Hand holding - citalopram

[Llh1979]

Hi all
Well I've picked up my prescription for citalopram I'm hoping to start taking it tomorrow morning but I'm already really anxious about it 😢
Anyone want to hold my hand

Another here to say take it at bedtime. I have been on and off it for many , many years. Just got settled again coming down from 20mcg to 10mcg. It has been a good help over the years

@Llh1979
Did you start them? How you feeling?

@Heather104 no I'm still trying to pluck up the courage 😭

@Llh1979 it’s hard. I’m not going to lie I still don’t know if I want to keep going with it. Today is the 2 week mark for me. I’m taking them for anxiety. I feel like though I need to give it a little longer for my family. I started at 5mg for about a week and a half just moved up to 7.5mg. Trying to take it slow. But if you really need it you should give it a shot.

@Heather104 I know for my own sanity I need to take them just after my reaction to sertraline I'm so scared my anxiety is through the roof due to all this covid now it's never bothered me in the past if I see anything in social media etc I feel my panic starting to rise its doesnt help that at the moment I have nothing to occupy my time as were on furlough so not even got work to keep me occupied its such a vicious circle
They say they can take 6/8 weeks until you see a benefit I hope it doesnt take that long for you x

@Llh1979 this is my first time taking any medicine. So I think that’s why I have more anxiety on top of the medicine causing more anxiety. If that makes sense. Not having anything to do is definitely my problem right now too. There’s only so much to do when you have to stay in. I feel like I’m going mad most days trying to occupy my time. I just scroll on my phone. I’m hoping it doesn’t take the 6-8 weeks either. I honestly don’t know if I can go that long feeling like this. I felt better before starting them.

@Heather104 I took 2 sertraline at the beginning of December after going through a few weeks of acute stress and with 48 hours I had my 1st ever panic attack and havent been right since my anxiety has never ever been like this the doctor is thinking it's all covid related
I think we all want a magic pill without the side effects he did offer me maritazpan* but it's a sedative aswell and my hubby works away so darent risk it with having the kids at home

@Llh1979 that magic pill would be wonderful or something that works fast without the side effects that you want to take them for. I just feel like a robot. That’s what I hate the most. Yeah with kids it’s definitely harder. Luckily mine are all older.

@Heather104 I'm sick of feeling sick its constant and I know it's all down to anxiety I take propranolol to stop the effects of panic attacks but I can still feel them rising and my mind going 100miles an hour

@Llh1979 what is propranolol exactly? I see a lot of people saying they take it but I’ve never heard of it. What does it do for you?

@Heather104 it's a beta blocker it stops the racing heart and adrenaline rush of the panic attacks for me I can take 80mg a day but seem to be ok on 40mg

I take citalopram. I started on 20mg, didn't have any side effects. I am now on 40mg because panic buying during the first lockdown made me horrendously anxious.
I still have days where I have no idea what to do with myself but I am as normal as I can be.

@Gingaaarghpussy I've been prescribed 10mg but when I start I'll be taking 5mg to start off with

I think you should start taking them, 5mg is not a large dose and will get you used to the tablets slowly. It is scary, but ultimately if they work you will be heading towards the right side of normal.
Alexa is awesome for reminders and my tablets sit by my kettle.

@Gingaaarghpussy you really had no side effects? The worst for me is the heightened anxiety.

Please make sure you cut them up to start with!
Dr's didn't tell me this and I took a full tablet, I couldn't get out of bed the next day.
I could just about function on a quarter of a tablet but they made me feel exhausted and got headaches only stayed on them for 2 weeks.
Give them a go but if they don't work for you try not to worry the Dr will give you a different one 😊

I think most people I know feel some dizziness after a few days but get past that and it's 👌🏽

It can make you feel more anxious initially but persevere, it needs to build up in your system. I have been on them on and off for about 10 years, truly a godsend - gave me my life back and allowed me to function normally after being crippled by anxiety.

[quote Heather104]@Gingaaarghpussy you really had no side effects? The worst for me is the heightened anxiety.[/quote]
Nope not one. I was and am extremely lucky.
The only annoyance for me is that I still occasionally sit under a little black cloud.

This was me on sertraline 2.5 years ago I took it and felt a bit nausea for a couple of days and that was it but this time after 2 tablets I had my 1st ever panic attack and havent been right since that's why I'm so scared to take the citalopram

Have you spoken to your doctor since you picked up your prescription?

There are side effects with every antidepressant. Not everyone reacts the same. I realise I'm probably preaching to the choir, but sometimes things need to be repeated.
Be brave and take the first one tomorrow morning. We'll still be here to listen.

My DD was on sertraline a few years ago for anxiety (she has Tourette’s), and she went high. We stopped the sertraline asap.
She’s been in Citalopram for a year with no problem

The foggy head is annoying too. I just don’t feel present. Is that normal? When will it go away.

I'm starting them (again!) on Monday as have been taking beta blockers for last week and now to start on citalopram again (have been on and off them repeatedly for about 10 years). Hate the first few weeks as my anxiety ramps up as does the nausea. Need to bite the bullet though.

Still here
How ya doing?