escitalopram For anxiety and panic attacks

Michyh

Hi has anyone been put on this for anxiety and panic attacks 

woodbine

My OH (she who must be obeyed) takes citalopram for panic attacks which started when she reached the menopause, its been a massive help. 

Wini1960

Michyh Hi it's just one of a group of SSRs. I take citalopram. It's meant for depression, anxiety disorders and like any antidepressant it has its side effects but they should subside between 2 and 4 weeks.

Michyh

Thank wini1960,  I’m currently on sertraline which is not agreeing with me. So I’m preying this new one will work for me . 

Have a blessed day

Chloe_Scope

Hi @Michyh, how have you found the medication so far?

Michyh

Hi Chloe, I have not started the new one yet, I will on Sunday, as I have to taper of the sertraline, which has left me feeling doggie today. Hope ur well

Chloe_Scope

I hope the switch goes well @Michyh! 

Michyh

Hi all, 

I was moved up to 10mg of escitalopram a 2 week ago as 5mg was not working. It been ok so far apart from the morning shakes, but this week although I have been under crazy stress as my dad was is the hospital, but this week I have just felt nausea all day long and worse if I eat, maybe it’s the heat and all the stress. 

But thank God I have not had any anxiety episode since going u pro 10mg. 

OverlyAnxious

Nausea is the main reason I can't risk trying any of the SSRI's myself.  Were you given anything else to help with that or just expected to deal with it?

I've got a severe phobia around illness and bodily fluids but spend half of the time feeling nauseous already (a major cause of my anxiety!!)...yet I just keep getting told I need to take some anti-anxiety meds before I'll be able to do anything else. 

Chloe_Scope

Hi @mitchy, I'm sorry to hear your dad has been in hospital, I imagine this would have been really stressful. How is he doing at the moment.

I'm glad you haven't had any anxiety episode since going up to 10mg. I hope the side effects do calm down and that it is due to the heat. If you are worried then please be sure to check in with your GP.

Michyh

Hi Hun, 

im. Doing ok thank u. My dad has now moved into his own place and is doing better. 

Otherwise I have been coping well. Just taking one day at a time. How r u doing? 

Chloe_Scope

Glad to hear things are doing okay @Michyh. I'm doing well thanks, one day at a time.

Michyh

Hi everyone, hope everyone is well. 

Tori_Scope

Hi @Michyh! It's good to hear from you. How have you been? 

Michyh

Hi, 

well I thought I was doing ok. But the doc’s gave up my escitalopram to 20mg last Thursday. Before the 28th Oct I had not had a episode in a month. But last night I had a episode, u know when u get u cross ur legs and one leg starts to shake due to a pinched nerve? Well that’s what my head left like, shaking for about 30 seconds and the drifted off. 

I don’t want to call me doc again about this as they might think I’m a person making up stuff or something. Have u ever heard of anxiety/ panic attack that has that effect? 

I have also been told the im heading towards menopause too

Cher_Scope

@Michyh Hello there!  

These 'funny' episodes can leave you feeling really shook up can't they?  Anxiety can bring about a multitude of symptoms and trembling is one of them.  While, it could also be hormonal because the peri-menopause (time before reaching the menopause) has a range of symptoms that you might experience.

Now I'm no trained doctor so wouldn't be sure what the exact cause of your leg shaking was but I want to reassure you that it's absolutely fine and reasonable to speak to your doctor about this.  Doctors are there to support you and wouldn't think you were making it up.  If speaking alleviates the anxiety you have about it, please give them a call  

How have you been today?

Michyh

Thank u for getting back to me, my legs was not the thing shaking it’s was my head/brain, I just used that as an example of the feeling in my head. So not sure if it was like a mild fit. Who knows. 

Cher_Scope

@Michyh Oh heck that must have felt really scary.  Do you have an appointment booked with your doctor to review your medication?  You could mention it then perhaps?

Michyh

They had just moved me up to 20mg from 10mg, I don’t think it’s the meds as I have had this quite a few time in the past 4 years, that’s what I thought was one of the symptoms of an anxiety or panic attack, but I didn’t feel the panic or anxiety last night. 

The doctors should call me this afternoon and talk to me   

Tori_Scope

Have you had the call yet @Michyh? 

Michyh

Hi, yes she did, she said to hand in for a bit as it might be an adjustment to the up dosage and to let her know as soon as it happens again cause then they need to investigate into it. 

So I just have to wait for another I S or just hope and pray I don’t get another one 🤷🏼‍♀️.

thank u for coming back to me  

Cher_Scope

@Michyh How are you feeling today?  I hope you feel more relaxed now you have managed to speak with your doctor

forgoodnesssake

Hi, I just wanted to add something here re menopause or rather "perimenopause" which is the time leading up to when period actually stop.  It can last years and many women have little or no issues really during that time.  However many women (me included) have experienced a wide range of symptoms which can included increased anxiety, weird head "rushes" and much more.  When I first started to notice some odd stuff (aged about 48) i had never even heard of perimenopause but i read an article in a magazine where a woman was describing all these odd symptoms and it clicked with me. There was also a link to a very informative (US) web page https://power-surge.co/ which had loads of women sharing their experience and it was so helpful and reassuring!  I should add that I am not disabled and not on any medication myself but come here as my son has severe CP and some MH issues and is on Sertraline. 

Tori_Scope

That's really interesting, thank you for sharing @forgoodnesssake! 

Michyh

Hi everyone, man alive I feel so wiped out today. Had an episode last night when trying to sleep. I get so upset now days as there is no reason for this, everyone it’s when I’m in bed try to go to sleep. Anyone else have this? And it’s not like I’m worried about anything or stressed about anything? It’s really starting to make me doubt that maybe have it wrong and there is really something the matter with me. I’m seeing an endocrinologist this coming week. Maybe it’s hormonal as the doc have said I’m peri menopausal. 

But today I feel like a train hit me, I’m so tried and at the same time it feels like I have been out drinking all night. 

Being in the meds should I not be getting these episode anymore? 

Thanks everyone xx 

Tori_Scope

I'm sorry to hear that @Michyh. I find things can be worse at night, even when I'm not consciously aware that I'm worried about something. 

It could be hormones, but the endocrinologist will be best placed to work out what's going on. 

Certain medications don't always work for everyone, and it can also take some time for them to start working. Have you been to see your GP? They might be able to adjust your dosage, or speak to you about your options.

chiarieds

Hi @Michyh - it's good to hear back from you. As Tori says, hopefully you'll learn more next week from your endocrinologist.

I would also agree that unfortunately things often feel worse at night, despite the fact all you want to do is go to sleep; if you can't get your rest, you will feel tired/shattered.

Would you try something for me? I used to teach relaxation classes when working as a physio, & have used this breathing exercise myself for so long I can't remember how long! However, I use this each night especially, as it's hard to relax when you're in pain. Please have a look at the following, as other members have also found it helpful. It reduces stress, & also helps therefore with anxiety. Please see: https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/resources/patient-information/therapies/abdominal-breathing.pdf

Please give it a go, perhaps practising during the day so you know how to use it at night. You don't need a pillow under your knees, just get into a comfy position, & try it.

Please let us all know how you get on with your endocrinologist.....& the breathing exercise! My best wishes.

Michyh

Thank u I will give it ago. Strange thing is what sets it all of are the sensations that I get which then make me over think and then the attack happens. Even if I’m having a good day or a bad day, stressed or not stressed. I will go back to my doctor and speak to them as I would have thought that I should be having less if not any. I’ll keep u updated after my appointment this week. 

The day after is always the worst for me. I’m also getting cbt therapy 

Tori_Scope

Yes, it can be a really vicious cycle @Michyh. I know what you mean. Sometimes our minds and bodies can react in ways that don't seem to make 'sense', which can set off the panic response. 

I think having a chat with your GP is a good idea. Please do!

I understand that you can feel really drained the next day. The hangover analogy you used was spot on I think! Hopefully you'll see some improvements soon.

Great! How are you feeling about starting CBT? 

Michyh

Thank u, well it will be my 3rd session and we get to get to work on anything, the person helping me has been talking about anxiety and how we get into patterns, but yet to get on with how to fix it. I have another session on Friday next week. Xx 
thank u all for u help 

Tori_Scope

Ah right, well it's great that you've already had a few sessions @Michyh Is it being held over video call? 

It can take a bit of time to get onto how to change things, as they need a bit of time to learn about you. It's also important to remember that the change will come from you rather than them, if that makes sense.

I hope the next session goes well.

Of course, no problem

Michyh

Hi Tory, 
yes it over video call for hr or more. I’m ready to try anything and everything to get rid of this or at least not be as affected by it. I’m desperate to live my normally happy life again, I have 3 young boys and I feel so bad for them when I have a episode as I can see how they worry about me. I lucky I have a wonderful husband that’s always by my side. 

Have a lovely weekend, x

Michyh

Evening everyone, so after a horrible weekend as u guys know, I spoke to my doctor today, she has drop my dosage of escitalopram to10gm and also given me Buspirone 5mg to take. I have never taken them so hoping that things don’t go bad on them. 

So hoping that maybe the endocrinologist on Thursday might have something to say if I’m out of shorts in the body. 

Thank u all for ur lovely caring support. 

Xx

chiarieds

Hi @Michyh - hopefully the change in meds will be better for you, & please do let us know how you get on next Thursday; we're all hoping you'll get some answers soon.

Michyh

I will do, 
just a bit worried about take both meds together. Google is not always a good thing 

Tori_Scope

I hope that the CBT continues to help @Michyh Try not to Google too much and worry yourself further. As you say, looking these things up isn't always a good thing, as not all of the information online is based on truth. Of course, if you start to get any negative side effects then you should contact your doctor.

I hope that the appointment goes well on Thursday. Make sure to keep us updated.