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Mental health

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Original poster

Citalopram day 11

211 replies

alicemac83 · 19/01/2014 17:15

Hi,
I've been on citalopram 10mg for 11 days. The first 5 we're hideous, I was so low I was almost suicidal- then the following 4 we're amazing- I felt like myself again. Only just as I started to relax I've had 2 days of feeling anxious, lacking motivation and being very irritable. I'm so disappointed as I really thought I had my life back. Over the weekend I had my dd on my own as dh was away so I think that made me tense. Should I increase my meds or hope this is just a blip? Xxx

OP posts:

Shockers · 31/01/2019 16:50

The Dr gave this to me this morning. I honestly couldn’t take feeling any lower, so after reading this I don’t want to take it (I took one this morning). He did explain that suicidal thoughts can increase with improved motivation.

I just can’t risk getting worse.

Alicia44 · 31/01/2019 17:30

I am on day 10, on 10mg. I haven't suffered nose bleeds and not any horrendous side effects to be honest. I've even caught myself singing and smiling to myself too!

I think when googling such meds, you will always see side effects and our mind is so powerful, we could actually get the side effects if that makes sense!

I have many friends on citalopram and they ALL rave about it.

Michelle9 · 31/01/2019 18:09

Although I’ve had nose bleeds which may or may not have anything to do with tablets (I’m back at doctors on Tuesday so will ask) I have felt so much calmer. I haven’t cried in 3 weeks and I’m so glad I took them because I wasn’t going to, so I would tell anyone to try them

Alicia44 · 31/01/2019 18:33

That's great Michelle that you have felt calmer. Which dosage do you take? I'm still feeling slightly anxious every now and then (in my throat/butterflies), but I'm only on day 10. I really hope I continue to improve. I feel so positive about taking them! :)

Alicia44 · 31/01/2019 18:34

PS I wasn't going to take them either, was soooo nervous about side effects!

reenchantmentofeverydaylife · 31/01/2019 19:03

I took my first 10mg dose this afternoon. So far feel a bit stoned and it has upset my stomach a bit. Told GP I'd start at 20mg but then bottled it. Will build up. Taking for depression and pain management. Glad I found this thread, it'll be nice to share experiences with others just starting.

Alicia44 · 31/01/2019 19:42

If you felt taking 10mg was the right thing for you, don't worry, go with what suits you (just don't increase without consulting your GP)
I felt a bit wired the first few days, but it passed. I am not sleeping very well either but I've always struggled, and there are a few things going on which could be contributing (hubby is on call and up and down in the night, disturbing me!). I take over the counter sleep aid occasionally to help.

It is nice to get support from others taking this med. On the whole I've read some really good reviews which gives me a lot of hope.

reenchantmentofeverydaylife · 31/01/2019 20:20

Thanks Alicia, will stay at 10mg for a couple of weeks and see how I get on. Was prescribed 2 months supply at 20mg, so if I need to increase to 20mg I'm OK to do that I think. Just feels safer starting at the lower dose. Last year I had horrendous stomach upsets from Sertraline and had to come off it after a few months, so am praying Citalopram is much gentler on my tummy.

I've felt that wired sensation on ADs before, I hate it but, as you've discovered, it does pass. Good that you've got something OTC to take when you really need it. I'd much prefer that to prescription sleeping pills, and I have herbal teas that help me sleep when I need them. If anything I'm dreading Citalopram making me more tired, because I'm borderline CFS and can sleep for Britain as it is! But more than anything I just want the anxiety and feeling of being on edge and consequently moody and depressed to go, so I'll try my best to cope with side effects.

Have had some fleeting moments of feeling quite cosy with myself even just in the last few hours since taking the first tablet, so I'm hopeful

Alicia44 · 31/01/2019 20:57

Yes you'd be fine to increase to 20mg as that's what you were prescribed. My GP said I'll probably get put onto 20mg at around week 4...I'm happy with this but also terrified incase I get bad side effects. I may invest in a pill cutter and increase by 2.5mg at a time, gradually. If he agrees that is!
I am tired all the time but as I said, my sleep is terrible anyway so that's probably why. I, like you, just want to be free of the anxiety and worry...I do feel positive, I hope that it works it's magic like it does for many of my friends!

Be kind to yourself, accept down days IF you have them (I'd say today has been a bit down for me but I'm putting it behind me!)...and look forward to the good days :-)

Michelle9 · 31/01/2019 21:07

I got orescribed 20mg but only took half. My doctor said If I felt they were too sting to only take half so I just stuck to that. I had dry mouth, light headed and the nose bleeds but never once felt more anxious or depressed. They have been a lifeline and I feel like I’m me again

Alicia44 · 31/01/2019 21:23

That's fab Michelle. Maybe I'll feel even better in another few weeks then! Quite excited to think of getting back to feeling me again!

Michelle9 · 01/02/2019 05:42

let Us know how you get on Alice.

Alicia44 · 01/02/2019 08:38

Will do! And you!
Just taking tablet number 11...!

Shockers · 01/02/2019 16:57

I’ve just realised mine are 20mg. I’m on day 2 and I haven’t cried since yesterday morning. I have noticed that my hands are shaking though.

I went for a long walk today. I think getting out while I’m signed off will help too, especially on sunny, snowy days like today.

qumquat · 01/02/2019 19:53

I've been taking citalopram for the last 15 years. Currently taking 40mg a day and no side effects. I was on a lot of different ads before that and I have found them the best. Good luck to all of you and I hope they work for you.

qumquat · 01/02/2019 19:59

To answer a position question I don't feel happy on citalopram but I also don't feel like I'm totally out of control and planning my suicide 24/7.

reenchantmentofeverydaylife · 01/02/2019 21:33

Hi Alicia, hope you've had a 'good' day today and yesterday is behind you! Mine has been good overall, not nuts about the snow but otherwise I had a nice morning doing a bit of studying and then my friend/colleague came over for a couple of hours this afternoon and that felt therapeutic. Had a sleep for about an hour and a half before dinner, but was able to put a chilli together that will do me another 2 or 3 meals over the next couple of days, so I feel like I'm winning

Side effects so far very minimal. Feeling fairly positive about that side of things, hoping it's a good sign for me increasing the dose in due course. The pill-cutter sounds like a good idea, should help you manage any anxiety about tapering up. Hope your GP agrees! Can't see why s/he wouldn't, if it helps you get better without derailing your progress.

I'm expecting ups and downs, and hoping the medication will help me manage the worse days better than I usually do, given time.

Shockers, my hands have been trembling a bit too. Not constantly, but when I've noticed it I've felt a bit freaked out. Hopefully it passes soon. My chest has felt a little bit stuffy at times, but then I've had a horrible virus the last few weeks and that could explain the short breathing feeling yesterday and today. It has only been for half an hour each day though, the rest of the time I haven't noticed it happening. Other side effect has been feeling a bit itchy on my forehead and hairline, but I think that's just exacerbated something that was already happening tbh. Hope you don't get too many side effects.

Alicia44 · 03/02/2019 10:31

Hi all

I've not been too bad...I went out alone on Friday and did some shopping, I still feel anxious but also feel confident, I know this sounds strange but I can't describe it any other way! I get the butterflies in my throat and tummy but is not stopping me from carrying on! I'm only on day 13 so hoping that the anxious feeling will pass....apart from that I've had a headache for 2 days but that could just be a coincidence! Hope everyone else is doing good!

Do you think it's still early days for me?

Michelle9 · 03/02/2019 11:26

Hi Alicia glad your side affects not too bad, and well done going out. I had my first bad day today since taking mine 3 weeks ago but I’ve had a stressful weekend and know it would have been a lot worse if not on tablets

Alicia44 · 03/02/2019 12:03

Sorry to hear you had a bad day. I guess we have to remind ourselves that we will still have bad days...any other person not suffering with anxiety would too...it's a natural response to stress. I hope you're feeling better today.

Michelle9 · 03/02/2019 12:29

Yes although the tablets are good they don’t take away all the pain or the anxiety, you still have to do some of the work yourself. If I’m gonna have 3 good weeks and one bad day I will take it over 3 bad weeks and one good day

Shockers · 03/02/2019 12:29

Thank you for sharing that Michelle and Alicia ; I was thinking of telling work that I was ready to go back, as I honestly feel so much better. I’ve only been on the tablets for 4 days though, and I’m signed off for another 3 weeks. I think I’ll wait to see whether there’s a dip, as my job is very emotionally demanding.

Alicia44 · 03/02/2019 12:46

Totally Michelle! 3 good weeks is absolutely amazing! Just remember we are only human!

It's early days for you but so far so good Shockers! Sounds positive so far! I'm due back to work soon after being off a few months (recovering from 2 ops...maybe this is why I'm so tired!!) and I think that's causing me some anxiety. But we all know that the anticipation is always worse than actually doing it!! I keep practicing positive thoughts instead of 'what if'....I am absolutely certain that the meds are helping me achieve this! A few weeks ago I would have been on a terrible state. Now, it's just butterflies...

Alicia44 · 04/02/2019 16:43

Hi how's everyone doing?

Shockers · 04/02/2019 17:43

The initial euphoria has gone, but I’m still not crying, so that’s good.

I didn’t sleep well last night because my jaw was really tight- something that happens when I’m stressed.

It’s only day 5 though.

How are you?

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