Citalopram not helping

Posted , 9 users are following.

HI there day 9 of it, 10mg not helping my internal treamberling g, or my anxiety, waking up 5 then big adrenalin rushes, peaks then goes down left shakeing, then again when I wake 8pm, then feel sweating my body, anyone else sweat when they wake up on Citalopram, many thanks 58 year old,

0 likes, 21 replies

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  • Posted

    I'm afraid it makes things worse before it gets better, as well as the added side effects....it feels like a losing battle. It does get better over time, but you need a heck load of will power. Have you asked your GP about getting diazepam or propanolol to help in the mean time? The propanolol helps to reduce the physical symptoms. Diazepam helps to take the edge off of the really bad days.

    If you read over my previous posts I was desperate and often felt it wasn't working for me, but it has and still is but I'm well on my way to feeling my old self again.

  • Posted

    Hi. Citalopram takes just over two weeks to build up in the system and then it takes a few more weeks for the body to get used to the new medication. It's worth persevering though. The side-effects will diminish and the benefits will eventually kick in. Good luck. It will work.

    • Posted

      I'm 3 mos into this , had to go down to 5mg, just now starting to almost feel normal. on lorazapam too. sometimes the lorazapam Seems to interact with the citalopram. just trying to move forward with all of this. yes, you do need willpower. my doc says I will eventually adjust to everything. hang in there susan

    • Posted

      HI couldn't you tolerate 10mg , I feel numb today, what brand name are you on please

  • Posted

    Hi. sorry you're having such a hard time of it at the moment. I'm afraid what you are experiencing is 'normal'. 9 days is really early. it took me nearly 4 months to settle into it this time. don't freak out at that though, it usually takes people between 6-12 weeks for ALL of the gnarly anxious sweaty energy sapping side effects to wear off. it's really worth it in the end but I'm afraid you'll need to stay strong and ride it out. show your nearest and dearest the replies you get on here so they can understand a bit better. hang in there. the first few weeks are the worst and if you're lucky you'll be through it soon. loads of us on here have gone through or are going through the same thing. you're not going nuts, it's side effects. good luck.

  • Posted

    Just chipping in to agree with all of the above. It's a really up and down ride and 9 days is super early. 9 weeks here and just been thru a horrid blip week. It happens....

    You will feel better eventually but you have to hang in there for a few months.... This place is great for support, and realistic guidance on time frames. GPs tend to be wildly over optimistic about time frames for recovery.

    Xxx

    • Posted

      I couldn't agree more about GPs' time frames. They seem to want to up the dose far, far too quickly. "Oh, it's not working. Let's increase the dose"! I often wonder how many GPs have been through the first few weeks of Citalopram "hell".

    • Posted

      Not many, I would suspect.... Cos if they had, or had really researched anti ds, they would not make such daft statements.

      Honestly! My locum gp told me I should increase because I didn't improve in the first 3 weeks.... am so glad I ignored that advice.

  • Posted

    Thank you everyone, but feel like it's blocking my emotions, no happyness feelings, not sure if to go back down to 5mg, or try cbdoil with it,

  • Posted

    Thank you everyone, but feel like it's blocking my emotions, no happyness feelings, not sure if to go back down to 5mg, or try cbdoil with it,

  • Posted

    Can anyone tell me the brand name you are on please,

    • Posted

      Hi. In the UK the brand is chosen by the pharmacy fulfilling the Citalopram prescription. I've had Aurobindo, Rivipharm and Almus (registered trademark of Mylan). There's also a company called Teva who specialise in generic medication but I don't think I've had their Citalopram. For what it's worth, I can't tell the difference between brands.

    • Posted

      i have tried different brands and i can't tell the difference neither.

  • Posted

    Yes, that feeling of having no emotions at first is totally normal. You don't feel bad, but you don't feel good either. Don't worry, 10mg is a low dose, and that feeling does go away. But it takes time.

    There are so many different things to factor in. Eg I have been on 10mg for nearly 9 weeks. Was doing well, had started to feel better, have just had half term holiday and had lots of plans and right at the beginning of the week came down with a cold and now feeling anxious and crappy again. Setbacks, or blips, are all part of recovery.

    Of course it's totally up to you if you supplement with something else. However, you have to make sure there are no interactions that could stop the citalopram from working. Go carefully.

    I think I've seen on here that people take cbd oil... I'm even wondering about some of the supplements I take, and whether or not they help. I've been taking the herbal preparation rhodiola, but am not totally sure that I should be doing that in conjunction with the cit.

  • Posted

    Hi. as regards blocking your emotions. a general malaise and a feeling of meh 'can't be bothered' emotionally blunted apathy is a recognised side effect that I struggled with. it passes. hang in there. you're on a longer road than you thought but for most the destination is worth the journey.

    • Posted

      I suffered with this too. I was convinced my anxiety was becoming depression....it soon lifted. It really takes time, its so hard. You will get there though!! 😃

    • Posted

      I started on 20mg initially and after a difficult period of ups and downs (more downs) I increased to 30mg after my GP's advice and things are improving for me a lot!!

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