Need advice (Paralyzing anxiety)

[Star1216]

Hi all. I had a marijuana induced panic attack on April 6th (have not touched cannabis since). It was my first time ever having one. I went to the hospital, they gave me a Xanax and sent me on my merry way. I had one full force one again a week later after taking a Xanax (in hopes it would aid my anxiety of going out with a friend)- and since then I have been stuck in a state of constant anxiety to the point where it's beyond difficult to complete daily tasks (ie. showering, brushing teeth, etc.)- which has me stuck in a state of depression. I have been in therapy for a few weeks now and was able to gain my appetite back and have been taking it day by day to the best of my ability but I am exhausted. I spoke with a psychological NP who prescribed Lexapro 10mg and this Sunday I decided to try it- I broke it in half and tried 5mg- I had a bit of anxiety about taking it and once I did it sent me into a full panic which I am now (Monday) recovering from. I was hit with instant side effects, I lost my appetite again, was feeling nauseous, my heart pounding out of my chest, felt hot and fuzzy. Throughout all of this I have been in a state of disassociation, I have so much "brain fog". I just don't know where to go from here. I know I should've maybe given the SSRI (Lexapro) a better shot being I only tried one 5mg pill yesterday- but the overwhelming anxiety and other side-effects from it (including worse insomnia and restless legs) have scared me away. I am scared, I have dealt with anxiety and depression for years, but it has never been this intense. I live at home with my parents and I am thankful and very appreciative of what they try and do for me, but I am afraid of being alone, I don't know how to get back on track. Sorry if this was a bit all over the place- it's a reflection of how this past month has been. Any advice on getting control back of my body and my life would be appreciated. Thank you.

[Fearoffear]

I would try the lexapro again and give it 6 weeks. You can start at 5mg but in two weeks you should be at the 10mg dose. I don't believe it was a reaction to the lexapro instead I think it was the reaction of anxiety that resulted in your anxiousness to take the medicine prescribed. I have medicine induced anxiety too. Talk with you therapist about your side effects and how to overcome them with coping skills. Another med to ask about is Zoloft it is used in the same manner as Lexapro. But one day of 5mg is not going to do anything unless you are allergic and those symptoms you stated are not severe reactions. I'm allergic to kolonopin and I took it for two weeks until my throat was so swollen I couldn't speak except squeaky voice and my oxygen dropped below 90. It will get easier but if you let it it will develope to health anxiety and that is the hardest thing to overcome. Gentle hugs 🤗🤗

[Renee52]

I too have a fear of taking new meds. I know it seems like you are stuck in a vortex of anxiety...but you will see better days. You will feel joy and calm again. When feeling overwhelmed with anxiety... force yourself to do breathing exercises. Force yourself to change whatever atmosphere you are in....go outside. You will push through and overcome...and be stronger!

[Hidden]

I cannot smoke weed anymore. It triggers panic attacks

[brokeninpieces]

I don’t think it was Xanax that gave a panic attack.I take every night. I too am afraid to take new prescriptions. I have been on it for a while. And in current times I have a panic attack thinking about they might take it away from me. But it is addictive. I go through anxiety of the point of not being able to work. Covid has not helped the thoughts.I have a daughter with underlying condition and terrified to bring it back. I’m sorry you are going through all this.I don’t know much about the other medicine you started to take. I know your supposed to give it time. But like you when they tried to give me other stuff I got panicked insomnia legs cramps. But I have heard other people say to try it for a while but if you come off do it through your doctor to weed you off correctly.

[designguy]

Having a panic attack after cannabis is fairly common and what I experienced after trying it. I suggest you look into the DARE anxiety book and program and learn how to deal with them. It's the information I wished I had known about years ago when I first had my panic attack. It incorporates the best information about how panic and anxiety work in our body and how to learn to accept and deal with it with or without meds. I'm on meds but found I still had anxiety issues and the program definitely helped me.