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Original poster

Morning anxiety. Hand hold needed

27 replies

littlefox90 · 27/06/2023 10:30

Hello. Ive been on citalopram 20mg for 4 and a half weeks. I start feeling better in the afternoons and im sleeping well but the morning anxiety is horrible 😕
Im also having talking therapy/cbt. Using my possible self app and jeeping a journal.
Anyone else been through this/going through this?

OP posts:
Original poster
littlefox90 · 27/06/2023 15:47

Bump

OP posts:
YesYesAllGood · 27/06/2023 17:03

Hi OP,

Sorry you haven't had any replies. I used to take citalopram and remember feeling largely numb all day. It did help a bit.

Have you spoken to your doctor about how you feel in the mornings? I'm no expert but maybe you need adjustment in your dosage or to try different meds?

Does the cbt help?

I can check in with you tomorrow morning for a handhold, if it helps? Smile

Frosty1000 · 27/06/2023 17:12

I would have given you a hand hold if I'd seen this post earlier 🤗🤗

Now I'm no expert but when I chatted with my doc about how I felt in the morning they said it's the cortisol and this rises in the morning which causes anxiety first thing.

I don't take that one you mentioned as I really can't stand SSRIs as I had a bad experience and wouldn't touch them with a barge pole but I was terrible in the morning and usually am vomiting etc due to it. Wouldn't wish that on anyone. Anyway I'm waffling. All good now as I'm taking something else.

Maybe as pp said a change in dose is needed or maybe some meditation first thing to distract you from how you feel.

All the best xx

Original poster
littlefox90 · 27/06/2023 22:57

Thank you so much for your replies. The GP said to get to week 6 before changing dose if still needed. It just feels like such a long time. The morning axiety is horrible when in it, the CBT does help and its easing earlier on so by about 11 i feel much better. Its just trying to remember that at the time!

A couple of weeks ago it would take me until evening to feel better.

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Stickmansmum · 27/06/2023 23:13

Oh god, I remember this. It was so tough but over weeks it improved as I got a bit better and stronger. So be brave and lean in. I used to make a routine around that sudden wide awake thing, with my skin crawling and mind racing. I had my medication ready and took it immediately. I kept one of my kids teddybears to cuddle as I found it helped slightly. I played candy crush to pass the time and get dopamine firing. I cuddled into DH and tried to acknowledge all the good things over and over. It was horrible and terrifying that morning anxiety but it did pass. And I’ve been perfectly well for years now after a very very tough 6 months of extreme anxiety disorder. I’m still on my medication.

Stickmansmum · 27/06/2023 23:14

Oh and yes, I saw a distinct pattern of firstly the horrors easing earlier and earlier over time followed by the wake up bolt getting later and later to a more normal time.

Stickmansmum · 27/06/2023 23:15

Now I sleep like a baby and wake gently and happily around 7am.

Original poster
littlefox90 · 28/06/2023 08:23

Although i wouldnt wish it on anyone im glad for the replies from people who have been through the same. Its horrid, i go to sleep every night feeling my normal self and thinking that tomorrow will be better but then i wake up feeling awful and it starts all over again. Every morning is so disheartening but i try to remember that when i get to afternoon im more and more like myself. I just want to wake up feeling ok though

OP posts:
YesYesAllGood · 28/06/2023 08:50

Hi @littlefox90

Thinking of you this morning - consider this a firm handhold! FlowersBrewSmile

Original poster
littlefox90 · 28/06/2023 08:53

Thank you ❤️

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loubielou31 · 28/06/2023 09:08

Omg I didn't know that morning anxiety was a thing but this is me exactly at the moment. I feel fine(ish) when I go to bed but every morning wake up to a racing heart and racing thoughts. That information helps me feel a bit less lonely. Thank you

Original poster
littlefox90 · 28/06/2023 09:22

loubielou31 · 28/06/2023 09:08

Omg I didn't know that morning anxiety was a thing but this is me exactly at the moment. I feel fine(ish) when I go to bed but every morning wake up to a racing heart and racing thoughts. That information helps me feel a bit less lonely. Thank you

Its frustrating and really strange isnt it? How many weeks into your meds are you? Hopefully it starts to ease for us both soon

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lingmerth · 28/06/2023 09:26

Just wondering what time of day you take Citalopram. I take mine just before bed. I was advised by my dr to take it then as any side effects wouldn't be as noticeable as I would be asleep for the first 8 hours or so. Obviously this was advice when I first started on them and I have no side effects now.
Usually it takes about 6 weeks to fully feel the benefit and you're feeling better by the afternoon so they are starting to take effect. Maybe tweak the time of day you take them and this will help.

loubielou31 · 28/06/2023 09:33

littlefox90 · 28/06/2023 09:22

Its frustrating and really strange isnt it? How many weeks into your meds are you? Hopefully it starts to ease for us both soon

Show quote history

No meds for me yet. Whenever I have plucked up the courage to see the doctor I have been told CBT is the way to go but the waiting list is about a year for NHS treatment and too expensive for me to pay privately. Stuck in limbo and trying to find things for myself that help. But sometimes knowing that you're not alone helps. So tomorrow morning at 4am when I wake with that horrible jolt I will send good thoughts to you. ❤️

Original poster
littlefox90 · 28/06/2023 09:59

lingmerth · 28/06/2023 09:26

Just wondering what time of day you take Citalopram. I take mine just before bed. I was advised by my dr to take it then as any side effects wouldn't be as noticeable as I would be asleep for the first 8 hours or so. Obviously this was advice when I first started on them and I have no side effects now.
Usually it takes about 6 weeks to fully feel the benefit and you're feeling better by the afternoon so they are starting to take effect. Maybe tweak the time of day you take them and this will help.

I started with taking them in the evening but found that i woke up loads in the night with random dreams. I switched to morning around 9am as sometimes i can get back to sleep for a bit after waking up early. If i take it after waking but before getting back to sleep then i have the same problem with dreams

OP posts:
Original poster
littlefox90 · 28/06/2023 10:03

Im sorry to hear there is such a long waiting list! Ive downloaded an app called my possible self that has loads of bits on i found helpful. Also breathing exercises, grounding activities on YouTube are good. Maybe a CBT book if anyone has one they can recommend?
I do find knowing other people understand is helpful too, it can feel very lonely otherwise. Even if surrounded by people who haven't been through it.

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Original poster
littlefox90 · 28/06/2023 10:10

loubielou31 · 28/06/2023 09:33

No meds for me yet. Whenever I have plucked up the courage to see the doctor I have been told CBT is the way to go but the waiting list is about a year for NHS treatment and too expensive for me to pay privately. Stuck in limbo and trying to find things for myself that help. But sometimes knowing that you're not alone helps. So tomorrow morning at 4am when I wake with that horrible jolt I will send good thoughts to you. ❤️

Show quote history

Oh also an app called DARE is really good. It explains all the physical symptoms and how to manage them. Has breathing exercises and things on there too

OP posts:
loubielou31 · 28/06/2023 10:14

littlefox90 · 28/06/2023 10:10

Oh also an app called DARE is really good. It explains all the physical symptoms and how to manage them. Has breathing exercises and things on there too

Show quote history

Thank you littlefox. 🥰

Original poster
littlefox90 · 29/06/2023 10:09

Hows everyone doing today? Sending hand holds for anyone who needs it x

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Mabelface · 29/06/2023 10:26

I take 40mg of propananol in the morning. Now the citalopram has kicked in, I don't need it every day. It slows down the heart, reduces blood pressure, meaning cortisol levels drop, easing the physical symptoms.

Original poster
littlefox90 · 29/06/2023 12:27

Mabelface · 29/06/2023 10:26

I take 40mg of propananol in the morning. Now the citalopram has kicked in, I don't need it every day. It slows down the heart, reduces blood pressure, meaning cortisol levels drop, easing the physical symptoms.

Oh i didnt know there was something else to help. Ill talk to the GP next week on my check in. When did the citalopram start to help?

OP posts:
Mabelface · 29/06/2023 16:05

I started noticing small improvements after a couple of weeks. After 4 weeks, the anxiety lessened enormously and the cloud lifted. I'm still not 100%, but only time will do that as I'm grieving. Citalopram is an old friend of mine, had it many times over the years.

SlB09 · 30/12/2023 16:57

I feel EXACTLY the same and bloody hate it!

Original poster
littlefox90 · 30/12/2023 23:16

Hi I'm glad you commented on this thread. I've been feeling so much better for months now! It didn't feel like it at when I wrote this post but other then the odd "bubble" of anxiety sometimes that goes away quickly I feel back to my normal self. You will get there ❤️

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GrumpyMiddleAgedCow · 30/12/2023 23:27

It does take a wee while to settle and for me always got worse before it got better.

Propranolol helps with physical symptoms by slowing down your heart rate but doesn’t do anything for your mental health… if you suffer a lot of panic attacks defo worth looking into, it gave me HORRIFIC heartburn, like stop the car I’m going to be sick heartburn but I know people it has worked wonders for x