I started on 10mg of escitalopram about 3 and a bit weeks ago. After the third week on 10mg I thought things were OK the fog had lifted a bit. However, I went out and did some stuff and had a very bad panic attack. Since then my confidence has been shattered and I am struggling. Doctor has put me up to 15mg for week 4 and then 20 for week 5. My question is I seem to be more fearful now that these are not working and it's getting to the point I do not want to leave the house. Week 3 was sort of OK but the panic attack has sent me back a bit. Should I be challenging myself to leave the house when in this anxious state?
Still not great going into week 4 escitalopram?
Question posted by JitteringMan on 13 March 2022
Last updated on 19 March 2022
Answers
Catholicmom
15 March 2022
It can take 4-6 weeks to feel improvement and some early side effects like increased anxiety can knock us off our perch for a while. I also experience a panic attack in week 3 and it set me back a few days. Most of that was because my thought life took a nosedive after the panic attack and I found myself fearing another one constantly. Thankfully the meds started to kick in by week 4 and I was able to do some self help on my anxiety ( I downloaded the dare apparently to anxiety book on Audible)
I also develop a fear about leaving home, it’s very common but with the help of DARE I worked through it. The meds has really helped me and I hope you experience the same. By the way I’m on Zoloft now but was on lexapro for many years before.
JitteringMan
15 March 2022
Thank you for responding. Did you challenge yourself to leave the house and try and go about a normal life even though your anxiety was increased when going on these meds? I just find it very hard to do anything at present and even going to the local shops is a challenge standing in a line of at busy supermarket sends me shaking. I am on my 4th week but I did increase the dosage from 10 to 15 at the end of week 3. Does this mean I have another 2 weeks before I see any difference. Doctor wants me to increase to 20 at the end of week 4 but I am just not sure I can handle any more weeks like this. When you were on escitalopram what dosage were you on? Many thanks for your input
Catholicmom
15 March 2022
I was lucky in the fact that I started medication during the Christmas holiday period which gave me time to just sit and do nothing! It was four weeks before I ventured out the house. I had experienced a panic attack whilst in church prior to medication and that planted a seed of fear in me. It took me six weeks before I would venture back to church which in itself was hard because that was always my ‘safe’ place. The first time was hard but it got easier.
DARE goes through all the scenarios of anxiety and panic attacks. I found myself scared to venture outside a 5km radius whilst driving! But I put the Audible version of the book on whilst driving and followed the advice as I drove a bit further afield. I knew if I didn’t face my fear it would get worse. In saying that it took four weeks of medication before I was ready to do that.
I was on lexapro for a few years, started off at 5mg and ended up at 30mg for about a year. That was much too high a dose for me so I slowly weaned down ( with supplements from my doctor) to 20mg where I sat for a long time. Over the next few years as I worked on my anxiety I got down to 10mg and eventually 5mg where I stayed for a long time before eventually weaning from 5mg to 2mg then coming off completely. I stayed off for three years and did well until many personal issues brought about a return of deep anxiety.
Give it time but it will work. When you feel better do the work on understanding and managing anxiety. Knowledge is power!
Catholicmom
15 March 2022
Support from my doctor not supplements!! Silly spell check
JitteringMan
16 March 2022
This is really interesting, I find your comments and feedback very motivational that I will not be stuck in this cycle of fear. I take it you know when the meds are working as the anxiety levels off and you just feel like you can handle things better. I have looked at the DARE stuff and it does seem to be a little more aggressive to face your fear etc and challenge yourself. My concern is that I push myself too far too fast. I was functioning a lot better and further before these meds and it does seem like a bit of regression and more fear has certainly crept in. Would you say that you are very comfortable now coping and travelling further, do you go on holiday etc that has always been one of my big issues.
JitteringMan
16 March 2022
I suppose what I am saying is the last 15 years have been ok but I got to the stage where travelling outside the country was a bit of a challenge and I did not find venlafaxine to be that magic pill albeit that it did help make me function normally without fear. After 10 years they stopped working as good and I could feel the anxiety at little things creep back in when going somewhere. So this is why I have move to escitalopram again I doubt this will be the magic pill that gets me on a plane and travel with ease.
JitteringMan
16 March 2022
I think my underlying issue is that I do not feel secure travelling on my own, my confidence in that area is a little low and when I get too far from home there is no support or rescue methods and that scares me and has done for years.
JitteringMan
16 March 2022
I think my underlying issue is that I do not feel secure travelling on my own, my confidence in that area is a little low and when I get too far from home there is no support or rescue methods and that scares me and has done for years.
Catholicmom
16 March 2022
From my perspective the antidepressants work like a safety net. It’s like a trapeze artist performing daring moves high above the ground, comforted by the knowledge that if she falls there is a safety net to catch her. Life still gives me stress and worries but the antidepressants stop me from tumbling down too deep! I still have to do the work to learn how to manage my anxiety and thought life. It is much easier with a safety net!
The early side effects of antidepressant can cause increase anxiety….I experienced that and it’s not nice. By week four I started to feel much better. It’s been over three months now and I feel well, content and at peace. I read many reviews here and trusted in the process. I didn’t try to rush things, I started listening to DARE after week 4. I continue to listen to other self help books and I try to meditate every day.
Baby steps! Don’t think about overseas travel just yet but instead make small goals. The first could be as simple as taking a drive to the next town. Make your first bigger goal an overnight stay. Every time you conquer your fears you become stronger. Dr Claire Weekes is another good person to listen to for help, she has a chapter in one of her books about travelling. Her Audible talks are free on YouTube.
Good luck!
Knott1
13 March 2022
I'm really sorry for you I am struggling atm. Unfortunately it didn't work for me. Hope you have success with it I really do. X
JitteringMan
18 March 2022
HI Knott, can you tell me why it did not work for you how long were you on it for and what dosage were you trying. Also have you managed to find something that works just in case this does not work for me. Many thanks for your valuable feedback.
Knott1
19 March 2022
It didn't do anything for me. Have tried different ones and they have not done anything. How are you doing. X
JitteringMan
19 March 2022
What’ conditions due you have. I assume panic disorder. What meds have you tired and how long did you try them for. I don’t think they are a magic pill but in the past they have helped reduce the level of attack and although you to deal better with them. I’m interested to know your experience as it still needs strength to challenge and then DARE app is a help too. You might not need them and all you might need is the DARE app or you’ve recovered on your own?
Related topics
anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, escitalopram
Further information
- Escitalopram uses and safety info
- Escitalopram prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Escitalopram (detailed)
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