I suffer from panic attacks and bi-polar disorder, my doctor has me on lexapro but it doesn't seem to work?

i've found through experience that only valium or xanax truly helps with my panic attacks. ive tried talking to my family doctor about prescribing me something to take when i feel a panic attack coming on but to no avail, he hasn't given me anything. lexapro makes me extremely tired, and i have no energy for anything, what other med's are good for dealing with panic disorder only? i need some help. thank you.

Hi Chainsaw:

I also suffer from Bipolar and Panic and actually more, buthere is what I wanted to say:

I took Lexapro years ago, with just constant increases in doses and just about every other psych med out there. I am difficult to treat medication wise as many of the meds I have previously been on or am on now are at or slightly above theraputic doses. But that is me and we all react differently to different treatments and medications.

Last fall I was started on Lithium. I did not like the way it made me feel at first and about 3 mos into the treatment, I started noticing many positive differences (except I do miss the drive from my severe OCD, but do not miss the OCD itself). I have noticed with my panic episodes, they are lessened in severity and I am in hopes until I get to the correct dosage for me that they will continue to lower in emotional severity.

This is a double bonus so to speak for treating Bipolar and many of it's accompanying diagnoses. I was terrified at first for taking Lithium but now I see that it is nothing to be afraid of. Yes you MUST be cautious with it, but the benefits with me have been nothing but positive.

I hope this helped a little for you and I know how you feel. i am an advocate of preventitive medicine myself.

If you need me, my contact info is in my profile. Please use it any time that you choose, I am usually around.

Be safe and be well

Hi,,, I have been on Lexapro for 2 years now. I take mine at night to escape the tired feeling. It took me about 2 weeks to a month to get it built up in my bloodstream. I was afraid to drive a car and was quickly becoming agoraphobic. I have to say it has changed my life in such a great and drastic way. The other meds you mentioned are just temporary fixes and you will still suffer from the panic attacks. I hope you can stick with the Lexapro, you will see a huge difference if you do.

First I would start seeing a psychiatrist. They are better trained to prescribe medicine for your conditions. Sometimes you might need a combination of meds. I take Prozac and Wellbutrin and it works fantastic for me. It took me several different tries on different meds, but going to someone trained for that specifically will really help. They will talk with you about an hour where a general practioner usually can only give you 15-20 minutes and a test from the drug companies. Good luck

St. John's wort brought me out of a dramatic bi-polar episode. I haven't had another one in seven years, as I continue to take it.

Also, do a google search on a product called Serenity. It's an advanced natural lithium that doesn't have the side effects seen with the prescription lithium.

Good luck and good vibes.

Kelley

I have PANIC ATTACKS at time too.
Listen, try Valerian Root. Natural Herb. I been taking it for years. Lay down and breath in and out to your lower stomach. Concentrate. Just do this a few times. it will relax you.
They do stink but the more they stink the better they work. Remember this is natural herb and will work naturally no buzz, no hang overs.
The drugs do more harm than help. You can get it at Wal-Mart about $4.00 plus.

Talk to your doctor only they know your whole case history and ask if you can try something else! It usually takes a few tries before you find the right meds! And if your doctor isn't listening to you find a new one. Try a psychiatrist they know these meds much better then a GP! Good luck!

My mom was on that and it didn't help untill she got her doseage right.... thats the thing that sucks about meds.... you always gotta wait till the doseage is right talk to him about maybe upping you mg?? Hope i helped..

Bipolar disorder - an affective disorder characterized by the occurrence of alternating manic, hypomanic, or mixed episode and with major depressive episodes. The DSM specifies the commonly observed patterns of bipolar I and bipolar II d. and cyclothymia.
There are actually 3 classes of Bipolar diseases....read about them.......then go to a Psychiatrist.....check it out.....

If you have Bipolar disorder and panic attacks, you really need to see a psychiatrist or psychologist instead of just a family doctor.....Don't get me wrong, your family doctor may be great; but they are not the best in treating these kinds of disorders.

Lexapro is not for Bipolar disorders.....you do need something for your panic attacks. There are some great medications out there. You will need to find a good psychiastrist and talk to them; they will help you to find a medication or combination of medications to best suit your specific situation after they determine exactly what type of Bipolar disorder you may be suffering from as there are different types.......the panic attacks actually go along with the Bipolar disorder.....

Also, I suggest journaling - it will help you to keep your syptoms in check and it will help you with the panic attacks also.......I have given this advice to a lot of people for lots of different reasons but I have done this for a long, long time and was told to do do by a Psychologist and it has helped me through so much.....
GOOD LUCK TO YOU....

Hi! I鈥檓 so sorry to hear you鈥檙e feeling bad. I had panics for 15 years and found a profound change as soon as I started Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. The key to making it work for me was really working and sticking at it. The following 3 steps eliminated my panic attacks:

1.Breathe properly - if you control your breathing, you control panic. As soon as you notice the signs of anxiety, check your breathing: breathe in slowly through your nose pushing your tummy out (to the count of 5 or so). Breathe out slowly and for a bit longer (to the count of 7 or so) through your mouth. Do not breathe rapidly or shallowly (in the chest area). This will soon restore the balance of oxygen and you will feel a lot better.

2. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy! CBT is proven to be the most effective thing for panic attacks and social anxiety. It takes a bit of work, but it is super effective. You can speak to your doctor about taking a course or you can take a course for free online at: http://www.livinglifetothefull.com/ It has been funded by NHS Scotland and has had great results thus far.

3. Try relaxation exercise tapes (progressive muscular relaxation). They really help if you practise often enough. This site has instructions on how to do it without the tapes (and other useful info): http://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/resource...

I hope this helps and you feel better soon. Don鈥檛 give up hope! Best of luck!

Hi,
you need to read this guide by anxiety expert Joe Barry , his methode has helped thousands of people to be panic free without any medication using a new technique, http://www.endpanicattacks.co.nr , its really a great guide , it should help you get rid of panic attacks forever in a few days
Hope this helps you and wish you the best of health