Citalopram - how long for it to kick in? Struggling.

[ScubaSteven]

I've been struggling with anxiety for the last year or so, it's something I've always struggled with but I'm exhausted with it and need something to help. My anxiety manifests itself in feelings of being worthless, being rubbish at my job, claustrophobia, fear of being accused of things. I started Citalopram last Thursday and, as the GP warned, I'm feeling a lot worse whilst waiting for it to kick in. I'm on 10mg for 4 weeks when it will be reviewed.

I'm waking up at 5am full of panic, I'm also suffering from a migraine at the moment too which I do get regularly but the usual medication doesn't seem to be touching it. I'm reluctant to take time off work as I'm a teacher in a new position and being absent will just make me feel more anxious, I've had to take today off and I just don't know what to do with myself.

Please can someone tell me when/if this bit will pass? I'm desperate for some relief from feeling this way. I don't feel like harming myself or anything like that but I just feel completely useless and as if I'm waiting for something horrible to happen. And my head hurts.

Thanks in advance

10mg is a very low dose. I understand the logic of starting low as it reduces side effects. But I'm not surprised it's not doing much. However it does take a month or so to work. So right now you won't know either way if the dose it too low.

I take 30 mg for anxiety with occasional depression. I also have propranolol for anxiety which you could ask your GP about in the meantime. I've not had tone off for anxiety for a long time. But I found actually I was better off admitting to myself I was ill and being off for a few weeks and then making sure work were prepared with cover. Than just taking the odd day when I simply couldn't face it. This made me feel less anxious about time off.
You are unwell so don't feel you shouldn't be off work.

Couldn’t read and run, I started citalopram at 20mg for anxiety. Manifesting very much like yours. Please know it does get better!! My insomnia, panic and zombie like feelings were bad for about 2 weeks then eased off and now I am a different person! I also did some self help measures, taking time to exercise, reading about anxiety etc. The medication will hopefully take the edge off so you can face things. My work life has improved dramatically and I feel such relief now about 8 weeks in. Of course if you don’t start to feel some effect you can get the dosage reviewed or a change even but it does take some time at the beginning to see improvement but it will be worth it x

Highly recommend the book by Claire weekes’ self help for your nerves’ outdated references in parts as it’s decades old but the actual advice is great!

@Plussizejumpsuit I was thinking it sounded like a really low dose, the GP gave me it over the phone and it was a GP who I've never seen before. I might give them a ring and see if they can increase the dosage - I can't bear the thought of taking it for a month and it having no effects. Maybe I do need to take the time off, I just feel with all the covid anxiety around schools at the minute it won't be well received. I've also been with my school for less than 2 years (7 months) and so I'm worried that they'll just get rid of me. I already feel like I'm rubbish at my job, realistically I know I'm not but starting a new school in the middle of a pandemic really hasn't given me the best start. I think I'm catastrophising, but at least if I'm rubbish and not costing them supply costs that's better than doing both.

@Annab1983 thank you - that gives me hope! I'm hoping that my dosage isn't too low as that will hinder feeling better. But it's so good to hear that what I'm experiencing is typical for this medication. I'm pleased that you have some relief and I'm feeling more positive that I'll have the same in a few weeks, or at least when my dosage is sorted out. It is exhausting feeling like this, all I want to do is get on with my life. I'll have a look at that book, thank you.

My GP gave me 10mg for a week then up to 20mg. The headaches are tough. Do you take it exactly the same daily i.e. with an alarm? I am experimenting if this helps my headaches (I am on other meds too). I would say I had tiredness for 2-3 weeks then it got better.

Just came to give you a handhold, I started a new job at start of lockdown and it has been tough. The medication makes it easier to function, while I try and get through it. I try not to worry about the bigger picture.

I would ask for propranolol to take alongside. It can be taken as needed rather than a regular daily dose, and is really helpful (I take it for angina but it's commonly prescribed for anxiety). Very few side effects, imo.

Otherwise yes, starting anti depressants involves some white knuckling it through the initial stages, which is not helpful when you're already feeling very low. It will (probably, if the medication suits you) eventually get better after 3-4 weeks.

I'm sorry, it's such a hard thing to deal with

Thank you @AdventCalender2, I'm sorry to hear you're struggling too. It is so hard. Interesting about the headaches though, it's been so bad the last few days. I take medication for migraines but it's only just started to alleviate tonight. I'm hoping I wake up feeling better tomorrow so I can just get on with things. I've been taking my tablet at 9pm although maybe I should be taking it on a morning so the anxiety hits at the end of the day rather than the beginning. I hope the headaches wear off soon, I feel like the anxiety is easier to deal with than the headaches at the moment.

Thank you @ElephantsAlltheWayDown I will ask about that when I phone the dr about the dosage - I didn't realise there was such a thing. But that might help me, I get really anxious rather than depressed so perhaps something to take when it hits. I'm starting to have a very low mood from being so anxious and uptight all the time, but I know once the anxiety leaves me I'll be ok.

So many people struggling, I hope you all feel better soon. Thank you for the support, you've made such a difference to my day as I haven't told anyone this is happening to me except my DH.