Sleeplessness & other side effects on Citalopram

[mumofshortie73]

Just a few of my early experiences on this-
now they are working and I feel like a dark cloud has lifted- amazing !

If I took the tablet at night-time, I did lie in bed wide awake at all hours, and if I woke up, really struggled to get back to sleep- yes,lying for an hour or more staring up at the ceiling, listening to my DH snoring !Other side effects were a total lack of appetite (not a bad thing as I need to shift a few pounds ) but neither did I want to be around food or prepare it. Just felt completely drained & zombie-like but that was short-lived.

I found short walks every day really helpful- even in the wind & rain, good mood lifter, also making sure I had plenty of good wholesome grub (made loads of soup, casseroles, bung-in-the-oven type stuff- zilch effort but pretty tasty, made a conscious effort to phone friends every day, not text or email as more engaging.

Those friends I have told have been brilliant & it feels less of a big scary taboo now. I have also been going to a group therapy thing which is very useful and interesting to hear from other mums who've been suffering, their issues are very similar- eg- family dynamics,relationships with parents ...

Lots of things about the future excite me now but they really didn't before I started the treatment.

Rosemary I am glad you found that useful, it's a massive relief for me too hearing from other people who're going through the same thing, you feel less alone, don't you ?

The meds do take a while to work (need to build up in your system) so that waiting game is not much fun, however, if you can see it through, it is SO worth it.

Sounds really cheesy to use another analogy but it is how I am feeling compared to before- the fog has shifted and now the clouds have shiny silver linings !! (vomit- cheesemungous, i know)

Sorry to hear you're fed up, Rosemary- anxiety is a horrible feeling. I just felt dreadful trying to get up enough energy and motivation to get the kids out in public, feeling like people were judging if they kicked off and I wouldn't be able to cope. Also keeping the housework going and if there was too much dirty washing spilling out of the laundry basket, I was somehow a really crap Mum - as if the kids were any worse off !

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