Finally went to the dr

[Racheezy]

I work at a doctor’s office and finally had the courage to be seen for anxiety and depression. She prescribed escitalopram oxalate. I think it’s generic for laxapro. Is anyone on this medication and does it work? I almost cried in the office. Since my anxiety also gives me little palpitations and chest pain I have to get checked by the cardiologist too.

[kittenkisses91]

I was on Lexapro for years and it really helped me! My psychiatrist recently switched me to Cymbalta which I don't know if it is working as well for me or if I need to increase my dosage.

It's great that you finally saw a doctor about your anxiety! Hopefully the medicine helps! And if it doesn't there are a lot of different medication out there that you can try. Good luck!

[Racheezy in reply to kittenkisses91]

Did it help with panic attacks too?

[kittenkisses91 in reply to Racheezy]

Not really. I was on Klonopin and Nadolol (a beta blocker to slow your heart beat) for panic attacks. Now that you’ve seen your GP about your anxiety maybe it would be a good idea to see a psychiatrist since they really know all of the best medicines and what will help you best.

[Racheezy in reply to kittenkisses91]

I tried seeing a psych but I felt uncomfortable. The person I saw was very cold and it was like talking to a wall. I cried bc I felt horrible and she didn’t even offer me a tissue.

[Weeniedoglady]

I've been on escitalopram for about 10 years now and I've only had positive experiences. I also get heart palps and am getting my holter monitor tomorrow To rule out any 'abnormal' palpitations. I hope escitalopram works for you....but if not don't give up... Sometimes it takes trying a few things until you find what works for you

[Racheezy in reply to Weeniedoglady]

Thank you! I’m getting an echocardiogram tomorrow. The dr’s husband is a cardiologist so they’re going to check me to see if everything is okay. Did you still get panic attacks? That’s the only thing I’m really worried about bc they’re horrible.

[Weeniedoglady in reply to Racheezy]

Yeah I do get panic attacks and they are horrible. I went to emerg on Friday from a really bad one I take ativan but I have to catch it before the attack gets too far or it doesn't work. I'm working on more pro-active strategies like meditation and exercise when I'm feeling calm. And taking a couple days off work. Sometimes I can breathe my way out of one escalating.... Sometimes it doesn't work.

[Racheezy in reply to Weeniedoglady]

Ugh. So they pretty much won’t go away, right? I really hate them. I’m going to a concert on Saturday and don’t want to get one while I’m there. My favorite band is playing and I don’t want my experience to be ruined

[Weeniedoglady in reply to Racheezy]

Well I've recently (about a month ago) drastically changed my lifestyle and I'm hoping they will dissipate after some time. Exercise helps a lot, I've cut out wine (sooo hard for me!) And I meditate. I've gone long periods of time with none and then I have periods of high stress where they come back. So that tells me there's hope....I think for me personally I have to stick with lifestyle changes instead of going back to old habits once I start feeling better. Ativan helps....have you ever been prescribed ativan or similar drugs?

[Lm92]

I've been taking escitalopram for about 5 years now and it's really helped my anxiety and depression. It's even helped with the horrible pms symptoms I used to deal with. Occasionally there's some breakthrough panic, like if I'm home alone or something startled me unexpectedly, but my therapist gave me some Xanax to take a half dose of for those times (literally, maybe 3 times a month). I hope it works well for you. The only problem I really had when starting was a little nausea occasionally, but I found that a little ginger ale or candied ginger would help a lot and I also started taking it just before bed so I'd sleep through any nausea.