Help Citalopram 1 week 10 mg 6 weeks 20mg - fatigue, stinging eyes, facial tension

[nh_user_1410309]

Hi everyone,

I’m 28 yo and 6 months ago I collapsed (anxiety attacks, hyperventilation, insomnia, depersonalization,tired,nervous,..) I wasn’t really feeling depressed but it was as if I lost total control over my body (my mind still wanted to continue life as usual)

The symptoms got worse when months went by.

Life has been tough on me as I’m also a victim of abuse as a child, neglect, etc… so I have been in survival mode for a lot of the time I suppose. I had a lot of stress at work, in my family and I also lost my mother.

It was difficult for my doctor to give a clear diagnosis (she says it could be burnout, anxiety, ptsd,…)
Because my system had became so sensitive, they wanted to put me on Citalopram.

I started on the 17th of November (1 week 10mg and then upped the dose to 20mg on the 26th)
I suffered every side effect possible during the first 4 weeks, it was horrible to say the least.

They instantly made even more tired than I was already, after 4 weeks I started to feel a bit more relaxed, still extremely tired but some new symptoms appeared. My eyes are stinging all the time, lot of pressure on my eyes, a irritating facial tension, can’t focus on anything for a long time.

I’m getting really anxious this will never pass, is this all normal when taking these meds?
Since taking them it is also difficult to tell what is caused by the meds and/or by my own.

I also take half a trazodone at night to sleep.

I’m barely able to do anything… I really want my life back…
Was it a good idea to start taking them? Can they still work for me?..

[nh_user_1408232]

hi anwar sorry to here your not in a good place at the moment . your in the acute faze of the citalopram at the moment where every symptom is heightened because of the drug this is normal . the doctors say 4-6 weeks but for most it starts to improve from 12 weeks from a increased dose . so for you you upped to 20 mgs so it starts from there so another 7 weeks . . ive had very similar symptoms and iam on 10weeks of the 20mgs . 13 weeks ago i couldnt get out of bed with fatigue and other symptoms. but iam seeing signs of change iam still getting symptoms and some days are better than others. its very early days on the medication you have to give it time to work and for your body and brain to heal this wont happen over night as its took us years of stresses to get us to where we are. its our bodies saying enough is enough iam shutting you down this is what happened to me . i know its hard and the feelings and the questioning of the symptoms is what makes it harder as layering more worry on top of side effects which in turn makes us feel worse . i know its very hard and its a struggle but try and shift your focus onto some think when your feeling crappy so your not fully focused on the symptoms we have all done it . but i would say your symptoms are normal and they will come and go for abit till your brain levels out . try and stay at the dose your on as increasing will start the process again. it takes months for this medication to work fully so dont give up hope i will private message you a few things i do to help . hope this all helps you to take care and keep fighting lloyd

[nh_user_1410087]

Hi Anwar,

I’m sorry to hear about your struggle. I can relate. I am in my 7th week on Citalopram (15mg) and I went through all the side effects as well. I’m still not 100% but I have noticed improvements. I too may need to bump up to 20mg, but haven’t wanted to because it’s so uncomfortable going through the side effects. You have to focus on the improvements as best you can, even if it means writing them down. It’s a very gradual healing process. KateCoggs is someone who comments in these blogs and she has a lot of helpful advice and experience. You can Google her name to read her blog about this as well.

In any case, the heightened anxiety is definitely part of recovery as your brain is adjusting. The more time that passes, the more you will experience better/less uncomfortable days or hours followed by blips of anxiety. It is an excruciating process, believe me, I know, as I’m still dealing with it. But it does get better. The tiredness is a side effect of the adjustment, and the increased anxiety as well. It’s all part of it and gradually gets better. I’m sorry it takes so long! All I can say is that I was on this drug once before and it did help, as did Lexapro for me. But being on this for the third time in my life, I know this is a process and it does get better.

Like you, I don’t feel that I struggle with depression either, just intense anxiety from stress, burnout, loss of loved ones, etc. Life is overwhelming. You are not alone. I also have Trazodone for help with sleep on nights when the anxiety keeps me up. I’ve been taking 25mg or half a 50mg tablet. I’ve slowly tried cutting that down to a quarter and less because for me personally, I feel like it makes my body feel like jello the next morning.

From everything I’ve experienced, and read, it does get better, but it DOES take time. Most doctors say 6 weeks but I’m finding that for a lot of people feeling significantly improved or “back to normal” takes longer. I’ve also read that when you start to feel your energy and appetite come back that those are signals that the drug is starting to work and to give it more time. I have also felt the eye discomfort, but it comes and goes.

I’m not a medical professional, but I hope the very best for you (and me) and encourage you to give it more time.