Hi all
I've been posting (and probably boring you!) about my experiences with citalopram over the last few weeks. I was on 10mg for 2 weeks and I've been on 20mg for another 2 weeks. Most of the major side effects have worn off (thank goodness)!
Generally, I'm better in myself. However, I'm still having insomnia, which is a symptom of my anxiety, anyway. It got worse in the initial stages of taking this drug, i.e. I was getting no sleep!
I thought I'd cracked it when, the night before last, I fell asleep on the sofa (without my sleeping tablets), woke up, took my sleepers and went to bed and got about 9 hours sleep...and I napped in the day! I have a really bad cold and chest infection at the moment, so I could have been sleepy because of that.
Last night, I fell asleep at 1.30am and woke at 5am. I could not get back to sleep! I took a little bit more of my sleeping tablet (I hadn't taken the full dose that my doc's been prescribing, anyway) and dozed on and off for 2 more hours.
I suppose I'm upset that I haven't got a settled sleep pattern after 4 weeks on the drug. I'm taking quite a high dose of Zopiclone (have done this before and managed to come off it) but my sleeping is not improving. One day I think it is, only to be bitterly disappointed when, the next night, I get a crappy night's sleep! I sometimes get just an hour or 2.
I have an illness called lupus and this causes fatigue. I need my sleep more than most people! I'm off work and want to go back soon, as I must admit the citalopram has helped with my anxiety and calmed me...but I'm just so tired! I used to be able to sleep for England! I just want to be like that again!
Could this still be a side effect of the citalopram, or is it me?! Am I hoping for too much after 4 weeks on the meds (and really only 2 weeks at the usual starting dose of 20mg)?
Looks like I'm limited to the SSRIs, as my lupus causes an irregular heartbeat. Apparently, Dothiepin (which I took a few years ago) is not so good for this...but I know I eventually got to sleep on it! I'm hoping that things will improve on the citalopram, as I don't have many more options!
I'm SO sorry for rambling. I'm tired and fed up. Will I get there in the end?
Thanks for listening
Love and hugs
Caz xx