Please help
Posted , 6 users are following.
Hi there,
I have taken citalopram for many years now either 10 or 20mg but never more. In the last year I kind of felt better so nearly 2 months I went down to 10mg, in the last 2 weeks I had a very bad time with my anxiety so 6 days ago I upped my dosage to 20mg again. I forgot what the side effects could be but for me as well the anxiety is worse in the morning and day but better in the evening for some reason. I lost my appetite totally, I feel shaky and on edge all the time and in some ways I feel like my anxiety is going down but that it's not natural so I still keep getting frightening thoughts which make me feel even more anxious. I feel like i wanna scream and had enough of not being myself anymore!!! I have little energy and feel more tired since yesterday! Do you think it is normal and in how many days will I feel normal again? It's a struggle to go through the day ATM I just had enough of feeling anxious! (
0 likes, 20 replies
cmc46 Babette
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The_sleepy_crow Babette
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sorry to hear that you are having a tough time.
firstly - I understand how you are feeling - your situation sounds very similar to how I was feeling a few weeks ago - please believe that you are going through a phase & you will start feeling better.
can you do something for me? - go and get yourself a glass of milk and either a yogurt or a banana. I know you have no appetite but you need to feed your body. When we are anxious, the body consumes glucose at a high rate - it is really important that you are getting some glucose, vitamins, protein and a bit of carbohydrate. A few weeks ago, I was barely eating anything - but I told myself that I had to snack on some healthy foods. Within a couple of days, my appetite was back and one night we had fish & chips from the takeaway and it was so yummy! - that night, I slept really well too - my poor body was so grateful for the nutrients.
with regards to increasing citalopram from 10mg to 20mg - I would say that for the first 2 weeks on the higher dose, my days were tough - insomnia (not helped by poor eating), and feeling more anxious for sure. Your body will adapt to the higher dose & your anxiety will lessen & you will feel more like yourself. When your negative thoughts start taking over, try to distract yourself either by doing something you like (a wordsearch?, watch something funny on telly) or just keep yourself busy by doing a bit of housework. It is also worth learning the art of positive self-talk - say things like 'right, I have already spent an hour worrying about that......for the next hour, I am going to do something that I've been meaning to do for ages ......'
check out self-talk statements online - there are some good ones out there.
personally, when my brain goes into 'bonkers negative mode', I make a start on one of my self-help books (positive thinking, mindfulness, stress management) - there is always something in a book that enlightens me & lifts my mood.
take one day at a time - remember that anxiety is an illness and that we can adapt & learn to manage our feelings. Keep a daily dairy & capture the things that you are grateful for ....daffodils, tulips, birds, funky music, chocolate muffins.....
take it easy Babette
sleepy crow x
carol87925 The_sleepy_crow
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Babette carol87925
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You are definitely not alone but I know that it feels like it. My partner was away for 2 days this week and even though he doesn't really understand what I'm going through I feel slightly better knowing that he is here. I forced myself to go for walks and swims when he was not here which helped me to relax... Maybe you should try this too. It's now my 7th day on 20mg and I kind of feel less anxious today. Although I feel on edge still. For ex I'm really struggling with my puppy who I love to bits but any noise she is making or attention she is seeking I find extremely hard to cope with right now!! I don't know why but it's just too much and I hate myself for it. Like loud noise or shouting I just can't stand it and it makes me shake! We are invited to a wedding tonight but I just don't know if I'm gonna be able to go. Haven't even bothered putting some mascara on for the last 3 weeks!
What I get also is this thing where I'm like how am I going to fill my day and I get really anxious about that as well! Isn't that silly?! Do you get that sort of thing too? But then you have my partner that says what are we gonna do today? Shall we do the garden? And I'm like no. I get so selfish in my anxiety bubble!! Right now I'm just laying on the sofa kind of watching tv and doing some of my breathing exercises. When is everything gonna get back to normal? It's so so difficult sometimes (
carol87925 Babette
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Babette The_sleepy_crow
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Thank you so much for your reply. I had a banana today and tiny bit of soup
It has now been 8 days on 20mg and I feel rather tired. My anxiety has kind of change it doesn't feel as intense 24/7 anymore but I'm still not right. As the feelings have subsided I feel like I need some kind of outburst to compensate if that makes sense? but I can't cry anymore and then I manage to scare myself as I'm not feeling right yet! I have little energy and everything feels like a struggle I managed to go to a wedding reception last night though! I freaked out a few times as things were just a bit too much and felt surreal. Not one drop of alcohol of course and we came back home around 10pm.
But again first thing when I wake up is that I realise I'm not my happy self so I feel awful for the day ahead already. I listen to some relaxing music that nearly makes me fall asleep but I push myself to stay awake as otherwise I feel like I'm not in control. But then when I'm awake I'm like right what am I gonna do today?? I'm kind of counting the hours till the evening! For me once it's 9pm its film and slowly getting ready for bed.
In the last 10 days I got into a habit of walking my dog and then go for a swim late afternoon by myself, kind of a relaxing sort of thing (without my partner). Right now I'm watching the tv but I feel on edge staying home yet I don't feel like going out, it's raining plus when I feel this way I'm very silent so not a pleasure to be around, feel weak and definitely don't want to spoil my other half's day. 3 weeks ago I could stay in bed or watch the tv the whole day it wouldn't bother me and now I feel like I'm doing nothing. Just like I can't relax and be. I can't wait for the cit to properly work again. Do you/did you feel similar?
I'm so so frustrated to feel this way!! How long till I will feel me again?...
carol87925 Babette
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Babette carol87925
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If all of this was not enough I'm starting to worry about my new neighbours moving in tomorrow. I'm really sensitive to noise so I'm praying that they will be a quiet family like the last one. So frustrating to feel this way and to have all these things affecting me so much. I really hope that the week ahead will be a turning point with the medication! So tired to feel frightened and anxious all the time. I hope you have a good evening x
carol87925 Babette
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good luck!!!
Babette carol87925
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I didn't go into the office today but I worked from home. Everything was well until about 3pm when I heard the new neighbours moving in. My heart went racing, i started sweating and shaking straight away, I wanted to vomit and scream! I haven't been able to eat or relax since. My jaw feels tense and I'm terrified I won't be able to sleep. Had a lovely family and quiet that left on sat and today 3 boys moved in and I am so so sensitive to noise its horrible. I'm really not having a good time right now. Had an unpleasant experience a few years ago with neighbours and I think that was the last time I felt really really bad. I'm so scared...
sue38919 The_sleepy_crow
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gemma07352 Babette
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carol87925 Babette
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xxx thinking of you
carol87925 Babette
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Babette carol87925
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carol87925 Babette
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