Not taking Citralopram and wish I had kept on it
Posted , 3 users are following.
I was taking Cit. and was feeling fine, over the last few weeks I was taking the dose sporatic. I have now had a break up and I feel the anxiety and wish I hadn't stopped. Can someone tell me how long it takes to get back in the system.
0 likes, 22 replies
dean64305 johmac
Posted
When I first started I was feeling different within a few days, weird dreams, but took a while to kick in proper ( 2 weeks+ for me doc said 6 weeks)
johmac dean64305
Posted
Thanks Dean,
I'm on about day 14 and yes there have been some side effects, I called a nurse and she said it takes about 4 weeks to get fully in the system. Have a few dreams myself....lol dreamed i was milking 2 cows., have to find the humour in it. Anxiety can swell up during the day so I'm trying to practice staying calm. Hope you are doing ok. Stay in touch.
johmac
dean64305 johmac
Posted
dean64305 johmac
Posted
"20 to 10" i mean and "Anyway some side effects"
cant seem to edit posts with this Boards software
johmac dean64305
Posted
Hi Dean,
I hear you should not drink. I'm not a drinker anyway but I have heard that it was wreak havoc on the system. Try something tamer even thought it's hard. Don't mess with these meds. Good luck
dean64305 johmac
Posted
thanks johmac, havoc on the system is about right
Yeh it does mess things up for about 2 weeks after (get angry and down), one occasion I was walking about for a few hours confused (think id drank a lot). Mixed opinions around the Internet about alcohol and Cit but how it affects you is all that matters. Just find it hard to give up completely, dont see hardly anyone I used to when hitting the town, have tried 'cokes' but not the same id rather do other things. Its my birthday in 2 weeks too so few people expecting me to go out for beers lol
laura79036 johmac
Posted
If you don't mind me asking, how long were you taking citalopram and what dose were you taking?
johmac laura79036
Posted
I started on 20 and increased to 30 after about six months (last Aug?). 30 seemed to have worked well until I foolishly stopped taking every day. I have more stress just now so I see the doc soon and may be going up to 40. Good luck
laura79036 johmac
Posted
Thanks John. I had to restart citalopram after slowly coming off of it. 8 weeks off and anxiety
hit me. Started back on 10 for 3 weeks, then 20 for 3 weeks now. It's been up and down.
I'll feel it working, then nothing, then working again, etc. And when it's working it feels strong.
At 3 weeks now, it is maybe starting to feel more consistent.
dean64305 laura79036
Posted
Maybe the doc is evaluating at each dose?
Trouble is when you are feeling ok you dont think you need it anymore
johmac
Posted
Dean, its not worth it to drink. You have to try and focus on getting better and you will have other birthdays. I don't know how old you are but I'm sure you have a lot of life ahead of you so try and tee total, it' not forever, just for now.
Laura, I did a stupid thing and started taking it only 2-3 times a week and then I got a bad cold and a couple of life events so I took another tumble. I'm at 26 days on 30 mg but don't feel close to being myself yet. It's a long and winding road.
Best (just to let you know my name is not John - it's Jo (female) not your fault, happens a lot with my user name. xx
johmac
laura79036 johmac
Posted
dean64305 johmac
Posted
johmac
Posted
Laura, did you stop completely for 8 weeks. I think we learn very hard lessons from this. I have decided that if it makes me better I don't care if I'm on it the rest of my life. x
laura79036 johmac
Posted
Then off for 8 weeks. I kinda think it was easier going off cit than going back on. ugh
Told my husband I may be a lifer on this medication. I surely am not going through this again.
I told my doctor that I was cutting my dose from 20 to alleviate some side effects. Then when I got to
10, she advised me to just stop it. I was going to stay on 10 for awhile longer, just in case. But decided
to go off, thinking it would be ok.
dean64305 laura79036
Posted
laura79036 dean64305
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When I restarted 7 weeks ago, I did start on 10 and did that for 3 weeks. The 10 seemed to
do nothing for me, so went to 20 which has been more effective.
dean64305 laura79036
Posted
On 20 for 3 years odd, then went to 10mg. Things had improved in those 3 years I felt but having history of depression/anxiety problems so im not sure for how long.
It was start of summer about April I went to 10mg and seemed to be ok. Def not as effective but was doing something I felt. My partner says I am short fused again on 10mg but it was a 50/50 thing to me. Anyway I had a few beers 2 weeks ago today (self inflicted my fault) and ended up going back up to 20mg for 5 days and went back to 10mg again for around 7 days now.
Things have gradually improved over this week (I found my elderly mother proper hardwork, she is anyway, but couldnt tolerate on monday) ,
I find I am ok in the morning and afternoon the effects wear off (quite a few family arguments too, where i would of handled better usually). I find the wear off period later in the day as week has gone on. Today I am bit anxious but have just done a load of gardening for my mum and the physical work helps me. Its not a definite stay on 10mg will see how I goes :-)