Citalopram

[Natser]

Hello
I'm on day 10 of Citalopram for anxiety and depression. Have been suffering from insomnia for about two months now, plus low mood now and panic during the day. My question is this - when does the medication start to level out? I did a week on 10mg and am on day 3 of 20mg. Got a good nights sleep with lorazepam on Monday night and felt completely normal all Tuesday! Just want to sleep so I can manage the anxiety better but it's a vicious cycle. Not helped by the fact my youngest child has left the nest (boarding school) and just gone back to work after 17 years of mostly being at home looking after my three children! Anyone else at a similar stage of Citalopram? Please set my mind at rest... I will sleep again and feel normal again?

Hi OP - yes it will settle in and you will get your sleep pattern back. 10 days is not quite enough time though - between weeks 4 and 6 you should feel much much better. You're experiencing a few major life changes at the moment so not surprising you're feeling anxious with poor sleep. It will get better. Have faith. Perhaps create a different bedtime routine too - reading / a few yoga stretches / relaxation music or app. All can make a huge difference while the citalopram settles in. I speak from personal experience. Wishing you well. 🙏

Thank you @Namaste6. I saw on an earlier thread that it can start to make a difference a week or two in. I’m hoping that is the case. Am already trying to have a good sleep regime with bed at ten, hot bath, herbal tea etc. I either struggle to fall asleep or wake up in the middle of the night. Did you struggle with sleep too? Anyone else got any recommendations (other than apps which stress me out!)

Hi - yes I did struggle with sleep. I fell asleep ok but woke up between 1 and 3 every night. Drove me mad. Citalopram will help this enormously. When your anxiety is under control the sleep will naturally follow. Do you exercise before bed? Nothing too strenuous so that your stress hormones are high. Maybe some active yoga?

Thanks again @Namaste6. You’ve set my mind at ease. Day 11 today -roll on the days until I feel more normal!

Anyone else experiencing any positive benefits from Citalopram? I can’t find any recent threads on this drug.

I was on citalopram for anxiety and it was about three weeks in a felt a difference. It was a bit of a lifesaver at the time for me and helped me massively.

Hang in there OP

It'll take time, you'll have good days and bad days for a short while. My doctor explained that 10mg is a stepping stone dose, it's not until you increase it to 20mg+ that you start to feel a difference. Hope that you're feeling better soon!

Hi OP, as mentioned, 10mg is a stepping dose for citalopram. You should start to feel the effects of 20mg after a few weeks, it can take up to 6 weeks to really kick in. If you don't feel any better see your gp again to discuss. Also, please don't just stop taking it if you feel it isn't working - always discuss coming off any ad's with gp and follow their advice to the letter.

I have been on citalopram for years now (I have chronic depression) and it has been great for me. I hope you feel better soon x

Hi - its very early days yet for you. Keep at it...it has turned my life around. I still get what I call blip days but they are few and far between and much more manageable. I had horrendous insomnia, was somehow surviving on 3-4 hours of sleep a night..but now I sleep SO well! I would never have believed anyone had they told me I would never need Nytol again! I can even fall asleep for a nap on the couch these days...a totally new thing for me!! Good luck and keep at it! x

I have been on it for about 10 years now and I sleep really well!