Welcome to the anxiety board at DS.

Stay hydrated. Hydration sensitivity is often heightened when taking anxiety medicine.

Do even breathing. In through nose, out through mouth, in through nose, out through nose.

Keep a daily private journal writing out everything so you can see what happens when, where, and this may help get the right dosage.

You've taken the important first step in writing it out.

This is a great group to be a part of, people who understand, who encourage, who support, and who will help in the best way possible from their experience. Take what might work for you, and know you're not alone.

Best wishes as you find your better balance.

NikiJo - I am one of those that can't easily find anti-depressants that work with my systems. Lexapro and Effexor and many anti-depressants don't work with me. I had the kind of reaction you had with the Lexapro. I would say keep trying till you find the one that works. I usually tried for two days. Psychiatrists are better than medical doctors when it comes to which anti-depressants should work. Best luck to you in finding the right ones. I hope you feel fine today.

Thank you for the replies. I'm so hesitant to try another, but I also can't do nothing either. I'm slowly recovering from the Lexapro mishap, but am still experiencing multiple anxiety episodes throughout the day, (if not the throughout the day.) I'm still not sleeping well, waking up with hot flashes and anxiety 3 hours into my sleep cycle. It's exhausting. I might have to work up the courage to try again, but I'm so scared. The doctor wants me to start on half of a 37.5 mg of Effexor, so I'm hoping that curbs some of the side effects. I've spoken to some others who didn't have any side effects at all their first time around.

I had mellow results out of Buspar. Nothing dramatic. Just enough to take the edge off. A year or so later I was able to stop using it without any side effects that I noted.

@arfie I have a bottle of Buspar, but mine is
in the form of Buspirone. Is that the same thing? I took it once, and it knocked me out for 5 hours, and I had anxiety as it was wearing off. I have been a bit better since coming off the Lexapro, which I only took for 5 days, but it was brutal. Not sure what to expect with Effexor, as I haven't started it yet, because I'm scared. Is Busbar all you take? I often experience feelings of anxiety throughout the day upon waking. Is that the same for you?

I took Buspar way back in the 20th century to help me establish an emotional baseline while I psychotheraputed my way to my current holistic means of anxiety management. In my strictly personal case, my anxiety was/is attached to criminally dysfunctional childhood conditioning. Medication, alone, wasn't/isn't enough to overcome that conditioning.

I am clueless as to whether or not Buspirone is the same thing or not. Every case of anxiety is unique, as are the physical systems attached. Gentle support while you find the best combo for your own unique case.

Hi NickiJo,

I completely understand what you are saying. I dread trying new anxiety medications also! Problem is, you *might* have to try a few until you find the one that works best for you. And I know that is rough, but once you find the right one for you (everyone is different, so I can't say which one will work for you), you will hopefully feel a lot better! Also, it can take over 4 weeks to feel the benefits from these medications (oh joy, lol!)

Did your psychiatrist talk to you about the benzodiazepines? Such as Xanax, Lorazepam or Valium? These are fast acting, last about 4 hours. However, they are highly addictive and should only be taken on an as needed basis. Not necessarily every day.

If it started a month ago, can you think of what was going on in your life one month ago? Was it the pandemic, or other stresses such as job, family, home life, relationship, etc. Sometimes if we can pin point the cause of the anxiety, we can work on that part. A therapist could help guide you through this.

Let us know how you're doing. Good luck with the Effexor. Might as well give it a try! It could be the perfect one for you, I hope so!!!

Thank you all for your replies.

I had 2 recent deaths in the family back in November, but as far as why this all happened in June, I have no clue. It really just hit hard, and quick, and I haven't been able to shake it since. I often struggle the most in the morning upon waking. I feel intense anxiety, but I can't pinpoint why. I just wake up feeling it. It has been a very scary process, because there doesn't seem to be a specific trigger. Anyone else experience this? Often, I have the feelings of anxiety persistently throughout the day, and it is really uncomfortable

I am a lifelong anxiety sufferer and have been in psychotherapy since 1972. Many of the uncounted peer workshops and meetings I have attended deal directly with the "Contagion Factor" and "Trigger Effect" of many mental illnesses. Many psych pros maintain a therapy network of their own to deal with that factor, by whatever name.

From that heavily psychotheraputed angle, I theorate that there is an Anxiety Pandemic sweeping Coronaville. For sure, this forum is seeing record numbers of folks who are new to anxiety.

Yea, my husband and I inherited 3 young orphans upon the traffic deaths of my son and his wife in late September. At present, I believe the 5 of us are grieving the loss of our world more than we are grieving the loss of son, Mommy and Daddy. It's a mean pill to be isolated with. COVID ain't the meanest pathogen in the family petri dish.

@arfie

I guess my question is, is this normal? I seem to feel feelings of anxiety immediately upon waking up, and experience throughout the day and night. I'm not particularly anxious about anything, (just how I am feeling, and there doesn't seem to be a reason?) There doesn't seem to be a trigger, I just feel anxious, and can't shake it off. Some days are worse than others, and I can't function at 100%. I am so afraid to try another antidepressant because of my terrible experience with Lexapro. I am currently having weekly sessions with a therapist as well, but I've never experienced this lack of control over how I feel. It makes it difficult to get through my day.

I don't have much experience with "Normal," butttttttaaaaa. . .

It's normal for me. Anxiety does, indeed, make it difficult to get through a day. It be a lingering condition that is immune to the justies.

Anxiety is triggered far more easily than it can be shaken off. Marshal law and all the social transformations which have transpired since March are potent, culture-wide triggers.

I miss indecently exposed smiles and random acts of kindness more than words can say.

As @Mid suggested above, keep a journal for yourself and just write write write. There you might find out what has been bothering you more lately.

*Try* not to worry (yeah, right!). Yes, anxiety is normal in life. You are probably just going through something temporary, I don't know what... hormonal, thyroid, anemia.... all can cause anxiety. Have you seen your regular doctor and had blood work done lately?

You'll be okay. Anxiety won't kill you.... it's just so hard to deal with! But you can control it. Take some deep breaths and try to relax best you can.

@GirlinCalif

I have had several labs ran, including anemia and thyroid check. She didn't check my hormones checked, because of my age. I just feel like this isn't your every day anxiety. It's overwhelming, and never seems to go away. I'm supposed to start on the Effexor, but have to wait for her to call me back about proper instructions about dosage. I believe she will start me on half of a 37.5 mg. I just hope that I don't have the same reaction as I did with the Lexapro.

I have been keeping a journal, and have an appointment with my therapist today. I just feel like my normal self is fading away

Hi NickiJo (cute name, by the way),

Just wondering how it went with your therapist and did you get the dosing instructions on the Effexor. I completely understand you feeling nervous after what happened with the Lexapro, but Effexor is a completely different drug and I think it is worth trying it out. Half that dose is not very much... you can do this!!! It can take more than 4 weeks to feel the good part of these drugs, so if you can hang in there for one month, I think the drugs will really help you.

No, you don't need your hormones checked on a blood test. I just meant the normal fluctuation of hormones (especially in women) can cause more anxiety at certain times of the month. I'm basically saying that *some* anxiety in life is normal and I always have to try to keep myself calm and busy and just do my best to carry on each day... looking forward.

I would also ask, do you have things that keep you busy each day and hobbies that you like to do, distractions and projects that you are working on? Keeping busy is a quick fix for calming the anxiety. Also, taking a walk outside in the happy sunshine helps, too.

Let us know how you are. Best wishes.

HIya--I would say lexapro has probably been the hardest to get onto--but so far, for me it has had the highest rewards. I've taken zoloft and prozac--the zoloft made me happier-not so sure it did much for my anxiety--I don't think the prozac did much. everyone reacts differently---if the effexor gives you problems you may want to ask your doc about starting at a really low dose and moving up each week until you reach the right dose--that's how I got on zoloft years ago and lexapro this time. yup--morning anxiety is really common--even now I will occasionally wake up to my heart racing--so I just start deep breathing and it will resolve itself quickly.