My doctor told me to help me with the side effects of the cita, i can take the alprazolam, has anyone ever done that?
yes I am taking citalopram and alprazolam (xanax). I take the xanax purely on an as needed basis.
the xanax REALLY helps with the intense morning anxiety but makes me a bit sleepy and fuzzy headed.
I also sometimes take serax (oxazepam) and while I feel it doesn't relax me as quickly which can be frustrating, I feel less sleepy and fuzzy so I prefer serax when I am at work.
The only thing to keep in mind with both serax and xanax is that they are benzos, meaning high potential to be addtive and develop a tolerance, and then to also experience rebound anxiety when stopping.
I can see how people get addicted to xanax, when you are constantly in a state of anxiety, it gives such awesome relief!
just really try to take it only when you need it. good luck!
How long have you been in citalopram?and is it working.
I just posted in the Citalopram forum - how do I know if citalopram is working - which you can check out for a longer response but in a nutshell, I am really not sure.
I am at week 12 and had a dose increase 4 weeks ago from 20-30mg.
It seems people keep saying to be patient and that many didn't see improvement until 12-15 weeks in.
So frustrating!
I'm only at 10mg...and i feel sick..day 17 for me.Barely.makes me just want to stop taking it.
I had a REALLY hard time with the side effects and every time I have increased my dose. That is VERY normal and almost everyone experiences.
Check out the threat Has anyone NOT had side effects to read about everyone's experiences with side effects.
I take my dose at night so that I can sleep through the worst of the side effects and take something to help me sleep if needed.
Nausea was definitely a huge problem, my anxiety went through the rough, I had brutal all day headaches and felt really out of it.
Gradually they did start to go to lesson, and then go away. Then of course, I increase my dose and go through weeks of side effects again, but that is unfortunately the reality of all anti depressants, that you feel worse before you feel better and that finding the right dose can be tricky.
I increased from 20-30mg a month ago and feel a bit nauseous in the mornings still. I went through a week of having skin that was SOOO itchy i wanted to claw down to my bones. That has gone away, as well as the brutal pounding headaches. I am really suffering from night sweats though where I completely drench the bed in sweat, and crazy upsetting dreams.
Some people suggest taking an anti-nausea medication to help with the sickness - you can probably poke around this site and find peopple who have done that.
Unfortunately though, any medication for depression and anxiety is going to have side effects at first so you might as well stick this one out for awhile longer.
Good luck!
wow so many typos in my message - sorry!
Thanks....I have to keep telling myself I'll be ok..I just hate having extra anxiety..I think that's what's most bothersome. But I have to say..I can't let it get the best of me as I still manage to come to work despite the odds. Today the xanax worked...thank god.
Yes you are very early on so persevere!
And I know, the extra anxiety is shocking. I seriously didn't think I could get anymore anxious than I already was, and then after starting citalopram it honestly went through the roof and like, tripled.
Couldn't stand being in crowds, even found hanging out in groups with my friends to be too much.
Be gentle on yourself, let yourself get away with the little things.
Start exercising - seriously. Vow to do 20 mins a day - 20 mins is manageable right? That is my new motto 
Thanks!
how is it different taking it at night then am? Will you still get the full effect on the pill the next day?
Hi
I have been on Cit for 6 weeks as of tomorrow. I had all the anxiety and it became social. Even going to the local coffee shop, I had to push myself out the door. Noise and crowds also bothered me but I don't like them anyway. Most of the anxiety seems to have subsided for now, but I have learned never say never as 'something' can resurface. Last week I had anxiety the whole day but now I'm learning to tell myself - this is not my anxiety, this has been produced by the Cit - so just go with it. It's very uncomfortable to sit in your skin like this but I find moving around helps. My trouble can be mostly the insomnia so I don't know if this is something that will need some help. I have sleeping pills but really try and moderate their use. I have definitely balanced out from when I first started and I have found that whenever I have a dizzy spell or really not feeling myself, that something is happening with the meds and try and go with it and there may be another improvement. Nice to hear from everyone that we are all in the same boat. :D