2006-09-21 18:30:51 · 15 answers · asked by mommykins 1 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Unfortunately, panic attacks usually occur if you stop the medication. My husband had them, and his psychiatrist said his brain was missing certain chemicals the medications helped to replace. he compared it to a diabetic needing insulin. With proper medication you can live a fulfilling life, but it must be treated.
Do not consider this a problem brought on by stress that will go away if you could manage to be stress free. Stress can make the symptoms worse, just as in many diseases (heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes to name a few) but even without stress panic disorder is sill there. It is not a weakness on your part. If at any time it seems that your medication is not controlling, be sure to go back to your Dr. because through our lives our bodies sometimes change how they react to medications.
2006-09-21 18:42:36 · answer #1 · answered by mamasheilag 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I use to take Lexapro for panic attacks and it worked great. The only reason I don't take it now is because it caused a manic episode (I'm bipolar). There is a chance that Lexapro will work for you too. It may take 4 to 8 weeks to feel the full effect so give it time and if there is no improvement after about 2 months definitely let the doctor know. For me the panic attacks got worse before they got better so don't be startled by that. I wish you the best...
2016-03-17 23:54:42 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are good chances for getting off Lexapro. It is not addicting, but should be tapered off slowly under medical supervision.
The question is whether you are functioning better or not as well with the help with Lexapro. Some people try it without and realize how much it was helping them. It takes a while to determine this, because the medication stays in your system for a few weeks after terminating.
If you realize that you function better and feel better with medication, I see no reason to go without it. It is one of the safest anti-depressant medications available today with very few side effects and limited adverse reactions.
This is a valid question but the timing of when/if you stop taking the medication should be carefully considered with your doctor. Please don't try to determine this on your own.
2006-09-21 19:06:37 · answer #3 · answered by lynnemaria 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
im not an expert by any means.. but i took lexapro for a while not exactly sure how long for depression and panic... then i decided hey i dont have the money for this stuff so i stoped and that was a bad decision for me anyway.. sure for a while i was fine but now im so anexiety ridden (sorry i cant spell very well theres a high school grad for you lol) that i get physically ill to the point where i cant leave the house... i panic over the littlest things and am freaked out in general over stuff i cant control...but everyone is different there are some people who can get off certain medications and lead very effective lives.. what you could do is stop and see how it goes or talk to your doctor about it and see what he thinks... i would talk to your doctor about it since there are sometimes negative affects from stopping treatment... hope i helped some...
Missy
2006-09-21 18:48:31 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A few things to consider:
Firstly and MOST IMPORTANTLY definitely consult with your doctor about this - they are going to know your situation the best.
In my experience the SSRI medications, of which Lexapro is one, are fairly easy to taper off when it comes the right time. I must stress that you must GRADUALLY decrease the dosage, again in consultation with your doctor. Withdrawal symptoms are minimal if any if you do it properly.
You will be able to get off the medication one day, but it is so important that you determine a time when you're ready to. Also have you been having any therapy - such as CBT, exposure therapy? If you combine this with the meds at the beginning, then it will be easier to get off the medication in the long term.
Hope that helped! :)
2006-09-22 01:10:30 · answer #5 · answered by pola_pink_ocd 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am also taking it for 7 months. The drug doesn't cure any disorders, but it helps to manage our symptoms. What ever the doctors say you might have to take it all your life or till other better drug found. I am trying to switch to Bupropion XL because lexapro causes sexual side effects in me. I think Bupropion XL is the safest antidepressant ever made.
Escitalopram (Cipralex®) is a medication developed by the Danish pharmaceutical company Lundbeck, that acts as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). It is typically used as an antidepressant to treat depression associated with mood disorders, although it also may be used in the treatment of body dysmorphic disorder and anxiety, including OCD. In the United States, the drug is marketed under the name Lexapro® by Forest Laboratories, Inc.
Bupropion (amfebutamone) (brand names Wellbutrin and Zyban) is an antidepressant of the aminoketone class, chemically unrelated to tricyclics or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It is similar in structure to the stimulant cathinone, and to phenethylamines in general. It is a chemical derivative of diethylpropion, an amphetamine-like substance used as an anorectic. Bupropion is both a dopamine reuptake inhibitor and a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. It is often used as a smoking cessation aid.
2006-09-21 18:55:21 · answer #6 · answered by Ajeesh Kumar 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends. If this is the first time you have been treated for these symptoms, you should plan on one to two years of stability before weaning off. If you have been treated before, you may want to have several years of stability before getting off of it. When you do come off of it, you should taper slowly so that you will notice if any symptoms start to return when you decrease it. Before you stop it, think about the panic attacks and whether the benefits of taking Lexapro outweigh the side effects. Also, counseling is always beneficial for panic/anxiety disorders.
2006-09-21 18:34:53 · answer #7 · answered by schweetums 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
really depends on how bad your panic is,ive been on lexapro for 2 yrs now and before that i was on paxil.we have a good chance of being able to get off our meds it just depends on the person and how bad there problem is and when they would like to start taking a lower dose then finally be med free,always ask your doctor before lowering your dose or stopping your meds and never go off of them cold turkey,hang in there and good luck.
2006-09-21 20:59:51 · answer #8 · answered by magic 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Girl, I'm on lexapro and I'm scared to death to get off of it. You can't just stop taking it or you'll become suicidal. I wish I were on something else because when I first started taking it, I was suicidal. Turns out that's COMMON when first starting an anti depressant. Just go to your doctor and have them wean you off.
2006-09-21 20:33:07 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
ive been on lexapro and its precursor, celexa, off an on for the past 6 years. when my symptoms subside, my doctor weans me off. usually i can go 6-10 months before relapsing and going back on. but everyone is different
2006-09-21 20:35:52 · answer #10 · answered by srvivr_2001 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋