Lexapro/Escitalopram - Positively needed

[Blueeveryday]

I was prescribed this a week ago. It’s definitely heightened my anxiety and I am doubting myself if I have done the right thing in taking it. Had bad experiences before on medication.

Though I do believe part of the way I’m feeling is my anxiety. Making me doubt absolutely everything and put a negative spin on it.

So….to help me through this rough start up time, I would love to hear stories on how it benefits your life. It will help me push on.

Thanks

I have no advice but I just started escitalopram yesterday! Due to severe anxiety and OCD. And I’m very anxious about what it’s going to bring. Offering hugs & solidarity. We can do this.

What’s your dose? I was prescribed 10mg but I only took 5mg for the first couple of weeks. I just split the tablet in half. I’d had awful side effects when I tried sertraline a couple of years ago and no way would I go through that again.

I was taking the escitalopram for depression and found it really, really helpful. It took 4 weeks to feel a bit better, then six weeks to feel a lot better. My doctor had explained that it takes a while to work which helped me stick with it.

I did also have some anxiety, especially at night when I would put my head on pillow and think every bad thought ever. The escitalopram completely fixed that for me.

@AlltheJays23 you are right. We can do this. I’m taking this medication for both those reasons also. Feel free to PM me 💐

@SprogTakesAQuarry i am on 5mg which is to be increased next week to 10mg. Though I’m going to stick with the 5mg for now. Glad it helped you.
My anxiety is so bad.

It's a very common side effect to feel much worse before you get better, I don't know why that it but it's awful. Stick at it and be kind to yourself! X

My daughter started taking it about 3 years ago and said it was life changing. She was fascinated that she could function without being a hot mess all the time and wished she had started years ago (in Uni).

It can take a while for the benefits to be fully felt though, so if you don’t feel better (or even feel a bit worse) don’t give up. And I hope it helps you OP.

I've been on it well over a decade and it has been life-changing. Hang in there and give it a chance.

@YouAndMeAndThem thank you. I’m trying to do that but it’s quite difficult

@Lizzieregina happy for your daughter and for you also. If you don’t mind me asking…did she take it for anxiety?

@LifeExperience thats great to hear. I’m looking up every bad review on them, which is why I’m specifically asking for good reviews. I will keep re-reading them. What was ur reason for starting?

I take 20mg and it's been excellent for me. I've been on it for about 10 years. Hang in there!

@StoatofDisarray Thats wonderful. Did it make you feel worse before it made u feel better?

A little but only for a couple of weeks and I was in therapy at the time so I had an outlet for my anxiety.

I don't suffer from anxiety so forgive me if this is a daft question but what is worrying you about taking it?

Keep at it OP. I was on 5mg for a week, then upped it to 10mg and have been at that dosage for about 6 months now. Anxiety is gone. It’s been so helpful for me. Wishing you the best.

@Blueeveryday yes both of my DDs have taken it for anxiety. For my younger, it was like a reset, she took it for about a year and then weaned off and so far so good (about 4 years).

For my older DD she was just traveling around the world, so no work stress etc, and she has weaned off while on her travels. She’s hoping she won’t need it again, but says if she does, she’ll be back on it right away as she won’t be suffering like she used to!

@StoatofDisarray this is my 4th one. Previous didn’t agree with me so it’s make me overly anxious. Suppose it’s anxiety on top of anxiety.

Ah, I get it. Oddly it was my fourth too: Prozac, sertraline and citalopram then ecitalopram! Wishing you all the best x

@takemehomecountryroads thank you, that’s very reassuring. When did you start to notice the anxiety easing?

@Lizzieregina yes that’s what I’m hoping for…to hit reset. Happy for both your daughters.

Watching with interest, my ds (18) started a few months ago at 5mg , slowly increased and has just gone up to 20mg.

No real noticeable changes so far with his OCD (ruminations/anxiety).

Is feeling a bit sick/dizzy tonight and generally more tired. Hoping this will calm down and that things improve otherwise he will be told to try a new SSRI which is a pain.

@mirabella84 I’m sorry to hear your son is suffering and not finding any relief…maybe time to try a different one, this is my 4th. GP told me it’s trial and error and it takes time to find the correct one

I have been prescribed escitalopram today. Will take two weeks for the prescription to reach my NHS GP though so won't be starting until December. This is the only SSRI I have not taken previously. Am very worried about the side effects as not been able to tolerate any of the others. We shall see.

Sending you a big unmumsnetty hug.

@Sharpkat Sending you one back 💐 good luck with it. It’s the unknown, especially with extreme anxiety already!! Not a good combo 😂 I want this desperately to work. I will keep updating how I’m feeling, though I know what works for me might not work for you.

@Blueeveryday I shall be reading. Not able to start until December due to the delay in getting paperwork transferred.

Rooting for you