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Seeking Gentle Advice on Escitalopram

Bluemarinejosephine

Active Member
Messages
42
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Hello everyone,
I hope this message finds you well.

I would be truly grateful for the insight of anyone who has experience with escitalopram, as I find myself at a small crossroads and could use a little guidance.

Here’s my little story:
My GP recently suggested that one possible way to ease the ongoing mental strain of managing Type 1 diabetes might be to try a low dose of escitalopram—an antidepressant, as I’ve since learned. The idea would be to start gently, with 5 mg daily, and review together after six weeks to see how I respond.

As I shared with her, I’ve always approached medication with caution. Aside from my insulin, I don’t take anything else, and my general philosophy leans toward more holistic and natural forms of care. I’m genuinely open to exploring paths like meditation, yoga, hypnotherapy, acupuncture, herbal support, and of course, talk therapy—anything that could gently support emotional wellbeing.

This is now the third appointment where she has gently reiterated her suggestion, explaining that she has already prepared the prescription and that it’s waiting for me at the pharmacy, should I feel ready to go ahead. She believes it may be the most immediate and effective step to help alleviate some of the mental weight that comes with daily diabetes management.

If any of you have walked this path and would feel comfortable sharing your experience, I would be so appreciative. Your perspective would mean a great deal and may help me find the clarity I need to make the right decision for myself.

With heartfelt thanks, always,
Josephine
 
Hi
Type 1 of 50 years with coeliacs and bile acid malabsorption and a frozen shoulder.......
When i developed coeliacs around 15 years ago and bad guts that wouldn't get better BAM was diagnozed and at this point i was diagnosed with depression.

The more chronic illnesses we have the more likely we are to suffer from depression according to my GP.

I don't like the side effects they have on me personally so have tried different ones.

There is absolutely no shame in it at all as depression is a chemical imbalance in the brain.

Take the advice from your GP and give them a try and just see if your mood improves and it might only be a short term thing.

I wish you well

Tony
 
T1D 59yrs
 
With coeliac plus other conditions, I was on ramipril to help with the kidneys so they told me and from time to time when speaking to various doctors about my conditions they would ask me as being on ramioril if I suffered from depression. I always replied no as I don’t and never have done. I stopped taking the medication and am still exactly the same. . I feel sorry for those that do suffer but I’ve never let any of my feelings get me down as I’m just not built that way.
 
Sorry the word ramipril came up all goodeegook
 
Hi

I'm T2 but I had a period on citalopram some years ago, long prior to diagnosis. Stress at work through the 2008 crisis, bit of a breakdown, that sort of thing. The best way I have of describing the effects is that it left me in a state of the perpetual present. I had no real conception of the past or future, which does help with anxiety but is a bit of a problem if your job, as mine did, deals with applying the lessons of the past and planning the future. It made me functionally incapable of working, or even doing anything much at all constructively. I think of it now as a big soft floor pillow that I wouldn't get up from.

In addition I found coming off it very difficult. The advice from my GP was that I was supposed to taper off, but when I realised that tapering implied staying on it for months after returning to work, I just stopped. I had two or three weeks of real weirdness and then it was OK. But I was still where I'd been, and eventually found some cognitive-behavioural techniques from a real human being (thank you Sandy) that worked for me.

In the same situation and knowing what I know now, I wouldn't take it again. I think there's no doubt that it would alleviate some of the "mental weight" but that relief comes at a cost. You might think it's worth it, I didn't.

[Edited to make clear that this is my personal experience of citalopram]
 
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I'm a bit puzzled by your post. Ramipril is a blood pressure medication, not an antidepressant ssri like citalopram, which is what this thread is about.
 
I wasn't on citalopram but on a different ssri, a very similar medication.
It didn't do anything for my depression but it definitely did not give me the side effects @KennyA mentioned.

The only thing it did for me was giving me two different sized pupils and killing my libido. I stopped it without tapering down like you did, and never noticed any effects.

On the other hand, one of my best friends is on citalopram and it made a huge difference for her, it has very positive effects on her life!
 
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Would you like to share in what way your diabetes impacts your mental health?
Having diabetes and dealing with it is highly individual, and preferred paths to emotional wellbeing are highly individual as well.
Medication can play a very useful role, but so can things like therapy, mindfulness, yoga, or a combination of different things.
 
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Not wishing to derail @Bluemarinejosephine 's thread on citalopram. Just a quick comment on @Tony337 and @Ambermouse , I'm also coeliac. You are probably aware that there is a direct link with coeliac and depression.

"CD has been linked to several psychiatric manifestations such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and mood disorders"

Psychiatric and Neurological Manifestations of Celiac Disease in Adults - PMC

Celiac disease (CD), a chronic inflammatory disorder of the intestines, affects 0.7% to 1.4% of the world's population. CD causes diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, bloating, flatulence, and, in rare cases, constipation in the digestive tract. Since ...
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
 
Hi @Bluemarinejosephine
I agree that managing Type One is an ongoing strain; I’ve been doing it for over fifty-five years and can attest to the ups and downs.
Do you have any supportive apps that help you decide what decisions to make? Things like Carbs and Cals and Libre alarms can, I agree, seem too insistent, but can also give peace during the more disruptive phases Type One sometimes goes through if you can relax and hand the decisions over to them.
Have you tried going for walks with friends, especially through green leafy spaces? Look at what this says about phytonicides

Why do humans need trees for health? Here are the benefits of tree planting - NHS Forest

Trees in particular offer unique benefits not found in other planting options. In fact, humans need trees for health.
nhsforest.org
 
PS I’m not fond of the term ‘forest bathing’, I much prefer ‘a walk in the woods’
 
Hi @Bluemarinejosephine like yourself I am very resistant to all forms of medication, taking just insulin. Many years ago before my diabetes diagnosis I was in need of help following some ongoing health issues. I remember picking up the prescription for Prozac and having it sat on my kitchen worktop for a couple of days just looking at it. However, I decided to go for it and it was the best thing I did. Six months later I came off them and have never needed them since. It enabled me to cope. Along with walks, swimming and general relaxation.
The truth is it is worth a try to get you over this dip in your diabetes coping mechanism. Give it the time to take effect. Usually two-four weeks. If you don’t like it come off them. At least you have tried.
 
I took Citalopram for almost a year whilst having counselling for repressed memories of trauma re things that happened to me as a young child. I found it very gentle and useful. It damped down the horrific feelings whilst keeping the facts of the memories clear so I could talk about them. When I came off them I stepped down the dose very gradually, even more gradually than my doctor advised. The worst thing was the first 2 weeks of taking them. I was ravenously hungry all the time. After this though things settled and for me it was a wonderful drug with no other problems.
 
Dear All,

Thank you ever so much for your thoughtful feedback and for generously sharing your personal experiences. I have found your insights immensely helpful and deeply appreciated.

May I kindly ask for your advice regarding the potential use of escitalopram, even at a minimal dosage? I am considering it as a means to initiate a positive shift—serving as a springboard towards emotional improvement, which I would ideally complement with non-medical methods as I progress.

In light of this, I would be most grateful if you could share your experiences regarding any side effects you may have encountered. My GP has informed me of some common side effects, namely gastrointestinal discomfort, fatigue, and headaches. However, I am particularly interested in any possible effects on blood glucose levels or insulin sensitivity. Have you noticed any episodes of hypo- or hyperglycaemia while using escitalopram?

Furthermore, I would welcome any additional insights on what to expect in terms of side effects and their typical duration.

For those who kindly inquired: I am currently using an insulin pump and the Freestyle Libre system for continuous glucose monitoring (soon transitioning to Dexcom G7). I am DAFNE-trained and confident in carbohydrate counting, as well as managing the effects of protein and fat on my blood glucose. I believe my present emotional state may stem more from the cumulative fatigue associated with the long-term management of diabetes, rather than a recent or sudden mental health development.

With sincere thanks once again for your kindness and support.

Warmest regards,
 
Hi again

I didn't notice any side effects that I can recall. As my experience was before the onset of any of my diabetic symptoms, and well over ten years before eventual diagnosis, I have no idea what effect, if any, there was on my blood glucose.
 
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