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 :(

@PeaceWithaSpoon that’s good you’re feeling less anxiety, but I know what you mean about feeling low. My GP told me the body is exhausted after a period of intense anxiety and so low mood can be one of the last symptoms to improve. See what your GP thinks about increasing to 20mg and hopefully with some time the low mood will also shift. My mood felt much improved but unfortunately I am always derailed by my menstrual cycle which can make me feel as though I’m going backwards but I’m not, it’s just not a linear recovery and there are ups and downs but stick with it, you’ll get there 💐

Hi, I have recently started on citalopram alongside other medication. Has anyone felt exhausted while taking them. I can't find any motivation to do anything and just feel so tired. Wondering if it's just a side effect that will wear off.

And night sweats 😳 oh wow I keep waking up soaked and absolutely freezing?

I’ve just found this thread and I’m so grateful for it. I started taking 10mg five weeks ago. I got to three weeks in and my anxiety was getting worse so I upped it to 20mg. Felt better within about 10 days but in the last few days anxiety has come back strongly. It is also the run up to my period so I was wondering if that might be an additional cause. I was expecting more of a gradual progress upwards rather than ups and downs but it’s good to hear that other people have also had ups and downs. Was starting to think it was just not going to work for me. How are you doing now @GoRicky?

@insatiableme I’m also very tired. I am blaming my period but I do think the anxiety can make you feel very tired as well. Trying to hang in there and hoping I’ll feel better or at least less anxious again soon.

Hi @insatiableme, yes I felt really tired the first few weeks taking them but that side effect has worn off now. I also get the night sweats although this is also going away now so hopefully they don’t last long for you either

Hi @Lindylu74, I’m doing well - definitely still getting some ups and downs but I’m functioning a lot better than I was. I also get a spike in anxiety just before my period, and my GP was very clear that recovery from depression or anxiety is very up and down so to expect some fluctuation but just try and remember the severity of your symptoms before treatment and as long as you recognise improvement, then that’s a good thing. The OP said she had been told to give any new dose 12 weeks (I think I was on 10mg for 8 weeks and now maybe 20mg for two weeks so I’m hoping to keep on this trajectory as I do see lots of progress)

Thanks for responding @GoRicky. I had a bad night last night and have taken a couple of days off work. It feels awful when I have an anxiety spike after feeling a bit better, I start to panic that I’ll never feel better. I also started getting muscle twitches last night when I was trying to fall asleep which is a new symptom for me so I think that caused more anxiety. Are you working through this or have you taken time off? Not sure what’s best as work can be distracting but my job is very busy and can sometimes feel overwhelming.

@Lindylu74 I know what you mean, it is really difficult when you feel good for a few days and then have an off day but I try to think back to a few months ago where I was in the grip of anxiety everyday so even if I had a few hours reprieve, it was welcome. Now I can have several days quite anxiety free (although I do have a very stressful event ongoing so I have to be realistic that some degree of anxiety is inevitable for right now) but even on the days where I feel anxious, I try to focus on the progress I’m making and remind myself of the GP words that this recovery will be up and down but the ups will eventually outweigh the downs until we are on a more even keel - and this can take some time.
Work is very difficult - is being signed off an option for you? If not, then perhaps a chat to your boss or HR dept, possibly a referral to occupational health, to let them know you’re under treatment for an anxiety disorder and so some accommodations could be made on a temporary basis to support you. I realise that’s not always an option, but worth exploring if it is possible. Otherwise don’t feel bad taking some days off or using holiday allowance etc, you need to put yourself first as much as your circumstances allow

How’s everyone doing? I felt better again for about 10 days but now having another spike of anxiety. It’s been 6.5 weeks since I started taking 10 mg and 5 weeks since I upped it to 20mg. I keep telling myself it’s early days and I’m bound to have setbacks but it’s hard when you’re feeling anxious. Anyone else finding it hard or can reassure me it will get easier?

@Lindylu74
Hi I've been on 10mg now for 24 days and really struggling last couple of days have had some good and bad days and still side affects have not fully settled, sleep in still disturbed waking early appetite off and night sweats was contemplating asking for an increase to 20mg

Hi @GoRicky have things improved for you now just looking for some inspiration to get through these next weeks you're journey on this thread sympton wise seems similar to me, And what stage did you start to feel better x

I'm finding taking half a 20mg morning & night working well for me. Dr said one tablet wouldn't stay in body for 24 hrs so this gives a longer dose.

Sorry @Dannidoesworry, I didn’t see your message and think I just replied to another one of your threads.
How are you now?
I’m doing well - still have blips but the ‘good’ days outweigh the bad and I’m doing so much better - hope you are too!

And for anyone else finding this thread, stick with it, the medication has really helped my anxiety and I’m feeling so much more like myself. If you experience side effects as I did when starting 10mg, but need to increase, try taking 10mg in morning and 10mg in evening for a few weeks before upping to 20mg dose in morning - this really worked for me

I too am feeling better now. It’s been about 8 weeks since I started 10mg and 6 since I went up to 20. I still have the odd blip too but generally feel better. I took the last two weeks off work which helped to give me space and time to feel less overwhelmed. The doctor also prescribed me propranolol to take when my anxiety spiked which helped and I’ve started counselling. Anyone following this thread, hang in there, it does get better even when you feel at times that it’s not working. I think it takes different lengths of time for different people to feel better on Citalopram but it does work.

Is Citalopram addictive ?
When best to be taken ?

Is Citalopram addictive ?
When best taken ?

@Reem195858 I’m pretty sure doctors say it’s not addictive though I have no medical training so maybe ask your GP or pharmacist. I take it in the mornings after breakfast with a hot drink so so don’t feel nauseous with it. It works for me and I’ve slept better since taking it.

Thanks @Lindylu74 @GoRicky half way through week 5 now and still struggling, I've done 3.5 weeks on 10mg and 2 weeks on 20mg some side affects are starting to disappear like the night sweats appetite still up and down and my sleep is still awful, praying that this fixes soon, suffering good days and bad still which I'm finding hard because you cant really plan anything not knowing how you feel, Thanks for the feed back and encouragement just got to keep going and hope that recovery comes soon

Hang on in there @Dannidoesworry I was exactly the same as you a few weeks ago and felt like I would never feel better. I agree about not planning anything. I stripped everything back, and basically decided on the day if I could face doing stuff or not (usually not). I also found having a routine helped, making myself go for a walk every morning whether I felt like it or not until I started to look forward to the walk eventually. The lack of sleep is awful but that too has improved now. Take care

I am feeling lonely depress lots of attending & hard work dealing with my mother stroke, beingstuckwithher24/7. Seen a doctor who given me citalopram & Sleeping pills but I am scared taking it in case I get addictive & worried about side effects.
I am unable to sleep, on my own without much of help and support.
I get so low so down particularly when getting dark at evening time struggling to sleep.
I am stuck with my mother Strok 24/7 unable to attend or go out anywhere to my affair and duty.
Lots to be said. It a complete life changing situation leading to sever & gradual Depression.
Any suggestion.
Any idea.

Hi Reem
It does sound like you have a lot going on there, citalopram is not addictive you can take it if needed and as long as you taper off gradually with doctors advice you will be ok, you can always chat on here if needed, but dont be afraid to take medication because it might be rough for first few weeks but you will have started on the road to recovery

Hi all, just wondering if i could get a bit of re assurance with the citalopram.

I was on 10mg for 2weeks then put on 20mg and have currently been on it for 18days for GAD and situational depression caused by a trauma. I started to suffer with my sleep before I started any medication back in Feb but my sleep since being on medication has got not better. I take my tablet at around 9am in the morning. I also have zopiclone from the doctor to help me sleep, it drops me off but I just can't stay asleep and when I am awake that's it I'm awake. My anxiety then starts to heighten because of the fact that i can't go back to sleep. It's never ending. I find that I am constantly worrying about this and feel it's never gonna get any better with medication or not.

All I long for is to feel better so I can return to work.

Has anyone else had this problem? Any advice would be appreciated.

@Nicoflow sorry to hear you’re having a tough time. It took a while for my sleep to improve on Citalopram but I’m 47 and I think it was also the perimenopause so I ended up going on HRT as well. I’m not sure which one worked or probably both but my sleep has definitely improved. I’ve been on citalopram in the past and I do remember that it took a while for my sleep to settle, maybe 4-6 weeks? I’ve also had zopiclone in the past and not much good to me, it would only give me 2-3 hours sleep so I stopped bothering. A doctor told me that sleeping pills aren’t effective for everyone. But the citalopram basically works for the anxiety which then leads to better sleep. Hang on in there, I’m sure it will improve soon.

Lindylu74
Thanks for the reply! I know its early days with my medication but I am such an impatient person. I have OCD too but I have had that for years it's just that the obsession has now turned to sleep