Anxiety drugs???

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-22-2004
Anxiety drugs???
25
Tue, 09-19-2006 - 9:15pm
Does anyone know anyhing about the anti-anxiety drug effecxor????? I was recently recommended to start taking it as a daily medication but am extremely worried about possible side effects. I hear that any side effect typically isnt something to worry about and only kicks in for the first week or so of treatment. What about the threat of seizures??? I dont want to end up having seizures?? Anyone know if this is something I should worry about? I have very frequent anxiety attacks that started two years ago at age 23. I am 25 now with masters degree and am trying to make something of myself in life. Unfortunately these frequent nasty attacks have been something I have been at war with and I am attempting to lessen their impact on my daily life. I realize psychological help is in order and I have pursued it for a bit and am intending on seeking such support in the near future. I need to get through this very challenging time in my life where my nerves seem irrationally amplified 300000 times above normal and my mind and body is experience much distress.
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-22-2004
Thu, 09-21-2006 - 1:02pm
Fortunately I can imagine a life without panic because until age 22 I never dealt with it. I was always pretty tightly wound but never like this. I cannot believe how self-destuctive these anxiety attacks are and have been to me. They have caused me such pain within the past two years and I really dont get it. My ears are ringing almost always because now I find my jaw muscles clenching up, my eyes burn, out of the blue my brain feels like theres all sorts of wierd pressure its like my thought process freezes up. I am sick and tired of sudden heat flashes, vision disturbances, tightened up chest and difficulty breating (its like i have to force my breath). It seems crazy to me that the human body would deny itself breathe, something it needs to do, in an effort to satisfy some irrationally based panic. Its hard to Maintain a thinking that "its just a panic attack" when you're not sure whether you will be on the floor in a few minutes. Its hard to think its "just a panic attack" when thoughts creep in that perhaps I have a brain tumor, or maybe heart problems that are making me so tingly. I have been to a number on doctors, etc. Its damn panic attacks!!!
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Thu, 09-21-2006 - 11:06pm

Please keep us updated, I look forward to hearing about how you are doing!


Sheri Ann

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting


Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-22-2004
Mon, 10-02-2006 - 1:46pm
I went on the effexor for 2 days and could not handle its side-effects. I could not stand feeling so sick and the side-effects triggered even more powerful panic attacks. I cannot believe how my nerves have turned on me once again. I startedc to eat, drink more fluids, and get to bed at a better time so not to wear myself out. I started this again because I have a tendency to sacrifice myself to get work done, visit my girlfriend as long as possible, etc. Unfortunately due to my big attacks that occurred while on the effexor my anxiety attacks are much more frequent again, I am back to 2, 3, 4 times daily again and I am having a hard time coping and trying to stay right and actually live my life like a normal human being. I need to go to work and make a living for myself. I am not interested in going on disability and living out my days. I don't know what I should do. i've scheduled to meet with a psychologist again but wont see her til next week. What will I do in the meantime? I probably wont get any benefits from the psychologist for a while. I dont want this to ruin my life and I feel I'm slipping again. My attacks are hitting for nearly every and any reason at all. I keep trying to breathe through them but its so hard when they keep coming over and over again. Its very hard not to get discouraged and angry with oneself when in this state. It seems like nothing ever works to fix this problem. I'm in hell again.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Mon, 10-02-2006 - 2:15pm

I am sorry to hear this. Those first few days on a new med can be difficult. IMHO, many of the awful effects we feel are our anxiety & not the med. I know it's a struggle, but I usually can

 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 09-20-2006
Mon, 10-02-2006 - 2:58pm
Hi there; I don't know anything about taking these kinds of medications, though others on this board do and will be able to advise you better than I. I am writing to you because I am in a similar situation after having experienced my first panic attack while sleeping a few weeks ago and it is only progressed from there; the train, the post office or in a market. I to am an academic type with plenty of better things to do than to have the damn constant worry of the next one coming on, so much so that I dread leaving my house each morning, but still do. I too just want to function normally and envy those people that have no problem to sit on a train for ten minutes for instance or stand in line for that matter. This might sound strange but have patience with yourself, it is a process (as i have learned) and each day there is progress. Be good to yourself. Best, L
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-22-2004
Mon, 10-02-2006 - 4:57pm
Thank you for your kind words. It is good to know that there are others dealing as I do sometimes daily or more. I have no use for this in my life and am trying my best to truck through this and lead a successful life. I have no intention of letting my dreams and goals fade away with this irrationally based fear and in some instances terror. I think my problem is the fear of death at a young age as my mother did. Somehow in my mind all my dreams and aspirations will be wiped away by something stupid like me passing out behind the wheel and dying. Due to this unhealthy fear that its bound to be my fate to die young I have grequent attacks while driving and sometimes in line at a store, or maybe in a restaurant where alot of people are there to witness my panic attacks. I try sooo hard to hold back and not let them show but the feelings inside are so powerful that at times I think I'm gonna lose it. Is it that I think much to often? In a way I wish I could go with the flow and not think as often. Instead my life is a complex web of analysis and risk management. I consider every remote possibility and think about so many things that could negatively impact my goals in life that its driven me to panic land. I want to go home from panic land.
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-22-2004
Mon, 10-02-2006 - 4:58pm
its jacob
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Mon, 10-02-2006 - 9:55pm

The first 3 days were the worst for me on the Lexapro.

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Mon, 10-02-2006 - 10:00pm

It sounds like you know the reason for your panic, and that's a giant first step; especially in therapy.

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Mon, 10-02-2006 - 11:38pm

TYVM:) Jacob is even nicer than Rob. If anyone else is reading this, didn't we used to have a Rob that posted? Hmm... jan


I am editing this to say it was Jay that I remember. He used to drop into chat. If he's out there, I wish he would post. His story was so similiar to Jacob's.