Escitalopram

[Notsurewhattodo98]

So after months of resisting ive gone back on antidepressants for anxiety, ocd, overthinking.
Trying escitalopram this time - only just started but hoping this will work in a few weeks.
Anyone else got any experiences to share of taking escitalopram for anxiety, ocd, overthinking?
TIA 😊

@RealLifeClanger You need to keep taking it so that your body gets used to it. Please don’t give up on the first attempt, it’s very normal to feel lousy initially.

Try taking it just before you go to bed so you’re less aware of any side effects.

Totally agree, you need to persist for at least 6 weeks of you want to see an improvement

Going on escitalopram for 5 years for CPTSD was the worst thing I ever did. it deadened all my emotions and made me walk through life like a zombie, dead to everything.
I weaned myself off recently and the world has reappeared in full colour. These drugs are not the answer. I'd rather feel pain than nothing at all.
Even my psychiatrist said I should never have been left on them for so long. I wasted 5 years of my life when I should have been living.

Also the withdrawal side effects were horrific.

@Gettingbysomehow If that’s how it made you feel, it was definitely the right move to stop taking it.
But, it also works well for some people. It’s had the opposite effect on me tbh. Everyone’s different.

The drugs might not have been the answer for you, but they work really well for a lot of people. Citalopram gave me my life back for 15 years, unfortunately my body got used to them and as I was at the highest dose I had to change.

It's good to hear all different experiences I think.

I couldn't continue unfortunately, it was pretty horrific for me. I'm really disappointed after hearing all the positive experiences but there's no way I could have done that again. I had intense fear and agitation, nausea, awful diarrhea, totally disorientated and dizzy. I couldn't function at all. Lost the whole day and my partner had to look after me as I was a crying mess falling all over the place.
BUT I do get unusually bad side effects, possibly because I'm underweight or due to another health issue so I don't want my experience to put others off trying. It can be great for so many people.

It honestly sounds like a panic attack because you've been worrying about taking the meds. In that case all meds will have the same outcome

It reads a bit that way but honestly, I've had a lot of panic attacks in my time and none were like that. No racing heart or shaking either, which is classic panic attack for mme. I very much wasn't in control of myself and it was quite scary.

@RealLifeClanger How much did you take?

Ah OK, that's rubbish then 😏 have you tried SNRIs or a different alternative? Maybe SSRIs don't agree with you?

Just 5mg. I really do think I have some sort of issue processing certain medicines though.

@Midnightlove that was the first time I've tried anything like that. It's put me off trying anything else for the time being so I'll concentrate on non-pharmaceutical options for now. I've got my usual counselling and also in the process of trying to get EMDR therapy so hopefully that will come through soon.

OP, how did you get on with the Escitalopram in the end? Did they help you? Did the nausea wear off?

Just found this thread
Debating taking the first one tonight

I'm now on day 5 of this and it's not going well
Is anyone around to chat

Hi 👋 I started about 4/5 months ago and am doing really well on them. What side effects are you having?

Thanks for replying
Tingling face , feeling distanced,dizzy ,sick and head feels very heavy.i then feel I could be slapped across the face and I'd not react.
So plenty of side effects,but not feeling any better yet
When did they start to work for you

Unfortunately that's pretty normal to begin with, it can take a few weeks to feel the benefits but when they start and the side effects go it really is worth it. Have you been on antidepressants before?

Yes ,but not for about 15 years

Thanks for your reply

@MoonDanceDiner I had to stop as couldn’t cope with feeling so ill. Will try again very soon as my head is a total mess.

Maybe try on a really small dose and taper up if your really suffering with side effects?
I've been fine on them apart from some nausea when starting/increasing. But I was on citalopram for a very long time which is similar.

Hi @Pinkchristmastree6 sorry you are struggling. Keep going the side effects will pass soon.

Mine lasted approx 3 weeks but they started to subside long before that. Probably from week 2 I was over the worst of them.

Have been taking it for years, a game changer for me. I didn't have any side effects