Escitalopram side effects

[nicole2003]

So I been on this med for a little more then 3 months but it wasn't helping so my therapist upped my dose from 10 to 20mg. I been on the 20 for 2 weeks and I been feeling way more anxious. Is this a side effect? Will this med work? I was on Paxil before and it didn't work. I have GAD and panic disorder. Feel a little depressed from the anxiety

[futurebound]

So I been on this med for a little more then 3 months but it wasn't helping so my therapist upped my dose from 10 to 20mg. I been on the 20 for 2 weeks and I been feeling way more anxious. Is this a side effect? Will this med work? I was on Paxil before and it didn't work. I have GAD and panic disorder. Feel a little depressed from the anxiety

Yes, yes and yes lol! I'm on this now and it's quite common to have increased levels of anxiety to begin with on meds. Trust me, I'm on day 6 and I feel more anxious than before I started it. But i took it last year for 3 months and it worked incredibly well. Really well in fact. :)

[nicole2003]

Thanks. I have been having anxiety bad these past two weeks. I just want it to work already but I know it takes time. I just hope this med works for me. Thanks for the info though. I feel more positive about it

[futurebound]

Thanks. I have been having anxiety bad these past two weeks. I just want it to work already but I know it takes time. I just hope this med works for me. Thanks for the info though. I feel more positive about it

I really hope it does too, it's a very good medication for anxiety. If that fails, maybe try something called Agomelatine. It's a relatively new AD but has produced favourable results. Might b costly for USA citizens though as I understand its all about insurance, whereas in the uk the nhs luckily works slightly differently.

[Bam77]

I started celexa about 6-7 weeks ago. Its closely related to Lexapro. My anxiety was very bad for 3-4 weeks. Im only on 10mg and refuse to go up because of the increase in anxiety. It does get better.

[nicole2003]

Futurebound I never heard of that med. is it a ssri? I'll check it out but I really hope I don't have to change meds again. Thanks a lot for the info and update me on how you are doing on it.

[nicole2003]

Bam77 I really hope it does get better. I'll just wait it out. I was on celexa years ago and it worked Great for me for many years, but I guess I got so used to it that it stopped working.

[futurebound]

Bam77 I really hope it does get better. I'll just wait it out. I was on celexa years ago and it worked Great for me for many years, but I guess I got so used to it that it stopped working.

It's a melatonergic anti depressant and is quite new in it's kind. It works on the circadian rhythm of the body and is good for improving sleep and general functioning. It's indicated for major depression, but has been show to be effective in anxiety.

I strongly believe the escitalopram will work for u! I'm on day 7 and have just had my first 10mg dose. I feel a bit jittery but also positive as there are very mild positive effects; maybe placebo. But also. It has worked well in the past for me. And literally stripped away all my anxiety and ruminating thoughts. Everyone is different though, hope it works.

[DorsetGirl]

It's a melatonergic anti depressant and is quite new in it's kind. It works on the circadian rhythm of the body and is good for improving sleep and general functioning. It's indicated for major depression, but has been show to be effective in anxiety.

I strongly believe the escitalopram will work for u! I'm on day 7 and have just had my first 10mg dose. I feel a bit jittery but also positive as there are very mild positive effects; maybe placebo. But also. It has worked well in the past for me. And literally stripped away all my anxiety and ruminating thoughts. Everyone is different though, hope it works.

I'm on day 4 of my 10mg dose, before moving on to 20mg next week. Feeling really out of sorts, anxiety levels are so high and it's like the worst depersonalisation ever, and it feels like my head is in a vice ! Got to stick with it though !

[nicole2003]

I'm on day 4 of my 10mg dose, before moving on to 20mg next week. Feeling really out of sorts, anxiety levels are so high and it's like the worst depersonalisation ever, and it feels like my head is in a vice ! Got to stick with it though !

Are u on escitalopram?

[DorsetGirl]

Are u on escitalopram?

Yes, I was on sertraline but my psychiatrist changed it this week after diagnosing me with BPD

[vic]

Yes, I was on sertraline but my psychiatrist changed it this week after diagnosing me with BPD

How was u on sertraline? I've got that but haven't started it yet

[DorsetGirl]

How was u on sertraline? I've got that but haven't started it yet

I found it really helpful at the beginning, I slept better was more settled and hardly anxious at all, and had more energy. Unfortunately it was not enough for me as my BPD got worse, and when they had increased my dose from 50mg a day to 200mg it was time to move on to something else. I hope you get the same benefits that I had x

[vic]

How come they didn't realise u ad bpd to begin wiv? Hope u feel better soon and reap the benefits from ur new meds and thank you did u get any side effects from the sertraline ;)

[DorsetGirl]

How come they didn't realise u ad bpd to begin wiv? Hope u feel better soon and reap the benefits from ur new meds and thank you did u get any side effects from the sertraline ;)

Because I had only seen my GP and a psychologist they were working just on anxiety and depression. It was my Occupational Health Doctor through my work who suggested I see a psychiatrist and that's when someone actually heard what I was saying, instead of just listening.

The only side effect I had with the sertraline was a dry mouth and a little nausea but that didn't last long

[vic]

U would av thote a doctor still would have known. With bpd do u get mania? And highs and lows? Hope I just get little side effects like u once I pluck up the courage to try them ;)

[DorsetGirl]

U would av thote a doctor still would have known. With bpd do u get mania? And highs and lows? Hope I just get little side effects like u once I pluck up the courage to try them ;)

My GP was not great, he is more "just take these tablets" and move on to his next patient and my psychologist is not trained in psychiatry so although she could suggest BPD she couldn't diagnose.

I have really bad highs and lows, it was affecting my relationship with my partner, my friends and my family. One minute I could have such intense feelings about them and not bear to be away from them and the next minute I would hate all of them and wish them dead. The intense feelings and thoughts also led to episodes of self harm and suicidal rumination which I still battle with daily.

What have you got to lose by trying the new meds ? If they work you will wonder why you didn't take them sooner and if they don't work for you, there are plenty of others to try.

[futurebound]

DO not worry! I felt like this for a good few days, but Im on day 8 now and on 10mg. Anxiety is increased but more manageable. My gp started me on 5mg then to 10mg. It seems u was started on quite a dose for first time use, especially if u are suffering from anxiety. Honestly though, don't worry it will pass and work wonders.

[vic]

My GP was not great, he is more "just take these tablets" and move on to his next patient and my psychologist is not trained in psychiatry so although she could suggest BPD she couldn't diagnose.

I have really bad highs and lows, it was affecting my relationship with my partner, my friends and my family. One minute I could have such intense feelings about them and not bear to be away from them and the next minute I would hate all of them and wish them dead. The intense feelings and thoughts also led to episodes of self harm and suicidal rumination which I still battle with daily.

What have you got to lose by trying the new meds ? If they work you will wonder why you didn't take them sooner and if they don't work for you, there are plenty of others to try.

Thank you ;) I knw I need to give them a whirl and I'm glad u are slowly getting better too ;)

[vic]

DO not worry! I felt like this for a good few days, but Im on day 8 now and on 10mg. Anxiety is increased but more manageable. My gp started me on 5mg then to 10mg. It seems u was started on quite a dose for first time use, especially if u are suffering from anxiety. Honestly though, don't worry it will pass and work wonders.

I've tried sending u a MSG bk but it's saying to full :/

[DorsetGirl]

DO not worry! I felt like this for a good few days, but Im on day 8 now and on 10mg. Anxiety is increased but more manageable. My gp started me on 5mg then to 10mg. It seems u was started on quite a dose for first time use, especially if u are suffering from anxiety. Honestly though, don't worry it will pass and work wonders.

I'm not worried, I'm just grateful that I have found people who want to help me as much as I want to help myself

[DorsetGirl]

I've tried sending u a MSG bk but it's saying to full :/

Try again :)

[futurebound]

Always! The more re-assurance n positive reinforcement u get, the better u will feel about yourself and the medication u are on. You are on the right track, and as i have mentioned many times before, escitalopram has an amazingly good track record for depression and anxiety. Tons and tons of evidence to back it up :)

[nicole2003]

Yes, I was on sertraline but my psychiatrist changed it this week after diagnosing me with BPD

Hope it works for us both. 😃

[nicole2003]

Week 3 of being on lexapro 20mg..still have anxiety :( woke this morning with jaw pain and started getting anxiety about it. Jaw was popping a lot and now I'm freaked out and idk y. I get anxiety for every little thing. Feel like I'm going crazy :(

[faultandfracture]

*************NOT A DOCTOR*****************


Escitalopram (generic Lexapro) is considered one of the better or better tolerated SSRI's. I've been on it for 7 years off and on, but mostly on. I would give all SSRI's at least a month. They can worsen anxiety but this is quite often as your body is adjusting. Give it another 2 weeks and then determine whether it might be helping. Be sure to assess the reasons for going on it and pay close attention to how you feel. This medication can come in through the back door and you may never notice problems you had before that you no longer have. God Bless and good luck!

[nicole2003]

*************NOT A DOCTOR*****************

Escitalopram (generic Lexapro) is considered one of the better or better tolerated SSRI's. I've been on it for 7 years off and on, but mostly on. I would give all SSRI's at least a month. They can worsen anxiety but this is quite often as your body is adjusting. Give it another 2 weeks and then determine whether it might be helping. Be sure to assess the reasons for going on it and pay close attention to how you feel. This medication can come in through the back door and you may never notice problems you had before that you no longer have. God Bless and good luck!

Thank you so much for your advice. It's now week 4 and I still have anxiety. Feel a little better but not much of a change

[faultandfracture]

Thank you so much for your advice. It's now week 4 and I still have anxiety. Feel a little better but not much of a change

My pleasure. :o) At this juncture, it's up to you whether or not you want to continue. I read in Men's Health once that there was evidence to support being on an SSRI around 2 months to really determine its efficacy. But here's the thing: In all my trials with SSRI's, SNRI's, Benzo's, etc., there was never a real distinct emotional threshold that I reached where all of a sudden everything was bright and sparkly and nothing got me down. I still dealt/deal with anxiety, panic and depression. You can continue to try other medications but you have to realize that they're there as an aid and don't necessarily make one impervious or desensitized to daily stressors. You should approach anxiety, panic and depression from different angles, not just psychiatry. Relaxation exercises, techniques and therapies can do wonders. For me, it was God that pulled me through and I would strongly recommend seeking a personal relationship with Him. ;)


P.S. I forgot to mention how important it is to get regular exercise and eat right.

[DorsetGirl]

Just had my dose reduced from 20mg to 10mg after 3 weeks because I developed serotonin syndrome. My Psychiatrist said I must be sensitive to the medication and it was safe at 10mg but toxic at 20mg ! The insomnia and the hallucinations are the worse part, closely followed by the constant agitation and headaches. She said that she could tell that my mood had lifted and I said that I did feel more motivated to do things but my body just didn't want to play, so hopefully with the lower dose, the mood will stay the same but the side effects will go away.

[Stephj526]

Just had my dose reduced from 20mg to 10mg after 3 weeks because I developed serotonin syndrome. My Psychiatrist said I must be sensitive to the medication and it was safe at 10mg but toxic at 20mg ! The insomnia and the hallucinations are the worse part, closely followed by the constant agitation and headaches. She said that she could tell that my mood had lifted and I said that I did feel more motivated to do things but my body just didn't want to play, so hopefully with the lower dose, the mood will stay the same but the side effects will go away.

So I take 10mg of the same medicine. And I have truly freaked myself out thinking I have serotonin syndrome. My only true symptoms are agitation and shaky feeling (although you can't see it happening), so I'm probably safe. But freaked out! Sorry you had that reaction, hallucinations sound scary! Hope you continue to feel better!