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Hi from a newbie and citalopram with diazepam question

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danni34148
danni34148

Hiya I am on week 4 of 10mg of Citalopram for anxiety which I've had for years but have never had the guts to do anything about and been made worse by a horrid divorce.  My side effects all sound pretty normal by reading all of your posts but have to say they have been awful - mainly with the increased anxiety!  My doc prescribed diazepam during the first week as i was so bad, just a small doze of 2mg.  I've now ran out of the diazepam and i m feeling really anxious that they could have have been masking my feelings but am also feeling really anxious that i have ran out.  I know they are addictive and can't be taken long term and am just wondering if anyone has been taken them with citalopram and what their experiences were?  Many thanks

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • Mark7004
    Mark7004 danni34148

    Posted

    Hi Danni. All sounds completely normal and my circumstances are exactly the same. I took 5mg of diazepam for about 2 weeks then on and off for another 2 weeks. As you feel better, you wont need them any more. You have only been on CIT for a short time so the side effects will still be there. Remember it is just side effects, not you going mad. I would suggest getting more Diazepam and take it as and when you need it rather than every day. Try to get out for a walk or get some exercise which helps increase serotonin and reduce cortisol, your stress hormone. Give it time, it will work and you will feel better. You are not alone in this, there are millions of us going through the same thing. I am 13 weeks in and although I am not 100% free of higher anxiety, the good days are for more than the bad days. Stick with it and be easy on yourself. You are not going mad, your brain just needs a break for a while. Good luck. Markx
    • danni34148
      danni34148 Mark7004

      Posted

      Thank you Mark,  Yours words are very encouraging and today I have been feeling much better....who knows what tomorrow will bring lol.  Its really great to hear peoples success stories and gives me lots of hope.  Thank you for taking the time to reply.  I did go back to the docs today and was prescribed more Diazepam and I think that has helped me to feel a little more relaxed today.  I'm going to try to take them as sparingly as possible - as tempting as they can be as I sleep so much better with them! 

      Thanks again and good luck on your journey too, sounds like you are doing great x

    • Mark7004
      Mark7004 danni34148

      Posted

      You sound like an incredibly strong person, as most of us are who are going through this. The good days will increase but don't panic if you have a bad day. Totally normal. If you need to take a diazepam then do. Don't stress about it. You wont become addicted if you take them when you need them and there is no need to suffer. Trust that very soon you will be writing posts encouraging and helping others soon. Although it is the worst illness in the world, I feel privileged to have gone through it and survived!!  You will to. Take care x

    • danni34148
      danni34148 Mark7004

      Posted

      Thank you Mark.  As I predicted last night today was a bad day, I've felt really tired all day and a little down.  I woke up this morning with that horrid gut retching feeling and haven't been able to shift it.  Onwards and upwards tomorrow though and its almost the weekend !

  • Marf
    Marf danni34148

    Posted

    Hi, as long as you don't take the diazepam continually then you should be fine. I only take them when I feel I really can't cope. I started exactly like you and you will feel better soon it just takes sooo long to make a difference. Can you get any more from your dr? I've got some that I barely take any more but it's a comfort knowing they're there in case xxx

    • danni34148
      danni34148 Marf

      Posted

      Hiya marf, yes I saw the doc again yesterday and got some more diazepam. I feel better just knowing it's there as u said.  I seem to now be going through the stage of not being about to sleep - hence the reply at 4:39am 🙄.  

      I can see improvement everyday but find it difficult when I have a bad spell, mostly first thing in the morning.  I just want to feel better but I know it will take time.  My doc didn't explain any of the bad side effects when he gave me these tablets just said take these if u don't feel better within a week double the dosage !  I make sure I don't see that doc anymore!  Thank goodness for sites like these as I think I would have gone out of my mind by now.  Thank u for the reply, great to hear your story x

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