10 1/2 weeks
Posted , 4 users are following.
HI, have been on 5mg escitalopram for nearly 11 weeks now, week 8 to 9 was fantastic, no symptoms at all and thought i had turned a corner, then just after week 9 until now i am back again waking up with tight chest, slight headache and negative thoughts, getting breathless for no reason, feeling like i've got no energy, dull pains in shoulders and back, feel like i am going to be sick especially after eating, generally feeling like crap until late evening, i must admit that i do have a couple of whisky,s at night it helps me sleep, since being on escitalopram i am sleeping better getting 7 to 8 hours whereas i was only getting about five to six when on bromazapam, i have a new prescription of 10 mg starting on new years eve, (my pharmacist won't give me the new dose until it's due,) is this normal and an indication that i need an increased dose. thank you.
0 likes, 8 replies
alex_71123 john11895
Posted
hi john, im sorry to hear You’re having problems with the medication after such a successful few weeks. But not sure why you were on 5mg for so long. Normally you only stay on 5mg for 10 days and then move onto 10mg. 5mg won’t do much, more of a placebo effect. 10mg is really where you start getting the benefits. I’m on 15mg now and for me that’s my sweet spot. No symptoms and all the benefits. Why can’t you go onto 10mg immediately. Or can’t you just double up the pills?
john11895 alex_71123
Posted
Thanks for your reply alex, when i first started my doctor gave me a 3 month prescription, with the system here in France they will not give you each months worth until it's due so if i double up i would be without for a while!, he has upped the dose but i can't get them until i get back from the UK on 30th Dec.
alex_71123 john11895
Posted
also, please try and stay off the alcohol if you can, maybe ask for a small prescription of benzodiazepam
matts4912 alex_71123
Posted
Absolutely agree with alex here about the alcohol, but benzos? Possibly replacing one evil another. Fine if taken periodically, but after a few weeks of continuous prescribing and you will have another withdrawal on your hands.
Alex is right in so much that they will help your sleep in place of the alcohol, but if you have an addictive personality (by that I do NOT mean you are an addict!) tread carefully with benzos as one can get hooked on them quite quickly.
I help out with an anti-depressant withdrawal forum every day and the amount of people I see screwed up from benzos is troubling. They are good drugs, but have to be treated with respect.
Word to the wise. Take care my friends!
john11895 matts4912
Posted
Thanks matts, was on bromazapam for 18 months and had terrible insomnia while on them and suffered the most horrendous withdrawal symptoms when i came off them, i think i'd become addicted or dependent on them, something i'm not with a couple of whiskys a night.
sam54728 john11895
Posted
It's the whiskey. I don't have as much as a problem with a few beers or wine but hard alcohol gives me all the side effects again. It also happens if I'm more than 3 hours late taking my meds:(
Happy Holidays!
john11895 sam54728
Posted
Thank you sam, i probably know i shoudn't have the whisky but i do enjoy it and it does get me to sleep.
sam54728 john11895
Posted
No judgement here! I still drink Crown Royal and just know what to expect and take my punishment, HA:)