Switched from Citalopram to Escitalopram-Advice!

[tem2380]

Hi, I last posted a year ago following a relapse due to withdrawal from Cit due to a severe stomach upset, and a year on and I've had a relapse. I had been taking 20mg of Cit for 6 years then after last years' events went up to 40mg. I've since had a relapse which started a month ago and my doc has changed me to 20mg Escitalopram 2 weeks ago as anxiety is my major problem, as well as depression. I'm not seeing much improvement so far; still very anxious all the time (I think I have GAD as my anxiety is not specific to any one thing), tearful, no appetite, withdrawn and restless, although I do feel a bit better of an evening. My doc has also prescribed Buspirone for my anxiety. I'd appreciate any comments as I am stuggling to see the light at the end of the tunnel!

[smb25]

Hi,

I have only been on cipralex for 12 days so can't really advise you, however from many of the posts on here it seems that it can take some time to get into your system. I'd definately give it another few weeks, I know its hard but just think to yourself that it can't be any worse than the last two weeks. I too had no appetite, and although it returning a little now, I feel sick every time after I eat, not sure if thats just my mind playing tricks or what, I just try and busy myself till it passes.

Keep taking it day by day, thats what i am doing, if you not feeling any improvement after another 2 weeks, give you doctor a visit and see what he says.

x :hugs:

[Anxious-in-Canada]

Good advice SMB.

Also try some other things to compliment the meds, exercise, some breathing exercises, talk therapy (with a friend or professional) meditation, picking a ten minutes period in the day to completely relax ( hot bath, reading, a nap, or whatever is relaxing for you)

My short experience with Escitalopram is that is takes longer to work so you may have to be patient to see it's full benefits.

Hang in there and you will get through it.

[Pcdaft]

Hi tem yes i agree with Smb it does take awhile to get into your system and keep busy i have been on it now for thirtythree days and i am just starting to feel the benifits off it but stick with it and you will be fine hope your day has been good take care and will speak soon xx:hugs:

[tem2380]

DAY 14: Woke up feeling anxious, as I seem to, appetite non-existent, but yesterday had quite a good day, no tears! Hopefully today will be as good. My anxiety almost feels like feeling frightened about being frightened, which in my mind I know is irrational. Slept quite well, but seem to wake at roughly the same time and then toss and turn for another hour or so; the morning is definitely worse for me. Will post later...Am off for a walk around town with my mum so hopefully no tears! I think a diary is a good idea as I can hopefully chart good progress!

[smb25]

Hi tem,

I too am always worse in the mornings, usually for 2-4 hours and then it eases off. Was anxious again this morning but not as bad as it has been so i'm taking that as a positive sign. My appetite is still not brilliant, I usually can't eat until the afternoon or evening. I just try and eat as much as I can when I do feel hungry.

I am kind of using this forum/posts as a diary, along with the help/advice/encouragement from Anxious in Canada and Panic52. Reading their posts/updates as well as my own helps me immensely. Whatever we can do for that extra bit of reassurance!

My day so far is not quite as good as yesterday but i'm not reading too much into it.

Hope u have a good day x :D

[Pcdaft]

hi tem sorry you are not feeling all that great today ? but you are doing well it is only a blip and you wil, get throuh it ? i still have my off days too just try too keep positve and busy to keep your mind off it ? im glad i had my work to keep me occupied your appetite will come back mine has and i am staring to experiment with other foods again ? so thats another challenge for me hope you have a better day tomorow take care speak soon xxx:hugs:

[haz]

I found escitalopram took longer to work than other SSRI's I've been on. Try to stick with it if you can, you've come this far.

Best of Luck.:hugs:

[tem2380]

DAY 15: Yesterday was an anxious one, felt uptight all day then had a couple of short tearful episodes, which could've been because my mum was going home after spending a few days with me, and also because I thought I might not be able to eat my dinner...silly I know! Anxious this morning again, but going to try not to let it get the better of me, in my mind I know it will eventually subside, but patience is not my strong point, just want to feel like myself again.

[Anxious-in-Canada]

Do you take your med in the morning? I do and mornings always seemed the worst for, especially trying to eat something so I could take the pills... But it does get better

Be kind to yourself and try to do somethings to help with the anxiety.

I probably sound like a broken record: exercise at least 3 times a week (a half hour walk or yoga or anything you enjoy), deep breathing exercises ten minutes a day and whenever the anxiety is bad, meditation ( I do 6 mins a day) or some form of relaxation and of course talk therapy (whine moan and complain to someone who is empathetic)

Of course this is my recipe but you may do things different in you own recipe but developing one is key.

Hang in there you are close to getting back to normal.

[tem2380]

I do take my tablet in the morning, appetite is bad until evening when I manage to eat a reasonable amount. I've tried breathing deeply today when I've felt the anxiety was particularly bad and it has helped, and I'm also trying to tell myself to be positive and push myself a little. Today on reflection has been quite a good day; no tears, and anxiety has been a little more bearable. Did some housework this morning then took my mum to town for an hour then spent time with my sister and her two boys; had to collect one of them from his new school alone so felt uptight, but breathing deeply helped...I'm praying this is the start of things being on the upturn!

[Anxious-in-Canada]

That is great news.

Mornings are rough, but if you can eat something that is sustaining multigrain / whole grain bread it might help hold you over til supper time.

Hang in there you seem to be on the same track I was on things will get better soon.

Take care

[tem2380]

DAY 16: Feel anxious and tearful this morning, hopefully it'll ease off as the day goes on...Slept well last night without waking until 7am. At least the sun is shining today!

[Anxious-in-Canada]

Again mornings are rough, I used to take solace in the fact that evenings were good and looked forward to them, it help get through the morning rough patch.

You will get there though, hang in there.

[tem2380]

DAY 16 UPDATE: Today has been a very anxious one, not sure why, was hoping I was getting towards feeling like myself, but it feels like 1 step forward and 5 back...did quite a lot today; housework, paid bills, went into work to hand in my sick note, then saw grandparents (which is stressful at the best of times), then met my mum from work and had a walk around town which led to crying over hot chocolate in McDonalds and most of the way home...feeling like I can only contain it for so long before it all comes out, which feels like I'm failing, like it's beating me. I do generally feel a bit better after crying, but I wish it wouldn't happen. On the plus side, I've eaten better today, and went for a walk along the seafront in the sunshine on my own, and now going to have some dinner and watch telly and try to relax. I wish progress was more forthcoming!

[smb25]

Me and you tem seem to be at the same stage, I too feel like I have gone backwards. im convincing myself at the moment its because my dose has increased from 5mg to 10mg!

All we can do is keep going, take a day at a time. Its horrid isn't it, but at least we can come on here and support / moan / whatever we need to do!

I have been off work for 4 weeks now, not sure when I will be able to go back. This of course, then makes me anxious!

Big hugs :hugs:

[tem2380]

DAY 17: Woke up a little earlier today, but slept ok. Have to get my car repaired later, so hope I can cope with the waiting! Feel anxious all the time, although at night it's generally hardly noticable, I almost feel like myself at night-time, but then wake up feeling like a quivering wreck, it's very frustrating, I just want these drugs to kick in!

[tem2380]

DAY 17 UPDATE: Today started off with anxiety high and a very brief tearful moment before I left to get the car fixed, but I think this might be stemming from the fear of breaking down somewhere public, and today I just thought "if it happens, it happens"...hope I can continue with this philosophy! In the end, it was fine, I read a magazine until my car was ready, then went to my sisters again; today picked up both boys from school which I was dreading as they have a tendency to run off, but they were both as good as gold! Later had a trip to the supermarket for my sister and ate quite a lot for dinner, which caused a slight upset tummy, probably because what I ate was quite rich and more than I have been eating! Just got home now and going to have a cup of tea and watch a film before bed. I've noticed I've been more talkative today too, so hopefully am getting there!

[Pcdaft]

hi tem you did well today well done keep up the good work and you will get there ? xx:hugs:

[tem2380]

DAY 18: Anxiety high as usual, feel so down in the mornings. Have decided to see my doc today, even though I'm not due to see them for another week, just feel like I need to talk to them about how I'm feeling. Slept ok and am meeting my mum later and going to go for a swim, so hopefully that'll help. I'm so sick of feeling like this, and so frightened that I won't get better...

[smb25]

Tem, what dosage are you currently on?

I think I am feeling the benefit much more since I have been on 10mg. First 4-5 days were crap with side effects (again!) but last few days I have felt less anxious (although its still there, not as acute).