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Re starting escitalopram
So I will more than likely re start Escitalopram Friday after 4 months off them. Gutted. I was on them 13 years, came off them soooo slow but I just can’t handle this anxiety and panic, it frightens me. I’m even struggling to do the school run/work. I don’t want to feel like this. I’ve felt like this for roughly 3/4 weeks now. From the moment I wake I have constant worries about things which aren’t even there and thinking ‘what if’, so stressful.
So, before stopping I was on 5mg every other day for about a year the. 5mg every 2-3 days for around 4 months. I’m scared stiff about the side effects so am wondering.....if I cut my 5mg pill in 2 and take 2.5mg every evening, do you think I’ll get such harsh side effects? I’m sure it’s not still in my system after 4 months off? I wish I could just take one and feel instantly better!
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Re: Re starting escitalopram
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Mumzy
So I will more than likely re start Escitalopram Friday after 4 months off them. Gutted. I was on them 13 years, came off them soooo slow but I just can’t handle this anxiety and panic, it frightens me. I’m even struggling to do the school run/work. I don’t want to feel like this. I’ve felt like this for roughly 3/4 weeks now. From the moment I wake I have constant worries about things which aren’t even there and thinking ‘what if’, so stressful.
So, before stopping I was on 5mg every other day for about a year the. 5mg every 2-3 days for around 4 months. I’m scared stiff about the side effects so am wondering.....if I cut my 5mg pill in 2 and take 2.5mg every evening, do you think I’ll get such harsh side effects? I’m sure it’s not still in my system after 4 months off? I wish I could just take one and feel instantly better!
I was on 10mg for 5 yrs and went off cold turkey about 10 yrs ago.
I always used to take mine with breakfast and had very few side effects.
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Re: Re starting escitalopram
Thanks Phill how did you find re starting them?
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Re: Re starting escitalopram
I didn't Mumzy
I'd had a heart attack in between so they put me on Zoloft for some reason.
I hate the Zoloft but when I try to go off it the side effects are horrendous so I guess I'm stuck on it.
Wish I could go back to Lexapro.
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Re: Re starting escitalopram
Oh no Phill sorry to hear that. So I’ve seen GP this morning who’s said don’t cut the pill in half and just go straight in with the 5mg as of Friday! Scared!
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Re: Re starting escitalopram
Good luck, Mumzy!!
I'm still on 5 mg, and finding the side effects minimal :-).
I found that, for me, the first 3-4 days were the hardest: because I expected severe side effects, it made my anxiety worse for those days. Once I started to realize I wasn't going to have really bad side effects, the anxiety wasn't as bad.
Now, I'm anxious about having to go up to 10 mg, so I'm sure I'll see an increase in anxiety the first week or so when I go up the end of June.
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Re: Re starting escitalopram
Hi Kel
How you finding the meds now? Has your anxiety subsided?
I’ve taken this before so I should know what to expect but it’s my stupid mind playing tricks, it’s exhausting! I remember when I started these years ago I did think to myself the side effects weren’t how I remembered being when I was on a different brand a few years prior. I so want to feel ‘normal’ Again because right now I don’t, I feel constantly on edge. I had a slight nose bleed last night from one nostril and blood in phlegm, didn’t last long but my anxiety was through the roof last night because of that. I feel drained.
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Re: Re starting escitalopram
My anxiety has subsided a bit, but I can't tell if that's from the escitalopram working, or because I've realized I won't get bad side effects on 5 mg :-). I did have a really great afternoon yesterday, with no anxiety and I was actually happy! This morning it's back to hanging out with my good friend anxiety again.
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Re: Re starting escitalopram
Glad to hear your feeling a little better stick with it :)
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Re: Re starting escitalopram
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Mumzy
Glad to hear your feeling a little better stick with it :)
I think the biggest problem is your fear of it rather than the actual drug itself.
I know that was the case with me but when I found it wasn't going to kill me I was OK with it.
I started on 5 mg and went to 10mg after a week or so.
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Re: Re starting escitalopram
I really think I’m going to chicken out taking the 5mg tomorrow night and I’ll end up cutting the tablet in half and just hope it’ll do something! I was taking 5mg every other day for around a year before I came off and it worked just fine for me so am hoping by taking 2.5mg daily it’ll give me the same effect :)
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Re: Re starting escitalopram
It certainly won't hurt anything by starting at 2.5 mg :-).
Even if it isn't an effective dose, it should lessen the start up side effects.
---------- Post added at 13:56 ---------- Previous post was at 13:25 ----------
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Phill2
I think the biggest problem is your fear of it rather than the actual drug itself.
I know that was the case with me but when I found it wasn't going to kill me I was OK with it.
I started on 5 mg and went to 10mg after a week or so.
I know for me, the fear of it is definitely the biggest problem.
Moving up from 5 mg to 10 mg is actually my biggest stressor right now. This despite having minimal side effects when I started on 5 mg. :blush:
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Re: Re starting escitalopram
Now I’m nervous at the thought of even taking 2.5mg
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Re: Re starting escitalopram
You'll do fine :-). I do understand how you feel, though!
On a different anxiety forum I'm on, there's a woman on there who has been on 2.5 mg for several months, and says it's an effective dose for her! Maybe you'll be the same, and never have to go up to 5 mg.
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Re: Re starting escitalopram
Hi Kel I’m going to take my 2.5mg just before I go to bed tonight. I bet I’ll have trouble sleeping as I’ll just be ‘waiting’ for the side effects to happen! I have been worrying about this ALL day!! And thinking to myself omg what if I can’t function properly tomorrow etc, it’s driving me crazy
---------- Post added at 17:36 ---------- Previous post was at 17:35 ----------
If only I could just take it and feel better when I wake
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Re: Re starting escitalopram
I was the same way when I started the 5 mg. Actually for the first few days I was a nervous wreck ;-). Once it dawned on me that the side effects weren't the nightmare I envisioned, I settled down a bit.
Of course, now I'm a nervous wreck worrying about upping the dose in two weeks!
Good luck with starting; I bet it will be much easier than what you are imagining it to be!
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Re: Re starting escitalopram
Quote:
Originally Posted by
NervousKel
It certainly won't hurt anything by starting at 2.5 mg :-).
Even if it isn't an effective dose, it should lessen the start up side effects.
---------- Post added at 13:56 ---------- Previous post was at 13:25 ----------
I know for me, the fear of it is definitely the biggest problem.
Moving up from 5 mg to 10 mg is actually my biggest stressor right now. This despite having minimal side effects when I started on 5 mg. :blush:
I felt the same way but you'll be fine :yesyes:
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Re: Re starting escitalopram
I chickened out and didn’t start them. So disappointed in myself. I even cut the pill into 4 which would’ve meant I’d only be taking 1.25mg but still couldn’t bring myself to swallow it!!! I’m doing my own head in!!
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Re: Re starting escitalopram
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Mumzy
I chickened out and didn’t start them. So disappointed in myself. I even cut the pill into 4 which would’ve meant I’d only be taking 1.25mg but still couldn’t bring myself to swallow it!!! I’m doing my own head in!!
Like everything the anticipation is worse than the event for us.
Just take it with breakfast and go about your day trying not to think about it.
You'll be glad you did.
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Your totally right Phill. It’s just making myself take that first bit!! Now I’m thinking well I’ll see how I go this week and if no better I’ll start Friday
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Taking that first pill is so hard!
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Re: Re starting escitalopram
Seriously I’m doing my own head in!!
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Re: Re starting escitalopram
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Mumzy
Your totally right Phill. It’s just making myself take that first bit!! Now I’m thinking well I’ll see how I go this week and if no better I’ll start Friday ��
If you keep putting it off you'll never do it.
Over the years I've found that if you let anxiety beat you once it'll beat you every time.
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I agree Phill I just need to get over my fear and take that first pill!
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I am starting this Friday without a doubt! Today has been a struggle for me anxiety wise
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Re: Re starting escitalopram
Good for you :-)!!
You may be pleasantly surprised, and have little or no side effects.
My Dad went on escitalopram over a year ago, and, when I asked him about his side effects before I started it, he looked at me like I had two heads;-). He didn't have any side effects starting on them. He didn't even realize it was a "thing". Some people are lucky and have no issues with starting :-).
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I really do hope I’m one of those!! Still going to only take the 2.5mg as that way I’ll feel more comfortable
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Starting at 2.5 sounds like a good idea. I'm glad I started on a lower dose than what I was prescribed, even though it's taking me longer to find my ideal dose ;-).
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Friday can’t come soon enough for me. I really have had enough feeling like this
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Re: Re starting escitalopram
How's it going Mumzy.
I just finished my 2 week taper off Zoloft onto Lexapro and all went well.
On 10mg Lexapro now with no side effects.
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Re: Re starting escitalopram
That’s brilliant phill, how are you feeling now??
I’m still taking the most pathetic amount and I know in my own mind it needs to be upped. So have told myself from Friday night I’ll take the whole quarter tablet and then from next Friday I’m going to try up it to 2.5mg so half the tablet
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Re: Re starting escitalopram
Feeling pretty good thanks Mumzy.
Much better than Zoloft and I've lost 2 kg already :yesyes:
I put on a lot of weight on Zoloft.
I have the occasional "twinge" but nothing serious.
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Phill, it sounds like you are doing great :-)!!
I love to hear success stories :-). It gives me hope that I'll eventually be back to my old self.
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You'll get back to normal sooner than you think Kel.
I was back to normal for 10 yrs after 5 yrs on Lex until a rush of things happened all at once.
I'll stay on Lex for a while then get off them again and all will be good.
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Re: Re starting escitalopram
Hi guys
Sorry to dig up an older thread.
Question to Phill2 and Mumzy - How you guys going with getting back on the med? I was off them for 3 months and have been back on them for 2 weeks. Not feeling too much better and from memory it usually only took 1 week for them to start working. I've never come off them and then back on in such a quick time.
Appreciate your thoughts
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Hi Rosey
Took a couple of weeks but feeling great ever since.
Hang in there and it will get better.
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Re: Re starting escitalopram
Hi Rosey
I’m taking the tiniest bit off my 2.5mg so getting there! Not doing myself any favours really as I think I could feel better but saying that I am feeling better than I was
Hope you feel better soon :)
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Re: Re starting escitalopram
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Mumzy
Hi Rosey
I’m taking the tiniest bit off my 2.5mg so getting there! Not doing myself any favours really as I think I could feel better but saying that I am feeling better than I was
Hope you feel better soon :)
Hi Mumzy
I think it's time to "bite the bullet" and go to at least 5mg if not 10.
Good luck :yesyes:
Phill
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Re: Re starting escitalopram
I know Phill, I know 🙈
How are you doing anyway??
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Re: Re starting escitalopram
Hi Mumzy
Like all Drs mine wanted me to go to 20mg after only being on 10 for about 2 weeks.
I just said no I'm doing fine on 10 and still am.
I can't even remember how long I've been on em - maybe a couple of months now and all is good.
I think upping the dose when it's not needed causes a lot of problems.
Some people may need higher doses but you need time to adjust to the smaller dose to see if it works first.