Lexapro for anxiety?

Hello everyone. I just found this forum today and forgive me if I am posting in the wrong place. I'm just learning how to navigate around on this site. I've suffered from extreme anxiety all my life. I had been on Prozac for about five years with good results. Thinking I no longer had anxiety, I stopped taking it about four years ago. Lately my anxiety has come back full force so I decided to go to the doctor. She put me on 10 mg of Lexapro to start with. My anxiety is at its worst in the early morning hours when I first wake up, where irrational fear of anything and everything happening in my life rears its ugly head. I will often be afraid that I have some illness for even a minor problem, such as a rash. I quickly start googling my symptoms which only results in more panic when I read about possible diseases. You name the illness and I've imagined I have it. Then, panic sets in very quickly where I feel I can hardly breathe. Anyway, my question is, for this type of panic and anxiety that I experience, do people think Lexapro is a good choice? Any insight would be appreciated!

Waking up to extreme anxiety is normal. When I would start suffering from symptoms, I'd wake up, feel good for, like, one second, and then the feelings of anxiety would take over. Lexapro is an overall good anti-anxiety med. Many here, including me, have had great success with it and a combination of Xanax for instant relief.

Lexapro you take everyday so it builds in your system and gives you long-term relief.
Xanax you take when you absolutely need it. It doesn't build in your system, but it'll give you instant relief when you have a panic attack.

Follow what your doctor says, but definitely ask about it!

Hi Sally and welcome!

I am sorry to hear of your returning anxiety but glad to see you are taking a pro-active approach and getting the help that you need.

As mentioned above, your anxiety should start to subside soon, as therapeutic levels are reached with the Lexapro. Until then, you can ask for an as needed benzodiazepine for the panic attacks if they continue to be difficult to manage.

You should also have a look in the below link, our Resources. You will find all sorts of great self-help material there...including videos for shutting down an attack...stress relieveing exercises for lowering anxiety in general...and health anxiety related coping skills.

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=9&m=104206

Keep posting with us as well. We understand, care...and support is key!

Talk to you soon,

S.C.

Hi

Welcome to the forum.

Sorry to hear you have been dealing with anxiety.

It sounds to me like you are suffering with health anxiety which a lot of us myself included suffer with so we understand what you are going through.

Have a look at our resources thread for some useful links to HA self help and speak with your doctor about getting a referral for some talking therapy such as CBT. The main thing with HA is to not google your symptoms as you have already found out what happens. I have also convinced myself that I have had all sorts of serious illness and have let my anxiety take over but you can get your life back it takes a bit of work but worth the time and effort.

As for Lexapro I think that is a great choice as imo it works really well on anxiety and 10mg is the target dose.

Keep us posted.

Hibee

SM,

We are glad you found us too! Keep posting anytime for sharing and support!

S.C.

I have great results on Lexapro 10mg! I was on for 7 yrs & took a 3 yr break-plan to never do that again-I have my life back. I hope you have the same results! It took 3 weeks before I saw a significant change. Takes ~6-8weeks for full therapeutic effect. Hang in there!

Keep us posted Sallymac, we've been there and are rooting for you!