11 weeks Today
Posted , 10 users are following.
I have been on Citalopram for 11 weeks today, started at 10 for 2 weeks, 5 for 20 & 30 for 3 weeks, during this time ive had times my crippling anxiety has gone & intrusive thoughts, even the morning anxiety went & my appetite resumed to normal, but about since about a week ago, although not as bad as before, im getting distracted by how i feel constantly, hack to needing reassurance from google & basically, feel like im slipping back, this terrifies me & i dont seem to be able to have my normal rationale when anxious & scared i wont get better, after so long: i really thought i was recovered a couple of weeks ago & was even signed off from CBT. please offer guidance somebody. im scared xxxx
0 likes, 28 replies
lois95799 chrissy69015
Posted
every time you change your dose you start the process all over again.thats alot of changes in such a short time.best regards
toria_07298 chrissy69015
Posted
i do not understand why doctors arent giving the lowest dose the chance to work anymore, chances are the dose is too high and all the changes are making it hard to settle, its usually 3 months plus for a dose to settle x
chrissy69015 toria_07298
Posted
Thanks, going to stick at this dose now
Grounded chrissy69015
Posted
100% agree with Toria! Doctors now as so quick to change the dose, change the meds etc without really giving it time to fully work. So people end up taking too much, or get switched to something else when they were on the right med to begin with they just didn't give it adequate time to work..
I would stick with what you're at give it a little more time and if you really feel like it isn't working well then I would talk to your doctor and consider increasing dose.
amber09486 chrissy69015
Posted
even tough you were feeling better, your nerves and mind were still fragile. the memory of the anxiety is still fresh. stick with it, you will recover again. when i started my AD i felt good at 3 weeks then had a setback and it took me a full 5 weeks for the meds to really start working. but be very fragile with yourself and allow yourself time to heal. take it one day at a time and try to focus on the fact that you were feeling better, trust me, you will feel good again soon! i have been there and know
chrissy69015 amber09486
Posted
Thanks Amber, i think you are right, i had several months of being very low & anxious & it was a very scary time, the memory is still very fresh & i find myself constantly analyzing how i feel, which although not as bad as before, not as good, last week. i m hoping this is a mere setback, but we will see. x
ruth08109 chrissy69015
Posted
I bet you it's a setback. Try not to over analyse. Easier said than done, I know....it will most likely pass. Hang in there.
chrissy69015 ruth08109
Posted
i hope so, im really scared, as was feeling much better. x
amber09486 chrissy69015
Posted
i have had several setbacks and coming out on the better side of one now. each time i have noticed a pattern, i obsessed about a minor thought or feeling then spiraled. i am starting to realize more and more fighting the anxious thoughts, feelings and physical symptoms only prolonged my recovery. i started to allow the anxiety but continue with my day. the mornings were very hard and at times i wanted to stay in bed, but as the day progressed and i achieved little things (showering, getting kiddo ready and off to school, and working) my confidence has returned and i think my anxious nerves have quieted. many books will tell you this is facing, accepting, allowing, and letting time pass. i didnt know exactly how to "accept" my anxiety until this week when my therapist pointed out i was doing just that by allowing the anxiety to be present while continuing to function in my daily life. and sure enough, by allowing it, not fighting it with "what if" thoughts, time slowly healed my nerves. the month of august has been a very hard month for me but i think now more than ever before i feel more confident that i can live with the sensations/feelings of anxiety and by living my life, the anxiety takes a back seat. i recommend any book written by Dr C. weeks.
chrissy69015 amber09486
Posted
i know what you are saying & agree wholeheartedly, ive been following the principles above & read those books, and many more, its very difficult on some days though.
amber09486 chrissy69015
Posted
oh i know!! i 100% know how you are feeling. it can be a very very dark place. have you considered a short stint of klonopin (small dose twice daily) to try and take the edge off? when i go through a setback my dr has be take .25 to .5 mg klonopin in the morning and at night until i am through my setback. it helps with the anticipatory anxiety. i also do acupuncture.
i know it may not seem like it now, but you will get better. the "old you" is still in there and as your anxiety calms, which it will, your old self will be there more and more! i promise.
chrissy69015 amber09486
Posted
i am in Britain , not sure if you are, my g.p would probably not prescribe anything like that, & propropanol seems to have little effect x
chrissy69015 ruth08109
Posted
its been getting a bit worse for over a week now, how long can a setback last?
chrissy69015 amber09486
Posted
how long have your setbacks lasted & how long have you been on citalopram?
amber09486 chrissy69015
Posted
my setbacks have varied from 2 days to my latest which has been on and off for a month plus. i would say my average is a week and a half. all of them started to end when i started to try and live regularly again, for me this was leaving the house to go to work. i did this by telling myself i could always leave and come back home if it gets really bad.
have you thought about seeing behavioral health dr instead of you GP to manage your medication? i have been taking AD for almost 2 years.
chrissy69015 amber09486
Posted
yes, i agree, im always better when i have things to do, im currently looking for a part time job, but go out every day, & driving isnt a problem, think im worse when i have too much time to ruminate. i have just finished a course of 121 CBT .
amber09486 chrissy69015
Posted
has it gotten better?
chrissy69015 amber09486
Posted
yes much better last few days, thanks x
3Archbay chrissy69015
Posted
If you read up on propropanol... IT can have some nasty side effects! I wonder if that is what is messing with you? Did you start it at same time Celexa? Just a thought... I think Klonapin might be a better bet if anxiety is why you are taking the propropanol... JMHO