I'm week 2 on 20mg of citalopram.
My depression is really severe and my anxiety is so bad I can barely function at all.
Is this normal?
I know it can get worse before better but this has really hit me like a ton of bricks.how long until I see some improvement because I cant stress enough how bad I feel right now.
This is my second time on it and didnt experience this the first time round at all.
Thanks
Dear Dankeenan I know how you feel ,I an into week 5 on 20 mgs Prozac and my anxiety and depression has gone through the roof I have been back to Drs and was told these are side effects and told to keep taking them,I can’t sleep no appetite going to stick with them for 6 weeks then back too Drs can’t put up with these feelings for much longer they are horrendous big hug for you x
Hello
I read your reply to Dankeenan.
I am also on 20m of oxactin (Prozac), I am on week 3 plus 2 days, a few days ago I felt the mood lifting and started eating, but today I have gone backwards, there was a mix up with the strength of tablet, I was told by my Doctor after 14 days to go to 40m, I had taken 40m for four days, but when I spoke with the duty Doctor she said to go back to 20m, my Doctor is on holiday, because of this I think changing the dose after 4 days on a double dose has set me back.
I will wait and see on Tuesday it will be four weeks if I am not feeling any better I will contact the surgery again.
It’s the most horrible feeling ever, like being in a black hole.
How are you ?
Hi thanks for replying x is this your first time on an antidepressant? Have you noticed any improvement at all so far? There is a really good SSRI support group on facebook I joined and a few people have said that it will pass. It might be worth getting on there for some extra support and advise 😊
It seems that the lower dose effects my anxiety more and the increased dose makes my depression severe too x
Hi
I have been on 20m of oxactin for just over two weeks, on the 14th day I had two good days, then I went back to feeling down, not a nice feeling, when I started the capsules the Doctor said after two weeks up the dose to 40m, so today is the first day on 40m, I do feel a bit better today and could eat a small sandwich for lunch, but before I had no appetite at all for the first two weeks, I am certainly not better, but they do take anything from 4-6 weeks to feel the full benefit, so I will just see how I go.
I have taken these before for a long time and felt perfect, I should not have been taking off them, just a low dose to help keep me sane.
Each time you have to go through at least two weeks of hell, feeling much worst.
Just keep taking them, you will feel better and when they kick in it’s a lovely feeling.
Keep in touch
Thank you for responding i really appreciate it so thank you 😊
I had 2 good days too. They weren't good in any sense as my anxiety was really high but the depression seemed to lift but has come back again today and it's horrible.
I'm just hoping it passes soon as I find it really difficult to deal with x
Isnt 40mg the highest dose of prozac?
Are you on it for anxiety and depression? Thank you for replying x
No it’s not the highest dose, 60 is the highest, but I am 77 so that’s the highest for my age.
Yes depression and anxiety , I had several illnesses together and then a ct colonoscopy, waiting for the results affected me, but it came back clear,
Today has been slightly better for me, I feel like food, so just hope I improve each day, it will happen and the waiting is worst, it’s like wishing your life away.
I have had depression before but last time much worst, not saying it hasn’t been bad this time, it was like being in a black hole the first time, do you sleep ok, I take my capsule as soon as I wake up, not at night and I have a white machine it plays water sounds (Amazon) and in the bedroom I have a essential oil defuser, I use albas oil, lavender etc it real helps.
Good luck keep me updated though.
That's good news it came back ok! 😊 that's really good. That must be a weight off your shoulders x
Ahhhh I see I thought 40mg was the highest.
Depression is so horrible but remember you got better before so you will again this time!
It Is a real struggle though isnt it x especially with them both together.
Glad you are having a better day and also keep in touch 😊
I will Keep in touch, I am lucky to have a good Husband and support from our Children, he has had to do everything, just struggled to help him.
We can keep in touch and report our progress, to day was day 17, but doubled the dose today,
Keep as positive as you can you too will get better, but it’s the waiting.
That's good that you have people for support! Without my partner I would be completely lost if I'm honest x
Definitely keep updating as we go 😊
I am pleased you have support as it helps lot for someone to understand, bless you X
How are you this morning?, I am far from over the line yet, today I feel achy and very shaky, but trying to keep positive.
I haven’t heard from you, how are you feeling.
It took me almost 3 months before I felt it. Maybe give it some time to work.
3 months is a pretty long time isnt it. It must have felt like a life time!
3 months before you got better or 3 months before you felt it starting to work?
Did your depression get worse at the beginning aswell?
Thanks for replying 😊
It took 3 months before I really felt it. I didn’t get so much worse. At the time I was only taking it for anxiety although now I take it for both. I did have some rough times during that transition process but thankfully I have a good support system that helped me through it.
Thank you for your reply 😊
How are you now. I hope you're on the mend and starting to feel better x
Did your depression appear while you were taking the meds?
Hi Dankeeban
I’m on Escitalopram and I also had bad side effects from days 4 - 11. Almost stopped taking them but thanks to the support on this site, I stuck with it. After day 11 I got better and better. But it takes time for the changes in your brain to take place. I’m now 5 months in and I’m feeling fantastic! Stick with it! 😊
I'm glad you are feeling a lot better that's really good x I seemed fine the first week and felt it about day 7 and on day 14 now and its getting more difficult. Really worried I'm gonna keep getting worse than better 😓
Thank you for replying 😊
It’s tough and I don’t think one is prepared for how bad the SE can be. I felt like I couldn’t concentrate, hungover and generally foggy brained. The worrying about the side effects made me more anxious so I was extremely sensitive to each and every feeling which made it worse. But it does get better. Know that!!!
That's exactly what I'm like at the minute! Every single side effect I'm having makes my anxiety so much worse then in turn like you said it makes them seem worse and it's a vicious cycle.
At points I think I'm going crazy or theres something seriously wrong with me mentally and that's pretty scary. I keep telling myself it's just my anxiety but it doesnt help much x thank you for replying I'm in a place where I definitely need the support right now x
Distraction is key. I found that upbeat music helped, as did coffee and literally throwing myself in the shower!! It really will get better though but I know how you are feeling. Chin up! 😊
Thank you so much I really appreciate it x did you feel like me then? X
Very much the same. Was in a daze!
You sound a lot stronger than me! I wish I had your enthusiasm! ❤
Dankeenan - promise you I’m not always strong.
I saw this today - it resonates.
“Some days you feel good because you’ve smashed everything on your to do list. Other days you feel good because you managed to have a shower.
Whichever it is, I hope you find something that makes you feel good today!”
Sounds like a good night! I'm nowhere near that stage yet but hopefully one day soon I can enjoy some music have a few drinks and look back and be happy I pulled through x
I really hope so x i just wish they worked straight away! Lol
When you have these vivid dreams do you have trouble separating it from reality after you wake up? Idk if I’m the only one but I’m dreams of things happening or of people saying things to me and the next day I’ll trouble remembering what was real and what wasn’t. Like did my friend actually tell me that or was it in my dream.
Hi Dankeenan,
How are you getting on with the Citalopram? I’m on day 19 and still having side effects, especially insomnia which is one of the reasons I’m taking it for! Hoping to see it wiring soon as can’t survive on 2 to 3 hours sleep I a night! X
Help..
Help!!!
Trapped need help 
Citalopram 10mg
Steps to help your anxiety. 