Serious Issues

[tomorrowisanotherday]

I am a 41 year old female.  I have had generalized anxiety disorder for as long as I can remember but for the past three months I have been suffering from severe panic attacks.  I have had every physical anxiety symptom you can name to include cold hands, cold feet, numbness of the hands and feet as well as lower legs, facial numbness, palpitations, etc.  Began seeing a counselor as well as psychiatrist and am trying to do all of the right things as far as treatment.  My psych wanted me to try Lexapro.  Tried it and IT ABOUT KILLED ME!!!!!  I had panic attacks one right after the other on it and told him I didn't want to take it.  Well the symptoms improved about two weeks ago and I was doing fine and now it's back.  Only this time, the physical symptoms of it are worse.  My legs are killing me.  From my hips down, I have numbness, tingling, severe muscle cramps and pain, feelings of hot spots and cold spots on my legs.  Now I am torn between wondering if this is part of the anxiety or if I have some kind of neuromuscular disease.  I take an occasional Xanax 0.5mg which helps but I don't want to have to up this medication or stay on it for an extended period of time.  My questions are these:  1.  Has anyone had the severe leg symptoms I described above and 2.  Has anyone had luck with other medications besides Lexapro or Xanax?  Thanks for your support and I look forward to being a part of this forum.  Anxiety and Panic is destroying my life at this point and It's nice to talk to people who don't think that you're "CRAZY".  

[VicZag]

I'm sorry you haven't found a medicine that works for you yet.  I'm still adjusting to the Lexapro.  I wish it were an exact science.  I have never personally tried Effexor, but my mother takes it.  She told me the other day that her major complaint regarding it is that it makes her sweat like crazy and makes her feel hot.  But, she also said that effect wears off after she's been taking it for a while.  So, maybe the hot feeling the Effexor gave you will calm down soon.  Also, they are supposed to be coming out with a new version of Effexor XR that is "cleaner", meaning it has less harsh side effects.  I'm not sure when that is, but my aunt, who is an internist, mentioned that to my mom.

I also take Xanax (.25 mg, 3 times a day if needed).  I think anyone who takes Xanax is scared of eventually becoming addicted to it.  Have you tried beta-blockers for your panic attacks?  My aunt and father (who is a surgeon) have both suggested those for me to take when I feel a panic attack coming on.  I haven't tried them yet, but my aunt suggested Inderal.  Maybe that's something you can talk to your doctor about.

I hope you find something that gives you some relief soon!  Lord knows we are all looking for that.  Keep my posted on how you're doing.

[tomorrowisanotherday]

Thanks for your comments.  I, too, just had a **** load of labs ran yesterday, all of which have come back normal so far.  Still waiting on the results of the ANA and rheumatoid factor as well as SED rate.  Magnesium levels are good which was one concern of mine with the muscle cramps.  Meanwhile, I took my first Effexor last night.  No luck with that one.  Woke up at 1:00 a.m. this morning feeling like my skin was burning and eventually had to sit over the air conditioning duct to get cool.  Bascially had the panic attack from He** from it.  I can't seem to find a medication to work for me.  Lexapro threw me into major panic attacks and now the Effexor did also.  The only thing that even remotely works to control is Xanax and I sure as heck don't want to get addicted to that.  I'm wondering now if I should try Wellbutrin.  At this point, I would try anything to get relief.  

[VicZag]

I went to my physician today and described the cramping sensations I have been having in my arms and lower legs.  She did not say it was from the Lexapro.  Instead, she sent me to get some blood tests done to rule out things like rheumatoid arthritis, Lupus, etc.  I just had them done a couple hours ago and should get the results in a week or so.  She also told me that the symptoms could be due to leading a very active lifestyle (I've played competitive soccer my whole life) and that the muscle and joint pain could just now really be catching up to me.

So, it seems that the cramping sensations are NOT being caused by the Lexapro, which is what I figured would be the case.  My physician did suggest that I try taking Aleve to relieve some of the pain since it works for 12 hours.  

And I completely understand how you feel.  The physical symptoms are driving me crazy, too!  Hang in there.  I would suggest talking to your physician about your physical symptoms--maybe that will shed some light on what exactly is going on.  Good luck and let me know how you're holding up!

[tomorrowisanotherday]

And best of luck to you.  All of these physical symptoms are driving me nuts.  LITERALLY........I can handle the emotional and mental symptoms but to have to have body aches, numbness, etc. is really doing a number on me.  Good luck to you also and let me know what your doctor say about Lexapro.  

[VicZag]

I have been taking 10 mg of Lexapro for about 3 and a half weeks now because of my anxiety and mild depression.  I can relate to how you're feeling regarding your leg pain.  Lately, I have been having these cramping sensations that go from my forearms into my wrists and hands and from my lower legs into my ankles and feet.  I haven't seen any actual physical cramping of my feet or hands, but the best way to describe the pain is as a "cramp."  The pain hasn't been severe and hasn't kept me from doing anything, but the fact that it's there definitely worries me.  I, like you, am scared that these symptoms are signs of something much worse than anxiety.  My latest fear is that I have MS (which I can even admit sounds dramatic).  Although the mental part of me says that it's just anxiety, the emotional side takes over and the fear of having something terrible sticks in my head.

I personally do not feel like the cramping sensations are a side effect of the Lexapro.  I am seeing my general physician (the one who prescribed the Lexapro) tomorrow morning and am going to tell her all about my physical symptoms.  I'm hoping she will be able to shed some light on what's going on!  I will keep you posted on what she says.

Best of luck to you!

[tomorrowisanotherday]

Thanks for your reply to my issue.  I appreciated any support I can get!

[cnote]

25 Male. I suffer from anxiety.

Sounds like anxiety to me. Just remember, as bad as it is, remember that it will get better. Remember all the times you didnt feel like this... and you will soon feel like that again. =) Do not fear another panic attack or anxiety... that is the vicious cycle.

I take Lexapro, 5mg... very low dose... and Lexapro is actually a VERY MILD anti depressant, for anxiety and depression.

I don't know if one pill can actually cause those symptoms? Do you really think it was the Lexapro, or your cognitives about taking that one pill?

I know Lexapro can cause a little side effects at first, but nothing too extreme usually... maybe like tiredness... and vivid dreams... and I do have a sexual side effect from it.. but it's heaven compared to my anxiety.

But it may not be for you. I'd talk to your Dr. more about other options.

Hang in there, and welcome to the club. =) We do stick together!

[tomorrowisanotherday]

Thanks for your comment!!!!  We all have to stick together.  I've decided that unless you've been there, other's really have no clue what we live with.  

[boogie2]

Yes, I know and understand exactly what you are going through.  Five years ago-----several teachers that I teach with were taking Zoloft and it really helped them.  So, I thought I'd join the crowd and asked my doctor is she would prescribe Zoloft.  ONE PILL, that is all it took for me to go over the edge.  I went crazy with severe anxiety.  It took two months to get out of my system.  It was awful.  Could you ask your doctor to give you something else?  Hang in there we are here for you.