Lexapro for Anxiety

[LaughinFit]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/...d&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15307289&query_hl=2

I've had a pretty bad case of situational anxiety since I was in Junior High (I'm now 21.)

I never really stuck with an SSRI, only tried the "trial pack" of PaxilCR once and didn't notice much.

Anyway, lately I have been avoiding things I need to be doing because I'll get all paranoid for stupid reasons. Even family memebers I haven't seen in awhile...I get anxious before I see them or avoid it all together. Certain phone calls I avoid because I'll get all caught up in the throat and my heart starts racing...thoughts flying through my mind about how I apprear to other people and don't want to act nervous...

I sometimes feel really anti-social...even though I love going out and having crazy nights with friends/meeting girls. It's been alot harder when I avoid doing these things because of the anxiety...and that leads me to feeling some depression as well.

My psychiatrist is currently prescribing me .25mg Xanax pills to take for especially bad situations...but he said Lexapro was a really awesome drug for anxiety and that I wouldn't get anticipatory anxiety anymore and is much better than the outdated "paxil, zoloft, prozac" and such...with less withdrawl if you stop taking it too. I just hope he will let me try out the Lexapro and still keep the small xanax script for times of need (like court, speeches, etc)

Is this true? I've done a couple searches about Lexapro and it seems promising...I just want to feel normal and more sociable from day to day and move forward with my life at the pace I want. I want to feel more comfortable meeting new people, interacting with co-workers, taking classes in college, etc...

I don't want to get bad side-effects or become dependent on any medication though.

 

[wastedwalrus]

"with less withdrawl if you stop taking it too."

Bullshit. Lexapro has very strange and unpleasant withdrawls.

I've been taking Lexapro for a year now and I've noticed a subtle difference. The xanax is a miracle, though. It will be a tremendous help. I think Lexapro has potential for you, give it a try. If it doesn't work out then experiment with other anti-anxiety meds. Let me know what your dosage for Lexapro is/will be. Goodluck my friend, I've been there..... and still am as a matter of fact *scratches head in confusion*. Peace.

-I am the walrus

 

[LaughinFit]

Thanks for the advice wastedwalrus

What kind of strange/unpleasant withdrawls did you experience? While you're on it...do you get decreased libido or messed up sleep/appetite side-effects? The thing is...I want an appetite and to get enough sleep because I'm trying to put on weight, and I heard SSRI's can kill your appetite?

So you just got a "subtle" difference in anxiety from the Lexapro? I know how chill xanax can make you feel, but I'm really going to try and save them only for really bad stressful situations because I know how tempting they can be sitting on your dresser 8)

It's always good hearing from people who know what it feels like to have unjustified anxiety and how much it can suck...

Take it easy for me my man, thanks again.

 

[HazeEM]

I get the same anxiety symptoms you described LaughinFit and my doctor also suggested trying Lexapro or a similar med instead of a benzo like Xanax or Klonopin. I'm not sure how I feel about it yet so I'd be very interested to hear from people who have tried this and if it's worked well for them.

 

[wastedwalrus]

No problem man, I'm glad to help someone who's in a similar situation as myself.

Withdrawl symptoms I experience:
Random and extreme crying outbursts that usually don't have a source or a very weak and minor one.
Premature Ejaculation (I'm not sure if this is listed as a common symptom, but I almsot always get it when I go off the meds).
Trouble obtaining an erection (damn, this is embarassing.... haha)
Severe Depression
Anxiety (for me it's a continuous, gut-wrenching, miserable tension)
Panic Attacks... but that's what the xanax is for.
Trouble falling asleep.... mild insomnia.
Lethargy
Headaches

That does it for symptoms.

"So you just got a "subtle" difference in anxiety from the Lexapro?"

Yeah, it wasn't much but at least it's something.

"I know how chill xanax can make you feel, but I'm really going to try and save them only for really bad stressful situations because I know how tempting they can be sitting on your dresser"

Heh, yeah it is tempting. But I don't have any problems with juggling recreational and medicinal use. Xanax really isn't closely monitored as far as dosage goes just lie to the doctor and say that the panic attacks come on more frequently then they do..... you could also say that the .25 isn't enough . Also, my mom uses xanax as I do (medicinally) so we usually have a decent supply.

Sleep and appetite side-effects are extremely common with Lexapro and most SSRI's however Lexapro has never affected either for me. However, as I mentioned, disturbed sleep patterns are common with withdrawls for me. I haven't noticed any sexual side-effects while I was taking the drug, but the withdrawls have plenty. I wouldn't worry much. If this particular drug doesn't work out (sleep disturbances, decreased appetite, inefficieny in treating anxiety/depression) then you can always experiment with others. I guarantee you that you will find a drug that is suitable for you. My doctor told me that there are a lot of new develoments in the study and with various new drugs, so if nothing on the market is doing it for you now, something in the future will suffice. I'm not sure what drugs you use recreationally but I assume you are using recreationally since you're on these forums. Well, SSRI's and other anti-depressants/anti-anxiety medecines interact with/block various drugs. There are some helpful pages on this website with good information and details on this subject which I'm sure someone will be able to post if you request them. Hang in there my friend and I wish the best for you.
Peace

*Side Note*- Make sure you're happy with your doctor and you two have a good relationship... I cannot stress how important that is.

-I am the walrus

 

[PLATINUMPLUS]

I take Lexapro for my anxiety. I prefer it over the others. I have tried Celexa, Paxil, and Paxil CR. Lexapro works great for me. I have really bad panic attacks. I would try it. I think if you really need it, it will help you.

 

[hpnotiq]

I currently am taking Paxil 20mg, and have been for about 2 months. It has helped with my panic attacks and anxiety somewhat, but did nothing as far as depression goes (Unless I drink with it or take some GHB). I just feel like an emotional flatline, it has helped my anxiety/panic but I almost feel like it has made my depression worse and my sex drive sucks. I would like to give Lexapro a try (Cipralex) in Canada - it just recently got approved here finally I think. My anxiety/panic and depression was brought out by heavy marijuana use when I was young. Now I'm trying to reverse that... Anyone tryed Effexor or Cymbalta? Paxil is ok but sucks for helping depression? Does Lexapro do anything for depression for you guys?

Thanks

 

[center]

My friend takes Lexapro and since, his life has been greatly improved. More optimistic, less 'down', and overall more friendly. He states he had high anxiety.

 

[wastedwalrus]

You can't base how you will interact to Lexapro on experiences of other people. Try it for yourself, that's the only way you will know if it's right for you.

 

[PLATINUMPLUS]

Lexapro brought me out of my depression when none of the other meds did. My panic attacks were drug induced. I tried to taper off the Lexapro, but my condition doesn't allow me to stop. From what I hear there is no real harm of taking it forever. When I took Paxil, it seemed like getting aroused was more difficult. Lexapro is better in that aspect, I would say.

 

[fishman]

after trying out a few of the standard first line SSRIs i ended up on lexapro for a while (least side effects for me). eventually added a few more things. after cutting everything and starting anew i am now on zoloft. they feel about the same to feel for depression/anxiety/ocd/etc.

so give it a shot, it may help you out and i don't think it can hurt much. remember that lexapro (escitalopram) is essentially the same as citalopram (Celexa) and citalopram started getting applied in across a broad spectrum like with lexapro, and that started back around 1998 i believe. zoloft in around 1996 i think? so don't let your doctor push it on you just because it's "the newest." but if all is sinecere, in terms of abilities i think they're about the same, good luck

 

[LaughinFit]

HazeEM...
Good luck with the lexapro. If you think you need an ssri then no harm in giveing it a shot. That's the reason I started this thread too...because I was kinda unsure about it as well So far it sounds promising though!

wastedwalrus...
Damn, those withdrawls sound horrible! The side-effects I'm most worried about...are loss of appetite, loss of libido, and messed up sleeping. I'll give it a shot, but I just hope the positives outweigh the negatives. I really just want something to make me more optimistic and less anxious throughout the day...which will in turn make me less depressed Oh yeah, and I'll definately get an increase to at least .5mg xanax...those .25's are nothing lol My psychiatrist seemed very cool and a really mellow and chill guy so no complaints in that department. Great advise man, I honestly appreciate it alot! Thanks.

PLATINUM...
That sounds really promising, it's good to get that opinion from somebody who has tried a couple other ssri's. Also, it's awesome to hear that your anxiety that was caused from the marijuana was helped from the lexapro. I am a moderately heavy marijuana smoker (about 10grams every 2 weeks)...and I know that it can agrivate my anxiety condition at times. Hopefully the lexapro will let me enjoy herb's effects more without the paranoia I can get at times (especially when I need to socialize while high) Oh yeah also, it's good to hear that you didn't get any sexual side effects compared to paxil. That was one of the reasons my doctor said lexapro would be better than paxil as well.

hypnotique...
Yeah I tried paxil...didn't really like it much.

center...
I'm glad your friend got the help he deserved...I seriously hope it effects me the same way and I can socialize with anyone I desire (anxiety free!)

fisherman...
Sweetness, another person saying less side effects! Do you like the zoloft more? I have a friend on zoloft and he swears by it...but I think lexapro sounds more promising at least from the research I've done. But then again, everyone reacts differently to different meds, so it's probaby a very individualized thing...

Haha, upon re-reading my post...I noticed how many times I said "promising". Somewhat strange, seeing as how I'm giving such an optimistic outlook towards a compound which may otherwise alter my prevalent "LACK" of optimism :D

Thanks again for all the input everyone.

 

[wastedwalrus]

I wouldn;t worry about the withdrawls because if/when you decide to come off of the meds then your doctor will taper your dosage so as to avoid withdrawls.

 

[shyguy420]

I tried lexapro and it didnt work for me. Maybe lexapro isn't for you. see if you can switch to a diff. anxiety pill.

 

[fishman]

LaughinFit: I would probably start with Lexapro if you have good insurance (or Celexa if you don't). Even at higher dosages it was the SSRI that gave me the least amount of side effects (mainly, delayed ejaculation). Among other things, I am now also on a small dose of Zoloft (50mg/day) and have not been having any side effects at all as far as I can tell. I switched from Lexapro to Zoloft to see if the Zoloft might help my OCD after I decided to get off the tricyclic Anafranil (which, incidently, was great for the OCD but had too many potential complications when combined with other drugs IMO - esp. when mixed with opiates/benzos).

 

[belle manivelle]

lexapro didn't do anything for me except make me tired
i was on 20 mg, it was the last ssri i tried, & then i got put on wellbutrin which actually worked.

 

[wastedwalrus]

Off Topic and directed towards 'Belle Manivelle': Do you notice any interactions with recreational drugs (i.e. decreasing the effects of MDMA, Coke, etc...)?

 

[LaughinFit]

I have an appointment with my psychiatrist in about 2 weeks, and that's when I will ask about taking the Lexapro along with an increased Xanax dose.

What should I say to get the Xanax increased from .25mg up to 1mg? I'm 21, weigh about 170lbs...and have a nasty case of situational anxiety, along with a milder case of generalized anxiety and depression associated with anxiety.

I really don't want to get addicted to Xanax (or Lexapro for that matter)...but I ran out of the .25's after the first 9 days after I got the first bottle of 60.

And this Lexapro...what do you feel like while you are on it? Will I be more social with everyone from day to day?

 

[DexterMeth]

^you might have an increase in social conversation...all in all....i personally believe it's something you gotta tackle yourself....take off your fucking shoes and jump in. you're gonna be feeling really weird at first...but the more you jump in...the better you get.....Lexapro is just another pathetic fix....trust me i know...i've been on it...i dont care what anyone else says.....bottom line...you either tackle this shit yourself or rely on a pill that helps yet at the same time fucks you up.

interaction is key.

 

[klast]

lexapro by itself never worked for me but when i was prescribed to a lexapro/xanax combo it worked great.. right now im prescribed only to clonazepam and it works perfect for my anxiety