I am a first time poster looking for some advice about Citalopram. I have been taking it for 6 weeks: 2 weeks at 10 - 15mg and four weeks at 20mg. I was hoping to see a significant change by now, but I haven't really seen much change. I am taking it due to some stress I encountered, which led to insomnia and then anxiety about insomnia. Unfortunately, the insomnia is still quite bad and I usually need to take a sleeping pill or benzo to get a few hours a night, so I feel tired all the time. I still feel quite anxious during the day too, with butterflies in my stomach. I do exercise, eat a healthy diet, follow a sleep programme and meditate. Is it too early to expect a change at this stage? Any advice would be much appreciated.
Yes its too early to expect a change - took me 6 months to recover on 20mg. Count recovery in months, not weeks, and people usually start seeing changes around 3-4 months? Everyone is different though and some recover quicker, others even longer. What you must do though is just stick it out.
Even though you aren't seeing anything happen yet, the meds are working in the background. It takes an age for your body to settle and in the meantime it often heightens your symptoms to start with - and insomnia can be a problem at the beginning too, but these side effects often do ease over time.
Don't put a timescale on anything - just go with the flow. It'll happen in its own time.
Also don't be in a hurry to up your dose - 20mg might be the one for you - you won't know unless you've stayed on it for a long time. Again everyone is different. You cannot speed recovery up and a bigger dose doesn't mean you'll get better any quicker. Again you just have to bide time and go with the flow.
When you begin to start feeling better you will get setbacks / blips. This is where you feel like you've gone back into it again - this is perfectly normal and it will pass. There'll be many blips as you recover, each one getting easier.
Hope that helps.
K x
Many thanks for your advice. I really appreciate it.
❤️
I’ve only been on it for 4 weeks I’m sooo dizzy
What dose are you on?
Yes feeling dizzy can be a side effect for first few weeks - it usually eases off. Each dose increase can also cause side effects again.
The dizziness should wear off. Let your doctor know if it becomes a problem though.
Thank you so much for your reply! I am just very new to this and I am stressed out about it and I feel terrible!
It can be frightening for sure - and being stressed about it is what keeps you in the anxiety cycle. Everyone does the same - I did until I learnt about anxiety and what to do and not to do. Its always a shock when it hits you.
I've sent you a long message too.
Thank you!
Is the dizziness a side effect or a symptom off your aniexty? X
I think it is a combination of all of it! I did try 2mg of diazepam and I think it made it worse! I’m sticking to magtein and a super tiny dose dose of doxylamine!
I feel dizzy too but iv been told i have an inner ear problem and been givin medication for the problem (witch isnt easing up) and with that bought a real bad attack off aniexty an left me no choice but to pretty much house bound myself 
iv been giving nothing els to help take the edge off the side effects tho? X
The Costco sleep aid is amazing for sleep and anxiety. I’ve been taking 1/4 to 1/5 of a pill at night! But I’m very sesnsative to medicine! Example I took 5mg of diazepam once and I was hammered for 24 hours!
Doxilamine and celexa may cause dizziness...also dizziness is a side effect of celexa.and sometimes is also a symptom of anxiety..
Funny thing is I woke up feeling great this am! Maybe the new bed set I bought helped. Super heave goose down duvet felt so good!
Good for you..that one day feeling good and next day feeling hammered is all part of recovery...but I hope you keep on feeling good ..that goose down is a must...
Yes, I told my girlfriends it’s my thunder blanket! It was worth the cost on amazon which reality is still not a lot! Thanks for all your help!
That’s the tough part about this drug. One day you feel it may be helping you and the next your ready to dump it down the toilet. I’ve been on it for 3 weeks and have yet to get 2 good days in a row. I’ll jump for joy if it ever happens.
It will happen ..but very slowly..it's a very slow working med..don't get discouraged ..stay on one dose ..a higher dose doesn't mean a quick fix.. patience is the key here..
I’m on 10mg. Should I just stay at this dose?