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Started taking Citalopram 3 days ago

Posted , 8 users are following.

tas89
tas89

Hey , i have just been put on citalopram 3 days ago on 20 mg. Im so tired and have not left my bed in the past 3 days. My head feels weird and i do feel really sick till round the afternoon. Im thinking of taking the tablet before bed see if that makes any difference as i might sleep through it. Has anyone else experienced these symptoms ? Will this actually work , i know it doesnt work straight off but will i start to feel better in time ?

I have zero energy , i feel constantly down , i hate leaving the house and i have shut myself of from the outside world. I have lost my friends but that was through my friend who went out to ruin my life and turned everyone against me. I really hope these tablets will help me get back to the person i was. Im going to start the gym once im more confident and have controlled my anxiety. Just hate feeling like this

0 likes, 64 replies

64 Replies

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  • Hed1066
    Hed1066 tas89

    Posted

    Tas89, I hope you're feeling better today and if not, have a chat with your doctor. Maybe a lower dose, maybe a different drug or maybe nothing at all will be better for you. If citalopram isn't working, try something else. If that doesn't work, think about counselling and a change in diet etc. Do whatever makes you feel you can get through the day. If it helps, I do a lot of crafts now, it keeps me on my own (which I prefer right now), keeps me occupied and also makes me feel better. I also took up mindful meditation, it's really good at focussing your mind on you and how you feel. It's helped me no end. You can download an app called headspace from the app store. It may help you too. I also did the 100 happy days challenge (you can find it on instagram, twitter, facebook and you can also email in). It doesn't have much, sometimes I would just post a picture of a cup of coffee or my headphones because it cut me off from the noise of the world and made me happy. I also would post pictures of the crafts I'd done. It makes you try and look for the good in everything - you have to, you have to post it every day! These are little things alongside my meds that made me feel better.

    Hang in there, it does get better in the end. Much love and hugs to you.

    • mayday35
      mayday35 Hed1066

      Posted

      Hed you give good adice to Tas89. You know now that I prefer coming off these devil drugs altogether. But it isn't that simple for millions. What concerns me most is that so many are on this citalopram. Is it relatively new? In Switzerland only psychiatrists prescribe narcotice and when you go to fetch them from the pharmacy, your name is entered in a register. They keep such a tight rein. This happened to me with Fentanyl which seeps morphine into the blood stream via patches. Do you think doctors in the UK are being rather slack with their prescriptions. As you remarked, if one doesn't work, there are plenty of others to try. A nice way to become addicted to the content eh?  Take care.
    • Hed1066
      Hed1066 mayday35

      Posted

      Hmm tricky one. My brother has been on meds for 20 years and without them he would have committed suicide, no doubt about it. I have had a low mood for many years but bad news last year, whilst trying to appear normal, just pushed me over the edge. Medication has given me the space to sort myself out. The doctor has suggested staying on long term and I do have worries about intolerance. Part of sorting myself out is studying for an MA,

      so I will stay on the meds to assist me in reaching my goal. I'll come off then. Even though it's long term, I have to see my doctor every 2 months and I only get a 2 month prescription. I don't know what it's like for other people, but they keep an eye on me. I think Citalopram is prescribed because it suits most people, not necessarily all people, that's why there is such a variety. 

      My nan had morphine when she was ill and they kept that on a very tight reign. When she was really bad it was a nightmare to get!! Morphine is so incredibly addictive though, I'd think twice if I was prescribed that!

      What is Fentanyl for?

    • mayday35
      mayday35 Hed1066

      Posted

      Hed1066 Good luck with your studies for an MA. I was going through horricic stress and psychological warfare some years ago. I could not sleep and to pass the time I studied and got my MBA. Mental exercise is just marvellous for helping the mind sort out negativeness and in helping to ignore those who wish you ill. I got so involved in studying and writing my thesis that I came out of it a different person. Its a marvellous boost and I hope you get that MA without too much difficulty. Then you can sit back and tell yourself it was all well worthwhile. And go ahead and frame it!  x
    • Hed1066
      Hed1066 mayday35

      Posted

      Yes, your'e absolutely right. I really hope the MA will have the same effect on me. I would like that to be the good thing that come out of the badness of the last couple of years.

      Thank you for your support, it means a lot. x

  • tas89
    tas89

    Posted

    Hey Guys thank you for all your advice and care , its so good to know there is people out there that are understanding and i'm not alone. I have felt loads better this morning no anxiety feeling, no sickness i rang my doctor like you said and they suggested to take half in morning and half in evening and drink plenty of water. I still feel really down though is this normal ? And come evening i have got a really bad headache right now. I do think i might be expecting a little too much too soon.

    Your all really lovely and i do really apprectiate all your comments back so thank you. I hope your all ok too x x

    • Hed1066
      Hed1066 tas89

      Posted

      That's brilliant news! I'm so glad you're feeling better. :-) 

      Citalopram takes about 2 weeks to start kicking in. You won't feel amazing straight away, you'll just notice you have slightly more life in you. As soon as you feel like doing something, do it! Don't rush to feel 100% again. Take small steps and you'll be fine. 

      Keep me posted on how you're doing x

    • tas89
      tas89 Hed1066

      Posted

      i will thank you so much for your support , you really are lovely

       x x

    • Luke7580
      Luke7580 tas89

      Posted

      Hi tas, im on day 19 today, and just starting to see signs of improvement, I'm lucky I had no side affects, but that's because I've been on cit for 17 years and i stupidly thought I didnt need them anymore, stopped completely, and came crashing down.....I realise now i'll be on cit the rest of my life and thats fine by me! So dont be in a rush, don't count the days or think "so and so was better after 2 weeks and I still feel crap".....we are all diffrent, stay strong and al the best.

    • tas89
      tas89 Luke7580

      Posted

      Thanks Luke , and yes your totally right we are all different. I am expecting a little too much , i go to bed and expect to be waking up next morning feeling great lol. But today so far im not feeling to bad smile so i cant complain better than the last few days. Sorry to hear you came crashing down Luke when you came off them , but if they make you feel better then thats all that matters. Its no different than having to take medication for diabetes or arthitus for the rest of your life , depression is an illness too. Im so glad i have come across this site i havent been able to speak to anyone who understands. Thank you for your reply smile all the best to you aswell , take care x x

       

  • Luke7580
    Luke7580 tas89

    Posted

    No problem tas! And ur right too......it was my mate who told me to go back to taking them as he saw me spiralling downwards at a fair speed, he also takes cit and insulin for his diabetes and will do for the rest of his life and basically said if it helps take it...so I will....and I wont start questioning if they r working r not till at least 8 weeks, and if they're not ill try 30mg for 8 weeks then 40mg...then retire ungraciously!! stay strong tas xx
  • Hed1066
    Hed1066 tas89

    Posted

    Hey tas89, how are you feeling? Are you starting to feel better? x
    • tas89
      tas89 Hed1066

      Posted

      Hey ,

         All the side effects have gone apart abit of anxiety but nothing bad, but today i just feel so down like really down. I certainly wasnt feeling this way yesterday i have zero motivation like none at all, i just feel horrible sad i dont bother explaining to people anymore as they dont understand as i look fine so when i do say about it , i swear they think im being a drama queen lol. Thank you for asking thou smile how are you doing ? hows your weekend been ? x

    • Hed1066
      Hed1066 tas89

      Posted

      Glad the side effects have gone. You will feel up and down for a while, It took me a couple of months to settle. The main thing is you feel better more often than not. If you don't, you may have to up your dose. When are you seeing your doctor next?

      My weekend has been busy, saw friends last night and today. I'm all peopled out now! I'm just going to go to my room and chill for a bit, have a bit of me time. 

      I hope you've been feeling better today. x

    • tas89
      tas89 Hed1066

      Posted

      Hey im feeling great , ive have got loads of energy doing my exercises eating and everything. I even went out the house today too which is good i have been on them 2 weeks today.

      Only thing is im feeling abit paranoida bout things rolleyes which i never usually feel like. Do you think this could be a side effect or something ? Like i dont think they would of properly kicked in yet , i dunno dyu think i need to have the dosage uped or keep in 20 mg for couple months see how it goes.

      How are you doing ? x x

    • Hed1066
      Hed1066 tas89

      Posted

      I'm doing great thanks. I've been back on citalopram  for 5 weeks now and I feel so much better.

      im not too sure about the paranoia. two weeks isn't very long, so maybe it is still the citalopram  kicking in. I don't think you need to up your dose at the moment. Give it a month or so and see how you feel. Think about it, when you first posted you didn't want to do anything and now your exercising, eating well and going out. Did you think 2 weeks ago you would be doing that? Give it time, you're doing so well. I hope you're really proud of how far you have come in such a short space of time. Good on you! X

    • tas89
      tas89 Hed1066

      Posted

      Hey haven't had chance to get on here .. How are you doing now ? Hope you are good. I have been doing so much more , i was feeling great still doing my exercises and eating healthy but last few days had to proper force myself and i have gone back to the wanting to sleep and sleeping loads stage. I have started appyling for jobs as i was feeling really good and confident only part time but its a start and i never thought id be feeling like this. But now im just constantly tired all the time im really strugglingfor energy . From your experience do you think the drugs are still kicking in and its side effects ?? Just that i read on here that some people have had reaction to them ect. I dont feel ill or anything though just so tired and can sleep loads. I have gone from cant sleeping and having loads of energy not even being able to lie in bed had to get up and do something which was great to totally the opposite again. x x

    • Hed1066
      Hed1066 tas89

      Posted

      Hey, I'm good thanks.

      sorry to hear you've had a bad turn. You feel like you're taking a step back don't you? Don't worry, part of it will be the meds kicking in and the other part is you're still ill. Think about it, if you break a leg, you don't feel well as soon as the cast comes off do you? There are still aches and pains. It's the same with this. You will have your up days and your down days, like you would recovering from any ailment. I felt really good for the first week, then felt bad for a couple of weeks, then started to pick up. I think it was about 5 months before I felt really good all the time. Up until that point, I would have good days and bad days. The important thing is to listen to your body, if you're tired, sleep. If you're not sleeping, make sure you do something - read a book/magazine, meditate, do gentle exercises, cook a nice meal, just sit outside for a while. It doesn't have to be much, even getting out of bed and making a cup of tea is a big deal when you're feeling really bad. Give yourself time and don't put yourself under pressure to get well quickly. You're ill, be kind to yourself. x

    • tas89
      tas89 Hed1066

      Posted

      Hey How are you doing ? You have a good weekend ?

      Yes your defo right about feeling taking steps back. But i totally get what your saying if you break a leg ect. Just felt so great wanting to do things go out ect. I know that would of been the drugs making me like that but thats who and how i used to be. I was thinking the other day whats the point in taking them as i dont feel any different right now then i thought then theres no harm in giving them another month or so. I would of been on them for a month this weds must say though feels like the longest month of my life lol.

      I do need to push myself abit harder to do these things though in all honesty, i do just find it hard to get that motivation and energy.

      Good news is though my counselor is ringing me next monday and by the looks of things from the letter i had they do group activities. Which will be amazing will get me out house and also get me socialising and meeting new people. So i am really looking forward to that and no matter how sh*t im feeling i will be making myself go.

      Thank you for your support though , i do feel after reading your replies more postive and lifted (i think thats the right word)

      Im going to search the internet for a good book to get stuck into.

      hope your ok  x x x

       

    • Hed1066
      Hed1066 tas89

      Posted

      Hey, How are you? Have you spoken to your counsellor?

      I'm great thanks, the medication has properly kicked in again and I'm far more stable. The dark thoughts are receeding again and I'm back to feeling like a normal person biggrin. I saw my doctor on Friday and she said that it will just take a little time for me to get better. I'm fine with that now.

      I'm glad talking here is helping you and I hope the counselling combined with the medication and you doing little things to occupy your mind will get you on the road to a full recovery soon. x

    • tas89
      tas89 Hed1066

      Posted

      Hey yes i have spoken to m counsellor. I have decided to come of the tablets, i know i havent given them much time to properly work. But im hoping to go travelling next summer and my worry is say i stay on the tabs like the doctor suggests for 6 months when i go to come of them im scared ill end up bk where i was. I have read on here people coming of them is horrible and has worried me now.

      So my plan was to come of them work with my counsellor , and group counselling to help build my confidence bk up as i have never tryed counselling. Also there sending me stuff to read aswell they have been really good. see how that goes 3-4 months and if not then go bk to the doctors and try these again orhing different.

      whats your opinion ?

      And im so glad your feeling much better thats brilliant news. Id still like to stay in contact though. You have been a brilliant support and i really appreciate it and your kindess

      x

    • Hed1066
      Hed1066 tas89

      Posted

      Tricky one, it's really about doing what you feel is best for you. Counselling and medication work well together. I certainly wouldn't have got better without it, but then that's me.

      i came off citalopram  and went back on again because there was a big difference in my mood. I can now look back and say that the meds keep my mood even, I'll stay on them until I finish my MA and then think about coming off. There's nothing wrong with you staying on your meds whilst you travel. I would have a chat with your doctor and see what he/she thinks. 

      Personally I would stay on them but that's me. I suggest you have a chat with your doctor and the two of you decide what's best for you. After all, is it the citalopram that's giving you the energy/desire to fulfil your ambition to travel?

      I'm really glad I've been of help to you and you can always get in touch if you need a chat x 

    • tas89
      tas89 Hed1066

      Posted

      Hey i have decided to defo come of them and had my dosage lowered. I'm going to work with group therapy and one to one counselling see how im feeling in 3 months.

      And for anyone new to citroplam this is just my own personal opinion and how im thinking and feeling. I do think its great and if the counselling and group therapy dont work i will be straight back on it. But as i have never seeked proper help before with counselling i want to give this ago. In all fairness i should of tryed the counselling first then if wasnt feeling any better then tryed citroplam. I know this might sound silly to some people and not make much sense , but for some reason i just feel this is what i should try.

      Will keep you updated on my progress who knows i could be regretting this in few weeks time but for now i just feel its right thing for me.

      All the best

       x x x x

       

    • Hed1066
      Hed1066 tas89

      Posted

      Hey, if it works, that's all that matters! Best of luck to you, I hope everything works out and you achieve everything you want to achieve. If you ever need help you know where we are!

      Happy travels next year!

      x

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