Fuzzy head

[Jamesh77]

Hi I’ve been on Escitalopram the last 2 weeks am feeling pretty awful my face feels continually swollen my thoughts feel 24/7 pounding in my head my stomach feels swollen/hard and last night I was having weird dreams about my grandaparents and then followed by a old school friend woke up today feeling totally not with it any help appreciated thanks

[Hidden]

James how long have you been on this medication.

Do you take any other medications such as ADs Opiates or other groups ?

BOB

[Jamesh77 in reply to Hidden]

Hi was on fluvoxamine for 5/6 weeks prior to this but couldn’t get hold of any so Dr moved me onto Escitalopram 2 weeks ago thanks

[Hidden]

It will take upwards of five weeks to feel any positive affects from the medication.

Be patient and keep taking the medication. Generally it is best you can stay with it changing medications can become problematic OVER THE LONG, MEDIUM TERM

BOB

[MAS_Nurse]

Hi james77 and thank you for your post. As you are experiencing facial swelling and other symptoms whilst taking Escitalopram, please seek medical advice about this as soon as possible. Please go to your nearest Accident and Emergency Department [take the medication with you] for medical advice regarding this. Take care and best wishes

[Jamesh77 in reply to MAS_Nurse]

My face isn’t swollen it just feels it with a constant tingling sensation

[MAS_Nurse in reply to Jamesh77]

Hi jamesh77, I think it would be advisable to speak to your doctor about your symptoms. I hope you will begin to feel better soon. Let us know how you get on. Thank you and best wishes.

[Dahlia36]

Everyone’s different but escitalopram was awful for me! I would wake up from the middle of a sound sleep and have to go get sick. I felt very strange on this medication and it made me numb to everything. On top of it all, I was still having anxiety symptoms. I’d talk to your doctor about your concerns. It takes a lot of trial and error to find a medication that works best for each person.

[Jamesh77 in reply to Dahlia36]

Thanks it’s only 2 weeks in but was on fluvoxamine before so it’s been about 2 months and am not feeling any better really

[Dahlia36 in reply to Jamesh77]

Depression Meds do need around 6 weeks before they can really start to seem to work. I’d still talk to your doctor with the understanding that you may need to give this med more time but it can’t hurt to let the doctor know what you’re feeling. I hope it gets sorted out and you start feeling better!

[Hidden]

If you are concerned you need to talk to your GP especially if you have facial pain.

getting your teeth checked may be an idea as well.

I was at the Dental Hospital on Thursday, I have a loose tooth and they need to extract it so I am awaiting an appointment for an extraction. The teeth, molars at the back of your mouth can give a numbness or various sensations in the side of your face. In fact sometimes they need to be careful like in my case they do not upset the nerves of the jaw. These nerves are extensive. The teeth affected are generally 6/7 and can be caused by the wisdom teeth.

[Hidden]

Hi James wondering if the symptoms have settled down. I hope so. I’ve been taking escitalopram for almost a month now (first AD ever) for GAD. Had rotten side effects for first 2 weeks but now all have gone and am feeling less anxious, sleeping better. The doctors don’t really prepare you for feeling worse b4 you get better in my opinion! Good luck 😉

[Jamesh77 in reply to Hidden]

Hi thanks for the reply I’ve been on about 3 weeks now to be honest I don’t feel any better my thoughts seem to be pounding my head and my face feels swollen tingling all the time feel really lethargic no motivation aswell

[Hidden in reply to Jamesh77]

Sorry to hear that. I hope you turn the corner soon 🤞

[EmilyPie]

Hi James, any changes so far? I’ve been taking Escitalopram for 17 days and it’s still very bad my anxiety increased and I feel bad almost all day. The evenings are slightly better. During day time I’m just laying down feeling anxious and depressed.. my doc said I have to wait 4 weeks and it’s too soon for a positive change.

But it’s really difficult for me.

Years ago I was taking another ssri Paroxetine and after 3 weeks it started working and it was better and better. I was anxiety free. Now I’m afraid that maybe Escitalopram is not as good for me.. I hope you’re doing at least a little bit better.

[Jamesh77 in reply to EmilyPie]

Hi thanks for the reply I’m pretty much the same think the nights are worse when I try to sleep and I can’t just switch off am seeing the doctor tomorrow see what he suggests only on 5mg think should be trying 10 mg hang in there hey

[EmilyPie in reply to Jamesh77]

I’m on 10mg so we’ll see. I’ll give it a go for the next 10 days and then I’m seeing my doc as well. I’d really want it to kick in finally after taking Paroxetine earlier I know that if you take the right pills your anxiety can disappear completely so I except this effect not just feeling a little bit better.

I think 5mg can be too small for you but obviously it depends on your symptoms as everyone is different. I hope your doc will help you with that. Fingers crossed

[Jamesh77 in reply to EmilyPie]

Thanks I think 5 is probably a bit low as I’m a big guy I did try paroxetine years ago myself and i think it did help but was expecting miracles to happen which never did hopefully yours will kick in soon and you’ll feel an improvement

[EmilyPie in reply to Jamesh77]

Thank you. Yea it’s quite funny how certain pills affect certain people as for me Paroxetine was that miracle I was taking 20mg only for almost 2 years and I felt completely normal if Escitalopram won’t be the same probably I’II go back to Paro again.

Let me know soon how’s it going and if your dose is bigger.

[Jamesh77 in reply to EmilyPie]

Hi was wondering if feeling any better off the meds ?

[EmilyPie in reply to Jamesh77]

Hi James, i wish I could say something different but unfortunately there is no progress at all i feel even worse. It’s almost a month soon so I assume the med isn’t for me probably.. I am very depressed and don’t feel like doing anything but crying or googling things about Escitalopram or anxiety. I know that my attitude doesn’t help but still I think there should be a little progress at least. I have a lots of intrusive thoughts.. no appetite still. Tomorrow I’m seeing my doc and I’m pretty sure I wanna go back to my previous med Paroxetine. I took it already twice in my life and every time it worked perfect. After 3-4 weeks I felt better. But we’ll see what she’ll say.

How about you? Have you already increased the dose?

[Jamesh77 in reply to EmilyPie]

Hi I have increased to 10 mg now been about a week so I should give it a little more time I guess . I feel very similar to you by the sounds depressed/anxious intrusive thoughts struggling for motivation spending time on google for Escitalopram looking at reviews side effects I’m currently off work at the moment am due to see them 2mrw so need to have a plan moving forward ! I hope the doc can help and you feel better soon .

[EmilyPie in reply to Jamesh77]

Thank you. I hope you’ll feel better soon as well. You’ve just started 10mg so you should wait a bit and check how it is.

I’ll let you know in some time what’s going on with me and if I switch my med.

Take care ! Xx

[Jamesh77 in reply to EmilyPie]

Thanks fingers crossed we both see some improvement soon 👍

[Jamesh77 in reply to Jamesh77]

These last few days I’ve felt awful hardly left the house and my head has been pounding from waking up till I sleep my stomach feels swollen and my thinking thoughts feel out of control

[EmilyPie in reply to Jamesh77]

Hi, i can’t say I feel much better as well.

My doc added Pregabaline which I’ve been taking for 4 days before I go to bed. It was supposed to help with my bad mornings and GAD. The mornings are slightly better indeed so far. But in general I feel bad still and can’t go out without Alprazolam otherwise I feel panicky..

So I guess I’ll increase the dose and give the last chance to Escitalopram.

If it won’t change anything I’ll switch to Paroxetine. How are you feeling now?

[Jamesh77 in reply to EmilyPie]

Hi sorry hear you’ve not had much improvement I do feel a lot calmer today my thoughts don’t seem to be bothering as much prior to that had a rough few days couldn’t switch off when it came to sleeping and was waking up feeling not with it . I’m starting my 3rd week now on 10 mg escitalopram so I’m hoping things will level out soon I just constantly seem be having head pains n face feeling swollen tingling that gets me down

[Hidden]

My face and fingers was tingling when I started to take citalopram or whatever the name is can't spell, but after couple of weeks just gone

And I feel more confident and happy!! The doctor told take when the meds kick in its could be worse but gradually will get better.

May helps x

[Jamesh77 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the reply hopefully that will be the case been about a month now on Escitalopram on 5mg what doseage are you currently taking ?

[Hidden in reply to Jamesh77]

I'm on 20mg

[Jamesh77 in reply to Hidden]

Definitely think I need to up my dosage then hey

[Hidden in reply to Jamesh77]

You can always ask to your doctor to see if its help, but I'm shocked that your GP didn't properly explain and talk about the possible symptoms or side effects

[Jamesh77 in reply to Hidden]

Yes there wasn’t much explaining just a case of try n see how things go really

[Hidden]

How are you feeling now? I’ve just completed 6 weeks at 10 mgs and definitely feeling very good! Took a long time but now not any side effects.

[Jamesh77 in reply to Hidden]

Hi thanks for the reply feeling pretty dreadful really constant pain in my head face feels swollen and intrusive thoughts seems to be getting worse

[Hidden in reply to Jamesh77]

How long have you been taking Escitalopram? Do you think the symptoms are side effects (you didn’t have these symptoms before starting meds)? If, after a month on the tablets, they are not lessening, I would think that your medical practitioner’s advice is now needed. Sorry that you are feeling so poorly. So many of us have been there with depression and anxiety so lots of empathy with what you’re going through

[Jamesh77 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks I have been on 5mg for about a month and about 2 weeks on 10 mg now I was having similar symptoms before they just feel quite intense at the moment I’ve been struggling for motivation getting up lately

[Jessicawarriner]

With any medication u have to give it time for me I have been on this medication for about 3 and half weeks was still getting head pain so swapped and went it citalapram and that was worse so went back to this and now getting a stinging headache and it’s awful but I am sticking with it as it could go after a few weeks according to my doctor but she is seeing me Monday to check on my progress i have been told it can take anything from 2 weeks to 8 weeks to work and actually get into your system so keep that in mind I count the days down just stay strong x

[Jamesh77 in reply to Jessicawarriner]

Hi thanks for the reply it definitely takes time I just often feel I’ll never feel how I used to but life goes on

[Kaytee1981]

I was on esitalapram at the start of my journey! Had awful side effects and never recovered tbh (currently an inpatient) I had obsessive negative thinking that meant I started self harming just for starters.

I struggled with migraines, panic attacks, nausea, vomiting tbh its worth getting checked by your prescriber dont suffer with side effects that limit your day to day life.

[Jamesh77 in reply to Kaytee1981]

Hi thanks for the reply it’s been a while since I posted on here . I’m currently still taking the escitalopram on 10 mg I was prescribed by the doctor to go upto 15mg last week but have been hesitant to do so as I still don’t feel great on these feel like I’m still obsessive thinking all the time ( not good thoughts) most days my head hurts and my face feels swollen don’t really have much enthusiasm I’ve just kind of said to myself this it how it is mostly bad days with the odd manageable day .Thanks for the reply I hope yourself is well

[Jessicawarriner in reply to Jamesh77]

Not sure if it’s a good thing but my head is stinging the pain is horrible I am going to give it a week and see what happened I have doc appointment on Monday and then hopefully I will go from there and see how I feel I won’t stay on them if it carry’s on being this bad I will come off and ask to be on somthing else completely I can’t manage this if it does get better then I will just carry on they all say it gets worse before better and I just need to ride it out the doctor was not worried about the side effects I was getting and said to give it plenty of time to settle

[Jamesh77 in reply to Jessicawarriner]

Hi it dosent sound like your having a great time I’d try to keep yourself busy drink plenty of water just look after yourself a bit more hopefully things will calm down that’s what I do anyway although there are days when I don’t and they’re usually my worse days hang in there

[Jessicawarriner]

Thanks why do I get stinging pain in my head ?

[Jamesh77 in reply to Jessicawarriner]

I’m not sure I often asked myself that question! Where as today I feel quite relaxed and things seem manageable

[Jessicawarriner]

That’s good to hear 👂 but I wonder what my head is doing it’s pounding and stinging I just want to get better and back to normal again I feel like it’s a long road ahead

[Jamesh77 in reply to Jessicawarriner]

Sorry to hear that I’d try keep yourself busy do something with friends take your mind of things if you can

[Jamesh77]

How’s everyone doing ? I feel like I’ve gone backwards last couple of weeks face feeling numb and the constant negative thinking has returned!