New and scared

Hi everyone,
I'm brand new to this forum, and tomorrow morning is going to be my first day taking cipralex.
I was prescribed cipralex and Ativan last year (June 2013) I got my prescription filled and never took it.
I get anxiety and extreme panic attacks everyday. I feel anxious about taking new medication, because of my past with drugs. I'm 25 now, but when I was 14-22 I was really hardcore into drugs. I used to take  everyday pretty much I was a crazy partier. I was concerned about anything.
All the sudden I started getting crazy panic attacks and anxiety about dying. I quit smoking cigarettes, stopped all drugs and even stopped drinking caffeine because I didn't want my heart to race. Anyway there's to much to get into about my past so here's whatsup with my present.
When these attacks start happening my heart races, I feel I can't breathe, I feel like I'm going to pass out or die. My mind races and I never feel settled. I literally have an irrational fear that I'm going crazy or I'm just going to have a heart attack. Then i have anxiety all day thinking about the next panic attack. I'm so scared to take this medication because I never want to feel like I'm on drugs because that was a very scary thing to look back on my past.
But now I can't stand this anxiety. I can't even read what the side effects will be because I'm so scared I won't take it.
Positive vibes welcomed.

edit due to drug references.  We are allowed to talk of the negative aspects of recreational drug use, but not to name them specifically due to our members who are minors, and those who may be triggered due to addiction issues.

Post Edited By Moderator (Scaredy Cat) : 12/28/2014 10:46:14 PM (GMT-7)

I'm sorry I have no idea what that is?! I'm so new to this all, I've just tried to suppress all these feelings and I have no clue
What any of this is.

So happy to hear, I can't wait until I can feel normal. I'm so scared of side effects tho, I don't even look them up because I'm so scared. Tomorrow is the first day and I have to push myself to do it.

Hi Lissy and welcome!

I am sorry to hear of your anxiety and panic challenges...but glad that you have been to see your doctor, and have been given Rx's to help you to feel your best.

Have you also looked into or considered therapy for anxiety management? I believe that this is an excellent long term plan, and one that will really help you to round out your goal of recovery.

Here also is the link to our Resources. Inside you will find coping skills for managing your anxiety and panic...and you can get started anytime with these, right at home!

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=9&m=104206

Keep posting with us as well! Support is key, and we are here to listen and understand anytime.:)

Scaredy Cat

Hi Lissy,

It is good you found your way here. There are a lot of people who will be able to give you support and insight.

Because a lot of my anxiety and panic is health related, I too have an extremely hard time taking medications. I have filled a couple perscriptions and never taken them as well. So, here is my (non-medical) advice,

1. Cipralex is an SSRI, one of the most commonly perscibed medications for anxiety related conditions, as well as depression. It is considered pretty darn safe. There are no "highs" or anything like that. It is just helping your body regulate chemicals to a normal level.
2. Trust your doctor. Your doc knows the risks and benifits of medications. He would not have given this to you if you were not a good fit.
3. Cipralex is one of the newer SSRIs and is claimed to have the least amount (or likely hood) of producing side effects compared to other SSRIs in its class. *Keep in mind everyone's chemistry is different though. Again, trust your doc and communicate with them.
4. Don't look up other's peoples experiences with it!!!! Only the small percentage of people with really bad experiences tend to go online and write about their medication. Those people who had a good experience (the vast majority) don't have the reason or motivation to post about their medication experience.
5. Did I mention trust and communicate with your doctor?

I really think that medication as well as therapy is the best way to get to a more normal life. I had a doctor once tell me that with panic disorders and anxiety disorders, medication alone has about a 60% success rate, therapy alone has about a 60% success rate. When combined, those rates jump into the 90s. But that was what one doctor told me years ago and I don't have any personal resources to back that up .

Morning Lissy,

I am really sorry to hear that your morning is going rough.

To be honest, from what I have come to understand, feeling anything the first day you take the medication is highly unlikely. It is more likely symptoms of your panic. Again, just make sure you are communicating with your doctor. Also, know that 99.9% of side effects go away within 2 - 8 weeks of taking the medication, usually sooner than later.

Have you checked out the resources here? Breathing exercises are super helpful, especially if you practice them routinely. There are also many other exercises that help get your feet back on the ground.

Lissy89 said...
Thanks everyone, I'm constantly checking back here to see what people have said. My morning so far; I took the pill this morning and instantly gave myself a panic attack, I pushed through and walked to work. The whole way I thought I was going to pass out and thought I was in a dream. Of course I was freaking myself out. A lady at work told me I didn't look so good and to go home. Now I've been having a panic attack for an hour and it won't stop.
Now I'm terrified to take it tomorrow morning.

Also usually my evenings are way better than the mornings .

I will try and stick it out for sure. It's crazy how much my mind made believe I was having all these issues with my breathing and chest pains. All because I thought it was from the pill. I'm going to take it at dinner tomorrow. But day 1 has officially been done, I lived to see another day, wasn't easy but I actually did it.
Thanks everyone this forum is really helping me with all your support!

Lissy,

I am always surprised as to what my anxiety can make me feel!

Tomorrow is another day, and take each moment as they come for what they are, both good and bad. Do your best, even though it is hard, not to fixate. Really, I truly know that that is easier said than done. None the less...

Sending positive thoughts and best wishes your way. I hope you have a good morning tomorrow!

Lissy,

You have a strength and amazing attitude that are going to see you through this!!

Great job on using the coping techniques and staying positive.:)

Good news also about your time off. I am glad this gives you some feeling of relief...that goes along way, right?

Keep posting...and continued improvement be yours!

S.C.

Lissy,

So glad that you are continuing to feel better each day! Great news, and hopefully this is a continuing pattern.:)

Good decision on not drinking with your Rx. That is not to say that you can never imbibe again, but for now...until you have reached the point of leveling out, it is wise to avoid alcohol. You'll have to talk to your prescribing doctor, but I believe that most will allow an occasional, moderate intake.

May you have continued progress as we go into this new year! Thanks for the updates, and keep them coming, so we can cheer you on.:)

S.C.

Stay strong Lissy89, you'll do great. I'm on Lexapro (same thing as Cipralex, just a different name) and it is a safe medication...the latest generation SSRI. Just be patient as it takes a little time to build up in your system to start showing results. However, once it does, you do start to feel a lot better. Make sure you are getting good sleep too as that is a big deal with anxiety. I'm on a sleep aid for that issue.

Day 5 and I had a harder time getting out of bed. I'm getting headaches a little more, but not sure if I can take Advil or tylenol does anyone know? I went out to the bank and walmart and I did pretty well, didn't have a panic attack. However at 1am last night/morning I had a horrible panic attack and couldn't be calmed for an hour. I don't think today was better then yesterday, but it wasn't worse.