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.

I’m thinking about asking my doctor for diazepam. I try going for walks regularly but there’s days I struggle as trying to get motivated is really hard. I’ve had to stop work due to having multiple panic attacks. I start cbt on Thursday so looking forward to that. I have gp on 5th august and that’s around 4 week mark on sertraline. Days like today just make it so hard.

@Myzone how are you doing ?

Hi@Elliejane yesterday was a decent day. Woke up today feeling quite anxious. Still having side effects which ain’t helping. How are you?

Not started yet . Still anxious all time . Dreading starting

I have a fear of starting any medication but I know I’m sick of feeling like this and need to give the AD a good time to get into my system.

I was put on citalopram about 4 years ago for depression and anxiety and after about a week I felt amazing. I was only on 10mg. I came off it after about 6 months but about 6 weeks ago on the first day of visiting my dd in Canada I was hit with crippling anxiety.
I though citalopram would fix it again but this time it has had no effect, apart from giving me a very dry mouth and terrible insomnia. The doctor advised me to stick with it for at least a month which was yesterday but I didn’t feel any better.
Like you I have terrible anxiety in the mornings, I become panicky about not remembering silly details of things I’ve read, seen, or peoples names, I can’t bear to be on my own so much so that my children and dh have to arrange their days so that someone is always around. I have also developed claustrophobia. I feel a terrible burden to them atm.
i would just like to feel normal again.
last week after a blood test the doctor called and said my thyroid levels are very low so it would seem that that is why the citalopram didn’t work. I had repeat bloods yesterday and am now waiting for confirmation before starting medication for hypothyroidism. I really hope this works as I just feel so terrible. It horrible to be so anxious about things that I logically know I’ve no need to be anxious over.
I can totally sympathise with how you’re feeling as I have no energy and it seems to have gone on for so long.

@YouveCatToBeKittenMe you will be back to that same person soon, it is very hard and there are days when I really think what is the point but I always try to think and stay positive. I know AD worked for me in the past so I’m hoping they will again.

@Myzone hiws things ? I still not started just so scared but feel on edge all the time .
Going to start next Monday as away just now

Hi @Elliejane i’m seeing a little improvement. I am having hours most days where I feel about 70%. Yesterday I felt good for most of the day. Still having physical symptoms but my head is clearer. How are you?

Hi everyone, this thread has helped me feel a bit calmer today. I am on day 2 of an increased dose of fluoxetine after a relapse of severe anxiety which has been going on for just over a week.

My Zone, similar to you most days I have a short spell of feeling almost "normal" usually late in the evening, but then it just starts all over again.

I have been through this a few times.befoee and am trying to hang onto the thought that it does get better, but that seems so far away right now.

@Happierthanever91 @YouveCatToBeKittenMe I have asked for the GP to check.my thyroid, but probably just clutching at straws.

@Myzone I would also say diazapam is worth a try. I have found it helpful in the past.

@Snowshower Hi, yep it seems to be better in the evenings. I almost don’t want to sleep because I feel calm and just know the next day I will wake up feeling anxious again.

Yep that is exactly the same for me. I hate going to bed at night knowing what will come next.

In the past though I have gradually began to feel more "normal" earlier in the day and woken up less anxious. Like I say though that seems little Comfort and an awful long way away right now.

@Myzone how are you doing now ?
I am going to start tomorrow really really nervous . Been putting it off all week . Starting on 2.5mg of escitalopram really low I know but I had horrible time starting citalopram years ago so advised to start low

@Elliejane hi, I have had a few days where I felt good then today I have been awful 😢 severe anxiety all day and just can’t relax at all. How have you been?

Hi Good you had a few good days but not so good about today . Anything trigger it ?
I started escitalopram on Thursday but only on 2.5mg so very low . Will do that for 5-6 days then will go up to 5mg .

I just woke up feeling awful and full of anxiety. I have GAD so I have anxiety for no reason sometimes which is very frustrating. Especially when every symptom/side effect sets off my health anxiety. That’s good to hear at least you’ve started them.

I found my anxiety and palpitations got worse when I started on citalopram (and I guess that can apply to all similar medication). What helped me a bit was just to regularly repeat to myself that these were side effects. It almost reduced my health anxiety for the six weeks it took for everything to settle, because I just blamed any weird feeling on the citalopram. I really hope things settle for you soon, and that you feel back on an even keel. Anxiety sucks.

I've been on Citalopram for years at varying doses but been on 40mg for about 4 years. Once the side effects have passed you should hopefully see your anxiety disappear. If not then you need to chat with your GP.

Don't be afraid to be on it if it improves your wellbeing. I probably couldn't function as I do without mine and will probably be on it for life.

@Myzone How are you doing now ?

Hi I am still struggling so now might be looking at changing meds again unfortunately. How are you?

Hi all

I hope it's OK that I am posting on this thread it feels very supportive and I feel quite alone at the moment with what is happening.

I was on Citalopram some years ago after suffering PND.

I am back on it as my Health Anxiety is really bad at the moment I started having tension headaches about 12 weeks ago and I get a really horrible head sensation not dizziness but like a light headed brain shake type sensation every so often and I've convinced myself I have something seriously wrong ended up at A&E Monday this week in a complete state.

The doctor has put me back on Citalopram 10mg which I started yesterday and today is just horrendous I'm even more light headed I've got like burning sensation in my chest when I the anxiety really kicks in and the anxiety feels even worse.

I'm suppose to be going away this time next with with my family and I just don't know how I am going to get through if I feel like this I've got a 6 hour drive down there. It's also my partners Birthday next week I've not had the strength to do anything or get anything these should all be happy times and I'm just so scared.

@Myzone oh no I was hoping you would say you were lots better now . early days for me . Just started really so hoping so much . When do you see gp again?

@Sara1235 no please do , I also suffer from health anxiety . Just posted a new post .
I think it’s common to feel increased anxiety to start with . I get it with events coming up , it feels like whole world is happy and you are not but that’s not the case . Did the medication help
last time ?

I speak to my doctor in 2 weeks.

@Sara1235 the citalopram will definitely help but the first 2 weeks might be tough, I suffer with severe health anxiety and have been ti A&e multiple times this year alone. Just keep telling yourself this is temporary and you will get better. Come here anytime you need support.

Thank you both very much for your replies it's such a lonely place to be I feel like I'm going crazy and have so much worry about getting through the next 2 weeks! I'm so scared of letting my family down!

I feel insane I've even googled the nearest hospital to where we are staying on holiday and because it's 25 minutes away I'm having a right panic about it!!