My latest thing is to wake up with the shakes? I know it's my anxiety. I sit up first thing to check how my day is going to be. I hate the shakes, anybody have any ideas how to get rid of them?

Hi Lin,

I had this when my depression/anxiety were very bad. I could hardly raise a glass to my lips without spilling, and when I held out my hands to do anything, they just shook so badly.

It was always more of a morning problem. I went on the anti-depressant Lexapro, and it helped with that pretty quickly. I notice it can come on again if I drink caffeinated coffee, so have switched to only decaf.

Taking 1/4 of an Ativan (similar to Xanax) in the morning helped calm the shakes down until the AD kicked in.

Good luck with this - I know how tiring it is to feel so shaky.

Jacquie

Jacqui,
How long did it take for the Lexapro to kick in? I'm thinking of trying this but, historically, I suffer HORRIBLE side effects (to include panic) from SSRIs. Lexapro is about the only one I haven't tried. I'm just asking because I may have to take a leave from work in order to get on this medication.
Christine

Lin, I'm right there with you. I wake up every morning with the shakes. It's just awful, I know. I just started taking Buspar out of desperation, which is an anti-anxiety drug, not really an SSRI, so I'm told. I just started it last week with a half does, and am now on a full dose. It makes me feel weird and lightheaded in the morning, but the evening pill doesn't seem to bother me. I don't have the extra nervousness that the other drugs caused.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to the day when I am a well-seasoned, wise old girl and this is all history. I'm trying so hard not to let it affect my life, but it's very difficult. Hang in there! You're not alone!

Hugs,
Meryl

Hi Christine,

People differ in how long it takes them to respond to medications, but for me, it really took 6 weeks to begin to see a difference with the morning shakes. I wasn't really in good condition until the 4th month. Yet I've know people who respond by 3 weeks.

My doc told me that Lexapro is closest in its chemistry to Zoloft, but has fewest side effects of all SSRI's. I haven't had any problems on it, but again, we're all different!

The morning shakes are hell- I so understand what you're going through!
Hang in there - it's going to pass!

Jacquie

P.S. Meryl, you're already a wise "young" girl!!