I was recently prescribed Citalopram , does it get worse before better ?

Great minds think alike !

I decided to hold off on the increase after having an almost entire day free of ocd like symptoms/ thougts !! Its been just over 6 weeks so meds did take awhile to work but thank God i think im on the mend !

So glad i took your advice on not increasing to 40 mg and staying on 20 . Like you , I dont want to stay on Cit forever so it makes perfect sense to stay on low dose .

Did get out yesterday , wore masks in the food store ,things are opening up slowly here and people are getting upset , wanting to return to work , hopefully that happens soon.

Hope you have a good weekend and things improve soon ❤

That's great you had a symptoms free day does sound as if it's right dose for you. Think mine will take a while, others have said can take 3-4 months for thoughts to improve so you are doing well. I am better than couple months ago do go out for walk most days even though get anxious, even though still do checking of certain things do manage throw most stuff away now once I've checked it, little steps I guess. Wish restrictions would ease bit, if they don't people are going to rebel, lot are suffering financially, and lot more cars on road so people are obviously going out. I'm doing on line pilates lesson twice a week which helps. Anyway hopefully I'll see bit progress soon but well done you!

Thanks ! Had a good day today as well , Id say at least 90 % better than the last few weeks .

Really hope things get much improved for you ,so you can feel good again ! Glad you're a bit better , sounds like meds are working , jjust taking awhile to help , the waiting is tough !!

It will help greatly when things open up and restrictions are lifted .

Thats great that youre doing online pilates twice a week !

im doing an online yoga class once a week , i need to step it up to twice weekly to keep up with you !

It does help , really enjoy it . Cant do every pose the instructor does but i keep up pretty well .

Stay well and maybe restrictions will ease soon !

I'm really pleased for you at least i of us is doing well on the meds. I'm not very optomistic of improving much at the moment feel really low the fact can't go anywhere or do anything making things worse. Other countries lifting restrictions but not here. Think I'm proof that swapping meds def delay your progress wish I'd just stuck with cit doctor encouraged me to swap as well. If don't improve in few week might consider going up to 15. But least life improving for one of us.

Thanks so much !

It's most likely just a matter of time and Cit will start working for you . It took over 3 weeks after increasing to 20mg before I started to notice any difference . Seems the 5 and 10 mg i started on for 3 and a half weeks just wasnt enough for my system ,

Also , as you said the situation isnt helping ,being shut at home and not seeing others is difficult . Maybe upping to 15 would help kick start the meds , praying and cheering for you !

Things here are slowly opening back up , I repeat SLOWLY.

Maybe there will be some normalcy soon 😃

Glad you are still doing well. I'll give it another month then wean off them they almost make the thoughts worse some days. Figure if you aren't improving by 3 months they aren't going to help. Felt really dizzy this morning then think must have briefly passed out as ended up on the floor so don't think I could tolerate a higher dose. See how it goes but so far aren't helping and have read they can actually give some people intrusive thoughts guess they don't work for everyone.

Oh my goodness , so sorry ! That must have been quite scary . Glad youre okay . The meds make me yawn alot and tired some days especially if i dont eat as much .

So wish you were getting better results . Makes sense to wean off the meds if youre not feeling better and passing out .

Im so thankful theyre working for me , had 4 really good days then had a couple days where thoughts seemed to return but i brushed aside and went on with the day . Guess thats normal during recovery . I just pray that one day theyll be wayyyy in the back of my mind to be thought of no more !! Glad i took your advice and stayed on 20 mg.

Its a terrible thing to go through , hard for others to understand . My hubs says yes you can control the yucky thoughts and another family member said something similar . I pray that they never have to experience such an awful illness and the meds have helped me considerably . I do think its a chemical imbalance and /or genetic anxiety disorder .

Sorry for the lengthy post , i understand what youre going through and its not easy. Admire your courage and pray you get better on your own or find a medication that helps.

Stay well ❤

Didnt get much response when asked if others felt the same. Might have accept they dont work for everyone think after nearly 8 weeks should be helping bit. Did ring helpline here said year off zopiclone is early days most dont recover until 2nd year. zHusband thinks been worse on meds, will give it another couple weeks then wean off them. Hasnt helped co I ordered off trying to scam me so had cancel credit card. Glad you are feeling better might have accept these meds dont always help.

Well that just stinks , you need a break ! Seems scammers are everywhere , have to be so careful on the internet ,they're ready to pounce. And the zopiclone sounds like it takes awhile to get out of your system, that stinks too!

Sure wish the meds had worked for you . This quarantine and social distancing has been tough , hoping you can feel better and get out an about, returning to some normalcy .

Be nice to get to a hair salon , wanting to cut mine short its looking so bad, just wear it in a messy bun or ponytail everyday .See family , church and shopping would be nice too !

Stay well , hope you feel better soon .

Just have to accept they don't work for everyone been 6 months on and off trying them and no better so sure would have noticed a differnece by now and don't expect feel worse than before started them. Think they work if treating anxiety etc that people already have, but don't help if your symptoms are caused by drug withdrawal. The helpline did warn me they wouldn't help least I tried. Guess as symptoms caused by chemical imbalance due to drugs maybe giving yourself more chemicals not best idea. I'm weaning off anyway taking 3/4 tablet then 1/2 etc try doing it over 2/3 months. The current situation def making things worse had street party at safe distance for VE day yesterday and I felt really good but will be months beforenormality happens here!

Oh glad you had a great day, Bet it was so fun to get out and celebrate VE day !

Hopefully things will start to open up more , its tough here for alot of people , small businesses , hair salons, gyms and more are still closed . Supposed to start opening more later in May .we hope and pray .

Sounds like youre doing the sensible thing in weaning off the med . Who knows , you may feel much better soon since its been awhile since you took the other med that caused the chemical imbalance .Hope so!!

Dont know if you have children or youre a dog or cat Mom but wishing you a Happy Mother's Day !

Hope things continue to improve for you. Yes the meds just made me feel whole lot worse down to 7.5mg will gradually reduce. Think after trying them for 6 months long enough to decide whether or not they'll help. Hoping once I'm off them will improve a bit and as you say few more months down the line in withdrawal. I do think 20mg is probably what you need to recover but I just couldn't tolerate it, was worth trying anyway!

Hello ! meant to get back sooner !

Hope you're doing well and having better days .

I increased a little, alternating 30 mg and 20mg .

Doing much better ,thank God ! Think my faith/ prayers and the meds are working !

Expect I'll stay on cit , was afraid I'd gain weight especially since staying home so much and being lazier than normal .However much to my surprise i havent gained at all ! Yippee !!

Only side effect is i crave sweets and yawn alot but overall I'm pleased with the med .I did stop the vodka tonics and wine 2 months ago so perhaps that helped my weight stay level so I'll continue to abstain .

How are you doing since reducing your dose ?

Do hope you're feeling better !

Restrictions have eased a bit but think its going to be a long while before any normalcy returns.

Stay well ❤

Not too bad still not great first thing but weaning off helping, few others have found citalopram made things worse so don't work fir everyone but good they're helping you. Think you need higher doses to improve thoughts that I cant tolerate. I wouldn't want to stay on them long term as mine withdrawal think will just take time. Even if they had helped would have worried once came off them the thoughts would come back again but you don't know until try things whether they are going to work.

Glad you're doing a bit better . Makes perfect sense to wean off meds especially if its making things worse !

Also higher dose for me is definitely needed although havent upped to 40 mg . Still taking 30 mg alternating next day to 20mg. and much better , thank God !

Do have side effects like headache, and tiredness but I can handle that much better than the other stuff !

Businesses , churches and salons are opening back up this weekend with restrictions ofcourse . Hope things are better in your area , be nice to get out and about !

i'm OK one days then rubbish the next think it's what's called windows and waves meant be sign of healing. Yes think higher doses seem more efficient but I can't tolerate them. No change here garden centres open that's all does make me feel lot worse fact we are still so isolated. LOts of it makes no sense only allowed to see 1 person in a park not your garden, but can have cleaners and nannies in and prospective buyers viewing your home makes no sense. Also schools can go back on 1st JUNE with some classes They seem to be pandering to the very well off not the rest of us.

Wow, June 1st ! Think schools here plan on returning mid August .

We are in phase 2 , Churches , restaurants , salons open with restrictions .

Saw where people were lined up outside a Great Clips hair salon for 3 hours !!! Not me !! I can barely stand a half hour wait .

Do hope you're having more good days than bad .

I'm so thankful the meds are working , think I'm

90 % better after almost 2 1/2 mths . Get a little dizzy somedays so staying

Oops , posted before i finished .

The 20 mg seens to work best for me , you were so right !

Sounds like youre on the right path to recovery with having some good days , hope and prayers that you'll have all good days soon !❤

Glad they are working for you at least few other people on here have found they made anxiety lot worse so not just me. Taking it slow reducing least haven't been on them too long seems some people have problems coming off them. Still up and down met couple friends in park yesterday at safe distance and felt lot better so thats half the problem. Just heard shops opening next month hairdressers shut until July.

Does sound like you're getting better , was great for you to go out and see friends , know that helps take your mind off things.

I can relate to the ups and downs , some days I feel completely over the anxiety , other days seems to come out of nowhere . Hate it !!

Guess its a process , hoping and praying its all gone at my 3 mth mark mid June . I am soo much better taking the Cit so I don't plan on quitting anytime soon .

Glad you are feeling a bit better !

Really need to go to hair salon , they are open with restrictions . I havent ventured to one yet ...

Don't think I could wait til July , maybe they will open in your area sooner than later !

Glad they are helping you i just want get off them are some other people on here meds given them more symptoms and made feel lot worse. Still up and down but down to 5 mg now so hopefully once off them will improve. Things easing bit here regards seeing people so should be able to socialise more. Funny how meds work well for some but others make things whole lot worse. Trouble is until you try you just don't know. Think it was the sertraline really messed me up you live and learn.

Are you still on the 20mg? I'm glad decided to come off them having been stuck on zopiclone for years didn't really want end up on another load of meds. zGlad I at least tried them but would have been worried if they had helped the anxiety it would come back once i stopped them. On 5mg now so hopefully they are coming out my system. Good you are improving anyway.

Yes still on 20 mg decided to alternate to 30 mg every other day . Sounds like you're doing better without taking the meds . I told my husband that i was tired of yawning ,side effects of cit. He said well youre much better, no crying etc . So hes right , I am much much better , thank God the med is working .

Things are not good here , covid is still spreading , riots and destruction in the streets, from the despicable actions of an officer . Lord help us !

Hope things are better in your area , stay safe ❤

Yes I saw about the riots can understand why people feel so strongly. Been lot of anger here over Dominic Cummings breaking all the rules and getting away with it. Things have eased but scientists have said it's too soon and think people will see it as green light to do what they want. Weather hot so beaches packed. Think he's only relaxed things to distract from the Cummings mess.

Sleep pretty awful since I dropped to 5 mg but hopefully will improve eventually. Am going slow but does tend to draw things out bit more just want my life back. I could put up with just yawning no worries!!!

Yes yawning is a very insignificant side effect compared to the effects of anxiety, tolerating a little yawning and sleepiness is much easier to live with .Thank God the med is working , upped to 30 mg daily . doc wrote another script for 40 mg but I don't plan on going to that high dose .

Still take hydroxyzine at night , helps greatly to sleep , don't take any during day or I'd really be sleepy !!

Wish you could sleep , , sounds like you're getting better slowly except for sleep which is so important for recovery .

Things still tense here , lots going on your part of the world as well .

Praying situation will improve soon .

Hope your day is going well ,❤

The OCD is awful at moment almost get panic attacks with it unfortunately it's withdrawal I think have read can be much more difficult when you get on the lower doses. Does seem anti depressants can be hard to come off as well. Did try taking half the tablet lunch time then half in evening see if it helps sleep. Glad it's helping you, why does your doctor want to up the dose if it's helping you at the moment ? I occasionally take a herbal thing at night, don't want to get into habit of taking something every night again. It does sound awful in the US, Trump doesn't seem to be able to understand the mood of the people at all. Mind you ours aren't much better!

Oh dear , hate you're going through such an ordeal , was hoping you were feeling some better .

Prayers that one morning you'll wake up and all the miserableness will be gone !

Surely there has to be another med that would help you. My sister was prescribed Prozac over 20 years ago and recently switched to Lexapro .

She's never mentioned any bad side effects , almost 7 years my senior and is in good health .

Doc doubled my dose a few weeks after I told her I was some better but not where I wanted to be however I havent taken the 40 mg , upped to 30 a few days ago but think it makes me feel so tired , and weak, yawn incessantly . Going back to 20 mg .hope to stay at that dose.

Maybe you can consider another med to try ?

Know it isnt easy especially since youve been on the med that possibly caused your current problem .

Protesting is still going on , not alot of talk about covid .

It's all too much to think about .

Take care ❤

Thanks think I just have to accept zopiclone withdrawal will take long time to improve. Adding more meds to the mix just seem make things worse. Weaning off citalopram is pretty horrible. Was chatting to lady on benzo buddies she found citalopram and sertraline made things lot worse for her as well. She came off diazapam and told same as me can take up to 2 years. When citalopram works have heard it can take up to 3 months to get full benefit so if you are seeing improvement on 20mg sounds sensible.

Situation in US is awful, have been big protest in London today about it think everyone was shocked by the footage. Sad things like that still happening.

I was chatting to lady on benzo buddies she's been adversly affected by citalopram and sertraline can't tolerate them now. She's come off diazapam also been told can take up 2 years to recover so not just me! If you are OK on 20mg imagine will take less time than 40mg to come off as well!

hi lemanna. i was just wondering how your hair loss is now. Ive noticed huge thinning in my hair sinxe starting citalopram 4 months ago. ive reduced my dose down and started some vitamins. My GP wants me to switch to sertraline bit im reluctant as i like citalopram. Its the hair loss thats the issue xx

Hello and hope youre feeling some better !

I agree with you on the 20 mg . I switched to bedtime to take Cit , its working great . Much less yawning and tiredness during the day . Also appetite for sweets has decreased . I was just lying around eating cakes and ice cream .was shocked that i havent gained a pound! Maybe the meds increase metabolism , probably not though , haha !

Do hope you will get better soon as things open up more . Situation still isnt great here but I think protesting and riots are calming down .

By the way , did you see the comment to you regarding hair loss from Citalopram use ?

Sure hope that's a random issue . I havent noticed hair loss yet , hate to have to switch meds especially after what you've experienced .

Take care and stay well ❤

i think its a rare side effect, my hair has been terrible since being in it.

No I didn't, it is listed as one of the side effects, would have affected you by now it was about 6 weeks after started it. Ok this time round. These tablets awful to come off spent the morning in bed blubbing, with the awful intrusive thoughts get almost like panic attacks some days really wish I'd never started them, Trying cutting down to 2.5mg now as just want to get off them and hopefully eventually get my life back., I know they help a lot of people, but having read on other sites for other people can make some feel whole lot worse. Everything quite loose on me as not eating much. They are whole lot worse than zopiclone was to come off even with going slowly. Glad they worked for you anyway just seems the luck of the draw!!.

I stopped it then took sertraline which was absolutely awful then started it again.It is a listed side effect but mine was OK the second time but was using a shampoo to help thicken hair. Can't say mine was loads, have you had any blood tests, my GP took several to eliminate other things, thyroid problems can cause it. I would get bloods tested first just in case it's caused by anything else.. The meds just made things worse for me so weaning off them.

i know you hate what the drug is doing to you but please please listen to me as everything ive said so far to you has been right! please pace yourself as withdrawal is delayed and your brain will still be getting used to 7.5 and youre seriously thinking about going to 2.5? its not a sprint its a marathon, if you go even a little slower you are less likely to crash and burn and end up in sheer hell, its up to you though.

Thanks for the reply hun. Yes ive had recent blood tests and they came back ok. i know its the citaloprsm as ive never had it before. My hair has thinned quite a lot. Am now taking centrum silver i the hope that it helps. Will definitely change meds if no better in a month. Can i ask what shampoo ur using? Good luck with the withdrawal xx

Any shampoo with collagen in it should help, my hairdresser told me that. Funny once I went on citalopram for second time was OK. Guess the only way to test it is if you swap meds but shame if they work for you.My hairdresser said sometimes hormones or anxiety can affect it too but that didnt apply to me. Hope you get it sorted.

Appreciate the advice, been on 5 mg for about 9 days and the couple of night took 2.5 mg including last night felt bit better for while next day. I'm not going to just stop will take 2.5mg for few weeks. Just as the meds caused the OCD think the only way to try and recover is to get them out of my system. Just have to accept that as the experts say withdrawal from zopiclone can take up to 2 years, and nothing else I take is going to improve it. Thanks for the advice anyway.

well good luck just bare in mind that withdrawal anxiety is a whole lot worse than normal anxiety.

Thank you I never had an anxiety before stopping zopiclone. So far still feeling bit better on 2.5 mg as you say might come crashing down. But was awful on 10 MG so no difference. How are you doing least lockdown easing bit!

How are you doing, How long have you been on 20mg now, and is it working for you at that dosage. My doc wants me to up the dosage to 30mg, but not sure if to just ride it or for abit longer on the 20mg.

oh im not in a great place at the moment was close to going to A+E earlier, i have neurotoxicity from antibiotics it causes terrible terrible symptoms 😦 x

Sorry you arent doing well some of the symptoms seem similar to withdrawal. Does make you wonder why doctors hand out anti depressants so readily then seem want people to keep upping the dose as they seem quite powerful drugs and not easy to cone off.

totally agree