Help for Anxiety

[RWG]

I took two Lexipro pills about a month ago.  Within two hours of taking them I feelt like I had drank 10,000 cups of coffee.  Now it has been a month and I still feel like this.  I wake up trembling and shaking.  That is on the mornings that I have slept.  I have had a sleep problem for my entire life and have always had to self medicate to go to sleep.  I never really felt all that nervous, but I must have been somewhat nervous because of the sleep problem. I never really felt nervous, just tired.  The Lexipro can't still be in my system, but I am feeling more depressed and nervous as time goes on.  I went to a psychiatrist that specializes in sleep disorders and he prescribed 50mgs. of Seroquel which has done absolutely nothing to help.  I am obsessed with this anxiety and now depression and need help.  Has anyone heard of ssri drugs bringing on anxiety that won't go away. I have read other postings on these kind of drugs causing anxiety and depression, but I only found one person other than me that these feelings won't go away. The thing that angered me the most is that the doctor gave me the Lexapro because I told him I was having trouble sleeping.  I was awake for three days after taking this.  I had a similar experience with another ssri, Zoloft, but it didn't last this long or was it as severe. I have to find help, but know of nowhere else to turn.

[sue-aloo]

I have heard of anti-depressants making people very anxious.  I am not a doctor, but it seems to me that you need an anti-anxiety medication, not necessarily an anti-depressant.  I have both depression and anxiety.  I take paxil for depression and buspar for anxiety.  Medications work differently for all people.  Get to a good pyschiatrist and let him diagnosis you and give you the right medication.  Good luck and keep us posted.

[sue-aloo]

Meant to also say that I used to wake up with the shakes and heart pounding out of my chest.  Horrible feeling.  Buspar is what helped me.  Best to you.

[chcnme]

Hi R, sorry you're having such a rough go.  It's strange how different AntiD's can affect people differently.  They put me on Lexapro 10 mg one time (for depression and to help with fatigue).  That stuff knocked my lights out.  I think I lasted less than a week on it and said "no more".  With the reaction you had, if I were you, I wouldn't ever attempt Lexapro again, and I'd be careful with any SSRI they might suggest. If the Seroquel isn't working, I'd tell them.  I'm sure you have, but - I'd tell em again :)  

Juggling the psych meds can be a job, and it can exhaust you, too.  No sleep (or lack of it) can be debilitating.  I hope things begin to get better for you soon.  I hate to sound so "simple" with a possible way to help, but - exercise (walking, a few miles a day) might help you with the sleep.  

Best of luck.  Happy New Year!

[RWG]

Thanks, I appreciate the comments, but as far as exercise goes I swim two miles a day.  Before my knees got bad I used to run anwhere from five to seven miles a day, and couldn't sleep then either.  I used to have flurazapam for sleep, but that became ineffective.  Ambien, Sonata, Roserem, and Lunesta don't work at all.  The sleep psychiatrist gave me high hopes with the Seroquel, anb it is possible that I am taking too low of a dose.  I have read where some people take 200mg or more just for the insomnia.   I am taking 50mg.  At 6'4" and 225lbs. that might be too low of a dose.  After the bad experience I had with the ssri's I think he wanted to be cautious about the amount he started me on.  So I sit in the hot tub, take the Seroquel, and have several glasses of wine, and that works, but I can't (or shouldn't) drink several glasses of wine every night plus take meds to get a nights sleep.

[chcnme]

It sounds like you've been through the meds trying to get relief / help.  Alcohol (wine) is a stimulant and a depressant.  It can cause insomnia especially if consumed at night. With the psych meds, too, even small amounts of it can bring a mixed bag reaction - depending on the med and the patient. If the wine isn't helping you sleep, you might want to try "no wine at night."  Might help!

[RWG]

Tried that.  Eyes open all night.  With the wine or other alcohol I fall asleep.  Once asleep I have no trouble staying asleep.  It's just initially falling asleep that is my problem

[nygrl]

Have you tried Melatonin? It's completely natural, and I find it to be helpful in getting to sleep and staying asleep. Check it out on the web, you can buy it pretty much anywhere.