I have just been prescribed citalopram by my doctor as my anxt has got so bad that i can't eat/sleep during the week as I'm so tense and worried about work. I've had to take a week off as my body just can't cope like this.
Was happy today when the doctor gave me citalopram as i finally thought i would have some sort of relief but now i have just read all of these posts saying it makes you much worse first...
The thought of being worse than I am now absolutely terrifies me, I have to go back into work next week and don't feel that I'll even be able to get through the day if I am more nervous and anxious than I am now.
Not sure that I should take them at all now. Is there anyone that can reassure me?? Am on a wating list for therapy but it will take months, I'm desperate to get out of this dark place.
It seems that the side effects vary from person to person. I was prescribed them yesterday and was planning on going to work today, however I woke up with a really bad stomach, nauseous and feeling weak, consequently I've had to stay off. I am hoping that the side effects will be relatively short lived and that the meds will help in the long run. I think you are just going to have to give it a go and see how you feel.
The side effects vary from person to person. For me they lasted 5 days. It then took 4 weeks for Cit to start to work. To make the tabs more effective the GP then upped my dose from 20mg to 30mg. I am now on week 14 and I can get on with my life again and the old me is back. The anxiety (which had stopped me going out) has faded into the background. I have also had 4 sessions of counselling which is very useful.
I found Will Beswick website and book very helpful. If you do a google search for his name you should find his site. He got his life back without any tabs using the methods he developed himself.
I've had a little look at him, thank you. Am still unsure, If I can do it without the Citalopram then i think i might. I just don't know, I know that I can't do another week of work if I feel anyworse than this and I have to go back in - I am a teacher and my class of 6 year olds have no teacher!
I fthere is anyone who has not had these bad effects first could you please let me know! Atm it seems a dead cert that that is what's going to happen!
I have to say that, although I experienced side effects during the first 4 weeks, they were tolerable. I think the key to it is to recognise them for what they are and to resolve to get through them to reach the stage where the benefits start to kick in. For me the side effects were much less severe than with Seroxat, a fact which helped me persist with C until things got more or less back to normal. I don't think you should just look at the bad experiences - that might lead you to expect problems which, in turn, might exagerate their impact. Please try to focus on the success stories, of which there are plenty, and you'll be more likely to reinforce the beneficial effects of the drug. If it's of any help you will find supporters on this site. There are many other people in your situation and the ones who have come through it will be willing to help you.
The good news is that i am on day 14 and have not had a side effect. i did sleep a lot on the first few days but my body really needed that. I'd recommend starting with half a tablet each evening (they help me sleep) and build up to the prescribed dose after a week, that's what I've done. i can honestly say i wish I had started these months ago.
Right, thanks everyone. I've started taking them now so let you know how it goes. I read that last message too late im afraid so am taking the full dosage. Am feeling abit sick but then that could quite possibly because i have been thinking about it too much! Gunna try to just get on with it, not think about it and see what happens!
Am having a big party on sat for my 24th birthday (will be day 5 of cit)...have been looking forward to letting my hair down so much and having a break from all of this but everyone advises not to drink :-(
Is that really true?? I really really want to have a drink and a good time with my friends. Have to go back to work on the monday so dont want to fall into any kind of depression on the sunday from drinking the night before.
I was amazed to read your post as it was exactly how I was feeling and you were prescribed the tablets on the same day as me also. I have suffered with anxiety for about 4 years on and off but it has never really completely disappeared. It has got to a point now where I worry about everything! And I struggle into work daily, feeling ill and worry how I will get through the day, the next week, month, let alone a whole year going into work.
I'm now nervous driving long distances and even when walking round large shopping centres. I'm fine when in the comfort of my own home although still have no motivation to do much round the house and thinking all the time!
I have been on betablockers but have finally realised that although the physical symptoms went away, my mind was not cured! I was so scared to take Cit. as I was worried of the side effects but also having my real emotions blocked by a tablet and feeling a failure for being on 'antidepressants' but with the support of my mum, best friend and boyfriend I have taken my first one today.
I really hope they don't make me feel any worse, I like you am already worrying about going into work if the anxiety gets worse. And so far haven't had any time off work, for fear of losing my job. No-one really understands unless you're going through it yourself.
I hope you feel ok and you had an enjoyable party.I wasn't going to drink but have had a glass of wine tonight and feel fine. I think the effect of alcohol is increased on the tablets so just need to cut back.
Hi I have been on Citalopram for two weeks, I was put on them for panick attacks - work related!!! my work load is big and caught up with me.
I am going through some of the side affects now after two weeks of being on them. I have also lost half a stone in weight. My sister is also on the same medication and has been on them for two months, she started off on 10mg and is now on 20mg. She said that she had the side effects too, so I am going to persavere as I want my old self back again. My sister is a different person.
Weight loss is a common part of the process. My weight nosedived during the initial part of the illness but came back to normal when the drug kicked in. I also had real difficulty walking down stairs because my legs were so shaky. These things will pass. C has real benfits so please persist until they show themselves.
It is so helpful to hear from other people going through the same thing.I have only taken the tablets for 4 days now but already feel calmer and less emotional. However, I am having a few side effects which I hope will pass including headaches, bit spaced out (although felt like this with the anxiety), hot sweats and finding it difficult to get to sleep but once asleep I sleep fine. The real test will be going back to work tomorrow... eek!
Hi Everyone, Sorry i posted this as a new thread, i meant to reply!!
Pretty much the same situation, been suffering for anxiety and depression for a while now and was prescribed these by my Dr as this were getting worse. I was so scared to take them after reading the side effects but I'm going to give it a good go now, hope to be back to \"me\" soon! Laughing
Would be good to know how things are going with you all now, ill update too!
I've been taking my tablets for a week now and I am starting to feel better already. There were a few days where I still wasn't good, I got headaches and one day felt very panicky. But the last couple of days have felt an improvement, even in stressful & frustrating situations at work I was able to keep calm.
Vixx, I definitely recommend these. Don't think I would have been able to go into work all this week without them as I'm very unhappy in my job.
Day 4 now and I'm not feeling much different, but i don't expect that yet, a few headaches early morning after taking them before i go to bed, going to try taking them a bit earlier, or going to bed before 2am might help!!! My job is a big factor too, dreading going back after 2 weeks sign off!