I've been on citalopram for 3 weeks. Originally I was started on 20mg. First few days I felt great, but started to experience side effects that were overwhelming. I started taking 10mg and experienced rough symptoms from the drop in mg for 2 days but have been feeling ok until now. I've been experiencing tingly prickling in my hands and feet and anxiety that's causing chest tightness and the overwhelming anxiousness. I cant figure out if it's due to dropping mg or a need to jump back up to 20mg. So basically Is it withdraw symptoms or a need to jump back to the original 20 mg dose? Can anyone clarify? Thank you!
I’ve been on it for a little over 5 weeks now. 20mg. I considered changing my dose a few days ago as I seemed to go from making some good progress do dipping back to a terrible state. I’m starting to slowly pick up again. One thing I’ve learned from ppl on this forum is ppl will all react differently, so some may experience terrible side effects (I was horrific the first 2 weeks) and some little to none. Changing your dose in most ppls experience has caused the side effects to start up again from the same to worse. I decided then to stick to my 20mg as changing it can effect your progress. It’s hard as I’m still struggling to accept this, but it’s not a quick fix and you will have days where you think it’s fantastic and things are getting better and then days where it feels like they just aren’t working and you want to give up. So speak to you GP, pick a dose you think will work for you and stick with it for a good few weeks. I’m reading a good book about anxiety and how you shld try and let it be rather than fight it off. It is helping me to deal with the bad days. I hope you start to pick up soon 😊
It's really early days, and it's quite common to feel great at first and then go through a dip. You can't really know for at least six to eight weeks how a particular dose is going to affect you. 10mg may be enough for you.
Oh, and also, please ignore the packaging when it tells you side effects only take two weeks to go, or that you should feel better in three weeks. This is simply not true for everyone.
You are most likely experiencing side effects from a fifty per cent drop in dose. If it were me, I wouldn't jump back up to 20mg right now. It is common to feel initially better, and the to feel worse for a while whilst brain and body adjusts, I'd stick with 10mg for at least a month now. And expect things to sort themselves out s l o w l y.
😊
Ruth is right. I made the mistake thinking “wow I’m on the mend” and then took a terrible dip and started the intrusive thoughts of “I’m never going to get better. I’m stuck like this forever etc” I’m starting to feel better again and ppl on this forum have given me the support and knowledge I need to get through this. More so than any GP I have spoken to in the last few weeks and trust and believe I’ve spoken to a lot!! I had NHS24 on speeddile for a while 🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️
The thing that scares me is the breathing part. I just hope it gets better.
Yep, totally get this, my mind was doing the same thing.
Had a nasty crash on 10mg last week but now picking up again.
It's awful when it happens, but it's going to lift.
Likewise, I've received more support on this forum than anywhere. Amazing 😊
Are you finding it difficult to breathe/tight chest? Or are you hyperventilating with the anxiety? I've experienced these and it's horrible. Most recency on 10mg, had very tight chested feeling, but it has now gone.
Yes tight chest and feeling like something sitting on my chest. Feels hard to breathe or get a proper breathe of air.. I feel anxiety because of it. Its s never ending cycle.
It will go, it's an unpleasant anxiety sensation and the change in dosage could be making it worse initially. These tablets and the anxiety itself have such strange effects.
It's a side effects of celexa it will pass..try not to confuse natural anxiety with the side effects of celexa... They are two different things..I had side effects of celexa that where so severe I swore I had a horrible illness not related to anxiety..but all it just was ..side effects..of celexa.
I hope it's just side effects.. I love the way it makes me feel. I started getting panic attacks to the point of when my girlfriend and I go out to eat I'd get a attack and felt like I couldnt breathe. I had to ride it out. So these side effects kind of mimic a panic attack. But I havent had one since I started taking it. I have my life back. But when these symptoms creep up I feel as if it's not working.
You will have those creep up days from time to time..
Lois is right. Some days you will feel as if its not working. But it is. And gradually those days will get fewer and further apart. Although they might STILL appear from time to time, even when much better.
In so glad I've found this group. It's nice to vent and talk to people who are going through the same thing. Its comforting.
How long did your breathing and tight chest symptoms last for you ruth?
Every time I increased, I ended up having them for a couple of weeks. And then intermittently until it just kind of faded away.
Another question for everyone, is it ok to take Celexa for years or possibly life long term? And how long has everyone been on Celexa? I feel like I'll have to be on this life long due to my panic attacks that I've had prior to taking this medication. I'm 31 yrs old.
I know it’s easoer said then done....but try not to think that far ahead 🤦🏻♀️ I’m just going with it, see if it works and when and if I feel I no longer need it, then I’ll see my GP and start the weaning off process. Some ppl come off then and never require them again, others come off and go back on after a few months or years.
You’ll find ppl on here that have been in it years and years. And ppl that have been on and off them, ppl who have come and stayed off....it’s a really helpful site!! 👌🏻
Well I figure I'd give an update today. My breathing is still pretty heavy. I'm still on 10 mg of celexa. My breathing comes and goes. It's good and then badit's bad. My chest still feels heavy.. Still feels like I'm breathless.. I had a pulmanologist appt scheduled for this Wednesday but just got called and asked to push it back this Wednesday. I'm sort of thinking my breathing problem is asthma in a way.. I feel this way in the morning a little after i wake up my chest tightens up and goes on throughout the day. I've also been holding the hope that it may be the celexa also..
Ok update after the update. I just had a panic attack.. The celexa makes it manageable but should I be having them? I want it all just to go away! I keep wondering why me. Why me. I just want it to work. Ugh. U worked though the panic attack like I always do by breathing slow. But I don't want it lingering.