Escitalopram & Diazepam
Posted , 5 users are following.
I dont know what to do. I have suffered with severe health anxiety for 7 years. Up until 2 weeks ago i was trying to self manage but it got that out of control where i have attended A&E over 50 times thinking i am dying with a heart attack or stroke i had to have an emergency appointment with an out of hours GP. That GP gave me a diazepam to calm me down and told me to make an emergency appointment at my GP which I did the next day.
Anyway, saw the GP she was very nice and said she thinks i should try some medication now as i have suffered for so long, she started me on Escitalopram for a week 5mg along with Diazepam 2mg increasing the Escitalopram to 10mg on the second week because i was afraid of the side effects.
I have taken 5mg of Escitalopram for a week and then 10mg and im coming to the end of my second week so all in all ive taken them for 13 days.
Now my thoughts have taken more of a sinister turn with things like well why dont you just kill yourself your life is rubbish anyway which doesnt make sense as all that my mind has had me doing for the past 7 years is running to the hospital thinking im dying at 34! So are these anxious thoughts just a side effect or should i not take them anymore?
0 likes, 6 replies
carol350 Guest1985
Posted
i take both and not normal to think like that they really help me you must go back and tell them and ask to be referred to a specialist who can help you it is not normal seek help !
Guest1985 carol350
Posted
ahhhh okay so it isnt normal to be having those thoughts?
Will I have to wean off them after only being on them 13 days?
matts4912 Guest1985
Posted
YES! Don't stop cold turkey - even after 2 weeks. Go back to 5mg for a week, and then - if you can - cut the 5mg into 2 halves and take 2.5mg for a week. You should not suffer any withdrawal effects.
I agree with Carol - those thoughts are a bit intense for start-up effects.
Have you tried therapy? I used to have crippling health anxiety the same as you...
Guest1985 matts4912
Posted
Really even after only 13 days? I feel like if i carry on taking them for another 2 weeks it will build up in my system longer?
Ive tried therapy for the last 7 years that is why i finally gave in and took medication.
matts4912 Guest1985
Posted
It only takes 7-10 days for the brain to have made changes as a result of the medication and you must therefore slowly get it back out of your system. Don't think if it like you are putting more in, think of it more like you have just done a race and you need to wind down to stop the lactic acid build up in your muscles. If you only do 100 meters, you do not need to worry, but if you run 5 miles, you need to do a slow jog to let your muscles settle down. If you stop cold turkey, you will likely have a mini withdrawal for the same time that you would spend reducing the dose.
Regarding therapy, I can only think you have not found the right therapist - it can, and does happen. I don't like to say this, but pills made my health anxiety worse from all the side effects I got - so we are probably very similar in this respect.
I have so much respect for you avoiding the meds for that long - seriously well done. I just hope there is something that can help you. Please feel free to talk, pm, ask questions - I will be only too happy to help you.
Certate Guest1985
Posted
I've felt the same way, I also had those thoughts and was like WTF, but I don't believe it was the medication, I think it was just a dumb thought that went through my head because my anxiety was so bad and it also gave me more anxiety.
it was one of those intrusive thoughts that bothered me because I'm also afraid of dying.
sometimes just reading things can cause us issues, like this medication can cause thoughts of suicide, then we just add that to our brain and worry and actually think it.
but thats just me and you need to realize if its the med or yourself....