Struggling to adjust to Citalopram 15mg (for anxiety); seeking reassurance
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I started 10mg Citalopram 3.5 weeks ago and 1.5 week ago increased my dose to 15mg. The psychiatrist said increase it to 20mg but I have been feeling so terrible I just went to 15mg (required cutting a pill). Here into my fourth week and its still excrutiating. Mostly the heightened anxiety and panic... always the worst when I wake up. Ive been prescribed Trazodone 25mg to sleep which is the only relief I get. I took Citalopram in 2009 for about 6-7 years and it worked for anxiety but I don't recall ever struggling to adjust. Ive also been on and off Lexapro in the past year and it helped. I'm kicking myself for getting off in Sept because I wanted to lose the weight I gained from it. Now I'm in this nightmare with Citalopram and its taking much longer to adjust. I'm experiencing horrible (nearly constant) panic/anxiety, muscle shakiness and weird stomach sensations where I feel so hollow but I don't have an appetite and eating is hard. I will randomly have an appetite, but most of the time the smell of food is a turn-off or I struggle intensely to eat. The psychiatrist prescribed Gabapentin to help with all my discomfort, but that totally freaks me out so I haven't taken it. I don't want more side effects or to develop a dependency! I have a terrible experience with taking Xanax years ago for two weeks and quickly became dependent. So I worry I get addicted easily. I'm very sensitive to drugs. Hoping the Citalopram will start to help soon. Ive been working from home during this process as its so hard to leave the house. I force myself to walk or cycle when I can, but this is so hard. Some people say that it can take months and years to feel better... which terrifies me. with Lexapro the worst was 3 weeks or so and then I started getting reprieves in my day. But with Celexa the reprieves so far are not great or sustained. Ive also been taking L-Theanine 200mg 2x/day to try to help my racing mind. It might help a tiny bit, but not nearly enough. Hoping someone will have some words of reassurance. Thank you so much...
0 likes, 3 replies
lynda84120 TaraLin
Edited
hi Taralin. I am also on cit for the second time. I'm now on 40mg for the last 10 weeks. only now am I starting to get some relief from the side effects one of which is the excruciating anxiety and nausea. you just have to keep going it's not easy I know! I would advise you to take what your doc suggested as 20 is the therapeutic dose. I say this because each time you increase you get side effects so while you feel rubbish you may not notice the extra 5mg. I'm far from recovered yet but know I will get there as you will too! search for Katie cogs she gives fantastic advice. also maybe look at anyone not had side effects from citalapram that site will offer you some reassurance too! you are not alone! L x
TaraLin lynda84120
Posted
Thank you for your response! Ive been reading KateCogs blog and shes very helpful indeed. Today Im feeling some relief from mental panic/anxiety but my stomach has been bothering me for the last 24 hours. Its sortof like nausea but more like when your stomach is raw and gnawing at you, like its hungry but food sounds terrible. Just yucky. When I do force food, it helps a little... ugh. The weird body aches and funk is annoying. Its like Im recovering from the flu. Do you recall feeling any of this? The docs say that side effects from the meds should pass within 10 days, then its just a matter of waiting for the med to balance your serotonin and address the anxiety or depression.
lynda84120 TaraLin
Edited
yes I remember and still feel like it sometimes. side effects can last for many months as were all different. just do your best to eat and keep pushing through but expect a v bumpy ride! remember be kind to yourself you will get there! L x