On 2/28/2026 at 4:10 PM, Nickie Evans said:

Yes I said to the Dr that surely esitalopram isn't the best option as that hasn't got a long life either, but due to limited supply of Seroxat and the generic form starting this all off he said stick to slowly starting Esitalopram. He wanted me to start on 5mg, but having read all the advice you give here, I insisted, if that's the only option he's going to give, that I start on 1mg, which is what I've done the past 2 days.

Ok. Well as it’s a sister of citalopram maybe this will be ok and you’ve started now. Don’t jump up doses will you. Stick at 1mg for the minute. Then tell us how you are over the next few days. 

1 minute ago, Chippy said:

Ok. Well as it’s a cousin of citalopram maybe this will be ok and you’ve started now. Don’t jump up doses will you. Stick at 1mg for the minute. Then tell us how you are over the next few days. 

Yes I'll stick to the 1mg for at least a week, no changes so far having taken it for 2 days. Please, in your opinion, do you think this will help in time?

1 minute ago, Nickie Evans said:

Yes I'll stick to the 1mg for at least a week, no changes so far having taken it for 2 days. Please, in your opinion, do you think this will help in time?

I think it’s possible. Reinstatement isn’t always predictable and it mainly works best if you restart the same drug.
 

It’s possible to start a similar drug and for Paroxetine, Citalopram is suggested.  As I said that is a weak cousin of Escitalopram so it’s not out of the question in my view. 
 

I have everything crossed you get some relief from this. 

2 minutes ago, Chippy said:

I think it’s possible. Reinstatement isn’t always predictable and it mainly works best if you restart the same drug.
 

It’s possible to start a similar drug and for Paroxetine, Citalopram is suggested.  As I said that is a weak cousin of Escitalopram so it’s not out of the question in my view. 
 

I have everything crossed you get some relief from this. 

Thank you. Do you have any idea of how long before I will see, even the slightest improvement?

2 minutes ago, Nickie Evans said:

Thank you. Do you have any idea of how long before I will see, even the slightest improvement?

Have a read of that document it gives you lots of information on the subject. 
 

Have you worsened or just the same?

3 minutes ago, Chippy said:

Have a read of that document it gives you lots of information on the subject. 
 

Have you worsened or just the same?

Sleeping slightly better but the depression, diarrhoea, nausea and just ill feeling are just as bad.

5 minutes ago, Chippy said:

Have a read of that document it gives you lots of information on the subject. 
 

Have you worsened or just the same?

Sorry what document did you mean for me to read?

5 minutes ago, Nickie Evans said:

Sorry what document did you mean for me to read?

No don’t be sorry I’ll link it again for you. 
 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/forums/topic/7562-reinstatement-about-reinstating-and-stabilizing-to-reduce-withdrawal-symptoms/

10 minutes ago, Nickie Evans said:

Sleeping slightly better but the depression, diarrhoea, nausea and just ill feeling are just as bad.

Ok. Well it’s good you’re not worse and good your sleep has improved. All good signs that your body is accepting the drug. 

6 minutes ago, Chippy said:

No don’t be sorry I’ll link it again for you. 
 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/forums/topic/7562-reinstatement-about-reinstating-and-stabilizing-to-reduce-withdrawal-symptoms/

Thank you 

2 minutes ago, Chippy said:

Ok. Well it’s good you’re not worse and good your sleep has improved. All good signs that your body is accepting the drug. 

My sleep had got better before I started the esitalopram drops 

15 minutes ago, Nickie Evans said:

diarrhoea, nausea and just ill feeling are just as bad.

Paxil specially hits these receptors.... your body will need time to heal without it. It is not a quick process. 

https://antidepressantrecovery.org/topic/181-paroxetine-what-you-should-know/

 

 

7 minutes ago, Nickie Evans said:

My sleep had got better before I started the esitalopram drops 

Ok. It’s a good sign you’re not worse. It means your brain has accepted the drug so far. 
 

Escitalopram is VERY strong. It has about 20-25% effect on the brain at 1mg. So don’t think you’ve got a small dose.  

44 minutes ago, Chippy said:

Ok. It’s a good sign you’re not worse. It means your brain has accepted the drug so far. 
 

Escitalopram is VERY strong. It has about 20-25% effect on the brain at 1mg. So don’t think you’ve got a small dose.  

If I have no adverse effects how long do you suggest i stay on 1mg before going to 2mg in drops or 2.5mg (half a 5mg tablet) please 

43 minutes ago, Nickie Evans said:

If I have no adverse effects how long do you suggest i stay on 1mg before going to 2mg in drops or 2.5mg (half a 5mg tablet) please 

You have 5mg tablets? How do you make the 1mg dose each day?

 

I would stay at this dose for a good 2 weeks if it were me. Id be very cautious about up doses.

Give it a few days and try not to worry about it for a bit. Nothing more you can do yet.

 

I can send you some info on Escitalopram soon if you would like.

 

The nervous system likes slow careful changes and it needs time to adjust.

2 hours ago, Chippy said:

You have 5mg tablets? How do you make the 1mg dose each day?

 

I would stay at this dose for a good 2 weeks if it were me. Id be very cautious about up doses.

Give it a few days and try not to worry about it for a bit. Nothing more you can do yet.

 

I can send you some info on Escitalopram soon if you would like.

 

The nervous system likes slow careful changes and it needs time to adjust.

Ok thank you. I'm taking the esitalopram via liquid, 1x1mg drop per day. Will remain this way for 2 weeks as that's what you suggest. Is it a huge positive that even before I started the esitalopram, I feel so much better in the evenings?

4 hours ago, LostinCanada said:

Paxil specially hits these receptors.... your body will need time to heal without it. It is not a quick process. 

https://antidepressantrecovery.org/topic/181-paroxetine-what-you-should-know/

 

 

Thank you

7 hours ago, Nickie Evans said:

Ok thank you. I'm taking the esitalopram via liquid, 1x1mg drop per day. Will remain this way for 2 weeks as that's what you suggest. Is it a huge positive that even before I started the esitalopram, I feel so much better in the evenings?

Ok perfect. It’s good you are on the liquid. Consistent accurate dosing is important. I was worried you were cutting a pill to get the 1mg. You’d need micro scales not get that dose right. 
 

It can take a good week for the brain to register the dose. 
 

It’s great things are easier in the evening. This is common I see it a lot. 

I am glad to read this Nickie Evans! Keep us posted. Blessings, prayers, and hugs!

@Nickie Evans How are you?

@Chippy @Luke Hi sorry I didn't get notification that you'd messaged. Just came on to say I'm still in a horrific state, under Dr's instructions 1 week 1mg, next week 2mg, 3rd week stated 3mg, horrendous cortisol waves immediately on waking which remain until I get up, first 3-4 hours i feel i can't function at all, diarrhoea is still a huge problem, have only eaten dry toast, white rice for a week now, but no change. Been told not to increase until further notice. I cant go out because of stomach issues and feel so weak and dizzy most of the day, no further panic attacks, since the 1 a few weeks ago, but that's cause I cant go out. Increasing weekly hasn't given my brain time to adjust before Increasing again. Do you think I'll start to feel better by staying on 3mg for several weeks as Dr has now decided to do. @LostinCanada

Edited March 19Mar 19 by Nickie Evans

12 minutes ago, Nickie Evans said:

@Chippy @Luke Hi sorry I didn't get notification that you'd messaged. Just came on to say I'm still in a horrific state, under Dr's instructions 1 week 1mg, next week 2mg, 3rd week stated 3mg, horrendous cortisol waves immediately on waking which remain until I get up, first 3-4 hours i feel i can't function at all, diarrhoea is still a huge problem, have only eaten dry toast, white rice for a week now, but no change. Been told not to increase until further notice. I cant go out because of stomach issues and feel so weak and dizzy most of the day, no further panic attacks, since the 1 a few weeks ago, but that's cause I cant go out. Increasing weekly hasn't given my brain time to adjust before Increasing again. Do you think I'll start to feel better by staying on 3mg for several weeks as Dr has now decided to do. @LostinCanada

Can you confirm what dates you made each increase?

@Nickie Evans

I am so sorry you are suffering like this. Your body really wants paroxetine....it affects such different enzymes, receptors etc than the drug they put you on.

This will take a long time before you stabilize... even with a reinstatement of the same drug, it can take many months so this will take a lot of patience and acceptance. Please be kind to yourself.

As far as food goes, are you able to try bone broth or eat gelatin...both those things help heal the gut. Also ginger chews or ginger tea. Can you tolerate chicken or eggs? Trying to stick to low histamine foods and no histamine liberator foods may help.

Please update your signature.

https://antidepressantrecovery.org/settings/signature/

❤️🙏

 

@LostinCanada is right. They have RI the wrong drug at too high a dose and not held you there for long enough. The reason to stay at the initial dose is to look to see if it worsens you but also give it time to take its full effect before increasing. It’s not a magic pill. 
 

Escitalopram is very strong, 1mg has 25% effect on the brain and the following 2 and 3mg increases are huge increases to make so quickly. 
 

The purpose of RI isn’t to ‘treat’ the symptoms you are having it is the give the brain back what was taken which may reduce the symptoms. 
 

Are you worse than before RI? When did it get worse? Before you increased to 2mg? Did it get worse again at 2 and now at 3mg?

 

Im so sorry for your suffering. 
 

Chippy

6 hours ago, Chippy said:

@LostinCanada is right. They have RI the wrong drug at too high a dose and not held you there for long enough. The reason to stay at the initial dose is to look to see if it worsens you but also give it time to take its full effect before increasing. It’s not a magic pill. 
 

Escitalopram is very strong, 1mg has 25% effect on the brain and the following 2 and 3mg increases are huge increases to make so quickly. 
 

The purpose of RI isn’t to ‘treat’ the symptoms you are having it is the give the brain back what was taken which may reduce the symptoms. 
 

Are you worse than before RI? When did it get worse? Before you increased to 2mg? Did it get worse again at 2 and now at 3mg?

 

Im so sorry for your suffering. 
 

Chippy

@Chippy  started 1mg on 26/02. Increased to 2mg on 06/03. Increased to 3mg on 13/03. Symptoms have just got worse where the cortisol waves are concerned. Feel slightly anxious all the time. Diarrhoea is just terrible and has been for weeks. Despite bland diet of white toast, with rice, water only and a boiled egg occasionally. By mid to late evening I feel a little better most days. @LostinCanada can someone tell me what to do so is receive notifications from here please.