1. Community
  2. Brain and nerves
  3. Citalopram

Week 11 of 20mg citalopram

Posted , 9 users are following.

dobster
dobster

hi all

not posted for a while but looking for a bit of positivity if anyone can.

I’ve been on/ off Citalopram over the last 18 years or so and this is my 4th time on it!! 15 weeks ago my GP thought I should try Effexor and after 4 weeks we decided it wasn’t for me. I was put back on to 20 mg Citalopram. Note : this was all done the correct way by cross tapering doseages.

I'm now on week 11 of Citalopram 20mg and not just getting it yet!! I had a few weeks of goodness but recently dipped, particularly in the morning. I’m reluctant to increase or change dose yet but wonder if anyone can shed light on this.

I never self medicate and every decision I make is done via GP so feel free to comment.

thanks in advance 😊

 

0 likes, 24 replies

24 Replies

Next
  • holly_t
    holly_t dobster

    Posted

    Hi Dobster

    I have been on and off citalopram for 10 years, but this time I have been on it for 4 solid years as the last episode I had was horrific (severe anxiety and didn’t sleep at all for a week due to adrenaline) - it took ages for me to feel better but once I did it was life changing. Can I ask why you keep coming off it? I know most people suggest if you are on ADs a certain number of times your GP will usually just keep you on them as it’s more a long term issue.

    Anyway, what I will say is I think it’s just a blip. Take each day as it comes, I remember around the 3 month mark I started to feel so much better and that is only a week away for you! Hang in there.

    Xx

    • dobster
      dobster holly_t

      Posted

      Hi Holly

      thanks for the positive responsesmile

      I thought I could go it alone last time as I thought the 10 mg wasn’t doing much. I found out after 6 weeks I was wrong and had a major blip. I’m hoping this time to persevere at 20 mg and see how it goes. Mornings are the worst time for me and my challenge is to try and improve that👍

      im returning to work on Tuesday after 3 months off so that’s probably not helping.

  • joanne58498
    joanne58498 dobster

    Posted

    Hi. Morning anxiety is always the last thing to go. It's usually the toughest time of day for everyone too. It may just be that As you got a bit better you are in need of an increase....I.know you are reluctant to do this as yet. It's good you always run things past your Dr. I would give them a call tomorrow and see what they advise. I was on 40mg for a few years. Felt well and tapered off them. It can back just over a year later and so much worse than before. If I need these for the rest of my life then so be it. I don't want to.go through this ever again. Good.luck with you decision

    • rachael16649
      rachael16649 joanne58498

      Posted

      Very similar experience Joanne. Much worse this time and so will stay on them for life. On week 6 nearly 7 and hoping it will suddenly kick in. It has in the past - almost like a light-switch. Are you in the midst of recovery now since going back on them?
    • rachael16649
      rachael16649

      Posted

      Sorry my silly phone didn't see the time it was posted! Doh!

  • steve26624
    steve26624 dobster

    Posted

    Hi dobster.

    I see you posted this some 8 months ago. It could've been posted by me right now the situations are so etch the same.

    How did things pan out for you in the weeks following your post and how are you now? Good I hope.

    Hoping you see this message.

    Cheers. Steve.

    • dobster
      dobster steve26624

      Posted

      Hi Steve

      im doing ok just now thanks, it’s all been fine for quite a while but every now n again I get a wee reminder that I’m on meds. This could be in the form of tiredness, shaky, speaking too quickly or mild anxiety. But generally good.

      I found the mornings like “Groundhog day” for months but eventually got better.  I think everyone’s different when it comes to meds but 1 common issue is people’s expectations of the time it takes to work effectively. Everyone thinks 8 weeks should be enough but from my experience it’s much longer. Diet and exercise are essential parts of the healing process as is openness with people closest to you.

      im still on 20 mg after nearly a year and plan to continue for now as it’s pretty manageable. Stick with it and you’ll come out the other side for sure.

      dont read too many different forums cause you’ll always find a “negative within a positive” 

      be cool👍

    • steve26624
      steve26624 dobster

      Posted

      Cheers for the reply. My 4th time on cit too. It's taking it's jolly old time to do it's thing this time round but experience tells me that I'll get there in the end.I'm glad you're feeling much better. Onwards and upwards. Thanks again.

    • rachael16649
      rachael16649 steve26624

      Posted

      Ditto that Steve! Third time for me after trying to ween off but staying on them now for life. Never going to go through this again.
    • steve26624
      steve26624 rachael16649

      Posted

      Totally agree with you there Rachel. I'm reckon in on for life now too. You'd reckon the start up would get easier with experience wouldn't you? But no, for me each time has been uniquely awful. Nearly out of the woods though.

    • rachael16649
      rachael16649 steve26624

      Posted

      I just wish I hadn't come off them. I have found this time is taking a lot longer to get over. Have you had a similar experience with the longer time needed for it to take effect? Glad to hear you're starting to feel better!

    • steve26624
      steve26624 rachael16649

      Posted

      Yeah it's taking a longer time than it has in the past. 16 weeks in total, 11 on 20mg.

      However the last time I started them took only 6 weeks and I was in the clear. First time was by far the worst but I can't remember how long it took me to feel better. I was in a real state then so hard to judge.

      I suspect that I can't stay stable without ssri s now. Whether that's because of underlying condition or because of changes in brain structure and chemistry due to long term cit use is somewhat irrelevant though. I'm on them for good now.

      Good luck.

    • rachael16649
      rachael16649 steve26624

      Posted

      Thank you Steve. Yes the first time it happened to me I had no idea what was going on. I was 21 then and 32 now. I at least know what's happening but it is funny how you believe all the negative thoughts again. I even have a piece of paper saying "don't believe what your head is saying"...but you still do and it drags you down. The good news is I know it will go! The very best of luck to you too Steve and take care smile

    • steve26624
      steve26624 rachael16649

      Posted

      Those pesky thoughts eh? Damn they're convincing ain't they. Funny how most of them seem outrageously inaccurate or inconsequential once you're out of the mire. Best of luck and a speedy recovery to you too.

      Steve

    • rachael16649
      rachael16649 steve26624

      Posted

      Oh absolutely. They are incredibly convincing and are what make it so debilitating. Not engaging with them is very very hard but we'll get there!

    • jessica245
      jessica245 rachael16649

      Posted

      Hi Rachel! Do you mind me asking where you’re at now as far as what mgs you take and how long you’ve been on. I’ve been on a total of 10 weeks. 2 week 10mg and then 8 weeks 20mg. Rough start at first but the last few weeks i was feeling great. Then since this past Friday I can feel the anxiety start to creep up again. Now all my thoughts are coming back and freaking me out that it’s all getting worse again. Just wondering if youve experienced a blip like this after a couple months of being on them?  Is this normal?
Back to top
Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.