Hi, after nearly 15 weeks on 20mg of Citalopram, I have had a dreadful week. My symptoms of anxiety, and intrusive thoughts are back and I am so tired. Has anybody else suffered in this way, I am really losing hope that I will ever get better. I was expecting some good days and some bad days but all I seem to get are some OK days and then mostly some bad ones.
Hey! I get where you are coming from! I have had 6 weeks of Citalopram after a crash from comng off cold turkey a 3 year regular dosing! Just hang in there and be glass half full rather than the opposite! Also, get exercising, it is amazing how a jog or run or brisk walk can boost your mood! After all the ssri serves to prevent the re-uptake of seratonin! If you boost that serotonin by doing sport you will feel better much quicker
I would suggest an increase in the dose - maybe to 30 mg if the current dose is ineffective. Perhaps speak with your GP is you continue to feel bad. I hope you start to pick up soon.
This is normal. Recovery comes in patches / waves. Many people start to feel well and after weeks suddenly feel anxious and depressed again - it's how recovery works. People often rush to up their dose too, but it doesn't matter what dose you're on you will probably go through this same period.
You may get lots of these waves along the way, but just let them be there, accept they're part of recovery, carry on as normal and you'll find it should disappear again.
K x
Hi Kate, thank you for your reassuring words.......they do help but I just can't believe that I'm still so anxious and depressed after such a long time.......in your experience how much longer should I be patient for and how long before I try a different medicine..........this is killing me from the inside!!!!!!!! Thanks for your advice
Hi Bax
I've twice been on these meds and both times was different. First time it took about 4 months to start feeling a bit better and by 6 months felt great. Second time around it took longer - about 8 months.
My son also sadly suffered with this illness 18 months ago and it took him around 9 months to start coming through it on the meds. He's now back to his happy self again.
Its different for everyone. Some people recover after a few weeks, but most people it takes a good 4 months plus to start feeling the beginnings of recovery. It's not an easy route either - we don't often just ease into to feeling well, but instead find our mood up and down quite drastically for quite a while. You think you're better one day and then suddenly find yourself back to square one. This will happen for months sometimes until the bad days finally stop coming, you can wake with no anxiety.
It will happen in time ......
K x
As you know I've felt bad all week, this morning was really bad but this evening ive felt much better xxx it's so weird and so frustrating that there are times that you feel right back to the beginning xxx I'm going to chat to the dr about hormones too as I reckon they play a big part too xxx
Get on something new, u should feel better by now! U waited twice as long as me. If ur not happy with it, tell ur doctor, they will take u off it n try something new!
Hey. Did this ever get better for you? X