I’ve had burning scalp and skin for 3 weeks after leaving hair dye on too long. My doc thinks it’s anxiety or the nerves in the scalp are having polyneuropathy so she started me on lexapro. I was on 5mg for 7 days and started 10mg today. It made my burning worse all over my body. Could feel the burn travel from scalp to legs. I called doc and she told me to stop taking it. I have Xanax to help. I am sure freaked out about all this burning sensations. Sometimes it feels like someone pokes me with a toothpick in my scalp. I took more b12 drops and that made it worse. I’m not going to take anymore lexapro. Please, can someone tell me why the burning is relentless. It’s making me even more anxious and want to jump out of my skin. I feel very fragile. Please can someone offer advice. Thank you.
Bad day today - burning skin & Lexapro
- Thread starter Jordan
- Start date
I am at week 2 of Lexapro and having burning in my chest and back. I think the burning sensation is caused by extreme anxiety, for me at least. I feel like garbage on the Lexapro. I called my doctor this morning and he said give it a couple more weeks because thats when I will know if it is working. I will try to stick it out, but I was planning to stop today.
I think anxiety causes symptoms and then we hyper focus on them and they get way way worse and it's all we think about. That's why I want to try to stick out the Lexapro. I don't want to miss any benefits I might get by quitting too soon. My anxiety makes me feel horrible too, so whats a couple more weeks I guess.
I hope you feel better soon, and try guided meditation (Honest Guys have some good ones online), and after a few weeks it might help too.
I think anxiety causes symptoms and then we hyper focus on them and they get way way worse and it's all we think about. That's why I want to try to stick out the Lexapro. I don't want to miss any benefits I might get by quitting too soon. My anxiety makes me feel horrible too, so whats a couple more weeks I guess.
I hope you feel better soon, and try guided meditation (Honest Guys have some good ones online), and after a few weeks it might help too.
Thanks so much! Yes, anxiety has so many challenges and symptoms; I appreciate you responding, I love aromatherapy. Blessings!
Bless you! I’m so sorry you’re going through this as well. We have to keep trusting that relief will come. I couldn’t take the lexapro, so I am now starting Viibryd. I was on Viibryd for many years, but during covid lockdown I weaned myself because I thought I didn’t need it any longer. Big mistake! Although I’ve been off 6 months, I know realize that I am probably experiencing delayed withdrawal symptoms. So I’m starting it again since it did well for me before. There’s a good website out there called “Surviving Antidepressants”, which is a great forum, and speaks of such withdrawal symptoms. I’m sorry you’ve had a difficult time with lexipro as well; perhaps your doctor can prescribe another that will work. I take a 1/2 of .25 Xanax each day to help with start up of the antidepressants. It helps with side effects. I pray you find relief and peace in the midst of this challenge. Anxiety and stress are manifested with such horrible symptoms, but we have to press on and feed our soul with encouragement and prayer. Take good care. Bless you.
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I have stopped the Lexapro and will just wait and see how things go before I try anything else. I don't do well on SSRIs, so we will see.
I tried Viibryd a few months ago and did not really tolerate some of those side effects either. I hope you find relief with it again - I'm sure you will if it helped before.
Yes - anxiety is terrible. Thank you for your for your kind words. I will be praying for you!!
Bless you Suzeeb, you might want to go to Sprouts or Whole Foods and get some natural relief. You can take dissolvable tablets of Gaba, I think they are 100mgs, and just let them melt in your mouth. I used to take them throughout the day. I’m not taking them now since I’m starting the Viibryd, but they do help. Also you might want to start taking some Ashwaganda and L- Theanine, each day. The holistic lady at Sprouts explained these natural remedies. Also there are quick sprays that you spray on your mouth that have natural things in them such as holy basil, lemon balm and other natural things. I still use the sprays. Also, you could try lemon balm tincture drops. Just put a few drops in your water and it relaxes you. These are just a few things that help. Find a good holistic store that can help explain all the good natural products. Also, if you want to think about trying a different SSRI, ask your doctor if you can take 1/2 .25 Xanax in the morning and afternoon. That is what I have been doing during my start up with Viibryd. I’ve heard Viibryd has less side effects than Prozac or Lexapro, but i still needed something to help my start up. I did 5 mgs for 10 days. Then did 8 mgs for 4 days, then 9 mgs, and now I am at 10. I took it really slow. Which helps with side affects, because typically these ssri meds give us more anxiety to start with, so that’s why the Xanax helps to ease the anxiety symptoms. I agree with you about the burning with lexapro. I didn’t get past a week on it. So anyway, if you start out very slow, it may be easier on you. You can go to other forums out there such as patient.info look under the Anxiety community board and get helpful advice on meds as well. It’s a great comfort to read what others have been able to help with. Praying for your renewed peace and health. Bless you!
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I added a few more helpful ideas for you too to check out other forums too. So I edited the reply above.
Thanks for all of the ideas. I am done with SSRIs. I can't tolerate them. I felt absolutely horrible on the lowest dose and felt that way on every other one I have tried in the past. My doctor said some people just are not able to take them, and I am in that group. I really wanted them to help and kept trying them, but I know now that they are not for me. I take a small dose of Klonopin at night to help with sleep, and even that makes me groggy the next day. I don't tolerate medications very well. I will just have to do the best I can every day and keep meditating and praying. Will keep you in my prayers also!!
So sorry you’ve had such trouble with the SSRIS. It’s so hard trying to find what works. I pray you find relief and calm soon. We are all in this together... so thankful for the support! Blessings!