Posted , 3 users are following.
hows everyone doing im 4 weeks in 20 mg Citalapram and ever so slowly i feel a little better but not where i want to be. im assuming significant changes happen between now and 6 weeks. Still an Anxious wreck first thing. but i can feel if i look back 4 weeks im further forward but only slightly. Less anxious during the day. But cheer me up folks post if your further along than me.
0 likes, 12 replies
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ian90586 mike30343
Edited
Hi mike,I wouldn't assume that significant changes happen after 6 weeks, that's not how they work. You might be lucky but usually changes happen over the long term as your brain and your system gets used to the medication and increasing Serotonin. The same as you say you looked back and can see slight improvement, that's how things usually continue to work. Change happens so slowly you won't even notice, that's why it's good to keep a journal so that you can look back to see the improvement that has been made. Along that journey you can expect some setbacks as well,when you feel you've gone backwards,and that is normal so don't get discouraged. Sometimes it's two steps forward,one step back. That's when you need encouragement to continue as you are, and not go back to the doctor to raise your dosage thinking their not working. Stay on the path,head down and keep going until you can look back and see how far you've got. That usually means months not weeks,but you will get there. Good luck.
mike30343 ian90586
Posted
Thanks Ian. appreciate that mate. i get everything your saying i dont want to rush any decision to raise meds .
ian90586 mike30343
Posted
yes,give it 11-12 weeks at least before even thinking of increasing. My experience is that the heightened anxiety and periods of low mood improve around 12 weeks. After that, improvement continues as time goes on. It's a rocky road towards recovery and it's not pleasant. You're definitely not on your own in experiencing all the horrible symptoms of anxiety, especially in the beginning. Try to accept everything as part of the recovery process that everyone has to go through,and be patient. Takes time. Keep posting on here for support.
mike30343 ian90586
Posted
thanks again Ian. i just wish i could deal with the morning over thinking and agitation. but i guess that comes with time. its a horrible condition. How long have you been on the tablets and have
you seen an improvement .
ian90586 mike30343
Edited
Not on Citalopram now,I'm taking another SSRI, Fluvoxamine at the moment but they all work in a similar way. Been on Citalopram a few times for years at 30,20 and 10mg. Takes about 12 weeks overall to see improvement. The longer you take them the better though and help yourself along the way,diet, exercise, meditation,CBT and mindfulness helped me. Concentration on the day,not the past or the future,on the small tasks at hand and nothing else. Don't use the what ifs and the chatterbox in your mind asking constant questions. What if this medication doesn't work,what if I don't get better,what if the side effects don't go,etc etc self mind torture. Try to accept that it's just sensitised nerves and stress causing weird sensations and if they don't go then no problems, it's not gonna kill you,just a pain in the backside. Acceptance is the key to beating anxiety like a reed that bends with the wind as the wise ones say. If you don't bend you'll snap.
TaraLin mike30343
Edited
Hey Mike,
I've been on Citalopram for almost 11 weeks; I started at 5mg, quickly went to 10mg, then stayed at 15mg for the longest time, and now I'm almost 4 weeks at 20mg. I was feeling a significant improvement at 9 weeks, then got Covid and even though the Covid only lasted about 10 days, it setback the anxiety/Citalopram progress. The docs say that's totally normal, for your body to pause the adjustment if you're dealing with another illness. It's still frustrating, so I empathize with where you are in your process. I hope you are starting to feel some improvements.
I'm also a nervous wreck in the morning. I hear that is common, in part, because Cortisol levels in the body are naturally higher in the morning and we are more sensitive to that while adjusting to Citalopram. For me, I also experience at random stomach discomfort, eye sensitivity, random aches, and fatigue from my body being tense all the time. It does get better over time, so we just have to keep being patient and trust that the body is making a huge adaptation (because it is!). You are well on your way, so hang in there.
mike30343 TaraLin
Edited
thanks for taking time out to respond its a comfort to know were all in this together
TaraLin mike30343
Posted
Sure! Interacting with people on this forum has really helped me be less afraid of the struggle and all the weird side effects, so I try to contribute as well, in case I can be supportive or reassuring to someone else. It does help to feel less alone. I'm betting that in these stressful times a lot more people are adjusting to an SSRI than we could even imagine.
mike30343 TaraLin
Edited
im on a Citalapram facebook support group its great as well more people on it and more interaction from a lot more posts. But this forum has helped as well its been great. How far down the line are you with Meds if u dont mind me asking
TaraLin mike30343
Edited
I don't mind at all. I've been on Citalopram for 11 weeks. I was starting to feel improved at 9 weeks, but then I got Covid and now for some reason I feel like I'm starting all over. Lots of anxiety, fatigue, funk. What is the Facebook group called? I would like to check it out. Needing all the encouragement right now...
mike30343 TaraLin
Edited
its on facebook called Citalopram support group really good some really helpful people on it.hope to see you on it. more helpful chat with other people as well 8/10 posts a day.
TaraLin mike30343
Posted
Thanks, Mike! I'll check it out.