Starting meds

[Lyns1411]

First day of starting citalopram. I’m so bloody scared but just gonna start off at 5mg as I’m quite sensitive to tablets. I’ve suffered anxiety for 3 years now and was first prescribed sertraline which I wouldn’t give in and take as I didn’t want to take meds at all but I’m away on a family hol with my partner nd 2 children in July so want to get better and actually enjoy the holiday instead of being a bundle of nerves so I’m finally giving in and taking citalopram today. I’m shaking thinking about it 😩 wish me luck ppl.

[Dana38]

You’ll do great!!

[Jeff1943]

Lyns1411, let me get this right, you've been prescribed Citalopram which will free you from being 'a bundle of nerves' and you're "bloody scared"?

Surely you should be feeling mighty relieved that you are going to obtain respite from the bad feelings for a while. Instead you say you're "shaking thinking about it". Surely you should be ecstatic that you're getting a break from your anxiety disorder.

You also say that in a similar situation before you were prescribed Sertraline to give you relief from your torment but that you "didn't give in" and so didn't take it.

I must ask: why all this resistance to things that will allow you to feel better? Giving in to what? We're talking about effective and well-tested medications here not rat poison or heroin.

May I suggest to you that anxiety about taking anti-anxiety medications is just another symptom of anxiety. And now you've started on the Citalopram don't expect it to give you all sorts of horrible side-effects or your expectation will be fullfilled by your imagination.

Lyns1411, nobody wants to be on meds all their life. But if things feel overwhelming or there's a dificult time coming up then its perfectly in order to opt for a period of relief that modern meds can offer.

Then whilst you're feeling normal and free from the bad feelings use the period of relief to explore your options for recovery without meds. These may include talking therapy (such as cognitive behavioural therapy) or a good self-help book written by someone who knows what they're talking about. These can include the book 'Dare' or 'Self help for your nerves' by Claire Weekes.

So take advantage of the help that meds can bring when you feel you need a break - you can still taper off them when you feel ready and have decided on a med-free road to recovery.

[Lyns1411 in reply to Jeff1943]

I took my first one today and I feel okay, just a little bit sickly and dizzy but I can cope with that. Hopefully the next few days will see me having no bad side effects too 😊

[Jeff1943 in reply to Lyns1411]

It's good you've started on the Citalopram but it's highly unlikely that taking one would make you feel sick or dizzy, in fact it's highly unlikely that it could cause these feelings regardless of how many you take.

You don't have to hope they will have no bad side effects - where did that idea come from? Please don't jeopardise the benefits of this med by demonising it with every bad feeling that you can think of.

Citalopram stops you having bad feelings - it doesn't give you bad feelings, otherwise it would never have been licenced.

[Lyns1411 in reply to Jeff1943]

Thanks for your reply. U are making me think more positively towards these tablets 😊

[Sueb54]

I have been on 20mg of citropram for 3 wks and I feel so much better. In fact I have no anxiety feelings now. So I say keep going with the meds they do wrk give them time. I also have cbt therapy. Which has helped a lot to.

[Lyns1411]

I’m on day 3 and still only halving the tablet but think I might start the full one soon as it’s only 10mg which is low anyways. Glad your having a good time on them. Hope they help me too. I’m having cbt aswell

[Donkster]

DARE by Barry McDonagh is the book there recommending

[Hidden]

How are you doing?

[Lyns1411]

Don’t feel much different at all but I seem to be sleeping much better which is a good thing 😊

[Hidden]

i was taking cipralex for almost 7 mnoths it works for depression but not for anxiety and my doctor want me to switch to zoloft not always the first medication can work i wish u all the luck