Anxiety back, gone, now BACK again
Posted , 5 users are following.
I first posted here about 6-7 weeks ago. After 5 years of being on 40 mg of Citalopram and doing really well (not so much as a blip), my anxiety was back. I wasn't sure if the Citalopram had "pooped out" as they say, or if it was due to other factors such as the long winter we had.
?I went in to the doctor and got a new prescription for the generic of Lexapro, thinking I would switch to that, starting out at 10 mg. I chickened out though and never switched. I stuck with the Citalopram. After about 2-3 weeks, the anxiety seemed to go away. I felt *almost* back to myself, with a few little (very manageable) blips. This lasted about 2 weeks.
?Now, as of three days ago, the anxiety is back, seemingly out of nowhere. My appetite is completely gone (a big sign something is awry, since I love to eat), digestive issues, sleep problems, all the fun that goes along with it. I'm also experiencing some depression this time around, which is very unusual for me. I wonder if that's from the Citalopram no longer working? Do you get withdrawals effects?
?Anyway, it seems clear now I need to try something else, as much as I'm dreading the switch (another sign my anxiety is ramped up. In the past I'd just shrug my shoulders at the thought of switching and think, "Something else will work"
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?Any words of advice for the switch (I'll be switching to the Lexapro I already have a prescription for). Has anyone switched SSRIs with a minimal amount of side effects?
0 likes, 16 replies
rob37052 kelly58470
Posted
Hi Kelly, I was on paroxatine for 5 years & tapered off, had an awful time & my doctor recommended me to go on citalopram, it was a bit rocky I have to say with the brain zaps but they do become less & less. I’m no doctor but I would imagine they’ll be something in the line of side effects switching from one to another. I learnt that accept them, don’t fight it & you will start to feel yourself again, sit tight it will be ok
Hope helps r.😊
kelly58470 rob37052
Posted
Thanks for your reply! I had awful start up effects on the Citalopram, so I'm really dreading switching!
?When the anxiety first came back 6 weeks ago, I started taking 5 mg of Melatonin each night to help with sleep. Being that I know several people who take and it's so easily bought OTC, it didn't occur to me to look up side effects. I did tonight, wondering if the melatonin could be causing my stomach troubles.
?Sure enough, I read that melatonin can sometimes cause not just stomach problems, but depression, and irritability. Oops. Also, you're supposed to start with a really low dose, like under a mg. Another oops.
?So, now the plan is to cut out the melatonin and see what happens. Fortunately, I have a prescription to trazadone to help with insomnia that I take when needed. I just figured it would be better to take the melatonin instead. I've taken the trazadone off and on for 5 years (as needed), so I know I tolerate it well.
will20275 kelly58470
Posted
Hi Kelly,
I had tried 3mg of melatonin and what a nightmare that was. I only took it 2 nights and did sleep a little bit I had spacey and foggy and panic anxiety setting in. Good luck keep us posted please of how you are doing.
Will😎
kelly58470
Posted
Still no improvement in my mood, sleep, or appetite. I could definitely stand to lose some weight, so I guess that's not necessarily a bad thing! (Silver linings, right?)
?I'm leaning more and more towards switching to escitalopram. Just the fact that I've spent so much time and energy and worry pondering over this makes me realize I'm not myself.
will20275 kelly58470
Posted
Kelly,
Go for a walk during the day. It helps tire you. Try meditation and really focus on it. I know this is easier said then done but try not to dwell on not sleeping distract yourself with white noise and the meditation Apps. I fall asleep with my headphones in a lot. Good luck! I’m praying for you🙏🏻.
Will😎
kelly58470 will20275
Posted
Thanks, Will :-). I've been going for a lot of walks, and it definitely does help me immensely. I've never tried meditation, but I might have to one of these days: it seems to help a lot of people. We do have a fan we run in our bedroom all the time, at a fairly high setting, for white noise. I have prescription sleeping meds that I've been having to take to sleep, which I'm not thrilled about doing but at least I do sleep then:-). I wait and take them after midnight so I can at least attempt to fall asleep on my own. Today, I actually slept until my alarm went off, which is progress: I had been waking up earlier, and then been unable to fall back asleep.
will20275 kelly58470
Posted
Hey Kelly,
I feel the same way with the meds for sleeping but that is why we have them to help us. I feel better after sleeping. Go on Utube Rebekah Borucki and do her meditation. Start at a short one about breathing. That fabulous you slept till the alarm👍🏼🙏🏻🙏🏻😇😇
I’m jealous!!!!
Keep up the great work.
Will😎
kelly58470 will20275
Posted
I've started telling myself, who cares if I'm on sleeping meds for the rest of my life. Many people are. I'm going to pick up some Sominex this weekend, and see if it works if I take that in the middle of the night. That way, I could use the Sominex a few nights a week, and the prescription stuff the rest of the nights.
?But....I actually fell asleep on my own last night! I fully planned to have to get out of bed around 1 for the sleeping med; instead, I fell asleep by 11:30 and then slept straight through until my son woke me at 5:20. That's very unusual for me; as even when I don't have insomnia I'm up at least once in the night.
lois95799 kelly58470
Posted
Becareful with that sominex and also melatonin..my phychiatrist says don't take these they interfere with your recovery..but that only if your taking celexa..
will20275 kelly58470
Posted
It’s the walking that helped you sleep. I take Xanax I cut pill in half so I have a small dose to help me sleep.0nly about 2-3 x a week. Your probably better with the prescription than the sominex. Ask the pharmacist.i just saw what Lois responded. She is a God send with advice. 😇👍🏻 Good luck and hopefully we sleep great tonight!
Will😎
kelly58470 lois95799
Posted
Thanks, Lois! I'll have to go some googling before I try the sominex, for sure. Not just drug interactions, but side effects of Sominex.
kelly58470 will20275
Posted
Thanks, Will! Yes, hopefully we'll both catch a lot of ZZZZZs!
will20275 kelly58470
Posted
Kelly,
How are you doing. I’m off this weekend and Monday. I’ve gotten lazy especially today with the severe change in temps yesterday 92 and today 50’s. I slept 8 hrs both nights so far! And I’m yawning a lot. It must have something to do with allergy’s. Let me know how you are.
Will😎
kelly58470 will20275
Posted
Hi, Will!
?That's awesome that you slept 8 hours two nights in a row!! A definite sign that your anxiety levels are down.
?I'm doing okay. I'm still having to take my trazedone to sleep, but only one pill, so that's good:-). I have a strong feeling of dread each morning when I wake up; that plus the anxious thoughts stick around all morning and early afternoon, and usually die down later in the day.
Today, we had a picnic at a nearby lake, and I actually ate an entire piece of chicken, and later had a chocolate malt, and drank the whole darn thing! I had been just nibbling on food very sporadically for the past 10 days, so that was good:-).
?How are you doing?
will20275 kelly58470
Posted
Hi Kelly,
I’m ok. I went for a nice 1 1/2 mile walk before. I’m dealing with head pain today. Like someone sticking a needle in my head. And my ears are clogged. My upper gums are bothering me again. Other wise I’m ok. Part of it I think has to do with my allergies. ????
Will😎
PS I’m not having panic attacks so I’m very happy.
lois95799 will20275
Posted