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How to manage escitalopram start up anxiety + other effects

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caroline50055
caroline50055

I have posted a few items on here and am going through a terrible time with severe anxiety and depression. I also am extremely sensitive to medication. I asked to try escitalopram but don't know how I will be able to get through start up problems particularly the increased aniety, depression and insomnia. I live alone which makes it more difficult. It might be that other side effects make it impossible for me. I am in despair at which medication to try as every one seems to affect me too much and I have not been able to be strong enough to push through. Perhaps I should have started sooner rather than leaving it for the depression/anxiety to take a greater hold thereby making any increase in anxiety/depression and other side effects feel intolerable as I am at my coping limit anyway.

I also worry tremendously that the start up seems to last a long time.

Any feedback appreciated.

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • lynne82155
    lynne82155 caroline50055

    Posted

    I think you have to make the decision do you want to go on AD's which will more than likely have side effects or live with your condition without meds.

    Only you can make that decision everyone reacts differently to medication

  • elaine75058
    elaine75058 caroline50055

    Posted

    hi caroline ive been suffering from severe health anxiety ive jus been put on setraline 25mg i too am very sensitive to medicine. im on day 5 at the mo... and panicking ĺike hell im frightened that i might pass out the days before werent so bad so i dont know why im worse today. strange. nauseous. weak. feeling a bit faint and no appetite at all. what are your symptons?
    • caroline50055
      caroline50055 elaine75058

      Posted

      Hi Elaine

      I haven't started them yet I need to get them. I have let my anxiety and depression go on to long without treatment (well I have tried other antidepressants but could not tolerate them) and it has got very entrenched - I am having CBT but feel so bad it is difficult making it work. I got bad side effects on just 12.5mg of sertraline - it was horrible - bad dizziness, headache, nausea, burning skin senstion, twitching, burning bladder, painful urination, 

      C

       

    • sarah79585
      sarah79585 caroline50055

      Posted

      hi did you experience any tingling and numbness with the sertraline?im on 100mg and although tingling and numbness is one of my health anxiety symptoms it has defiitely got worse while on sertraline,hope you feel better soon
    • sarah79585
      sarah79585 caroline50055

      Posted

      hi did you experience any tingling and numbness with the sertraline?im on 100mg and although tingling and numbness is one of my health anxiety symptoms it has defiitely got worse while on sertraline,hope you feel better soon
    • elaine75058
      elaine75058 caroline50055

      Posted

      did you get a tingly burning sensation on your back. radiating to the upper back which only lasted a few seconds?
  • tonia_2003
    tonia_2003 caroline50055

    Posted

    Did you have to wean off anything else? Or were not on anything before?
    • caroline50055
      caroline50055 tonia_2003

      Posted

      I was on nothing before. It scares me so much. I should have done something ages ago but it has got very bac now and will be more difficult to shift. The reason I didn't do anything earlier was due to physical health issues that were affecting my gi system (I still have some remnants) and fear of medication, Even though I was off work I didn't feel as bad as now - it feels unbearable. I could not cope with the antidepressants making it worse.
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