Back on citalopram and really struggling!!

[Myzone]

Hi all,

This is my first time posting anywhere. I’ve been on 20mg citalopram for 4 days and feel a lot worst, I’m having a constant pounding heartbeat, racing mind, a weird sensation running down my arms and excessive thirst.

8 years ago my anxiety started for no reason at all I also struggled with agoraphobia( didn’t leave the house for 9 months) and I was put on citalopram at 10mg then slowly went up to 40mg which I stayed on till February. I can’t fully remember why but me and my doctor decided to change my medication so I was slowly weaned of them (felt like hell) I was put on mirtazapine which made me feel awful. My heart felt like it was skipping beats or doing something weird. So after a few months we decided to go back to citalopram, which is where I am today 4 days in and struggling.

I really struggle with health anxiety too and have been to the hospital 3 times in the last week.

Unfortunately you do just need to power through, it will get better. Do you take morning or evening? Maybe try switching to see if that helps?

Hi nevesmumma,

i take them first thing in the morning which is what I have always done, I’m nervous to take them at night as don’t want this feeling then as I struggle to sleep. I’m going on a weeks break with the kids on Monday and I’m nervous that I’m gonna have anxiety attacks non stop and ruin it for them. I can’t stop feeling that every side affect is in fact a symptom of a serious illness. I’m currently doing online health cbt through my doctor but thinking I need face to face consultations.

I started taking citalopram again a few months ago and I felt like this for a few weeks, I hope it calms down for you.
Have you had your thyroid checked at all? A few years ago my anxiety came out of absolutely no where, horrendous health anxiety. The gp checked my thyroid and it was hyperthyroidism and I've since had a thyroidectomy.

Hi Happierthanever91,

Thanks. I think I had it checked last year and it was okay.

I completely understand health anxiety, it's really awful isn't it? And I totally get you about not wanting to risk your sleep.

How are you at distracting yourself and dismissing the anxious thoughts? Will you be busy with the kids and be able to focus on them and tell yourself 'this is the anxiety, and it will pass'?

Usually I find the anxiety about a specific health thing is most intense the day I start fixating on it, then it's usually eased the next day. And then I tell myself that I have survived it. It wasn't pleasant but I survived it and I'm still here. I know I can survive it.

I'm sure you know this but going to the hospital is an anxiety-fuelling behaviour. It won't be taking away the anxiety because it doesn't help you out of the 'what if' cycle. So if you can, really try not to do that.

I have found telephone therapy really helpful. Do you have contact with your IAPT service?

I can’t really distract them at all at the moment because my heart feels like it’s constantly racing, I try telling myself it’s been like that for a couple days so can’t be anything serious but that’s not helping at all. I deep down know this is all anxiety related but just can’t seem to tell my body that.

I’m in Scotland and we don’t have IAPT.

Are you able to cut your pills in half OP - is there a score line? Might be worth asking the GP if you could do this or switch to a 10mg pill if that’s an option, then increase to 20mg when you are tolerating it ok. I’m very sensitive to side effects so I usually have to start on a half dose for most things.

Hi picklespark I’ve been on them 5 days now and honestly scared if I lower them that I will feel worst. Today has not been great at all, I have no energy to do anything and just want to cry. My mouth is so dry and I am really constipated. I’ve barely eaten in 5 days and today I don’t even feel thirsty. All this is just giving me lots of panic attacks.

Day 8 now, so some things seem to have improved but I am now getting other side effects. My eyes are really bothering me and also struggling with insomnia. Had 3 hours sleep in the last 3 days and that’s causing panic attacks. Hate anxiety so much

@Myzone First of all you doing so so well to get to day 8 . Keep going .
I was on citalopram in 2014 for years . It was horrendous going on it I nearly gave up many many times . I came off gradually a few years ago no side effects at all but in last 6 months been terrible again with health anxiety over everything .
I have been to gp many times and probably at stage now I need to go back on ssri maybe escitalopram this time . I am very scared and I just want to say I know how you are feeling . It’s horrible

Oh just one thing I tried was sea sick tablets at bedtime called stugeron they seemed to calm me but not sure why .

You sound extremely anxious and 20mg is not a big dose. When are you having a review ?

@Elliejane that sounds exactly like me. I was on citalopram from 2014 till end off last year and switched to mirtazapine but they gave me really bad palpitations and doctor said to go back to citalopram. My anxiety was so well controlled until the end of last year, my health anxiety went mental and I was constantly going doctors and hospital. Right now I’m convinced these are side effects but in fact symptoms of a serious illness.

@KangarooKenny hi, yep I definitely agree with you I am extremely anxious and struggling with panic. I don’t have a review till 3 weeks.

If you had good results with the medication before you will again , it’s just getting past the first horrible phase .
I never got the benefits as much as they think I should so hence why been advised to try escitalopram instead . A physiatrist sp said it better for anxiety but I still too scared to start it . Try that sea sickness tablets won’t do any harm nothing to loose . They made me a bit drowsy not much but enough to help get few hrs sleep

Also what age are you ? Hormonal might be making anxiety worse . I am 50 and it’s def making me more anxious

I’m 31, I’ll definitely have a go with the sea sickness tablets.

@Myzone how are you doing now ?

@Elliejane hi, not great. Had to switch from citalopram to sertraline as had a allergic reaction. So 12 days into sertraline and similar situation. Heightened anxiety and palpitations and short of breath. I do have a few hours a day where I feel a little like my old self but then the side effects kick in again and my anxiety goes mental.

Sorry to hear that . Was hoping you had got past the hard phase . Hopefully in a few weeks this new drug will settle . I am away to try escitropram in next few weeks . Dreading it but need to try as bad with health anxiety now .
Have you been given diazepam to get you through the harder days ?

Maybe you needed to start on really low dose first .

Citalopram was brilliant for me when I took them until I thought I could come off them. I know it’s hard but what helps me is always trying to think positive and constantly telling myself is this is temporary. I’m with you on the health anxiety as mine is the worst it’s ever been. This week alone I’ve been sure I need an ambulance at least 10 times. I’ve thought I’ve got a heart problem, brain tumor and cancer in the last week too. I’m really struggling with the palpitations and every single time I get them(a good few a day) my anxiety goes into overdrive and automatically I assume this is not normal.

It’s strange that you were ok on citalopram last time but had a reaction this time . Did you get same initial side effects first time ?

How has today been ?

Not been a good day for me just constantly checking my body . It’s like an ocd now

Ellie

Hi @Elliejane whilst I was on citalopram the first time I started getting hives after 5 years and the dermatologist diagnosed chronic urticaria but didn’t link citalopram. It was only when I was on them this time I made a link.

today has been the worst so far I think 😢 I’m just constantly on edge and can’t relax at all. I’m the same I can’t stop thinking about my health. I scan it from head to toe all day and it’s just so exhausting now. I can’t even watch medical programs because I always check if I have the same thing.

Feel for you . Hope the medication kicks in soon .

Just try to think at 31 you are really unlikely to get any serious illness , they are very very rare at that age. My health anxiety getting bad in my early 40s thankfully . Although I did have a bad year when 35 and pregnant with my 2nd .

Have you tried diazepam just for temporary to get you through the initial drug start up .

Also walking helps me somewhat . Are you able to work ?

When is your next review with gp ?