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Feel like I've gone backwards.. (day 15 citalopram)

Posted , 5 users are following.

jay75785
jay75785

hey everyone,

I'm on day 15 of citalopram and I feel like my anxiety is worst than it was before. I wake up anxious and get anxious when I go out to the shops. I feel like taking this medication made my anxiety worst than it was prior. Is this normal or will it settle down soon?

thanks

x

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • sima36062
    sima36062 jay75785

    Edited

    Hey i been on citalopram 2 times now. And both times it took a long time for it to kick in properly. Unfortunately increased anxiety is a common side effect and truly it was one of the most difficult things for me, and it was definitely way worse than before starting to take the medication. I kept thinking I am going crazy, Also I had horrible stomach when i was getting used to citalopram and lost about 8kg because i was not able to eat. Its so ironic that in order to get better when you go on AD medication you need to get worse first. Honestly all these things you are feeling will pass. The truth is the first and second time round only about 6 months or treatment did i completely got rid of my anxiety with occasional blips. But started feeling may better around 6 - 8 weeks mark. But then I would get a massive blip that would make me feel like I am going backwards. Everything that you are feeling now is very normal, the medication is trying to adjust your neurotransmitters and your serotonin levels and this is why you feel so bad now. You will start noticing glimpses of getting better when your anxiety will start getting better in the evenings, there will be times when you will be completely anxiety free and will able to relax for a bit until it will start back up again, it is completely normal. The mornings are usually worst time anxiety wise. Keep at it, it will take time, it will be very hard but it will get better and its worth it. Some people simply are prone to side effects and will get then with all antidepressants.

    • jay75785
      jay75785 sima36062

      Posted

      thanks so much for replying. I felt like giving up on the meds because I've been feeling so rough. Would u say it made so much of a difference to your life after taking the meds?

      thank you x

    • sima36062
      sima36062 jay75785

      Posted

      hey I understand it's hard. it honestly depends how you anxiety was before you started the medication. mine was really bad so I really needed the meds. it erased my anxiety but obviously i would have occasional blips time to time. now I'm having pretty bad one. but citalopram helped me a lot i felt quite good on them. I'd suggest to stick it out, you will have rough days because you are so early on and I know it sucks. it puts you in such a hopeless mindset, I know.

    • jay75785
      jay75785 sima36062

      Edited

      yeah my anxiety has been on and off for years but in august/early september my anxiety felt bad where i feel like i needed meds but being on citalopram makes me feel like it wasn't that bad because it makes me feel so much worst 😦 I hope you feel better soon aswell! I'll try stick with it for a few more weeks.. hopefully it should kick in abit more by then.

      anxiety sucks 😦 take care

    • claire64405
      claire64405 sima36062

      Posted

      Hi Sima hope you don't mind me asking what mg was you on.. I've gone from 20mg to 40mg week 9 I've had a few good days but I'm getting alot of side effects aswell. feel worse now than what I was before upping xx

  • Worrymadwoman
    Worrymadwoman jay75785

    Posted

    i have just swopped to flouxetine as the citalopram didnt agree with me i had panic attacks felt sick and couldnt eat as well as the runs

    i maybe would of been ok but i stuck it 4 weeks and honestly couldnt tske it any longer the doctor agreed and put me on flouxetine which j had previously tsken and i saw an improvement really quickly

    • jay75785
      jay75785 Worrymadwoman

      Posted

      okay did it get rid of your anxiety completely it just makes me feel so much worst 😦

    • Worrymadwoman
      Worrymadwoman jay75785

      Posted

      sorry for delay i am feeling better on the new meds but still having some symptoms from the anxiety

      are you any better now ?

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