New to citalopram- positive experiences

[Monkey130]

I’ve had issues with anxiety - general and health- for sometime. I thought my restating the combined pill it might help even moods out, but it made rhem worse. To the I had 2 panic attacks. I was reluctant to start at antidepressants as when I prev tried ( albeit for only a couple of days) they gave me horrendous side effects.

i reluctantly agreed with gp to being signed off for 4 weeks and starting citalopram.

i am on day 7- first 2 days I didn’t feel too bad- actually felt good and less tense. But since I have had horrendous nausea, lack of appetite and am not eating much. Having loads of palpitations, anxiety through the roof- worse than before I started- especially bad before I get out of bed, and extreme tiredness. I take 10mg and take it on the morning as I am terrified it will affect my sleep if I take it at night. Sometimes it does affect my sleep even by taking in the morning.

i know that these are all common side effects and should pass, but with my health anxiety I am terrified that they won’t get better and I’ll feel this rubbish for ages.

today I got up and took kids to school- with help of my husband - it was my son assembly and I really struggled to sit there for the 25 mins- I was so anxious. I couldn’t speak to anyone afterwards. I came home and went back to bed for an hour.

I feel I can do nothing else other than sit on sofa watching tv. My husband is really helpful and sitting most of stuff for kids- but I need to know this will pass soon!

@Chloe18x
i am 4 weeks today.

i also had a few good days followed by a week of increased feelings of anxiety- heart pounding , muscle shakes etc.
then the last few days this has improved a great deal- I feel a bit more like myself again. I’ve been able to do more round the house and have been getting more exercise in. I know there will be ups and downs but hope this is me on the up now.

i have 2 more weeks off work- and so glad I’ve been able to be off- it’s must be so hard working with clients when you’re feeling like this- hats off to you for keeping going!

I hope you also start to turn the corner in the next few days.

Hey @Monkey130
just checking in to see how your doing..
have you gone back to work yet? xx

Hi @Chloe18x back to work from next Tuesday and I’m actually looking forward to it. I’m week 6 today and from mid last week I was feeling normal! Im still just on 10mg and feel they’re working well now.
i still get anxious thoughts and worries but they don’t bother me now and I don’t dwell on them. It’s su ch a relief!

how are you doing?

@MyAmaryllisSeemsDead and @ShortHairedCat thank you both again for your kind works - you’re last posts really gave me comfort in waiting it out. I know there will be some hard times to come but I feel so much better equipped to get myself in a good place.

Fab news! It’s so worth pushing on through. Honestly, it’s life-changing. Best wishes to you @Monkey130 xx

@Monkey130 Hi Monkey and @ShortHairedCat and @Chloe18x Just checking in with you all.
Monkey, I am really hoping that going back to work has been a positive experience for you. I am so pleased that sharing my experience of ADs taking longer than you are told they will take to work, has helped. I will also agree with you that they don’t cure everything and you will continue to feel anxious/depressed/worried but hopefully not in that massively debilitating way that felt ‘outside’ of you and who you are, and you have the ability and tools, helped hugely by the ADs to just accept and deal with it all better.
And finally, it turns out my Amaryllis bulbs were not dead after all. They may have been planted at the end of October, ready for Christmas and did nothing for quite some time (and definitely not in time for Christmas) but right now in March, I Ihave a 50cm plant with quadruple flowers. Take from that what you will………..

@MyAmaryllisSeemsDead Hi! Doing great thanks. Currently on holiday in Barbados! Me! Getting organised and getting on a plane and being away from home!! It’s like a miracle. Keep going with the citalopram ladies. Love to you all x

Hi could I ask how you are now I am 23 DAYS in and just looking for reassurance x

@Myboysmyworld666

im happy to say I’m doing really well now. I am still in 10 mg- I would say it took me at least 6 weeks to feel better, and I noticed a significant difference at 6 month. I’m 8 months in now and will think about stopping at some point but not just yet.

its still very early days for you, and trust that there will be light at the end of the tunnel.

Day 24 for me needing some reassurance please 😢

I started on 10mg around 2 months ago , I’ve been on 20 for the last month. I always react strongly to medication. I did feel strange for the first 7 days , I took propranolol for the first few days. my main side-effects were upset stomach feeling a little strange and slightly increased anxiety. The 10 mg was not enough for me. I’m pleased to say when I increased to 20 I didn’t have a single side effect..