Please feel free to chime in if you have the same experience or even just words of encouragement.

I’m a 42 yo female. New to anxiety. I’m fairly fit, eat cleanish, love my life minus anxiety. My anxiety appears mostly with physical symptoms instead of mental. I suffer with chest flutters, air hunger and tinnitus. And of course ruminating thoughts. Have had CT scans, EKG, x rays, blood work and have visited an ENT. Nothing wrong with heart, lungs or ears.

I started Lexapro in December. Started with 5mg, increased to 10 after one week. After 6 weeks, we increased my dose to 15. Last week, my dose was increased to 20 mg. I know I basically have to start over with each new increase, but man, it is frustrating!

I know it was a pipe dream, but I really wanted the air hunger to just go away. I know it’s anxiety related and in my small mind, taking Lexapro would help with that. It has gotten better but still lingers. The other symptoms aren’t as annoying, but the air hunger drives me insane. Hopefully as my body settles to the 20 mg, it will improve.

What I’m describing as air hunger is the inability to feel like I get a satisfying deep breath. I find If I yawn I can get it. And I know I focus too much on it. I bought a pulse oximeter and check my oxygen level every day. It’s always above 96. 

I’m just a little discouraged because I just want to feel normal again. I know Lexapro isn’t a magic pill, but I guess a part of me was hoping it was.