Starting Lexapro tonight and getting anxiety

Hi,

I am new here and hope to get some advice or just to know I am not alone.
I've had anxiety in the past because of stomach issues and was put on paxil. I took it for a while, it seemed to help a little and I got off it, no big deal to me at that time. I had a prescription of Xanax I would use whenever I needed to stop my racing mind or if I was flying any where because I hate to fly. Everything has been fine since I stopped taking Paxil....until about a month ago . My husband and I were heading on vacation and about a week before, my anxiety kicked in bad and I started taxing a Xanax every day, I started having intrusive thoughts about dying on the plane or while we were on vacation. By the time I got back, I booked a doctors appointment and he prescribed me paxil again. Well 3 days into it (20mg) I had to stop because I had a big event coming up the next week and I had to be on my A game. Long story short, I stopped taking Xanax because I felt like I was getting addicted and now I have these horrible intrusive thoughts that have given me major panaic attacks, my chest has hurt the past two weeks and it feels like I have a lump in my throat. My doctor gave me Lexapro and said to start at 5mgs. I finally decided to start tonight because I feel like I'm going crazy and am tired of feeling this way. I'm scared one day I will snap and hurt myself or others, which I know will never happen because Im the most laid back person ever. Its just the thoughts that are making me have these panic attacks.
I started exercising, zen yoga, and am going to talk to a counselor on Tuesday because they way I'm feeling and these thoughts are not me!!
So that made me feel better. Is anyone on Lexapro that had great experiences or anyone ever feel the way I am feeling? I am constantly dizzyor having vertigo but thats probably because my head hasnt hasn't stopped pounding and thinking for 2 weeks. I'm exhausted and want to get back to "normal" life...

Thanks for taking the time to read and respond!

Hi

Welcome to the forum.

Stopping or starting an antidepressant can be tough but things do get better after a couple of weeks once you have got used to the new medication so stick with it if you can. Lexapro is a good medication imo I was on it a few years ago and it worked well for me.

I think you will find the therapy most helpful so do stick with that.

Hibee

Hi Mia!

Aw, thank you! Last night I couldn't sleep at all so i popped a xanax about 5am and it seemed to work. Was late to work but my boss is very understanding which makes it easier. Today has actually been pretty good. I just took my 2nd pill and a little shakey but I really think this might work! Keeping positive thoughts is helping me.

How are you doing today?

It will get better, I promise. The starting of any SSRI can be difficult, but it does and will get better if you can just hold on thru the start up effects. They should wear off between 2-4 weeks, I know that sounds like a lifetime, but it really does go by fast. You are doing great, and are on the road to feeling better, keep it up.

I can't wait for you to see your counselor on tuesday either and get started on this journey of becoming better. :) Great job going to the gym, exercise is a great coping tool to have in your toolkit.