I'm not doing too great :( I stopped taking the Lorazepam (ativan) alongside it and my anxiety was unbelievable. I was in a constant panicky state. It lasted all weekend even through the night and didn't go off until last night when I took another Lorazepam. I really want these to work. If they don't I don't think I'll try anything else because taking meds are part of my phobia and this is very hard. I have been taking them for 10 days now so I know that these side effects could still be working their way out of my system. I hope so. I hoping with every part of me that these side effects die off at the end of this week and that this med works for me like it does for so many others. I'm reading that the 5mg I'm on might be too low to actually help me but I'm scared to go up to the 10mg, which is recommended, until these side effects go off. Why does it have to be this hard?

MEI, How are you doing now? I tried Lexapro for 4 weeks but the "side effects" didn't go away for me to I was put on Zoloft, which has had no side affects for me. I hear it's common to feel lousy for the first week or so but if you go beyond that and still feel lousy, let your doctor know and ask him to try something else. It's possible you just are another one that doesn't do well with Lexapro. Don't sweat it...you will find what works. Hang in there and keep in touch.

One thing I've realized is that it's not so uncommon for a person with panic disorder to begin taking meds. Keep that in mind. I once was told by a psychiatrist that a person with ocd is the hardesst person to convince about taking meds and ironically it may be exactly what they need. I guess it's part of the whole disorder. theem9

it seem every ssri I try makes me nervous, except remeron any suggestions

Ok So I started them! I've been taking them for a week now and have been feeling horrible :( Nausea is a problem and I'm trying to cope with it the best I can. The anxiety is bad too though. I am having panic attacks at night where I am convinced I am going to be sick (Not good for an emetophobe). I can't sleep unless I take a Lorazepam (ativan) at the same time as the Lexapro at night. This worries me as I know the Lorazepam are addictive and I don't want to become addicted! The pill leaflet says these side effects should stop after a few days but it's been a week and I don't feel any better yet. Is there still a chance these are going to work for me??

MEI, Hi there. I know 2 people on Lexapro (for different reasons). Both of them were sick for the first week or two but now are doing great. I, personally, was put on it for panic attacks. I started at a very low dose but the panic increased and anxiety was unbelievable....as well as the nausea. I gave it almost 4 weeks to work for me but then went to my Dr because I couldn't stand how I was feeling. Everyone reacts differently. My mom has the disorder as well and she's someone that will have side affects as soon as she reads about them - even before taking the pill. You may need to do some self talk to avoid a hypochondriatic reaction. Just because side affects are listed, it doesn't guarantee you will have them. If you read the insert that comes with meds, you can sometimes see that the affects happen in <1% of the population taking it. The internet can help you with that too. I am now on Zoloft and doing well but I have Xanax (Alprazolam is the generic name in the US) for instances when an attack comes on and won't go away. The longer I am on 50mg Zoloft, the less frequent and intense the attacks are. I realizze I may still have attacks but they won't kill me so I work through them - usually by distracting my brain. I carry a bottle of water everywhere I go because the body drinking water takes the attention away from the body arguing with the brain about whether there really is an emergency or not (always NOT). HAng in there and remember that meds may be necessary to correct an imbalance (liek diabetics needing insulin). PLEASE...be sure your Dr knnows what you are or are not taking....including supplements. And keep in mind that not all Drs know about this problem or "fit" with your personality so keep looking until you find one that works with you in a way that makes you comfortable. I have a great relationship with my DR and I showed him this site. He has spent a lot of time here going over what people have found with their particular disorder. Keep the faith (or get some faith) and hang in there!!!

I will share a little of my story. (It's too long to share it all). I too hated medication. I have had panic attacks for over 13 years. Until last year, I was able to deal with them through counseling and avoidance behaviors (avoiding isn't really dealing with them, but I felt I could at least function.) Anyway, I resisted medication of any kind. When I was diagnosed with low thyroid, I started taking the medication but stopped after a month or two. I didn't even experience bad side effects. I ended up getting back on them and now I am ok taking them. Last year, when the bad panic attacks occurred, I ended up in the ER where I was given a shot of Ativan. At that point, the attack was overpowering my fear of medication. After the medication was given to me, I started to feel better. I saw my dr. and he prescribed Zoloft. I was very nervous about taking it, but again, I was so tired of the severe attacks so I decided to try it. The first dose gave me a panic attack. I ended up back in the ER. I went to the dr's again and he gave me Klonopin to take while my body adjusted to the Zoloft. Also, I decreased the dose of the Zoloft. If I knew then, what I have learned since, I would have just started with a much smaller dose of the Zoloft. The Klonopin was very helpful. It helped me sleep at night (when I was having the worst attacks). I had very mild side effects on my medication and now I am on a dose that works well for me. I take Klonopin only when I have an attack, but I'm having a lot fewer attacks. And the Klonopin only takes about 20 minutes to work. (We just moved-sold one house and bought another-and that was very stressful. Now that we are starting to get settled, my anxiety level is decreasing.) Ok. That was longer then I intended. I'm really trying to say that I resisted medication for a long time. I do not regret waiting. I'm glad I went as long as I did without it but I'm also glad to have the medication now. It has really helped me get my life back in order. My recommedation is talk to your dr. about starting on the lowest possible dose of medication. (Perhaps that is what your dr. did but if you are concerned, ask him about it.) By starting slow, the side effects generally are less or nonexistent. I have heard th

I'm thinking about trying them this weekend as my partner will be here for me to help me get through any bad side effects. Oh I'm so nervous!! I've got a funny feeling I'm going to chicken out!!

Hi Mei, Thanks for the correction, all these meds get quite confusing!! I can totally understand what you are saying, I'm exactly the same. If I know its my anxiety causing the nausea then I can talk myself around but if its caused by food or medication I get even more anxious and stressed so I do understand. The only thing that I found made it easier while I was getting on my medication was to have people around, people that understand that is, it eased the anxiety a bit. I'm always better when I have someone around, its when I'm on my own that I get really freaked out. The meds have helped so I'm glad I went on them, I really hope you can find a way to make it through this stage and get onto some meds that can help you too. take care... :)

Hi Lea thanks for your encouragement. Citalopram is not Lexapro. Citalopram is another version of it that has more side effects. This is Escitalopram. The brand name here is Cipralex. It apparently is much better tolerated than Citalopram but still increases anxiety in the first few weeks. Vomiting isn't an issue but nausea is and I'm so worried about it. It's almost like my usual daily nausea is different because it's caused by anxiety. Knowing that it's actually something bad in my body that my stomach wants to get rid of that's causing the nausea is much worse than my usual stuff because I can at least try and convince myself there is nothing physically wrong with me. I'm really glad you've found a med that works for you. I'm hoping I can actually swallow these and that they will work for me. I hope so.