Citalopram Day 18

Posted , 3 users are following.

Hello to all .First time here with a post but have read alot from all of you on here.My prayers to you going through this so.Day 18 on citalopram.an wow what a coaster ride.Feelings all over from dizzy to light headed.cant sleep Was in between jobs an whack got hit wirh this from left field.When will the light come back on .Attacks have subsided mostly but anxious constant what more can i do besides go all for the ride.Thank you to anyone that my she'd light for me.Robert.

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6 Replies

  • Edited

    Hi Robert.

    Hope you are doing well today. As you've seen, yes citalopram can be a journey. Sometimes it can feel that its not working at all or that you will never get better. This is my 3rd time on it and it does indeed work. Just takes a little longer that what the doctors say (I was told 2 weeks) For me I started on 5mg and then after 2 weeks went up to 10mg I eventually kept going up to until I hit 25mg and the felt like the sweet spot for me, a few weeks after starting 25mg I felt much better, but it was 3 months after I started on 5mg. Some people different doses work. I had major ups and downs, It started with the odd good day but then a few bad days, then Id have a good few days and bad days and then a good week and bad week. I then got Covid which was quite rough for me and put my head into a bad space, but I bounced back quite quickly and have now had a few months of feeling really good. The big thing that helped me too was exercising, try and get your heart racing, so if its just to start off with a 10 min run, try that or whatever you feel works for you, but try increasing it each time, make it game, that way you feel there are tangible improvements to notice. I also started taking notes in my phone whenever I felt good. That way I could look back when I was feeling down and show my self that it hasnt all been bad. These drugs are a life saver, but they do take time, so try to be patient with yourself, you will get there

    • Posted

      Robbie thank you.Your words really help.Its so scary on some of the bad days as it comes out of no where for no reason.But not giving up I want me back.Have great wife an daughters.an there all great on support just feel like on top of it all I'm letting them down in way.Dr's coming up on the Oct 7th just trying to find right words of describing how I've felt.Was bit scary call Dr's on Monday an asked should I still be feeling dizzy an such immediately she said maybe you should stop I'm like what about all good it's done thus far with the attacks oh just take it at different time of day then.im like wow.I take it in the morning as I work overnights.This way most of dizziness is while I'm sleep. Sorry I started to ramble.Thank you again on your input.Robert

    • Posted

      Hi Robert.

      Hope you are doing a little better today. There is a great person on here called "KateCogs" who was super helpful for me to read when I was going through the worst of my anxiety.

      I totally get what you are saying about feeling like you are letting your family down, I was convinced I was driving my partner nuts when I was at my worst. But the reality is it brought us closer together. Its ok to vulnerable and its ok to go through a rough patch, it does not define you anymore than someone who has any other illness. If someone else in your family was experiencing this, would you feel that they were letting you down?

      I have actually come to a place of gratitude for this experience, as I needed a course correction in my life and this was what was needed for that to happen.

      If I were you, unless the dizziness if really bad, then I would maybe try to stick with the citalopram until you see the doctor.

      In the meantime, supplements that helped me with some of the symptoms are GABA, Valerian at night before bed and camomile tea.

      try to be gentle and kind to yourself. You will get through this and sooner than you might think, all other thoughts are just the anxiety.

    • Posted

      Well Robbie this is definitely hard.Im now at the point I'm missing excess work.Had to call works holiness an have things fax to give to Dr.if he don't sign them I'm out of my employment. Employer has a point system So on top of all else trying to cope now this is in my head.It is just so odd how in moments I can go from feeling so good to poof terrible. Also afraid what if Dr takes me off then will attacks come bk. It is on Domino after another don't have anyone to talk to besides here an my Dr an my spouse.insurance won't cover therapy unless I've been off 30 days or more how does that help a person like really just feel so alone.So day 22 just starting my 4th week hope something magical happens I side with this or I'm out of answers.on where to turn.

    • Posted

      Hi Robert.

      That is a lot to deal with and I'm sorry your going through that. But you are going through this and it will not last forever. Your doctor will sign that letter as you have proven you are struggling by even being on this medication, so i would not worry about that. For me when I focus on the positives it really helps. You mention that you are able to have really good moments, that in itself is amazing, in time those moments will last longer and longer. You could consider low/no cost therapy where you work with therapists in their last year of training, you can do these via Zoom in most cases. Also, is there any exercise that you have been able to do?

      Keep hanging on in there and reminding your self that this is just a short period in your life and there there is life beyond this.

      Take care

    • Posted

      i like the idea of writing notes in my phone describing the good days to remind myself when i get a blip day. this is really good advice

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