Hi, I've been on citalopram 10mg for 7 weeks tomorrow, I've been feeling a little better for the last 3 weeks but for a couple of days now been feeling low again, anyone been through the same experience? Is this a blip? Thanks x
Yes its a blip. It can take many months to recover and during that time you'll feel well, then bad again. They ease off as the months go by. Try not to over analyse the blips and treat them as a necessary part of the recovery process.
K x
Thankyou for reassuring me, do you think upping my dose would make a difference in my recovery or 10mg will do the job? X
That's always tricky to know which dose is best for you. I recovered on 20mg, whilst some recover on higher or lower (though some people can't tolerate a very high dose). A higher dose doesn't mean you'll recover any quicker either and it doesn't stop the blips - they come whatever dose you take. After I recovered I stayed on the meds for years and lowered my dose to 10mg for maintenance (am now off meds).
You often get side effects again when increasing too but they only last a few weeks.
Might be worth chatting to your doctor though it does sound like the meds are working if you're feeling a bit better mixed with blips. Maybe see how you go for a while, wait for the blip to go and if things aren't going too well then maybe a good idea to go up to 20mg?
K xx
I agree, I think it is just a blip. I have been on them for 4.5 weeks now and had 3 fairly good days then yesterday was horrible. I think I may have overdone it on the good days. Went out, bit too much to drink and am still not eating properly. Today feels like a good day after a 5km run and a 15km cycle. Underlying anxiety still but am able to function and get stuff done. Don't worry about the blips, they will happen. Take the time out you need to get through them
It could definitely be a blip, I have been on them 2 months now and still have bad days. The good days become so much better but there was still be bad days. Keep going
I've been back to see my doctor and he has increased my dosage to 20mg, this is my third day taking them, how long roughly will they start to kick in? Also I was given a different brand (accord) and I'm worring they're not going to work like the other brand I was taking, any advice and support would be greatly appreciated, I'm so scared at the moment xx
Thankyou all for your replies xx
I've been back to see my doctor and he has increased my dosage to 20mg, this is my third day taking them, how long roughly will they start to kick in? Also I was given a different brand (accord) and I'm worring they're not going to work like the other brand I was taking, any advice and support would be greatly appreciated, I'm so scared at the moment xx
Hi Kez
20mg is the dose I recovered on - you'll probably have side effects again for a while which will ease off, so that can take a few weeks or a month maybe?? It shouldn't feel bad all that time as it eases. Some people do report they feel different with taking a different brand and I have read that even though the active ingredient is the same, the inactive ingredient can differ (the inactive ingredient being the outer shell / coating).
When I was waiting for my meds to work I went out every day for a walk, kept active (sometimes hard when you feel rubbish), and one of the biggest things that helped me was to understand anxiety.
Most of us have anxiety because we're afraid of anxiety, so you get stuck in a cycle. The meds will help ease the anxiety and you'll slowly begin to not fear it (because you won't have it). Relaxing towards the anxious feelings whilst you work also help. Anxiety likes a tense body.
You'll get there. Just tick each day off as another day nearer.
K x
Thanks for your reply katecogs, my depression is worse at the moment feeling doom and gloom and horrible thoughts and thinking I won't get better at all, I'm trying to think positive but with that horrible feeling hanging over me it's very hard xx
When you're not well your whole way of thinking becomes flat, anxious, weird thoughts materialise (which add to the pot), negative thinking (I won't get better) etc etc which is all part and parcel of this whole condition of depression and / or anxiety. You sort of get stuck in a cycle of depression / anxiety / fear / thoughts / anxiety etc etc ....... each symptom producing more anxiety / depression.
Horrible thoughts are just a side effect of anxiety - once the anxiety starts to ease, those thoughts won't bother you anymore. This whole condition makes you feel very depressed.
I'll send you a link via private message which I pass on to many.
K x
Thankyou katecogs xx
Don't worry about a different brand. Its the same ingredient, just a different brand. Keep at it. Rememebr it does get better, keep looking at all the posts. I am on 20mg and in week 6, I am now ready to return to work after 6 weeks off. Albeit 2 days a week for now.