Dimo: Escitalopram

[Dimo]

Hi

I am a new member to this site and boy what an eye opener it is.

 

My history is a long battle with anxiety that came out of the blue 15 years ago, no rhyme nor reason as to why

My Dr started me on Zoloft 50mg, 2 days in was a total mess, highly agitated, tremors anxiety waves one after the other, a manic episode had me taken into the ED by my husband, Dr's explanation oh yes symptoms will be worse for a few weeks, here's some Vallium take it when needed and ride it out.  Tough 3 weeks.  Settled eventually and took it for 2 years, tapered off and felt great.

 

2010 the anxiety raised its ugly head once again, not keen on trying the Zoloft route again, was prescribed Mirtazapine 15mg, brilliant no side effects from day one, slept like a baby at night, all good apart from the weight gain.

 

4 days ago visit to GP, anxiety was getting in high levels again, prescribed Escitalopram 5 mg with the Mirt  for 2 weeks,  with the assurance that being on such a low dose there should not be any of the symptoms I have experienced before, then move onto 10mg.

 

Well 6 hours after taking the first 5mg, high anxiety, agitation, palpatations, Xanax and the Mirt got me to sleep.

Next day double high anxiety, increased agitation, palpatations, bad shaking all over,  fever and generally felt like crap, ED visit, BP 194/147, irregular pulse, high temp etc etc.  ECG to rule out Heart attack, Vallium administered, 10mg didn't really help a great deal, but got some sleep.

 

Next day flushed the Escitalopram down the loo, and again spent majority of the day with the above symptoms,

No more of this for me.  Happy with the Mirt for the time being, but think I need to get rid of that also, and delve more deeply into yoga and meditation techniques for the anxiety

Edited May 27, 2017 by scallywag
tags; previous edit added spacing

[ChessieCat]

Hi dimo and welcome to SA,

 

Please create a drug signature Create Your Signature.  Please include details for the last 12-18 months of  all drugs, dates, doses and discontinuations & reinstatements.  If you can't remember dates, please write it as "early March" or "mid-August".  Please provide a summary of any drugs prior to that which can just be listed with start and stop years. Please include all prescription, non-prescription drugs and supplements you are currently taking. Phone Instructions:  Withdrawal History Signature. Please also remember to update it with date and dose whenever make a change so that it remains current. Thank you.

 

Because it is only recently that you have had the bad experience with escitalopram it would probably be wise to give it a few months before making any changes with the mirtazapine.

 

I will also caution you about using Xanax because you can become addicted in a very short time.

 

Here are some links to check out in preparation for tapering:

 

Before you begin tapering what you need to know

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

Tips for tapering off Remeron (mirtazapine)

 

These really helped me to understand SA's recommended 10% or less taper of the previous dose followed by about a 4 week hold to allow the brain to adapt to not getting as much of the drug:

 

Brain Remodelling

Video:  Healing From Antidepressants - Patterns of Recovery

 

You might also find these useful:

 

How do you talk to a doctor about tapering and withdrawal?

What should I expect from my doctor about withdrawal symptoms?

 

This is your own Intro topic where you can ask questions and journal your progress.  Click "Follow" top right and you will be notified when someone responds.

[nz11]

Dimo any update?