8weeks on escitalopram
Posted , 4 users are following.
Hi all, have been on 5mg cit for exactly 8 weeks tomorrow, last week i had three days when i thought i was completely over the anxiety, then for no apparent reason it was back, light headed, nauseous, breathless and funny feelings in my legs, and of course thoughts that something is wrong with me, is this normal? do you think it's still early or should i ask my doctor to up the dose, i happen to live in France and i'm not very fluent with the language but read the leaflet that comes with the tabs that 5mg is a normal dose for over 65s ( i am a relatively fit 71 ), and also can i ask others what form of breathless do you get, i can take full breaths but sometimes i only have to do the most menial of tasks and i'm breathless but when i'm not anxious i can do most things, walk around a golf course for 4 hours, 45mins on my tread mill and feel fine it seems i only get breathless when i am anxious.
0 likes, 8 replies
Lou342 john11895
Posted
hi john, have you tried belly breathing? might help calm your anxiety. Its a horrible feeling. I would wait a few more weeks and if it still bothers you ask about upping the dose. 10mg is the starting dose of citralopram here. All the best and well done for keeping up with the exercise
john11895 Lou342
Posted
Thanks Lou, yes i do practice my breathing, it has helped but nothing seems to help when the anxiety kicks in, i just have to wait it out until it passes which can be a couple of days, the hardest thing is convincing yourself there is nothing wrong with you, on good days i'm convinced i am perfectly healthy, then bang it comes from nowhere and think am back to square one.
tamsin07572 john11895
Posted
hi john i am exactky the same as you - been getti g the breathlessness thing a lot too. And i thought i was getting back as well but now back to square with a blip. i an on 20. Here in NZ they say 20 is minimum therapeuric dose tho lots on here have said theyve got better on 10
Lou342 john11895
Posted
awwww john I understand. Its a horrible feeling. What about a very low dose of diazapam to help in emergencies. They are addictive but I break them in half and they do really help. Big hugs to you
john11895 Lou342
Posted
Hi Lou, i was on bromazapam for 18 months, when i came off them i suffered the most horrendous withdrawal symptoms for a couple of weeks, in fairness to my doctor he did say that i could take one if i felt i needed until the escitalopam started working but i chose to come off completely, probably a bad move but i ididn't want to become dependent on them again, i did take one after about 3 weeks and it worked ok but feel it would be too easy to reach for one every time i felt bad, am determined to beat this and will give the escitalopram a chance to do its job, am going back to the UK for christmas and being with a lot of family i know i'll have a week free of anxiety, thank you for your kind words and support, keep well. John
tamsin07572 john11895
Posted
sorry just realised you aee escitalopram - equivalent would be 10 as therapeutic dose. i am on citalopram
john11895 tamsin07572
Posted
Thanks tamsin, have 1 month left on my prescription so will see how it goes then have a word with my doctor. see you are in NZ was there in Feb visiting friends, funnily enough when i go away so does my anxiety, i suppose my mind is elsewhere and don't have time to dwell on things.
tamsin07572 john11895
Posted
you are really lucky john that yiu have that - sonetimes im better when im away sometimes worse. i am taking lorazepam at the monent / for 6 weeks so far. really hoping that ill be ok when i stop them. im sure youll be ok and the escit will work. im sure winter doesnt help. i hope you have a lovely christmas with your family x