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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be anxious to take anti anxiety medication?!

113 replies

AnxiousAbi · 16/09/2021 09:24

Hi everyone,

Posting here for traffic, sorry.

I am just looking for some company this morning as I am so anxious and scared.

Seems to trivial when I type this out on here - my mum died earlier this year and it’s really triggered my health anxiety. I spoke to my GP earlier this week and she felt it would help for me to try some anti anxiety medication.

I’ve always resisted this, trying instead self care, CBT etc But this time I have just felt so anxious and overwhelmed by my grief all at the same time.

She prescribed me 5mg of Escitalopram.

I’ve taken my first tablet this morning and I am left feeling so anxious and scared.

My biggest fear is they will make me worse. I am functioning, I am able to do things with the kids etc. I’m scared they will stop me from doing that 😔

Is anyone around to talk to me?

OP posts:
Original poster
AnxiousAbi · 16/09/2021 12:15

Thanks to everyone who has posted.

I’ve come out to the shops to take some stuff back and pick up a parcel that I needed to collect. I don’t feel too bad.

I mean, I’m anxious and worried about a health condition (S) but in terms of the meds I feel ok. And I now feel confident that I will take them tomorrow m.

I’m scared that as they build up I feel worse but I hope that’s not the case too much.

OP posts:
Original poster
AnxiousAbi · 16/09/2021 12:18

@BennyBean

I started with anxiety 4 months ago 2 weeks ago i was prescribed the same medication as you but 10mg i started taking it straight away i take it in the morning before breakfast i haven't really noticed a difference yet and i am really bad at night with thoughts but i have read the reviews and they are all good and hopefully it will work eventually, i seem to be a bit better for a couple of hours in the afternoon some days which i wasn't before i will keep taking them because i want to get better and be my normal self again i am not seeing family because i don't want them to see me like this it is effecting my partner and i feel really guilty for this i hope you can get better because i know what you are going through no one knows until they have it themselves how painful it is take care
Sounds like it’s starting to help. Which is great.

What type of anxiety do you have? Did something trigger it?

I used to struggle at nighttime - but I’ve started to take magnesium a few hours before bed and I also listen to the anxiety guy and this really helps me. I think nighttime is always hard when you have anxiety tbh. I’ve not been a great sleeper for about 6 years. I go through periods where I sleep better - it’s definitely linked to how I am feeling with mum anxiety

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Original poster
AnxiousAbi · 16/09/2021 12:23

@OnTheNatureOfDaylight

Thanks for posting op My dd 17 will be starting this medication next week. Her anxiety is debilitating and I’m really hoping she can get some relief. It’s become part of her.
I’m so sorry your daughter is going through this - and you too. Is she accessing anything else to help?

I really hope the meds start to help her. From speaking to other people, they really seem to help with anxiety. My GP said they are slightly different to setraline etc

Not sure if she just told me that because I was so worried!

OP posts:
GoodnightGrandma · 16/09/2021 12:23

Do you like a bath ?
I put Epsom salts in for my magnesium hit, and some bubbles. I find a bath in the evening very relaxing.

Cameleongirl · 16/09/2021 12:25

I’m diagnosed with GAD and on 10 mg of Escitalopram. I first took it nearly three years ago, came off it last year (gradually tapered off) but had some stressful events during the summer so I’ve been back on since July.

The transition has been fine and I feel much better. I felt slightly sick or the first few days but it soon faded and I’ve had no other side effects. I’ve accepted that it’s one of the tools I can use when my anxiety is high. It really makes a difference, I’m sleeping better and am generally able to cope with everything.
5mg is the lowest dose so I wouldn’t worry about it too much. I hope you feel better soon.💐

Cameleongirl · 16/09/2021 12:26

I agree about magnesium, I take it too.

Original poster
AnxiousAbi · 16/09/2021 12:29

Thanks @Cameleongirl that’s really helpful to know.

Glad to hear the side effects haven’t been too bad too.

I’ve read about some anti represent meds making people suicidal and that scares me to be honest. I’ve never felt that way and it terrifies me to think a medicine could make me worse.

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Original poster
AnxiousAbi · 16/09/2021 12:30

@DoucheCanoe I’ve stayed away from reading the side effects! I figure if get one I will know.

If I read about them I know they will just trigger me and I WILL definitely get them!!

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JustRambling · 16/09/2021 13:03

Dear AnxiousAbi. Try not to focus on the side effects - if there are any they’re most likely to be minor as 5mg is the very lowest dose. The first days are confusing as you don’t know what to expect but it will get better. When the “dark cloud” descends try to put your mind to something nice eg something funny your children said today.
Best wishes !!!

Wynston · 16/09/2021 13:11

I think you are brilliant for reaching out and asking for help absolutely no shame in needing medication.
Like you have done lots if cbt alongside medication.
I came of medication last year and my ocd/anxiety became unbearable.
This year I attended emdr therapy. Am i fixed not completely but I am so much better than what I was!!
There will be a time in my life that I may need more therapy or more medication and thats fine.
I am so sorry about you're mum xx

Original poster
AnxiousAbi · 16/09/2021 13:34

Thanks so much again for the replies.

I’ve nipped to the Costa drive thru after the shops and I am currently sitting in the car with a mocha and reading my book, overlooking some gorgeous scenery.

I have things to do at home but I figured a little time for myself was a good thing.

I have a health thing to deal with tomorrow that is causing me significant anxiety. I am trying to reframe it and tell myself that no amount of worrying will change the outcome. But it’s not working too well!

OP posts:
Original poster
AnxiousAbi · 16/09/2021 13:35

Can I just ask - if 5mg is the lowest dose, does this mean it won’t help me?

OP posts:
Noodella18 · 16/09/2021 13:48

I battled taking medication for over a decade for similar reasons, scared of the side effects and felt that I should be able to manage it myself with meditation, exercise, cut etc. Got to the point I was having panic attacks and started on sertraline 50mg. Noticed an improvement within 2 weeks and a lot lot better within 4. Feels like I'm me but without a layer of crazy, I can think about issues in a logical way and then 'park' them when I need to. Only side effect was insomnia but I changed to taking my tablets in the morning and that solved it. Really did change my life once I got over the hurdle of actually deciding to try them!

Re dosage, I believe the minimum therapeutic dose is 10mg, but your doctor probably wants to ease you in gently because you're worried about SE. See how you go for 2 weeks and then maybe ask for an increase if you haven't seen an improvement. Also, different drugs suit different people, so if it doesn't help don't be scared to try another - sertraline helps the largest proportion of people overall so a good next option to try.

It's really not 'normal' to be plagued by permanent anxiety, and it's no way to live - please please give the meds a good shot because you will look back and go GOD! I can't believe I was trying to exist like that for so long!

JustRambling · 16/09/2021 14:13

No 5mg doesn’t mean that it won’t help you but your doctor wants to make sure that you can cope with any side effects. However if after 2 weeks your anxiety hasn’t decreased then go back to your doctor who will increase the dosage. It will take time - usually about 4 weeks to get the full benefit.

Original poster
AnxiousAbi · 16/09/2021 14:13

Thanks @Noodella18 - you are right, it’s really not normal to feel like this all the time. And although I can get by and function ok, I want more than that. I want to be happy and chilled and the best I can be.

I’m feeling a bit more hopeful now.

Thanks for sharing your experience.

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Original poster
AnxiousAbi · 16/09/2021 14:14

Thanks @justrambling I will keep an eye on the dose and see what my GP says.

Now I’ve taken them I just want them to work 😂 would be a bit disappointed if after 4 weeks there was no change and I had to increase them to feel better at all.

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Original poster
AnxiousAbi · 16/09/2021 16:40

Quick question - have felt fine all day but this afternoon I’m feeling like everything is a bit slow - a bit like I feel after I’ve had a panic attack and taken propanalol.

Does this sound familiar?

OP posts:
BennyBean · 16/09/2021 17:04

AnxiousAbby I have noise Anxiety we moved house 5 years ago but since the pandemic the side road outside has got busier with people being home food delivery vans and other delivery vans hence me not wanting to live here anymore and missing my old quiet house
someone told me that you need to find out the cause of your Anxiety and if you can remove it hence we are putting the house on the market and moving away and make sure we get it right this time if i did stay and got better it might return i have just been tidying the front garden felt okay when i started but the cars and vans were constantly whizzing past (supposed to be 20 MPH)i have come inside and my Anxiety has got bad heart palpitations ,knot in the tummy, feeling sick shaking etc....

Cameleongirl · 16/09/2021 18:18

It might be the medication starting to kick in, OP, but don't worry about it, your body needs to adjust to it. You may end up sleeping really well tonight, which is a plus!

Re. Finding and removing the cause of your anxiety. When there's an clearly identifiable cause of the anxiety, such as noise, I believe removing it can work. But if you suffer from GAD like me, you just tend to transfer your fears to something else. For example, you get rid of the noise, but then your anxiety transfers itself to your finances, your health, etc. I can worry about anything, that's why it's called Generalized AD!

tintodeverano2 · 16/09/2021 18:24

@AnxiousAbi

Thank you. I think I’ve been started on a very low dose. The GP said the most likely symptom would be nausea. I can cope with that.

I just worry that they will make me worse. To look at me you wouldn’t know I had anxiety. I fake it when I feel like this so friends and colleagues have no idea. Which is great but…well I am sick going through this. I’ve always been able to manage it in the past myself.

I just feel so incredibly ashamed as well.

I could've written this. I have some tablets sitting here staring at me. I know they may make me feel worse before I feel better, but not prepared to feel worse than I already do.
Original poster
AnxiousAbi · 16/09/2021 18:36

The Anxiwty Guy talks about finding the root cause of your anxiety and reframing past events and experiences. I struggle with this a bit as I know my own mums health anxiety will have had a big impact. But how do I reframe that?

I powered through the afternoon and helped dd with her homework, played in the garden and have made dinner. It has helped

OP posts:
Original poster
AnxiousAbi · 16/09/2021 18:36

@BennyBean

AnxiousAbby I have noise Anxiety we moved house 5 years ago but since the pandemic the side road outside has got busier with people being home food delivery vans and other delivery vans hence me not wanting to live here anymore and missing my old quiet house someone told me that you need to find out the cause of your Anxiety and if you can remove it hence we are putting the house on the market and moving away and make sure we get it right this time if i did stay and got better it might return i have just been tidying the front garden felt okay when i started but the cars and vans were constantly whizzing past (supposed to be 20 MPH)i have come inside and my Anxiety has got bad heart palpitations ,knot in the tummy, feeling sick shaking etc....
I’m sorry to hear that 😞 it must be awful to feel that way at home, where we should feel relaxed and safe.
OP posts:
Looubylou · 16/09/2021 22:47

Hi OP, well done for trusting your GP and beating your anxiety enough to actually start your meds. People often say, if you get side effects, that's a sign that the drug is needed and starting to work. Side effects generally disappear after about 3-4 doses. It is normal in those first few days to feel a liitle shakey, nauseous, and spaced out. Just remember it passes quickly, and you will start to feel better in a few weeks. 💐

GoodnightGrandma · 17/09/2021 07:15

My DH complained of the tablets making him feel tired in the first few days, but I would disagree and say that they made him relax and get the sleep he desperately needed to catch up on.
He did not complain of any other side effects.

Original poster
AnxiousAbi · 17/09/2021 12:38

I feel tired today but I didn’t have the best sleep and also had a health appointment this morning and got myself in a state so I’m sure that won’t be helping

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