Cipralex 30mg

[Annitsa]

Dear Sir

I am new in the forum so I would like your support in this.

Three years ago I had my first panic attack...after three months I visited the doctor and I was diagnosed with general anxiety disorder. So, i started my treatment with cipralex 20mg and it worked perfect for me. I quit off the medicine four months later as I was feeling back to normal. Six months later my anxiety came back so I was on cipralex 10mg for two months and for 8 months on 5mg. Starting the process of quiting off the medicine, I was on 2.5 mg for 4 months, when my anxiety and the fear of getting a panic attack again came back. So, I started for two weeks the 10mg , and because I wasn't feeling any better I went back to 20mg. This lasted 6 months, and because I was feeling ok I was on 10mg again for four months. And three weeks ago here is the anxiety again. Been on 20mg again for two weeks I had no improvement so my doctor told me to go on 30mg. Do you believe it will work for me again? Or do you believe that I should change med?
My doctor insists that if the cipralex has worked for me all these times it will work again. I am on day 4 with 30 mg and the difference is very small.

I have to notice that all these times that i was on and off the medicine I din't feel any side effects at all.

Waiting to your comments

Annitsa

 

[Always Changing]

Hi Annitsa,
I would suggest that you give the higher dose more time to work and trust that your doctor knows what has and will work for you. You mention that there is a very slight difference already so maybe a few weeks on the higher dose is needed for the desired effect. At the end of the few weeks if the new dose is clearly not working then go back and discuss your situation again. Only your doctor can decide with you if you need a change of med.

Take care, Hope you feel better soon.

 

[Retired]

Annitsa,

What were your doctor's instructions on how long you were to take Cipralex, and was your doctor instructing you to stop and start your medication or were you stopping and starting on your own?

I am on day 4

The mechanism of action of this medication is not shown to reduce symptoms overnight with the first few doses. It is a medication that resets the production of serotonin, the neurotransmitter (brain chemical) that is thought to be associated with anxiety. The studies suggest a noticeable effect after at least two weeks and even a little longer, even four weeks in some cases.

Also, abruptly stopping this medication is not recommended because you might experience side effects from the sudden and rapid decrease in medication in your system. This medication should be taken as directed by your doctor, , with or without food – whenever convenient. If you don't have a preference, it is generally suggested that Cipralex (escitalopram) be taken in the morning.

Your doctor's instructions should be followed before making any changes in the way you take this medication

 

[Annitsa]

All the changes on the med were done under the instruction of my doctor. Thank you so much for your support. It's good to know that there are people who can listen to you

 

[Retired]

You are most welcome. Feel free to continue the conversation, posting your concerns along with the progress you are making.

It will be interesting to know your experience in how and when your symptoms find relief after starting your medication this time.

 

[Annitsa]

Good Morning,
Today I am on day 8 with cipralex 30mg. I have to admit that there is some more improvement but not as much as I expected. I mean that I have energy to do things but my mind is still on the thought "what if it doen't work again the med" . The thought to pass through the same nightmare scares me to death because I don't feel alive, my mind is always there and makes me sad!! Anyway...the only thing we can do is wait and see. On Tuesday I have an appointment with my doctor...I hope to feel better since then

Thank you for your support

 

[Retired]

Annitsa,

The type of medication that Cipralex belongs to is different from other types od medications in the way it works in your body and in turn in the way it treats the imbalance of the neurotransmitter brain chemicals believed to be the source of the disorder for which your doctor is treating you.

This medication, in its mechanism of action, is not the same as when you take an aspirin or acetaminophen(Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) where relief of symptoms for pain occurs in about an hour after ingesting the first dose. With some medications there is a noticeable effect soon after ingesting the medication.

However, with the Cipralex your doctor prescribed, the process within your body and brain chemistry is entirely different. The action on the brain chemical serotonin, usually is thought to take between two to four weeks to relieve symptoms in most people. The effect is not usually felt suddenly or dramatically, but slowly over a period of days or even weeks, as the medication resets the amount of serotonin in the connections of the brain cells.

There is no "one dose fits all" with this type of medication, so your patience and perseverance is most important while working with your doctor. By providing your doctor with feedback as to how your symptoms are responding to treatment as well as how the medication is making you feel....either better or worse, will give your doctor the information required to modify either the dose or the medication itself, to suit your particular brain chemistry requirements.

The process can take time and patience on your part, but good communication with your doctor and your perseverance with treatment while following the doctor's instructions should lead to eventual relief of your symptoms.

Do not give up, because your goal is to improve the quality of your life. Your doctor is your partner in your health care, so express your concerns to the doctor on Tuesday and comply with the doctor's instructions for greater chances of a successful outcome.

 

[Annitsa]

DAY 9with cipralex 30mg amd feeling much more calmer and with better mood. I must accept that cipralex is my medicine after all!!!!Thank you so much for your support!!!!

 

[Retired]

I am very pleased you took the time to share your experience and to know that your medication appears to be helping. Be sure to continue sharing your experiences not only on this topic, but on other discussion topics for the benefit of our members.

Glad you've joined Psychlinks!

 

[Always Changing]

It is great to hear you are improving. .

Thank you for the update.

 

[Annitsa]

It is great to meet new people even through internet who are able to understand your problem and give you support and courage/ Today is day 10th, no panic attacks for the last couple of days, better mood and much more calmer. I hope that this would be the last time being on treatment and to be able to live sometime witout the medicine.
Thank you so much for you understanding!!!

 

[Retired]

I hope that this would be the last time being on treatment and to be able to live sometime witout the medicine.

In an ideal world it is a wish we all would share, but the reality is that in some illnesses or disorders our body chemistry requires some external support in order to function correctly. Diabetics who require insulin must use it for the rest of their lives, people with high blood pressure, certain heart ailments, thyroid dysfunction to name a few require medicine to keep them healthy.

The same is often true with mental illness disorders, because our brain is a complex organ governed by electro chemical impulses that sometimes require adjustment. These adjustmens are often maintained with medications such as the one your doctor prescribed for you.

We don't know if in your case you will need long term treatment, and your doctor will be your best advisor. You would be doing your self an injustice and setting yourself up for possible disappointment if you set your sights on "wanting to be medication free". You may reach that point, but on the other hand you may not, so consider that your health and quality of life need to be your priority, and that you will need to do what is necessary to maintain the way you want to feel.

Sometimes treatment like this can take months or even years to actually reset your brain chemistry. Sometimes treatment is lifelong.

Working in partnership with your doctor should be your best course of action.

 

[Annitsa]

Today it is not such a good day! The fear of the chance that the med might not work came back. Today is day 12 on cipralex 30mg and although I was starting feeling much better today I am a little bit of anxious. Today I am going to see my doctor so I will discuss it with her. I hope it will pass soon.
Thank you for your support!!!

 

[David Baxter PhD]

Today it is not such a good day! The fear of the chance that the med might not work came back. Today is day 12 on cipralex 30mg and although I was starting feeling much better today I am a little bit of anxious.

Remember:

1. With this medication type of medication, 12 days is not a long time. The benefits accumulate over time for several months so you have probably not yet achieved the maximum benefits of the medication or the new dose.

2. The purpose of the medication is to help you manage anxiety, depression, etc., NOT to stop you from being able to feel anything. For one thing, the ability to feel some anxiety is useful and adaptive: There are some situations where you should be anxious and others where a little anxiety helps to alert you to perform certain types of task more effectively. For another, in order to get you to the point where you did not feel anything, even if that were the goal, you'd have to be on so much medication that you'd feel like a zombie.

 

[Annitsa]

I know what you are talking about. That's my purpose...to manage anxiety not to become a zombie!!! Much calmer from the morning. I saw my doctor today and he said to me exactly the same things. I have to be patient and it will work again the medicine for me!!!
I will be in touch!!!
Best Regards:2thumbs: