Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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:
Noodella18 · 17/09/2021 12:46

Keep on going op, relief is just around the corner xx

Original poster
AnxiousAbi · 17/09/2021 13:54

Thank you @Noodella18

OP posts:
Original poster
AnxiousAbi · 18/09/2021 09:56

Ugh, I don’t feel good and it’s stressing me out. I only slept for about 3 hours and then couldn’t get back to sleep.

Feeling wobbly and a little like I am vibrating inside if that makes sense. Is this normal?

I just don’t feel like me at all and it’s scaring me

OP posts:
Original poster
AnxiousAbi · 18/09/2021 09:57

I’ve now had three doses. I’m taking them around 9am in the morning

OP posts:
Mabelface · 18/09/2021 10:13

Mine keep me alive. I have asd and horrendous anxiety and my meds mean that I can function properly. Any side effects tend to go within a couple of weeks.

BennyBean · 18/09/2021 11:25

@AnxiousAbi

Ugh, I don’t feel good and it’s stressing me out. I only slept for about 3 hours and then couldn’t get back to sleep.

Feeling wobbly and a little like I am vibrating inside if that makes sense. Is this normal?

I just don’t feel like me at all and it’s scaring me

you are not alone i feel like that every day i feel like i am vibrating inside palpitation feeling sick no appetite loosing a lot of weight wish my meds would kick in take care
Original poster
AnxiousAbi · 18/09/2021 13:43

@BennyBean my hands are quite trembly too.

Urgh, hate this.

I took DD to her club this morning, went to the shops and came home and made lunch. I’m glad I did as it definitely helped me.

OP posts:
BennyBean · 18/09/2021 14:03

[quote AnxiousAbi]@BennyBean my hands are quite trembly too.

Urgh, hate this.

I took DD to her club this morning, went to the shops and came home and made lunch. I’m glad I did as it definitely helped me.[/quote]
iv'e been on my medication for 17 days now and haven't noticed a difference i went for a walk this morning head felt a bit clearer but as soon as i turned into our street my Anxiety rose i am sat in my room and the traffic passing is constant used to be a quiet street it has made me really uncomfortable in my own home i think the only way i can get better is to move away and make sure we get it right next time this was supposed to be our last move too, hope your day goes well and you feel okay

Cameleongirl · 18/09/2021 14:20

I’d recommend taking it in the evening, OP, just before you go to bed. That works better for me in terms of side effects.

Also, try not to think about the medication too much, it sounds as though you’re focusing on it and that might be increasing your anxiety.💐

malificent7 · 18/09/2021 14:35

Im on them and proud.. don't feel ashamed op.

Original poster
AnxiousAbi · 18/09/2021 19:57

Thanks all, so very much. Honestly it’s such a help.

I’m feeling less ashamed than I was @malificent7 - I’ve accepted they are something worth trying - in exactly the same way as any other self care is. If they work then wonderful, if they don’t then I can stop. I need to not make this something else to panic about.

OP posts:
Original poster
AnxiousAbi · 18/09/2021 19:58

As the day has progressed side effects have lessened - so if I am still struggling in a couple of days I will try them at night. Willing to give everything and anything a try that will
Help!

OP posts:
Noodella18 · 18/09/2021 20:03

@AnxiousAbi I'm sure you're on top of this, but you're eating regularly and avoiding caffeine right? Remember that trembly hands can be a symptom of anxiety itself, and also of exhaustion - sounds like last night was rough, hope tonight is better xx

Original poster
AnxiousAbi · 18/09/2021 20:14

My appetite hasn’t been great but I’m eating yes. Today I had three square meals and some snacks! So that was good. I have avoided caffeine yes.

Last night was so rough. Can’t quite believe I’m still awake. I had a slump this afternoon but had family visiting so couldn’t nap which is probably a good thing! Now watching Strictly and chilling.

Thanks @Noodella18

OP posts:
SweetBabyCheeses99 · 18/09/2021 20:52

I think your GP should’ve given you some more info on what sort of medication you’re taking. As an SSRI it would be counted as an anti depressant. They’re not addictive. I’d be concerned if he’d prescribed you a benzodiazepine.

Outfoxedbyrabbits · 18/09/2021 20:54

5mg of escitalopram is the usual starting dose for treatment of anxiety Smile If you start out on a higher dose it doesn't make you feel better quicker, but it can give you worse side effects. So the usual approach is to start on 5mg - you may find that your GP suggests increasing the dose at your 4 week review but this isn't a failure, this is just good practice! 5mg is still a therapeutic dose, and once you've been on 5mg for a few weeks you should be able to tolerate stepping up to 10mg, for example, more easily. You may find that you feel a bit worse in the first week or two but not for longer than that. Your GP is trying to minimise this initial period for you by starting you on 5mg Smile

Have you had any CBT with a trained counsellor? I get what you mean about your mum's health anxiety rubbing off on you and you're not sure how to "resolve" that as the root of your anxiety, but CBT is all about changing the way you think about things (rather than making things actually be different) so it shouldn't matter that you can't change your mum or your upbringing etc. I had several months of CBT after experiencing a traumatic event and although it didn't change what happened it definitely changed how I felt.

I am shortly to join in with Strictly and chill Grin Hope you are enjoying it.

Original poster
AnxiousAbi · 18/09/2021 21:06

@Outfoxedbyrabbits

5mg of escitalopram is the usual starting dose for treatment of anxiety Smile If you start out on a higher dose it doesn't make you feel better quicker, but it can give you worse side effects. So the usual approach is to start on 5mg - you may find that your GP suggests increasing the dose at your 4 week review but this isn't a failure, this is just good practice! 5mg is still a therapeutic dose, and once you've been on 5mg for a few weeks you should be able to tolerate stepping up to 10mg, for example, more easily. You may find that you feel a bit worse in the first week or two but not for longer than that. Your GP is trying to minimise this initial period for you by starting you on 5mg Smile

Have you had any CBT with a trained counsellor? I get what you mean about your mum's health anxiety rubbing off on you and you're not sure how to "resolve" that as the root of your anxiety, but CBT is all about changing the way you think about things (rather than making things actually be different) so it shouldn't matter that you can't change your mum or your upbringing etc. I had several months of CBT after experiencing a traumatic event and although it didn't change what happened it definitely changed how I felt.

I am shortly to join in with Strictly and chill Grin Hope you are enjoying it.

Yes I accessed CBT a few years ago and found it to be really helpful. It was also after a traumatic event and it also changed how I felt.

I’ve asked to be re referred to the same service but there is a huge waiting list (up to 12 months due to the pandemic) so I have asked my work to organise it for me instead, and I will be starting hopefully next week. They will pay for 6 sessions and I will self fund the rest.

@SweetBabyCheeses99 I am not concerned by what my GP prescribed. She gave me enough info, I was just seeking out some real life experiences and a bit of a hand hold during these initial days. I wouldn’t take a benzodiazepine - probably for the same reasons as you would be concerned

OP posts:
Yankee63 · 18/09/2021 21:22

I bet the girls at work or even the school mums
Are on ad’s
It take just one person to say
“ oh I’ve started feeling anxious so gp is trying me on ad’s for it”
I bet someone will say “ oh I take ....”

There’s are people who understand and there are people that don’t 🤦‍♀️ Who say “ just do it”

Original poster
AnxiousAbi · 18/09/2021 23:56

@Yankee63

I bet the girls at work or even the school mums Are on ad’s It take just one person to say “ oh I’ve started feeling anxious so gp is trying me on ad’s for it” I bet someone will say “ oh I take ....”

There’s are people who understand and there are people that don’t 🤦‍♀️ Who say “ just do it”

You are so right. And even during the convo with my GP I was able to acknowledge that I would always advise a friend to take meds if they needed them. And I wouldn’t judge them, or think that they were weak. I would hate to think that they felt any shame about it.

It’s a shame I can’t apply that to myself and give myself a break…although I am starting to for sure.

I was reading that there were approx 17% of people in the U.K. on some form of anti depressant medication (don’t quote me it was around that amount!). That was pre pandemic, I wonder what it is now. I know there has been a huge increase in the prescribing of them over the pandemic, but far less referrals for talking therapies.

OP posts:
Original poster
AnxiousAbi · 18/09/2021 23:57

I have spoken to a friend who was open about taking them too - she encouraged me to take mine for all of the reasons above. It’s good to have someone to talk to

OP posts:
me4real · 19/09/2021 00:04

Try it and if you don't like it you can go back to your doc and try something else- there are loads of things they can try. There's no harm in trying it. If you don't like it you can always stop, but try your best to follow what your doctor prescribes, for the course/in the way they want you to take them. Some things can be more uncomfortable or drowsiness-inducing for a couple of weeks, but then get easier and start to do the job. Best wishes xx

Yankee63 · 19/09/2021 00:14

Good for you 😊 try not to think bad about the tabu about being on ad’s and being weak or anything else people say

I was exactly the same as you, I’m now 63 and a lot wiser and think off myself than if what others think if me. I’ve been on them most off my life since early 20’s . With me my anxiety come depression is life events . Deaths , children, divorce ,

I’d say if your feeling nauseous try talking tablet when your having breakfast.

Original poster
AnxiousAbi · 19/09/2021 10:22

@Yankee63

Good for you 😊 try not to think bad about the tabu about being on ad’s and being weak or anything else people say

I was exactly the same as you, I’m now 63 and a lot wiser and think off myself than if what others think if me. I’ve been on them most off my life since early 20’s . With me my anxiety come depression is life events . Deaths , children, divorce ,

I’d say if your feeling nauseous try talking tablet when your having breakfast.

I made an effort to have the tablet just before I ate a big breakfast this morning so hopefully that will help a bit. My symptoms had subsided quite a bit by just after lunchtime yesterday so hopefully that will be the same today.

Am I likely to get worse symptoms as the tablets build up in my system or are the symptoms I’ve been getting likely to be the ones I will get overall (even if they persist for a bit longer?)

OP posts:
Noodella18 · 19/09/2021 10:35

Nobody can really say re the side effects - it's all down to the individual. I also do wonder whether these are true side effects or maybe just caused by your anxiety around the medication- I mean that in the nicest possible way though ❤ try not to focus too much on what you're feeling, easier said than done i know. It sounds like you've been eating well and keeping busy, which is great. Keep going! Hope you had a lovely time watching strictly last night xx

Original poster
AnxiousAbi · 19/09/2021 11:03

I definitely think the more anxious I am, the more I will be aware of side effects - 100% with you there @Noodella18 but I do think I genuinely have some side effects. But in all honesty, if this was as bad as they got then they are definitely bearable if the meds help xx

OP posts: