3 months on Citalopram, terrifying experience in the night last night. 😞
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Hello!
This is my first time posting. I am on 10mg Citalopram for 3, going on 4 months. About 6 weeks ago, I started to experience pins and needles sensations in my right foot, as well as a general difficult to describe sensation in that leg. Not necessarily weakness, but more of a hyper sensitivity. I will feel the tingles on occasion in my hands too.
Last night I was woken from a sound sleep with what I can best describe as a strong electrical jolt / vibration in my head that sent this weird numbness and tingling down my body, primarily on my right side again. I shot up in bed, and started to panic as this feeling was really scary. 😦 It quickly subsided and after some time I was able to calm myself down. It was very bizarre and terrifying!
Is this something anyone has experienced? I really didn't have a horrible experience starting Citalopram -- very mild side effects initially that have continued to change (assuming this is the medication). Suffering from GAD and PTSD makes me fear that there is something seriously wrong organically after this experience. Round and round I go on the anxiety roller coaster.
I appreciate everyone's input!
0 likes, 1 reply
ian90586 jess9604
Posted
Hi jess, absolutely everything you experience is caused by anxiety. It can cause the weirdest bodily and mental sensations at any time of day or night. It's just your nervous system on high alert,and though you might think You're alright like sleeping soundly, it can come at any time right out of nowhere. Some people feel OK and then out of nowhere have a panic attack. You're mind is going over the worries of the day and trying to sort things out.
You actually answer your own question in the description. Sensations, hyper sensitivity,fear, terrifying etc etc. Pins and needles,numbness and tingling are all classic symptoms of an overactive nervous system that has become sensitised by worry and stress. I cannot emphasize strongly enough that when you have any of these weird sensations that although bothersome, they are totally harmless and you haven't got some serious illness other than anxiety. 10 mg of Citalopram is a very ineffective dosage,so you might want to consider increasing to 20mg,but you shouldn't just rely on medication. Anxiety is a very bad habit of wrongful thinking and worry,which in the long term can cause stress which can greatlyl affect your wellbeing. You have to get out of these bad habits by doing CBT with a counselor, or you can do it from a self help book and you have to distract your thinking from worry by not dwelling on these harmless anxiety symptoms and onto something more productive like a hobby, exercise etc. Running is particularly good as it burns off the adrenaline caused by anxiety and stress. Also consider your diet, greatly reduce sugar, alcohol and caffeine and try to eat more healthily. Hope that helps. Take care.