Success on Citalopram😁

Hi Merry Christmas

Sorry to hear things have been really rough for you both. Your husband really needs to take the citalopram at the same time every day. It's really important to keep the levels steady in his system rather than taking it erratically.

Had he got some diazepam to help with the anxiety/panics. It was a life saver for me.

Gerry

Hi Merry Christmas.

I'm sorry to hear he's having such a rough time, It takes somebody to be very brave to admit that they are having suicidal thoughts but I can't stress the importance enough of taking your citalopram at the same time everyday. You need to be really strict with this, He's only making it harder for himself. What you should both focus on is that infact he had a good day on saturday, and try not to get disheartened that It only lasted a small amount of time, those days will get easier. By Day 7 I was ready to throw in the towel, but now I'm on Day 16 and extremely glad I didn't. Your husband needs to talk to somebody regarding the thought's hes having to ensure he understands what is happening. I doubt that your husband is actually suicidal, I certainly know I had suicidal thoughts during the worst part of citalopram but when your at that level of anxious its very easy to confuse the fear of becoming suicidal/not being able to cope with that of being suicidal. This will get better, I'm looking forward to hearing about his recovery in the coming weeks. I understand that as a man, my natural reaction is to "help myself get better". I'm absolutely work motivated and terrible when I'm off for anything, being Anxiety only makes that worse due to the nature of the illness. I want your husband to know that I've been through what he is experiencing, He might not believe me but what he is experiencing is most definetly temporary, and you can 100% blame the Citalopram for it because It's scientifically proven that these drugs make you feel worse before they make you feel better. Can I suggest that you look into a book called "DARE", Its available on Amazon Prime and I found it really helped me understand and cope with the first few weeks, and It's also extremely therapeutic to read about the techniques you can use to help yourself recover. 

Your husband most likely will be struggling to "keep busy" at the moment, so the bad days probably feel like they are going to last forever. I think its really important that you continue to do gentle activities when in your worst state, This won't be easy but I utilised the mentalityy "Well I feel so bad so this really can't make me feel any worse so why the hell not". Gentle walks, watching a funny TV show, visiting close family and friends who can offer support, Drawing. 

Please take the tablet at the same time everyday, I don't sleep well with them at the start so I take them in the morning with Breakfast. Have a look at MIND mental health charity to see if they can support your husband in the early days of this medication.

Progress is going to be slow, and there is going to be setbacks but he needs to keep reminding himself that this is a Temporary Problem caused by his body's inability to calibrate to the drugs any quicker. When I felt awful last week, I told myself this statement probably over 500 times a day just to put things into perspective.

All the best.

ing words ,he has felt abit better since yesterday afternoon, bit frightened this morning again

but it passed, fingers crossed the worse might be over,seeing Drs tomorrow said hes felt

A few emotions in his head today x

And do look back at kateclogs post further back. It was under a seperate discussion but she kindly posted it here for everyone.

on how and why the drugs work

he will get better but it's no quick fix 

stay with it..

Gillian,

Thank your for posting your success story, it made me feel a lot better reading your post and all the comments. I'm on celexa for the 3rd time. Was on it a few years ago then thought I didn't need it anymore. Anxiety came back about a year ago, tried celexa again but stopped after 6 weeks bc I didn't feel a difference. Then tried 3 other meds but none worked so now I'm trying celexa again.

Just finished my 4th week (1 week on 10mg , 3 weeks on 20mg) and I think I am slowly getting better, not really sure. I just started a new job 2 weeks ago and am surprisingly doing ok but I am still anxious a lot and get exhausted easily. Wondering if I should wait a few more weeks or up my dose. Doc told me I can go up to 40mg at my own pace.

Personally I should hold on. These drugs can take several weeks to kick on. 20 mg is the therapeutic dose. That was wat I was on 3 yrs ago. Wirkedthen forme but was only 2/3 weeks before I felt better. I expected it tobe the same this time. It wasn't. I think I was further down the hole so it took longer?

It's so easy to think oh I will up it, it's not working but it will be. It's just not a quick fix.the anxiety does get worse. That's part of the cure. And how the tablet works.

But we are all tempted to think agh it's not working I need more! Been therefelt that

Stay at 20 mg for now. I don't know why god fanny about wiyh10 mg to be honest. And I I would be a bit scathing of a GP saying oh just go up to 40 in your own time. You need proper reviews along the way.

And your saying your slowly getting better. So isn't that great..👏👏 I remember thinking that at 6 weeks and it got even better 😊

Stay with it

You're right, I think I will wait a bit longer. I got a new GP and I don't think she really knows what she's doing. When she prescribed it she told me to start with 10mg and increase 10mg each week until I start feeling better or get to 40mg. Which I know is way too fast because I have gone through this before. My last doctor was great but he moved to a different location.

Your right. Am afraid I don't think she know what she's doing! Shame you can't find another GP. I am constantly amazed at their ignorance of an increasing problem in this stress full world

Mines very good

But you do become a bit of an expert at self management 😉👏

Morning ,had terrible night, suicidal thoughts of harming hiself ,

He wasnt so depressed before he started them .just hope he can

Get better now x

I have been on 20 mg for 7 weeks. Haven't had much of a change.  Do most people take 20 mg or 40mg. How to determine if you need to up the dose or do an add on. 

Read back on this site about people's stories 

it really takes 6-12/16 weeks even for some people to feel any Improvement at all

Its differant person to person

I was better much quicker the first time round. This time was a good 6 weeks

But remember you will feel much worse before you get better

Such is the nature of the beast on how this drug works

You may be confusing that with lack of improvement. 

Dont rush to ask for higher dose

20 mg is the initial therapeutic starting dose 

Give it time 

I can second this. I'm only feeling like I'm getting back to my old self now and I'm on week 16 on 20mg. The Dr tried to get me to up my dose to 30 about 4 wks ago. I took the prescription but never took the extra pills and I'm glad I didn't. Things will pick up eventually. Some ppl will take longer than others so just bear with it. That day will come when you'll say oh my goodness I actually feel ok this morning!

Well done.  And for taking the time to share

We have all been there and try support each other  🤗