Zoloft > citalopram > escitalopram > citalopram ......please help
Posted , 7 users are following.
Hi,
I've been a reader of these forums for a few weeks now - VERY helpful! Unfortunately, I haven't come across a discussion that cover my 'messed up life'. So...here goes... and, I should add (in advance) that I'd be very grateful for any/all advice. Background: A few months ago, I was dx'd with depression/anxiety. My GPdoc prescribed Zoloft. I took zoloft for a week or two and had horrid side effects. I called the GP and he agreed that I should stop Zoloft. The GP then prescribed 20mg Citalopram (starting at 10mg then switching to 20mg after a week). I did this regimen for approximately 1 month. I then went to a Pdoc who thought I should be taking Lexapro (escitalopram) and switched me to that med (stopped taking 20mg of cit and took 10mg of escit instead - she operated under the assumption that escit had/has fewer side effects). The escitalopram seemed to cause tinnitus and jaw clenching - I asked to be switched back to citalopram. She agreed. I had taken the escit for several weeks.
NOW: I've been taking 20mg citalopram each morning for the past 5-6 weeks. I've had many side effects - poor sleep, lack of motivation, jittery, LOTS of increased anxiety. The Pdoc wants to up my dose to 30mg/day. I'm hesitant to increase - primarily because although I've had a couple of 'several day' episodes of feeling a bit better, the BIG problem I'm currently having is a big increase in my anxiety throughout the day (instead of just the morning as before...) It's this big jump in 'all day anxiety' that has me especially worried. Having read through many of your discussions, it seems that I'm early in a 'consistent' med regimen. However, I'm getting to my wits end and wondering if an SSRI is tolerable by me?
Please....I'd love to hear back from all the experience out there....
Dan
1 like, 43 replies
daniel39582 dan.tooanxious
Posted
dan.tooanxious daniel39582
Posted
I hear you. I'm at about 6 weeks myself at 20mg cit (as you've likely read, I had a mixed beginning). I certainly try to minimize (if possible) the amount of meds I take - currently, just the cit and an occasional sleep aid.
Here's to hoping the citalopram kicks in sooner (rather than later) for both of us.
Thanks for the reply! Dan
bob_06279 dan.tooanxious
Posted
That seems like a lot of rapid changes . It took me months to get over my side effects when I was first put on Citalopram, but I've never been better now. I lived on red bull and coffee to get through work (which isn't great for my health I know) along with naps in my car at lunch. Take your pills in the morning. Even now if I forget to take my pill before work I notice it when I go to bed. Ride it out. It gets so much better.
dan.tooanxious bob_06279
Posted
Thanks for the reply. Yeah - I think my body didn't know whether is was coming or going there for a bit. I've heard that escitalopram (lexapro) and citalopram are chemically very similar - but, I seemed to react differently to each of them. I do take the 20mg of cit in the morning - I have difficulty with consistent good sleep and I read somewhere that would be a reason to take them in the am.
Were you able to stay on one dose? How long take it take to stabilize for you?
Nowhere-Man dan.tooanxious
Posted
I've just started a course of Cit, 20mg, second day. I'm in a horrendously dark place at the moment with crushing depression, disturbed sleep, dark pessimism, morbid obsessional thinking and anxiety levels through the roof. If this drug takes month to work and has side effects that could initially make me feel worse I worry how I'm going to cope or if indeed I can survive until the anticipated better days!
joanne58498 Nowhere-Man
Posted
Hi. I'm sorry you are feeling so unwell. I had cit 20mg. I was fine for a couple of weeks but did really struggle for a few days. Have you got support around you?? Stay in contact with your dr. Its imoortant they can help and advise you if yiu get worse. Take care.
lois95799 Nowhere-Man
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Nowhere-Man joanne58498
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Thank you joanne58498. I have no support in as much as although there are friends around I can't talk to them about the depths of my despair. I have just undergone a major change in life circumstances which has floored me (I won't go into detail here) and I'm as close to feeling suicidal as I've ever been. I know Cit won't solve the problem because I am the problem. Oh, does anyone know of any reason why I shouldn't take Nytol with Cit? Thanks again.
Nowhere-Man lois95799
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dan.tooanxious Nowhere-Man
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It's rough - no question about that. Other than the depression, your symptoms sound similar to me. I could just feel the rising anxiety in my chest for no apparent reason. I think it does happen that an individual (for whatever reason) simply cannot tolerate SSRIs - which is why it's so important to stay in contact with your doc. Having said that, it sounds like you are in very 'early days' with the treatment. Please look at my reply to Katecogs to see where I'm currently headed....
joanne58498 Nowhere-Man
Posted
I'm sorry things are so hard for you right now . Have you spoken to a professional about feeling suicidal...the Samaritans??? Cit won't solve the problems but they will.help.you feel stronger so you can tackle them straight on. It's early days and will take time. Stay in touch with you Dr right now. He may he able to give you something to help you sleep. Take care.
Nowhere-Man joanne58498
Posted
Just relocated to a new town and have first appointment with my new doctor tomorrow. Suicidal thoughts are in retreat at the moment, but it my mood can change dramatically at any moment. Yes spoken to the Samaritans - had variable receptions but on the whole the calls have been helpful. Thanks for the advice.
Nowhere-Man dan.tooanxious
Posted