Week 2 on citalopram, 2nd time round and not feeling good
Posted , 8 users are following.
Hi all, I hope someone can reassure me. I was on 10mg of citalopram for a few years for anxiety and found it superb. I had no side effects at all and when I came off it I had no withdrawl symptoms. Recently the anxiety came back so I decided to go back on citalopram. OMG the side effects were horrendous. I had massive anxiety attacks for 2 days to the point I couldn't cope so came off them day 6. I went on holiday and when I came back the Dr put me on sertraline. Horrible. I stuck it out for 5 weeks, the most horrendous 5 weeks of my life. The Dr has now put me back on citalopram as she said these worked for me before. The first week was great, a few side effects but nothing at all like the sertraline, i thought i had cracked it. then on day 8 i started to lose my appetite again and for the last 3 days have had heightened anxiety. I did have a glass of wine so wondering if that has set me back. It's not as bad as the sertraline but is this still normal. Surely if I was going to get side effects it would have been week 1? I feel desperate to get back to normal, I am losing the will to live. Any reassurances would be welcome.
0 likes, 11 replies
Potatoghost shirley55493
Posted
I felt exactly the same on sertraline it was horrific. I went from citalopram to sertraline like you.
this is my second time on citalopram and first time round I didnt have a single side effect. this time round has been crazy! I'm week 4 on 30mg nowand still feel terrible.
so many people have said the second time round is so much harder than the first side effects wise and it can take longer so its definitely normal. I know a few others who are feeling exactly the same so keep going! ❤
Potatoghost shirley55493
Posted
side effects don't hit me until halfway through the first week that's pretty common x
paul22356 shirley55493
Posted
Hi Shirley sorry you're not feeling very well. I'm on my second time on Citlapram 20mg. It took longer to work for me this time around and I also had some yucky side affects for the first 6 weeks. I'm om my 12 week now and I'm feeling tons better I've even been going to social occasions over Christmas. Hang in their they will definitely help you again. All the best Shirley. Paul
Potatoghost paul22356
Posted
how you doing paul? better I hope!
when did you start to realise that yay, something is happening lol?
paul22356 Potatoghost
Posted
Hi Potato it happened all of a sudden for me at week 10. The anxiety improved and the depression got better. I found it a lot harder second time though with the nausea insomnia and horrible intrusive thoughts. Im praying this is the start of recovery because I've had a good couple of weeks. Hope your better soon. Paul
Potatoghost paul22356
Posted
thanks paul 😊
it really does seem to take ages the second time round doesn't it. fingers crossed this is you now on the road to recovery and it's all uphill for you now.
definitely agree the second time round is so much harder for sure!
keep us posted on how you are 🤞
Mic323 paul22356
Posted
Hi paul,
how long were you off the cit? did you have any withdrawels coming off?
thanks
paul22356 Mic323
Posted
Hi Mic. I was off them for about 6 months. I came off them slowly and I didnt get any withdrawal symptoms. Paul.
lala25752 shirley55493
Posted
oh bless you, I know how you feel this is my second time on citalopram. first time was amazing second time is soo hard. so many side effects and it is taking so long to work. just stick it out it will take time but it will work. it will all start settling but will definetely take lots more time.
lala25752 shirley55493
Posted
also stay away from alcohol for as long as you can as this time round it send me into a panick mode after half a beer! and felt bad for like 2 days afterwards. now 12 weeks in I can handle it much better and can have a glass of wine.
Shorthair shirley55493
Posted
i would certainly avoid alcohol if I was you.....it can make your symptoms worse during the 'start up'. i'm on week 23 of 10mg one day and 5mg the next day and currently in a blip but i've felt much better at various times......recovery is very slow but it will happen.