Is the cipralex/(citalopram) making me more anxious or is this adjustment to ADs?

[swanthingafteranother]

I am on a minimal dose of 5mg of cipralex. I had an initial nauseous feeling, and that wore off. I felt calmer within 3 days, but now I feel continuously anxious, whereas before I just felt mildly depressed/tearful. I had positive cheerful thoughts in a few days since I started on the dose, and thought, aha it is working, but they seemed to have resolved into a continous anxious feeling. One anxiety seems to be replaced by another, and even when I solve a problem, a vague feeling of dread remains...there is always something new to worry about.
I saw the pysch who prescribed it a week after starting the dose, and said I felt better, but now I am wondering whether that is true, after a weekend just lurching from one stomach knot to next.

Ironically my driving seems to have improved? One of things that used to scare me was driving to places unknown...but I managed a local journey or two at weekend feeling fine..

Should I ring pysch? Should I keep taking them? Should I just stop now before the holidays...

[NicholasTeakozy]

Keep taking them. They need between 2 and 6 weeks to kick in properly.

Certainly contact your psych team, they may be able to recommend something to alleviate the anxiety. I have seen a poster who said she used Kalms and that helped.

Glad to hear your driving's improved :o

[fridakahlo]

The initial anxiety lasted two to three weeks when I started them for the first time and it was really horrible anxiety but once they had settled down, it was gone.

[thepeoplesprincess]

Be very careful. They made me madder and madder, and it never died down (tho admittedly I couldn't stand taking them for any length of time)

[orangeandlemons]

My experience (very extensive) of Ad side effects is:

If after 2 absolute max 3 weeks emotional side effects are still there then they will stay.

Plenty have made more anxious and plenty haven't.

Been on 9 different ones (incl cipralex), so unfortunately have some experience in this area. BUT my experience won't be the same as yours.

[swanthingafteranother]

thank you!

[OnLineCBTTherapist]

have a chat with your psych - they are excellent at managing drugs.

A feeling of dread is a feeling only, especially if there is actually nothing pressing to be worried about or change, and it could be that your body is reacting to it as if it is really good information to pay attention to, which it is not necessarily...

Hav a word with your psych - a good CBT therapist can help your tolerate your feelings, or a decent self help book; ask if you need a suggestion for one.