Husband prescribed 20mg Escitalopram straight off...

Hi Nickie, thank you for your reply. Well, we spoke to his doctor this morning and she wants him to stick with the 20mg - we're accustomed after living in France for nearly 12 years, that there is generally a "more is better" attitude here when it comes to all kinds of medication - so that's no surprise really.  She wants him to report back in 4 weeks time to see how he feels, with the view of hopefully taking Escitalopram for about 6 months, and then slowly dialing it down (hopefully to zero). In the meantime he'll be meeting with a CBT therapist next week to start weekly sessions. Luckily I've managed to find one who is actually English, so there won't be any problems language-wise (we're both pretty fluent, but it's still tricky when it comes to health issues, especially mental health where the language we use to describe symptoms/ feelings is quite nuanced). Right now, after 3 days of taking the Escitalopram, he says he feels a bit weird, a bit "out of it". The doc said that feeling should settle over time. We'll see. I hope you'll be able to manage with the increased dose, from what I've read and heard over the past few days, it can take a while to find the exact combination/ type/ dosage for each individual. Good luck and take care. 

Greta.. so Happy to hear that u contacted Dr. . Yes I know what he means when he says he feels out of it.. but that will pass as his body gets use to the meds.. it's only because I'm afraid that a lot of symptoms would flood me and I'm Soo sensitive to meds r I would have take the 10 mg. At once.. but I've been on 10 mg. Spaced out over 4-6 hour periods and still I'm having bad panic of the am but tends to go away around 11- noon.. I still feel a little out of it but spoke to my Dr. And Pharmacist and that is pretty normal and when I say normal that's just some of the side effects not that everyone will have the same degree of symptoms but everyone will have something..I was about to jump ship this am when a panic attack hit me at 6 am when I got up to take my 6am pill.. it lasted about 30-45 minutes.. it was not FUN at all.. but it's what u have to do to get to where u want and need to b..please keep us updated on his progress.. it will become easier and better with time.. Take Care.. God Bless

Greta.. How is your husband doing on his meds..? I have been thinking about him.. I'm 63 do u mind me asking his age? I think these meds work a little different on everyone.. I'm talking about Lexapro.. Take Care 

Hi Nickie, Sorry for the tardy reply - our kids are on school break, so we were away from home last week with sporadic internet connection. Thank you for taking the time to check in on him - this is a lovely community we've found. So after about 6 days of taking the 20mg Escitalopram and feeling "out of it" and worried about undertaking long distance driving for our little holiday, Jamie decided to take 10mg for a few days which he felt much better on with no side effects. He did this for 4 days, and during this time had his first session with the CBT therapist which went very well. It's now day 14 since he started taking the drug and he has now back to 20mg and says that he feels OK - no particular side effects, not feeling "high" like before; and he's been quite focused and present. For him, when he gets his bouts of anxiety/ depression he finds it difficult to focus and participate with life/ stuff going on around him. So, for now, things are OK - but since he started the medication, he also has yet to have a major trigger for his anxiety - so we wait to see how things pan out over time. With regards to your other question, he'll be 51 in May. How are you doing with your treatment? Are you getting any therapy as well? Take care. 

Greca.. Glad to hear your husband is doing well and is able to enjoy family time.. Hope you all had pleasant weather for the Spring Break.. Here in Texas we have had ice and very cold temps. One day and Thunderstorms the next.. Texas weather for you...I'm on lexapro also which I had spaced out every 6 hrs. now I'm on 5mg. Twice daily and managing.. I'm somewhat different than your husband.. I've had GAD and Panic all my life so I know from where it comes..I have just never found anything that really worked well without so many side effects.. But my present Dr. did a saliva test on me and it came back with why nothing in the past has ever worked for me ... So I feel a lot better knowing that Lexapro was a medicine listed as a good candidate for working well with my DNA..if you husband sticks with his therapy he will in time figure out a reason of his aniexty.. It can be such a simple reason that you really don't feel like it's the reason.. So tell him to keep up his therapy.. and yes I'm in therapy and have been for years...I'm doing pretty good.. I Just have moments of feeling a little off but better sense Lexapro.. Try to keep me updated on his progress if you have time to check in.. Take Care and God Bless 😊

Alex... how long have u suffered with GAD and Panic? It's not been easy doing this but I think for me it's the best .. I'm sooo sick of GAD and Panic and not feeling like myself..R u having any break thru panic attacks with your increase to 10 mg. Do u think u will need the extra 10 mg. ? Take Care and Keep us updated on your journey.. it helps us all.. God Bless

Hi

Yes I am feeling better (apart from the morning anxiety) I did take Diazepam for a while during the increase in dose. I'm now at 15mg and looking to increase to 20mg to rid myself of that underlying anxiety, as previously mentioned I would say I'm 80% there and hoping the extra 5mg will be my magic number for relief. I wouldn't wish this on anyone it's been horrible but I can now see light at the end of the tunnel. Stick with it it takes time.

Alex...please continue your posting.. it helps us all to read other people's journey.. I'm already dreading tomorrow morning and the panic it will bring... 😩😪

Hi Alex - thanks for your reply. My husband seems to be generally responding OK to the 20mg, he mainly says that it's making him feel a bit high or spaced out. This feeling seems to kick in in the afternoon, and then through t the evening. We did ask the doctor about starting slowly, but she was of the opinion that as long as side-effects weren't intolerable, he'd be OK. We're basically taking it one day at a time.