Citalopram v escitalopram

[ConcordeSkyHigh]

I've just started escitalopram and am not sure about it. I've only started 1/4 a day as pharmacist said can taper up as I can struggle with side effects. It's really not working too well for my gut - stomach pain. I know it's a small dose but I also feel it's totally counteracting my usual ADHD meds - much less ability to focus.

I'm thinking of switching to citalopram which I've had before and is relatively easy to come off, and unlike escitalopram does actually make me feel like I'm in a good mood. However I remember I could be a bit mood swing-y. Although to be honest am feeling that anyway with the escitalopram.

The alternative is trying to taper up with escitalopram this weekend and see if it improves.

They are the same drug. In nature there is mirror symmetry. If you look at your hands they are the same but mirror images. This is also seen in proteins and drugs too. Citalopram has both "hands" only one of which is active and whereas escitalopram only contains the active hand. It's a bit like trying to put gloves on the wrong hand it's doesn't quite get in right. This happens in the body with the drug and the protein

I’ve been on both and found citalopram wasn’t as effective for me.
But I wasn’t taking any other medication at the time so can’t comment on interaction with ADHD medication.

Oh OK so escitalopram is meant to be cleaner, more effective. I wonder if that explains why it'd be harder to taper off. I had a nightmare coming off sertraline. Loads of gastro issues and had to do it really slowly. The other thing was that I had to take it at exactly the same time every day or my moods were up and down. With citalopram it didn't really matter as much. I'll need to make a decision this weekend. I could have a break from ADHD meds.

Went up to half a escitalopram today. It was okay. Felt quite regulated, positive. Bit more restlessness about sitting down and more wondering around. I'll probably just carry on.

Give it time OP. I find that when I’m taking escitilopram I can get into my own head about it. It’s early days, can you do some breathing exercises or a meditation?

Does that getting into your own head go?

I find it settles after a couple of weeks. I don’t like taking this type of medication but I know it benefits me.
When I was on it the first time it was for anxiety, which was really bad at that time. I saw it as giving in, and that I didn’t like the thought of a chemical changing how my brain works. Daft I know.

How are you feeling today?

I'm sort of the same but over years I've learned that it's better to take it early on than wait until its really bad. And I guess the logical realisation from that is that it's the 'I must be strong and not let this break me' mindset that may or may not be helping me! I don't know. I'm trying to find small ways to recognise my needs. I find that helps. As most people are okay with making small accommodations too.

I had another half today and feel okay. I'm finding that keeping moving feels really good (she says while lying on sofa). I'm doing an activity then a break, so my brain can stay calm.

This time round I'm tempted to just stay on it. I usually have tapered off after 6 - 12 months. But now I have hormonal fluctuations to contend with too, usual life stresses. Still find myself thinking 'yes but I'd only be on 10mg which is subtherapeutic so not really like I'm on them'. It's not being judgemental but like you say I'm conscious they chemically change my brain, will I become addicted, and I'm also aware if life was less stressful I wouldn't need them, so really should deal with the underlying causes of stress.

I've got that sort of coming up feeling combined with the realisation I've got so much to do. I remember this from before. I'm glad I'm upping the dose at the weekend.

I totally get the dealing with the underlying cause of the stress. Easier said than done sometimes.

Ah good you’ve opted to stay on them and increase your dose. Small steps.

I'm not sure what the cause is. I think it's actions I took in the past, like 6 months ago. So internally I can hopefully heal myself and feel better in around 4 - 6 weeks. But its a false healing, as making good on the actions will be another 4 - 6 months. I can't get too happy if that makes sense. But then that puts me off moving forward as the rewards are far off. I also don't think the original causes were entirely my fault. So I'm best off aiming for improvement which again isn't quite the same good feeling as more instant success. However I think this is where staying present comes in. Trying to balance with a few nice things a week.

Maybe I'm very in my own head here! I do need a degree of realism though. I think the best thing is just to try and keep my life fairly regulated and routine at the moment.

I've been on both escitalopram is significantly better. Or for me at has been.

I can't get going today. Fluctuating between feeling everything is alright and everything is awful. Change in clocks not helped.

How are you doing @ConcordeSkyHigh?

Hiya thanks for checking, plodding along. I switched to taking it at night as I think it was interfering with my ADHD meds in the daytime. So now I wake up in a nicer mood and take ADHD meds for work. Win win. I'm still overwhelmed with life / my to do list.

Undecided if I should increase to 10mg tonight. Am due the flu jab and already feel a bit off. We will see.

Glad you’ve figured out a way to take both. Always good to wake up in a better mood ☺️

I increased to 10mg. Was OK until I came on. Ended up with a horrible migraine. Then ate something iffy.

Have spent the weekend cycling between fatigue, racing mind, and headache and mood swings. It's not my cycle anymore so it must be whatever I ate combined with that three week period of settling on escitalpram. Feel awful.

I’ve been on both and ecitalopram has worked much better for me. I take 20mg a day at night. Like you, I now wake up in a better mood!