scared to start lexapro for severe anxiety w agoraphobia

[shawty]

I have had SEVERE anxiety for 2 years now. So bad now I dont BARELY leave my house. I never hang out with any friends barely go to stores if I do my husband must drive me and park at the front. I havent been out to eat or anything and my husband cant work because im so scared to be home alone. Im just a whole mess. I finally saw a Dr and got lexapro the generic and its literally sitting next to my bed and im scared to take it. Has anyone had any luck with it for anxiety this bad. I mean my aniexty is sooooo bad I jyst sit around all day and think something is going to happen. Someone pleaseeeeeee help me. I just want to live a normal if again. :'(

[After5hock]

I know meds affect everyone differently, but so far, lexapro is the only thing that's helped some without all the side effects. Unfortunately, it wasn't able to help me enough.

[jessed03]

Use this thread as your start up safety net.

I've had a couple of rocky start ups, but when you have good support, people to answer questions and share their experience, and a place to vent, it makes it so so much easier than taking a med and going through start up alone.

The way I see it you have nothing to lose and a lot to gain.

Sadly the way the brain and the way mental illness works; unless you take a step towards addressing it, you may well live the rest of your life that way.

That's scarier to me than a few weeks on a pill before a bit of nausea and a bit of dry mouth settles.

This could begin to give you your life back. Try and focus on that. Look at the many success stories on here. Taking a med is scary, but can also be exciting. It can give you things back that have been lost to you for a very long time.

Somebody said something on here that I really liked. They asked their doctor how he manages to get people with severe anxiety conditions onto the drugs they need, when they're too scared to take them. He replied I just wait for them to come round. When the idea that the may remain the way they are forever, is scarier to them than taking a pill, they'll take it.

And yes, I have felt the way you feel and begun to feel better when finding an appropriate antidepressant :)

[shawty]

Thanks everyone!!! I took the 5mg last night and I didnt sleep very well. My thoughts were racing as I spent 3 hours searching the web for every side effect so I think I was expecting them all. So I slept on and off. I can say this morning I was almost to the point of throwing up the nausea was soo bad and this headache. I did have some diareah too. :( Other than that im ok the nausea is gone I think. But headache still here. I will be taking my next 5 mg tonight. I just really hope these side effects go away quick and I can get some relief FAST. I do have my klonopin but try not to take it everyday. Thanks again all. How long do side effects last? How long before I can tell if its going to work gor me? :ponder:

[jessed03]

Side effects usually last about a week, sometimes two weeks. I personally found around day 5 I'd start feeling sick, and a little dizzy, maybe a tad anxious, but by day 10 it was gone.

Is this your first time on meds? Maybe that's why it's affecting you. It's an old wives tale, but apparently a rocky start up on your first drug, can mean it's making the required chemical changes.

I've never personally known side effects to last longer than a month, so I'm quite lucky. Never heard too many others say differently either.

You can feel mood improvements whenever really. Most feel a little better after 2 weeks. Some can feel a little better in days. After about week 7, you should notice a little most zest for life.

[shawty]

This is the first time in about 14 or 15 years ive been on anything for mental health. Never have I been on a anything for panic attacks anxiety or agoraphobia. Now my body just aches and I have a headache real bad but the nausea is gone. Hopefully tonight will be better and hopefully that old wise tale is right. Im only willimg to feel this bad to feel better in the end. I so hope this medication works for me.

[nikki_marie21]

It gets better! Try not to worry and just roll through the side effects .. They cannot be any worse then the ongoing anxiety and will only get better with time! I had a very decreased appetite with my meds but found drinking lots of water and chewing sugar free bubble gum helped .. Lots of relaxing showers too.. Try not to read through all the side effects .. You already made it through your first night it should only get easier each day ,, I noticed a bit of an increase with anxiety .. But just know that that's all it is and it won't cause harm talk to friends, talk here, talk to your doc... You will be ok :)

[shawty]

I hope so. My body just feels drained. I wasnt hungry really but I was able to eat a wrap. Dont even really have the energy for a shower. Thank god I dont work and my husband stays home to take care of my 7 month old, cuz if not I would be a complete wreck!!!! Last night I took it on an empty stomache before bed time im going to try to take it with food. Maybe side effects will be less intense. I hope they leave quicker than a week lol. Wishful thinking.

[NixonRulz]

I hope so. My body just feels drained. I wasnt hungry really but I was able to eat a wrap. Dont even really have the energy for a shower. Thank god I dont work and my husband stays home to take care of my 7 month old, cuz if not I would be a complete wreck!!!! Last night I took it on an empty stomache before bed time im going to try to take it with food. Maybe side effects will be less intense. I hope they leave quicker than a week lol. Wishful thinking.

Effects usually get better every day it it is usually noticeable

Sucks that you have to feel worse before you feel better

You may want to play the "I'm not feeling 100% better" card occasionally even when you feel great

Good to have an ace in the hole when you want a nap in the middle of the day ; )

As hard as this has been for you, you have earned some down time

[shawty]

Thank you. Tonight im going to just take another 5mg and hopefully it wont be as bad. I wonder if the side effects are too bad if I can take a klonopin to knick myself out from them. They were pretty intense this morning. Im sure I can the same dr prescribed both meds at same time. Maybe the klonopin would help me forget the side effects but then I guess I wouldnt know if the lexapro was doing its job. Ughhh. Ready for it to be over and feel better. :)

[NixonRulz]

Thank you. Tonight im going to just take another 5mg and hopefully it wont be as bad. I wonder if the side effects are too bad if I can take a klonopin to knick myself out from them. They were pretty intense this morning. Im sure I can the same dr prescribed both meds at same time. Maybe the klonopin would help me forget the side effects but then I guess I wouldnt know if the lexapro was doing its job. Ughhh. Ready for it to be over and feel better. :)

Is bedtime on UK time or US time?

Hope you have a good sleep whenever it is

[shawty]

Its east coast us time. :) Thanks

[NixonRulz]

Nixon, is MD Maryland?i

I am in MD

That is just west of the UK

[NixonRulz]

I know that silly but I'm not sure if MD is Maryland! I know someone that moved their recently.......her name is Nicola. You probably know her hehe

Oh yes, Nicola

The Irish lass that tends to drink everyone under the table

[mom23]

Ugh. So yesterday I wrote a big long message on here and it wouldn't go through on my stupid phone. I had to cancel it.

I'm taking cipralex. Which is lexapro. Stay with it. We always feel worse before we feel better.
Hang out here. There are a lot of amazing supportive people here.

[mom23]

I remember what else I wrote in my canceled message. Don't google side effects. Try googling positive lexapro stories.
You will feel better in time and wonder why you didn't start the meds sooner. I was feeling soooo bad I thought I would never feel ok again. I now feel like I am reclaiming my life. Good luck. Remember we are all here

[shawty]

Thanks mom23. I just took my 3rd dose and every time I take it I feel like something will happen. I just pray it works. I have pretty much looked up everything about it. All good and bad. Im just gonna have hope that tbis med works for me. I need it. This is no way to live. It sucks. Hoping for a miracle.

[AnxietyNewbie]

Hi Shawty,

I am brand new here and I was just prescribed Lexapro today 10mg and only take 5mg for the first 7 days then go up to 10mg, anyway I read your post and I am in the same boat....petrified because of the neg stories of side effects that I have read. I agree with the person who posted read positive lexapro stories!! I hope it works for you and for me!! :)

[shawty]

Hey anxiety newbie. I took 5mg for 3 days and had to stop. It wasnt for me. Made me very sick. However my cousin took it for 6 months and stopped no side effects no withdrawals. Everyone is different. Might work for you. Im taking kolonpin now twice a day. Works great for me. Good luck.

[jessed03]

Klonopin is one bad ass drug.

I think anxiety lies awake at night, worrying about :D

[Dorriekeepson23]

I just want to put my two cents in real quick. You wrote in and look at all the awesome advice you've recieved!! I personally take Pristiq. But my husband was a twisted up ball of stressed out nerves to the very max, just waiting to roll down hill. He started Lexapro and OMG... It calmed the man down so much it was crazy. He was enjoyable to be around. Things rolled off his back. Took it for two months and QUIT!! I beg him to get back on it. Like everyone else. You may feel a little funny at first. When I took my first antidepressant, I called my pharmacist several times. Lol. This was years back. He reassured me it would go away and I would start feeling better. He was right on. And I too took Lexapro and it worked great!! Be patient with your body and the medicine. You might just be surprised how much better you will start feeling. Good luck hon. I hope it works for you. Take care, Dorrie

[Dorriekeepson23]

Ah....you do know her! How cool. :D

Hey there friend. Been a couple since I've chatted with you. How are you doing?? You seem in good spirits. D.