Just started on this...please help!

Treatment and medication
1

Hi All,

After a terrible and abusive marriage that ended a couple of years ago I am in a new relationship and we are now living together.

I have had my ups and downs but a recent blip in pour relationship pushed me over the edge and all I didn't deal with relating to the marriage came to a head.

I have had panic attacks, felt very anxious and low and insecure in my relationship. Also feeling very negative and finding it hard to believe that BF is telling truth when he says he loves me and that he is about to leave me.

I am under a lot of stress due to a very nasty divorce coming to it's final stages and my ex still tried to bully and control me in any way he can.

I have had Diazepam from the Dr to help with sleep and panic attacks and was also prescribed 20mg Citalopram. Took it and felt dreadful - pains in legs, sweating, more panic than before, weird dreams when I did nod off....so, after seeing GP she thought I sounded more stressed than depressed so said to stop.

I have made positive steps this week in that I have arranged counselling to deal with the things I need to put to bed and that feels better but I feel very low still and yesterday was awful. I then worry that I am pushing my BF further away by being like this - I know he is trying to support me but not 100% sure he understands how I feel all of the time and seeing me like this I know he finds hard. I want to be feel happy within myself and be back to the sparky, happy girl he fell in love with.

SO, yesterday I tried the Citalopram again but just taking 10mg rather than 20mg...so far, not too bad. Anyone done this? When should I increase to 20 or should I just bite the bullet and go for it now? Also, how do you cope with these feelings and sharing them with your partner??

I just want to feel positive, secure and happy again. So negative and lacking in motivation. x

2

Also find that my jaw seems to clench a lot when I take this stuff... :shock:

Weird...but if it stops me feeling anxious and negative I can cope. Wish it was instant though! x

3

Hi Glitterbug

Don't know if it helps but my Dr advised taking 10mg when starting Citalopram to let your system get used to taking before going for the 20mg. I have been taking for 6 days now, feeling sick and sweaty and not much improvement yet but understand it can take 2-6 weeks to start feeling better.

I think it sometimes difficult for partners to understand what we are going through - I know I have ended up pushing mine away by constantly seeking reassurance. I totally understand what you are saying.

PS. My jaw is aching as well!

Good luck and keep in touch.

Ali

4

Hi Glitterbug,I've been on Citalopram for 4 weeks.I took 20mg on the first day and felt dreadful so took 10mg for a few days which was better and went up to 20mg and was able to tolerate it more.

I felt calmer and a bit better for a few days and then became very lethargic and exhausted.I'm feeling a bit better now after I started taking the tablet in the evening rather than during the day.My Doctor told me it can take 6 weeks before it starts working and this has been backed up by people on the Forum who kindly replied to my post about exhaustion.

Hope it helps you.

Rose x