Posted , 10 users are following.
I have been on 20mg of Citalopram for 3 weeks & GP has just increased to 30mg. I am really not feeling any better, some days are better than others. Early mornings are the worse, feeling sick, dreading how I am going to get through the day. Eating is the worse, I have no appetite, which is making me very weak, so have no energy to do anything. I was taking Diazapam but GP wants me to have a break from taking them but I feel as if I need something until citalopram kick in. Are these symptoms anyone else is experiencing ?
1 like, 57 replies
pat97152 jenny59516
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jenny59516 pat97152
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pat97152 jenny59516
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val97981 jenny59516
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katecogs val97981
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They're definitely not addictive - I have been on these 15 years and still on the same dose of 20mg as when I first started. 40mg is quite a big dose and I suspect it might not have suited you. If you get the dose right you can take these for life if needed.
Sometimes other SSRI's suit different people much better. A previous one I was on before didn't agree with me.
When taking these, you have to let each dose settle for a good month before seeing if they need to be increased or not. Then of course, the side start again if upped. Such a long drawn out procedure isn't it :-)
K xx
francesp katecogs
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I too have been on Celexa for 3 and a half weeks and am still feeling very anxious. The other night I had a horrible burning sensation throughout my body. The paramedics came and told me that my vitals were fine, but now if I even get the slightest flush I panic. Do you think I will get better soon? I'm so scared that I'm going to be stuck like this forever.
katecogs francesp
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Hi Francesp
Yes that's really early still for the meds, and those early weeks are often the hardest too. What dose are you taking? One of the side effects can be sweating / overheating which can feel uncomfortable - glad the paramedics were able to reassure you.
When we suffer with anxiety we often start adding more anxiety to what we've already got, by worrying about side effects. This just fuels the fire and keeps it burning. Understanding whats happening to you really helps and can take away that 'added' anxiety, enabling your body heal. Try and find a website Anxiety No More (I can't put the link here but can send it if you like). It'll explain all about each symptom of anxiety, helping you to understand, and will alleviate the anxiety you have about them. The underlying general anxiety then can start to heal with the help of the medication too.
Don't expect to get better soon ..... but you will get better. Recovery can take some months, but don't try and hurry it because you can't. Let the meds work, understand you'll have some ups and downs, but just keep going as the wait is worth it.
You won't be stuck like that forever - honestly. We all think exactly the same, but everyone can recover from this.
K x
francesp katecogs
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Thank you so much for responding. Im on 20, started on 10 for a week and then moved up to 20, I've been on the 20 for about three weeks now. I don't have anyone around me who deals with anxiety the way I do, so it feels very isolating. I will check out that website. Really the only thing that keeps me going is people like you online who encourage us beginners to stick through it. Its so frustrating to have to wait for something to help us. Do you remember how long it took you to feel your best on Celexa? I know were all different but I would just like to know your experience.
Thank You XOXO
katecogs francesp
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I recovered on 20mg - we all suit different doses, but don't be in too much of a hurry to increase too soon - a bigger dose doesn't mean you'll get better any quicker. Also each time you increase you'll get side effects again, so I expect you've had side effect from the 10 and the 20. It takes some weeks for them to settle and then give it even more weeks ..... it can be 3-4 months before you feel the beginnings of recovery, or it can be weeks. Don't be in a hurry - we all recover at different rates.
When you start feeling well you'll probably crash again - its normal, and you'll be up and down as you recover.
It does feel a lonely business, and nobody will ever know how you feel unless they've suffered from it themselves. People don't 'see it' because you don't have your leg in a plaster cast or wear a bandage round your head, and though you may smile people can't understand that underneath you have this 'thing' raging inside you.
It is frustrating having to wait to get well, but at least there is medication there to help us do this now ..... unlike years ago when general meds often didn't help. It takes a long time to be ill like this and it'll take a long time to reverse it.
It took me about 3-4 months before I started feeling well, and it was about 6 months before I felt truly well. From then on I continued to improve even more. I didn't actually know I was recovering as I didn't know anyone on these meds, had nobody to discuss / compare it with and there was no internet either for me to read about it ..... the psych team explained how they worked but back then it went in one ear and out the other. I was surpsised when I started feeling 'me' again.
K x
katecogs jenny59516
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3 weeks is still early days, and you won't feel better by this time. People are too eager to increase their dose, thinking the medication isn't working, but it is. It usually takes around 3-4 weeks for the side effects to settle, and then another 3-4 weeks feeling calmer, and then a few more weeks on you'll begin to notice an improvement which continues until you feel better. Increasing your dose will give you more side effects again.
Recovering with this type of medication is a long slow process, and often quite painful too. Much patience is needed as you ride the storm and through out to the other side. The end result is so worth waiting for.
When I was ill I also found the early mornings the worst. I think it was waking and realising I had another day to get through. All the side effects you mention are perfectly normal will ease in time. Promise.
I recovered by just taking 20mg, and have been well for many years now. I too was in the same place as you are.
Theres many people here who will support you through this journey.
Best wishes
K xx
jenny59516 katecogs
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Feeling very emotional at the moment, GP took me off the Diazapam & increased the Citalopram, I did wonder if the side effects were the increase in dose.
Hoping I see an improvement soon, would really like to be able to enjoy Christmas.
xx
katecogs jenny59516
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I wouldn't worry what has triggered yours though - just let if be there, go with the flow at the moment and you'll come through it. I know, emotions take over big time when you're in this situation - how many times did I sob at the doctors, at work, or on my cat (bless her). I found the crying was one of the first things that stopped with me (my cat was relieved too).
Keep in touch, and hope you feel some benefit throughout Christmas.
K xx
jenny59516
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Really finding this forum helpful, Just to have someone to talk to who understands. Yesterday did improve as the day went on & I did manage to eat in the evening.
No tears this morning but feeling very lethargic. Hoping to feel well enough later to go & look at a puppy for us !
xx
katecogs jenny59516
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Glad no tears ....... change is happening! I expect the lethargy will ease too.
A puppy!!! Squeeeeeeeal :-)
K xx
jenny59516 katecogs
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Just thought I would update you on my week as you seem so understanding.
I am now at the end of week 4 & feeling much better than this time last week.
We got our puppy last week & she is definitely a distraction for me. My husband has been away since Thursday & I must admit that I was anxious about this but so far so good !
I am still a long way from feeling 100%, have no problem getting off to sleep but still waking about 4ish feeling panicky. Eating is improving slowly & still anxious when going outside the house.
Should there still be a continued improvement ?
xxx
katecogs jenny59516
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Yes there should definitely be continued improvement for quite a while to come. As I recovered, I noticed each week and month it just got better and better!
Dont forget you might get low points still along the way, but it's natural. I did .... I'd be feeling great, then have days of feeling a bit lower. But they soon passed :-)
So pleased for you
jenny59516 katecogs
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We have a little Cocker Spaniel puppy called Tilly.
Not feeling quite so good today, think its the stresses of Christmas, because I have not been feeling so great we are really behind with Christmas preparations & I am still feeling very tired.
Appetite is still not great but I am managing to eat, just don't really fancy anything.
Friends & family say they can definitely see an improvement which gives me a bit of a lift !
Thanks for your support.
Love
Jenny
xx
katecogs jenny59516
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Tilly sounds delightful :-) I bet she'll be excited on Xmas morning!
In the meantime, go with the feelings and you'll soon find you'll be fine again. Don't hurry it along though, it'll do it in it's own time.
Im sure lots of cuddles with Tilly will help too :-D
K xx
jenny59516 katecogs
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bernieh katecogs
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Have been on 10 mg citroplan for a month this friday, had alovely day saturday calm but not good since them in menopause on hrt patch not sure to increase to 20mg or should i give this a bit longer.
Thank you
Bernadette
francesp katecogs
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3-4 months sounds like nothing but to me it feels like an eternity with a toddler in tow. My psychiatrist also is frustrating me because she claims that celexa doesn't cause the side effects I'm feeling so I have to go online to get some validation, I'm wondering if I should switch doctors not because I want to go off of them but because I need her to understand. Anyways sorry if I'm bombarding you but I have no one who I can address these things with and I appreciate your advice more than you know. I'm glad they've worked for you, I hope they work for me and the others too. <3
katecogs francesp
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I was ill before my children were born and up until the youngest was about 4 or 5 - I know how hard it is .... you just want to be well for them xx
Your psychiatrist says Celexa doesn't cause the side effects??? Ummm I'm quite speechless...... a professional in this field says that? Ask her to check this site out or maybe read the Patient Information Leaflet that comes with your meds. I can assure you 100% they do.
Is you GP helpful or are they both not? You can find a lot of reassurance and help on this site. Many people are going through the same or have been through it and recovered.
Absolutely you're not bombarding me with anything - I'm only too glad to help, and I expect others on here will be too. I know what you're going through - I've been there and know what a frighteneing place it can be.
Everyone thinks the same - will they work for me. They do for the majority of people, but you really have to give them time.
Have a look at that website - its so good. It'll help answer a lot of your questions. There's also a book. If you can't find it I can pm it to you.
You're not alone - this is a very common condition, even though its hard to believe, and its one that you can recover from.
K x
francesp katecogs
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My soul literally loves you ? I'm not sure what website you mean or book though. And you are absolutely right I just want a time machine that will take me a few months ahead, I get so scared and depressed when they come home because I feel like I'm not 100% for them and it aggravates me. My GP is great but like he says it's not really his field of expertise but he tries. I think I'm going to just change the psychiatrist, but down here in Miami FL you are hard pressed to find a good one that accepts insurance so it's all out of pocket $ but I don't care at this point I just need someone that I can connect with and understands what's going on.
katecogs francesp
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I'll message you x
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