Citalopram anxiety and panic for the second time!....need to talk

Hi all,

Just started citalopram again after being off them for 1 1/2 years! Anxiety and panic attack a came back stronger than they ever have with even slight depression. I was put on citalopram the first time after my cesarean having had pulmonary embolisms (blood clots in lungs) as a complication of having got DVT. now 3 years later, health is good but the anxiety of always thinking something is wrong wth me health wise, like I'm having a heart attack, or will develop clots again. I'm on day 5 of citalopram and am feeling dizzy, have diarreah, and just so so so tired. I just want to feel like myself again! Anyone ever gone through something similar?

Help

I had all your symptoms too, they will subside, give the pill 6 to 8 weeks I was told. Good luck and there's more people on here to talk to you to help you feel less anxious, you've come to a good website. Any problems, call your doctor, they may want to increase the pill for you. I did a lot of walking, it helped me through my anxiety . Good luck! Friend, Cindy

Oh and the health fears, I had those too, every little thing made me worry, so that's normal too. Cindy

Yep I experienced pretty much most if not all side effects however they subside after weeks/months. For me I was just glad to retruning to happyland and no fatique as with depresion and anxiety I had major fatique symptoms and a feeling of hopelessness where now I feel normal but have the slight side effects which dont take up too much energy so I would trade that anytime!! Keep staying positive and just look forward to the breakthru in medication thats coming your way !!

Thanks everyone! It helps knowing I am not alone! Just trying to cope with the feeling of being compressed in the chest all the time and the slight "ball" feeling in my throat!!! I know the pills will kick in soon.....just very tired of being tired!

I had the same feeling in my throat and chest. Also had palpitations, and still do occasionally. 

How long before those feelings left?

My throat got better after a few weeks, but I still have the chest pressure and palpitations usually in the late afternoon. I read that magnesium deficiency can also cause some anxiety, so I started on magnesium today. I have been on SSRI's for 6 mo. now and am ready to get all the way back to normal. I am improving every week, though.

Yes I've through similar - restarting them, that is.

I was in them for 15 years with great success and came off them 2 years ago and had a great year.  I felt the need to restart them a year ago due to the stress of family illness.  The side effects hit me harder second time round (can't say I noticed them much first time).  For a few days my anxiety was quite high, and woke one night and had to get up and paced around the room with my heart pounding.  Was very weird.

I also felt flat, nauseous, heady and just felt very unsettled.  Took a few weeks for most things to settle but the uneasiness continued for a couple of months.

I've been well again a good 6 months again now, so yes, it takes time for everything to settle.

Your anxiety may not feel worse than before, rather than as you haven't felt it for a while it just feels worse.  That's what happened to me.  It was a shock to the system again.

Your side effects will pass in time and you'll start feeling calmer and happier again.  Keep persevering - you'll get there.

K x

Sorry for the typo's .... just spotted them.

Thank you!!! That's great to hear!!

Thank you! I'm looking forward to brighter days! And best of luck to you

Awesaome work Karen I heard the longer on Citalopram or anti-depressants the better for preventing a relapse so great news !!

I am sorry to here your pain m54807, unfortunately with citalprom your anxiety gets worse as the medication will still be kicking in, it takes a few weeks for it to start working in the mean time try to check on the internet for some things u can do physically your self to reduce your anxiety, mind me asking do u drink alcohol, u have come to the right site keep on posting everyone is here to help.

Hi Richardt,

Things seem already getting better on day 6 comparing to last week! No I do not drink alcohol! Thanks for your help!

Good to here things are getting better, keep us informed about your experience, cheers

I'm dizzy and having heart palps after 6 days on only 5 mg !! What dose are you on ?

Hi Kim, have been on 10mg for 6 days, some days better than others. I too feel dizzy, tiredness, nausea.....having to on 20mg after the first week, hopefully ,y symptoms will eventually disappear.  But not till I feel better, I take an Ativan at night since that's when I usually have my meltdowns....

I also get heart palpitations but that's from my anxiety...kinda got used to it now...but still scary!!

I just started a measly 5mg per day citalopram 7 days ago. I don't know if I'm imagining it but I feel weird. I keep getting headaches and my anxiety is more than usual. I woke in the night after a vivid dream sweating and my mind was worrying about trivial things. Can 5 mg REALLY give me any symptoms ?