A step backwards

Posted , 6 users are following.

So, I am not quite 2 weeks in taking 20mg each morning of Cit. Started off real bad with huge anxiety and insomnia, and being kept awake all night with panic, flashbacks, etc. I came right, and had a great couple of days. Then, slowly it started creeping back in again. The occasional wakefullness has now developed into full blown insomnia again with now 2 nights in a row with no sleep whatsoever and feeling anxious and looking forward to the day this is finally over (regardless of how that may happen). I have considered melatonin but have heard that it can counteract Cit. Worried about having to take sleeping pills because it is a struggle taking CIt guilt free. Then to add to it, but also that drowsy feeling in the morning after a fake sleep on sleeping pills worries me. Who is still battling with insomnia and has taken a step backwards, is this normal? I know it is early days but I hear of some people contiuing on with insomina forever! Arghhhh. I am already a crap sleeper but had come right before taking this. Look forward to your ideas and advice. 

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • Posted

    And changing to taking the pill at night time freaks me out because this sounds like a real temperamental drug that with any change, the slde effects come back. 
    • Posted

      I just changed mine to night for about 4 days seemed ok the out of nowhere Friday night the anxiety fogginess and headaches started again I'm switching back to regular time and hope all goes back to normal so all I can say is be careful when switching, I've talked to a lot of people who changed times with no issues but for me it was no good I was down to only having slight fogginess for 2 hrs everyday and now I'm lucky to have 2 hrs free of it

  • Posted

    Hi Caro,

    I've heard that insomnia is one of the most notorious side effects of this medicine and it will pass later.!

    I'm not sure if that eventually happens as I myself just started on this medication Friday but now I'm only on 5 milligrams and going up to 10mg tonight for a week then level off at 20mg. I initially took mine in the morning and it made me so disoriented, sleepy, dizzy and sick all day So I switched to taking them at night infact last night was my first night taking it at night and I didn't experience any insomnia although I woke up earlier than my usual time but I felt definitely refreshed from the sleep so no worries there. So far so good for me but maybe I'll have insomnia once I go up to 10mg or 20mg who knows.

    Maybe they should have started you off slowly maybe 5,10mg to start then work up to 20mg.

    But I hope the insomnia goes away though at least I've heard it eventually subsides.

  • Posted

    Did you talk to your doctor? My doctor prescribed me Xanax for the insomnia. I know you said you didn't want to get a "fake sleep", but it really does help. I am only on day 4 and I take it at night because my doctor said I should to avoid the other side effects...but it ends up making me toss and turn unless I take the Xanax. I only take it when I have to work early or something.

  • Posted

    Hello

    Try taking Cit about half an hour before bed, you will sleep well and awake more refreashed

    Good Luck

    • Posted

      I might have to try that. I take mine later at night, about 9pm-ish. If I take my Xanax along with it, sometimes it gives me racey, sometimes erratic thoughts when I'm laying down...very weird.

  • Posted

    Hi carol,

    Recovery takes quite a while and I mean weeks and months. It's normal to want to rush things but these drugs WILL work but it is no quick fix.

    I've read on here that people are really scared of taking these tablets and I get it but as you will find you are not given them to make you feel worse. We are all different but if you just carry on and persever you will be okay.

  • Posted

    Hi Caro,

    I've had 3 wks on 10mg and 10wks on 20 mgs. Mostly got over the horrific nausea and anxiety surges but for me, I just cannot sleep more than 3/4hrs in total per night - and that's a good night. That includes waking 1-2 hrs after going to sleep and then every hour after that, that's if I get back to sleep.

    I'm going to have another chat with my GP tomorrow as he had offered me amitriptyline, just a small dose to take with the citalopram which I take at night. I've refused up till now but I'm back at work soon and will need to be able to sleep to be able to concentrate at work.

    On the other subject of when to take citalopram, I tried switching to lunchtime and it totally threw me, anxiety was through the roof again so I've gone back to 9pm!

    I do feel so much better and am functioning better but just need to sleep !!

    • Posted

      Man...I was on Citalopram about 5 years ago and don't remember the insomnia being bad. I take it later at night also, between 8-10pm when I get off work. I'm afraid to take it before work or in the middle of the day also...especially a job that demands my concentration, it usually messes with that.

    • Posted

      I first took mine during the day time and it destroyed me, I couldn't focus, sleepy, I was so disoriented. It was awful so now I take it at night around 8 and it's working just fine.

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