Really big swings ups and downs 7 weeks in.
Posted , 3 users are following.
Hey,
Today marks the beginning of my seventh week on 40mg dose. I feel like I'm in a rollercoaster ride. I'm taking citalopram for anxiety and panic disorder.
I have like two good days in which I'm able to get up more easily, be in a supermarket or store without panic attacks or fear and overall just feel better. Then follow a few days where I feel like s**t and am mostly in bed.
I'm wondering if this is normal? Will the meds be less up and down if I continue? 7 weeks is already a lot. My doctor said 4-6 weeks initially. But the positive days are throwing me off and keeping me from stopping.
0 likes, 7 replies
ian90586 David_Dol
Edited
You hit the nail on the head,it is exactly a rollercoaster ride. In the first few months you will be going up and down in the red danger zone,as time passes that same up and down will move into the green is good zone but still up and down. Everyone has mood swings up and down but they're mainly in the green zone. You're anxiety will follow the same path better then worse,up and down. Just remember when you're in the dip it will go back up again,but slowly,not over weeks,months.
David_Dol ian90586
Posted
Thanks Ian, I find it hard to stay persistent when the dip hits. It's like I'm starting to doubt everything about the meds as Im feeling rough. I will go through with this. Maybe view progress more in 2week/months time intervals indeed.
ian90586 David_Dol
Edited
When you're at the top of the rollercoaster ride and you feel better,less anxiety etc and you can see the bright future ahead it's great. Then you hit the big dipper right down to the bottom. That's when all the doubts come. Am I on the right medication,am I gonna get better, perhaps I should be on a higher dosage ? etc,etc,etc. This is what's so complicated about recovery,it doesn't happen in a nice gradual improving straight line,that would be lovely. Unfortunately it's up and down all the way. Just like life.
lynda84120 ian90586
Edited
thanks Ian you put it so well. that's exactly how I feel. all the doubts! only last night I said to my daughter I felt better! today its straight back down the hole again! as you say it's up n down all the way like life! thanks so much for you positive reassurance! L x
lynda84120 David_Dol
Posted
hi David I'm exactly like you week 7 on 40 and it's been very hard! increased anxiety low mood and not wanting to do anything or see ppl. from reading on here best thing to do is keep going. I was on 20 for 7 weeks. I do feel better than I did but nowhere near feeling like me! it's scary ride eh? I also get the shakes do you? Lynda x
David_Dol lynda84120
Posted
We're in the same boat then! I also was on 20 for nearly 7 weeks before upping dosage. This is my first AD. Yours too? Its a really confusing ride for me, I do still have side effects but no shakes anymore, although I had them. My persisting side effects are tiredness, and stomach aches.
I hope we both get to see more and more positive effects sooner than later 😃
lynda84120 David_Dol
Posted
hi not my first ad I'm on citalapram for a second time. I was on it for years before coming off it. they say it takes longer second time around. I cant remember what it was like first time around. I get shakes on n off low mood n heightened anxiety n nausea! let's hope it gets better! 🙂