Hi im new to this site and in need if some help please. After a long time suffering with anxiety and suspected depression my doctor perscribed me with 10 mg of citalopram taken every morning. will i ever get better?! Ive suffered from nausea, diarrohea, headaches, detatchment, bizare head sensations, hightened anxiety, no motivation, extreme restlessness, mood changes, body shakes, fight or flight sensation (adrenaline sweeping from head to toes, blurred vision, jaw clenching, muscle jumping and restless legs.
The past few weeks have been ■■■■ but until 2 days ago i felt abit "normal" not 100% some side effects subsided but the past 2 days i have taken a bit step back nervousness, head shooting pain, nausea, agitation, tingling all over body, shakes, crying, emotional,weird head sensation. Is this normal. Im so frightened i feel like no one understands i will do anything to be normal again! Apolagies for the long post i just need advice PLEASE. I am also taking carbimazole, proponolol 80mg daily and diazepam when needed. Thank you xx
Aww kirby I can really relate to all your symptoms, I'm now nearly on 7wk 20mg cit and I've got to say I'm feeling abit better now, maybe you could do with a dose increase spk with your doc, 10mg done nothing for me x
Thanks for the reply. Ive just had enough of feeling so scared and panicky sick and emotional. Thank you for the advice 
x
Hey Kirsty, I'm sorry to hear you've had such a bad time. I really would suggest speaking to your doctor. Initially it's all trial and error with dosage - I'm on 20mg and I know 10mg wouldn't do a thing. Then again, maybe this medication isn't for you, your doctor will be able to advise you.
We all go through similar things to you, and it is scary but we are all here to help and your doctor should take the time to listen to you and to help you find a dose or medication that will start to make you feel normal soon.
Take care. x
Does anyone think it could just be a blip ? Xx
Does anyone think its just a blip?? X
It could be. It takes about 4-6 weeks for the citalopram to kick in. I would have guessed that you would start to feel better by now. When is your follow up appointment?
I had my follow up appointment last week (4 weeks onto treatment) i was feeling fine at that point until 2 days ago had a panic attack this morning and got the symtpms of anxiety back the adrenaline feeling frightened me i guess i need to ask for an earlier appointment x
I think it may just be a blip, especially if you were feeling ok a week ago. I too, suffer from anxiety on citalopram. Sadly, it's a side effect.
I know this isn't going to get rid of your anxiety but I talk myself through it - like a counsellor. It takes time (on occasion a day or so) but I work through it. I also meditate - only 10 minutes a day, but it helps me pick up the warning signs. I suggest, you do something just for you today - go for a walk, have a beauty treatment, buy yourself a treat or cook yourself a nice dinner. Hey, even download free mindfulness and meditate! Work it out your system, be kind to yourself and you will be fine. x
Emis Moderator comment: I have replaced the link with a suggested Google search term rather than a specific website as the link provided wasn't a working link.
Hey Kirsrty
I have been on cit 10mg for 5 wks now and I do feel alot better then I was before I previously started taking them..
I have experienced all of the symptoms you have listed above the worst for me is the head sensations(which brought on my anxiety). i understand how you feel an it is quite fighting... The sensations for me have eased a bit but I can still feel it.. so I'm going for a MRI just to ease my mind...
It will get better stay strong it does take between 4-6 wks for the tablets to work but I would suggest going back to your gp and maybe asking for an increase to 20mg...
You will feel nor mal again I thought I'd never be the same but slowly I'm coming back to myself and you will too.
Cheryl x
Sorry for all the replies below, I was on my iPad and it's not working properly. It kept saying there was an error and then a whole load of replies appeared!
I too, suffer from anxiety with citalopram. It's one of the side effects I'm afraid. I now recognise what it is and I talk myself down, but that has taken time to learn. Don't worry, it is perfectly normal, and it is most probably just a blip. Be kind to yourself for the next few days, try to do things just for you and with luck, the anxiety will go down and you can feel normal again. x
Thank you i will try and get an earlier appointment to see my gp. I just thought i would be feeling abit better but instead i have taken a few steps back. I am on 10mg just like you i was hoping not to increase my dose im on edge already! Until 2 days ago i felt fine until i got a fluttering in my left ear that bought on anxiety and had a panic attack this morning i hate the horrid adrenaline rush that comes with.
Thank for the advice Cheryl x
Its fine thank you for the advice! Its just so frustrating being like this i will keep updating x
I do get good days an bad days... but I've noticed I'm getting more good days... I was thinking about increasing meself but I am very anti tablets an I think it might be to much for me so I'm just gonna stick it out...
With taking Cit you will get side affects but thays how you no there working... I no its a horrid feeling an you do feel like giving up but please don't you'll be OK
When you do get an anxiety attack just remember it can't hurt you an just let it pass and try not to panic..I no easier said then done but if you accept it it won't be as bad...
I have an appointment with my gp today to discuss my progress...
Have you much support from family an friends?? I no not alot of people understand this illness bit there is alot of support on this site... For me the only support I had was my family who are 1000s of miles away as I moved from Ireland to Canada last year.. boyfriend doesn't understand at all.. But I jus push on...
Cheryl x
Im the same as you i hate taking tablets, i want to stick to 10mg i have support from my family but they dont fully understand. I get no support from my boyfriend he just thinks I am moaning all the time aha. Im glad you are having good days more often. It helps me to stick it out and put up with it. I hope your appointment goes well please let me know how you get on im counting down the days until i feel abit better. Fingers crossed i dont get another attack hate that adrenaline fight or flight horrible feeling. X
Hi Kirsty
Sorry to hear you're struggling.
All that you describe are very common side effects that most get when starting this medication, which can last for quite a few weeks. The side effects will disappear in time, but remember each time you change your dose you could feel some side effects again. Don't be alarmed at that though, it's just the way the medicine works and how your body adjusts to it.
You will probably find you'll get blips along the way - again it's just how things work. It does show though that it's working :-) As time goes by you should feel better and better and still get blips. Just accept that, and remind yourself that your heading towards recovery.
I've taken these for 15 years, starting on 20mg, then maintaining my wellness on 10mg. It does take time for things to settle and for you to know what dose is best for you - you can't hurry it along. I felt frightened too and felt nobody understood what I was going through, but everyone on this site has been through the same.
Best to discuss your dose with your doctor, and keep in touch here as people will support you through all this.
K xx