My Story and My Questions for Other Members

[chance]

Hello,

I am new to the forum but after reading some of your stories, I thought I would become a member and tell you about my experience with GAD and PD.

I am a healthy nineteen year old but about a month ago, I thought that was about to change. I lost my virginity and then two nights later I started having a shortness of breath. I thought it was just normal so I went to sleep. I woke up the next morning and I started having the symptoms of a panic attack. A really bad one. It went away after a few hours but I occasionally had the shortness of breath. I experienced the same problems for three days and then I went to the doctor. He gave me a urine test and it came back good and he told me I was suffering from very bad anxiety. He prescribed me some medication and I went home. Two days later, I had a really bad panic attack and I thought I was dying so I went to the emergency room. The triage nurse told me she suffered from the same thing and to just relax. I finally saw the doctor and he ordered a chest x-ray, EKG, and a blood test. All came back normal and he sent me home. Well, I went back to the doctor the next week to let him know and he prescribed me something else due to the fact the first medication didn't work. I went home and my aunt's sister works at a neurology office so I set up an appointment to see the neurologist. Well, it turns out he had GAD/PD throughout his life and he told me that's definitely what my problem was. He prescribed me Lexapro and I have yet to take it because I am afraid it's not anxiety and by taking the meds I am going to get sick.

Well I am still having the occasional aches and pains, mainly in the temples of my head but also all over my back. That has me worrying about possibly having cancer or something. I still have the breathing problems and sometimes I worry because I think my hands are turning blue or something. My hands tingle sometimes and I have this weird taste in my mouth. Is all of this normal for anxiety?

Anyways, is Lexapro good to take and for those that have, has it had any weird effects?

[jcp]

Lexapro worked for me, but I stopped taking it because it had a few weird side effects.  I gained weight on it, and know it was due to Lexapro because I had been the same weight for years.  It also had a few sexual side effects which I am sure are not that important to you since it doesn't sound like you are in that type of relationship.  Try it out, it was not that hard to wean off of, just start at maybe the smallest dosage?

[Crankcase]

How much weight did you gain and how long were you on it?

[Bandages]

these are all classic symptoms of anxiety. shortness of breath, the constant worrying, false perceptions, odd taste in mouth, AND ESPECIALLY the soreness in your back and the headaches. those are the two hugest ones that i think all anxiety sufferers get. i get pain in muscles i didnt know about for no damn reason some days.

i was on lexapro for a month or so, but i threw it our because it made everything alot worse... the panic attacks and the anxiety. and it even threw a few curveballs in there like nightmares, extreme depersonalization/derealization, and horrible sleep when i did get it. not to say that these things are going to happen to you and its not gonna work, i just had a horrible time on lexapro and its cousin drugs.

just my input and my take on things.

-Clark

[itsmeesindee]

Lexapro works great.  The thing is you must start out on a very low dose (usully half of what the doc prescribes) then slowly work your way up to a therapeutic level.  It can initiallly make your anxiety a bit worse until your body becomes adjusted.  Your doc can give you a fast acting anxiety med to help you through this short period.  I have to tell you it is well worth the initial sideeffects as they will go away and then you will be anxiety free. 

Cin