Ecitalopram

[redhenry]

I have suffered with anxiety and low mood most of my life. I've never had any meds apart from propranolol for it. I tried Sertraline once and it made me even worse.
Mostly, I manage my anxiety and it doesn't affect me but every now and then it is so bad I cannot work, or do anything I want to do.
I had a flare up yesterday and I've just spoken to the GP and she's prescribed me 5mg of ecitalopram.

Does anyone have any experiences of this? I know meds affect us all differently so it's hard to say.
I hate taking medication especially for anxiety but it's getting me down now and stopping me living my life.

I'm on it, have been for 2 years. I find my GAD is massively reduced and I'm currently tapering off. I've put on 1 stone in 2 years and that's starting to bother me in itself.

i used to be on citalopram which worked but gave me bad side effects (nausia, funny tummy) then i tried Sertraline and it comepletly screwed me up after one day. The best stuff i ever took was ecitalopram

We all react differently but i found it was really calming and i had no side effects. I think i took 10ml and after about 4 days i found it really took the edge off. I'll definitely take again if i need to.

The only thing i will suggest is if you take it for a long period please see you doctor if you want to stop taking. You'll need to ween off it gradually like any anti depressant.

Good luck!

Try some guided meditations for anxiety, depression etc, on youtube. There are some really good ones.

That dosage is the suggested dosage for anxiety. I'm on a similar dose.

It's actual a sub-clinical dosage so has v minor side affects.

You may have some stomach upset or feel out of sorts initially but this wears off after 10 days or so.

I've found it v effective. Good luck!

It made me very nauseous and have terrible insomnia which was one of my symptoms. I gave it up within a few days but like you said OP, it is not a one fits all type med.

I haven't had the courage to take one yet. I'm pretty scared of taking them.

Why are you scared @redhenry ?

You need to take them & persist for 10 days. That's a low dose. You won't notice any difference immediately. But within 3 or so weeks you should.

If your GP has prescribed them, they are warranted.

You won't have anything terrible happen, maybe some unwanted side effects ...

I'm scared of taking them after taking one Sertraline a few years ago and it had the worst effect on me. I thought I was losing my mind and I felt like I was out of my body shs couldn't control how I was feeling.

Hi
I have also been prescribed escitalopram 10mg for anxiety. I’m in the same boat and scared to start them

I have been on citalopram and sertraline previously. Medication free for 5 years but really struggle with anxiety. I have tried cbt which hasn’t really worked.
Sorry don’t have an answer. I know I need meds but feel defeated and hate been on any medication

@Funnyfishface

Hi I have also been prescribed escitalopram 10mg for anxiety. I’m in the same boat and scared to start them

I have been on citalopram and sertraline previously. Medication free for 5 years but really struggle with anxiety. I have tried cbt which hasn’t really worked.
Sorry don’t have an answer. I know I need meds but feel defeated and hate been on any medication

I feel exactly the same as you. Other than trying the Sertraline I manage Anxiety medication free.

How are you feeling now.

I have just come through 10 days of really high anxiety. It spiralled quickly and I was wiped out. I do make myself go to work and am better when I’m distracted and busy. But it’s ruining my life. There are soooooo many things I can’t do.
Social events, driving away from home, travelling, health anxiety the list goes on.

I’m sorry you experience this because I know how debilitating it is.

@redhenry

I'm scared of taking them after taking one Sertraline a few years ago and it had the worst effect on me. I thought I was losing my mind and I felt like I was out of my body shs couldn't control how I was feeling.

With the greatest of respect OP, this doesn't sound plausible. One tablet just can't do this.

There may have been other factors at play.

But if you feel you can't take the prescribed medication, go back to your GP & discuss.

But 5mcg is a tiny dosage.

@EarringsandLipstick there were other factors at the time that could have made me feel like I did but I do believe taking that tablet tipped me over the edge in some way.

Hi OP, I completely understand your hesitation to try Escitalopram after having a bad experience with Sertraline. Despite what the previous poster said, it is absolutely possible to have side effects after just one dose. However, it is likely you were given a standard dose of Sertraline (probably 50mg?)- the dose of Escitalopram you have been prescribed really is much less potent. (I work in mental health). Good luck with whatever you decide.

If it helps at all I took escitalopram 10mg after I had my third child and it was great. The first day was a bit tricky but by the second day I felt much better. I took it for about 8 months and just slowly tapered off with no affects. That was 10 years ago.
Very good drug for me. Citalopram was terrible for me and I only took for a few days because it made me feel so sick.
5mg is a tiny dose and it’ll just put you on an even keel. Standard dose is 10mg or more I think.
Give it a go and remember you can always stop if it doesn’t work for you.