Citalopram

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I've been on 20mg citalopram for 6 months now. I was put on it after my mental health plummeted and I was suffering panic attacks and agoraphobia. A few months in I felt absolutely amazing, no anxiety or depression and was happy and coping with life. 2 weeks ago I noticed I was starting to get some anxiety again, I then got unwell and it set me off again and I was having panic attacks. Luckily, I didn't end up in as bad a place as I was the first time but I'm still suffering some lingering anxiety and low mood. Is this normal after 6 months on them? I would of thought they'd be at their peak so it worries me they aren't working anymore!

Forgot to add, I've been on antibiotics for almost a week now so not sure if that's got something to do with it.

I'm not sure whether antibiotics would affect them. I've been on citalopram for 2.5 years, have had times where I've felt a bit down and anxious (as opposed to the crushing anxiety and depression I was feeling before) but I think it's mostly been down to hormones rather than the citalopram not working.

Sounds to me like you've been physically unwell? Which has caused some normal symptoms of feeling a bit anxious and low?

If that's the case, that doesn't mean they're not working, it means you're having a pretty standard response to illness.

Thanks all.

Yes I've been unwell and I know it's definitely bound to have an effect on my mental health. I think it's the fact I've had panic attacks again that is worrying me as before I started suffering with panic attacks I never got bad anxiety when I was unwell.

Have you spoken to your GP about adjusting your dosage? If symptoms are reappearing you need to discuss that and maybe moving to another antidepressant. Have you had any talking therapy alongside them?

I’ve been on citalopram for a while now and I’ve had varying doses in that time as life fluctuates and sometimes the 10 or 20 doesn’t cut it.

Can you get an appointment with your GP for a review? (I know they're rarer than rocking horse poo at the moment). All sorts of things can affect how Citalopram works, including bouts of illnes but also hormones (ah the fun of the female body). I was on Citalopram but am now on something completely different as it didn't suit me; the GP and I took about 3 years to find both a drug and dose that actually works, which fortunately was before COVID. If you are experiencing symptoms again, keep track and try for the GP. Good luck xxx

I've been on citalopram for many years. I still get anxiety and mental health downs. I dread to think how bad they would be without the medication. I (personally) think that it stabilises me and stops the erratic mood changes

This is how I think.

They're not cure-alls that will stop the OP ever feeling anxious or low as that is not life.

OP has been physically ill and that makes virtually everyone feel a bit anxious, low and generally shit.

There's no need to worry or ask for meds increase or change. That's often a bad road to go down which leads to over-medication and to a false idea that life events need to be medicated.

I've been on the same medication for the same amount of time. I still sometimes feel awful. I do think counselling helps. Have you tried that? I had a wonderful Counsellor who unfortunately left a few months ago. Waiting for a new one now. I find I feel better with Counselling.

Which antibiotics? I've just been on metronidazole and it made me feel absolutely awful. Poorly and then had a couple of days of overwhelming anxiety. Have been off it for 4 days now and the sunshine is reaching me again.

Hope you feel much better soon.