Posted , 4 users are following.
hi everyone stared taking citalopram a couple of months ago but still feel no different they make me feel completely spaced out and uselees like i cant do anything i have suffered from anxitey and panic attacks for around 20 years i was taking a different medication. but a few months ago became really low and depressed following break up from my partner of 27 years which really has effected me badly so went to the doctors and they put me on 20 mg of citalopram which i feel done nothing for me so i have started to come of them slowly i have not taken any for 3 days now and feel terrible with the most horrible thoughts do not know what to do any advice would be great. thanks
0 likes, 12 replies
sanja1993 marky_b
Posted
Hi there, I was in the same boat was on 20 for about 3 or 4 months. And I was not better at all I still would get panic attacks and no motivation at all. So 4 weeks ago doc put me to 30mg, my anxiety is less now and I don't have a full blown attack, but still don't feel like I would like to but I guess takes a few weeks. From what ure saying I think they should of upped your dose, would of made you feel not well but long run probably would of helped. What ure going threw right now are horrible withdrawn because u stopped suddenly, u should of cut it down slowly for your body to adjust.
marky_b sanja1993
Posted
sanja1993 marky_b
Posted
Ya totally sound like you should of had the does increased, that's exactly how I was on 20mg, Its only been little over 4 weeks now on 30, and I feel better not fully there yet they still make me feel weird but not as bad as I was on 20mg. I was on there years ago and I suffered bad in them almost gave up then all of a sudden I woke up one morning and life was normal it wasn't till weeks later I noticed I haven't had no attack or nothing. Problem with them is they take for ever to work that's why many people give up on them and side effects can be horrible. Last week there I felt so off and out of it that I made doc appointment to get me pills to help with side effects. What ure feeling now is for sure withdrawals from not taking it, I ain't. I doctor but I would take 10 again for few weeks than go to 20 than go to doctors tell them what your feeling and ask if a does increase would be beneficial. Seems like ure still in the dumps on 20mg and u need more seratonin, I know ppl that had to take 60 which is way past the recommended dose.
marky_b sanja1993
Posted
katecogs marky_b
Posted
Ok .... slow down.
First of all these meds can take 3-4 months before you even see the first sign of feeling well, and secondly you must not just stop taking these meds as you will become very, very ill ..... and I suspect if you've not taken them for 3 days then that's whats beginning to happen. Not surprised you feel terrible. I took a year withdrawing from these meds before stopping.
I was ill for 16 years before starting SSRI's and it took 6 months for me to completely recover. These meds do not work overnight or within a few weeks.
You've also had a huge upheaval with a partner breakup - you need time to grieve too. Give your body a break and let it heal by slowing down.
First continue with the meds - they really, really do take a long time, but they will help you immensely.
It might be that you need a dose increase, but you won't know that until you've given the dose you're already on the time it needs first. Increasing doesn't always mean you'll recover on that dose - but it could do. Just continue on the dose you're on first for a long time.
A lot of people try and chase recovery - you can't. Some don't see any change after a few weeks so change doses, go through side effects again and hop to another medication after a few more weeks then have to go through it all again. These meds don't work like that - they need time.
Recovery has to come to you in its own time. We're all different and we all take different times to recover.
Please never just stop your meds. Its dangerous, and you'll find yourself in a much worse and terrifying situation than you are now.
Thoughts are part of the side effects. That's all they are. Being ill and these meds can cause all sorts of emotional and physical side effects ..... they'll ease in time and eventually stop.
You will get over this - you just need lots of patience and lots of perseverance.
K xx
marky_b katecogs
Posted
sanja1993 marky_b
Posted
Sometimes it also helps to just talk. I know when I am feeling down I just start to mumble away about anything, as much as u don't have anything left in you to do something. Try simple things like reading books, try to find different things that can help you cope threw all the horrible side effects. I suffer from health anxiety and I swear I have had every decease in the book, keep in mind this this me convincing my self I have something wrong with me. My latest have been because my Appetite is not so good I think I am gonna die because I am not eating enough so I turn into anxiety and freak out, then make my self sick because I just put my brain in overload. It's a repeat circle, and the worst feeling in the world when u feel completely useless. And the stupid racing thoughts completely screw up with your head even more. Also when you do go see your doc ask if u can have something along side for your super. As days, my doctor gave me some for me to take on my ruff days till my normal pill is in full effects. Also when do you normally take your pill?
katecogs marky_b
Posted
Have you taken SSRI's before? They are completely different from other anti-depressants ie tri-cyclics etc. I was on anti-depressants for 16 years and they didn't do anything for me, but was started on SSRI's and recovered. I was amazed!! I took these meds for 16 years and have spent the last year withdrawing from them.
Yes they do make you feel like that - they're tough, but my god they work. Maybe you should stay on 10mg until all the side effects have passed before going up to 20mg. Easing onto them is best for many people.
3 months is quite a while to be on them, and you could almost be there. You've come so far already, so to give up now just when things could start happening would be a shame.
My son had a breakdown 2 years ago and was started on Prozac (another type of SSRI). He went through hell, couldn't work for 4 months, but we helped him through it and it took him 9 months to recover. He's now fully back to normal and has since come off meds.
Yes the side effects are thoughts (can be scary), insomnia, sickness, anxiety and a whole host of other things ..... they do pass though. Some feel them more than others.
Good idea to reinstate your meds and go back to your doctor. If you do decide to come off them please withdraw slowly as they really can be scary beasts.
Keep in touch.
K xx
marky_b katecogs
Posted
cazza13 marky_b
Posted
Mark
Not much words of help from me but I know that terrible feeling and I'm just hitting week 2.
I have to carry on though as I need to be better and that need is greater than the side effects .. last night was terrible for me but the words I have received on here today have really beem helping me as I have no one else to turn to.
Keep going
marky_b cazza13
Posted
cazza13 marky_b
Posted
Mark
Started on 10mg but she wants to put me on 20next week .
I'd never even been on a forum till yesterday but couldn't cope with the feeling crazy on my own any longer..
Truthfully drugs I've have taken before (not these kinds )I mean pain reliefs and stuff and also amitriplyine has never touched me so just thought I had to give it a go but wasn't expectant for such a huge impact.
Not even my ivf hormones from hell really affected me 😆 So it's hit hugely..
I am currently not wanting to keep busy as am so very tired which I'm hoping is a good thing as my brain has been wired up till today.
Take care of yourself and yes I agree it's good not to feel alone.
Join this discussion or start a new one?
New discussion Reply