Posts by shadowfox75

I missed out on so many incredible experiences during my prime because of this thing called anxiety.
I fear it might be too late.
My life has just been a cycle of health anxieties, constant symptoms, illness, and mortality.
Now, I am trying to reclaim what I can, though I don't know how much I will actually manage to save.
Osakacen at every turn.

Jesus Christ. My dear, I stumbled upon your posts entirely by accident.
I used to think I had it rough because I've been dealing with loose stools for months, but what you're going through is truly terrifying. Honestly, I feel ashamed even mentioning my own struggles now.
In any case, I want to wish you a lot of strength, and please let us know how everything turns out.

Hi. I’ve been on Cipralex for two months now. After some initial side effects, things actually started looking up, but now I'm hitting another slump. My mouth feels dry, my jaw keeps twitching, and my lip has gone numb. I had a thirty-minute consultation with my doctor recently, and we decided to cut my dose in half. I'll stick with this for three weeks to see how it goes. Lately, I've also been dealing with dizziness. I am starting psychotherapy as well; we are slowly pulling these damn demons out of me one by one. This anxiety is brutal.

restlesstrucker15 said:Hang in there and try to stick with it a bit longer; having five good days out of seven is actually a decent sign. I'm not sure what they would even switch you to if you're dealing with anxiety-depression rather than just pure anxiety, if I understood you correctly. Prozac is very similar to Zoloft, maybe even Paxil, though the side effects can be a real pain.
I have no idea... Let me know how it goes, I'm genuinely curious.

Best, fr

I had my appointment today. I will stay on Lexapro.
During our thirty-minute session, I was very candid about everything... from the occasional loss of appetite and nausea at the mere thought of food to the muscle twitches, which I feel are involuntary.
The nausea isn't caused by the Lexapro, but by the anxiety itself; no antidepressant can fix a physical symptom if I continue to fuel it with anxious thoughts. The muscle spasms I described aren't typical side effects of medication either, but rather common physiological responses to stress in anyone. We discussed how people often mistake these sensations for drug side effects because they focus on them too much, when that isn't actually the case. After talking through everything, we agreed that I am doing better on Lexapro and should remain on it.
She explained that with her guidance and psychotherapy, the ultimate decision rests with me. No antidepressant is going to simply cut off my symptoms; their purpose is to mitigate them enough to give me the strength and willpower to handle the rest on my own.
For now, I am sticking with 10mg of Lexapro plus 2x75mg of Lamictal, which my neurologist prescribed. I also have Xanax 0.25mg, though I have likely only taken three or four pills in the last few months when things got truly difficult.
This plan covers a six-month period, after which we will reassess. For now, I am continuing with both psychotherapy and my regular check-ins with her. If things worsen, I will reach out to her and we will adjust.
I am monitoring this treatment closely, and if I find it insufficient, I will seek further options. If things get difficult, I will look to this group for support and advice. Until then, I will just keep observing and checking in.

I suspect the Lexapro isn't doing much for me.
It helped settle my dizziness, but I've been dealing with this restless feeling for five days now; some days feel fine, but then they don't...
On top of that, my appetite is just as inconsistent, swinging wildly every few days. Any time a negative thought crosses my mind, everything just takes a turn for the worse.
I think I'll tell my doctor on Tuesday that I'm done with the Lexapro. I just need to know what the next steps are. Zoloft didn't work, and it feels like Lexapro is no different...
Honestly, I just can't catch a break. I’ll give it a little more thought, but I’m leaning toward giving up on antidepressant therapy altogether.
Psychotherapy is helpful, but I doubt I can manage without medication. Then again, I don't see the point in all this suffering—constantly waiting to see if things will finally click or if I'll just be stuck in this cycle. It's been six weeks of this mess...
What the hell is happening to me? 🤦

silentpuma3 said:Why don't they just prescribe you something for the nausea, like they do for chemo patients?

For me, taking my meds in the evening before bed helps with the nausea and that heavy, foggy feeling. Then, by the next day, my appetite starts to come back a little bit.

My doctor at the Mayo Clinic suggested I take a high-quality B vitamin and drink leek tea. Since my mucnina stems from how much I worry, I assume they are treating the underlying cause (my mental state) rather than just the symptom. It really comes down to whether the psychological aspect is indeed the root cause.👎

I’m looking for some insight from those who have been following this thread for a while. I’ve been on Lexapro for five weeks now—specifically, four weeks at the full dose after tapering down for a few days. Around week three, things actually started looking up. The dizziness subsided, my energy returned, and I finally managed to stop using Xanax. However, since Saturday, I’ve been struggling with intense nausea and a complete loss of appetite to the point where I feel like I’m going to vomit. Now, I’m trapped in this cycle of anxiety because I’m terrified of getting sick again. I spent all weekend spiraling into hypochondriac thoughts and deep anxiety over the urge to vomit after eating. I had an ultrasound and a gastroscopy ten months ago, and everything was fine except for some mild GERD. I never had these issues before. What is happening? Should I see my gastroenterologist again? My primary care doctor might lose patience if I keep coming back for the same thing when they can't find a physical cause. On a positive note, my sister and my doctor both mentioned that I look much better lately, which suggests the Lexapro is working. But this nausea is paralyzing. I'm terrified that if I can't eat, I'll end up in the hospital. I have a psychiatry appointment on March 10th and psychotherapy tomorrow. What should I do? Has anyone else dealt with this?

restlesstrucker15 said:There is some encouraging news for anyone currently prescribed Lexapro. Starting tomorrow, Lexapro (formerly produced by Lexapro) will be added to the supplemental coverage list, which means you can finally file your claims through Medicare. 🙂

Skickas fr

Pfizer. Now that I've stopped using it via prescription, they switched me over to Helex 0.25, but I haven't even touched it for two weeks. I'm just on Cipralex now. It’s been five weeks since I started that. It helped clear up my dizziness, but now I'm starting to deal with stomach issues again this week. Anything I eat triggers nausea, and then I get this fear that I'm going to throw up. Just my luck. This is really going to mess with me. If they tell me we have to go back for a third appointment, I'm out. God...

Kimberly Morris said:I used to get these massive panic attacks while on Lexapro. Like, seriously intense stuff. I spent the whole time just waiting for it to finally kick in, but honestly? It never really did. I never felt right on it.

Panic attacks are truly awful. I deal with them occasionally. For me, the most difficult part is that underlying sense of dread that triggers anxiety, which then feeds back into more fear in a constant loop. I am also quite sensitive to side effects, making it hard to tell if a sensation is caused by the medication or just my own anxiety. It feels like I am as fragile as a snowflake, even though I certainly don't look the part. The brain is a strange organ.☕

restlesstrucker15 said:True, why don't they develop more of those anxiolytics? 😢
Look, just hang in there on the Lexapro for now; it will eventually take effect. My own anxiety has decreased significantly thanks to it, especially when paired with psychotherapy.

Sending best wishes,

I agree. My doctor mentioned that Lexapro works well for anxiety, even at a half dose. If I can manage without any side effects, we might go back to the lower dosage if my anxiety flares up again.
Which anxiolytics actually offer more potent anti-anxiety effects? 🤔
Wishing everyone in love a happy Valentine's Day.🎉

restlesstrucker15 said:I did some reading on the web. Apparently, it has a faster onset, and it supposedly boosts serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine all at once. It seems primarily targeted toward depression; according to the studies, it isn't particularly effective for anxiety. It wouldn't be my first choice for panic attacks either, given that it raises dopamine levels.

Sent from my

😵 In that case, it isn't right for me, and I have no interest in trying it.🤣
Since my primary struggle is anxiety, I will stay on Lexapro for now.

fadedbear92 said:Just got a text from my therapist—apparently the drug is called Brintellix, which falls under the vortioxetine category. That’s basically all I know so far.🙂

I’ve been reading online that this is an SSRI. Since it was only approved by the FDA two months ago, please let me know how it works for you. I will be patient.
I don't expect anything revolutionary, but I suppose there's always a chance I could be wrong. 🤔🙂
I have decided to stay on Cipralex for the time being.

David Jackson22 said:Stik, I honestly think the Lexapro started working right when you felt better for those couple of days. That's usually how it plays out—you get a few good days, then everything crashes again, and it's just a slow crawl toward getting out of this hole. You start cycling through better and worse days, and eventually, the good ones start outnumbering the bad. It's a snail's pace, but it's progress. It's been the same for me. I was doing great for a month, now I'm back in the trenches, but my psychiatrist says there's no reason to freak out because it's totally normal and things will stabilize eventually.
As for those side effects, that sounds incredibly annoying, but I'm sure your doctor knows how to manage that stuff.

I hope so. Let's hope your optimism is well-founded.
I am also hoping this marks a turning point. Panic attacks are terrible. I wouldn't wish them on anyone, but if things improve, I'll be thrilled. I'm starting psychotherapy now, so we'll see how that goes. It all feels a bit like a lottery. :-)

Hi everyone. During my checkup yesterday, my therapist mentioned that a brand-new antidepressant is hitting the market soon. She didn't give me the name or the manufacturer, but apparently, there's a presentation scheduled for next week. They’re already calling it some kind of "breakthrough drug," which made me chuckle. I did ask her if it had actually been through human clinical trials yet 🤣 So, it looks like we'll have more new chemistry entering our lives quite soon
Supposedly, it's going to be a miracle, haha
By Monday, I'll have been on Lexapro for three weeks
I felt much better last Friday, Saturday, and Sunday—so good, in fact, that I didn't feel any need to take my Helix at all. I was actually feeling optimistic, but then Monday afternoon hit me with a sudden wave of panic and fever, so of course, I had to take it. I skipped the Helix today, but we'll see how it goes
The Lexapro seems to be helping with the dizziness, but I've started experiencing those same side effects I had when I was tapering off Seroxat. My doctor suggested I stay on one tablet a day for now, but if things don't improve, she might suggest dropping back down to a half dose. It's possible my current dosage is too high; she noted that the effect of 5 mg on anxiety is nearly identical, though the side effects might subside. I've also been dealing with occasional involuntary muscle movements, which is something you'd realistically expect if you're sensitive to these meds. We'll wait and see before making a decision
I told her that if the Lexapro doesn't work for what she's treating, I'd rather not jump onto another antidepressant. She pointed out that there are millions of options on the market and a replacement can always be found, but she cautioned against jumping to conclusions since it's too early to judge the full impact of this medication
I just hope I can get back to feeling how I felt for those few days

David Jackson22 said:You hit the nail on the head. I went through all of that the exact same way, questioning a thousand times why this was happening to me, what I had done wrong, just weeping uncontrollably...
It breaks my heart that you're feeling so alone and lacking real support. But if it helps at all, I don't think many of us actually have it; even when we have family or close friends who care, it's incredibly rare—very rare—to find someone who truly understands what we're going through and how it feels. People might sympathize to a point, but they can't fully grasp it, so they can't provide the level of support we actually need.
The only ones who really get it are those who have lived it or are living it right now.
I know you want to heal and be okay, and you will, I'm sure of it, but it takes time because it's a process. There was a point where I thought it would never get better, that this was it and I'd never make it out, but look—it's getting better. Even though there are still good days and bad days, overall, it's so much better than it used to be.
It'll happen for you too, just be patient. I know it's terrifying—actually, scratch that, it's more than terrifying, it's hellish! Hang in there; you have the drive and the grit to fight this, and that's what matters most. Keeping a positive mindset is what's going to pull you through, and you'll be alright again.

😘

restlesstiger49 said:Forget it, cost-benefit analysis basically tells you it isn't even worth the grind since what you get back is way, way less than what you put in.

I recommend reading Jordan Peterson's book, *12 Rules for Life*. My therapist suggested it to me. It is quite good.

copperpuma62 said:Waiting for something to work when you aren't even sure if it will is the worst. Or worse, having to switch again and restart the whole cycle... I'm just hoping this Effexor finally kicks in. Ugh. It feels like you're running on empty.😁

I honestly have no idea where I pull my strength from anymore. If anything, I've just realized how incredibly resilient the human body is and how much it can endure before things truly fall apart.
I wonder how long I can keep fighting this fight. I am genuinely in awe of my own perseverance.
There are days when I break down and cry like a child, wondering what I could have possibly done to deserve this struggle. The hardest part is knowing that I haven't done anything wrong; I'm not losing my mind because I am fully aware of my situation and I acknowledge my weaknesses. Since my parents passed away, I find myself thinking of them even more, wishing I could just hold them one more time. I really needed their support. I try not to lean too heavily on my sister, even though she is incredibly encouraging. Sometimes, I feel completely alone in this battle. It doesn't feel fair. I want—and I need—to get better.
I always think back to that line from Anne Hathaway: "I want to live..."
I believe that is all I truly want. Is that asking too much?
The medications, the dizziness, the blackouts, and this constant fear hanging over me... This damn anxiety is relentless. 🙂

David Jackson22 said:Exactly! You can't ever lose hope because there’s a solution out there for everyone, but man, finding that one specific thing that actually works for your unique brain is such a massive struggle.
I was honestly right on the edge of just throwing in the towel and giving up on everything because I couldn't deal with the endless cycle of testing different meds and just eating side effects for breakfast, but look at me now—eventually, I finally found something that actually clicked.
It is seriously, deeply exhausting, but once that medication finally kicks in and you realize the nightmare is actually ending, you feel absolutely euphoric.
shadowfox75 and restlesstiger49, I really hope you guys hit that breakthrough soon; I truly mean that from the bottom of my heart because I know exactly how terrifying this whole mess is.

I would love to feel that relief again. When I am feeling better, I want to tackle everything at once—honestly, I just want life to be easy again. ☕

restlesstrucker15 said:Everyone finds their match eventually, but getting there can be an absolute grind. 😢

unknown

Exactly. I really have no desire to wait an eternity.

David Jackson22 said:Man, I totally get it. I went through the exact same nightmare trying to find something that actually works. The worst part is having to wait at least a month or more every single time just to see if a drug even does anything, and then you're stuck starting a new one, dealing with more side effects, and waiting all over again—it's an endless cycle that drives you absolutely insane!
It is freaking terrifying. This time I struggled for over six months and it was nothing short of hell—switching meds, bumping up doses, just constant waiting, waiting, waiting... And, thank God, things are finally starting to look up after those six months. I don't even stress about the dosage or how I'll eventually get off them anymore because I just care about feeling better. It was unbearable, like I was teetering on the edge of life and death, so I'm just relieved that something is finally working.

I agree. The hardest part is the uncertainty—you never know if the medicine is actually working, or if what you're feeling are just lingering symptoms of anxiety that the medication should be fixing in the first place.
It feels like playing games with an already fragile mind.