Been put on citalopram for anxiety and not sleeping, sleeping is worse!
Posted , 6 users are following.
I have been taking these pills for about 10 days and initially the side effects were awful, nausea, sick, no appetite, more anxious and virtually no sleep. After taking first pill in morning I realised it made me sleepy so switched to taking before bed in the hope it would help with my sleeping. Unfortunately not - did get one good night at weekend and felt so much better yesterday but last night it's like back to square one. Anyone got similar experience - currently on 10mg citalopram and don't see doctor again till November.
0 likes, 33 replies
holly_t valerie85524
Posted
Don't worry unfortunately these horrible side effects are totally normal. Were you sleeping before the citalopram? I had anxiety because of severe insomnia and insomnia because of sever anxiety, it was feeding itself. The initial side effects of course made this 10 times worse and I couldn't sleep at all. Was sobbing at my doctors surgery which is not like me at all. She gave me zopiclone for a week and I didn't want to take them as they're highly addictive but I did when I was desperate. I took about 4 spread over a week or so and went back to my doctor to say I didn't want them anymore. Anyway she gave me amitriptyline to take at night alongside the citalpram - it is non addictive and you can stop taking it whenever you're ready. I took them for about 2-3 weeks and was fine. I'm now around 10 weeks in to citalpram and pretty much sleep like a baby.
Honestly, I NEVER thought I'd sleep again. I'm sorry you're experiencing this as I know how awful it is. If you look through my old posts you'll see how desperate I was.
You will be fine just try to stick it out if you can
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valerie85524 holly_t
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thanks for for taking time to get back to me. This is the first time I have ever posted anything online, so surprised to have had two responses so quickly. My story is similar to yours in that I have had severely disrupted sleep for over a year with varies worries that led to a bad bout of anxiety that I just couldn't work through on my own. Have had awful side effects but the worst now is the lack of sleep. having read your post if I have another sleepless night tonight I think I will speak to the doctor about it. Many thanks it does help to talk to fellow sufferers.
Val
valerie85524 holly_t
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Val
elizabeth20203 valerie85524
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holly_t valerie85524
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I'm not pill pushing at all, just telling you my experience
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valerie85524 holly_t
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thanks for that information, it gives me something to discuss with the doctor, sooner rather than later if today's anything to judge by. Think it's slmost harder having had one reasonable night and day at the weekend then bang , feels like back to square one. Definitely feel my anxiety is worse when I have hardly any sleep. Also terrible burning pain over shoulders, neck and chest . Don't know how people carry on with their work like this at least I have worked from home for years. I've found since starting tablets I am less likely to go out than before too.
Thanks for for your replies
Aspinan valerie85524
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regarding not seeing Dr until November you don't have to stick to that timescale it's only a suggestion, if you would like to speak to your GP you can make an earlier appointment, alternatively email the surgery with your concerns or issues, or ask that the GP calls you for a telephone consultation as they do set aside time in their days to make home tel calls.
GP's are a lot more flexible as they have to be!
valerie85524 Aspinan
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Val
elizabeth20203 valerie85524
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valerie85524 elizabeth20203
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i tried Nytol before I was prescribed the citalopram but it really did have a bad effect on me next day, so not too keen to try it again. Having said that it might be different now I am on these. Before going on to citalopram my doctor tried me on beta blockers and sleeping tablet called zopiclone 3.75mg up to two per night which I only tried three nights on one a night, they helped a bit but not enough to warrant risk of getting addicted, so I stopped them. Maybe they would be ok to try again with citalopram but should maybe check with doctor first? I currently take the citalopram at eight pm but wonder if shifting a couple of hours back would have any effect. I was given no advice from doctor when best to take. Sounds like trial and error .
Val
elizabeth20203 valerie85524
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valerie85524 elizabeth20203
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just to say along with other things as described in reply to Holly I took my tablet at 6pm rather than 8pm as it you said it helped you, not sure if that helped or if it was the other stuff I tried but last night I had a better sleep, even if that only happens a few days a week it would be a great help. Fingers crossed - thanks again for posting, it really helps to talk to others here in same position.
Val
elizabeth20203 valerie85524
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elizabeth20203 valerie85524
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valerie85524 elizabeth20203
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thanks for your replies, might give the banana one a try and take pill a bit earlier see if it helps, anything is worth a try.
will keep posting if I find anything helpful.
Val
holly_t valerie85524
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