Hi All I am a newbie here tho I have been following or reading many discussions since sept2013 the dreaded month when I was hit with this feeling of dread all over me thought my time was up totally scared me,then followed up with some kind of anxiety wiped me out,went for heart tests,MRI scans nuerology etc all clear,yeeha thinks me,well that's just the start couldn't believe 1 night out boxing,kick boxing ,Muay Thai boxing at the gym,the following days weeks now months wiped out,on the bright side I feel a lot better since week 12 of cit and cbt which is great,tho still can't take it all in.
I am thinking now hopeful to start reducing my cit gradually tho doc wants me stay on for 6 months in total I have 2 concerns any withdrawals etc if staying on cit for too long and I'm now starting back at the gym slowly and concerned about the cardio effects the cit may be having.
Any and all advice is welcome
You are all stars on here as I thought I was never getting better I still have the odd blip or feeling of dread etc but only for seconds and I realise when it's coming so fingers crossed I keep improving.
If it's any news to all my moto is to take something positive from this episode in my life which after searching I'd say I spend more time now with my kids and family instead of off to the pub to watch footy with the guys and I probably have a good ear now for listening and taking others option ion on board.
It's good to hear your well again, and having a positive outlook certainly helps to keep you well, it was 1st August for me when I first experienced this awful anxiety etc , and I never knew anyone could feel this bad, I am a lot more considerate to everyone now, and give support rather than telling them it will be ok or don't be thinking like that when I now realise you cant stop yourself (or ur brain) thinking like that, however I didn't start on Cit for a few months later thought I could do it myself when I realised I couldn't.
The gym will be a good focus for you going forward, and I think ur right we need to embrace this thing and learn from it, accepting it is a helpful. it's good you are prioritising your family now as they really are what matters, it sounds like this episode has helped you become a better person to everyone including yourself. Well done.
I haven't any knowledge on Cit affecting your heart, but you were only on 20mg so hopefully it carries very little side effects, you should check with your doctor and get him to run some tests ie ECG to make sure, and put your mind at ease.
Thanks for your kind respone,I also never took cit for a month or do thinking I can handle this but it just got worse and feeling of dread is unbearable,probably like you I was thinking what's this it will pass ,It was a nightmare at the start but slowly but surely getting there,the cbt helps a lot I also try reiki and shiatsu as the more relaxed I feel the better it is,don't know if you have tried these tho I'm no expert lol,yes I am more considerate now and like you I try and listen more to others,it does help chatting about it just hope when I come of cit that's it for good fingers crossed.
Yes I have tried Reiki and it really calmed me so much so I trained to be a Reiki practitioner so I could help myself and those around me, I give Reiki to folk at my local maggies center (drop in for cancer patient's support group)
Tom as your feeling better now please listen to what your Doc is saying and maybe give it the 6 months, as a few folk on the conversation 'Anyone NOT had any side effects on Citalopram?' which I think u are familiar with they came off Cit too soon after starting and the anxiety came back, so maybe worth discussing further with the doctor before you make a decision. Weird isn't it I was afraid to go on Cit now probably afraid to come off it !!! I never want to experience what I experienced back in August September ever again.
Take care keep in touch let us know how ur getting on and what you decide to do.