Hi,
I wonder if the reason you are taking it now was the same reason you took it before and whether this has any impact on the way it works this time?
Anyway, I am on 40mg after 6 months, starting on 10mg in December and increasing by 10 mg each month. Therefore I levelled out on 40mg end of March beginning of April. It has been a bit of a rough ride as I experienced some of the side effects and varying intensity of them too! Through this wonderful forum (watched over by angels - I'm sure (bit OTT but don't know what I would have done without them) my Doctor (well up on Cita) and especially my partner (Bless) I managed to ride the side effects. I would not say well, but I did most of the time manage to focus on the hope that this "sticking plaster" for the brain, if given time, should work. Regarding anxiety, I didn't know I had it!, but learnt through the forum that Cita causes hightened anxiety before it can start to treat it. I had shortness of bnreath associated with this, which in turn made me check with my Doctor if I had heart problems and eventually had a full healthy man check. Got slightly paranoid over other things, but just let these feelings come and go as I gradually accepted what was happening to me.
I became ill with work related stress after 6 six years in a community service job which (without proper employer support) drained me, almost killed me, if I am honest! I was certainly on the edge of a dark place. Since becoming ill, with my partners love and support, I have changed from a daily drinker and smoker (to get from one day to the next) plus I have changed my overall lifestyle to healthier eating. Ann and I got together a couple months before I fell ill and she is now my Fiancee.
I must also say that where Cita causes weight loss with some, I am a little "cuddly" (being about 2 stone over) as some of the healthy eating has become so enjoyable its kinda addictive, because it IS healthy! Basically veggie, but still eat seafood.
I had some of the usual side effects feeling spaced, dazed, shaky, tired, suffering from slight nausea, but the worse was at night multiple, vivid dreams. If I woke up int the night (no matter how many times) I would either return to the same vivid dream or start another! Soom got fed up with that and one of them angels here suggested taking Cita befor bed. Whether clinically or psychologically I dont know, but it worked for me!
Not to bore you any longer, I have finally put that which made me ill in the first place, behind me. I have left my employ, I am still in the sick, the Doctor will consider a gradual reduction in a months time, if I am still progressing. I have the very rare "blip" accept it and get over it. Whether I remain on 10mg for however long I do not know. What I do know is that I have removed what made me ill and changed my lifestyle to get better. Sadly, some I have noticed are using this and other meds to get by in those situations that are keeping them ill.
A curse of modern employment I'm afraid and one that will continue unless we stop the abuse of those hard working people out there and prevent our employment rights being further chipped away at!
Well, there ya go Rach! I hope after thi,s there is still time to enjoy what is left of the bank holiday! Lol! Get out there, enjoy the sun (mmmh, not sure about that much today) anyway enjoy!
Regards,
David
Ps keep reading and posting here, yer never alone!