I was prescribed citalopram (20mg per day) after going to my doctor concerning a panic attack I had had the previuos day and mild anxiety and possible depression. After I had taken the first tablet I had violent diarrhea until I was cleaned out literally. The next day I took a dose and it seemed to cause an anxiety attack that was much more unpleasant than any I had experienced before and frightening. The next day I got up with the same feeling, but worse and could not bear the thought of taking another. Now three days after taking the last dose I am still getting very unpleasant attacks (especiallyu in the morning to afternoon) and feel very down indeed. I know that taking anti-Depressants can make symptoms worse at first, but the severity of this is alarming and making me very miserable indeed. In have in the past taken other SSRis with out this sort of reaction. I cannot face taking another citalopram. Any ideas what I should do?
I have never taken citilopram but have taken plenty of other anti depressants
Seroxat which seems to have disappeared after bad press gave me symptoms which mirror yours on cit. I persisted for weeks on the advice of my Doctor. Never got any easier climbing the walls stuff.
There was a previous discussion on this site and some of us agreed that ssri's dont
Reduce or alleviate anxiety in some people
I will be interested to hear how things go if you do decide to continue taking them.
My last try was venlifaxine managed 3 of them before deciding I'd rather drink or take benzo's. In my opinion the only med that deals with anxiety,
My best wishes for a solution.
Hey Timelord,
Unfortunately this is what happens. I remember thinking I was dying for the first week on Citalopram. I suck at it tho and boy am I glad. You will prob find most people suffer greatly in the first week then start feeling better . 3 days in is almost half way there my friend. Stick at it in my opinion . It worked for me but see your doc if you are still concerned xxxxx
*stick
Power to you my friend in sticking it out! I don't think I have the mental wherewithal to do that. The very idea of taking another ((I only did two, by the way) makes me feel sick and I would gag on it! I am glad it worked for you in the end. I shall return to my doctor to see if there is an alternative I could try. As well as the intense anxiety, I had fever, insomnia, and loss of apetite. I have lost half a stone in four days because I cannot eat which makes me feel obviously even weaker.
Thanks for your reply. I don't know how you guys stick this out? Especially as yours never got better! I cannot possibly contemplate having another of these. It has been frightening! I have had Fluextine with no problems in the past.
I will post again with any progress
It seems to be normal for citalopram to make anxiety worse before it makes it better. I felt like I was going completely mad for around 9 days! It was literally crazy but after a few weeks it settled pretty quickly and I've been taking them almost a month now and feel like they are helping. I have barely any side effects now. It seems everyone reacts differently to these though. I was started on 10mg so that might be an option but if it's that bad you feel the fear about taking them you'll have to speak to your doctor about it. If you've already stopped a few days ago it's probably not a good idea to keep stopping and starting
I hated citralopam.....had to have emergency diazepam and anti nausea med....I got book from Amazon...Mindfulness, finding peace in a Frantic World by Mark Williams and Danny Penman....started meditation...take vit b complex and rescue remedy....still good nd bad days but feeling g in control...as much as you can with anxiety....it's horrendous!! Best of luck....regards, J
Thank you Judith. I think I couild have done with the diazepam and anti-nausea too! Thank you for the book recommendation. I think I will begin to research other remedies apart from drugs. I wish you well! Graham.
Worth a go....take back control...might be a meditation class in your area....try Buddhist site....no you don't have to be a Buddhist...but the meditations are good!! Regards J x