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Mental health

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Original poster

Escitalopram - pros and cons

13 replies

Hubblebubble1 · 15/01/2022 21:49

I’ve been prescribed this for anxiety/ panic attacks/ depression. In the past I’ve been on fluoxetine then sertraline but neither “helped”. Been “coping” without meds but I use that term very loosely and after a chat with my Gp been prescribed escitalopram. Been a few days and I’ve yet to take one as I’m worried about the side effects.
I’m looking for other peoples experiences using it to see if I’m worried about nothing.

OP posts:

MissM2912 · 15/01/2022 21:54

My mum is on it. First anti depressant she has been on and it made a huge difference. Took a couple of weeks but no problems that I am aware of.

candle18 · 15/01/2022 21:57

Escitalopram is from the same group of medications as fluoxetine and sertraline but is meant to have fewer side effects. If you didn’t have too many side effects on the other two I’m sure you will be fine. Could you start with a half dose for a few days?

Original poster

Hubblebubble1 · 15/01/2022 23:15

Thanks for the replies.
I’ve been started on 5mg.
No real side effects with the other two other than feeling “emotionally numb”.
I’m almost finished a course of antibiotics for a gum infection so my plan is to start the new meds on Monday.

Thanks

OP posts:

ThesecondLEM · 15/01/2022 23:19

Am on 20mg and have been for many years, now reducing dose, I may come off them soon. They saved my life, no noticeable side effects after the first few weeks of feeling a little nauseated and agitated.

stitchinguru · 15/01/2022 23:26

Watching this with interest - I have been on 10mg for the last 2-3 years.
I often wonder if it is really helping me - it’s very difficult to say as I’ve faced so many challenges during that time (including losing my eldest son unexpectedly on Christmas Day 2019)

elizabethdraper · 15/01/2022 23:37

Am on 5mg for the 2 years

No side effects. Gradually came off them in the summer. Husband say me down and said if I don't go back on them, he was leaving

stitchinguru · 15/01/2022 23:42

@elizabethdraper
That’s interesting - it’s often those around us who are more aware of our moods/mental state than we are ourselves.

AliceMcK · 16/01/2022 09:10

I’ve been on it since March 2019, it’s done wonders for me. Side effects a little rough for the first 6 weeks, but I’m really sensitive with meds and always suffer from side effects at first.

I don’t know if I will come off it as I’ve since been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and escitalopram is part of the treatment plan for it.

Sunshinegirl36 · 16/01/2022 10:29

My teen is on 15 mg they have made a huge difference to her with no side effects. Where as sertaline had lots of side effects and flouroxetine made her feel emotionless.

Original poster

Hubblebubble1 · 16/01/2022 13:51

Thank you for all your replies. I find it helpful to find out what others have experienced especially as the anxiety of starting something new feels as big as the reason I’m starting medication again.

Fluoxetine absolutely made me feel emotionally numb and I felt it especially towards my kids which was a horrible side effect.

I suffer from horrible panic attacks that come out the blue and it can take days to really get over them. I’ve become more and more overwhelmed with work over the past 18 months and it’s triggered attacks and my mood is basically in my boots. I avoid social situations and make up excuses not to go to things but it’s really impacting my kids now as lock down eases and they wonder why we don’t really go anywhere. It’s because of me. I can’t switch my mind off either, it’s constantly going round in circles and now I feel like I’ve hit a point where I have had to reach out again for professional help before i end up in a place I don’t want to be.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed the new tablets work.

OP posts:

Elliejane · 19/05/2022 06:35

@Hubblebubble1 just wondering how you got on . I am really struggling with anxiety this past while and gp suggested these . Too scared to start though . Thanks

Jinglebell2020 · 19/05/2022 19:06

@Elliejane hiya 👋🏻
ive since been started on HRT! It’s taken ages to get the help and support I needed but it’s been a hormonal imbalance and now I’m only on HRT patches and progesterone tablets. It’s definitely helped my symptoms and goes to show that sometimes antidepressants aren’t always the answer. I’m early 40’s. I can definitely say that I feel a difference even tho I’ve not been on it that long.

hope you find something to help you x

Elliejane · 19/05/2022 19:18

@Hubblebubble1 thanks for replying . I am 50 so I wonder if it’s that too. I do have a history though of anxiety since I was 42/3 ish and been on ssri before. I mentioned to my gp I thought it might be peri menopause but she says ssri would be first as I don’t really have physical symptoms of it …. My periods though now range from 20 day cycles to 45.

so did you ever start the ssri or not ?

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