Escitalopram.

[hk1993x]

I'm now on week 4 of escitalopram 10mg and still feel anxious and sluggish. Does it get any better? 🥺

@Pineappledancerthis feels more like 1 step forward 12 steps back again!
@Lucillebatwings you did great going on holiday that can’t have been easy, looks like you had the best of the weather as well.
how long did it take for you both to get well again I know it’s a waiting game it’s just disheartening when the anxiety goes then comes back with a bang

@Pineappledancer how are you today

Today has been another really rough day.

Sorry @Catsservant I really can't remember how long it took the last time, just that it gradually improved with some blips. It was over 10 years ago.

@Catsservant last time I think I started to feel different around 6-8 weeks properly but there were improvements before that and also later too if that makes sense?

So my sleep improved earlier - and it’s the same this time. I am definitely sleeping better overall - for me anyway!

I still had blips though but managed them better.

@Pineappledancer did you manage to get through the day ok?

@Pineappledancer hoping today is ok - have been thinking about you

@Pineappledancer hope you have a better day today 🤞💐
@Lucillebatwings I found at 8weeks I started to feel better, unfortunately I had a hysterectomy 3 weeks ago and plummeted again. Last few days have been up and down, Ive finally reached the top of the w/l for CBT so I’m hoping now it might be useful as I think it’s my fear of never getting better that’s keeping the anxiety going. Ssri are a nightmare at first for causing insomnia. Was prescribed sertraline for PND I was wide awake all night it was horrific. Ended up switching in the end because of it.

I have made it through todays activities and feeling a bit calmer now that it is behind me. It was difficult, but not so much as yesterday.

I think there is probably a line somewhere between being busy/finding distraction helpful and what I have done the last two days, which I think has been a step too far. I had to do it for the kids though.

The next few days will be quieter and I will be glad to get home again and then build up to doing a bit more gradually.

@Lucillebatwings Glad to hear you are noticing a difference in your sleep. That is a good sign.

@Catsservant hopefully CBT will be really helpful for you. I know what you mean about fear of not getting better driving the anxiety even more.

You’ve done amazing - be proud of yourself! Even if it was a bit too much too soon, you did it and that’s a huge achievement. Baby steps from now on.

@Pineappledancer I know what you mean about distraction, cleaning today great sit down and start ruminating straight away. I need to go back to work it will keep me busy! You did well yesterday and today. It so hard to socialise and cope when feeling so anxious.

Hi all, glad to see everyone coming together on this post. I hope all your journeys are going okay ❤️ remember to be kind to yourself. Im having a wee blip just now but hoping tomorrow is a better day. Hugs to you all x

@hk1993x Hope your blip doesn’t last long, thankyou for your kind words x

@Catsservant Ive just noticed on an Escitalopram Facebook page a post asking about dips - someone felt great then around 6 weeks they felt very anxious. Their GP said that dips during recovery are very common especially if there is any additional stress, which you have absolutely had.

Lots of replies to the post suggested very common too.

@Lucillebatwings I’m on the citalopram Facebook group other people seem to have them as well. I get in a loop of fear of anxiety and panic attacks so then I get anxiety and panic attacks I’m better if I’m busy it stops me overthinking so much. How are you today do you feel any improvement yet

@hk1993x sorry to hear you are having a blip, how are you today?

@Catsservant @Lucillebatwings How are you both doing now?

Tuesday was definitely the worst day for me this week. Yesterday and today have been a little better, not sure if that is just because I haven't pushed myself so much. Eating has been less difficult today although I still don't have an appetite, eating is very forced. Feeling so tired today though. Still not sleeping well. Have only taken half a sleeping tablet the last two nights as I am nearly out and not sure i will be allowed more, and have found getting to sleep harder.

@Pineappledancer ups and downs still. Managed to go shopping with my adult daughter today for her birthday. You could try mirtazapine to help you sleep a low dose would help, also it’s an antidepressant so helps there as well. I found when I had depression I just had no appetite at all like you I had to make myself eat.

I’m on it - life saving. It doesn’t stop you feeling anxious completely but helps you do the work in rewiring your brain xx

@ChristmasRager Thanks for sharing your positive experience, it is reassuring to hear.

Can I ask how long it took for you to really notice a difference?

Also did you have any side effects?

@Catsservant Well done for getting out with your daughter to go shopping.

Thanks for the info about mitrazapine, I will see how the sleep goes, it might be worth a try for me.

How is your appetite now? I really miss enjoying food.

@Pineappledancer I feel very low again and hopeless bad anxiety again. How are you today

@Catsservant sorry to hear today has not been a positive one for you.

I am not sure how I feel. Today seemed a bit calmer to start with but then I had a very anxious afternoon. Feeling a bit calmer again now.

I do think overall I am a bit improved this week compared to weeks 1 to 3 though. It is just so up and down though and hard to see progress.

Sorry you are struggling @Catsservant 😢

I am up and down. All linked to physical health but daresay the anxiety makes physical symptoms a million times worse. I just always think worse case scenario all the time. Yesterday I was very anxious and as a consequence last night I woke during the night in panic a few times. Haven’t done that for a wee while now.

Today though I went with Dd to her Saturday morning activity and while she was busy doing that, DH and I walked for about 40 mins. I found it a struggle to silence the constant anxious thoughts in my head but I feel it helped. I didn’t want to do it though!! When I feel anxious I don’t want to do anything. But I know that doesn’t helped me.

This afternoon I’ve been really busy around the house. Just pottering while everyone else was chilling and doing their own thing. Managed to clean the kitchen and tidy out a couple of my kitchen cupboards, decluttering a little.

Are you still on holiday @Pineappledancer? Hope it’s going ok.

@Lucillebatwings we are back home now. I am relieved it is over but feel so terrible that I was not able to enjoy it, I was just surviving it as best as I could.

I am not looking forward to my partner going back to work again and will need to try and find some small but managable distractions to fill my days in the upcoming weeks. Then I need to think about the new job.

Don't feel terrible - you didn’t do anything bad and you didn’t want to feel the way you felt. I personally think you’ve done amazing going!

@Lucillebatwings Sorry to hear about your physical health issues no wonder you are very anxious. I find on citalopram I get panic attacks but they are nowhere near as bad as without.
@Pineappledancer you did well to go on holiday that must have been really difficult and stressful.