I've had anxiety for yrs. I have made the mistake of coming of citalopram every time I felt better, but within a Yr back to stage one. Crippling anxiety and this time with depression.
Waking in the night with my heart racing, doom and gloom thoughts and really so low I want to cry.
My Dr has giving me 10ml of cit to take as three yrs ago I went straight on 20ml and the feelings sky rocketed.
Im still scared of taking 10ml and wondering whether or not to cut in half?. Sat here wanting to cry full of anxiety and scared just looking at the box. Any advice or reassurance would be gratefully appreciated.
Claire.
hi claire,if you want to take half of a citrolopram then it is ok to break a tablet in half and it will after 8/10 weeks help you to get better,yes there are a few side effects ,however if you take it 2 hours before you go to bed then when you sleep the citrolopram will start to work and you will still be able to sleep.
Hi Claire I made exactly the same mistake and am now in exactly the same place as you the way I am looking at it is ok they may make you feel worse for a couple of weeks but it's short term pain for long term gain. Perhaps you won't get such a bad reaction to 10mg as you did 20mg? My advice would be just go for it... they worked before and they will work again. I'm only on day 3 back on them so I will be right here with you.
Thank you Sean. I will take it today. I hope we can help each other through this. Keep in touch even when feeling very bad and I will reassure you even though I find it hard to reassure myself.
Thank you Marsh. Reassuring.
Hi Claire It is certainly not an easy road. Things that have helped me: exercise as it helps burn off the adrenaline; vitamin B and magnesium; socialisation.
Good luck with it. Russell
Thank you Russell I will take all into consideration.
Claire
Why put yourself thru all this drama with coming on an off.. wouldn't it be alot better to just stay on celexa..ain't no different than taking diabetic meds blood pressure meds etc..I wouldn't want to that to my brain that's for sure.. good luck..saying a prayer for you ..
Your very right. This time I'm staying on them. I'm going to make a point in the future eveytime I feel good and have any thoughts of coming off to remember what's happened.
Hi claire! I was on citalopram a little over a year ago and then stopped taking it because circumstances had improved in my life and I thought i could get better on my own. When my anxiety got overwhelming again a few months ago I reluctantly went back to my doctor and started at 10mg. I started seeing a counselor also and she has helped me understand that there is nothing "wrong" with me, I have an illness that needs to be treated. It was really scary at first to accept that! Anyway, I had a panic attack several weeks in and my doc bumped me up to 20mg. Even though she said this was the average dose most of her patients are taking, I was sure it would be too much for me because I am sensitive to medication. I was exhausted at first and extremely discouraged but I asked my pharmacist about it and she told me to give it some more time and I am glad I did. After several weeks, the side effects are less intense, so pushing through was ultimately worth it. I have noticed that the anxiety is there but the physical manifestations aren't. I felt them when I was taking 10mg, but don't now that I am on 20mg. I don't know if this is a long term solution because I still get frustrated with the side effects. But I'm in my last semester and working full-time so this is the best option for me to function day-to-day and get things done. Hope this helps!
Very much what I am beginning to realise, Lois. It's too easy when recovered to feel 'I don't need these,' but am actually beginning to realise that I do. And trying to restart is hideous.
Yes ma'am after reading all of the forums etc.i would never take that chance with coming off..right now I feel fantastic and I ain't going to jeopardize my recovery..