2nd week of citalopram and feel terrible... need some positive stories please.

[Foxtrot72]

I had post natal anxiety 7yrs ago after the birth of my 1st daughter at age 41yrs. Was given Sertraline when she was 8wks old which sent me through the roof. A different GP stopped this and started me on a low dose of citalopram and things improved. I stopped taking this after 8mths and have been fine until 4wks ago.
Work has been horrendously stressful (NHS worker), I'm perimenopausal and I had a panic attack out of the blue while at a health spa which has just meant I've spiralled into persistent anxiety and insomnia.
I'm now day 11 of citalopram. 1st week was horrific, constant panic/anxiety day and night. I had a good day yesterday but today has started bad, feeling low, no get up and go, shaky and crying with low level anxiety again.
I'm so scared this is not working and I'll have to increase my dose, go through the side effects again and it'll take longer to get better. I can't remember how long before I started feeling better the last time.
Any positive experiences or advice greatly appreciated.

It's only been 11 days, it will get better. It doesn't start to work until 4-6 weeks. I felt much worse when I started 20mg Citalopram, really suicidal and my anxiety was awful but I powered through and after about 3 or 4 weeks it started to work.

Hang on in there

Thanks so much for replying. It really helps to know there is someone out there. I feel so guilty relying on friends and family to be with me most of the day and worry they will get sick of me explaining all my irrational anxieties..... which when said out loud are ridiculous. Thanks again

Hi OP

I've been on citalapram for years and upped my dosage after DD2 was born because of PNA. Think it must have taken a few weeks to kick in (can't really remember) but I'm in such a better place now. It has helped massively. Hope it helps you too!!

Thanks RRobin. Feeling calmer as the day wears on but very dizzy, lightheaded. Hoping that's the citalopram kicking in. Thanks for responding

Hi, I have been on it for 4 years. It takes a while to level out. The dizziness and sicknesses did take a while to pass, but the difference they made was worth it.
Good luck x

Thanks. X

I take mine last thing at night and they have helped me get through a hellish time. If you're still struggling at the month mark maybe talk to your gp

My sleep is really bad so I've been advised to take them in the morning. I seem to have developed a fear of falling asleep so as I feel myself drifting off I jerk awake. I was prescribed some temazepam which worked for a few days to get me off to sleep for a few hours but now as I feel it starting to work I seem to be fighting it. It's like my mind is finding things to panic about/have issues with.

Hi, I thought I would comment on this thread as I added a post today about Citalopram. I started 10mg for a week and 3 days ago upped that to 20mg and am really struggling with the side effects of this higher dose. A few hours after taking it in the morning I start feeling really 'spacey' and anxiety takes over. This only seems to last for a couple of hours and then eases off. I'm hoping this gets better over the next few days. I hope you feel better soon x

Thanks for posting. I have had that same feeling and it does scare me. I just have to keep telling myself I am better than I was the 1st week where I was manic with anxiety and panic. I am struggling not getting better as quick as I want but use friends and family to talk and have now started some therapy. Not sure if that's helping but I'll do anything to get better!
I hope you feel better soon too. I'll look out for your other post. Xx

Foxtrot72 I feel exactly the same. The spaced out feelings scare me the most.....kind of detached. I get this quite often with anxiety aswell so I'm also telling myself that either with or without the tablets I would be feeling shitty! I just want to feel better....it feels like such a battle doesn't it! I really hope that we don't have to endure the struggles for too much longer. Fingers crossed the good days are just around the corner :) x