Need some Support!!!

[SpiritualT]

Hi guys

I’ve had to take the plunge and be prescribed Escitalopram (Lexapro) after 7 years of trying to self manage, reading self help books, going to therapy, seeing psychiatrists I need some additional help because my life is becoming more and more restricted, attending the A&E (emergency room) more than 50 times and I feel like I am existing and not living no longer enjoying anything in life.

I have a supportive GP who has told me not to google the side effects, not to google anything because I will convince myself I have them.

I could do with some support/friends and success stories. Please no horror stories.

[onthetrail]

I have two family members who have benefited from medication, in addition to counseling. They are leading normal, happy lives with all the usual ups and downs but nothing overwhelming. It has made me so grateful that treatment is available. Yes you can get better. You can enjoy life. Take care.

[SpiritualT in reply to onthetrail]

Thank you for that. I have been so frightened to take anything but I cannot carry on the way I am.

[Hidden]

I am a retired nurse and the worst patient!! I have refused various antidepressants... or took them then 6 mo later decided I didnt need them. I thought I could fix myself if I ate right, exercised enough, prayed enough, blah blah. Finally at age 66(😳), Im convinced I do need medication and I am not superwoman. Im just starting therapy, had 3 visits, just had a med change and Im starting to notice Im acting more “ normal”, whatever that means. I was humming to the car radio the other day, that was a new good change. So hang in there. I agree with your doc, dont google anything. Dont take info pharmacy gives you too seriously. They have to tell you about every last lab rat as a liability issue. Try and sit back, talk positively to yourself and believe you will get better.

[SpiritualT in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Hoski that really means a lot. Apparently if i can get through the first couple of weeks on the medication instead of quitting i might see some results

[Hidden in reply to SpiritualT]

Yes, and some of the meds might cause a little nausea at first but that goes away. Let us know how it goes.

[SpiritualT in reply to Hidden]

Thank you I’m on day 1. Because I have health anxiety I freak myself out and think I’m dying or heart attack/stroke over every sensation. I’m 34 and have had loads of medical testing done. Someone said I will be the fittest person in the UK I’ve had that much testing done and nothing ever found.

[Hidden in reply to SpiritualT]

Thats reassuring, being the fittest person in the UK is quite an honor🤣. Do you live with another adult you can trust to be kindly honest? If so, you might ask them to tell you when your thinking is off. My therapist asked my hubby to let me know as Im not good at seeing my own behavior. Im great at helping everyone else!!! Guess thats probably true for alot of healthcare people.

[Sillysausage234]

I got on well with citalopram no side effects felt at ease after 🤔...10 days

[SpiritualT in reply to Sillysausage234]

Really? That gives me some hope. I think half of the time im actually looking for side effects.

[Sillysausage234]

Yeah got me out of a black hole and back to work 👍

[SpiritualT in reply to Sillysausage234]

Thank you for that, i need the support.

[Sillysausage234 in reply to SpiritualT]

You’re welcome I’m sure with all the other self help stuff they’ll be the missing piece of the jigsaw to calm things down....sleep better...rational thought process ...best wishes

[basten]

Just try taking them. You may feel strange to start with. If after 4 weeks you still feel bad go back to your GP as they may not be the right one for you. They say you can feel worse before you feel better. Good luck you've obviously tried everything else to self manage but you need more help it seems now

[frommywindow]

I started taking my meds at 12, so if I can do it you definitely can. Its hard for a while, mine's slow acting so I had to wait several months for it to even start making a difference. Different meds come with different side effects, but they're usually not severe.

BUT...if you do need to go off of it for whatever reason, talk to your doctor and DO NOT quit cold turkey (suddenly, for those who don't know that expression). The meds can do amazing things for you, but they can also make you feel like hell if you stop suddenly or without a doctor's help.

[frommywindow in reply to frommywindow]

If you have any questions ask me, I'm not an expert but I've been on meds for a while now and I know all the ups and downs