can advise you more!

Glad to have you join us.:)

Scaredy Cat
Posted 12/26/2014 7:58 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Scaredy Cat,

Thanks so much for responding and the encouraging words. I am happy to be free of alcohol and just went to my first AA meeting last night. There were a lot of people there and I can tell it's a very supportive crowd. Sorry to hear about your father...alcoholism is such a tough thing and I don't wish it on anyone.

I'm currently taking 5mg of Lexapro, splitting the dose into two...once in the morning, once after lunch. When I went to the ER for dehydration and a major panic attack (that was the day I quit drinking cold turkey), they prescribed Xanax .25 mg, which I took 1/4 of a few times, but not since taking Lexapro.

I've also scoured the internet looking for online resources and also a book or two to read...I keep running across Dr. Claire Weekes as a good author on the topic of anxiety and bought one of her books to help.

Thanks again for the warm welcome! :)
Posted 12/26/2014 8:08 PM (GMT 0)
AT.

Great job on all of those positive steps!! Keep up the good work, the more support and seeking to treat your anxiety the better!

Keep reading and posting here and be sure to check out our Resources here on the main page (1st thread ) for more great self-help material!

Talk soon.

S.C.
Posted 12/27/2014 2:23 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome and that's awesome about your sobriety :) This is a very supportive community and I think you will like it a lot.
Posted 12/27/2014 2:31 AM (GMT 0)
YOU CAN DO IT!

All my best
Posted 12/27/2014 3:29 AM (GMT 0)
If your looking for support this is a great forum. I've been on lexapro for nine weeks and it took about seven to feel much better so keep taking it and you should feel better.

Congrats on your sobriety.
Posted 12/27/2014 4:43 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome Tex glad to have you, i took xanax for many years it was the only thing i used, my worse times
were early in the mornings also, i would go to work and sit at my desk and look at the work day, sometimes i could cope, others not, i would take a half a xanax and normally it would get me through the day, over time i got to where i could just go on guts but there were times i had to take the xanax and have the other half when i got home, it took years i kept cutting back would go several days without it, here is where i need to explain it was not the xanax that was the problem i just couldn't face my fears, about the time i really countered my fear i started using benadryl to help me sleep, by taking my fear head on and the benadryl to help me sleep i walked away from PAD. been pretty much free for three years now. Peace
Larry ***
Posted 12/27/2014 1:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hi

A big welcome to the anxiety/panic forum I am pleased you have found us and I know you will find good support from the members who will be able to relate to what you are going through.

Well done on giving up the heavy drinking I had a smilier problem during the 90's so know how hard it is to stop and not surprised that you have seen an increase in your anxiety as I had the same. The good thing with anxiety is a lot can be done to help such as taking medication or doing some talking therapy such as CBT or Mindfulness.


Stay with us and keep posting we are here for you.

Hibee
Posted 12/27/2014 1:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Texan, welcome <3

You came to the right place ^^ we are a very supportive group, like a family I must say.
41 is not "old", it's just numbers :D

My father struggled with alcohol problems and I can totally understand the cause of your anxiety. For a couple of months it may continue but you are on the right track. Keep it up and stay positive!
We are here to support and understand.

Please post whenever you can and keep us updated :)
Posted 12/27/2014 3:55 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone. The PAWS symptoms can be bad and I get scared which increases my anxiety. I do think the Lexapro is starting to work but it's been slow. Perhaps I need some Xanax for the short term as well. Will bring that up with my doc.
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