NervousKel
20-04-18, 16:10
Hi guys! I'm hoping to get some insight on my dilemma.
I've had GAD, social anxiety, and phobias all my life, but for the most part I had been able to keep them under control without medications. Just a few blips here and there that cleared up after a few weeks.
But, in April 2013, I hit a really rough spot. We had an unusually long winter that year, and I think that greatly contributed to it. I was highly anxious, had depression, negative thought patterns, etc. I went in to the doctor; was initially put on 20 mg Citalopram, and then they bumped me up to 40 mg after a week when I went back in for insomnia.
After the horrible side effects wore off (I don't ever, ever recommend a dosage increase that fast), the Citalopram worked great for me! I've been on it for 5 years now, and it did really change my life for the better.
But....about a month ago, I started to notice I was my face was twitching a bit. I used to do this when my anxiety was high. I also noticed a few times where my heart was racing from anxiety. I didn't think much of it.
Then, almost two weeks ago, the anxiety hit me full force. I think it was partially triggered by a tooth ache that kept me up all night, and made it hard for me to sleep for several nights. We are also having a long winter here again this year, and I think that may have contributed as well.
Since then, I've had ups and downs. Some times during the day (especially in the evening), my anxiety is all ramped up. Other times, I'm calmer. Yesterday, I was so calm for a few hours in the afternoon I had to force myself to stay awake;-). I've had to go back to taking Trazodone at night to sleep, which worries me.
What I can't decide is if I should change medications (doctor suggested Lexapro), or if I should keep on with the Citalopram??!! My big fear is that the Citalopram has quit working. On the other hand, I can't believe it's just coincidence that my anxiety has gotten so bad again during an April when we have a long winter. Is it possible for serotonin levels to get low due to Seasonal Affective Disorder even if you're already on an effective SSRI??
Any thoughts on whether my Citalopram has quit working? Or is this just a seasonal blip?
Thanks!
I've had GAD, social anxiety, and phobias all my life, but for the most part I had been able to keep them under control without medications. Just a few blips here and there that cleared up after a few weeks.
But, in April 2013, I hit a really rough spot. We had an unusually long winter that year, and I think that greatly contributed to it. I was highly anxious, had depression, negative thought patterns, etc. I went in to the doctor; was initially put on 20 mg Citalopram, and then they bumped me up to 40 mg after a week when I went back in for insomnia.
After the horrible side effects wore off (I don't ever, ever recommend a dosage increase that fast), the Citalopram worked great for me! I've been on it for 5 years now, and it did really change my life for the better.
But....about a month ago, I started to notice I was my face was twitching a bit. I used to do this when my anxiety was high. I also noticed a few times where my heart was racing from anxiety. I didn't think much of it.
Then, almost two weeks ago, the anxiety hit me full force. I think it was partially triggered by a tooth ache that kept me up all night, and made it hard for me to sleep for several nights. We are also having a long winter here again this year, and I think that may have contributed as well.
Since then, I've had ups and downs. Some times during the day (especially in the evening), my anxiety is all ramped up. Other times, I'm calmer. Yesterday, I was so calm for a few hours in the afternoon I had to force myself to stay awake;-). I've had to go back to taking Trazodone at night to sleep, which worries me.
What I can't decide is if I should change medications (doctor suggested Lexapro), or if I should keep on with the Citalopram??!! My big fear is that the Citalopram has quit working. On the other hand, I can't believe it's just coincidence that my anxiety has gotten so bad again during an April when we have a long winter. Is it possible for serotonin levels to get low due to Seasonal Affective Disorder even if you're already on an effective SSRI??
Any thoughts on whether my Citalopram has quit working? Or is this just a seasonal blip?
Thanks!