HELP please -citalopram

[raerae123]

Hi there,

I'm really struggling feeling anxious and sleeping while on week 3 of citalopram ( the first few weeks have been fine- no side effects )
I was wondering if anyone had ever tried nytol (one a night - not herbal ) with citalopram? Is it safe to do so?

Just need a good nights sleep!! At my wits end here :(

Also is it usual for week 3-4 citalopram to be worse than the others?

Thank you xxx

Hi there! It's a bit of a rollercoaster for at least the first month I'd say. I take nytol one a night sometimes (I'm on week 7 of 10mg). I'm sleeping a lot better and can manage without it at times but I was told it was safe to take both. Lack of sleep was horrible for me at first, but it does get better. I'd say the anxiety is perfectly normal at week 3...week 6 saw a big turning point for me. Hang on in there, it's worth it xxx

Ps I found that a regular night time routine helped too. I used to take a nice bath at around 8pm, cup of horlicks, not watch TV in bed and switch off/put down my phone at 9pm then read a good book. It really helped, and still does xx

Thanks so much for your help ❤️❤️
Really hoping that these nytol work for me tonight and I can get some good rest/into a sleeping pattern again- and back on track.

No problem...a good routine dues help too. If they don't work great tonight, try again tomorrow. I've never been the best sleeper as it is. I have to say though, recently I've slept rather well even without the nytol. Prob the best I've slept in ages! I think once the meds kick in properly you'll see a big difference. Good luck and let me know how you get on xx

Morning @raerae123 ...how did you do last night? Did you take the nytol? Xx

Hello! Thanks, I got a good sleep last night- I took the tablets at 10 and then didn't really get to sleep until 11-12am then woke up at 6am and then fell asleep until now so overall I think I've had around 9 hours which is good for me. I've woken up feeling really anxious and I just want to feel normal again tbh, I've had a month off work and the first 3 weeks of citalopram have been great and now I feel anxious as I was before :( really unsure what to do going forward: any tips? Xx

@Alicia44

Hello! Thanks, I got a good sleep last night- I took the tablets at 10 and then didn't really get to sleep until 11-12am then woke up at 6am and then fell asleep until now so overall I think I've had around 9 hours which is good for me. I've woken up feeling really anxious and I just want to feel normal again tbh, I've had a month off work and the first 3 weeks of citalopram have been great and now I feel anxious as I was before :( really unsure what to do going forward: any tips? Xx

I'm glad you managed some sleep @raerae123 !! Regular good sleep will definitely help. I'd just say take it a day at a time and tell yourself that one bad day doesn't always mean another will follow. It's hard but try not to search for symptoms when you wake up. I also try to take on the attitude of 'so what' instead of 'what if'. If I do have anxious days...and I still do after almost 8 weeks on 10mg....I just say so what, it's only a feeling and it won't kill me! Keep me posted xx

@Alicia44 thanks a lot! Been out today to get myself some nice new bedding, duvet and pillow set as well as a good book and some horlicks/sleep tea- hoping to get a good relaxed nights sleep tonight

Thanks so much for the advice- currently on tablet 25 now! So nearly at 4 weeks. Having some more time off work as I can't cope with the thought of going back just yet- I just get so upset and worried that I'm not going to be okay and that I'll be stuck like this forever :( it's awful!!

Hope you are ok and doing well❤️❤️❤️

@raerae123 well done for going out and treating yourself! That's a big positive! I'm on week 7 and today I've not had a great day, but I have told myself that this can still happen, but I can get through it! And I did! I stayed at work all day, and I've just got in from The Trafford Centre and treated myself. It's just a feeling and although it's not pleasant, it's not going to kill me! Just going to have a beer and then go to bed and read. I'm feeling a lot better now than I did today, tomorrow is another day! Xx

@Alicia44

Thankyou! I met up with my sister and had tea and got my nails done so that was lovely too.

Aw good glad you have treated yourself and been to Trafford! Love it there!!
We just need to take it one step at a time don't we!! xxx

@raerae123 that's fab! You should be proud of yourself! I was off work for 2 months as I was quite poorly with a huge kidney stone. I had 2 ops...the thought of returning to work terrified me but I can honestly say that the anticipation was far worse than actually doing it! I think it helps me to be around people.

Yes, one step at a time!

I'm back at the docs on Monday and think I'll be increasing to 20mg. I'm scared of side effects but hoping there won't be many! Xxx

Thankyou!!!😘

Yes I know what you mean, the anticipation can be a hard one can't it!!

20mg has been fine- I never started on 10 I went straight to 20 from nothing- I have had no side effects what so ever apart from abit sleepy sometimes after taking it it and also sometimes getting crazy dreams but other than that- no nausea or increase in anxiety etc I don't think- I'm just praying that 20mg works and is enough for me because I'm usually sensitive to side effects of tablets and I feel so lucky I've been okay for now :) I would love for the citalopram to work fully for me! Ha ha but I'm sure you'll be fine with that increase ❤️❤️❤️

@Alicia44 Thankyou!!!😘

Yes I know what you mean, the anticipation can be a hard one can't it!!

20mg has been fine- I never started on 10 I went straight to 20 from nothing- I have had no side effects what so ever apart from abit sleepy sometimes after taking it it and also sometimes getting crazy dreams but other than that- no nausea or increase in anxiety etc I don't think- I'm just praying that 20mg works and is enough for me because I'm usually sensitive to side effects of tablets and I feel so lucky I've been okay for now :) I would love for the citalopram to work fully for me! Ha ha but I'm sure you'll be fine with that increase ❤️❤️❤️

Hi @raerae123 how are you doing? I went up to 20mg yesterday after a bit of a bumpy few days. I wasn't really bad but I thought why suffer symptoms when I can increase. I didn't sleep very well last night but I remember being like that when going on 10mg. It didn't last too long.

Hope you're okay!

@Alicia44 hey how are you? I'm alright thanks, had a really rough week. Starting week 5 of citalopram this week- glad you've gone up a dose and hope you feel better soon, and I hope I do too! Just want to get back to myself and feel normal again! ❤️❤️ yes I followed your advice with a sleep routine: I now have a bath at 8, have horlicks and then do yoga and read which helps me so thanks for your Advice there!! Yes someone told me that when you up a dose or start an SSRI you can struggle to sleep due to the seratonin levels increasing etc but they eventually balance out? Maybe try a nytol tonight? Xx

I've had a couple of extremely stressful weeks and I feel like I'm circling the drain again. I'm not sleeping or eating properly and my mood is below rock bottom. It doesn't help that my boss is providing no support or understanding. I can't take any more time off sick as I'm on a final warning after my last episode. Everything is falling apart again.

Aww sorry to hear you had a rough week. Hope you're feeling better now @raerae123 I remember week 6 being fab for me on 10mg...but obviously I needed to increase my dose going forward. I do hope it does the trick! I'm feeling confident though. Glad the bedtime routine is helping, I need to get back onto that as I've slipped a little 🙈 Keep me posted...keep going...you're doing great xx

@iklboo @Alicia44 if you are wanting some support etc please follow my Instagram page "mycitalopramjourney", I've got lots of positive help and tips on there, please don't give up @iklboo, if you are at rock bottom- the only way is up!!! Are you on meds at the moment? ❤️❤️

@raerae123 - I am yes. 20mg citalopram since last October. It just seems be less effective at the minute.

@iklboo do you need an increase in dosage? Have you been doctors

Not yet @raerae123. I'll be making an appointment soon I think. I'm due a check up chat anyway so I'll arrange that. Thank you x

@iklboo oh you are welfome, just really hope you are okay and remember- you will get through this!! Did you find citalopram helped you at all? If so then maybe it is just a higher dosage you may require xxx

It has helped up to now, yes. I think it may be because I've had a total clusterf*ck of stressful events one after the other that's knocked me back a bit.

@iklboo
Good glad it has helped you up till now!! Have you got access to any therapy or CBT?