Posted , 6 users are following.
Hi
I've been taking citalopram for 5 days now for extreme anxiety with no improvements. My doctor rang me this morning & asked me to go in at 11 she said 'because we're not getting anywhere'. But I'm so worried now because isn't 5 days too short to know whether it's working or not? I'm scared she's going to put me on something else and I'll be worse?
0 likes, 29 replies
katecogs rw79630
Posted
You will be feeling worse right now. It gets worse before it gets better. This is normal.
Recovery needs to be counted in months, not days or weeks.
K x
rw79630 katecogs
Posted
I'm not sure why she wants to see me if its too early? Do you think she'll up my dose or is it too early to do that as well?
Should i just refuse to change medication if thats what she suggests?
Thanks
Rebecca x
katecogs rw79630
Posted
I would not change meds - def no. Increasing your dose is ok but be aware that your side effects may feel worse again. I'd let the dose you're on settle first, let the side effects wear off before considering increasing.
I recovered on 20mg, but everyone is different. If you're feeling bad at the moment then I'd wait until 3-4 weeks before increasing?
xx
rw79630 katecogs
Posted
Did you also start off on 10mg? How long before they put you on 20mg?
xx
katecogs rw79630
Posted
You our don't have to change meds. It's your choice. Be determined.
Good luck and let us know how you get on xxx
rw79630 katecogs
Posted
Carrying on with the 10mg citalopram.
The no appetite is really getting to me now. I feel so weak & I can feel i've lost a lot of weight (im small anyway). I'm hungry but if i even think about eating I feel nautious
xxx
katecogs rw79630
Posted
Propranolol are beta blockers, and can help take the edge off the anxiety until you've stabilized on the Citalopram more I expect.
Your appetite. I'd really suggest you just have soup - it's quite wholesome and easy to eat. Just a small bowl. Every meal should be really small and on a small plate or a bowl, but as long as its a little something. Maybe even icecream? Something sugary is good if you feel weak at the moment. Just something that's fairly easy to get down. Even one mouthful is better than none. Make sure you drink enough too - water, tea, coffee etc. Better to have liquids at the moment than solids.
Do you make your own meals or is there anyone who can do them?
K x
Noolie rw79630
Posted
It does sound very strange. The only explanation I can find, is that she plans to switch you to a faster working anti anxiety drug like Pregabalin, because you are so tormented. I am sure that she does NOT expect Citalopram to take effect within a few days.
Noolie
Posted
Sorry, she might also plan to updose.
Did you start on 10 or 20 mg?
rw79630 Noolie
Posted
katecogs rw79630
Posted
There is no quick fix from this illness. It will happen slowly, but it WILL happen. You will get better. Just don't rush things - trust in the meds.
Many people here have had years of experience on these meds and have had first hand how they work.
You need one SSRI medication, one dose, other meds to help if needed but they can make you feel too spaced out.
Time, determination and much patience is needed.
I've been there, we all have. It's horrible I know, but you're going through side effects st the mo xxx
Noolie rw79630
Posted
With help from this forum, I made the right decision, and soon I will be ready to increase my dose.
I know how frightened you are, I was exactly the same place, but it will get better, I promise you that!
I am not a doctor so I cannot give you advice, but I made the choice to stabilize before updosing again, and I made the right decision.
rw79630 Noolie
Posted
I am staying on 10mg of citalopram for the time being, Ive been told to stop the lorazepam and have been given propranolol instead.
Did you ever lose your appetite? I had about 3 weeks being sick all day and night but that has stopped for 2 days, but still dont want to eat anything
Guest rw79630
Posted
Take the opportunity to discuss with her how you feel. I agree with the others, 5 days is too early to tell if it's working or not. Use the appointment to your advantage, sometimes talking about your feelings and having reassurance helps a great deal, that's why I use this site.
If you are happy to continue on your current dose then tell her so. If she is happy to let you do that then fine. I hope all turns out well for you. Best wishes.
rw79630 Guest
Posted
I am continuing on my current dose for now & have been given propranolol to take. Really dont like all these medications as i bet i will struggle coming off them all
Noolie rw79630
Posted
Actually, I have been in that specific situation in 2005.
I suffered a stress related depression, after working 17 hours per day, 7 days a week for several years. I did not see the signs, and I crashed very hard.
I barely ate for 1.5 months and lost I 30 pounds. I was a total wreck and I never thought that I would get back on my feet, but I did. With the help of Citalopram and CBT, I became even stronger than before.
This time, I have started Citalopram before hitting rock buttom, but I have lost around 10 pounds in one month.
It is SO important that you try to eat just a bit. If only half a toast, or some apple, it really makes a difference.
Keep in close contact with your doctor, and gather as much support around you as possible. When we crash, we get so frightened that we need for others to teel us that we will be ok, because our minds tell us that it will never end... IT WILL!!!
Keep posting.
Sorry about my english, I am from Denmark.
rw79630 Noolie
Posted
Oh its awful isnt it?! I don't own scales luckily otherwise i'd be obsessing and panicing about how much weight ive lost, i know its a lot though as my clothes are a lot looser.
I've managed to eat a bit more today, still not enough though but i pretty much have to force feed myself... really dont feel like eating!
I took 20mg propranolol about an hour ago, still feel anxious I'm starting to think my mind is too powerful for these drugs to work! I can't seem to stop being anxious.
Your english is very good
thank you for your reply, it helps so much
x
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