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Original poster

Escitalopram

86 replies

Notsurewhattodo98 · 21/09/2025 11:45

So after months of resisting ive gone back on antidepressants for anxiety, ocd, overthinking.
Trying escitalopram this time - only just started but hoping this will work in a few weeks.
Anyone else got any experiences to share of taking escitalopram for anxiety, ocd, overthinking?
TIA 😊

OP posts:
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Sophiey11 · 10/02/2026 08:05

Hi all. I am currently on Citalopram (I know this forum is for escitalopram). I started on 5mg for 4 weeks and I am now on day 11 of the 10mg. My side effects are constant nausea, low mood and heightened anxiety. I have lost 4lbs. I am really just looking for some hope that this is all worth it? Should I feel better by now as it’s been 6 weeks in total or is it because I’m on a low dose. I cry nearly every day because I just want to feel better and I know this won’t happen over night. But I thought I would feel SOMETHING by now. Tia

Pinkchristmastree6 · 19/01/2026 07:12

And the upset stomach,that had me running to the loo at night

Pinkchristmastree6 · 19/01/2026 07:11

I managed 10 days then my brain got in such a state just looping itself and I actually thought I was going mad ,..what with that and the teeth pain ,the constant wanting to eat all day ,the extra pounds I put on ,and the feeling distanced..I stopped taking them ..and it was great to feel like me again ,with a clear head ,no fuzziness

Original poster
Notsurewhattodo98 · 18/01/2026 22:33

started a few days ago - nausea already started. Couldnt face another today…
will they actually work anyway? Slow my head down, stop all the thoughts, overthinking, etc?

OP posts:
Original poster
Notsurewhattodo98 · 12/01/2026 08:38

Going to be brave and restart this in a few days..

OP posts:
Original poster
Notsurewhattodo98 · 09/01/2026 14:44

@Pinkchristmastree6 it’s in the patient leaflet!

OP posts:
Pinkchristmastree6 · 09/01/2026 11:39

Omg
I live of nurofen
Where on earth does it say that

Original poster
Notsurewhattodo98 · 08/01/2026 22:42

@Midnightlove thank you. I’ve taken other ssri s in the past and taken ibuprofen too - I didn’t know it was a potential issue.
Ah I didn’t know eating before can help, thanks for the advice

OP posts:
Midnightlove · 08/01/2026 21:58

Notsurewhattodo98 · 08/01/2026 17:53

Thanks for all the comments & support ☺️
Im going to try again soon but have a concern. It says in the leaflet not to take ibuprofen. I occasionally need to - will it be ok occasionally?
My escitalopram dose in 10mg

I take it occasionally, I used to take it all the time when I was on citalopram because I didn't know you weren't really supposed to 🙈 I think it gives you a higher chance of stomach ulcers, just make sure you've eaten if you take it

Original poster
Notsurewhattodo98 · 08/01/2026 17:53

Thanks for all the comments & support ☺️
Im going to try again soon but have a concern. It says in the leaflet not to take ibuprofen. I occasionally need to - will it be ok occasionally?
My escitalopram dose in 10mg

OP posts:
billiongulls · 05/01/2026 21:56

billiongulls · 05/01/2026 21:55

Have been taking it for years, a game changer for me. I didn't have any side effects

Sorry, I didn't read the whole thread, I see you have had bad side effects, I am sorry to hear that. Maybe your GP can help

billiongulls · 05/01/2026 21:55

Have been taking it for years, a game changer for me. I didn't have any side effects

AnxiousAnnieeeeeeeeee · 05/01/2026 21:27

Pinkchristmastree6 · 04/01/2026 14:28

I'm now on day 5 of this and it's not going well
Is anyone around to chat

Hi @Pinkchristmastree6 sorry you are struggling. Keep going the side effects will pass soon.

Mine lasted approx 3 weeks but they started to subside long before that. Probably from week 2 I was over the worst of them.

Midnightlove · 05/01/2026 19:00

Notsurewhattodo98 · 05/01/2026 14:52

@MoonDanceDiner I had to stop as couldn’t cope with feeling so ill. Will try again very soon as my head is a total mess.

Maybe try on a really small dose and taper up if your really suffering with side effects?
I've been fine on them apart from some nausea when starting/increasing. But I was on citalopram for a very long time which is similar.

Original poster
Notsurewhattodo98 · 05/01/2026 14:52

@MoonDanceDiner I had to stop as couldn’t cope with feeling so ill. Will try again very soon as my head is a total mess.

OP posts:
Pinkchristmastree6 · 05/01/2026 11:50

Midnightlove · 05/01/2026 09:42

Unfortunately that's pretty normal to begin with, it can take a few weeks to feel the benefits but when they start and the side effects go it really is worth it. Have you been on antidepressants before?

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Thanks for your reply

Pinkchristmastree6 · 05/01/2026 11:49

Midnightlove · 05/01/2026 09:42

Unfortunately that's pretty normal to begin with, it can take a few weeks to feel the benefits but when they start and the side effects go it really is worth it. Have you been on antidepressants before?

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Yes ,but not for about 15 years

Midnightlove · 05/01/2026 09:42

Pinkchristmastree6 · 05/01/2026 06:43

Thanks for replying
Tingling face , feeling distanced,dizzy ,sick and head feels very heavy.i then feel I could be slapped across the face and I'd not react.
So plenty of side effects,but not feeling any better yet
When did they start to work for you

Show quote history

Unfortunately that's pretty normal to begin with, it can take a few weeks to feel the benefits but when they start and the side effects go it really is worth it. Have you been on antidepressants before?

Pinkchristmastree6 · 05/01/2026 06:43

Midnightlove · 04/01/2026 21:32

Hi 👋 I started about 4/5 months ago and am doing really well on them. What side effects are you having?

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Thanks for replying
Tingling face , feeling distanced,dizzy ,sick and head feels very heavy.i then feel I could be slapped across the face and I'd not react.
So plenty of side effects,but not feeling any better yet
When did they start to work for you

Midnightlove · 04/01/2026 21:32

Pinkchristmastree6 · 04/01/2026 14:28

I'm now on day 5 of this and it's not going well
Is anyone around to chat

Hi 👋 I started about 4/5 months ago and am doing really well on them. What side effects are you having?

Pinkchristmastree6 · 04/01/2026 14:28

I'm now on day 5 of this and it's not going well
Is anyone around to chat

Pinkchristmastree6 · 30/12/2025 18:00

Just found this thread
Debating taking the first one tonight

MoonDanceDiner · 21/12/2025 12:20

OP, how did you get on with the Escitalopram in the end? Did they help you? Did the nausea wear off?

RealLifeClanger · 26/10/2025 05:36

BruFord · 25/10/2025 21:12

@RealLifeClanger How much did you take?

Just 5mg. I really do think I have some sort of issue processing certain medicines though.

@Midnightlove that was the first time I've tried anything like that. It's put me off trying anything else for the time being so I'll concentrate on non-pharmaceutical options for now. I've got my usual counselling and also in the process of trying to get EMDR therapy so hopefully that will come through soon.

Midnightlove · 25/10/2025 21:54

RealLifeClanger · 25/10/2025 20:59

It reads a bit that way but honestly, I've had a lot of panic attacks in my time and none were like that. No racing heart or shaking either, which is classic panic attack for mme. I very much wasn't in control of myself and it was quite scary.

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Ah OK, that's rubbish then 😏 have you tried SNRIs or a different alternative? Maybe SSRIs don't agree with you?