I've been on 20mg of citalopram for nearly 5 weeks now for anxiety. I've gone through the side effects, nausea and increased anxiety I've not eaten since other than protein shakes and the odd bit of toast. I'm still suffering anxiety particularly on waking and nausea most of the day. Today has been awful and even the beta blockers aren't touching the anxiety.
I'm seriously thinking I need to increase the dose, any advice?
I agree u need to do something r u still suffering all the side effects 5 weeks in? If so id b inclinded to advise a med change tbh
The nausea is now from my anxiety rather than a side effect I just don't feel like I'm getting any improvement though I do usually get some relief late afternoon and evening, today just been a bad day
5 weeks is not long enough. You need to give it at least 8-12 weeks before considering an increase or med swap.
Snap todays been pants for me to! Id suggest u maybe c ur gp an review the drug
Hi Victoria, I was on 20mg of citalopram for about 7 weeks and saw no improvement and had all the symptoms that you describe too. It was especially bad when i woke up in the morning, but by evening i was slightly calmer....no real help though. I went back to my GP who changed my meds to Mirtrazapine 15mg to be taken at night 30 mins before bedtime and I can honestly say what a difference they made to me, i was able to sleep soundly and my mood improved and my anxiety lessened. I have been on them now for around 15 weeks, some nights i just take half of a tablet. Im not completely cured i do have the odd wobble and i had one this week as i was away on holiday for a few days and out of my normal routine, so just put my dose back up to 15mg and feeling ok again.
These drugs are not miracle cures and what suits one person may not be right for another, but after 8 weeks if there is no improvement I would defo go back to GP and explain how you are feeling.Take Care
Aileen61 did u have and side effects on mitrazapine? Im considering it next if i dont settle on sertraline how long did u take to notice a difference on mitraz
What are the beta blockers for. You need an extra medicine that helps through the roughest times
Beta blockers help calm and stop the adrenaline . I had diazepam in the first week or so
Hi weenett, i didnt have any bad side effects, just a bit sluggish in the morning first thing until I got used to them...they certainly have helped me and I would say within a week I was really feeling the benefit. As i said in my first post I do have the odd blip but it does not last long. Hope this helps.
Hi Victoria
You sound like me when I first started taking citalopram. I was a mess and it was bloody horrible and hard. I stayed on 20mgs for about 16 weeks before I went to Dr and had a dosage increase.
I too found the mornings awful,but I made sure I had something planned for the day so I could have something to look forward to doing and that would actually as a distraction from my anxiety. By early afternoon I'd generally feel better.
Exercise I found was really beneficial,especially yoga and running. CBT is great too. I also got some diazepam to help me sleep...they slowed my mind down!
Citalopram has really worked for me...it can be a slow process for some though.
Louise
Did u take them for anxiety an dep did they increase ur appitite
Did u increase the dose slowly? Did u have any side effects?
I'm getting to my wits end if I'm honest I just want to be able to function and feel a bit of improvement xx
i took them for anxiety/stress. I read online that they can increase your appetite but i cant say they did, just was nice to feel better and enjoy my food again after feeling so nauseous on the citalopram.
I think im gonna give these a go i am on sert an cant eat anything its like im full after 3 bites an to eat any more id throw up r u still on them? How long till the lifted your anxiety feelings
Hi weenett, yes im still on them, some nights i just take half of a tablet, but if im feeling a bit of a wobble coming on i take the full tablet again. Im hoping my GP will keep me on them for the forseeable future, although Im much better than i was Im not completely 100% yet. And I found within a week of taking the 15mg my mood was definately improving. Good Luck with whatever you decide x
Im totally asking for these why suffer through god awful side effects if i dont have to?
I hope they work well for you too, please let me know how you get on.x
Im confuused as to how they assess who gets wat coz apparently there a 3rd line choice yet i know 3 people all suggested them for the same issues as me an ive never been offered them
Thanks Louise. I've been on citalopram for about 5 months now, 3 months at 10mg and 20mg for 9 weeks. I feel better than I did but I'm still struggling quite a bit and the morning anxiety continues to be bad. By the evening I'm usually much better but I want to feel like that all day, not just the evening. I know it is a very slow process and you have to help yourself too, not just sit back and expect the meds to do all the work. I volunteer now 2 days a week at a day centre for the elderly and that has helped a lot because I'm meeting people and socialising instead of being alone all day thinking about my symptoms. I'm going to give the 20mg the full 12 weeks before considering an increase I think. Good luck with your journey too x