7 weeks 4 days and still struggling
Posted , 10 users are following.
Been on 20mg for the best part of 8 weeks now and although the side effects have pretty much gone I'm just can't get the circling thoughts out of my head. I am constantly thinking about my anxiety / panic and even when I don't have it I keep thinking / waiting for it to start again. Do you think I need a dose increase? I was hoping since posting 2 weeks ago I would be feeling the effects more than I am
0 likes, 22 replies
laura45992 Johnmk1
Posted
I still do that and Im seven months in. I tried a dose increase and it didnt help. I only felt more drugged up. Are you exercising? Getting out and staying distracted is the only real thing that helps me. Some days thats easier said than done. Id give it three months before changing anything. I do have better days, but the days you describe still happen often. I feel for you!
lauren2095 Johnmk1
Posted
Hey John I know how u feel I upped my dosage of citalopram to 40mgs bout 6-7 weeks ago now an over the last 1-2 weeks felt really good could do anything but since yesterday an today my anxiety has come back a little bit an some what my depression but I'm the same when I'm busy I hardly think about my anxiety or depression but in the back of my mind I do get scared when will I get anxious or panicky again.. So I'm in the same boat I think all I could say is try it best not to think that way an focus on the hear an now an with it medication speak to ur doctors an see what he recommends thing is when u up ur dose u start all over again an with me for the first 2 -3 weeks of start my high dose my anxiety went threw the roof an depression but it will calm down they say it can take 4-6 weeks to feel the benefits an he has to get worse before getting better!! so good luck hun!!
michelle_05599 Johnmk1
Posted
hi John , i haven't been on this forum for nearly 2yrs , and it really helped me , i was on 20 mg for 2 yr I was fantastic , but Christmas time it stopped working for me and i went down hill so changed meds , im doing ok but still not 100% but im plodding on as you do, i really hope your anxiety improves big hugs xx
lynne93181 Johnmk1
Posted
hi john
sorry to hear your struggling at the moment ! please dont up your dose ! not yet !
you will recover i know the circling thoughts are horrible i still get them too but i am well enough to ignore them ! please believe me when i tell you that 8 weeks is still early ! give yourself another 8 weeks and you will be feeling better than you do now ! i dont know a home who was more ill than me and im getting better trust me you will get better x
katecogs Johnmk1
Posted
John
It can take many months before you feel truly anxiety and thought free - took me 6 months on 20mg. 8 weeks is pretty early still. Take heart, it sounds like things are moving along the right lines for you.
Circling thoughts / intrusive thoughts - they are a side effect of anxiety. Anxiety makes your mind over-think as it tries to make sense of whats happening to you as it tries to fix things, but all you end up doing is over-think, digging yourself in deeper. Understand that these thoughts are only present because you have anxiety, and they will go as the anxiety eases, and though you say the anxiety has pretty much gone you still have the thoughts. That’s perfectly normal - not all side effects disappear at the same time, so just give it more time and you’ll find (probably without even realising it) that your thoughts will start to turn outwards into the world instead of thinking inwards constantly.
Don’t be to surprised if your anxiety spikes up again - that’s perfectly normal too throughout recovery. It usually comes and goes in waves and often we think its gone ... only for it to return. Doesn’t mean you’re ill again - its just part of the recovery process.
The thoughts will come and go too, usually along with the anxiety.
You will go through this same process whatever dose you’re on - increasing won’t remedy it. You just have to be very patient, try and relax when the anxiety and thoughts spike - they will pass. Just keep on going throughout whatever is thrown at you - remember it can be many months.
The wait is worth it.
rob37052 katecogs
Posted
hi there
excuse me for jumping in, i was on 20 mg for 5 months & i felt to high, dropped to 15 mg & been 11 weeks, so far so good apart from today, had busy day at work and gradually felt myself slipping into anxiety, feel awful at minute, thought id seen the last of those horrible days!
reading this has helped me
thanks kate
katecogs rob37052
Posted
Hi Rob
Yes different doses suit different people - glad you found one that suits you.
Yes the anxiety will come back time after time - you start feeling better and think yes, its gone, I've beaten it ..... and a few days or weeks later it comes back making you think you're ill again. You're not - its just that it never went away really, just that it was taking a break. The returns are setbacks or blips, and they'll happen time after time all through recovery, usually getting less intense as time passes. However, sometimes one might feel much worse even when you think you've recovered - it can happen.
Just go with the flow, let the anxiety come and go, let it be there and don't try stopping it. Relax with it and work with it there. It will go.
It takes much longer than you think - but you'll get there.
K x
laura45992 katecogs
Posted
hi kate,
your comments always make me feel better. however, i did expect the dips to be less severe for me by now at 7 months in. its hard not to feel like its going to be these major ups and downs forever. pressing on....
katecogs laura45992
Posted
Hi Laura
Dips generally lessen over time, but never underestimate the power of anxiety as it can catch you out occasionally. Sometimes even when you think you're through the worst and you've had a long time feeling good, a bad anxiety dip can suddenly loom out of nowhere ......... I often think though that we become used to feeling well and the sudden spike in anxiety isn't any different in intensity as you've had before - just that you've forgotten what it feels like. Also we have to remember that when we have anxiety, your body is also physically overtired and it needs to heal. As we start to recover and begin to do more things, we underestimate how tired our bodies actually are and start to pick up the pace again as we used to live. Your body physically isn't ready and often I think it grumbles at you with an anxiety spike. Remember what it feels like when we're getting over flu - we're still a bit weak and tired and have to pace ourselves.......
Everyone also thinks the same - when you're in the midst of anxiety you can only think negatively and can't see your way forward. That's perfectly normal and anxiety is just clouding your judgement. An anxious mind produces anxious / negative thoughts ..... and a calm mind produces calm / positive thoughts.
K x
rob37052 katecogs
Posted
thanks for reply kate
fab as usual
many thanks
rob37052 laura45992
Posted
hey laura
how are you?
ive not heard from you in such a while
hope your feeling better & the good days are on there way
rob x
laura45992 rob37052
Posted
Hi Rob! Im doing pretty well! Ive been out of town several times this month, so Ive had a lot of good distractions! Trying to stay busy. If I slow down, thats when the anxiety hits.
How are you??? I hope well!
rob37052 laura45992
Posted
hi laura
fab to hear your doing good & you ve managed to get out & about.
distractions are good, im busy at work & home at min which i agree is good.
keeps mind & body active
im away this weekend so be good to relax with the family.
how are you around christmas?
its only round the corner!!!!!!!!
i enjoy being cold & christmasy
take care
r
laura45992 rob37052
Posted
Hey Rob!
This will be my first holiday season with all of these issues, so it will be interesting to see how I do. Unfortunately, where I live doesnt get much snow if any, but I do love the Christmas season!
I hope your weekend away goes well. How are you doing otherwise? Feeling any better? Are you still at 15mg?
rob37052 laura45992
Posted
hi laura
had a great weekend away thanks, went to a lovley old town & ate nice food & chilled & chatted!
im still on 15 but i want to drop to 10, i dont like pill splitting, i still feel that spaced out feel, im going to drop to 10 in next week. ive been on 15 for 12 + weeks now so im going to see how i feel. i ll then stay on 10 for as long as i need.
i hope your still doing good
r.