1. Community
  2. Brain and nerves
  3. Escitalopram

Square 1 after a few good days

Posted , 15 users are following.

tammy76379
tammy76379

I think by now everyone is tired of me on this site. I had 3 really good days and nights this week, a tiny bit of underlying anxiety. Then the reverse happened. Instead of being anxious during the day and it lifting around 5, I've become anxious in the evening and sleeping isn't so easy. The other thing I noticed a few of you have mentioned is that choking feeling and loose bm's, and I'm nauseous.... Maybe I'm getting the flu, I'm sure that would be easier to get over. But I am now experiencing both of those. I feel like I'm starting over. In a few days it'll be 4 weeks on 20 mg, I think I see improvement, then something crops up. And on top of it, I'm so sleepy-tired. More so than just the waking up at night. I'm ready to give up on this medicine and go back to name brand Effexor XR.

1 like, 374 replies

374 Replies

Next
  • lois_ann82830
    lois_ann82830 tammy76379

    Edited

    Hi Tammy,

    So a little about me, I'm in the medical field and approximately 4 months ago, I became anxious out of nowhere.  I pondered on the possible causes such as insomnia, which I have had for > a year, which started out due to environmental changes...moving in with boyfriend, boyfriend snores, dog barking at night, etc.  Then I started having health related anxiety (though I'm healthy), panic attacks in the nights and then full on anxiety, starting in August of last year.  For the first 2 months, itwas a shock to my psyche that I could feel the way I did....anxious, depressed (over being anxious). My life was great otherwise w/ no recent stressors.   I decided initially to see a therapist who focused on insomnia and anxiety, and he was great.  But after 2 months of therapy only, I realized it wasn't enough.  I had to see multiple psychiatrist to get to the right one, mostly because in addition to the whole insurance issue, there are some psychiatrists who truly should not be in the business as they are ineffective at their jobs. Initially, I was started on 10 mg of Celexa but I stopped seeing that psychiatrist because she saw me only 5 minutes, wrote me rx and took my money.  I did start to feel better on the Celexa but not 100%, so after several weeks, I started seeing a new psychiatrist who was even worse than the first one in terms of his bedside manners.  I thought he would adjust my Celexa, but instead he took me off of it and started me on Effexor. I began taking Effexor 37.5 mg twice a day.  Effexor is an SNRI so in addition to inhibiting uptake of serotonin, it also inhibits uptake of norepinephrine.  You may or may not be aware but norepinephrine is a stress hormone (involved in fight/flight) I believe that this is why my anxiety shot through the roof.  The morning anxieties were the worst!!!!  After about 4 weeks I did start to feel a little better though and probbaly would have continued to feel better. Anyway around that time, I decided to see a new psychiatrist at the hospital I used to work at in NYC. She was a breath of fresh air!!! She spent hrs talking to me and contacted my therapist and boyfriend to get collateral info (every therapist/psych should do this!) She decided to start me  on escitalopraam which is a potent inhibitor of serotonin. Immediately after stopping the effexor, I felt much, much better (no brain zaps or anything) after stopping it cold turkey as I started on escitalopram immediately. After 3 weeks on escitalopram (started on 5mg first week, now on 10mg for past 2 weeks), feeling soooo much better! Yes there is intermittent minimal underlying anxiety at times (not a big deal) but most of the time I'm anxiety free and sleeping better!!! And best of all, no low moods!!! Anyway, I know different meds work for different people. We are all different so don't compare your self to anyone on this forum. Before giving up on lexapro, really give it a chance. These meds can take several weeks to really be fully effective 8-12 weeks sometimes). Things will get better and you will get your life back, trust me! Anxiety/depression leads to anxious/depressed mood so those dark thoughts you rae having is only the anxiety/depression talking. Don't believe them and continue taking care of yourself. Also tune out the negative posts on here. We are already anxious, we don't need anyone making it worse..lol

     

    • Nickie54
      Nickie54 lois_ann82830

      Posted

      Lois Ann... we have the same name Lol.. I'm Nickie Lois...I agree with what u said in your message .. I'm just trying to remove this negative self talk with positive ... I'm positive for everyone but myself... but I do know from where my GAD and Panic disorder comes from.. but sometimes it's hard... I To am on Lexapro 5 mg ..this is going into my 3 red week.. some good changes have happened but still have my Dr. Phobia.. and aniexty over whennthe aniexty will hit but I'm trying to work on that.. it's never pleasant.. Thank You for your post...

    • lois_ann82830
      lois_ann82830 Nickie54

      Posted

      Hi Nicole,

      Thank you!

      Question...is your doctor gonna bump up your lexapro? 5mg isn't really therapeutic. 10 to 20mg usually is....

      Lexapro is a med that can be titrated quickly

      Hope u feel better soon

      L

    • Nickie54
      Nickie54 lois_ann82830

      Posted

      Lois Ann... Yes she is wanting me to go up to 5mg 2x per day but I'm having anxious thoughts about the side effects from going from 5 mg to 10 mg.. so I'm thinking I may just increase the night time to 5 mg and continue with the 2.5 of the am... I'm real sensitive to meds... she did a saliva test on me to b sure that lexapro was a good medicine for my DNA... I'm really sensitive... I guess that's why I'm going soooo slow with the increase... what's your thoughts on it...?

    • lois_ann82830
      lois_ann82830 Nickie54

      Posted

      I understand...

      I has no side effects on 5mg. I did find that when I went to 10mg daily, I had mild anxiety but I expected this and the anxiety tapered off quickly

      I say go slow since you're meds sensitive but you really need at least 10mg eventually as this is the therapeutic dise

      It's only been 3 weeks for me, including 2 weeks at 10mg and doing so much better and hope to keep improving...

      I'm willing to go through the motions and give it chance to fully work

      You can also ask your doc for few klonopin tabs to offset any worsening of anxiety initially while on meds. Klonopin is a great little drug and is long acting. Rapidly takes care of anxiety/anxiety related low moods, but of course not for long term use.

      Everyone is different and all meds have side effects but the side effects usually fade as your body gets used to it.

      By the way, still enjoying sex, maybe even more...lol...and able to reach the big O!

      I would say really give it a chance😊

      L

    • Nickie54
      Nickie54 lois_ann82830

      Posted

      Lois Ann... has your mood improved with the 10 mg. I'm very Sad and low right now .. I feel like I'm going thru the motions of doing things.. but I also have been noticing my mood being down and sad for several months.. That's good about your other.. lol Please stay in the conversation if u can.. we all need each other's support and input.. Take Care and Have a Marvelous Monday...😊

    • lois_ann82830
      lois_ann82830 Nickie54

      Posted

      Hi Nickie

      So sorry your mood is down.

      I struggled more with anxiety but there were definitely periods of low mood...like I wasn't enjoying life...was always in my head

      But yes! Dare I say I'm back to myself? But I am. Almost 0 anxiety and no low moods

      I think when you fully get on the 10mg, you'll do well eventually. Go slow, slowly adjust to 10 and then give it few weeks. My experience is that I gradually felt better and better...

      I will definitely stay in the conversation. I'm here for you honey?

    • lois_ann82830
      lois_ann82830 Nickie54

      Posted

      Another thing Nicki is that these meds aren't adding anything to your body...they are simply preventing the uptake of serotonin thereby increasing the amount left in circulation. Serotonin is the happy chemical..responsible for our mood, sleep, appetite, sex, etc

      Yes the body will definitely adjust eventually. Lexapro is great. Hang in there....

      L

    • Nickie54
      Nickie54 lois_ann82830

      Posted

      Lois Ann... Thank You Sooo Much for the messages... if u only knew and I think u do .. how I have felt off and on these past 40 + years... every time I was put on something it went bad.. I was in hospital 3 times and still all failed .. so this time my Obgyn did a saliva test and found a lot of meds that would work with my DNA.. I think I have posted this but.. I really think Lexapro is the pill for me..I have lost so much weight from this GAD and panic .. and now I'm honestly hungry..so that's a good thing.. I just need to eat healthy but sometimes I jump ship and eat fatty stuff but with what I have been thru a little fat is ok.. lol this am took 5 mg and I really feel much better.. idk if I'm just having a good day r if The bump up helped some.. who knows but as long as I see improvement that's what I want..Thanks for the info on Lexapro.. again Please stay put in our conversation.. Thanks Again.. Take Care and we will all talk soon...😊

    • lois_ann82830
      lois_ann82830 Nickie54

      Posted

      Oh wow Nickie, so glad to hear!!!!

      Yes, improvement in appetite and sleep is an important sign that meds may be working.

      Stick with it...let me know updates

      Talk soon😊

      L

    • lois_ann82830
      lois_ann82830 Nickie54

      Posted

      Btw, I too lost considerate weight going through all this. I think I lost proximately 15 pounds in 2 months and clothes fit differently. Since my appetite returned and am feeling better I purposely regained a few pounds to get to my ideal, healthy weight of 140 pounds. Now making sure I don't gain all those lost pounds back...lol

      I'm just happy I'm able to enjoy food again

      Cheers, L

    • Nickie54
      Nickie54 lois_ann82830

      Posted

      LoisAnn..I bumped it up to 7.5 yesterday and the flat feeling and nervousness has come back .. I had such a pretty good day yesterday.. I'm Thinking  about just moving up to 10mg and get it over with and have the side effects done with.. I hate this low mood and nervousness and flat feeling... HELP

    • lois_ann82830
      lois_ann82830 Nickie54

      Posted

      Hi Nickie, I hear you. Yes the increased dose does increase the anxiety initially and I think its a good idea to just bump up to 10 and let your body adjust at one time. Do you have any benzos to offset the anxiety until your body adjust? Did your doc give you any? I found that I felt better and better pretty quickly after starting the 10 mg

      Hang in there, it gets better!

      L

    • Nickie54
      Nickie54 lois_ann82830

      Posted

      Lois Ann 82830... I'm going to try but idk if my mother BD can handle another go around right now... I'm going to b honest .. it depends on how this mind of mine feels at 3 pm... my husband says to take 5 mg at night and 5 mg of the am just st like I have been taking no my 2.5 mg 2 times a day... we will see.. Thank You For The feed back.. Enjoy Your Day..😊

    • Nickie54
      Nickie54

      Posted

      Lois Ann .. that should say Idk if my brain can handle another go around right now... lol
    • lois_ann82830
      lois_ann82830 Nickie54

      Posted

      I hear you and only you knows what's best for you.

      Wishing you well...hang in there

      L

    • Nickie54
      Nickie54 lois_ann82830

      Posted

      Lois Ann.. I'm going to try .. I can always cut back down to 5mg..😊  Talk Soon..

    • mrs_susan74280
      mrs_susan74280 Nickie54

      Posted

      Can you tell me more about the saliva test, that's new to me,where do you live

    • jennifer21990
      jennifer21990 mrs_susan74280

      Posted

      WILL KNOW MORE ABOUT IT WHEN I GO TO DOCTORS IN APRIL..my doctor uses a company called genesight.   i had to ask about it... i live in nj   but doctor is in pa.  i am on 15mg lexapro and xanax.. but only been on it for 5 days at 15mg   ..   starting to have more side affects now and hope they will go away before i have to take the test.   

    • Nickie54
      Nickie54 mrs_susan74280

      Posted

      Susan...I live in Texas..it’s just a saliva test and it does your DNA.. I have always been very sensitive to all meds so at this point in my life I knew I needed something for my GAD and my Panic so I had never really been able to take anything for my issues so I found out my OBGYN could do the test so I had her do it and it has been such a Blessing to find out why I could not even take a simple aspirin but now I know.. also they give u a very detailed list of what meds your body will break down and use correctly for your benifit..just do some research and find out if a local Dr or clinic does Saliva testing.. Good Luck..it’s been a life saver for myself...Take Care
    • jennifer21990
      jennifer21990 Nickie54

      Posted

      thank you NICKIE...  MY REPLY HASN;T POSTED FOR SOME REASON....  
    • Nickie54
      Nickie54 jennifer21990

      Posted

      Jennifer.. I've had a couple of post that were moderated and they choose for some reason not to post them... But I had not in any way wrote anything in them that were ugly or harmful to anyone...just their choice to post them r not.. But I understand..just keep on posting ..Take Care..🤗😇💞

    • Nickie54
      Nickie54 jennifer21990

      Posted

      Jennifer.. I to have just started 15 mg. of Lexapro.. This is day 4 for me.. And yes it seems like day 2 of upping it the side effects started for me.. I'm having indigestion and heart burn and I feel like it's from the Lexapro..I never had this prior to taking Lexapro. I had IBS but not this.. I'm going to stick it out for a few weeks and see if it might go away after a while..The reason for upping it was I was having a small amount of aniexty that I had not been having so I felt like I need more as did my Dr..I've been on 10 mg. for 6 weeks and then bumped up to 15mg. I take 7.5 mg. twice a day..take care..

    • jennifer21990
      jennifer21990 Nickie54

      Posted

      I THINK YOU SHOULD TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR..  my doctor put me on 15MG   FOR THE SAME reason.  I TAKE 15MG IN MORNING 7-730 with or without food..  i have more problems with diverticulitis so i don;t know somEtimes.  BUT SIDE AFFECTS CAN DO IT TO YO the side affects are doing this to u.. i know they do it to me.. i hate feeling out of control.  side affects are not good.. BUT YOU AND I WILL GET THRU IT..  YES WE ALL WILL!!!!     LET ME KNOW IF I HELPED............... YES  ANIEXTY IS THE PITS...........  KEEP IN TOUCH    DON;T SWITCH TOO MANY MEDS CAUSE IT TAKES TOO LONG TO GET THRU ALL THE SIDE AFFECTS OF THE NEW STUFF.. SO I AM GOING TO TRY TO STAY ON LEXAPRO..
    • alexandria133
      alexandria133 lois_ann82830

      Posted

      I know this post is old but I just started on lexapro 5mg today and I've been terrified of taking meds for years. I wanted to know how your first day, and week on it went. please help if you can

Back to top
Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.