A Citalopram Diary (swapping from Sertraline)

Posted , 3 users are following.

Prologue

Sertraline for 3 years(150mg). Tapered to 100mg for 3 days and took my first 20mg dose of Citalopram last night.

Day 1

OK so...took my first dose last night. Woke up this morning feeling like I hadn't slept...headachy and a bit trembly but my mood was actually pretty good. Didn't feel like I could go to work and be very productive so have taken the day off to adjust. Big mistake. I fell asleep and woke up an absolute emotional wreck. I always wonder how my mind manages it in the space of 2 and a bit hours. Crying, feeling of dread, hopelessness...the works. I am going to make the effort and get up in a min but I think I'm going to stay around my friends until this transition period is over. I don't want to be alone. I'll keep you all updated.

1 like, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • Posted

    Morning Mistedmind,

    You certainly aren't alone and to prove this I thought I'd answer your post right away.

    I do not know if you have to taper off Sertraline in a certain and if you haven't whether or not it makes a difference when swapping over to Cita?

    However, there are added extras (side effects - sound too negative) with Cita and some of what you are experiencing sound familiar. Hopefully, you will adjust quickly, but Cita takes time and no one can say how long as we are all individuals and it depends what this sticking plaster for the brain has to repair and how much damage there is. Please note that Cita can cause anxiety to be anle to treat it! Crazy, but true however, it has worked for me and some do see a change after a few weeks.

    It is brilliant what you are doing, in the form of a kind of diary as it will help you to get things in perspective and help others at the same time. Plus I should think you'll get a good response from many people. Saying that just be careful not to get too much information over load or get phased by it all. 

    Welcome to the Club! This is a very good place to be and if you have a Family member or friend that understands or would like to learn more then get them reading and helping with posts. Someone close by is an excellent idea and you're possibly already there with that suggestion anyway! Regular appointments to discuss things with your GP is important and of course you have us to help too!

    Look forward to your posts and Good Luck!

    Regards,

    David

    • Posted

      Thank you David, this has given me a nice boost today...much needed to say the least.

      Mist

  • Posted

    Day 2

    Well good morning/afternoon,

    I have managed to drag my butt into work reluctantly. Struggling to get up in the morning and was incredibly anxious coming into work. Wasn't too bad when I got in here just the tremendous feeling of sickness! Been steadily getting worse and very tearful. Just spoken to my boss about it, there's only three of us in the company (we are very small) and I just feel like I'm a massive burden on both of them as they are both going through their own issues at the moment. Having to have days off work, putting extra pressure on them both.

    One weird..."extra" I keep having hot flushes. Is this normal? I daren't read the long list of ideas effects for fear of not taking them. I just don't remember having hot flushes when starting the sertraline.

    Anyway that's about it...feelings of being a burden, losing my job etc etc etc. All having no real evidence to support the feeling but they are there nonetheless.

    Until tomorrow

    Much love

  • Posted

    Day 3

    OK...baby steps. I feel better this morning emotionally, I am at work :D only issue atm is.....hayfever.

    Well if it isn't one thing it's another...though I would much rather have hayfever all year round then my recent but here's hoping the cit is starting to take over from the sertraline.

  • Posted

    Small update...went to the doctors being as I looked like quazimodo this morning with my hayfever. Been prescribed fexofenadine 180mg per day and propranolol 40mg as and when.

    Forgot how dizzy propranolol can make me but boy do I feel calmer. Anyway bed time...here's hoping I can actually will myself out of bed tomorrow morning.. been struggling as of late just due to the citalopram...so tired.

    Night night all

  • Posted

    Dose 5

    I'm changing it to doses or I'm getting myself confused. I feel much improved these last couple of days in the morning in terms of mental state.

    I think the cit and propranolol are working at the moment. Its always nice to have a good couple of days because it really helps to get out of the vicious cycle as you begin to trust the meds and yourself. The more light at the end of the tunnel you feel the more chance there is of reaching it.

    Here's hoping people have an improvement day today!

    • Posted

      Keep the positivity for when you feel a little down. Just re-read your posts and remind yerself with the fact that things aren't always bad!

      You will get there, just please be aware of the blips you may or may not get! If you don't get any I want to know the secret! Lol!

      Regards,

      David

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