Lexapro for Anxiety & effects on OSA

crazyone · Post by **crazyone** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 12:23 pm

I was taking Lexapro for my General Anxiety Disorder, but stopped because of a warning on one of the threads regarding not being a very good mix with having OSA.

Now I have a new problem: Now I can barely sleep at all with my Anxiety back in full force and the additional pressure of trying to make myself do the cpap every night. I lead a very stressful life and the Lexapro was the only medication that has ever worked in helping me keep the Anxiety under control. Now, I almost feel as if I'm slipping into depression from stressing out about it all. Does anyone here have any knowledge regarding Lexapro and its interaction with OSA.

Last night, I did not get to sleep until 4 AM and then of course was late for work. I ended up taking a xanax just to get some sleep. I hate having to do that. Please help.

MissAmethyst2U · Post by **MissAmethyst2U** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 12:29 pm

WOW I havnt ever heard anything abotu the Lexapro and not taking it cause of OSA. I would actually have to say that taking the Xanax with OSA is worse than the Lexapro. Now this is only MY opinion by what I know but like I know I used to take Ativan and well I was warned that the Ativan can be bad with OSA if not on CPAP and you have OSA cause it relaxes your muscles and body and all which in turn can cause more apnea's. I would think that the Xanax would be similar but as far as the Lexapro I see in MY opinion nothing wrong with taking that with OSA. I know at one point when my anxiety was severe and depression was a nightmare I couldnt have functioned without prozac. I think that if you are having that much trouble and it helps that much I would consider maybe talking with your sleep doc to see what they think and probably go back on it it if helps you. Good Luck!

crazyone · Post by **crazyone** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 12:34 pm

Thank you. That makes me feel a little better.

My mother takes ativan and has receommended that I try that inconjunction with my Lexapro due to the panic attacks I sometimes get and the fact that I do not like having to take the Xanax. Do you tend to take your meds at night or in the morning? Have you noticed a difference either way? I wasn't prescribed the Lexapro till after I began cpap, so I was hoping that meant my doctor knew what she was doing.

peg · Post by **peg** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 12:42 pm

You really should talk to your doctor before you stop taking your medication. If she prescribed it after CPAP, she probably didn't think that it would be a problem. If the meds help, don't stop taking them. Lexapro doesn't do anything to relax the muscles while you sleep.
Calling your doctor will answer your questions and give you some peace of mind so then you will be able to sleep.

Just my opinion of course.
have a great day!!!

MissAmethyst2U · Post by **MissAmethyst2U** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 12:49 pm

Well I am proud to say after 9 LONG yrs of battling severe anxiety (to the point docs gave up and refused to see me cause I was the worst case they had ever seen and didnt have a clue what to do for me) Couldnt leave my house, wouldnt even walk to the mailbox bad. Can now go and do just about anything and everything I want including finally going back to work outside my home I am med free! (So for anyone out there that thinks there is no hope trust me it is!!!) I do keep a bottle of ativan at home and in my purse just in case. Its a comfort thing my doc says. I always took like my Prozac in the morning well actually I was on an extremely high dose so I was taking two 20mg in the am, one 20mg at lunch and one at bedtime, Yes that is a VERY high dose of prozac. I got down to 20mg once a day and I took it in the am. My Ativan was as needed and I could take up to 2 mgs a day. At one point, the anxiety was so severe that I pretty much ate slept and my parents would make me take ativan pretty much cause I was sooo scared of everything that they couldnt even deal with me. Finally I was frustrated with it all and told my doc I wanted off all the meds cause the Ativan made me do nothing but sleep and I couldnt function. I went through routines of meds like this over and over for yrs.

As far as you not liking to take the Xanax, why if I may ask? I know Ativan is stronger I believe. At least it was for me. Xanax I dont remember working too great thats why doc switched me to Ativan. Ativan was a lifesaver for me. You can get addicted to it though and lots of docs don't like to prescribe it.

Yes, if you were prescribed the Lexapro after starting CPAP I see no reasoni to need to stop taking it. I really dont think there is any relation good or bad about Lexapro and CPAP...Again, now not using cpap and taking Ativan and maybe Xanax I could see having more apnea's but I think you are fine to take the Lexapro...

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crazyone · Post by **crazyone** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 12:57 pm

I do not like the Xanax because it seems to give me a hangover feeling. No headaches or anything, but just like this blah feeling. After I wake from it, I basically feel like I'm this zombie for about 4 hours afterwards and can't really think or fully function. That's why my mother is trying to get me to take a low dose of Ativan for the panic attacks.

After reading the replys here and going over a few other threads where I saw that others are on Lexapro with no complaints . . . .
I called Walgreens and got my refill supply ordered. I'm going to pick it up after work and get right back on it. I feel silly for stopping it and thinking I would still feel normal. I wish it didn't take a week to feel the full effects agains.

MissAmethyst2U · Post by **MissAmethyst2U** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 12:59 pm

Glad you got it straight and just wanted to say GOOD LUCK!!! Hope you start feeling better soon!

THier · Post by **THier** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 1:03 pm

Crazyone,

I know how you feel,, I am on Lexapro, stemming from wifes Bipolar disorder, and stress from work, and just not being able to deal with life in general, I was fine untill 35,(5 years ago) but everything has gone haywire.
Now I am told I have OSA, need a cpap, but I can't even keep the mask one for 1-2 hrs before I take it off (in my sleep). It takes me longer to get to sleep with the cpap, and I don't sleep any better, I can't get ahold of my Dr to get an RX for a machine with c-flex so I am now really up the creek. Almost ready to send unit back and hope for the best without it. Best of luck with your situation.

Tom

WillSucceed · Post by **WillSucceed** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 1:04 pm

Xanax (Alprazolam) and Ativan (Lorazepam) are both benzodiazapines and, as such, have some muscle relaxant properties. Neither is a great choice for the person with OSA, prior to bed.

I'm surprised that your Dr. would prescribe Prozac (Fluoxetine) for an anxiety disorder as one of Prozac's side-effects is anxiety. I worked on an emergency-department mental health crisis team for about 9 years prior to working where I am now. The Dr.s avoided Prozac for treatment of anxiety disorders and, for treatment of depression when there was a clear anxiety component, because of the possibility of Prozac-related anxiety. Often, they prescribed Paxil (Paroxetine) or Zoloft (Sertraline) to treat the anxiety and/or depression.

I'd really stongly encourage you to go back to your Dr. to get this sorted out. The anxiety is horrible, but so too is not sleeping well and feeling like crap the next day. I hope you have success sorting this out.

crazyone · Post by **crazyone** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 1:07 pm

Thank you!

You posts have really helped put my mind at ease. It's hard when you think your the only one that literally feels like pulling all of your hair out just to stop your brain from thinking about everything else. It nice to know that others with severe psychological problems have had success in overcoming their issues. Maybe that means there's still hope for me.

Thank you again.

crazyone · Post by **crazyone** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 1:11 pm

Will Suceed,
It was Miss Amethyst that was on the prozac - I was on Lexapro.
DId you have any experience will that on in your prior job?

peg · Post by **peg** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 1:13 pm

Crazyone,
Good for you. All of the before mentioned meds do help if taken properly. Anxiety can not be a good thing to go through all the time with out piling lack of sleep on top of it.
Good luck!

MsA,
Sounds like you are on the right road now. Isn't it a wonderful thing to feel good and good about yourself.

WillSucceed · Post by **WillSucceed** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 1:14 pm

Crazyone (I don't believe it...)
I know that my response covered 2 different people in this thread. I guess I was just being lazy by doing one post.
Anyway, to answer your question, no. I have no experience with Lexapro and, as such, have no words of wisedom (or otherwise). I'm sorry that I'm not able to be of more help to you.

Jan in Colo. · Post by **Jan in Colo.** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 3:37 pm

I take Lexapro right now and the only negative thing I'm aware of is that it is thought to be worse for Restless Leg Syndrome or Periodic Limb Movement, which I have. Not bad for OSA. So my doctor switched me to Cymbalta in an effort to improve my RLS, etc., but I'm having trouble getting my insurance to agree on that. In the meantime I'm still taking my Lexapro and not noticing any problems. The initial sleep study also indicated that when my apnea episodes got too long, my legs would kick to wake me up, so with CPAP treatment, those dang legs of mine ought to calm down a bit anyway.....

Anyway....I don't think Lexapro has anything to do with OSA, and especially wouldn't be a problem with TREATED OSA.

Jan in Colo.

stohje · Post by **stohje** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 8:17 pm

WillSucceed wrote: I'm surprised that your Dr. would prescribe Prozac (Fluoxetine) for an anxiety disorder as one of Prozac's side-effects is anxiety. I worked on an emergency-department mental health crisis team for about 9 years prior to working where I am now. The Dr.s avoided Prozac for treatment of anxiety disorders and, for treatment of depression when there was a clear anxiety component, because of the possibility of Prozac-related anxiety. Often, they prescribed Paxil (Paroxetine) or Zoloft (Sertraline) to treat the anxiety and/or depression.

I'd really stongly encourage you to go back to your Dr. to get this sorted out. The anxiety is horrible, but so too is not sleeping well and feeling like crap the next day. I hope you have success sorting this out.

Hey Willsucced,
I am a pharmacist and was curious if you have witnessed patients on Prozac experiencing anxiety first hand. It seems odd to me since Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, etc. are all SSRI's and have the same mechanism of action, but do have different indications. I think Paxil was the first for social anxiety disorder and I think Fluvoxamine is still the only one for Obsessive compulsive disorder, for instance. But just because they have different indications does not mean Doc's will not prescribe them for other reasons. Prozac is commonly prescribed for anxiety and anxiety related disorders. Which is not to say that people can't experience anxiety because of it, everyone reacts differently to medications, which is why there are so many choices of anti-depressants (that and it's a lucrative market for the drug companies).

Crazyone,
DO NOT STOP TAKING LEXAPRO WITHOUT CONSULTING YOUR DOCTOR

Best wishes,
jrs

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