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Struggling to tell if it's helping due to insomnia

Posted , 4 users are following.

callum55044
callum55044

Hi, I have been taking 20mg citalopram for a week now & really struggling to tell if it is helping due to the insomnia I have been experiencing. I had struggles getting to sleep before starting the medication but I would usually stay asleep once I drifted off. However for the past week I have been waking up feeling incredibly panicked with my heart racing and finding it impossible to get back to sleep. I feel really anxious but I can't tell if it's from only getting a couple of hours of sleep most nights or if it's just the same anxiety I had before or if it's more anxiety as a side effect. I know I should give it a couple of weeks to "settle" but I've never had side effects like these from an SSRI. I have to have an appointment with my GP in a week or two so I'll carry on until then but it is quite demotivating having lack of sleep feel like it's making me feel worse than before I started taking citalopram.

(Also, originally I was waking up drenched in sweat as well but that seems to be easing off. However I would much prefer to be sweaty than sleep deprived so it's not much relief!)

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • robbie499
    robbie499 callum55044

    Posted

    Hey there,

    Im sorry your going through that. Insomnia and anxiety together can be hard, I had it myself 6 months ago. Its hard to say what is the cause as its different for everyone, but the Citalopram can make things feel worse before they get better, so its possible it could be that.

    For me what really helped was going on long runs or just exercising as much as possible so as to tire yourself out. No tv or screens 2 hours before bed. There are over the counter and herbal options that can help: melatonin, valerian, magnesium, L - Theanine

    and others, just double check that whatever you take is ok to take with your SSRI, as some herbal options mess with it.

    But things should level out in a few weeks.

    Hope you feel better soon!

  • barb97671
    barb97671 callum55044

    Posted

    Hi Callum55044

    I am sorry to hear what you're going through. I too am on Citalopram. I've started on this med approx 12 to 13 weeks ago. I started with 10mg for 1 week then raised to 20mg after the first week, then after 8 to 9 weeks on that, my doctor upped it to 30mg. It's been roughly 12 to 13 weeks now and I still get anxiety in the morning, but not quite as bad as it was. After about 10th week I started noticing a slight change in how I felt. I too use to sweat, be so frightened to go outside and my sleep was horrible. only 2 to 2 and a half hours a night. It's still not great, but I now get about 4 hours, which is very encouraging to me. It's a step in the right direction. I don't know if you're like me, but I've noticed alot of people on hear say they feel better in the evening, which is exactly how I was, so what I ve been doing was trying to keep in my mind was that the fact the evening would be better and that feeling in the morning will not last. Also, I found getting out of bed right away in the morning and do something to distract you, get your mind off of your anxiety. I try to walk in the morning , do house chores, anything to keep my mind active. Katecogs is super knowledgable on this subject. oh yes I've failed to mention that this is the third time I've been on meds for this and each time i managed to get off the meds, but for some reason this time is much different. The anxiety and all of its symptoms are much worst this time around. I dont know if it's because it's where Ive been on meds before and it takes longer to kick in, not sure but that is my understanding. I hope Katicogs can jump in as she is awesome on this subject. Give the meds time to do its thing. Not everyone gets better in a few weeks. Sometimes it takes months. I hope you find some relief soon. God Bless and take good care of yourself. We are all in this together. 🙂

  • Saltire
    Saltire callum55044

    Posted

    Oh man, what can I say?

    The norm on here from all the good folk is....you will feel worse at the start of CIT treatment but it WILL pass and then you are good to go

    The duration of this" Breaking in" period varies from two weeks to six months and for most it IS true, you will feel worse for a while before the calvary arrives and everyone is due a different reaction

    For some however these meds are not suitable and will put up with all the side FX in the hope of a "cure"

    I have just spent 4 months from the depths of despair on CIT 20mg and should have listened to my inner voice saying.....these ain't for you Bub

    My advice would be to do your research on these here pages and after 6 to 8 weeks have a good talk to yourself AND Doctor and ask yourself how you are feeling, any better,should I continue with the meds?

    My point is some folk are not suitable to Citalopram, or rather, Citalopram is not suitable for some folk and enduring when you should probably not be doing so is not always a good idea

    2 weeks ago my Doc halved my CIT 20mg to 10mg and next week I step down again to 5mg and then stop

    Since the dose was reduced and Mirtazapine introduced I have made quite the comeback. Although not 100% yet, but still, much better. Was it the reduction of CIT or the Mirtazapine that did the trick? 😃

    BTW I am on the new half dose of CIT now for almost two weeks and tapering and sweating like a hog every night and soaking the bed. Just a heads up to you that CIT blows on the way in AND out!

    It's a very tricky situation and difficult choice and one that only you can make. IMO peeps should know that sometimes CIT is not for them

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