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Ten weeks in on Citalopram 20mg

Posted , 6 users are following.

gemma77546
gemma77546

Im just wondering if anyone can tell me if what I’m going through is normal at this stage. I’m on my tenth week now of taking citalopram 20mg, the first few weeks were really bad for me as the citalopram not only made my anxiety worse but it i couldn’t sleep neither. I was having panic attacks throughout the day and again in the night, it was awful, I did honestly feel like I’d never get through this and all the time the doctors wanted me to go up to 30mg. Well I’ve hung in there and with zoplicone to help me sleep I do feel like I’ve made some small progress. I’ve returned to work last week and even though I’m not finding it easy with working with some anxiety, I am managing. I’m not having panic attacks but I still struggle with my mind wandering and having anxious thoughts, it’s like I’m overcome with a feeling like something bad is going to happen and I’m scared.   I just don’t know if this is still normal and if I’m expecting too much to be better by now. I know some people have said on here that it can take months but it has been two and a half for me so I just don’t know. I just want this to end, I want to be back to being me again this is so hard.

0 likes, 21 replies

21 Replies

  • carl67287
    carl67287 gemma77546

    Posted

    Hi there I’ve been feeling the exact same on venlafaxine for the last 7 months it’s horrible I just want to feel normal I’m so sick of these side effects 😥

  • Star1711
    Star1711 gemma77546

    Posted

    Hi Gemma

    I’ve been on citalopram for a total of 12 weeks now, I’ve just entered week 3 on 30mg. I feel similar to yourself, it’s like I’m getting on with ‘normal’ things but living alongside the anxiety at the same time. It’s a strange feeling, for me it’s a combination of living with my ‘old’ self again and the anxious self. I too still deal with overthinking and anxious/scary thoughts. So I’m not 100% quite there yet with recovery. I think what you’re experiencing is normal. It’s going to take a while for our mind and body to catch up. It can be frustrating but I just have to go with the recovery and try my best to keep moving forward. I’ve started doing cardio exercises again...I’ve found this helps clear my mind a little. Keep going, we’ll get there x

  • jamie47701
    jamie47701 gemma77546

    Posted

    Hi,

    I also believe that what you are going through is normal. I’ve been told it could take up to 6 months. However, everyone is different. You may have to do something to help clear your mind. On your lunch break go to a quiet space and rest. I’m also going through this process of Citalopram....and what I have to keep telling myself is, this is a journey. Embrace each day. It will get better. Have faith. 😊

  • gemma77546
    gemma77546

    Posted

    Thank you everyone, it’s so hard when I have a bad day to try not to think ‘here I go again it’s getting bad’. I just want to be able to keep moving forward but it’s hard with setbacks. I just keep wondering if I need a higher dose like 30mg or I feel I should just keep at the 20mg.😬

    • lois95799
      lois95799 gemma77546

      Posted

      Stay at least until 12 weeks...that's what I would do before upping..

    • gemma77546
      gemma77546 lois95799

      Posted

      I’m so scared that I’ll always be like this. It feels like two steps forward and then one back, it’s so hard.
    • lois95799
      lois95799 gemma77546

      Posted

      But unfortunately that's what I thought also..and I waited 8months..for crying outloud

    • gemma77546
      gemma77546 lois95799

      Posted

      I think I’m just going to have to learn to accept that there isn’t a fast fix, it’s going to take time. I’m glad you got there in the end it’s an horrendous thing to go through.
    • lois95799
      lois95799 gemma77546

      Posted

      Absolutely it was by far the most horrific feeling in the world for me..but IAM here now recovered to talk about it...
    • gemma77546
      gemma77546 lois95799

      Posted

      I’m so glad that you are. It’s good that people come back to this forum even when they’re recovered as it gives those of us in the earlier stages some hope and positivity. Thank you Lois 🙂

    • lois95799
      lois95799 gemma77546

      Posted

      Absolutely it wasn't for this forum .I don't know what I would have done... saying a prayer for you...you will get there trust me...

    • gemma77546
      gemma77546 lois95799

      Posted

      Sometimes I find that when I have a bad day like we all do at times, it's hard to not think that we're going backwards again. Did you used to find that too Lois. I have spoken to others on here too that gave said that when the anxiety isn't there, they still look for it like they're expecting it to creep back. I used to say that's crazy don't even think about it but I know how they feel now.

    • lois95799
      lois95799 gemma77546

      Posted

      Absolutely .so many times I lay in my bed thinking when is it coming back..and eventually it never came back..that's why I ain't giving anxiety another chance to come back..so IAM staying on my celexa.. don't ever want to experience that horrible feeling again..

    • gemma77546
      gemma77546 lois95799

      Posted

      Did you find that it just went away with the citalopram in time or did u have to change your ways of thinking. I know that the anxiety is the first thing I think of unfortunately which is what triggers it all off. I know I need to try and change that but it's easier said than done isn't it, especially when it's been so bad for the last few months.

    • lois95799
      lois95799 gemma77546

      Posted

      It was definitely the celexa that change my way of thinking.. Because talk therapys and mindfulness etc.. didn't work for me..

    • kelly58470
      kelly58470 gemma77546

      Posted

      I agree with Lois; I would wait until you reach the 12 week mark, and then I would up to 30 mg. if you are still having anxiety.
    • gemma77546
      gemma77546 lois95799

      Posted

      Ok thank you Lois, I'll keep hanging in there I'm really not wanting to go up to thirty so I'll give it more time.👍🏼🙂

    • lois95799
      lois95799 gemma77546

      Posted

      Is not a coincidence that I took 8months katecogs took 6months her son 9months a friend of the family 1year ..so isay give it more time..
    • gemma77546
      gemma77546 kelly58470

      Posted

      Thank you Kelly, I’m really scared about going up to thirty as I don’t want the increased anxiety again it’ll be like starting all over again which terrifies me. 
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