Could I be anymore of a shitty arse??

[scorcio5]

Just that really, have been prescribed citalopram 10mg for my ever shitty Anxiety, have had tablets for over a week now but still not started them, I firstly convinced myself I would start after having a week break after taking my last dose of St. John wort, however I was clearly deluding myself, am now thinking I might just start on half a 1 (5mg) and see how I go, has anyone else done this, and if so did you feel any effect from such a tiny dose? I despair at myself really, I truly do 😔

OP I used to suffer from terrible anxiety in my 20s - though I didn't what it was then and I had no help because I just thought I was going mad...
anyway, I digress,

There was a point when I got really, really angry with it and myself. You sound as if you're at that point! For me, that was the beginning of the road to recovery. I hope it is the same for you.

Thank you for your reply, I hope so to, just need a size 10 up my rear ended I think ha, can I ask, did you take medication at all to help?

Hi,

Is it definitely Citalopram and not Escitalopram (Lexapro)? I'm on the latter for GAD and as far as I know it's mainly for anxiety and the Citalopram is for depression and anxiety but that's only based on my discussions with my gp, I'm not a doctor.

FWIW, my experience with Lexapro was an extremely gittery feeling throughout my whole body when I first started on 10mg. I felt like every cell in my body was shaking so I went back to the doctor who put me on 5mg to get my body used to the drug and after a few weeks I went back up to 10mg. I has helped me immensely and almost completely stopped my panic attacks.

The two drugs, whilst sounding the same and both being SSRIs, are different in many respects though so I can only speak of my experience with escitalopram.

Why do you think you're holding back from taking them?

Hi flaminyon,
Thanks for advice, it's definitely citalopram, tbh I don't know, have had this shitty thing for nearly 20yrs and it's only just recently I grew some balls and went to gp, I think I am yet again letting the anxiety take over again, keep thinking ' what if I have a nasty reaction and end up really ill' what if I dont actually need them and it's normal for people to think the worst all the time, ( this is on my good days, ya know the days when it buffers off and leaves you thinking it's gone for Good) what if this? What if that?? And this is the exact reason I went to gp to get shut of the constant what ifs, and catastrophising all the time, it truly is infuriating 😡 realises I sound completely off my trolley 🙈
Have you found it helps at all?

Sorry just read the last bit, do you still take it then? Does it stop the thinking the worst all time?

I take citalopram . It made such a change for the better. Started at 10 for a time. Then Up to 20. Reduced back to 10 and I continue on it.

My life previously was one big anxiety with a touch of depression. Depression wasn't major but enough that I didn't look forward to things. Was going on holiday but wasn't really caring if I went or not.

After the first 4 weeks there was one day that was like a lightbulb moment. I was excited about our holiday. I once again appreciated the sunshine.

My anxiety lessened and I no longer worried about just about everything. I could see that not everything was the end of the world and up to me to put right.

Changed my life for the better.

I've been thinking of seeing the gp too - good luck. Really hope it works. Do you find yourself anxious daily or does it come in phases? Mine can be incessant when it comes, debilititating and to be honest neurotic! It's like if I'm worried about something I just can't stop the negative thoughts hounding me.

OP, you asked for a size 10 up your rear. Hold on tight . . .here it comes!

TAKE THE DAMN MEDS

You are not a failure for taking them, it is the bravest thing you will do.

I was exactly the same as LadyB49 - after years of anxiety and hell resisting medication, four weeks after starting Citalapram I literally woke up one morning and thought . . .woah, I feel OK. It was a true lightbulb moment. The physical causes of my anxiety were still there (life is shit sometimes) but I was able to rationally cope with them and not catastrophise.

It was an absolute lightbulb moment. I stopped existing and started living again.

TAKE THE MEDS and all the good wishes in the world

I have been taking citalopram for the last 6 years. My only regret is that I didn't start taking it earlier. The over thinking, anxiety and self doubt are now very well managed.

I would start with the recommend dose but be aware it can sometimes make things worse before they get better. I just kept telling myself it was just a phase and it would get better, after two weeks I felt like a different happier person.

As a doctor, I would say don't take 5mg, take 10mg and then be prepared to go up if needed! Max dose is 40mg and plenty of my patients need that...

It's not a sign of weakness to get help, it's a sign of strength!!

I started on Citalopram 40mg over 5 years ago and it took me over a week to actually take them as I was so scared about what would actually happen and that it made me a 'failure' as I couldn't cope in my job and had to take them. I did though and they really helped with my depression and anxiety. It was hard at first and I had some rubbish side effects but I don't regret starting them.
As the years past and I reduced my dosage, I still found that even at 20 and 10mg I could cope with day to day life better than I had been doing without.
You can do it and it doesn't have to be forever!

I'm on Citalopram 10mg and have been for 3 months now they did nothing at all for about the first four weeks and now they have worked I'm a different person much calmer not so highly strung. I was scared about taking them first as well but it will be worth it in the long run.

Thankyou for all your advice guys, size ten taken with gratitude and well and truly needed,Thankyou ☺️
@ elephant07 yes it comes in waves, but mostly there lurking under the surface at all times, even if I won the lottery I would still be thinking ' something really bad is gonna happen now coz that's how life works, I can never just enjoy a good day without them stupid knobhead thoughts coming in, I have also started with depression creeping in, normal everyday jobs we all do, are overwhelming sometimes, especially if there's more than one, last week I had day off work, planned to do the crap jobs we all have to do, clean house, fill car up, do weekly shop etc, it made me want to cry, I also going on holiday in summer, couldn't feel less excited if I tried, wtf!!
I have now got mi big girl pants all laid out ready for tommorow and will glue them bad boys on good and proper,