Struggling on Citalopram - help?

[Anxietygirl100]

I’ve recently started on 10mg Citalopram (2.5 weeks in) for very serve anxiety and panic that’s completely robbed me of my life so far. It’s been very up and down since taking the tablets, I’ll have some really good moments and then it might come crashing down again and I feel awful.

I know from reading posts and speaking to my GP that it can be rough for the first sort of month and then around 4-6 weeks, it should start having some effect and then 8-12 really kicking in.
I had an AWFUL experience with sertraline and so tablets petrify me. It’s taken a year and failed therapy to get me to try these. Both my sister and mum had success with Citalopram but neither had side effects but I just don’t feel great. I feel really lonely as no one seems to get it and I just want some support and to know there’s still hope that these can work even if I feel bad to start :(

I have terrible anxiety I have been on Citalopram for years 20mg, now weaned down to 10mg. It just takes the edge off, I'm sure nobody would know I was anxious as I always come across as extremely laid back but I'm actually a huge ball of tension, only person who really gets it is the osteopath who tells me I literally have the stiffest neck and shoulders ever and don't sleep much. Citalopram makes me feel more in control, rather than the anxiety controlling me.

Thanks for the tip re the 12 weeks @Anxietygirl100, I didn’t know that was the length of time it can take to have full effect and as I do feel I am getting some positive effects after 3 weeks, I am hopeful this will continue. It is hard waiting isn’t it! Over analysing how I’m feeling/sleeping/eating everyday. Hopefully I continue to improve and do this less!

Good to hear some more positive experiences @FoggySpecs and @Veryverycalmnow - even on 10mg which I’m hoping to get a good response from as I think I would be nervous to increase dose and suffer side effects again! Do you take it in the morning?

Yes, I always take it first thing as I get weird dreams if I take it at night. I hope it kicks in soon, it took a few weeks to work for me and I doubted it was, then one day I realised I'd been less anxious and argued less with DH.

Just another banal update from me! Like to pop on here so I have a record to look back on, even if I feel like it’s only marginal improvements.

I’m just over four weeks on 10mg. Physical symptoms of anxiety are definitely less, sleep is improving and so is appetite, however still feeling lacking in direction/motivation and a little disconnected still (hoping mood lifts more and I start to see the joy in little things again!)

Wishing everyone who has contributed to this thread, and offered their support, a happy holiday season and I hope you are all feeling well 💐

Going through a very stressful financial situation so my anxiety is high again - I know it’s normal to be anxious when under a lot of stress, but I can’t eat or sleep so I need something to take the edge off - I’ve been on 10mg citalopram since early December but wondering about upping to 20mg but not sure if I’ll get back side effects again (worst of all was the increased anxiety).

Has anyone upped their dose of citalopram and can they advise if side effects occurred or were maybe less than initially taking it? @Anxietygirl100, did you decide to just stay on 10mg?

@bettertimesarecomingnow did you have any side effects when increasing from 10mg to 20mg? I’m considering upping dose as I’m still experiencing bad physical anxiety especially at night but I’m a little scared of the same side effects I got when starting at 10mg (mainly the increased anxiety)

I’m on week 5 of 20mg, felt horrendous for the first couple of weeks but side effects have gone. They haven’t really kicked in yet so just trying to patiently wait.

I also felt worse for the first 2-3 weeks @jesuistot, and I only started on 10mg. Now I’m closer to 6-7 weeks I think and considering upping dose (although I’ve def seen some improvement on 10mg, but I know 20mg is the usual dose).

I’m just afraid the original side effects come back when I increase but only one way to find out I suppose! I did consider taking 10mg in the morning, then 10mg at night to split the dose but not sure that’s sensible

I’m not sure if anyone is still following this thread but I’ve decided to up my dose to 20mg, I had been on 10mg since early Dec and was getting some benefit but felt I would probably get a better response at 20mg. Took 20mg today and have felt more anxious and dry mouth (both side effects I had when starting at 10mg) so hoping they don’t last long!

If anyone has any experience of upping dose, or any reassurance re side effects, would be very appreciated

Anyone

@GoRicky
I went from 10mg to 15mg and I didn't really notice much in the way of side effects- at least not like I did when I first started them (nausea, shakes, brain fog, sudden feelings of panic for no reason- thankfully all settled within days.)
I am about to go up to 20mg so I'm hoping I'll be okay.

Hope things settle down for you.

@shakinsti the pills are so small, how are you able to cut the 10mg in half? I would like to try 15mg as I can’t cope with the increased anxiety from going straight from 10mg to 20mg

@GoRicky

I tried with a craft knife first which worked but it was fiddly and sometimes they crumbled a bit- then I bought a pill cutter for a few quid from Amazon, much easier!

I’ll look into buying a pill cutter @shakinsti as when I took 20mg I had horrible increase in anxiety, dry mouth, no appetite and couldn’t sleep so not great! Maybe 15 would be easier. Have you upped to 20mg?

@GoRicky not yet, the dr wanted me to stick with 15mg for one more week to see if it helps.

Interesting - would be so much easier if the pills were available in 5mg.

Anyway, I better stop posting on this thread - apologies @Anxietygirl100, I sort of highjacked it so sorry about that!

I'm cutting a 20mg one in half and having each half (10mg) at separate times. I'm only on 3rd day so don't know if that's a good plan but I can't see how a pill can last for 24 hrs. Surely you get a big dose that lessens.

I think I might try that @PeaceWithaSpoon as I’m too scared to take 20mg at once. My anxiety is quite bad and even starting at 10mg I got bad side effects

@GoRicky
I took 20mg last night for the first time. This morning I feel quite shaky and on the verge of panic. It's my day off work and I have lots to do but my brain can't seem to figure out how to do any of it! I'm hoping it settles.

Hi @shakinsti, how are you getting on with the 20mg now? I hope the anxiety is subsiding?
I was feeling quite good on 10mg but still having some breakthrough anxiety so GP suggested trying 20mg so I take 10mg in the morning, and last night took another 10mg. I thought I might get less side effects splitting the dose. I woke early with a return of some anxiety symptoms but they are bearable. I think I need to try 1-2 weeks on this dose and hope the side effects don’t linger or get worse. Then I have to check in with GP after 4 weeks on 20mg. It’s really hard though, I just want to feel better and hate the increased anxiety on the higher dose, just have to hope it doesn’t last. I hope you are doing ok

Thanks @GoRicky, thankfully only lasted a couple of days and I feel okay now. Too soon to say if it's actually helping me but fingers crossed- I'm sure my GP said that if 20mg doesn't help they'd look at trying different meds. Hope you're doing okay!

I'm 2 weeks in now and feeling constantly spaced out. Just taking half of a 20mg once a day and even chipping bits off that the lower the dose.
Has anyone else experienced this? Like you're in a haze, barely thinking, sleepy, lethargic? Does it improve?
I'm so relieved that the meds have stopped the panic and anxiety but now feel like a zombie...who can't drink! 😣

Hi @PeaceWithaSpoon, how are you now? I felt spaced out to begin with but passed that stage now. I started on 10mg for about 8 weeks, now taking 20mg a day and feeling a lot better - still a little up and down but so much better than I was. I’d stick with it

Thanks @goricky Also past the foggy stage but feeling pretty low. The physical anxiety is much improved. Hoping to have a follow up with the dr tomorrow and maybe I need to up to 20mg.
Glad you're improving. X 💌