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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:
Michelle9 · 04/02/2019 17:44

Better than yesterday, I’ve upped my dose from 10 to 20 today, I’m hoping no side effects. How’s you?

Alicia44 · 04/02/2019 17:58

Still not crying is a good thing :-)

I sometimes get a tight jaw too.

Michelle let me know how the increase goes...I'm sure my GP will suggest this when I have my one month review.

I'm not TOO bad...I do think my looming return to work date is causing me some anxiety. But I'm sure it's not any different than any other person would feel after being off for a few month. It's not escalating to full on panic. I'm still only 14 days in so I guess it's still early days

KarBB · 04/02/2019 18:28

Not crying is great progress. Well done! Are you going back to work FT? I did a phased return which I found helped me enormously, as I also felt really anxious about going back & didn't sleep the nights before (initially). I did 2days for 2 weeks, 3days for 3 weeks & then 4 days for 4 weeks before going full time.

KarBB · 04/02/2019 18:29

My teeth chatter (loudly) when I get really really bad which might be related to the jaw thing some of you are getting. Horrible!

Michelle9 · 04/02/2019 18:38

Isn’t funny how they effect people in different ways. I had 3 weeks with no crying but a blip yesterday. Now I’m aiming for longer.

Alicia44 · 04/02/2019 19:33

I am only due back towards the end of the month full time, but going to see my GP to ask if I can do phased return starting next week. Ideally I'd like every day but short days, gradually building back up. My energy levels are so poor at the moment after having 2 ops and months of pain and no sleep!
I'm trying to pop in for 10 mins to see my work colleagues tomorrow, I think that will help!

It is strange that we all get such different symptoms! I find I can't catch my breath and then end up obsessing about it!!! One blip in 3 weeks is amazing and soooo promising!

Michelle9 · 04/02/2019 20:11

Alicia let us know how it goes. I think popping in is the best thing & will make you feel more at ease for when you do go back

Alicia44 · 04/02/2019 20:13

Thanks Michelle, will do. I'm trying my advised night time routine shortly of bath, Horlicks, switching phone off and reading. Hoping I sleep!

Hope tomorrow is a good day for you all :-)

Michelle9 · 05/02/2019 09:30

Morning all

Hope it goes well for you today Alicia. so i upped my meds from 10-20 yest and i feel like ive been sedated. At doctors this afternoon

Alicia44 · 05/02/2019 09:50

Thank you Michelle! I'm on my way to the GP now...I'm a little anxious but not as bad as I thought I'd be, will be popping into work after there. Sorry to hear you feel zonked :-( Of my GP suggests increasing I'm going to ask if I can get a pill cutter and increase gradually by 2.5mg each time. Let me know how it goes x

KarBB · 05/02/2019 20:00

@Michelle9 I found a gentle and soothing bedtime routine really helped me. Once I got over what felt like 'crisis' more I really cut down on screen time and found comforting books to read before bed, with dimmed lights & some white noise / headspace sleep sounds. Even classical music was too stimulating for me then. Cookbooks & nature writing (I'm really into hiking so non fiction books about long walks were great) are my go to, as well as some (compassionate) self help books. I quit reading the news and 18months later I don't miss it at all. I find it's all doom and gloom and hearing about unfortunate events which I don't really gain anything from knowing about is pointless but raises my anxiety / makes me feel sad. Hope your routine is helping!

KarBB · 05/02/2019 20:01

@Alicia44 sorry I think my last comment was intended for you and not @Michelle9 !

Michelle9 · 05/02/2019 20:05

KarBB I’m offended 😂😂😂😂 not really. Alicia how did it go at doctors & work. I’ve got another months supply and sticking to 20mg from now

Alicia44 · 05/02/2019 20:46

@KarBB the new routine is doing far more favours for me than before thanks! Switching off tech, including TV in the bedroom is definitely helping. I'm with you on the news thing....I never, ever watch it, I don't buy newspapers either! When I'm downstairs, I like to watch stuff that detracts from all the negative crap that's going on. Planet Earth, Britain by Drone, Ben Fogle New Life in the Wild have been great watching for me lately! Also like some dramas.

I've been to get another book today for when I've finished the one I'm reading Smile

Alicia44 · 05/02/2019 20:49

@Michelle9 it went really well thanks! The GP agreed to re sign me back to work but on a phased return. We briefly discussed the citalopram but he said it's too early to review at 2 weeks and we will discuss at my next appointment in 2 weeks time. He did say though that I'll prob need to go up to 20mg...he wasn't keen on the idea of me breaking the tablets and increasing gradually unfortunately Sad
How do you feel now? Has the spaced out feeling eased? Everyone is so different...some say it doesn't affect them when they increase but others say it does for them. Hope you're okay. I'm sure that sticking at it will far outweigh the side effects, once they settle down

Michelle9 · 05/02/2019 21:06

Alicia glad to hear your getting there. Still feeling a bit spaced out but not as bad. I’ve gotta go back to doctors in a month. I’m still feeling anxious but maybe that was cus I was going to doctors. I think I’ve been quite lucky with the side effects oooooo my doctor said that nose bleeds on meds doesn’t normally happen so I’ve gotta have some bloods done just to be on the safe side

Alicia44 · 05/02/2019 21:16

Thanks @Michelle9 . I still thing I've a fair way to go yet but I'm staying as positive as I can. Most of the time! I'm glad you don't feel as bad today...I too feel like the side effects haven't been soooo bad, touch wood! It was one of my main worries about starting to take them!
I forgot to mention work, I got carried away! I went into work and I actually caught myself smiling as I drove on the road approaching it!!! Is this just a one off?! Who knows...but it caught me off guard! It was lovely to see everyone and I actually go back tomorrow! Only until 12.30pm though, phased return. For about a week then gradually increasing it Smile

Alicia44 · 05/02/2019 21:17

Signing off now for Horlicks and reading! I've gone over my tech curfew haha! Let me know how you're all getting on Smile

Michelle9 · 06/02/2019 07:13

Alicia hope all goes well today. I’ve woke up for the first time in 5 days feeling ok so I’m liking 20mg at the mo

Alicia44 · 06/02/2019 07:28

Thanks @Michelle9 !!! I'm a little nervous but it's a short day and I'm sure I'll be fine once I'm there! Well done on waking up feeling good! Very positive!

Alicia44 · 06/02/2019 15:42

Well I survived my first day back in work! Nowhere near as bad as I thought! I still have little waves of anxiety but on the whole, not bad at all! Just imagine if my meds continue to improve my anxiety! I'll be soooooo happy! Fingers crossed! Hope everyone is okay Smile

Michelle9 · 06/02/2019 15:59

Well done to you, one day at a time

KarBB · 06/02/2019 21:11

Nice one!

Alicia44 · 07/02/2019 13:15

Thanks. Had a bit of a blip day there today! Feel a general sense of anxiety. Doc said my meds aren't really in my system yet...I'm on approx day 17. I was awake in the early hours which didn't help I guess. Tomorrow is another day! I'm absolutely shattered so I'm going to attempt to relax on the sofa!

Shockers · 07/02/2019 22:03

Wowzers- not in your system after 17 days? What do you think about that?