4th week citalopram for anxiety and intrusive thoughts, feel like I'm going mad
Posted , 8 users are following.
Hi, I was on sertraline for 2 years and the side effects were just too much for me so the Dr decided to try me on citalopram. I'm on the 4th week of 20mg and I feel down, spaced out and my intrusive thoughts have got worse. I also feel like I'm going to lose it. Do I persevere or go back? Any advice greatly received. Thank you
0 likes, 11 replies
CLH19 kathryn33357
Posted
Hi Kathryn, please try and persevere it does get better. I am 9 weeks on 20mg and am having more good days than bad. The intrusive thoughts are still there but no longer have the same effect, so bother me less. It took a good 6 weeks on 20mg before things started to improve and it happened gradually. Please keep going I'm sure it will get better.
Lou342 kathryn33357
Posted
hiii did you taper off sertraline? you should expect it to be up and down for 12 weeks or so. You could be lucky and settle quicker. Its all anxiety and should settle. I have felt the same things
Potatoghost kathryn33357
Posted
I felt exactly the same as you at 4 weeks honestly! I promise it's completely normal! I know of a few others that did aswell.
you will need a little time to adjust to the dose and obviously coming off sertraline it may take a little longer.
I came off sertraline done 20mg citalopram for 6 weeks and then went up to 30mg x
I say stick at 20mg for atleast 8 weeks as it really does take longer than the docs and everyone says x
emma03822 kathryn33357
Posted
Hi im on week 4 also for depression anxiety and intrusive thoughts, i feel the same with awful headaches ive been told to wait even though Gp wants to up dose, im hoping it kicks in soon, i can see small improvements so im hopeful, i hope it improves for you also x
Potatoghost emma03822
Posted
I would also say wait aswell. it really does take a long time for these meds. I made the mistake of increasing too soon to 30mg as I was desperate x even though it wasn't as hard increasing as starting 20mg it was still tough.
docs always updose too fast. and switch too quickly. hope you arent feeling too horrific atm.
it's a tough journey.
the headaches do pass though x
emma03822 Potatoghost
Posted
Hi just wanted to ask people if they have felt so tired on these? im so lazy no motivation, headaches and really sore eyes i had sore eyes on mirtazapine im hoping it goes away? When people feel the effects is it gradual or do u wake up feeling better? Im so over focused on how i feel constantly as im worried it wont work and i will struggle to stop them x
Potatoghost emma03822
Posted
mirtazipine is known for making you very very sleepy x I used to have one in the evening and could barely function the next day x it's normal for citalopram to cause this as a side effect as it has antihistamine effects x it does pass though once it settles x I take my citalopram at night as it helps me sleep and I'm not as tired the next day.
headache is a common side effect too and will pass also x anxiety and being tired will definitely add to this aswell though I've noticed x so everything just gets heightened until the meds kick in a little better x
its definitely gradual. very slow you will barely notice them working as it's a very slow process so keep a close eye on what's happening to your body. you start having little glimmers of feeling slightly better for seconds. minutes. then hours and eventually an evening. after a while it will be a full day of feeling a little better . and it picks up from there x you will get better x it just takes a while x
kathryn33357
Posted
Thank you all for replying. I guess I was just hoping it would be a bit quicker than this as, apart from the side effects on sertraline, the thoughts improved a lot quicker at first. I shall persevere and keep my fingers crossed that it all settles soon. Did you all feel really numb and miserable and have hot sweats too? I hope you all improve soon too x
Potatoghost kathryn33357
Posted
is it ok to ask what side effects made you want to stop sertraline?
what are you experiencing on citalopram?
normally your first time on a med will work quicker compared to the second time. I'm not sure why it happens but it seems to be the case for a lot of people x
I definitely feel miserable that's pretty normal. sometimes I feel numb on and off but the anxiety is pretty high so I feel very alert and sensitive most of the time.
hot sweats are a common side effect of citalopram so will pass when the meds settle a bit more. it's also a symptom of anxiety aswell.
Guest kathryn33357
Posted
Did you find the sertraline helped the intrusive thoughts, it does seem the recommend med for that type of symptom. I'm on 50 mg I've been on 50mg for 7 weeks still waiting for improvement. Think they all have side effects, previously on 10mg citalopram had to stop because made my hair fall out. Did you do a long taper off the sertraline could be withdrawal effects from the that. Think 10 mg is the normal starting dose for citalopram?. I felt more anxious I think on the citalopram but everyone different seems 12 weeks is common before things improve.
Chris00000 kathryn33357
Posted
4 weeks is very early kath, i was in the same place 4 years ago, sorry i haven't been on hear for a while because iv been feeling amazing and enjoying life putting myself first, when i first started taking the med i had all side effects and i allways thought this med would never work but i was wrong, it just takes along time, just preserve and keep coming on hear for advice and youl get there, much luck x