Help I need advice

[Jessicawarriner]

I have been on escitalopram for about 31/2 weeks I have been in touch with my gp as been getting headaches from it all day every day at the start I got some loose stools and more anxiety but it settled everything seemed to be working fine for me apart from the headaches spoke to the gp about it and he said I can do one of 2 things give it more time to settle down and see what happends in the next few weeks or I can change to citalapram he prescribed me citalipram at 20mg I took it for one day and my eyes were so dry and horrible and then phoned my gp and they said if I want to go back to the other tablet at any time I can all I have to do is take the other one as they are both very alike he said it will take time to settle with any medication I then went back to the escetalipram but again getting headaches where as with the citalapram I didn’t get that on the one day I took it I really don’t no what to do for the best I have heightened anxiety now because I feel it’s like starting the cycle all over again from scratch all symptoms are there that I had at the start I don’t no wat to do I was at a good level with my medication apart from headaches I feel so confused about what to do can you advise me please the gp is saying I can do wat feels best for me if I wish to stick with the esctalapram then I can but if I feel the headaches are to much then I can change I no a few people on citalapram and it feels like it’s more popular than the current other medication for success and I feel with the dry eyes will that improve as the medication settles ? Ahh I need help please xx

[Jessicawarriner]

Sorry for confusion up there it’s not 31 days it’s 3 and a half

[PzSu in reply to Jessicawarriner]

Sorry to hear that. Only you can decide really what you can cope with. It does take time but things will improve and you will get through this. Xx

[Jessicawarriner in reply to PzSu]

Ok what would you do

[PzSu in reply to Jessicawarriner]

Are you drinking lots of water?

[Hidden]

Jessica

Part of Anxiety can amount to periods of headaches, down to your stressful worries.

Dry mouth can also be caused by medications, check the names on NHS iNTERNET SITE (Information/Choices), Medications a to z they will explain any side affect you are having.

You are not allowing enough time for your medication to work upwards five weeks can be suggested/recommended.

Your condition because of Anxiety will understandably be giving various conditions connected to your Anxiety and Depression.

Again I would recommend you get your eyes checked if you have not had them done in the last twelve months. Eye Strain can cause headaches

BOB

[Jessicawarriner in reply to Hidden]

So do you think I should stick it out for more time or move onto the new medication?

[Hidden in reply to Jessicawarriner]

I take Citalopram for over ten years, yes I do have headaches, I now put that down to my eyes and working on the computer. I have a pair of glasses that are tinted to cut down the glare of the screen, they are also a prescribed lens. For general every day use I have verifocal Lenses with a reactive lens that also reduces glare outside.

You have been offered two different medications, it is up to how you feel regards both of them, the earlier medication is a more recent introduction. Citalopram was introduced a lot earlier. We are all different when it comes down to AD medications, so what suits me may not suite suit you.

One thing you need to understand medication choices are not never ending, most are very similar to each other. Every time however you change a named drug you will need possibly to get used to that change, 4 to 5 weeks approx. Personally I prefer to give medications time to work, If it is not broke do not fix it.

I suffer a disability on top of Depression and take Pain Medications and other medications including ADs it took two years to work out treatment plans. That is why we try not to change medications.

BOB

[Jessicawarriner in reply to Hidden]

So you think I should try and stick this one out more and give it more time ?

[Hidden in reply to Jessicawarriner]

Yes, as mentioned I have gone through the mill, with medication to a possible greater extent. Sometimes when medication doses and their use settles you will feel better, and your GP may get latitude, regard dosage. It initially be a long journey we all need to take. Try not to worry.

Your Doctor is in partnership with you to make you well. Trust your Doctor

BOB

[Jessicawarriner in reply to Hidden]

My doctor has prescribed me citalapram to take if I can’t Handel the ecsitalipram I don’t no what to do for the best I am on week 4 at the moment and get a little stinging pain like headache on this medication but if I change it’s starting from Scratch again with another medication what shall I do ride it out longer ?

[Hidden in reply to Jessicawarriner]

Personally I would allow a further extended time period for the drug you are taking this time to work.

Personally I do not know your situation, I am nearly seventy and my medications have been reviewed and reduced because of age. That has taken four months or longer, that is one reason it is always better to remain on your GP choices as He knows your needs and expectations. He will be looking into your health needs in entirety. If you have told your Doctor regards your headache He will be taking that into consideration when prescribing. If you have not told your Doctor regard this supposed headache He may need to take that into consideration. However I understand above you have mentioned this to Him. I would think and imagine your Doctor is putting all this down to your Anxiety.

Overall If you have discussed this I would possibly if required get your eyes checked, Eye Strain can cause headaches. Remember please I am not a Doctor, just a patient like you. We need to be proactive in our health concerns Anxiety I understand can blur this concern. Anxiety can blur your thoughts and cause possible health worries.

Your GP will know this

BOB

[Jessicawarriner in reply to Hidden]

Thanks I have a gp call back today and I am going to make sure he knows everything about me to be able to make a good choice

[Hidden in reply to Jessicawarriner]

Let me know how you get on

BOB

[Jessicawarriner in reply to Hidden]

Will do thanks for the advice about medication it’s all a little difficult to no what to do for the best so just hanging on there for a call back from the doctor I hope it’s soon as I am getting anxious about the call back to be fair x

[SimonUK]

3 days is not long enough to consider switching unless your condition becomes unbearable. If your mouth is dry which is very common for most anti depressants even after side effects have passed. Your sensors are height during the first few weeks, and you should see it through, if they become so bad you can't cope or have bad thoughts

Then speak to your doctor asap.

[Jessicawarriner]

No I was on it for 3 and a half weeks not days