Lexapro: Fighting Anxiety with Fewer Side Effects

[tearsneverfall]

As you guys know I have tried many anti dep. Out of all of the ones I tried Lexapro had the less side effects. I have been thinking about going back on it to give me one more mental boost besides my EMG.

I cannot seem to get past the anxiety. Not necessarily the thinking that something is wrong but it's as if I have been so anxious for so long that I cannot calm down.

My neuro also had offered me neurontin. He said that it is sometimes used a mood stabilizer as well.

For anyone who has tried it did it help with your moods at all? He said there were no side effects and it's not hard to stop taking it.

He also mentioned it helps with nerve pain. I know Lexapro wouldn't do that.

As you can see I'm still up in the air as to whether or not I want to add another drug to the mix.

I would like to try to calm down without anything but I don't see it happening.

Any advice, thoughts, or experience with either drug would help!

I guess I could give Lex another try because I can always stop taking it if I start experiencing the bad side effects again.

I'm torn as you can see but thinking that I need to give something a try to come out of this fog I can't seem to get out of. I can't see the forest for the trees typ of feeling and the anxiety is just not going away. It's not a worry type anxiety but a jittery type feeling.

Think I should wait a little longer or what?

Thanks

Karen

 

[twitchamy]

Hi Karen,

In the past, during my very dark and difficult anxiety ridden months, I used xanax three times a day to keep me calm. I have heard about neurontin too--might be a good choice for you in addition to going back on the Lexapro.

I strongly suggest that you try whatever drug regimen that you and your doc think is best for you. I remember being so mad that I was relying on xanax every day to keep from being on the verge of a panic attack. However, once I stuck to the regimen, it got me feeling 'normal' again for a long stretch of time. This feeling of normalcy then helped give me the confidence I needed so that I could fight off anxiety on my own...and then I weaned off the xanax. I am now a better person for it.

If the Lexapro worked for you before--go for it again--also, add in either the neurontin (or maybe even xanax or ativan to help stave off any SSRI side-effects and keep you calm while you get used to the Lexapro again).

Look at it this way: Taking the drugs is your second step to pulling your life back together. The EMG helped you 'see' that nothing neurologically is wrong with you. The drugs will give you the mental capability to once and for all 'accept' this and move on with your life.

Go Karen! I'm glad you're looking into options that will help you move forward instead of succumbing to anxiety.

Amy