Anxiety Forum

[MNaz2]

[cace]

Hi everyone. I've been on 10mg of Cipralex for 2 months and I thought I would share some of my experience here to help those of you who are considering taking this drug.

I am a 27 year old male, with no history of mental illness or any other type of ailment. I am perfectly healthy and generally very happy with my life.

4 months I ago I proposed to my now fiancee and began having severe panic attacks. At first I didn't know what was happening. I went for a colonoscopy and a gastroscope - because my stomach was in knots and I was have severe bouts of diarrhea. I had my lungs tested for breathing problems, because I was experiencing shortness of breath at times. I was also tested for Hyper Thyroid and had several ECGs for what seemed to be heart palpitations.

Long story short. My doctor finally concluded that I was having panic attacks and gave me Cipralex.

My anxiety about taking the drug added to already severe bouts of panic and it took me a few weeks to actually take the drug. I had a hard time dealing with the fact that my illness was mental. I almost wish it had been something more serious and physical.

My first week on Cipralex was a nightmare. I became depressed, had twitches - mostly at night. I would wake up sweating profusely, and I always felt as though the inside of my body was trembling very fast, however, upon looking at my hands there was no physical manifestation of this trembling. Sleeping at night was difficult, and a few times my ,mother actually slept at the foot of my bed to keep me company. That's right, 27 years old with mommy sleeping next me.

in hind sight, I am very thankful that my family has been as supportive as they have been.

By the end of the second week I felt great. I am now approaching my 3rd month and I've been feeling pretty darn good. Panic attacks and the first week on Cipralex are a faded memory, almost as if it never happened.

I have 6 months left until my wedding. The stress of planing does bother some times and last night, after a stressful evening, I woke up having a panic attack. The first one in 2 months. I'm told that it's normal, and it has actually confirmed what my trigger seems to be.

My recommendation to those of you thinking about taking Cipralex. It's a fantastic drug that has helped me become myself again.

These drugs will not space you out. They will not change who you are. These where my fears and i know realize that over thinking actually did me more harm than good. Scouring these forums before taking the drug actually did me more harm then good.

Stop thinking about it. Stop reading forums - everyone has a different reaction. Chances are very good that you will be fine and you will be better off come week 2. take the plunge, you will not regret it. But, please remember... the first week or two will be discouraging. You will feel like crap. This WILL PASS. Trust me. Just be strong, stay focused and if possible, find a friend or family member that will hang out with you as much as possible, just to be around in case you need to talk.

Cheers!

[Murakawa]

I've been taking Cipramil, a seemingly similar thing, for two days now.

I'm feeling like sheeoite. Dry throat, nausea, slight chest pains, mind racing at night... it's not fun. I hope these side effects subside soon
_________________
"I'm so uncool, it's almost cool."

[DaisyDoe]

Hi,

I am on Day 16 of Cipralex and have found that the majority of my side effects are disappearing (no more nausea, upset stomach), but am still struggling a bit with the increase in anxiety. While it is nowhere what it was a week ago, I would like to hear from others what their experiences have been in getting the anxiety to a controllable level (i.e. no more weird "out of body" sensations or tingling in extremities) on this drug.

I should mention this is my second time on Cipralex - on my first go I don't remember the side effects being this intense or even lasting this long. Has anyone else had this experience?

Thanks for your help!

[MNaz2]

hiya everybody,
I have been on cipralex for about 5 or 6 months now. I am a bit frightened of coming off them now. I think I have only had 1 panic attack in the last three months. When I first started them, I had the worse side effects ever. I couldn't leave the house for about 4 weeks. Then slowly, slowly I experienced the benefits. At first I was thinking, why have I started these, becauseI felt worse than ever, I was experiencing 5-6 panic attacks a day. But now I am so glad I did start them. I am able to enjoy my life again. I go out myself. At first, I was always trying to find someone to go out with me. At the time, I was more dependent but now I am more independent. But I will warn you that the initial side effects can be debilitating; however different people have different side effects. For anyone suffering out there, I give you the best of luck and I hope you get better.

If someone hasn't been through panic attacks theirselves, they don't know how badly it effects you.

And another thing, when you do have a panic attack, stay strong, say to yourself, it,s allright, nothings going to happen (has anything ever happened). Once the fear of having another panic attack gets out of you, that is the time hopefully, your panic attacks will pass.

I hope this helps

[EmeraldJaguar]

I've taken escitalopram and the dose as well as the effects are both qualitatively and quantitatively different than its enantiomer citalopram. For instance, with Cipralex there is more cognitive blunting and less speediness in train of thought.