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going into 2nd week of citralopram, looking for some advice and positive stories

Posted , 7 users are following.

caramax
caramax

Hi everyone

Wondering if you can help?

After a suicide attempt in Febuary and to get through severe obbsessive / angry thoughts and depression without meds I finally realised I needed that extra help and took my prescription I was given 5 months ago for 10 mg of citralopram and started them 1 week ago. I felt ok, ever so slightly better and was sleeping bit better than months of insomnia but still constant intrusive thoughts.

When I seen the doc 3 days ago he did a depression test and highly reccomended I go on 20mg as this is theraputic dose for what I have.

Only 3 days on 20 and I can't get to sleep for ages, even though v tired and have a clenched jaw and anxiety till about 3 in afternoon - then ok , but tired and bits of anxiety - very up and down.

It is not severe but I am nervous to leave the house and feel so anxious going on public transport which I will have to do soon. I am ok at the moment as I a took some time off work and been staying indoors and my partner has been v supportive. But I have to go back out into the world on Tuesday and back to work on Thursday and to top that off I have a family visit I can't get out of next wknd.

I am so scared that the anxiety will be overwhelming as apart from going for a local jog with a friend I haven't had much interactions as I feel arkward and anxious with other people and dreadinf work and family visit if I still feel like this.

The doc said he didn't want to give me valium or sleepers as they are addicitive and just to ride the side effects out. He is the most symathetic out of all my docs and not back in till this Friday.

I have no energy for a possible fight with the other GP's (unsympathetic - treat me like crap and little empathy for mental illness) so am thinking of paying throught the nose on internet for some thing / valium to help with side effects.

I took cocodamol last night and that didnt really help. I have bought nurse and will try that tonight if I have more trouble sleeping though I should be wary of too much paracetemol as my suicide attempt was on a lot of paracetomol and I'm worried about my liver. I do have a few di hydrocodine could this help in emergencies?

I've read night times are best to take the dose and things will get better in a few weeks. 

Sorry for such a long post but I was hoping you could give me any advice and if you can answer any of the questions would be useful too.

.Meds and dosage stories - when has it got better?

.Meds / advice to help side effects

.Also anyone had experience of CAT therapy (for BPD) - I am on the a big waiting list but start it in Febuary?

.Most importantly any positive stories or stories at all of your journey - much appreaciatted.

Thank you  

x

 

0 likes, 29 replies

29 Replies

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  • Chik07
    Chik07 caramax

    Posted

    HI, my doc gave me zopiclone sleeping pills which I took every third night, trouble is without a good night sleep the anxiety and depression gets worse, maybe he can give you some of them to help ride out the side effects. Good luck xx
    • caramax
      caramax Chik07

      Posted

      Hi Chik07, thank you very much for your response. You are right, I feel so much worse in the morning when not slept and quite anxious to leave house today but got a load on and have no choice. I am going to be stronger with the docs and try get a little something to help me through. x
    • Chik07
      Chik07 caramax

      Posted

      Nobody can function without sleep... It's so hard to know what to do for the best. Cit made me so sick I came off it and just have zopiclone, and councelling and force myself to exercise and eat well.... Not managing to see happy shiney people... Just so miserable, happy people p*ss me off ! Lol xx

       

    • caramax
      caramax Chik07

      Posted

      Missed this before  - soz. LOL I know exactly what you mean. I have mental health envy, so easy for some people - why is my brain not like that! Good luck to you x Hopefully we will be smiley  - happy soon xx
    • Chik07
      Chik07 caramax

      Posted

      Thank you, you take care. It's horrible, I sit in feeling miserable, wishing I could be out with friends being happy. I spent the last year looking after my dad who passed away in January, saw him in so much pain, I have nightmares every night, cry most days, and wonder what the point of it all is :-( happy and smiley just seems so impossible :-( xxx

       

    • loxie
      loxie caramax

      Posted

      I love that expression - mental health envy. I SO know what you mean.  I dont hanker after millions of pounds, fast cars, big house etc., I just envy those who seem content with their life and surroundings.  I really hate the way I see the negatives in everything, amusingly I really dont like negative norahs and then I realise , wait a minute, thats ME.
    • caramax
      caramax Chik07

      Posted

      Hi Chik07, what a horrible time you have had of it. I really hope things start looking up for you. Can relate with the nightmares - really bad  / weird ones, not a good start to the day. 

      I try and practice loving kindness to my self and radical self acceptance in my dark moments, although this is impossible at times and keep telling myself it WILL / MUST get better with time. x

      Take good care of yourself x

    • caramax
      caramax loxie

      Posted

      It is kinda funny when you look at it sometimes, it sounds like we are similar, I'm the same, I totally envy those who have never had to worry about mental health. I also had a horrible experience recently when I got judged and not cared for when I was in a bad way by people who I loved and were supposed to care about me. I always used to think I was bubbly and care free but know that for a while and because of above situation I just see darkness around me and in people but mostly myself. I get so angry with myself and others and know I have got a long way to go with therapy. I heard the Cit can work for anger - I'm really hoping so. Thanks for relpies Loxie - all the best xx
  • bobbee16251
    bobbee16251 caramax

    Posted

    HI

    MY DOCTOR TOOK ME OFF OF THIS DRUG AFTER A MONTH OF TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG. HE DISCOVERED I HAD ALL THE SIDE EFFECTS TO IT. SO BE CAREFUL.

    • caramax
      caramax bobbee16251

      Posted

      Thanks Bobbee16251. Sorry to hear that, did they put you on anything else? Just been to doc and he giave me some small dose valium to ease me through the days for the next couple of weeks and said if I am not ok in a couple fo weeks he will switch me to Sertraline. But the thought of coming of these then starting another dose of something else with possible side effects again is crap.

      I just can't take any more time off work either so that is stressing me out - having to deal with people when I'm all anxious and going through smae thing again with other anto depressants. At least before the meds I could fake it a bit better. Don't think I can now.

      Just hope this works for me in time  - but will keep what you said in mind, thanks. Hope you are ok x

    • bobbee16251
      bobbee16251 caramax

      Posted

      THE DR DIDN'T GIVE ME ANYTHG YET. JUST SAID TO COME BACK IN A MONTH. AND ORDERED MORE LAB TESTS.
  • Aspinan
    Aspinan caramax

    Posted

    I take a natural sleep aid which contains valerian, I bought it from the pharmacy but did ask them to check there was no interaction with my other meds which there wasn't , it really helps, but I'd check with your GP by sending an email or making a phone call to the surgery explaining what your experiencing and that you'd like to try valerian to help sleep and do they have any concerns with you doing that and to call or reply to confirm. 
    • loxie
      loxie Aspinan

      Posted

      Valerian, which is a plant extract, is excellent for calming for humans and animals alike.  It's given to horses particularly to calm them down and I buy plug-in diffusers with it in, for my cat who gets stressed easily. It really works and is totally harmless.
    • caramax
      caramax Aspinan

      Posted

      Thanks Aspinan, I actually foound some old valerian tablets I bought a while ago in back of cupboard so will give them a go  - thanks 

      x

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