This will be a long post but I started having bad anxiety about 2 weeks before the birth of our second child, all of a sudden i couldnt sleep, had no appetite, my stomach was always gassy and my mind would not shut off. This went on for about a month. Ive never been so scared in my life, i had no control over my thoughts or emotions, i couldnt play with my daughter and be happy. I finally went and saw the doctor and told him what i was experiencing he thought i had GERD and had me tested and started me on meds, a week later the test came back negative and i went off the meds and he gave me a perscription for Citalopram 10mg. At that point it was getting close to Christmas and we were planning to go visit family. As i didnt want to rely on meds and had never experienced something like this before i wanted to get through it on my own, ive always been a strong person and relied on in my family. I thought going home and visiting family would snap me out of it, and while it helped i came back home still feeling low, i decided i would see a counsellor and see if that would help, after a few sessions i had some good days but would always come back to a low, again with the non stop racing thoughts, lack of appetite, trouble sleeping, and general numbness to all emotions and lack of interest in anything. It was killing me because all i wanted to do was be there for my wife, my daughter and my new baby and i felt numb, emotionless and on autopilot. finally on Feb 1st id had enough and knew i couldnt do it myself, i was sick and tired of feeling sick and tired i started on citalopram 10mg. for the next 5.5 weeks i had daily diarhea, i was sweaty, my heart raced and i felt sick and no improvement. then at the 6 week mark the lights came on and my stomach calmed i had no diarhea and i felt decent, not great but good but could still tell i had a long way to go. I met with my doctor and told him that and he said they are starting to work and if i still had some anxiety to up my dose to 15mg. that lasted about 6 days and then i came back to a low, my stomach was still good but my mind was back in its vicsious cycle of constantly trying to figure out why i feel this way, why cant i just feel good, why cant i be there the way i want to for my family, so 5 days ago i decided to up to 15mg and right away the diahrea came back and so did the anxiety, not to the point it was at previously but still there, i know its side effects of the dosage increase but now i'm at the point where i have my questions. Does anyone think that after 8 weeks at 10mg and now almost a week at 15mg i should be feeling better? Should i be looking at a different medication? I have a doctors appt on monday with a different doctor because i cant see my regular one for 3 weeks. can it take more than 2 months to feel better. I thought i had turned the corner at 6 weeks but i guess not. I still am sleeping somewhat better and my appetite is still there but i'm just at such a loss now because all i want to do is feel better and be there for my family that needs me, and i crave the feelings of pride and joy in my kids that i just cant seem to find. any advice would be helpful. i'm also going back to a counsellor next week.
Hey Canuck. I experienced the same thing when I had my meds upped to 30 mg's from 20. From reading diff posts in here it seems to be the norm. I've been on 30 mg's for 2 weeks now and still get headaches, still have gut aches and so on. Just have to ride out the storm I guess. And read some of these posts. We're not alone in how we feel. Best of luck to U and keep the chin up.
I'm sorry, I'm fairly new to taking Citalopram myself, so I have very little anecdotal evidence or information for you, but will tell you that I am having intermittent slight improvement, with intermittent exacerbation and worsening of symptoms after a few months on it, therefore so far, at least at this dosing, I would say it is not a miracle drug at this time.
I just wanted to say that I respect and commend you for your input on how you want to be better for your family. It takes a strong person, and one heck of a spouse and parent to recognize that their problems become their family's. Often people don't realize that while they are suffering, their family is suffering equally in a variety of ways. (I have been both the "patient" and the "caregiver" for a spouse) So... hats off to you, and keep your head up, knowing that you are exceptional. An illness does not make you less, and perhaps your family will be strengthened by this experience.
Be persistent, and contact your doctor often. The squeeky wheel sometimes does get the grease, and they will be your advocate to find the best treatment for you.
It's intiley up to you but I would change meds I have been on cit for 11weeks with the same old feeling low num feeling like a zombie medication does not help its just like a bandaid and blocks out everything and helps you get through the big hurdles.I'm currently coming off cit I've had depression for nearly a year time to get my life back and fight it my self.all the best
What dose were you on for the 11 weeks?
Thanks for the kind words, it really does take some patience with these drugs it seems. What dose have you been on for the few months you've been on it?
20
Only 10mg so far, but Im a smaller-ish female.
Hi there, just hang in Canuck. You're doing a great job and I am a believer that it was time and a dose increase they did the trick for me. It took about 14 weeks on 20mg to really find my feet again. I started 20mg in early December after being on 10mg for 6 months. I was just ok on 10mg but the anxiety lingered so I went up to 20mg as originally prescribed by my doctor. I am feeling so much better now. Try and get over the start up and horrible side effects and I am sure you will feel the benefit with time. Lee.
Not sure if you still respond to this but you said it was 14 weeks before you got better again!I am on week 10 and had a few good weeks and started going back down hill two weeks ago!I have been on 40 for 10 weeks!Does this mean it stopped working