... today's dose. God please help. This is bad news.
Gonna call MD soon and hope just stop. Am only four days in. Never taken any med of this kind before
Escitalopram - Oh god I can't take this. Up all night with dry heaves. It's awful. I am not taking?
Question posted by Ken L K on 23 May 2016
Last updated on 7 June 2016
Added 23 May 2016:
10 mg tablets. Once a day. Have not eaten since Friday and it is now Monday am. Lost 7 pounds so far. Nausea and other even less pleasant digestive problems.
I don't know if I can take this. Somehow have to go to work today too.
4 Answers
Inactive
6 June 2016
Hi Ken. First, let me tell you that I am so sorry for what you've been going through. When you told your doctor how sick this medication is making you and the awful side effects that you're having with it, I am very surprised that your doctor hasn't done one of 3 things:
1) Lower your current dose
2) Change your medication. Another one might agree with you better.
3) Augment your antidepressant with Phenergan, which treats severe nausea. Personally, I wouldn't have tolerated those side effects as long as you have. I will keep you in my prayers that you get relief, and soon!
Ken L K
6 June 2016
Thank you so much. I'll take every prayer I can get.
When I called after a few days the Nurse called me back and said keep going. Have to get use to it. Don't take any anti nausea medication as they want my system to learn to deal with it. So now I'm over two weeks in and down about ten pounds. It has been awful. I feel like I should go from 10 mg to 5 mg and start to get away from meds and just try therapy. See if I can retrain myself and beat this anxiety / depression monster back. I just don't want the disorder and I don't want to be sick to my stomach anymore.
People say hang in there. Bin a few weeks it'll get way better. That's what I am hoping for.
Thanks again for the well wishes. It does sometimes feel like I am on an island by my self. It helps to know it is not so. Many others have traveled this trail with success. Why not me? So I'm gonna keep going with the meds.
Inactive
6 June 2016
This is part of your comment: "When I called after a few days the Nurse called me back and said keep going. Have to get use to it. Don't take any anti nausea medication as they want my system to learn to deal with it."
Seriously??? You reached out for help. First of all, the doctor should have had the decency to call you back. But, in his defense, the nurse probably never even checked with the doctor. I would like to suggest that you call back and insist that you need to speak to your doctor. And her advice was a bunch of bull-hockey! We have all had to supplement with another medication at one time or the other, to get started on a new medication. Antidepressants can be hard on the system when starting out on them, as you can attest to! There is nothing in the world wrong with taking another medication initially to relieve your side effects while your body adjusts to the medication.
If your doctor doesn't comply, then it would be a good time for you to go to another doctor who can show some compassion for how sick this medication is making you feel. Please keep posting. I hope to hear that you are doing better. Best Wishes! "G"
Ken L K
6 June 2016
Thanks again for the advice. I really do appreciate it. I am lost and struggling.
Having never taken any meds like this before I was not sure what to expect. The Xanax calms me but makes me very sleepy. Nothing like lexapro.
So again at the start I did not know how much was "real" and how much of it was my anxiety making me feel bad. Know what I am getting at. This might be what the MD was thinking too as my disorder has been building for years. Up to know he did not think meds. I pushed for them this time if only for say six months while I do as much therapy as I can afford. So the just tuff it out advice. So I am.
Again it is hard to admit I am failing and need help. I'm just tired of what my life had become and needed to fix things. Meds like lexapro are maybe a mistake. I just don't know. I was at a tipping point I could stay in and spiral down or I can fight. I choose to fight. If I go down I will go down swinging. I can't fail at this.
janiebme
7 June 2016
Hi Ken-
I agree with Gmc that the nurse and your doctor are not addressing how sick the Lexapro is making you. I tuffed it out for 2 months and still had the nausea and headaches. I was thinking the same thing you did, go down swinging with the Lexapro. I even tried 5 mg but then felt on the edge sick to my stomach all the time with a low grade headache. It was not worth how bad I felt all the time.
You should get in to see your doctor to see what alternatives you have. There are other antidepressants that may work better for you, or maybe therapy will help without meds. There is no need to suffer anymore than what you have. Are you seeing a psychiatrist or a regular doctor?
I empathize with your situation. It is frustrating and unnerving to deal with anxiety and depression.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Ken L K
7 June 2016
Thanks for the comment. I am seeing a regular MD. There are few options where I am. I called and they did say go to 5 mg so will probably start that with tonight's dose. if still not better I might taper off and be done with meds.
janiebme
23 May 2016
Hi Ken-
I can respect WCV and Chuck's response. But sometimes we should listen to what our bodies are telling us. I was on Lexapro for over 2 months and did not get past the horrible side effects. I tried the lower dose. I did not continue to throw up but was nauseated 24/7. It was not worth feeling like I had the flu all the time. I also lost too much weigh. Some of us do not get past the side effects. I even tried the brand name not the generic. I really wanted it to work. Best to talk to your doctor as soon as you can.
Hope you feel better soon :)
Ken L K
6 June 2016
It has been a couple of weeks and I still am sick to my stomach and have headaches. Now the insomnia is settling in (it's 2:30 in the morning) and I get these spikes of temperature (hot). I've lost about 10 pounds so far due to lack of eating and not being able to keep it down sometimes.
I have to wonder if meds are not for me and therapy is the better approach with Xanax as my emergency backup plan. I have the option of going from 10 to 5 mg once a day. Do I do that for a while and then stop. I am going to try and see my MD this week. This isn't working and is apparently one of the easiest to get used to.
What scares me is losing my job over this if it continues or gets worse. Do I tell HR that I have this issue and am taking meds and going to therapy to get better?
janiebme
6 June 2016
Hi Ken-
If you can handle not taking any meds therapy may be the answer for you. Be cautious with the Xanax as you know it can cause dependency. Best to not take it everyday if you can.
Dosing down the Lexapro until you see your doc may save your job. Not sure about telling HR about your health issues. It may become a permanent part of your employment record.
I also lost a lot of weight and had the hot flushes on Lexapro before I stop taking it.
How are you doing?
Ken L K
6 June 2016
It has been a bad couple weeks. Like I say a constant headache and sick to my stomach. I take the 10 mg at night with a little food and hope for the best. I tried it first thing in the morning but that was worse. If anything I feel worse as am sick so never sure now what's going to happen with my entire digestive system.
I dont know what to do. This anxiety/depression had been coming on for years. It was getting uncomfortable in a crowded restaurant or movie theater, then flying became very hard and the Xanax started for that. Things finally progressed to where I simply could not keep going as I was. So went to MD and his records showed it building over time. So a diagnosis of GAD and depression. So I asked for the one two punch of drugs and therapy (CBT). So I hope to slowly change my outlook.
As a guy it is hard to admit to having the problem and needing help out. Well I'm over that hurdle so now the real work can begin. I hope to feel better eventually. Right now just don't want to feel like I have the flu all the time.
chuck1957
23 May 2016
Ken; I am so sorry your having these problems, You could call your doctor sometimes starting with a lower dose does help and they taper it up in a few weeks. But my friend Wildcat vet, has a lot of good suggestions on the stomach problems. But because you just started this medication did the doctor or anyone explain how it does effect you when you start. It is very normal to feel nausea, headache etc. when you first start this class of medications. Just about all these side effects gradually go away on there own. It is important to take this medication about the same time each day. and some get side effects right off others have none at all but the ones that do it is common and they go away in about 1 to 2 weeks. But if you can try to take it in the morning with some soda crackers and other ways that Wildcat has explained most pretty well tolerated this medication pretty well after the 2 weeks. Then you should start to feel some of the benefits of this medication.
Sometimes those of us that don't want to take medication can get these type common side effects but if you can get something in your stomach first or even dilute it with a full glass of water. Then as you continue it gets much better and by 3 to 4 weeks you should start to notice some benefits but to get the full blood level you have to take it regular for 6 to 8 weeks that is when it reaches the point where you should start to feel better. But you could call your doctor if what we have said does not work. Just remember there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Ken L K
23 May 2016
They said a little nausea was maybe possible. I have been heaving since Friday. This stuff is tuff. If some of the other side effects that have not hit yet are as bad, yikes.
Dr closed all weekend. I will call here in a bit.
I have been battling anxiety and depression for years and finally decided to do something. So therapy and meds. I'll take the anxiety and depression over being sicker than I have ever been before in my life.
Thanks for the help and kind words. I don't know how this will end.
WildcatVet
23 May 2016
Hi, Ken! Home and OTC remedies such as ginger ale, soda crackers, dramamine, bonine, and Emetrol usually very effectively help control these side effects. The good news is that they generally only last a few days to a week or so.
Even though it's only been a few days you may need to taper down your dose over a few days.
Best wishes with the doctor.
Ken L K
23 May 2016
Thanks for the help and kind words. My abs hurt so much from heaving all weekend but especially all last night. I don't know if I can do this any more. Is the point to make me feel so miserable that anxiety attacks and depression suddenly feel way better.
I don't care if I feel normal again. Just not way sicker than I have ever been. Gotta go heave again. Drinking water so at least something comes up.
Related topics
depression, anxiety, escitalopram, dosage, muscular dystrophy
Further information
- Escitalopram uses and safety info
- Escitalopram prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Escitalopram (detailed)
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