Would Lexapro help or hurt?

I’m a 32 year old male who has low thyroid and low testosterone.

While my thyroid is being treated, my doctor and I have decided to
leave my testosterone alone. It is at the low end of normal.

We came to this decision because last year around this time, she tried
me on testosterone replacement therapy for a few months and I
completely fell to pieces. It started me on a downhill slide!

Since last year, I have been stricken with panic and anxiety. My panic
attacks can actually cause my blood pressure to increase from 110/65
(my norm) to 200/110. I’m now on beta blockers to help control this.
Of course, the beta blockers are not helping with my panicky thinking
– only my heart rate and I guess, the blood pressure.

My doctor also asked me to try Lexapro 10mg. I’m hesitant to do so
without reading more about it because I think this will make my
symptoms worse. To be clear, my symptoms seem to be like serotonin
spikes / overload (based on what I’ve read about serotonin)! So here
she is INCREASING serotonin - I just don’t understand the concept. She
said it would take 3 weeks to kick in, but again – I’m just really
hesitant (ok, I’m panicking over taking an anti-panic medication).

This is all confusing for me, because all this time I have been
believing that I had something wrong with my endocrine system that was
causing all my symptoms of blood pressure spikes, tachycardia, cold
hands, nervous thoughts, severe stomach bloating, etc. These attacks
seem to occur after eating a large meal – if I have any stress like a
bad phone call, sales person visit, etc.. I have had MRIs from head to
toe, scopes, blood tests for everything including carcinoid syndrome,
catecholamines, metanephrines, etc. and everything is negative. Not
even on incidentaloma on my pituitary or adrenals! The only thing they
found was that my morning ACTH and DHEA are sky high (ACTH was 111 and
isn't supposed to be over 60). My endo said this is a normal response
due to the stress that I'm under (with my panic disorder).

I have a diagnosis of GAD and panic disorder. I find this very
difficult to accept, because I always thought that I had control of my
thoughts. This really must be a chemical imbalance and I’ll just take
it at face value.

Problem is that I've been getting worse and worse for the past year. I
now don’t leave my house unless it’s to cruise around the hospital (if
I think I’m going to be sick).. whatever this is, it is ruining my
life. I am fearful of the blood pressure spikes, feeling like I’m
losing control, etc. but mainly – I just can’t get a grip on my
panicking. I realize most of my thoughts are irrational but this is
just so strange. I just start shaking, hands get cold, stomach blows
up.. its horrible.

Does any of this sound common?

Why would the testosterone be a factor? Why am I getting worse? I
seemed to have gotten worse as the testosterone wore off, but while I
had the testosterone, I couldn’t think AT ALL.. I was in complete
brain fog.

The bottom line is that I don't know if something like Lexapro is a
good long term treatment for me and further, I worry that if I take
one Lexapro, I might have a serotonin spike like never before. I don't
know if I could stand 3 weeks to become desensitized.

Any ideas? Thanks.

On Aug 26, 2:24*pm, Richard <sooperdoo...@cox.net> wrote:
> I’m a 32 year old male who has low thyroid and low testosterone.
>
> While my thyroid is being treated, my doctor and I have decided to
> leave my testosterone alone. It is at the low end of normal.
>
> We came to this decision because last year around this time, she tried
> me on testosterone replacement therapy for a few months and I
> completely fell to pieces. It started me on a downhill slide!
>
> Since last year, I have been stricken with panic and anxiety. My panic
> attacks can actually cause my blood pressure to increase from 110/65
> (my norm) to 200/110. I’m now on beta blockers to help control this.
> Of course, the beta blockers are not helping with my panicky thinking
> – only my heart rate and I guess, the blood pressure.
>
> My doctor also asked me to try Lexapro 10mg. I’m hesitant to do so
> without reading more about it because I think this will make my
> symptoms worse. To be clear, my symptoms seem to be like serotonin
> spikes / overload (based on what I’ve read about serotonin)! So here
> she is INCREASING serotonin - I just don’t understand the concept. She
> said it would take 3 weeks to kick in, but again – I’m just really
> hesitant (ok, I’m panicking over taking an anti-panic medication).
>
> This is all confusing for me, because all this time I have been
> believing that I had something wrong with my endocrine system that was
> causing all my symptoms of blood pressure spikes, tachycardia, cold
> hands, nervous thoughts, severe stomach bloating, etc. These attacks
> seem to occur after eating a large meal – if I have any stress like a
> bad phone call, sales person visit, etc.. I have had MRIs from head to
> toe, scopes, blood tests for everything including carcinoid syndrome,
> catecholamines, metanephrines, etc. and everything is negative. Not
> even on incidentaloma on my pituitary or adrenals! The only thing they
> found was that my morning ACTH and DHEA are sky high (ACTH was 111 and
> isn't supposed to be over 60). My endo said this is a normal response
> due to the stress that I'm under (with my panic disorder).
>
> I have a diagnosis of GAD and panic disorder. I find this very
> difficult to accept, because I always thought that I had control of my
> thoughts. This really must be a chemical imbalance and I’ll just take
> it at face value.
>
> Problem is that I've been getting worse and worse for the past year. I
> now don’t leave my house unless it’s to cruise around the hospital (if
> I think I’m going to be sick).. whatever this is, it is ruining my
> life. I am fearful of the blood pressure spikes, feeling like I’m
> losing control, etc. but mainly – I just can’t get a grip on my
> panicking. I realize most of my thoughts are irrational but this is
> just so strange. I just start shaking, hands get cold, stomach blows
> up.. its horrible.
>
> Does any of this sound common?
>
> Why would the testosterone be a factor? Why am I getting worse? I
> seemed to have gotten worse as the testosterone wore off, but while I
> had the testosterone, I couldn’t think AT ALL.. I was in complete
> brain fog.
>
> The bottom line is that I don't know if something like Lexapro is a
> good long term treatment for me and further, I worry that if I take
> one Lexapro, I might have a serotonin spike like never before. I don't
> know if I could stand 3 weeks to become desensitized.
>
> Any ideas? Thanks.

Hi there I have just joined group,I am on Lexapro 10mg 2 three times a
day,however, this is not for my severe panic-anxiety,its for my
Depression,Lexapro is an antidepreseant which motivates,stimulates,has
very rare if no symptoms,but Personally I would get a second opinion.I
was on Zannax Sorry Australian names 4 medication.10mg 2 3 times daily
for panic-anxiety till it is now non-available in Australia,I could be
wrong but I tend to agree with what your own gut instincts are telling
you.An anxious-Depressive perhaps if your depressed? But sounds like U
surely do not need more stimulation.My situation is a sticky one,I am
so paniky-anxious I often refuse to even get out of bed,I am
depressed,so I respond well to Lexapro,But to be honest with you,it
does nothing for my panic-anxiety.this I just have to somehow
tolerate.Good luck,my thoughts R with U & sending U strength.I type
using shortcuts as I am disabled.Ex Seniour Regristered Nurse.

"Sha1" <icefire9@bigpond.com> wrote in message
news:92ed0608-d4e6-48eb-bb07-8cf9cef59bc6@r35g2000prm.googlegroups.com...
On Aug 26, 2:24 pm, Richard <sooperdoo...@cox.net> wrote:
> I’m a 32 year old male who has low thyroid and low testosterone.
>
> While my thyroid is being treated, my doctor and I have decided to
> leave my testosterone alone. It is at the low end of normal.
>
> We came to this decision because last year around this time, she tried
> me on testosterone replacement therapy for a few months and I
> completely fell to pieces. It started me on a downhill slide!
>
> Since last year, I have been stricken with panic and anxiety. My panic
> attacks can actually cause my blood pressure to increase from 110/65
> (my norm) to 200/110. I’m now on beta blockers to help control this.
> Of course, the beta blockers are not helping with my panicky thinking
> – only my heart rate and I guess, the blood pressure.
>
> My doctor also asked me to try Lexapro 10mg. I’m hesitant to do so
> without reading more about it because I think this will make my
> symptoms worse. To be clear, my symptoms seem to be like serotonin
> spikes / overload (based on what I’ve read about serotonin)! So here
> she is INCREASING serotonin - I just don’t understand the concept. She
> said it would take 3 weeks to kick in, but again – I’m just really
> hesitant (ok, I’m panicking over taking an anti-panic medication).
>
> This is all confusing for me, because all this time I have been
> believing that I had something wrong with my endocrine system that was
> causing all my symptoms of blood pressure spikes, tachycardia, cold
> hands, nervous thoughts, severe stomach bloating, etc. These attacks
> seem to occur after eating a large meal – if I have any stress like a
> bad phone call, sales person visit, etc.. I have had MRIs from head to
> toe, scopes, blood tests for everything including carcinoid syndrome,
> catecholamines, metanephrines, etc. and everything is negative. Not
> even on incidentaloma on my pituitary or adrenals! The only thing they
> found was that my morning ACTH and DHEA are sky high (ACTH was 111 and
> isn't supposed to be over 60). My endo said this is a normal response
> due to the stress that I'm under (with my panic disorder).
>
> I have a diagnosis of GAD and panic disorder. I find this very
> difficult to accept, because I always thought that I had control of my
> thoughts. This really must be a chemical imbalance and I’ll just take
> it at face value.
>
> Problem is that I've been getting worse and worse for the past year. I
> now don’t leave my house unless it’s to cruise around the hospital (if
> I think I’m going to be sick).. whatever this is, it is ruining my
> life. I am fearful of the blood pressure spikes, feeling like I’m
> losing control, etc. but mainly – I just can’t get a grip on my
> panicking. I realize most of my thoughts are irrational but this is
> just so strange. I just start shaking, hands get cold, stomach blows
> up.. its horrible.
>
> Does any of this sound common?
>
> Why would the testosterone be a factor? Why am I getting worse? I
> seemed to have gotten worse as the testosterone wore off, but while I
> had the testosterone, I couldn’t think AT ALL.. I was in complete
> brain fog.
>
> The bottom line is that I don't know if something like Lexapro is a
> good long term treatment for me and further, I worry that if I take
> one Lexapro, I might have a serotonin spike like never before. I don't
> know if I could stand 3 weeks to become desensitized.
>
> Any ideas? Thanks.

Hi there I have just joined group,I am on Lexapro 10mg 2 three times a
day,however, this is not for my severe panic-anxiety,its for my
Depression,Lexapro is an antidepreseant which motivates,stimulates,has
very rare if no symptoms,but Personally I would get a second opinion.I
was on Zannax Sorry Australian names 4 medication.10mg 2 3 times daily
for panic-anxiety till it is now non-available in Australia,I could be
wrong but I tend to agree with what your own gut instincts are telling
you.An anxious-Depressive perhaps if your depressed? But sounds like U
surely do not need more stimulation.My situation is a sticky one,I am
so paniky-anxious I often refuse to even get out of bed,I am
depressed,so I respond well to Lexapro,But to be honest with you,it
does nothing for my panic-anxiety.this I just have to somehow
tolerate.Good luck,my thoughts R with U & sending U strength.I type
using shortcuts as I am disabled.Ex Seniour Regristered Nurse.


Hi.... and welcome to the group. Just a quick question... you said you
took 10 mgs. of Xanax 2 to 3 times a day??? SAY WHAT??

--

·.·´¨ ¨)) -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨))
Laurie
((¸¸.·´ ..·´
-:¦:- ((¸¸ ·.·

*~*LiveLoveLaugh*~*

All that I am or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.
~Abraham Lincoln

On Aug 28, 12:28*am, "~*LiveLoveLaugh*~" <nob...@myjunkaddy.com>
wrote:
> "Sha1" <icefi...@bigpond.com> wrote in message
>
> news:92ed0608-d4e6-48eb-bb07-8cf9cef59bc6@r35g2000prm.googlegroups.com...
> On Aug 26, 2:24 pm, Richard <sooperdoo...@cox.net> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > I’m a 32 year old male who has low thyroid and low testosterone.
>
> > While my thyroid is being treated, my doctor and I have decided to
> > leave my testosterone alone. It is at the low end of normal.
>
> > We came to this decision because last year around this time, she tried
> > me on testosterone replacement therapy for a few months and I
> > completely fell to pieces. It started me on a downhill slide!
>
> > Since last year, I have been stricken with panic and anxiety. My panic
> > attacks can actually cause my blood pressure to increase from 110/65
> > (my norm) to 200/110. I’m now on beta blockers to help control this.
> > Of course, the beta blockers are not helping with my panicky thinking
> > – only my heart rate and I guess, the blood pressure.
>
> > My doctor also asked me to try Lexapro 10mg. I’m hesitant to do so
> > without reading more about it because I think this will make my
> > symptoms worse. To be clear, my symptoms seem to be like serotonin
> > spikes / overload (based on what I’ve read about serotonin)! So here
> > she is INCREASING serotonin - I just don’t understand the concept. She
> > said it would take 3 weeks to kick in, but again – I’m just really
> > hesitant (ok, I’m panicking over taking an anti-panic medication).
>
> > This is all confusing for me, because all this time I have been
> > believing that I had something wrong with my endocrine system that was
> > causing all my symptoms of blood pressure spikes, tachycardia, cold
> > hands, nervous thoughts, severe stomach bloating, etc. These attacks
> > seem to occur after eating a large meal – if I have any stress like a
> > bad phone call, sales person visit, etc.. I have had MRIs from head to
> > toe, scopes, blood tests for everything including carcinoid syndrome,
> > catecholamines, metanephrines, etc. and everything is negative. Not
> > even on incidentaloma on my pituitary or adrenals! The only thing they
> > found was that my morning ACTH and DHEA are sky high (ACTH was 111 and
> > isn't supposed to be over 60). My endo said this is a normal response
> > due to the stress that I'm under (with my panic disorder).
>
> > I have a diagnosis of GAD and panic disorder. I find this very
> > difficult to accept, because I always thought that I had control of my
> > thoughts. This really must be a chemical imbalance and I’ll just take
> > it at face value.
>
> > Problem is that I've been getting worse and worse for the past year. I
> > now don’t leave my house unless it’s to cruise around the hospital (if
> > I think I’m going to be sick).. whatever this is, it is ruining my
> > life. I am fearful of the blood pressure spikes, feeling like I’m
> > losing control, etc. but mainly – I just can’t get a grip on my
> > panicking. I realize most of my thoughts are irrational but this is
> > just so strange. I just start shaking, hands get cold, stomach blows
> > up.. its horrible.
>
> > Does any of this sound common?
>
> > Why would the testosterone be a factor? Why am I getting worse? I
> > seemed to have gotten worse as the testosterone wore off, but while I
> > had the testosterone, I couldn’t think AT ALL.. I was in complete
> > brain fog.
>
> > The bottom line is that I don't know if something like Lexapro is a
> > good long term treatment for me and further, I worry that if I take
> > one Lexapro, I might have a serotonin spike like never before. I don't
> > know if I could stand 3 weeks to become desensitized.
>
> > Any ideas? Thanks.
>
> Hi there I have just joined group,I am on Lexapro 10mg 2 three times a
> day,however, this is not for my severe panic-anxiety,its for my
> Depression,Lexapro is an antidepreseant which motivates,stimulates,has
> very rare if no symptoms,but Personally I would get a second opinion.I
> was on Zannax Sorry Australian names 4 medication.10mg 2 3 times daily
> for panic-anxiety till it is now non-available in Australia,I could be
> wrong but I tend to agree with what your own gut instincts are telling
> you.An anxious-Depressive perhaps if your depressed? But sounds like U
> surely do not need more stimulation.My situation is a sticky one,I am
> so paniky-anxious I often refuse to even get out of bed,I am
> depressed,so I respond well to Lexapro,But to be honest with you,it
> does nothing for my panic-anxiety.this I just have to somehow
> tolerate.Good luck,my thoughts R with U & sending U strength.I type
> using shortcuts as I am disabled.Ex Seniour Regristered Nurse.
>
> Hi.... and welcome to the group. *Just a quick question... *you said you
> took 10 mgs. of Xanax 2 to 3 times a day??? *SAY WHAT??
>
> --
>
> ·.·´¨ ¨)) *-:¦:-
> * * * *¸.·´ *.·´¨¨))
> * * * *Laurie
> * *((¸¸.·´ *..·´
> * * *-:¦:- *((¸¸ ·.·
>
> *~*LiveLoveLaugh*~*
>
> All that I am or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.
> ~Abraham Lincoln- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

>-Hi Laurie,yes,there R 2 types,one 4 general use,which doesn't do much 4 true panick-anxiety,the one I was on was 4
>Severe Post Traumatic Stress,mainly given out 2 Souldiers in wars or ex-soldiers come back from wars,I am a war Vet.
>many docs don't tell you about these diferrences.Very hard 2 get the real Zannax.Became unnavailable in Australia due 2
>the war in Iraq.Then there are many generic versions which also are ratheruseless 4 panic-Anxiety,docs & Pharamicists >alike if one can get Zannax today,will get these pushed onto them,may as well B taking Jelly-Beans so tosay.Thanks >for your interrest.Zannax is from the Valium/Diazaphm family.Iwas also put on this with Valium because,Valium was the >original Muscle-Relaxant and first Anti-Epileptic medication invented,and I have many allergies that do not allow me to
>take anything else.I know seems a lot,but if really needed,does not cause drousiness.Valium without the proper Zannax >does-not prevent my grand-mal seziours.In fact I took myself to drug rehap thinking I could come off these meds,but >they told me; "We don't usually say this to people here,but in your case get out of here,you cannot ever come off these >meds".Damn Allergies,is what I went away saying to myself.May I ask why the ????.