Probably anxiety..

[Aleman200]

The day's have been going rough, I have my old side effects of waking up at 7am perfectly no matter what time i go to sleep, i have increased anxiety in the morning and shakey legs when walking around. All things I had when taking Citalopram before. I've created a few reminders to make sure i take my tablet in the morning as usual. I've made a promise to myself that I will never stop cold turkey ever again, I don't want to risk the medication not working if i do it again. Thankfully this time, it seems to be doing something as my body is reacting to the serotonin uptake.

[Sparkle1984]

Welcome back, Aleman! I'm sorry that you have suffered a relapse. I remember we supported each other on here during our previous anxiety episodes in summer 2020. Sadly I also suffered a relapse in November last year after tapering my citalopram down to 5mg and suffering a heavy cold and ear infection. I gradually reinstated my 20mg dose, but unfortunately for me it wasn't so effective (it was my 5th time starting citalopram and I'd been on and off it for 13 years, so I think it had lost effectiveness. A couple of months ago I switched to sertraline, and seem to be doing better on that, although my intrusive thoughts haven't gone completely, I don't have any physical anxiety symptoms. (I have a separate thread on the sertraline forum documenting my progress).

[Aleman200]

It's so nice to hear from you again Sparkle! Yes I remember we supported each other quite well! And it makes me happy to see you still posting! I'm glad you're finding more success on Sertraline, I'm only on my 2nd or 3rd restart at the minute and It feels like it's taking an effect already even though I know my side effects are still there and kicking so I'm hoping given time they will die down just like they have before. Like you I have problems with the intrusive thoughts and the heightened anxiety, except most of mine manifest physically at the worst possible moment.

[Aleman200]

Going to keep this updated but i had my results back from the GP from the urine lab analysis and it was completely normal, no further action required so it's more proof that it wasn't a UTI or something sinister it was just my anxiety, dehydration and my citalopram causing my body to overreact. This is incredibly reassuring and I feel like i'm doing better with accepting the doctors tests and words now than I used to. The old me would be ringing them up asking for more tests and more investigations but right now i'm content with just leaving it and accepting my body can react to things.

[Aleman200]

I'm on Day 8 now of the Citalopram restart, they're definitely having an effect already, The heightened anxiety is so far the most prevalent symptom of being on them again, I know it will shift eventually, it's just difficult when you're in the moment. I've had muscle cramps and once again the shaky legs which is part and parcel of the higher anxiety, another symptom I used to have.

I'm really doing my best using grounding techniques whenever I can feel the panic setting in, telling myself this will get better soon.

[Aleman200]

Skipped a few days but i'm on day 14 now of Citalopram, honestly was expecting today to be alot worse, had alot of morning anxiety lately and I've been trying to go for a walk to calm it down. The terrible experience I had with an A&E doctor didn't help but my GP managed to put my worries to rest and was frankly appalled that an A&E doctor left such terrible notes when I visited. Since then however I've been doing my best to be calm and use grounding techniques, I know when my body is stressed even If i don't feel it now. Like i'll need to go to the loo alot more all of a sudden or my heart will speed up for no reason etc. My current worry is still centered around my cremaster muscle and whether it'll ever settle down which it most likely will when my meds kick in. Either way. 2 week mark and still going strong. Here's hoping I start seeing more improvements.

[Sparkle1984]

The first 2 or 3 weeks are always the worst, so hopefully you will start seeing some improvement very soon! It sounds like you're doing well with the grounding techniques.