new to medication - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Message Board

Megan H · 05-17-2004, 01:03 PM

I really really did not want to take medication. But things have gotten so bad. . . I went to the doctor today and was prescribed lexapro. I'm worried about taking it because I am VERY sensitive to medication (tylenol sometimes makes me throw up). I'm only going to start out at 5mg, but is this even enough to help? I also have panic attacks and horrible anxiety, mostly about all the horrible diseases I obsess over having. And my therapist thinks I'm depressed, even though I don't feel depressed? And I have TMJ, which I am making worse by being constantly tense and anxious. So does anybody have anything good to say about lexapro? What are the side effects like? I'm not to worried about the sexual side effects. I just broke up from a four year relationship, so a lower sex drive might actually be a good thing at this time in my life.

I'm pretty nervous about taking this first pill. Any feedback will be appreciated.

hayley0610 · 05-17-2004, 02:20 PM

omg you are just like me!!!! i cant believe it!! i dont feel sad but im always anxious and not a day goes by where i dont panic about someone or me getting ill!!! when i hear someone has a tummy ache i always think oh no they are gonna throw up or die or headaches it must be a tumout or what if this pain means ill have to have an operation how will i handle that?im scared of needles, stitches vomit being put under dentists, you name it!! so it seems ive obssessed about it so much i now have ocd, it seems the diff between me and others that have medical ocd is that i dont scrub my hands or really do anything to prevent me from getting sick i just worry im gonna be sick. i too had probs with meds and pls read before you take. i was given effexor 10 days ago and i havent touched it because after reading up on it i dont want to have the side effects. i had a terrible reaction 3 weeks ago to paxil and just from that 1 time it scared me!! soooooooo what i did was take something i had taken before that i was good on. my doc didnt think this was for ocd but after reading up on it it is. i also took zoloft and it agreed with me. i just started taking celexa on sat night and other than a bit of neasea and tiredness i dont notice much. i too cant really take tylenol cause i get high from it! and 1/4 of a gravol does the same and i hate those yucky feelings when im not in control of the problem. i too have tmj and wake up every day with a clicking sore haw which throughout the day i have to consciously try to keep from clenching, we sound very much alike and would like to talk with you more about this. i have never taken what u have now so i dont know but if you dont want to take it, then dont! go back and ask about the one im on maybe, but i will tell you as with other meds in this family when you decide to go off of it the withdrawal isnt very nice but u will get that with all of them. you should try meds tho because i think u are like me with a mild case of ocd and anxiety wchich is in turn causing depression. almost like u cant enjoy the things u use to cause you spend all your free thinking time worrying. but maybe try the drug im on as it is good for side effects and tell your doctor you dont feel comfortable taking it or maybe just try it once and see what happens, hope to hear back from you. btw what country u in?

Megan H · 05-18-2004, 05:32 AM

I took the lexapro last night. No side effects yet . . . aside from a little tiredness and a slightly upset stomach. Nothing I can't handle. I really really hope this helps me, because I've been in such a slump for so long. . . I just want to feel normal again. The doctor I saw seems to think that if I can get my anxiety under control, my TMJ will improve as I will be able to relax my neck and shoulder muscles, instead of being so tense all of the time. Oh, and I'm in the United States. Tennessee.
Megan

hayley0610 · 05-18-2004, 08:44 AM

well if you handled it ok then things should be fine. im glad you took the pill and i wish you luck with the results.

Megan H · 05-19-2004, 09:33 AM

Okay, I took a pill yesterday about 6pm. At first I was really hyper, then I got really sleepy. But when I got to bed, I couldn't sleep. Then when I got up this morning, I felt like I was going to pass out everytime I stood up. Can this be from the drug? I was very dizzy and lightheaded. And my vision seemed off, although that happens with the anxiety sometimes. Was this just an early morning panic attack? I still feel woozy and headachy, and a little drunk!!