Feeling disconnected
Posted , 6 users are following.
Hi everyone,
I’ve been on citalopram for 3 weeks 20MG which I take for depression and anxitey. The first two weeks were hell, I had many ups and downs and my anxitey was so bad. Now I’m worried, as I feel so detached from everything, Is this normal?
0 likes, 50 replies
lois95799 kate49535
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gilip kate49535
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kate49535 gilip
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Thanks for messaging.
I have never taken any type of this medication before so everything I’m experiencing is very new to me. It’s horrible and this forum is so reassuring knowing that we’re not alone.
Hope everything goes well for you. Xx
gilip kate49535
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kate49535 gilip
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I feel I am getting better, I’m laughing and joking etc. However, I have had days were I haven’t stopped crying and having to many thoughts.
My GP has given me extra 10mg but I’m worried I will go through the side effects again 😫
What about yourself? X
lois95799 kate49535
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kate49535 lois95799
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gilip kate49535
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kate49535 gilip
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I am worried about upping my dose, I don’t want to go through some of the side effects again.
I’m on 4 weeks now & im starting to feel a little better. Still have down days, like today. I’m still not able to sleep without a sleep aid. I’m still getting intrusive thoughts but able to deal with it slightly better.
I’m currently doing CBT, have been doing it for 3 weeks. Seems good so far.
How are you doing? Hope you’re well. x
gilip kate49535
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mrs_susan74280 gilip
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gilip mrs_susan74280
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nigel45109 kate49535
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Hello, it's early days for you yet, so try not to worry. It's likely to be up to 12 weeks before you feel okay. For first 4 weeks I was up and down, which each lasting a few days. Then I went very flat and a bit anxious for a couple of weeks, no ups or downs. This actually felt worse. I think this is what you are describing as feeling detached. Would you say your ups and downs have stopped a bit? From what i can tell this in indication that cit is working. You will get periods of thinking it's working, and it's not. The main thing is to commit yourself to taking it for 12 weeks, then reflect. This is a difficult recovery, and sharing on this forum will help. I'm 8 weeks on cit, and have just gone through a very anxious week, where I lost confidence in cit working. I think ups and downs get replaced by a few weeks of feeling flat and a bit anxious, followed by higher anxiety. This is where I am it. I'm hoping the anxiety subsides over the next 4 weeks. Stick with it, and this forum is a great help, for trying to understand where you are on the recovery path.
kate49535 nigel45109
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Thanks for the message.
It’s a horrible feeling and you can’t help but think you might have something else.
It’s good to know that other people are experiencing the same thing.
I hate having anxitey because I’m worrying about not worrying because I’ve got so used to worrying! Lol
I’ve heard a lot of people say it’s taken them 12 weeks so Im counting down the weeks. I’m staying positive and if I have any concerns I’m seeing my GP. I have also been referred to mental health team, I think it’s just for the reassurance I need. I’ve also started CBT which seems to be going ok.
We will all get better soon
mark89813 kate49535
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For a lot of people but not all, it's a case of worse before better. I find getting on them hard but it's worth it in the end.
nigel45109 mark89813
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Agree with feeling worse before better. I suppose the worse the state you are in before taking cit, the worse the anxiety will be, and the longer it takes to work. Seems like recovery process starts with see sawing from lows and highs, then flat with mild anxiety, then intense anxiety, which covered first 8 weeks for myself. Im hoping somewhere near recovery comes next. I'm experienced in taking anti depressants, but had no idea it would be this bad.
nigel45109
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gilip nigel45109
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lois95799 gilip
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gilip lois95799
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lois95799 gilip
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nigel45109 gilip
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Hello gili thanks for your comments. Yes the yoga does help, but my brain is in overdrive, ramping up the anxiety. Last week was so bad, I didn't feel tired all week with it. Also, I sleep on the floor, on a thin mattress. Helps to reduce tension, as you are more grounded. Got 3.5 weeks until 12 weeks is up, although 6.5 weeks for higher dose. Anxiety is very different to highs and lows at the start, so hoping its a sign its working. Going to try some cbd vape tonight, as just got some. Rave reviews about it, but will see. Thanks for your support.
nigel45109 gilip
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lois95799 nigel45109
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That's what I did I volunteered..and I also went to gym..slow walking on a thread mill... people watching...it help.
gilip nigel45109
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gilip lois95799
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nigel45109 gilip
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If it wasn't for Mark, marsh and Lois' experience and advice, and everyone's support, I'd be in a much worse state. Cbd is a non physco active cannabinoid of cannabis. It's the one that's responsible for medical benefits. There are other beneficial cannabinoids in the vape as well. Basically we have cbd receptors, for our own cbd we produce. It's supposed to be very good for anxiety, as it calms our nervous system. I smoked weed a lot in the past to get rid of anxiety and tension. It worked very well, trouble was time passes you by, and you don't do much when smoking cannabis, which is why I stopped. Cbd doesn't have the physco active thc, which gets you stoned and sleepy. Lots of hype about it being amazing for Anxiety., and other conditions. You can vape or ingest cbd. I don't want to smoke cannabis at the moment, as it would be hard to tell if cit is working. Literally just tried cbt vape for first time, and straight away, my gums, lips and soft palate have just gone soft and tingly, as if I'd smoked a joint. I will post in a few days to let you know what it's like. Could just be a placebo effect, but feeling is like smoking a joint, but no high or sleepiness.
lois95799 nigel45109
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Yes I have a forum friend that I private message..and she gives her son the same exact thing but in paste form...for her son's anxiety..and it works plus he also takes celexa...I wish I had some ...lol.. although iam recovered..just saying...
nigel45109 gilip
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How's it going? End of the week, another anxious one, though felt very slightly less so. Week 9 next week, so hoping not too much longer. Then again, it's week 6 on higher dose of 40mg. Chatting to my yoga instructor earlier, does an amazing yoga nidra class. She had depression, and used and still uses meditation to recover. She said that your issues do come up while doing it, but stick with it. Also said when she meditated, she does so as an observer of her thoughts, so she doesn't get caught up in them. Lying face down on the floor helps relax me, so will try meditating in that position. That was physical and mental relaxation at same time. Not sure whether cbd vape made any difference or Not, will carry on with it. Read somewhere it can take a month or so before you feel benefits. That sounds too familiar. Another 3 weeks before seeing doctor. Hope anxiety improves by then. All the best.
gilip nigel45109
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nigel45109 gilip
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Hello, with 2 days being at home, have noticed the anxiety isn't so bad. Even joined a dating website today, ha ha. Gone back to meditation, but using just mindfullness following the breath ones, as recommended by my yoga teacher. Seems to produce a more calming effect, unlike the more guided ones, where you visual yourselve favourably. Those seem to get me more anxious. Simple following breath ones seem better. I so hope the anxiety drops this week. All the best everyone.
gilip nigel45109
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nigel45109 gilip
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Is the anxiety Going? Just started week 9 on cit 40mg. After 3 weeks of horrendous anxiety, for the last 3 days, particularly today, it's eased off quite a bit. I had done some good meditation and yoga, but in particular with meditation, lying face down on the floor, on only a thin mattress topper. I also sleep like this. It seems to really ground me, and releases the tension and anxiety. Its probably the cit having more of an effect. Its nice feeling like this, compared to.previously. Need a good couple of weeks like it, to believe I'm getting better.
gilip nigel45109
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gilip
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nigel45109 gilip
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How's it going? After a few days of feeling alright, anxiety is back. Thought this time it might have ended. It's 9 weeks on cit, hoping its not much longer. I do seem to have a little more control over my thoughts, just a shame about the anxiety still being there. Have a doctor's appointment second week in April, will discuss then whether cit is right for me. Ive had the anxiety for most of the last 3 weeks, does anyone know how long the anxiety stage lasts for? Thanks.
gilip nigel45109
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nigel45109 gilip
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I constantly worry about things, but less so when I'm not so anxious. I don't think it's one thing that sets it off. I started off on 30mg, then 3 weeks later upped to 40mg. Its been 9 weeks on 30, and 6 on 40. I didn't do any yoga last night, perhaps this is why I'm a lot more anxious today. Joined a dating site on Sunday, when I was in a good mood. Not much point at the moment. I've done a couple of CBT general courses over last 4 weeks. Didn't get much out of it, apart from having to have my anxiety and depression levels measured 4 times over last 4 weeks. These showed no improvements. I ought to know whether cit is working in 3 weeks. If I still feel the same as I do now, I'd probably will have to change meds. Question is, what would be next, and would it be any better?
lois95799 nigel45109
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gilip nigel45109
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nigel45109 gilip
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Thanks lois and gilip. Yes, i suppose i feel better, although it's hard to judge. My issue that caused my depression this time around, was how I felt about someone I work with, unrequited love. 9 weeks ago I was alternating between depression, and thinking about something happening with this girl. Now I accept nothing is going to happen, although it still causes me grief when I see her. Then i would imagine what might be with her all the time, now I still think about her, but seem to be able to stop my daydreaming which was tormenting me. I now seem to have some control over thinking about her, which is progress I suppose. You are right about another 6 weeks.
lois95799 nigel45109
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gilip nigel45109
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nigel45109 gilip
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Hello gilip, how is it going for yourself? Are you still getting the bad anxiety? I am today, also really tense. Just over 9 weeks in now, although 6 on the slightly higher dose. This recovery seems never ending. Have an appointment with gp on 6th April. Glad it gives me a couple more weeks on cit. If anxiety hasn't gone by then, I think I'll need to try something else.
gilip nigel45109
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nigel45109 gilip
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Hello, yes still doing yoga. It does help. I think joining the dating site was a mistake for me, worried about it too much. Going to forget about it for now. Anxiety has eased off since deciding that and getting rid of app. I know I have to give it 12 weeks, but that's only 2.5 weeks away. I will give it until then, but I am losing confidence in cit for myself. As for cbd oil, i couldnt tell if it helped or not, a bit like the cit. All the best.
nigel45109 gilip
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Yes still doing yoga, it does help. I've got to give cit at least another 2.5 weeks anyhow. Must admit, I don't think it is working well enough for myself, being honest. Luckily I have to wait 2.5 weeks to see doctor anyway, so have no choice but to carry on with cit. Couldn't tell if cbd oil worked or not. A bit like the cit.
gilip nigel45109
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gilip nigel45109
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