Really testing the citalopram.
Posted , 4 users are following.
So as some of you have seen my posts in the past, I had a rough ride with the citalopram but I stuck with it. It's been about 9 months now and my anxiety is minimal for the most part which is a good thing. But lately I got struck with a lot of bad things going on in my life. My childrens father and the love of my life has been diagnosed with a fatal lung disease, and we just decided that we are finally going to get married after being together for 28 years, a best friend of mine I just found out had passed away, and so on. We are still planning the wedding, and that has been very stressful. So with all this going on this will be the big test of the citalopram. I have been anxious lately but not into a full blown panic attack but I can feel it rising every day... I can not up dose the citalopram because I already was on a higher dose and it did not work well with me at all. I am getting a little nervous about what to do during a time like this? I mean, its normal anxiety caused by life happenings but I already know I can't handle much of it since I have had such a horrible past with it, when it gets bad everything gets out of control....
Suggestions would be much appreciated.. How did anyone else handle hitting a really hard time after recovering on the medication?
0 likes, 18 replies
Potatoghost Grounded
Posted
when I first recovered on citalopram I found out my partner of 8 years had an affair do to speak. I was still a bit wobbly at the time too. it was extremely hard but I dealt with it the way anyone else would but it was the citalopram that kept me on an even keel so to speak
I had to move out of my house
saw
my son a lot less than I wanted and it was not a nice break up.
started a new job the same week I found out
and still managed to hold it all together
it got tough but I made it through without relapsing.
everytime it got too much the citalopram kinda kicked in if that makes sense.
if I wasnt on the citalopram their is no way I would have coped compared to what I was like before. so stay strong and stick to the dose that works for you. I didnt increase because I didnt want to risk mucking everything up.it will get easier
with time and your citalopram will hold you together
Grounded Potatoghost
Posted
That's what I'm hoping for. So far its kept me together, I do have a little more anxiety then I have been experiencing but hopefully that will be as far as it goes 'just a little'. I was just thinking that I hope it doesn't just hit me like a train one day, hopefully it'll go like yours did and it will keep me from falling.
Thank You!
Potatoghost Grounded
Posted
dont get me wrong it was tough some days so if you fall a bit more than expected dont panick you will pick up a lot quicker than you think.
I went from crying because I couldn't believe she could do that to me to two days later thinking. this freedom is brilliant and loving life.....then it would get me down again and next thing I knew I was laughing and joking with friends.
it really held me together.
the days you feel its hit you hard will be a lot easier than before the med. I was so worried like you are because I wasnt fully ok but I was able to rationalise the anxiety better. itll be tough but easier than you think ❤
Grounded Potatoghost
Posted
That does make me feel better. Thank You!
june36108 Grounded
Posted
Hi Grounded, are you still on 15 mg? I have read all your posts and found my current condition is very similar as yours. I have been on CIT 20 mg for almost 5 months (over 7 months in total). I am better. However, brain fog /bad memory/lack of motivation/low mood is still here. Is 20 mg too high for me? Did you have the memory problem as well? Thanks.
Grounded june36108
Posted
Hi June, and yes still taking 15mg. I also took the citalopram 20mg for about 5 months and while it did help the anxiety, it also made me numb feeling, brain fog, and mild DP/DR and I think out of the 2 I would choose some anxiety over that, it felt awful. As far as the memory issue yes I did, I feel like that is part of the brain fog because it's very hard to concentrate.
I am not sure if that is too high of a dose all those symptoms that you still have seem like they go more with depression, the thing that told me mine was too high was the DP/DR that I felt when I was on 20mg and the numbing of my emotions, I just felt 'weird'.
You have been on it plenty long enough at the same dose to know if that is working though, have you mentioned that to your doctor? I would make sure to let them know that you are still experiencing symptoms of depression, depending on how bad they make you feel.
june36108 Grounded
Posted
Hi Grounded,
Thanks for your help. I am pretty sure if I talk to the Dr they will say "go up to 30 mg"! You are right. I have been on 20 mg quite long time already. Maybe it is the time to try the dosage change(s). I have been wondering whether having DR/DP and lack of motivation cause the low mood. Also I still have to sleep a lot (>10 hrs).
Grounded june36108
Posted
Oh I'm sorry, I didn't see that you said that you had the DP DR also! Yes that can definitely cause lack of motivation and low mood, or worsening depression.
I would definitely talk to your doctor and tell them that you are still experiencing these things and that they are bothersome, he will most likely want to increase the dose as they did me and you can always try for awhile and see, but if it makes you feel really uncomfortable make sure to let him know that too right away. Unfortunately this is all trial and error trying to get to the right dose but it will happen 😃
lois95799 Grounded
Posted
i had dp and dpr in the Beginning stages of celexa and my Psychiatrist Beginning never suugested to up my dose she said ride it thru and i did and eventually it went away.and iam only on ten milligrams fully recovered.
lois95799
Posted
my phychiatrist never suggested to up my dose.sorry for miss spelling.
june36108 lois95799
Posted
Lois, thank you very much for your help.
I have been on 20 mg for 5 months. Is it still early? I am 50% - 70% better. However still having the remaining symptoms everyday. Is it still normal?
lois95799 june36108
Posted
because it took me 8months and so many folks on here 6months plus i say yes is very early.
lois95799
Posted
and very normal.
june36108 lois95799
Posted
Lois, I have been on CIT for over 7 months in total (10 and 15 for first couple of months). I guess it can still be early. Thanks for the reassurance.
also when did you started HRT ? Did you started during the initial 8 month of recovery?
lois95799 june36108
Posted
no.i stared hrt five months ago.so two and a half years later i notice my nails and skin n hair very dry n brittle.and sure enough it was lack of hormones.as long as you are feeling better even by a small percentage that is great june!!
june36108 lois95799
Posted
Lois, you are wonderful. We are lucky to have people like you .
So I am still in the waiting game 😃.
lois95799 june36108
Posted
your welcome .the hrt made a huge difference on my mood which was a bonus.best regards