When do you know if Citalopram isn't working #2...

Hi Carl

These meds work real slow so it'll take some time before you start feeling the beginning of being ok.  The meds often heightened symptoms before settling down.

Feeling sick and shakey are side effects of the meds - its your body settling down.  Have a look at my post I did some time ago explaining why you feel to yucky:

https://patient.info/forums/discuss/reason-meds-take-so-long-and-why-you-feel-rubbish-571394

K xx

Hi Kate . I am 6 weeks in now and still feeling so low. And have been put on beta blockers for the anxiety. Does this mean that the citalopram is not right for me? I have Been on 20mg for three weeks now as my doctor suggested I upped the dose.  Should I be seeing some improvement by now? Xx

Hi Rox

No I doubt you'll see improvement yet - it took me 6 months to recover, and some people take longer and others quicker.  We're all so different and the meds work individually for you.

Its usually around 3-4 months that you might start noticing small changes.  These meds works real slow and those first weeks are usually the worst.

Each time you increase your dose you'll get side effects again.  Its just your body adjusting, so nothing to worry about really.  

A larger dose also doesn't mean you'll get better any quicker - you cannot hurry recovery whatever you try to do.  Everyone suits a different dose - for me it was 20mg.  Get to a dose and then stay on it for a long time ....... and just stick it out.  You have to let your body get used to the dose and then you'll begin to start noticing improvement.  

Recovery happens slow - and I mean really slow.  You won't notice anything for ages, and will probably feel dreadful ...... but the meds are working.  Just give them time.

Count recovery in months not weeks.  It does get better.

K x

Thank you. I think it's cause I've seen people's stories on here saying they felt better after 6 or so weeks but I seem to be stuck in a rut. Also I have what I can only describe as mind chatter. If I'm doing something like housework or even eating, watching tv etc. It's like I'm constantly doubting myself like I have this voice in my head that's saying what's the point. This isn't making you feel good. Or when I'm not feeling anxious I'm always checking in but I don't know how to stop my thought pattern. 

It's like I'm in a fog. Does this make sense? Xx

Yes that's the yucky anxiety talking..it will pass ..it took me 8months to recover...be Patience..I know it's hard but it will happen....

Don't base your recovery on others ........ their timescale is purely individual for them.  Yours will happen for you.

Mind chatter is just a side effect of anxiety.  Its very common with anxiety.  As your anxiety eases so too will that chatter, so its not worth fretting about it as it'll just cause more anxiety, keeping you in the loop.  I had that chatter and had some quite good conversations with myself   

Yes that fog makes perfect sense.  Its because you're concentration is on yourself 24/7 (at the moment) and makes you tired, your thoughts are inward thinking all the time etc so you're going to feel strange.  I felt like I was in a goldfish bowl looking out at the world - and couldn't get back in the proper land of the living.

As Lois says - recovering takes a lot of patience.

I'll private message you xxx.

Ok xx

Hi Rox

How are you feeling now?

well said Kate !!!!!!!

 xxxx

It is normal....