Citalopram at three weeks and feel like dying :(

Treatment and medication
1

HI Guys,
I’ve restarted Citalopram after coming off it last year. Tried a few meds inbetween with no success.

Starting this time has been sheer ■■■■. One week at 10mg, two weeks at 20mg. I can’t eat, can’t sleep, severe anxiety, constant agitation, dry eyes, dry lips, dry cough, muscle pain, and worsening depression with suicidal thoughts. I don’t know how to get through another day of this. help :frowning:

Lucy

2

Hi Lucy Going up by 10 mgs after only one week is a huge leap. You are getting start up effects with the original 10 mgs and even more by increasing your dose. All the symptoms you describe are common side effects. You can either stick with your current dose and ride it, it could take several more weeks, or perhaps you could try reducing say to 15 mgs to see how you get on with that. Sometimes a dose adjustment can make a big difference. 😊

3

Hi Lucy - I've recently also just restarted on citralopram and the first few weeks were really really difficult with horrible side effects. I have just in the past few days started to feel like I'm feeling more on an even keel - still pretty anxious first thing ans last thing and while Im definitely anticipating there will be many more blips on the road to recovery I'm in a much better place to where I was just a couple of weeks ago where I thought I would never feel any better. This forum really helped. Just try and hang in there and get through the next few days the best way you can. It really will get easier.

4

Try sticking to 10's Lucy, im feeling fine on only 5mg.

5

Hi Lucy,my suggestion to both Lucy is stick to one level of medication and stay on that dosage for min of 6/8 weeks .If you start to feel good then stay on that dosage.if not then go onto next level and again stay on it for 8/10 weeks,Please don't keep changing dosage at short period otherwise everytime you change dosage you will get side effects each time you change dosage.

6

Thank you so much guys, you've really helped. I just cant see an end to this hell

Lucy that was really helpful to know you went through similar hell (sorry you did, it's awful), but that you feel you're coming out the other side. Dare I ask how long?!

My doc did suggest dropping the dose to 10mg as perhaps the 20mg is too activating, but I don't want to set myself back further, as isn't 20mg the 'therapeutic' dose?

Can't believe I'll be spending Christmas in this state :(

lucy

7

any dose is the therapeutic dose.i recover on 10.and i know folks recovered on 5milli.

8

mike07300 How long b4 you started to feel better? im currently on 5mil too and im in week 4

9

I feel the same on Citalopram, been ill since April tried lots of antidepressants, 20mg now, week 10 I think, what a time to be I'll at christmas , feel carm around T time more than mornings, I am going to keep going , we have to think after reading forums ,there are lots of people in the same situation, ie, weather on Citalopram or sertaline or any other one, we didn't ask this to happen to us, I am going to watch lots of TV ,get out when I can , cuddle with dog on sofa, and keep my I pad near ! X

10

Thanks Susan, horrible to hear you're still suffering but it helps you can empathise. Seriously hope you turn the corner soon. I really don't know how long i can hang on like this :(

11

Thanks Marsh, I will try and stick at the 20mg. It just almost feels too much for my body/brain as I'm so agitated/jittery. It's awful :(

12

Hi Lucy, would you be willing to share with me more about your first few weeks restarting? what effects you had? I'm really struggling to keep going through this. Lucy

13

ask your doctor for a short term benzo.with the benzo you wont struggle.

14

Thanks Lois... I have been given diazepam but im afraid to use it... surely i shouldn't need to use it at this stage? I'm three and a half weeks in.

15

dont be afraid to use it if you are struggling.i be more afraid of antidepressants then a benzo . doctor gave it to you for a reason.

16

Hi lucy50513

We note from a recent post which you have made to our forum that you may be experiencing thoughts around self-harm. If we have misinterpreted your comments then we apologies for contacting you directly. But if you are having such thoughts then please note that you are not alone in this, and there are people out there that can help.

If you are having these suicidal thoughts then we strongly recommend you speak to someone who may be able to help. The Samaritans offer a safe space where you can talk openly about what you are going through. They can help you explore your options, understand your problems better, or just be there to listen.

Their contact details are on our patient information leaflet here: https://patient.info/health/dealing-with-suicidal-thoughts, which also offers lots of other advice on how you can access the help you may need.

If you are having such thoughts then please do reach out to the team at the Samaritans (or the other people detailed in our leaflet) who will understand what you're going through and will be able to help.

Kindest regards Patient

17

Hi Lucy

My experience of the side effects was that I felt constantly sick and lost my appetite, the panic attacks I was already experiencing were even more intense (racing heart, struggling to breathe) and my mood really tanked. I literally couldnt believe I was ever going to feel any better and just desperately wanted it to stop. These lasted for a good few days after the dose change. They seemed to have eased off now - I'm still feeling anxious particularly in the mornings and last thing but it has certainly eased off so i can only hope im through the worst of it although I'm trying to be realistic that theres probably still some tough days ahead. Hope that helps stay strong it will get better no matter how impossible that feels right now.

18

Thank you Lucy, appreciate it. Feel like quitting as can't imagine even another day of this. Thanks for the encouragement.

19

Hello Moderator,

Thank you for your note of concern. I have people who are aware of my situation and that I'm having suicidal thoughts, and I would never actually do anything. I'm also aware that these thoughts are likely linked to restarting medication, hence the post i made.

Best wishes, Lucy