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Hello! Newbie here, have some questions while I wait on Dr. response

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Posted 3/14/2016 2:56 AM (GMT 0)
Hi guys! I'm Sonja, 35, mom and wife. I've had panic anxiety disorder since August of 2004 and for the most part I've been able to manage my condition from CBT therapy I got when I first was diagnosed. Then I noticed as I've gotten older, things started to change: how my symptoms manifested, frequency and intensity, length of time it took to recover. Six weeks ago, I saw a psychiatrist who put me on Lexapro. First few doses were great and then I had a bad panic attack like one I've never had before. It felt like someone shoved a flaming torch through the middle of my chest and that burning tingling heat spread out all the way past my shoulders and even down past my groin to my thighs. Next night the same thing happened so I stopped taking it. Ever since then I haven't been right AT ALL.

I have been having horrible nightmares constantly. I'm seeing and hearing things that aren't there. I'm having really strange thoughts that I shouldn't be having (like I was abducted by aliens and my cat is a spy who's communicating with the mothership...) and I have this weird headache all the time now. It doesn't really hurt but it's a burning feeling like the torch sensation I had only much much milder. I feel like I'm losing my mind and am scared something's really physically wrong, though I keep trying to tell myself it's just anxiety.

So- what are your thoughts? Is this me developing another mental illness or just making the anxiety worse?

Many thanks for any help you can give me :)
Posted 3/14/2016 4:24 AM (GMT 0)
Hi SJ and welcome!

I am sorry to hear of your increasing anxiety challenges, and the Rx start up that did not work. I know that has got to be frustrating for you! :/

From what I can tell from your post, you are most worried about the intrusive thoughts you are having. You appear to know cognitively that what you are experiencing is not reality...so you can rest assured that you are not losing your mind...and yes, sane people do have irrational thoughts...and they are brought on by anxiety. (many times it is OCD related, as OCD is in the anxiety spectrum.

I am guessing from your title that you have a call into your doctor. Is this your GP, P-doc or both? I hope you hear from them soon, and can get a new plan of anxiety management going ASAP...so you can start to feel better!

For now, please see our Resources at the top of the main forum page here for great self help material. The suggested exercises can really make a difference!

Keep posting with us as well. We care, understand and support is key!

Talk soon,

Scaredy Cat
Posted 3/14/2016 4:28 AM (GMT 0)
Dr in question is P doc, I see her on Tuesday, but I want to find a therapist hopefully tomorrow. Thank you for the kind welcome, I'm definitely making myself at home by looking at resources and links you guys have posted already!
Posted 3/14/2016 4:36 AM (GMT 0)
Great!!

You are taking all the right steps! You will certainly get back on track soon, I've no doubt.

Keep us posted if you feel comfortable doing so. We are a supportive group of friends here that are always happy to welcome another to the community to share in the encouragement.:)

S.C.
Posted 3/14/2016 8:21 AM (GMT 0)
Hi

Welcome to the forum.

I agree with SC it sounds like it could be OCD related which is very treatable so chat things through with your pdoc.

Keep us posted.

Hibee
Posted 3/20/2016 10:17 PM (GMT 0)
I had the same reaction to lexapro and ended up stopped after 3 days. The burning headache was so extreme and my dreams were horrible. I had several dreams about me stabbing an old woman and I can still see all the blood. It was so vivid. I also had zero desire to do anything. I knew it was time to stop when I found myself sitting on the couch for hours just staring off into space.
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