cpilotw
11-21-2008, 10:38 AM
Ok.
I was dx with fibromyalgia several years ago. I'm 21 years old (male) and a senior in college. I was put on lexapro since but haven't been taking it steadily because of several problems (no side effect issues). I started taking it in August again but ran out and had trouble getting it filled. Anyhow, I am on day 3 now (which , I am assuming since it had been a few weeks since I took it, then I'm back at square one...and given that I only had been taking it for maybe 3 weeks at that time). Yesterday, I had some side effects of teeth clattering and increased heart rate (anxiety?) when laying down. Is that normal and should I keep taking it?
I saw my rheumatologist yesterday and he said that the increase in my heart rate was just anxiety, but I am not sure. It has been making me a bit sleepy as well. Also, I am having some bothersome/mild-moderate pain in my wrists, hands and ankles. Could I have carpal tunnel too? I am going to see my other rheumatologist back where I go to school in about a week and a half.
So, bottom line heres what I need to know:
1) Day 3 of Lexapro - increased heart rate and/or anxiety normal? sleepiness? relaxed? and does Lexapro slow down reaction time?
2) Pain in hands, wrists and ankles...what helps to get rid of this pain...exercise? heat? cold? ...oh, i have slight pain in the neck too...maybe stiffness?
I was dx with fibromyalgia several years ago. I'm 21 years old (male) and a senior in college. I was put on lexapro since but haven't been taking it steadily because of several problems (no side effect issues). I started taking it in August again but ran out and had trouble getting it filled. Anyhow, I am on day 3 now (which , I am assuming since it had been a few weeks since I took it, then I'm back at square one...and given that I only had been taking it for maybe 3 weeks at that time). Yesterday, I had some side effects of teeth clattering and increased heart rate (anxiety?) when laying down. Is that normal and should I keep taking it?
I saw my rheumatologist yesterday and he said that the increase in my heart rate was just anxiety, but I am not sure. It has been making me a bit sleepy as well. Also, I am having some bothersome/mild-moderate pain in my wrists, hands and ankles. Could I have carpal tunnel too? I am going to see my other rheumatologist back where I go to school in about a week and a half.
So, bottom line heres what I need to know:
1) Day 3 of Lexapro - increased heart rate and/or anxiety normal? sleepiness? relaxed? and does Lexapro slow down reaction time?
2) Pain in hands, wrists and ankles...what helps to get rid of this pain...exercise? heat? cold? ...oh, i have slight pain in the neck too...maybe stiffness?
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Yvette D
11-21-2008, 10:52 AM
cpilotw I would see a different doctor asap. Whatever the problem may be is something you can't guess. Is it possible for you to see another doctor for a 2nd opinion? I hope so. Please let us know how you're doing after you see one. Good luck.
cpilotw
11-21-2008, 11:09 AM
Im going to see my other one back at school on December 1st. Why is it that you say that? Lexapro isnt slowing down my reaction time, I was just asking if it does?
Someone please help.
Someone please help.
1sunny1
11-21-2008, 12:03 PM
Lexapro did the exact opposite to for what the med is for, it made me so anxious and my heart wa beating so fast, I went to the nearest urgent care. I had to qut lexapro and take cymbalta.
Lexapro never made me sleepy, just the opposite. Also, it did not affect my hands, arms, etc. I agree that you should see another doctor.
Sunny
Lexapro never made me sleepy, just the opposite. Also, it did not affect my hands, arms, etc. I agree that you should see another doctor.
Sunny
cpilotw
11-21-2008, 12:32 PM
I just took my blood pressure...it was fine with a pulse of 69. Am i just anxious over what this medicine is going to do? Should I wait to see my rheumatologist on December 1st? Keep taking Lexapro?
Keep in mind, this is only day 3...should I call my dr? This is becoming frustrating.
Keep in mind, this is only day 3...should I call my dr? This is becoming frustrating.
1sunny1
11-21-2008, 12:39 PM
Yes, I would call the doc. They can put you on something else.
I called on day 2, it was just too much to take.
Sunny
I called on day 2, it was just too much to take.
Sunny
rosebuddy
11-21-2008, 04:14 PM
I don't really understand why you are on lexapro. Have you read the possible side effects and what to do if you experience them. I wouldn't suffer if i didn't have to. You can just try another med. when you get advice from your doctor
DeBeachSiren
11-22-2008, 06:06 AM
Hi,
I have good luck with my primary doctor and a pain management doctor. Rheumys, neuros, etc., did nothing for me. I've been with the 2 doctors now for 17 years and they do the best for me.
Side effects are always something to have to think about. Some of them are worse that what you started taking them for in the first place.
DeBeachSiren
I have good luck with my primary doctor and a pain management doctor. Rheumys, neuros, etc., did nothing for me. I've been with the 2 doctors now for 17 years and they do the best for me.
Side effects are always something to have to think about. Some of them are worse that what you started taking them for in the first place.
DeBeachSiren
cpilotw
11-22-2008, 06:44 PM
I called my Rheumatologist that I saw two days ago. I told the receptionist that answered and told her of my side effects: jittering, increased anxiety, increased heartrate but took my blood pressure and my pulse was around 70, etc. She told me she would call me back as soon as she spoke with my dr.
She called me back and told me the dr said for me to keep taking it and noted that the reason why is my body is trying to form with the drug and level out since I have never taken the drug regularly or as prescribed (always hesistated going forth with taking it several weeks into it). She told me he would be more than happy to call in Xanax or Alprazolam (0.5mg) for me....so I told her to do so.
Should I call my other rheumatologist on monday? my primary physician? If my rheumy thinks it's going to work out for me as i keep taking it, then I will. But, I just don't know.
This is frustrating. I really want to give this a chance, but again I just don't know when it is safe to say that this drug is not going to do the trick. What are some alternatives?
She called me back and told me the dr said for me to keep taking it and noted that the reason why is my body is trying to form with the drug and level out since I have never taken the drug regularly or as prescribed (always hesistated going forth with taking it several weeks into it). She told me he would be more than happy to call in Xanax or Alprazolam (0.5mg) for me....so I told her to do so.
Should I call my other rheumatologist on monday? my primary physician? If my rheumy thinks it's going to work out for me as i keep taking it, then I will. But, I just don't know.
This is frustrating. I really want to give this a chance, but again I just don't know when it is safe to say that this drug is not going to do the trick. What are some alternatives?
rosebuddy
11-22-2008, 07:35 PM
You know, I would. It just doesn't seem kosher to me to have to take a benzo to help your body adjust to the medication. JMHO
1sunny1
11-22-2008, 07:54 PM
I agree with rosebuddy, you need to get off that stuff and call your other doc. Another choice would be Cymbalta, it has not given me any side affects. There are other choices, but call the doc and ask.
Sunny
Sunny
cpilotw
11-23-2008, 09:31 AM
Thanks for the input. To further this dilemma, I called my rheumatologist who I go to when I am at school (home for the holidays now), and he said that I should keep taking the medicine and the reason why I feel increased anxiety is that I am at home (my mom passed away a little over a year ago here at the house) and as well as it being near holiday season. He also told me to take a warm bath/shower and try and relax. Seriously... you don't think I don't know that? I don't ever remember this medicine ever NOT giving me, what feels to be increased heart rate. I have been taking my blood pressure and yet my pulse appears to be NORMAL...maybe a little high blood pressure but not enough to say it is hypertension...not nearly at all. Anyway, when I saw him just almost a month ago, he told me to take the Lexapro (I havent been taking it regularly then) and also prescribed me Busperione to help me relax/sleep at night.
Well, the problem lies where my rheumatologist down here told me to take the Lexapro, and said that he hates prescribing Busperione (it has evidence to cause rage problems therefore he hadn't prescribed it in 15 years or so). So in turn, he prescribed Ambien to help me sleep at night. Then like I mentioned before, when I called him about my increased heart rate/anxiety, he prescribed me Alprazone (Xanax) to take 1-2 times/day as needed for anxiety to help me get through the "beginning stages of lexapro".
THEN, I called the pharmacy...she said that would discontinue this medicine and call the doctor...or to keep taking the lexapro wait to monday and get a second opinion (I already did...that's when I called my rheumatologist who I see when I am at school). She, too, mentioned that anxiety is a common side effect and is likely to take a few weeks to completely work FOR me.
I am just having so many mixed views/opinions that it's causing me more harm than good...so it seems anyway. I know my father sees a Pain Management Dr for his back...I'm really thinking about seeing him and talking to my primary physician about it.
I am so frustrated and feel like giving up. My wrists/hands/feet/ankles are really bothering me. I am afraid to go walking because I feel like I will hurt them even more. My neck is really stiff. I feel like I am breaking down and should belong to a junkyard. :confused:
Well, the problem lies where my rheumatologist down here told me to take the Lexapro, and said that he hates prescribing Busperione (it has evidence to cause rage problems therefore he hadn't prescribed it in 15 years or so). So in turn, he prescribed Ambien to help me sleep at night. Then like I mentioned before, when I called him about my increased heart rate/anxiety, he prescribed me Alprazone (Xanax) to take 1-2 times/day as needed for anxiety to help me get through the "beginning stages of lexapro".
THEN, I called the pharmacy...she said that would discontinue this medicine and call the doctor...or to keep taking the lexapro wait to monday and get a second opinion (I already did...that's when I called my rheumatologist who I see when I am at school). She, too, mentioned that anxiety is a common side effect and is likely to take a few weeks to completely work FOR me.
I am just having so many mixed views/opinions that it's causing me more harm than good...so it seems anyway. I know my father sees a Pain Management Dr for his back...I'm really thinking about seeing him and talking to my primary physician about it.
I am so frustrated and feel like giving up. My wrists/hands/feet/ankles are really bothering me. I am afraid to go walking because I feel like I will hurt them even more. My neck is really stiff. I feel like I am breaking down and should belong to a junkyard. :confused:
rosebuddy
11-23-2008, 09:58 AM
I would see a psychiatrist for the psych drugs. It isn't your rheumy's speciality. I get my pain meds from pain mgmt except I was prescribed cymbalta and lyrica by my rheumy, but couldn't tolerate the cymbalta due to urinary retention and the lyrica did nothing for me. I don't remember if we talked about ssdi, but the psych notes will help your chances when you apply.
DeBeachSiren
11-27-2008, 03:51 AM
Hi pilot,
Please don't give up. It's frustrating I know. Eventually you will find a good mix of treatment, that takes time. Hopefully you will be as blessed as I have been to have a primary doctor and pain specialist that work together.
Here's a hug.
DeBeachSiren
Please don't give up. It's frustrating I know. Eventually you will find a good mix of treatment, that takes time. Hopefully you will be as blessed as I have been to have a primary doctor and pain specialist that work together.
Here's a hug.
DeBeachSiren