hi virginia, i have not personally tried lexapro but it sounds l...

hi virginia, i have not personally tried lexapro but it sounds like you, like me have developed and anxiety disorder through the chemically induced panic attacks. have you looked up the symptoms of GAD (generalised anxiety disorder) this describes the physical sensation of feeling anxiety every day. luckily there are ways to treat it that do not involve drugs. have you tried looking at the linden method? i used this in the beginning and although i did not follow it religiously it gave me enough understanding of the condition to be able to start fighting it on my own. i have been off yasmin since june and am not 100% cured but on a good day i feel 95% better than i did. i can sleep now without the constant sense of nervousness,i don't worry about the palpitations any more as i know they are not harmful it is just my body reacting to an odd thought that has crossed my mind. i do still get a little anxious about going shopping or being in the car for long periods of time but that is because i suffer from diarreah when i get nervous or have a panic attack!!! not very convenient in a car with no loo in sight! i often wish i was one of the people that vomits in a panic attack as that is more socially acceptable..charmin subject i know!!! but i do see the funny side of it (when i'm not in a car with no loo in sight!) have you thought about trying hypnotherapy or accupuncture,they are meant to be very good for anxiety,you could also look up eft (emotional freedom technique) it is based on accupressure but is a series of taps that you perform on yourself whilst repeating positive affirmations,i tried it,it was very relaxing.not sure if it helped but i felt stronger just knowing that i was doing something. please don't feel depressed just because your doctor gave you these pills,you know from experience they don't always know best...if they did they would never prescribe yasmin again! your doctors just do not have the time of the resources to be able to discuss all the different options and treatments with you,they just do what is quick and easy which is write you a prescription,that is their job but it does not mean it is right for you. you can recover from this,you are stronger than you realise,look how far you have come already.you can do this virginia,have faith in yourself. i read a book called feel the fear and do it anyway,it is not really about anxiety disorders but it really fills you with a sense of power about facing your fears head on,it gave me the strength to try and get my life back,life is too good to just give up on,we need to make the most of the time we have here,make it count and have fun!!!! i read a great poem the other day about someone making a speech at a funeral. they were talking about the headstone with the birth date and the date of death. they said that the most important thing about that stone is the dash between the dates,that is where your life is,what you do with it makes a difference to so many people. i thought that was so true,we can't waste our dash just because of some stupid pill and a set of memories and odd feelings!!! get out there and enjoy your dash virginia,leave the lexapro on the counter or take it back to your doctor and tell them you don't need their chemicals,you can heal yourself because you are strong! you'll be amazed at how much you can do if you stop listening to your fear,it can't hurt you,the worst that can happen is it may get the better of you and you have a panic attack...so what,you've had them before,it didn't hurt you,you didn't die. you may feel a little embarrased but so what,who cares,people are kinder than you think,they would probably help you if they saw you suffering,i know i would. if not so what,you are out there and you are doing it,who cares what people think,you are not likely to see most of them again anyway! i have been where you were and still am a little but i will not be beaten or waste my life and i'm sure you won't either. sorry if it sounds like i am preaching but i feel so strongly about this that i get a little carried away sometimes!!!!!!! all the best to you virginia. remember. love many,trust few, but always paddle your own canoe! life is what YOU make it......make it good again! sarah