Persistent Anxiety: Advice Needed - Anxiety Message Board

pal7778 · 08-19-2005, 11:29 PM

I was referred here by some on the high blood pressure board: I have very high blood pressure when unmedicated, am 54, and don't seem to have any other major health problems--and until recently avalide and tiazac have controlled my bp well. About seven weeks ago I started, almost out of nowhere, to have uncontrollable and unfocused anxiety--it would grab on to anything--health, work, my wife, daughter etc. I started to imagine I had all sorts of dread diseases--including impending kidney failure, advanced diabetes etc. (no truth to either, obviously). I would be filled to the point of shaking with worry and guilt about things that I barely gave a thought to before. Twice anxiety alone pushed my systolic bp over 190 and my pulse over 110 and I ended up in the ER. The 2nd time xanax alone brought it down to normal very quickly. Things are so bad that I can barely function and really can't do my job--which involves reading, writing, speaking, and having long focused conversations. My friends and relatives both sympathize
and are fed up with me. Finally, I recently went to my regular doctor about this. He prescribed Lexapro--which immediately made me worse. (It turns out that's to be expected, I guess; it's alleged good effects kick in over the weeks.) I was so badly off he added xanax--which I've been taking twice a day for the last week or two. It certainly works, but turns me into a very tired Zombie for the whole day. (Actually, a couple of large glasses of wine also works pretty well, and I'm ashamed to say that a single glass of wine while still under the influence of xanax works best. I've never understood why anyone was driven to drink until this kicked in.) Given my symptoms, what is the likelihood that Lexapro will eventually do the trick? Is it dangerous? Obviously xanax isn't a long-term solution. How dangerous is it? Most importantly, can any of you help me out with any other ideas. I'm pretty desperate; this really hit me out of nowhere and I need to break out of it. I'm also pretty sure, given how unfocused this is, that seeing some psychologist etc. wouldn't help me much.

hry33 · 08-20-2005, 12:57 PM

hi pal,

sounds like hypochondria, look this up on the net

the lexapro should eventually help by relaxing you and reducing the anxiety, if xanax makes you tired, reduce the dose

the best BP meds for you are the beta blocker type as they alone reduce some physical problems from anxiety

people with your problems sometimes get help from religion

kramsrednuas · 08-20-2005, 02:25 PM

Hey Pal I can empathize with your plight. I'm 34 and am going through the same thing. I was also prescriped the lexapro along with Ativan (I think it's bit milder than Xanax) I tried the Lexapro for 3 days but the side effects made my "hypochondria" even worse. I'm still taking the Ativan but I replaced the Lexapro with St. Johns Wort, my wife is one of those all natural types. When you think you're dying of Hodgkins or HIV, you do not want nauseau, diarreah, dizziness etc. (side effects) To be honest I'm not sure if the St. Johns is working, I think it's a faith thing. It will work if you believe in it.

pal7778 · 08-21-2005, 03:18 AM

Thanks for those responses. The trouble is it's not just hypochondria; my anxiety is constant and attaches to anything. In fact, since I've gotten checked out by the doctor, the hypochondria stuff has declined, to be replaced by other worries. I'm obsessed about every conceivable part of my future and every one of my many shortcomings and mistakes. My own experience so far is that Lexapro is worse than worthless--but I'm still giving it more time. I wish religion did help; I'm trying to work on it some. I'm afraid of the rebound effect of beta blockers and the side effects, and my dr. rarely prescribes them.