I've had big progress in the last 9 weeks on citalopram, but then i get my period and I feel full of anxiety again! I know things are improving, but I need constant reassurance that it is normal for it to take this long to recover?
Just remember all the progress you've made . I apprecaite you sharing your progress. What are some of the positives you've seen so far?
There were point that anxiety was so high I couldn't sit still I never slept, I was barely eating and I hated to be home alone(not really alone just me n kids). Now I'm living my life normally just with moments or days of anxiousness here n there.
I felt like that a few weeks ago I ended up having a panic attack and got taken to hospital with chest pains iam on nicotine patches too so more things going on as well so I've just stopped taking my citalapram tablets now cant deal with the side effects
It can take up to 12 weeks for things to settle down fully. You’ve said you’ve made big progress in the last 9 weeks - perhaps write down all the changes and progress you’ve made so in moments of doubt or fear you can reflect on the improvements??
Also CBT can really help too so speak to your GP about a referral to a service who can offer CBT. From my experience the more I tried to seek reassurance that I was going to be ok the worse I felt! Instead what I had to do is take one day at a time and not project too much into the future.
There’s a really good website that has lots of workbooks and information on anxiety that might help - I can’t put the link in this post for some reason but if you google - “CBT cci” it should take you to the website.
Also try mindfulness and yoga - both are great for reducing anxiety.
Did you wean off the tablets..or cold turkey?
Thanks! I know I'm making progress I just feel like I need the reassurance sometimes, but it always makes me feel better to know that other people have taken this long to feel better. The first time I was on meds I felt bettrt within weeks but may have been placebo effect.
Hello, I'm at a similar stage as yourself. People on this forum are great for reassurance. From what I've picked up, it can take up to 12 weeks for cit to work, even longer according to USA forums. My gp said that happy pills enable us to produce more happy chemicals in our brains. The trouble is we produce such small amounts, it takes a long time to build up correct levels. From what i can tell, if you have noticed small improvements, then it's likely cit will eventually return you to feeling normal. Think you have to give it 12 weeks, before you and your gp can decide if it's right for you, or whether you need an increase in dose, or a new type of happy pill. As it takes a relatively long time for someone to go from stressed and anxious to depressed, when recovery takes place, it takes eqaully long, and you have to go back through stress and anxiety, before feeling normal again. That seems to make sense to me. For myself taking a happy pill, stress and anxiety are an indication it's working. The stress and anxiety I'm talking about, are what people call the side effects. Mark on this forum is particularly clear that in his experience, you need to give them 12 weeks before making any decisions, with most of the benefits coming in the final few weeks. Following small improvements I've had over last week, I'm inclined to believe him. 2 weeks ago I was all for changing. Glad I didn't, as I need to give cit a chance. What if I'd changed, and cit was the answer? Hope this helps.
I went cold turkey as I couldn't deal with them anymore
So now you are having withdrawals?
I was talking to a friend of mine whos a nurse n he was saying I should feel better by now and maybe I need to add an extra medication which just made me feel horrible and more anxious hard to stay patient when everything online seems to say they take 4-6 weeks 😭
It took me 8months to recover 4months to feel some benefit.
So what are you taking now..?
Did your dr tell you it would take that long ?
Yes..first thing that came out of my phychiatrist mouth..that was after I fired my GP.gp.dont have a clue about ssris ..they should be ban from prescribing ssris..so the answer is yes..
Still celexa
I'm confused I thought you went cold turkey?
No must have been someone else I've been on cit 9 weeks
Leticia, how bad were your ups and downs in week 5... Yesterday I felt dang near normal during parts of the day. Today I'm tired and I can't stop yawning. Also having a decent amount of anxiety
I have been on cit for 5 weeks now and if not for this support I would have given up. I had no idea re side effects and no dr said it would be like this. I recently had 3 good days and Felt I was past the worse then today I had a stressful and anxious day!! I am hearing that 12 weeks will make the difference I really hope that’s true. Can’t wait to the smiling joyful me I once was!!!! Thanks for listening