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Original poster

Too scared to start taking citalopram.

95 replies

prettypurpledaisy · 29/07/2012 12:27

I have been having panic attacks and have been given citalopram to help but having read the side effects I am too scared to start taking them. They are 10mg. Anyone got any advice for an already anxious woman?

OP posts:
SparklingGoldMedals · 06/08/2012 09:01

Are you ok pretty?

Original poster
prettypurpledaisy · 06/08/2012 16:10

Been OK for the last couple of days and have even been for a short drive, definitely not out of the woods yet but am beginning to feel a little bit more positive. I hope it lasts, been on the medication for 8 days now and had very few side effects as yet. Dr said it would take two weeks to feel better though so I am not overdoing it, just doing things I feel I can handle.
No results from the 24 hour urine yet so am hoping that is a good sign.
Long road ahead but will go back to Dr in the next couple of weeks for an update.
Thanks for asking.

OP posts:
GhostShip · 07/08/2012 14:12

How are you feeling prettypurple?

I meant to write on this last night but fell asleep. I used to be on them and my god they made such a difference to my life. I eventually came off them. Im back on them as of today though unfortunately because all the old horrible feelings have come back. Feel a bit disappointed in myself but oh well.

I hope your side effects stay to a minimum. Only ones I had last time were lack of appetite and I went loopy when drinking on. Hopefully I get the lack of appetite again! X

Original poster
prettypurpledaisy · 07/08/2012 15:11

I am feeling a little odd today but definitely feel on the mend, I am beginning to get on my kids nerves I think. Still no results from my tests but I am not sure how long they take to come and no news is good news :).
This all happened so suddenly I have no idea where the panic attacks came from, fine one day and panic attacks the next. I did have one while driving about three years ago but nothing since.
Appetite still the same but hopefully will lose weight due to not drinking :)

OP posts:
GhostShip · 07/08/2012 15:16

Brilliant, really glad you feel you're on the way to getting better.

Original poster
prettypurpledaisy · 07/08/2012 18:08

Damn and blast! Had a full blown panic attack just now. So annoyed with myself. Thought I was on the mend. Happened on arrival picking my daughter up. Maybe driving was a step too far :(

OP posts:
SparklingGoldMedals · 07/08/2012 18:25

I would make an appointment with the GP. 10mg may be too little. I started on 20mg. Just a thought.

Maybe the driving to Nursery was a bit much, but remember you couldn't do that a week or so ago,

Hugs. x

Original poster
prettypurpledaisy · 07/08/2012 18:39

He did say 2 weeks to feel the benefit and I have been much more in control or so I thought. I am just so annoyed with myself that it happened again. I am supposed to be going to London next week to see Wicked and really hope I am better for that :(
Was intending to go back to Dr next week but make it a bit earlier.

OP posts:
GhostShip · 07/08/2012 18:54

Don't be annoyed, just give it time. It'll come dont worry. 10mg is rather low, I started at 20mg too and worked up to 40mg.

I've been plonked straight back on 40mg today though, despite not having it for a year and I don't half feel weird! My jaw is all over the show.

Don't try to set yourself time limits OP, that'll stress you even more. Take each day at a time. Sometimes it's just a matter of waking up and thinking 'you know what, I feel good' sometimes it's a slow process and a gradual build up. You'll get there xx

SparklingGoldMedals · 07/08/2012 18:57

Blimey Ghost is that wise? Hope you are ok with a high dose to start with. I have just done a week on 30mg down from 40mg. So far so good, but I have got all obsessed with how I feel IYKWIM.

GhostShip · 07/08/2012 19:00

I'm not sure but that's what the doctor has put me on so I suppose I'll just trust in him. I know exactly what you mean! Right now I keep over analysing how I feel. Is my vision blurry? I feel dizzy is that the tablets? My jaws stiff... I've thrown up twice...

I need to go to bed I think :o

GhostShip · 07/08/2012 19:01

Thankyou for your concern x

SparklingGoldMedals · 07/08/2012 19:02

That stiff jaw thing was just bizarre and the yawning, OMG the yawning. Sad And the feeling boiling the whole time. Sad

GhostShip · 07/08/2012 19:04

I'm dreading tonight, I get night sweats as it is (you'd think I was menopausal but I'm 21 next month so doubt it ha) so I don't know what it's going to be like tonight! Fan is going on, poor DP will have to suffer. Bless

VolAuVent · 08/08/2012 01:36

Keep going OP and you should be feeling the benefits soon.

Original poster
prettypurpledaisy · 08/08/2012 11:23

How was last night GhostShip? hope you got some sleep.

OP posts:
SparklingGoldMedals · 08/08/2012 11:28

How are you pretty? I keep imagining I can feel that I have dropped from 40mg to 30mg, but I think I am still asking myself how I feel every 5 minutes. V annoying. Hmm

GhostShip · 08/08/2012 11:34

Pretty it was horrendous. I've posted a topic this morning because im in a bit of a bad way. Not stopped throwing up, got the shakes, stiff jaw, restlessness, can't sleep because of the 'over thinking'. I can't lift my head off my pillow, thank god for iPhone!

I think my dosage is too high. I haven't had antidepressants in a whole so why I was given 40mg straight away I do not know. Need to get better for work tomorrow so I'm scared of taking anoter one. Going to try my gp or pharmacist.

Anyway enough about me, how are you feeling pretty? Are you sleeping okay? I hope you are

GhostShip · 08/08/2012 11:35

sparkling oh it's awful that isn't it. Do I feel ok? Am I ok? Is this right? It messes with your head.

Original poster
prettypurpledaisy · 08/08/2012 11:42

Feeling very anxious today not good. Luckily not too much pressure today so will calm down as the day goes on. So sorry GhostShip that you are feeling so unwell :( I too over analyse everything and although I am sleeping do not wake up refreshed but that may be thyroid related.
Onwards ever onwards :)

OP posts:
GhostShip · 08/08/2012 11:51

Just keep at it Pretty, you're doing brilliant!! :o

Onwards ever onwards is defo a good mantra

SparklingGoldMedals · 08/08/2012 12:05

Ghost could you drop to 20mg? GP said 40 was the maximum and I am trying to get down to 30mg so I can have the 40 if I start feeling worse.

pretty, I had forgotten this but when I started on the Citalopram I felt very anxious in the mornings and by the evening I felt ok. It was hard to believe the difference. Say if someone asked me in the evening to do something the next day I would agree to it. But the next morning i wouldn't feel able to do it at all.

It was explaining that to the GP that upped my dose to even things out.

skippy84 · 08/08/2012 12:10

Hi everyone just wanted to join you here I am on 20mg day 9, last week was rough had a few panic attacks but I don't know if it was the meds or just some stressful life events that have coincided with me starting the meds
I too am full of nervous energy in the mornings and feeling really sleepy from afternoon onwards. Hopefully this will settle down soon.

GhostShip · 08/08/2012 12:12

I'm thinking of just breaking my tablets in half for now, until I can get more time of work to see the doctor in person. The secretary is an arse and I can't understand the doctor on the phone anyway Blush

I did ask could I drop in today 'no appointment only'

LISTEN WOMAN I AM LOSING MY STOMACH LINING FROM THROWING UP SO MUCH, I LOOK LIKE IM ON ECTASY AND I AM VERY TIRED!

I didn't say that, I'm too soft.

SparklingGoldMedals · 08/08/2012 12:18

Just drop it to 20mg Ghost, you shouldn't be throwing up like that. 20mg is enough to start with surely?

Hi skippy, sounds like you are doing ok, day 9 is still early days. x