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6 week update

Posted , 6 users are following.

louise1974
louise1974

Hi all

Thought I'd update my progress, might be of benefit to any newbies just starting taking Citalopram.

I have been taking it for just over 6 weeks for anxiety/panic/depression, 10mg for 1 week then 20mg for the rest of the time.  In the past I have taken Seroxat a few times for varying lenghts of times, this is a well documented drug for the hardness coming off it so my GP won't prescribe it anymore.  The benefits I found with that drug was that after 3 weeks of hell it instantly worked, no build up.  This time around on Cit I've found things frustratingly slow, it's been quite a shock for me to find that I'm still not "normal".

On a more positive note my anxiety and panic cannot even be compared to what it was before I started taking this.  After around 3 weeks I found my mood was considerably better and the anxiety started to die down.  Last week (week 5) in particular I found that at work I really noticed a difference.  I really struggle sitting still with anxiety and restlessness which I am sure alot of you will also experience.  I still have bad days but even these aren't as bad as they were before.  I was having to walk endless miles to try and calm myself down, now I find I can get on with what I'm doing despite the anxiety.  Also a big change is that I can make plans for the weekend etc, see friends.  Before I wouldn't have for fear I would have to cancel because of how I was feeling.

For any ladies out there I have found this week because I have PMT particularly hard, my mood is low (it doesn't cure everything!) so hence my anxiety is slightly raised but I'm managing.  I have an ongoing issue with insomnia which I'm hoping will calm down shortly and I know as the weeks go on I should hopefully improve more and more.  

So any of you just starting out it can be frightening to start with but it does get better and improve so HANG IN THERE!!!!

Louise xx

1 like, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • g39280
    g39280 louise1974

    Posted

    I've found the same as you. It took 6wks on 20mg for me to feel better but now I just feel OK within myself and much more in control.

    I had some very uncomfortable side effects such as upset tummy, severyly increased anxiety, insomnia (resulting in 1-2hrs sleep and panic attacks around 3am) in the first 4wks but they settled down after sticking with it. I have also changed to taking it at night time and that has solved the insomnia.

    I'm feel OK and in control now so the issues in the early weeks were worth the trouble for me. Glad I stuck with it!

    • louise1974
      louise1974 g39280

      Posted

      Hmmm I wonder if its worth me swapping to night time. Im getting only 1-2 hours also most nights. Worth a try!!
    • elizabeth00077
      elizabeth00077 louise1974

      Posted

      Louise, I take it at 6.30 every evening - I sleep like a log! More than I did before taking it. Might be worth a try. Liz xx
    • Guest
      Guest g39280

      Posted

      Hi there g39280 I read your update and I am about the same as you. I have had no issues with cit.except upset tummy. I also take my pill late on the night and sleep like a log.but as soon as I take it my stomach rumbles, it started to worry me as I was going to the loo quite a bit.are you ok now ?
    • elizabeth20203
      elizabeth20203 g39280

      Posted

      Hi I have been on Citalapram for 2 weeks and have tummy upsets every day. My anxiety is increased and the insomnia is awful, i am so restless. I have panic attacks mainly in the morning. What time do you take your dose in the evening, i have been taking it just before bed, do you think i would be better to take it earlier. 
    • g39280
      g39280 Guest

      Posted

      I still get it sometimes. I'd say every 2wks or so but it's usually only 1 day so it's tolerable for me. I have no trouble straight after taking but it's usually when I wake up the next morning and can feel it.
    • g39280
      g39280 elizabeth20203

      Posted

      Mine was every day for about 2-3wks I think. It was very unpleasant the first 3-4 days but gradually got better. My panic attacks also reduced over time but since switching to nights 2wks ago I sleep like a log until 5-6am.

      I usually take mine around 6-7pm at the moment so it has time to digest a bit before I go to sleep. That probably doesn't matter but I figure if anything is going to happen I'd rather not be woken up by it.

    • elizabeth20203
      elizabeth20203 g39280

      Posted

      Thanks for reply. I am struggling today, anxiety is awful and not slept much, people say it gets better so i will have to hang in there. 
  • kim26454
    kim26454 louise1974

    Posted

    When I started taking it, the effects were very suttle. When I looked back I could tell the difference for sure. 
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