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View Full Version : Well, as expected, it is back…and I’m back on medication (Citalopram advice please!)



Movielife
04-01-16, 11:43
OK, so I had a rough time last year. By August I was burnt out, and the stress turned into anxiety, then health anxiety, and so on. I was on propranolol, then I stopped it as it was causing too many side effects. I was then on diazepam but again I stopped this. I stopped everything. I started to feel anxiety symptoms calm RIGHT down.
However, I started to experience what I can only describe as very down/depressed days. I ignored them, but I felt very upset on certain days.

Just before Xmas, another ongoing health issue which I thought I had personally dealt with flared my anxiety. This led to more anxiety about other things in life and worrying about how long the ‘down days’ seemed to be going on for.

In the end, by Xmas eve, I was so upset and I could barely socialise due to severe upset and a horrible mood. Again, no anxiety symptoms.

This carried on all over Xmas and up to the past few days, with depression being about 65% and anxiety creeping in about 35%. It was a horrible period of crying 3-4 times a day.

So, recently the GP suggested Citalopram in the build up to my CBT which is starting mid Jan. I finally decided it was a good idea.

5-6 days ago I started it. I am less upset, I must admit, but now all the anxiety symptoms I was frightened of previously have come back AGAIN. E.g. blurred vision when anxious (although it isn’t extreme), waking up at 2/3 am, waking up with pins and needles more than usual, and just general strange physical symptoms. I am only on 10mg,

The leaflet says that it can make anxiety worse before it makes it better.

Has anyone experienced this? I am keeping myself calm….ish.

Thanks

Shazamataz
04-01-16, 20:19
Yes! Citalopram is known for making things worse before they get better with regard to anxiety! I am on day 19 (7 days on 10 mg, 12 on 20mg) and still feeling horrible :( I am finding reassurance on this forum from many posts that say it can take at least three weeks for things to settle down. I myself am counting the days.

Stick at it and ask the doc for something to help with sleep and maybe have some diazepam again to get you through it.

best of luck x

Movielife
05-01-16, 10:46
Thanks - I appreciate the response.


Last night was an odd restless sleep but no pins and needles.



I can definitely feel the effects of the medication.

chrisphillips
07-01-16, 11:18
They definitely increase mood - and decrease sleep at the beginning.