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Still feeling low after 6 weeks on 20 mg Citalopram. Does that mean it's not working for me?

Posted , 4 users are following.

anna78365
anna78365

My GP prescribed 20 mg of Citalopram 6 weeks ago because I was unable to sleep due to anxiety.  I am now sleeping well thankfully, so that is a huge success, but I was hoping that by 6 weeks on Citalopram my mood would have lifted but I'm still feeling down.

I don't know whether I need to up my dose or change to another anti-depressant (i dont really want to do this because my main problem was sleep anxiety)

I'm seeing my GP next Monday but would appreciate any first hand experience.

Thank you

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • Leah1990
    Leah1990 anna78365

    Posted

    I think that the fact that you are now sleeping well is a good sign that they are working. I'm only on day 16 so way behind you but I read a lot that people feel down for a while and have good and bad days. X

    • anna78365
      anna78365 Leah1990

      Posted

      Thanks Leah, that's a really good point regarding the sleeping being a sign they are working.  I hadn't thought of it that way.

      I'm so much better than I was but I think i'm just being impatient.

      Thanks again and good luck with your journey. Day 16, so you're over the worst.xx

  • angie4567
    angie4567 anna78365

    Posted

    Hi Anna,

    You must just carry on with the citalopram.

    It takes time, it's not a quick fix.

    It takes a while but you'll get there, sleep has improved so let the drug do its job.

    Take your foot off the gas and take it slowly its not a race. None of us like feeling this way but it takes a while to get this sick therefore you don't just get better in a flash.

    Give your body and mind time. 😊

    • Leah1990
      Leah1990 angie4567

      Posted

      Hi angie, hope you don't mind me asking. how long did it take you to feel better and how long have you been on them? I would like to hear some success stories 😊

    • anna78365
      anna78365 angie4567

      Posted

      Thanks for the advice Angie, I think I am a bit impatient because there has been a big improvement to before I was taking the Citalopram.

      Yes, it took me a couple of years to get here so I will try to relax in to it and be more patient.

      Thanks again xx

    • angie4567
      angie4567 Leah1990

      Posted

      Hi Leah,

      I've taken citalopram for 12 months, the starting dose was 20 mg and within 4 weeks I was up to 40mg which I'm still on.

      I had a dreadful 2-3 months but the people on this forum kept me going. We all want it to be fast results. I'm fine now and really have learnt to slow down.

      Good luck and stay patient,

      Xx

  • Lainney
    Lainney anna78365

    Posted

    Hi Anna everyone is different. It sounds as though they are working for you but it can take time. I started on citalopram 20mg months ago and still felt the same so went bak to gp and got put on 40mg and a few wks later felt a difference. Stick it out for a while and if u dnt feel better go bak to gp. Good luck.x
    • anna78365
      anna78365 Lainney

      Posted

      Hi Lainney thanks for the advice. It's really appreciated. I did start to feel better around week 4 but now feel a little low again and getting anxious when I wake-up.  I think i will give it another couple of weeks and maybe after my children's half-term holidays think about increasing.  When you went up to 40 mg did you get bad side-effects.

      Thanks again xx

    • Lainney
      Lainney anna78365

      Posted

      No ive been fine Anna. 20mg was hopeless for me but a few wks on 40 and could feel the difference. Hope u get on ok.x
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